Prof. MJ Kermani, Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran

Adjunct Fellow ofZentrum fuer Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW), Ulm, Germany

M. J. Kermani is a full Professor of Mechanical Engineering in thermal-fluids, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran. He obtained his BSC from Shiraz University, Iran, in Mechanical Engineering as the 2nd ranked student in 1991; MSC from University of Manchester, UK, in Applied Mathematics & Fluid Mechanics, as the top student in 1993, and PhD from Carleton University, Canada in 2001. Then he performed a two years Post-Doctoral-Fellowship is University of New Brunswick, Canada jointly supported from Departments of Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering, where he was also hired as a sessional lecturer. He has over 10 years of experiences in the design of fluid mechanics mechanisms for internal and external flows. His recent emphasizes are in flow distributors of PEM Fuel-Cells. Recently, he is extending the gained know-how in his group to PEM Wayer-electrolyzers flow fields. He is recipient of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) fellowship in full professor level (in 2021), Alexander von Humboldt fellowship in experienced researcher level (2012-2014), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) grant (in 2018), and a few more. He has one European Patent in the performance enhancement of fuel cells flow distributors. He has published about 200 articles in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and supervised 50+ graduate students. He is an adjunct fellow of Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW), Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, Ulm, Germany. He is listed as the World’s Top 2% Scientists for years 2022 and 2024.

Prof. Farhad Shahnia, Murdoch University, Australia

IEEE Senior Member

Professor Farhad Shahnia is a Professor at Murdoch University, holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Queensland University of Technology (2012). With over 18 years of multidisciplinary experience, his career spans academia and industry, including roles as a Lecturer at Curtin University (2012–2015), Research Scholar at QUT (2008–2011), and R&D Engineer at Iran’s Eastern Azarbayjan Electric Power Distribution Company (2005–2008). A Fellow of Engineers Australia and IEEE Senior Member, he specializes in smart grids, microgrids, and distribution networks, authoring 1 book, 11 book chapters, and 250+ peer-reviewed publications while editing 8 academic volumes. His research has earned global recognition, including the 2015 IET Premium Award, five Best Paper Awards, and listings among the top-cited articles in leading journals. A dedicated academic leader, he serves as Subject Editor for IEEE Access and Deputy Editor for multiple IET journals, while actively shaping IEEE initiatives as Chair of IEEE Western Australia (2020–2021), Founding Chair of its Industrial Electronics Society Chapter (2019), and Vice-chair of the IES Smart Grids Technical Committee (2023). His accolades include Curtin University’s 2015 Postgraduate Research Supervisor Award and the 2016 Australia-China Young Scientist Exchange Award.

Speech Title: “Microgrids and Virtual Power Plants: Future of Renewable Rich Smart Grids”