RCA 2023 Awardees at IRG54

Adefemi Alade
Ramunas Digaitis
Shofi Fauziyyah
Eli Keržič
Shahlinney Lipeh
Resa Martha
Afifi Nazeri
Samuel Olaniran
Yuki Ota
Maik Slabohm
Philip Beseter Van Niekerk
Alia Syahirah Yusoh

RCA 2022 Awardees at IRG54

Qiliang Fu
Ryo Inoue
Jacopo Profili

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Adefemi Alade

Age: 39
Birthplace: Awo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Current location: Moscow, Idaho, USA
High school: Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Oganganmodu Grammar School, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Universities: Stellenbosch University, South Africa – PhD (Wood Product Science)
Ekiti State University, Nigeria – Master of Science (Forest Resources Management)
University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria – Bachelor of Forestry and Wildlife
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow / Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, USA
Interests: Soccer (playing and watching)
Musical interests: Nigerian Highlife

Ramunas Digaitis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 37
Birthplace:    Pajuris, Lithuania
Current location:     Copenhagen, Denmark
High School: Pajurio Stanislovo Birziskio gymnasium
Universities attended: Vilnius University (B.Sc)
University of Copenhagen (M.Sc & PhD)
Current position: Consultant at Danish Technological Institute (DTI), Wood and bio based materials.
What you want to achieve in life: Contribute towards development of sustainable wood protection products and promote the use of wood in construction.
Interests outside of work: Fishing, hiking, cycling
Sports played: Orienteering

Shofi Fauziyyah

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 27
Birthplace: Lampung, Indonesia
Current location: Vienna, Austria
High school: SMA N 1 Metro, Lampung
University: Bogor Agricultural University
Current position: Doctoral Candidate, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
Goals: connecting people with science.
Interests: exploring hidden gems in city I visited and try their street foods. Aside of that I also enjoy trekking and hiking in nature parks. 
Musical interests: Currently I put NewJeans on repeat, but my top artist on Spotify was Nature Sounds. Rolling Ocean Waves and Gentle Rainfall are on my 2022 wrap.
Aspirations: From a professional perspective, I try to see forestry and sustainability from different angles. I had experience in the certification of sustainable forest practices as well as in the provision of advisory services on climate smart land-use practices in Southeast Asia. Now is my chance to expand my expertise in Build.Nature PhD program at BOKU University that provided me with opportunities to connect with passionate people working in highly interesting areas. I want to wrap up all transdisciplinary experiences I have to give something back for the community. I build my research to be inclusive and meet the current demands for living spaces in Indonesia, currently I am interested to delve into cost-effective techniques and methodology to improve service live of low-quality fast-growing timber. Therefore, I hope the know-how can be adapted well by the community in the end.

Eli Keržič

Age: 27
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Current location: Mengeš, Slovenia
High school: Rudolf Maister Grammar & Secondary School Kamnik
University: University of Ljubljana
Current position: Doctoral student
Goals: I want to be among the scientists who study the properties of wood. In doing so, I would like to achieve a better public understanding of the performance of natural materials and ensure their wider use.
Interests: Cycling, hiking, baking pastries

Shahlinney Lipeh  

         

 

 

 

 

Age: 40
Birthplace: Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Current location: Selangor, Malaysia
High school: Miri Science Secondary School
Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang College Miri
Universities: Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA - Ph.D. Wood Science (2018)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia - MSc. Entomology (2006)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia - BSc. Biology – majoring in Zoology (2005)
Current position: Head of Wood Mycology Laboratory, Wood Biodegradation Unit,
Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
Kepong, Selangor, MALAYSIA
Goals: Be a better person than I was yesterday
Outside Interests: Futsal, badminton and slow walk in the park and beach
Musical interests: Mellow and relaxing music
Aspirations: To be happy and satisfied with what I have, as well as remembering to be kind to myself. Most importantly, to have a work-life balance, and to cherish those close to you.

