Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick, Dept of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Saul David Nurick is a dual-national (South African & Spanish) academic and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Construction Economics and Management. A multifaceted professional, he holds degrees in Information Systems, Property Studies, and Construction Economics, and earned his PhD in Psychology in 2023. His work resides at the intersection of built environment and human performance, blending technology, sustainability, and behavioural science. Fluent in English with intermediate Spanish, Saul’s diverse cultural and disciplinary background allows him to thrive in global academic and professional contexts.

Profile 👤

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Education 🎓

Dr. Saul’s academic journey began with a BCom in Information Systems (2004), followed by an honours BSc in Property Studies (2006), and a MPhil in Construction Economics and Management (2012), all from Cape Town. He capped his formal education by completing a PhD in Psychology (2023) at the University of the Witwatersrand, under Professor Andrew Thatcher. His doctoral research—“Impact of Green Building Features and Initiatives on Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance in Office Buildings”—bridges psychology and built environment studies.

Experience 💼

Since 2012, Dr. Saul has lectured extensively at UCT, becoming a permanent staff lecturer in 2014 and senior lecturer in 2018. He convened over a dozen undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from property investment mathematics to Masters- and PhD-level research supervision. He’s also served as external examiner at several institutions, including WITS and Henley Business School. Further, he’s a registered MRICS professional member since 2014. This blend of teaching, academic administration, industry affiliation, and rigorous supervision ensures Saul’s work remains both applied and scholarly.

Research Interests 🔍

Dr Nurick’s research focuses on the impacts of green building design on human productivity and organizational outcomes. He investigates how sustainable infrastructure and information systems in office environments affect occupant performance, well‑being, and corporate value. His interests also include property finance, construction economics, and the behavioral dimensions of property information systems. By fusing psychology with built environment disciplines, Dr. Saul contributes to interdisciplinary sustainability discourse and evidence‑driven strategies for healthier workplaces.

Awards 🏅

Dr. Saul is a qualified Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) since August 2014. While specific personal awards weren’t listed, many of his supervised postgraduate theses were finalists or winners in the Greenovate student awards: e.g., Oratile Masia & Mihlali Solombela (3rd place Greenovate, 2024), Paige Waberski & Kiah Wallace (3rd place, 2024), Isobella van der Merwe & Aiden van Wyk (winner, 2023), Realeboga Lekoma & Tshifhiwa Mudau (finalists, 2023). This consistent record attests to Saul’s mentorship excellence.

Publication Top Notes 📚

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Investigating the Drivers and Barriers to Implementing Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) in South Africa’s Private Housing Sector

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Examining the impact of indoor environmental quality on individual productivity of knowledge workers in green certified buildings

Enhanced Indoor Environmental Quality and the Link to Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance: A Scoping Review

Camilla Lops | Climate Change and Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Camilla Lops   –  Climate Change and Energy  –  Best Researcher Award

UNICH | Italy

      Profiles

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📍Current Position

Camilla Lops is a dedicated Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University ‘G. D’Annunzio’ Chieti-Pescara, in the Department of Engineering and Geology (INGEO), where she has been actively contributing since June 2021. Her current research focuses on multiscale approaches in building thermophysics, with an emphasis on innovative and sustainable design principles. Camilla’s role involves collaborating on projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability within the building sector.

 

📝Publication Achievements

Camilla has an impressive publication record, contributing to research on various topics within engineering and sustainability. She is a reviewer for the journal Cogent Engineering, demonstrating her expertise in the field. Additionally, Camilla’s work on energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings has been published in reputable scientific journals, further solidifying her standing as a key contributor to research in these areas.

 

🔍Ongoing Research

Currently, Camilla’s research grant is centered on a multiscale approach in building thermophysics, which involves analyzing energy use at different scales to optimize the energy efficiency of buildings. She is also working on other projects such as the GENESIS and ENERGIDRICA initiatives, funded by the National Operational Program for Research and Innovation, which aim to improve the sustainability of engineering projects through innovative techniques.

