Ayşe Tuğba Yapıcı | Electric Vehicles | Best Research Article Award

Ms. Ayşe Tuğba Yapıcı | Electric Vehicles | Best Research Article Award

Doctoral Researcher  |  Kocaeli University  |  Turkey

Ms. Ayşe Tuğba Yapıcı is a dedicated doctoral researcher whose academic journey is strongly rooted in cutting-edge technologies for electric vehicles, smart energy systems, and intelligent power electronics. She has cultivated significant professional experience through her active involvement in research addressing real-world problems such as electric vehicle charging optimization, grid-integrated charging infrastructures, and advanced modeling of power converter systems. Throughout her career, she has contributed to impactful scientific studies focusing on induction heating systems, charging time prediction using deep learning, and data-driven forecasting on electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure planning. Her research interests include electric vehicle technologies, charging station design, renewable-integrated smart grids, artificial intelligence–based energy forecasting, machine learning and deep learning applications in power systems, and IoT-enhanced smart mobility frameworks. She possesses strong research skills in Python-based deep learning toolkits, MATLAB/Simulink, DigSilent PowerFactory modeling, statistical evaluation metrics, time-series forecasting, optimization algorithms, and performance analysis of intelligent systems. She has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in international SCI/Scopus-indexed journals, delivering innovative research outcomes that offer comprehensive and practical solutions for the sustainable development of electric transportation. Her research achievements include proposing an intelligent deep learning–based framework for EV charging time prediction, integrating spatial–temporal mobility parameters, and enhancing operational efficiency for fast-charging infrastructures. Her work stands out for its interdisciplinary approach and technological significance, supporting the transition toward cleaner mobility, optimized charging networks, and smart energy management. In addition to research excellence, she continues to contribute to academic and scientific communities through conference participation, collaborations, and knowledge dissemination. She aims to advance secure, intelligent, and scalable charging automation systems that support next-generation autonomous electric mobility. Her long-term vision is to shape energy-efficient transportation ecosystems, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to the global sustainability agenda through innovation and scientific leadership. She has achieved  3 Citations , 2 Documents,  1 h-index.

Featured Publications

Yapıcı, A. T., & Abut, N. (2025, November 23). An intelligent and secure IoT-based framework for predicting charging and travel duration in autonomous electric taxi systems. Applied Sciences.

Yapıcı, A. T., Abut, N., & Yıldırım, A. (2025, October 27). Estimation of future number of electric vehicles and charging stations: Analysis of Sakarya Province with LSTM, GRU and multiple linear regression approaches. Applied Sciences.

Yapıcı, A. T., & Abut, N. (2025, August 21). Geleceğe yönelik elektrikli araç ve şarj istasyonu sayılarının LSTM ve GRU derin öğrenme yöntemleri kullanılarak tahmin edilmesi: Kocaeli ili örneği. Politeknik Dergisi.

Yapıcı, A. T., Abut, N., & Erfidan, T. (2025, April 11). Comparing the effectiveness of deep learning approaches for charging time prediction in electric vehicles: Kocaeli example. Energies.

Yapıcı, A. T., & Abut, N. (2024, September 15). Elektrikli araç şarj istasyonu konum tasarımında, Digsilent yazılımı kullanılarak Kocaeli Üniversitesi Umuttepe Kampüsü için örnek uygulama. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science.

Ayşe Tuğba Yapıcı’s research advances intelligent and sustainable electric mobility by integrating deep learning, smart grid technologies, and IoT-based predictive frameworks to optimize charging infrastructure and energy management. Her work supports the transition toward autonomous electric transportation, reducing environmental impacts, improving urban mobility planning, and contributing to global innovation in smart energy systems. She envisions scalable, reliable, and human-centered smart mobility ecosystems that accelerate the adoption of clean transportation worldwide.

Theophilus Nwokedi | Sustainable Transport | Excellence in Innovation Award

Dr. Theophilus Nwokedi | Sustainable Transport | Excellence in Innovation Award

Senior Lecturer | Federal University of Technology | Nigeria

Dr. Theophilus Chinonyerem Nwokedi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Maritime Technology and Logistics at the School of Logistics and Innovation Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, with extensive expertise in maritime management, port logistics, shipping operations, marine environmental protection, and maritime security governance. He earned his First Degree in Transport Management & Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Second Class Upper Division), and subsequently obtained both a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Maritime Management & Technology from the same institution. Over the years, Dr. Nwokedi has amassed extensive professional experience in maritime, shipping, ports, and logistics organizations, while actively engaging in human capital development and professional training across institutions such as the Nautical Institute for Technology, Global Maritime Academy, Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS), Atlantic Maritime Academy, Lagos Aviation and Maritime Business School (LAMBS), and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA), Nigeria. His research interests encompass marine environmental protection and sustainability, maritime safety management, sustainable ports and marine transportation, marine surveying and offshore inspection, maritime insurance, and maritime defense and security. Dr. Nwokedi has demonstrated strong research skills in modeling, quantitative analysis, risk assessment, and maritime policy evaluation, with over 45 publications in peer-reviewed journals indexed by Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, including extensive work on marine debris, shipping efficiency, and economic impacts of maritime operations. He has led and contributed to multiple national research projects, notably NIMASA-funded Marine Debris Combat programs, and actively participates in consultancy through Tblanca Global Maritime Logistics Consults and Ocean Research Center (ORC). Recognized for his commitment to education, research, and societal impact, he has garnered numerous awards and honors for his contributions to maritime studies. Dr. Nwokedi’s sustained leadership, scholarly productivity, and dedication to advancing maritime research establish him as a leading figure in Nigeria and internationally. He has achieved 33 Citations , 17 Documents, 4 h-index.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Nwokedi, T. C., Anyanwu, J., Eko-Rapheaels, M., Akpufu, C. O. I. D., & Ogola, D. B. (2022). Probability theory analysis of maritime piracy and the implications for maritime security governance. Journal of ETA Maritime Science, 10(2), 14. Citations: 14, h-index: 4

2. Nwokedi, T. C., Okoroji, L. I., Nwoloziri, C. N., Efanga, H. O., & Okafor, C. O. (2021). Covid-19: Disruption of container freight transportation on last mile corridors between regional hub ports and hinterland markets in Nigeria. Himalayan Journal of Economics and Business Management, 2(1), 1–13. Citations: 12, h-index: 4

3. Ndikom, O., Nwokedi, T. C., Buhari, S. O., & Okeke, K. O. (2017). An appraisal of demurrage policies and charges of maritime operators in Nigerian seaport terminals: The shipping industry and economic implications. NAŠE MORE: Znanstveni časopis za more i pomorstvo, 64(3), 90–99. Citations: 12, h-index: 4

4. Nnadi, C. O., Nwokedi, T., Nwokoro, I., & Ndikom, O. (2016). Analysis of maritime piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea maritime domain. Journal of ETA Maritime Science, 4(4), 271–287. Citations: 12, h-index: 4

5. Nwokedi, T., Odumodu, C. U., Anyanwu, J., & Dike, D. (2020). Frustration-aggression-theory approach assessment of sea piracy and armed robbery in Nigerian industrial trawler fishery sub-sector of the blue economy. Journal of ETA Maritime Science, 8(2), 114–132. Citations: 11, h-index: 4