Resa Martha

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 30
Birthplace: Surakarta, Indonesia
Current location: Nancy, France
High school: SMAN 1 Surakarta
Universities: IPB University
Université de Lorraine
Current position: PhD student
Goals: Have a happy life and making people around me happy
Interests: travelling
Musical interests: pop
Aspirations: Life is an amazing adventure and full of blessings. I hope in the future I can be a blessing to others. I would like to contribute all knowledges and skills into the wood sector where I’m going to work in the future. I just want to get the most out of the opportunities that have been given to me

Afifi Nazeri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 31
Birthplace: Perak, Malaysia
Current location: Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia
University: University of Malaysia Sarawak:
Plant Resource Science and Technology (BSc)
Forest Science (MSc)
Current position:
(1) PhD student (Forest Ecology) - University of Malaysia Sarawak
(2) Research assistant for Danish Technology Institute for the project title; “Performance of protected wood against biological decay using accelerated testing in tropical climate”
Goals: Embark on a career as a scientist and/or university lecturer
Interests: Hiking, Swimming
Sports: Badminton
Aspirations: Life is fleeting, and the world we inhabit is merely a loan from the generations to come. I dream of a future world where environments are healthier and technology is more efficient.

Samuel Olaniran

Age: 40
Birthplace: Ibadan, Nigeria
Current location: Göttingen, Germany
High school: Bishop Onabanjo High School, Ibadan Nigeria
Universities:
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Switzerland; PhD (Wood Materials Science). Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute for Building Materials. (September 2015 - March 2019)
Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria; Master of Technology (Wood Products Technology). Department of Forestry and Wood Technology. (2010 - 2012)
Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria; Bachelor of Technology (Forestry and Wood Technology). Department of Forestry and Wood Technology. (2002 - 2007).
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) at the University of Göttingen, Germany.
Goals: My greatest aspiration is to be a renowned scholar in the field of wood science and wood protection, and make major contributions in the use of environmentally friendly approaches to make wood more durable, long lasting (with an advantage of carbon storage) and consequently help to save our planet from the scourge of global warming and climate change.
It is also my aspiration to help people in my home country by having a charity organization that meet the needs of the less privileged, especially the secondary school and university undergraduate students in the society.
Interests: Outside my working time, I really like to see movies, and travel for sightseeing
Sports: table tennis, badminton
Musical interests: Reggae music mostly, plus Rock and roll

Yuki Ota

Age: 24
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Current location: Osaka, Japan
High school: Tennoji High School
Universities: Osaka City University, Osaka Metropolitan University
Current position: Second-year master’s student
Goals: I want to continue my research on the structural performance of wooden constructures. And I want to use this research to protect people's lives and property.
Interests: I like listening to music and playing the trombone. I also like watching action movies and going to amusement parks.
Musical interests: J-Pop and Disney’s music
Aspirations: I have two goals for my future.
First, I want to acquire a broad knowledge of wooden architecture, to achieve research results, and to train younger students. Second, in Japan, where wood is prone to deterioration due to the high temperature and humidity, I want to conduct research to ensure that houses and important cultural properties like temples and shrines can be used for a long time.

Maik Slabohm

Age: 30
Birthplace: Osnabrueck, Germany
Current location: Goettingen, Germany
University: Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim
Current position: PhD studies and research associate at Georg August University Goettingen
Goals: I need to finish my PhD first, and then I have time to do some new plans.
Interests: Hiking, nature, carpentry work, reading, currently learning chess, travelling, meeting people and cultures, bikepacking, …
Sports: Playing soccer once a week with the department, riding racing bike, and I also like to skateboard, surf, and snowboard.
Aspirations: Make the most of your life because you only have one.

Philip Beseter Van Niekerk

Age: 30
Birthplace: George, South Africa
Current location: Goettingen, Germany
High school: Outeniqua High School, South Africa
Universities: Stellenbosch University (B.Sc & M.Sc), Goettingen University (current)
Current position: PhD student and researcher at the department of Wood Biology and Wood products, Goettingen University.
Goals: I would like to work and surround myself with great researchers.
Interests: Hiking, playing Football (soccer), exercising, and I like to follow sports like Rugby and MMA and esports like Dota 2.
Sports: At age 11 -13, I had provincial colours (i.e. competed at nationals) in swimming, gymnastics (artistic, at age 13 also trampoline and double mini-trampoline) and biathlon (swimrun). I also played rugby (only in primary school) and field hockey. At ages 14 and 18, I received provincial colours in field hockey.
Musical interests: listening to Gangster rap.
Aspirations: I am a very curious person, and I really like learning new things or mastering new skills. I would love to continue doing interesting research and be passionate about my work

