Lei Zhang | Supply Chain Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lei Zhang | Supply Chain Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lei Zhang, Guangzhou City University of Technology, China.

Dr. Zhang has received numerous accolades recognizing both his academic and professional excellence. In 1996, he earned a Third-Class Merit for his performance during the Huabei Oilfield refinery expansion. He was named an Advanced Producer in 2002 and awarded the Outstanding Student Award and People’s Scholarship at Tianjin University in 2006. His leadership role in the Kazakhstan refinery project earned the National Luban Award in 2014, one of the highest honors in Chinese engineering. Most recently, in 2023, he was recognized as an Outstanding Teacher at Guangzhou City University of Technology for his dedication to education and innovation. These awards underscore his consistent performance, leadership, and commitment to advancing supply chain efficiency and energy management in both academic and industrial environments. His proven track record of excellence makes him a fitting candidate for a national or international research accolade.

Profile

Scoups

Education

Dr. Lei Zhang’s educational journey is marked by consistent academic excellence. He earned his PhD in Management Science and Engineering from Tianjin University, preceded by a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the same institution. His foundational undergraduate education was in Material Management Engineering at Jianghan Petroleum Institute. In pursuit of academic distinction, he also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Tianjin University, focusing on logistics systems, supply chain resilience, and sustainable development. This strong educational background equipped him with the skills to integrate systems engineering, operational logistics, and macroeconomic factors into his research and professional practice. His academic achievements laid the groundwork for his unique approach to logistics, which combines policy, operations, and engineering within a comprehensive analytical framework. Each stage of his education added to his capacity to contribute to both academia and industry, and his qualifications make him highly suitable for recognition through a prestigious research award.

Experience

Dr. Zhang’s extensive professional experience showcases his transition from industry to academia with resounding success. He began his career at CNPC’s Huabei Oilfield, serving in multiple technical and administrative roles, including warehouse director, procurement engineer, and planning engineer. Later, he rose to managerial positions at CNPC Kazakhstan, where he led billion-dollar cross-border infrastructure projects, including refineries and gas compression stations. In academia, he held faculty positions at Wuhan Technology and Business University before joining Guangzhou City University of Technology. His dual exposure enables him to offer students a practical and strategic perspective on logistics, supply chain resilience, and energy security. Dr. Zhang also managed multimillion-dollar logistics projects aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, reflecting his capability in international project execution. His ability to integrate practical project knowledge with pedagogical strategies provides a unique learning experience for students and positions him as an exceptional mentor and educator.

Research Interests

Dr. Lei Zhang’s research interests are interdisciplinary, addressing urgent issues at the intersection of logistics, sustainability, and energy economics. His core areas include logistics and supply chain management, with a focus on energy supply chains, engineering logistics, project management, and supply chain resilience. He also investigates regional economic development and energy policy, applying quantitative models like SVM, AHP, and rough set theory to evaluate risks and optimize systems. His recent projects delve into intelligent logistics under smart city frameworks, cross-border security in the China-Kazakhstan energy corridor, and cold chain logistics accounting for product shelf life. Dr. Zhang is currently leading national-level research on enhancing production capacities in China’s precision manufacturing industries. His commitment to applied research ensures practical relevance and policy-level impact, making him a valuable contributor to both national and international logistics and energy dialogues.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Zhang has received numerous accolades recognizing both his academic and professional excellence. In 1996, he earned a Third-Class Merit for his performance during the Huabei Oilfield refinery expansion. He was named an Advanced Producer in 2002 and awarded the Outstanding Student Award and People’s Scholarship at Tianjin University in 2006. His leadership role in the Kazakhstan refinery project earned the National Luban Award in 2014, one of the highest honors in Chinese engineering. Most recently, in 2023, he was recognized as an Outstanding Teacher at Guangzhou City University of Technology for his dedication to education and innovation. These awards underscore his consistent performance, leadership, and commitment to advancing supply chain efficiency and energy management in both academic and industrial environments. His proven track record of excellence makes him a fitting candidate for a national or international research accolade.

Publications Top Notes

“A Comparative Study of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Policies”

“Natural Gas Reserve Policies: Strategic Insights”

“Evaluation of China’s Petroleum Safety System”

“Petroleum Security in China”

“National Innovation Strategy Comparison”

Conclusion

Dr. Lei Zhang embodies the qualities of an outstanding researcher: visionary, interdisciplinary, and grounded in practical application. With deep roots in engineering, logistics, and energy economics, he delivers a holistic perspective essential to modern industrial and academic innovation. His career trajectory—ranging from frontline logistics operations in the petroleum sector to spearheading academic research on cross-border supply chain systems—exemplifies impact, leadership, and scholarly excellence. His publications influence policy and academic circles alike, while his awards validate his dedication to performance and innovation. Whether optimizing smart logistics or advising national strategy on energy reserves, Dr. Zhang proves himself an asset to the global research community. His profile merits recognition with the Best Researcher Award, acknowledging not just past achievements but his ongoing commitment to future-focused, transformative research in logistics and supply chain innovation.