 

🔬 Research Interests

Camilla’s primary research interests lie in environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and building thermophysics. She focuses on analyzing building structures and systems to develop strategies that reduce energy consumption and enhance environmental impact. Additionally, her interest in Life Cycle Assessment reflects her commitment to a holistic approach, ensuring that the materials and methods used in construction are environmentally responsible from start to finish.

 

🎓Academic Background

Camilla holds a Double Degree Ph.D. from the University ‘G. D’Annunzio’ Chieti-Pescara and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, completed in 2020. Her dissertation, “Integrated Solutions for the Energy and Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings,” demonstrates her expertise in creating sustainable solutions for building structures. Camilla also has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the same Italian university, both of which she completed with distinction.

 

🏆Scholarships and Awards 

Throughout her academic journey, Camilla has earned numerous accolades, including scholarships that facilitated her participation in international programs like the ERASMUS Programme at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Her achievements are a testament to her commitment to advancing her knowledge and skills in engineering and sustainability.

 

🧬Bioinformatics 

Camilla’s research also delves into bioinformatics, particularly concerning the environmental impacts of construction materials and processes. Her work uses sophisticated modeling tools to analyze data and predict the effects of various construction choices on the environment, making her a pioneer in integrating bioinformatics with engineering.

 

🌐Professional Associations 

She has participated in notable events such as the Advanced Building Skins Conference and the Heat Transfer and CFD with Comsol Multiphysics course, where she enhanced her skills in thermal and fluid dynamics modeling.

 

 📚Training & Workshops 

Camilla is an active member of various professional associations and regularly attends training workshops to stay updated on the latest advancements in her field.

 

🎤Oral Presentations and🗣️Thought Leadership 

Camilla has presented at numerous conferences, sharing her findings on energy efficiency and sustainable building design. Her presentations have been well-received, with particular acclaim for her work presented at the 36th UIT Heat Transfer Conference and the AICARR International Conference, which addressed innovative methods in heat transfer and building thermodynamics.

 

🧑‍🔬Tasks Completed as a Researcher 

In her role as a researcher, Camilla has undertaken various tasks, including energy and fluid dynamic modeling, technical report preparation, and simulation of energy systems. Her responsibilities also encompass teaching support, where she guides students through complex engineering concepts as part of the Technical Physics and Climate Change courses.

 

🚀Success Factors 

Camilla attributes her success to her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and her proactive approach to problem-solving. Her ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining a high level of performance has been a key factor in her professional accomplishments.

 

🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

Camilla’s laboratory experience is extensive, covering areas such as energy simulation, fluid dynamics, and thermo-hygrometric comfort analysis. Her hands-on experience complements her theoretical knowledge, allowing her to conduct comprehensive research that translates into practical applications. Her publications on topics such as building energy efficiency and thermophysics reflect her in-depth laboratory work.

 

🔍 Conclusion

Camilla Lops has established herself as a dedicated and innovative researcher in the fields of engineering and environmental sustainability. Her diverse background, from research projects to professional training and academic excellence, has equipped her with the skills necessary to make significant contributions to sustainable building practices. With a clear commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, Camilla is poised to continue making impactful strides in her field.

📚Publications

Climate Change and Building Renovation: The Impact of Historical, Current, and Future Climatic Files on a School in Central Italy

          Authors: Camilla Lops; Fabio Serpilli; Valerio D’Alessandro; Sergio Montelpare

          Journal : Applied Sciences

DL2F: A Deep Learning model for the Local Forecasting of renewable sources

           Authors: Luciano Caroprese; Mariano Pierantozzi; Camilla Lops; Sergio Montelpare

          Journal : Computers & Industrial Engineering

“Great food, but the noise?”: Relationship between perceived sound quality survey and non acoustical factors in one hotel restaurant in Italy

         Authors:  Samantha Di Loreto; Valter Lori; Fabio Serpilli; Camilla Lops; Alessandro Ricciutelli; Sergio Montelpare

         Journal : Building Acoustics

Double-Skin Façades for Building Retrofitting and Climate Change: A Case Study in Central Italy

          Authors:  Camilla Lops; Samantha Di Loreto; Mariano Pierantozzi; Sergio Montelpare

         Journal : Applied Sciences