Alia Syahirah Yusoh

Age: 29
Birthplace: Kedah, Malaysia
Current location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
High school: Tunku Abdul Malik High School, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
Universities:
Universiti Sains Malaysia (Bachelor Degree in Bioresource, Paper and Coating Technology)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (PhD in Wood Science and Technology)
Current position: Researcher at Unit of Bamboo, Rattan and Palm, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
Aspirations: For now, I would be happy if I can be in a permanent position in my current workplace. I want to become a researcher with a clear purpose. I hope that I can share my knowledge with everyone, especially in every study conducted. I will never stop learn new things because to me knowledge is infinite. I hope to become a source of inspiration and give positive influence to others. I want to improve my social skills to make it easier for me to interact with new people that I meet.
Interests: Cooking, Teaching, Hiking, Camping
Sports: Running, badminton
Musical interests: I love listening to any music/songs from my favorite singers

Qiliang Fu

Age: 36
Birthplace: Hainan, China
Current location: Nanjing, China
Universities:
Northeast Forestry University, BSc. (China, 2010)
Northeast Forestry University, MSc. (China, 2013)
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, PhD. (Sweden, 2018)
Scion (New Zealand, 2023)
Current position: Professor, Nanjing Forestry University
Goals: You never fail until you stop trying!
Interests: Football, enjoying the time with my family

Ryo Inoue

Age: 27
Birthplace: Hyogo, Japan
Current location: Hiroshima, Japan
High school: National institute of technology (KOSEN), Akashi College
University attended: Hiroshima University
Current position: Wooden structure
Goals: I hope to continue to develop as a researcher. I would like to continue my research on wooden building.
Interests: Cycling, Camping, Skiing
Sports: Kendo

Jacopo Profili

Age: 34
Birthplace:   Milan, Italy
Current location:    Québec City, Canada
High school: Liceo scientifico Vito Volterra, Ancona, Italy
Universities: 
Université Gustave Eiffel, Paris, France (BSc)
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France (Masters degrees)
Univeristé Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France (PhD Engineering)
Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada (PhD Physics)
Current position:      Researcher and entrepreneur
Goals: I want to use my skills and my knowledge during my lifetime to help and make this world a better place for everyone in the future. Specifically, I would like to have a clear impact on the industrial society and in research by using plasma technology for the environment.
Interests: I spend most of my time creating new ideas and trying to achieve impossible tasks. I love challenges. In this sense, my last two years were dedicating to the creation of two startups.
Sports:          In my life I tried many sports, mostly contact sports (rugby, martial arts, etc.). However, in the last years the pandemic has prevailed, and I need to restart something new...
Musical interests:    I am not a good student when we talk about music. However, I really love music. It is for me a source of energy. Depending on the “mood” I can spend time listening to electronic music, jazz or even rock music. Because I had the chance to live in different countries, I also really appreciate French, Italian and Canadian classical songwriters where the lyrics and the senses of the words take an important place in the song.
Aspirations:   Life is the best thing that happens to me. The chance to create and realize in a reality full of possibilities. I believe in the potential of all humans and in the importance to have a multicultural and alternative vision of the life. I am very focused on the realization of my objectives. I also have a very artistic vision of my work which, in an academic environment, create sometimes some sparks! Therefore, I love plasma…
My main goal is to develop new materials for energy technologies and sustainable applications, by combining three topics: nanomaterials, environment, and plasma and using alternative advanced plasma processes with minimal impact on the environment.   I have mostly worked on creating nanocomposite thin films on wood substrates, with non-equilibrium plasma processes at atmospheric pressure. After completing my PhD, I worked as a postgraduate research assistant with different professors at UDEM. In this stimulating environment, we contributed to the development of new functional bio-based surfaces with FPInnovations, advanced interfaces for Li-ion batteries with the company TOTAL, as well as the fundamental study of plasma-liquid interactions for the degradation of persistent pollutants in water. Currently, I continue my work on designing new functional surfaces/interfaces and processes on different materials.

 

This webpage was prepared in April 2023.