Assist. Prof. Dr Dan Liu | Transportation | Best Researcher Award |

Assistant professor, at Kean University, United States.

Dr. Dan Liu is an Assistant Professor at Kean University, USA, specializing in data analytics, deep learning, and combinatorial optimization applied to freight transportation, logistics, and sustainable supply chain management. With a strong academic and research background, she has contributed significantly to advancing resilient and sustainable transportation systems through cutting-edge methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Education 🎓

Dr. Liu earned her Ph.D. in Management from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China (2013), following an M.S. in Economics and Management from Xi’an Technological University (2009) and a B.S. in Mechanical Electronic Engineering from the same institution (2006). Her education laid the foundation for her expertise in optimization, data-driven logistics, and urban freight systems.

Professional Experience 💼

Before joining Kean University (2024), Dr. Liu was an Associate Professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (2021-2024) and a Research Assistant Professor (2019-2021) and Postdoctoral Fellow (2019) at Florida Atlantic University, USA. She has also served as a Visiting Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands (2023), collaborating on sustainable freight and logistics research.

Research Interests 🌍

Her research explores deep learning, smart logistics, and sustainable transportation, with a particular interest in freight network resilience, last-mile delivery optimization, and intermodal transport systems. She applies AI, data-driven decision-making, and optimization techniques to enhance supply chain efficiency while promoting environmental sustainability.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Dr. Liu has received several accolades, including the Shaanxi Province Science & Technology Award for collaborative product development, the Transportation Science and Technology Award (2019) for intermodal freight network design, and recognition for her work on IoT applications for autism care (2016). Her contributions in transportation planning and logistics research have earned her widespread recognition.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Predicting Freeway Traffic Crash Severity Using XGBoost‐Bayesian Network Model with Consideration of Features Interaction – Y. Yang, K. Wang, Z. Yuan, D. Liu – 79 citations, Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2022

Design of Sustainable Urban Electronic Grocery Distribution Network – D. Liu, Z. Deng, W. Zhang, Y. Wang, E.I. Kaisar – 67 citations, Alexandria Engineering Journal, 2021

Two-Echelon Vehicle-Routing Problem: Optimization of Autonomous Delivery Vehicle-Assisted E-Grocery Distribution – D. Liu, Z. Deng, X. Mao, Y. Yang, E.I. Kaisar – 63 citations, IEEE Access, 2020

Hybrid Artificial Immune Algorithm for Optimizing a Van-Robot E-Grocery Delivery System – D. Liu, P. Yan, Z. Pu, Y. Wang, E.I. Kaisar – 37 citations, Transportation Research Part E, 2021

Design and Freight Corridor-Fleet Size Choice in Collaborative Intermodal Transportation Network Considering Economies of Scale – D. Liu, Z. Deng, Q. Sun, Y. Wang, Y. Wang – 29 citations, Sustainability, 2019

Conclusion

Dr. Dan Liu is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to high-quality publications, international collaborations, and leadership in transportation and supply chain research. Strengthening citation metrics, securing major grants, and expanding interdisciplinary work could further solidify competitiveness.

Mr. Alessandro La Delfa | Sustainable Transportation | Best Researcher Award

Management and Economics, at Tongji University, Italy.

Alessandro La Delfa is a researcher specializing in Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) and their impact on urban mobility. With a strong background in transportation economics, behavioral studies, and automotive management, his work explores user adoption, policy implications, and the integration of autonomous technologies into existing transport ecosystems. His research employs advanced quantitative modeling techniques, contributing to cutting-edge discussions on the future of smart mobility.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Alessandro is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics and Management at Tongji University, Shanghai, China, with an expected completion in July 2025. His dissertation, supervised by Professor Zheng Han, focuses on the impact of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) on travel behavior. He holds an M.A. in Automotive Management from Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Germany (2019) and a B.Sc. in Industrial Management from Corporate State University, Stuttgart, Germany (2017).

Professional Experience 💼

From 2019 to 2022, Alessandro worked at Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany, in the Purchasing Smart Mobility division. He played a key role in securing project budgets worth €102.5 million, achieving cost savings of 11.2% through strategic negotiations, and implementing cybersecurity compliance processes in procurement. Additionally, he has contributed to academia as a Teaching Assistant at Tongji University, assisting in Applied Strategic Management and Innovation & Entrepreneurship in China courses.

Research Interests 🌍

His research explores the adoption of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs), particularly in Chinese urban environments. Using Discrete Choice Modeling, Structural Equation Modeling, and Vignette-Based Experiments, he analyzes factors like Perceived System Intelligence, Driving Task Avoidance, and Economic Benefits influencing user behavior. His interdisciplinary work examines non-linear relationships in SAV adoption, their impact on public transportation, and urban mobility planning, aiming to bridge academia, industry, and policy-making.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Alessandro has received several prestigious recognitions, including the Tongji University & Bank of China Global Talent Scholarship (2022–2025), a merit-based four-year scholarship. He was also awarded the Nuertingen-Geislingen Distinction Award (2019) for outstanding academic performance and the CSC Scholarship (2018) at the University of Business and Economics, Beijing.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Alessandro has co-authored multiple research papers submitted to top-tier journals in transportation research. His work includes:

“Understanding and Quantifying Habits: Barriers to Adopting Shared Autonomous Vehicles” (In preparation).

“What Drives People to Choose Robo-Taxis?” (Submitted to Transportation Research Part F).

“Impact of Shared Autonomous Vehicles on Travel Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review” (Transportation Research Part F, in review).

“The Domino Effect: How Shared Autonomous Vehicles Reshape Urban Landscapes” (Der Nahverkehr, in press).

“Breaking Commuting Habits: Urban Disruptions as an Opportunity for SAVs” (Transportation Research Part A, in review).

“Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions and Implementation Challenges of SAVs” (Transportation Research Part E, submitted).

Conclusion

Alessandro La Delfa is a strong candidate for a Best Researcher Award, given his innovative research on autonomous mobility, strong methodological expertise, and industry-academic background. His research has the potential for high policy impact and real-world applications.