Edward Beimborn | Rural transport | Excellence in Research

Dr. Edward Beimborn – Rural transport – Excellence in Research

 

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | United States

      Profiles

📍Current Position

He is a distinguished figure in the field of urban transportation. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UW-Milwaukee) in the Department of Civil Engineering. His extensive career at UW-Milwaukee includes serving as the Director of the Center for Urban Transportation Studies, where he played a pivotal role in advancing transportation research and education. Even after retiring from active teaching, Professor Beimborn continues to contribute to the academic community and the field of urban transportation through his research, consultancy, and civic service.

📝Publication Achievements 

Journals Published

He has made significant contributions to the academic and professional literature in transportation engineering. His research publications span various topics, including the planning and operation of mass transit systems, the environmental impacts of transportation systems, and the design and evaluation of transportation facilities. His work is highly regarded in the transportation community, as evidenced by his numerous citations and the application of his research in practical transportation planning and policy. Throughout his career, he has published in respected journals and contributed to books that have influenced transportation research and practice.

🔍Ongoing Research 

Even in his emeritus status, He remains actively involved in research. His ongoing work focuses on improving methodologies for transportation planning, evaluating the performance of transportation systems, and understanding the environmental impacts of transportation infrastructure. His current projects involve collaborations with various federal, state, and local agencies, ensuring that his research continues to have a direct impact on urban transportation policy and practice.

 🔬Research Interests 

His research interests are broad and interdisciplinary, encompassing various aspects of urban transportation. Key areas include: Mass Transit Systems: Planning, operation, and evaluation of mass transit systems, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and accessibility. Environmental Impact Assessment: Analyzing the environmental implications of transportation projects and developing strategies to mitigate adverse effects. Transportation Facility Design: Innovating in the design of transportation infrastructure to improve functionality and sustainability. Transportation Planning Methodologies: Developing and refining methods for effective transportation planning and policy-making.

🎓Academic Background 

His academic journey is rooted in excellence and dedication. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering (Transportation) from Northwestern University. His academic credentials are complemented by his experience as a visiting fellow at Oxford University in England and a visiting professor at the Technion in Israel. This rich academic background has been foundational to his successful career in transportation engineering.

🏆Scholarships and Awards 

Throughout his career, He has been recognized with several awards for his contributions to transportation engineering and education. These accolades reflect his commitment to advancing the field and his impact on both academic and professional communities.

🌐Professional Associations 

He is a respected member of several professional organizations. He is a long-standing member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). His leadership roles within these organizations, including past chair of the Transportation Planning section of ITE and current chair of the Transit Planning and Development Committee of TRB, highlight his influence and commitment to the field.

 📚Training & Workshops 

With over 35 years of teaching experience, He has also taught more than 50 continuing education courses. These courses cover topics such as environmental impact assessment, urban transportation planning, and transit management. He has played a key role in initiating transportation outreach programs at UW-Milwaukee and has shared his expertise through workshops at other universities both in the U.S. and internationally.

 🎤Oral Presentations 

He is a seasoned speaker, regularly presenting his research and insights at conferences, workshops, and professional gatherings. His presentations are known for their clarity, depth, and practical relevance, making complex transportation issues accessible to a wide audience.

 🧑‍🔬Tasks Completed as a Researcher 

Throughout his career, he has served as project director or participant in over 50 research and training contracts. His projects have addressed a wide range of transportation issues, from mass transit systems to environmental impact analysis, and have involved collaborations with numerous governmental and private organizations.

 🚀Success Factors 

His success can be attributed to his deep expertise, commitment to education, and ability to bridge the gap between research and practice. His interdisciplinary approach and collaboration with various stakeholders have made his work both impactful and relevant to contemporary transportation challenges.

 🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

His extensive publication record and hands-on laboratory experience underscore his contributions to transportation engineering. His work in the lab and in the field has led to innovations in transportation facility design and evaluation, as well as advancements in transportation planning methodologies.

Citations
Citations        1137

h-index           17

i10-index        29

 📚Publications

Enhancing rural transportation services for older adults: Bridging customer-provider perspectives

   Authors: Yu, J., Liu, Y., Beimborn, E.

   Journals: Research in Transportation Business and Management

 

Exploring the feasibility of mobility as a service in small urban and rural communities: Lessons from a case study

   Authors: Liu, X., Yu, J., Trisha, S., Beimborn, E.

   Journals: Journal of Urban Planning and Development

Elements of Successful Universal Student Transit Pass Programs from Planning to Implementation: A Benchmark Study

   Authors: Han, D., Yu, J., Beimborn, E., Jin, Z., Tan, W.

   Journals: Transportation Research Record

Examination of process of innovation at transit systems

  Authors: Hikichi, L.K., Beimborn, E.A.

  Journals: Transportation Research Record

Engineer-in-Residence: Strategy for Increasing Relevance in Transportation Education

  Authors:  Pritchard, D., Beimborn, E.A.

  Journals: Transportation Research Record