Jan Pezda | History |Best Researcher Award

Dr.Jan Pezda | History |Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor University of Ostrava  Czech Republic

Jan Pezda is a dedicated academic specializing in modern history with a focus on East Central Europe, particularly the Czech lands during the Habsburg Empire era. With a strong educational foundation and numerous accolades, Jan has contributed significantly to the understanding of tourism, physical culture, and social practices in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Profile

ORCiD

Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Czech and Czechoslovak History (2021), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic. His dissertation, Tourism and Spatiotemporal Imagination of Middle-Class Citizens and Villagers in the Nineteenth Century, explores the intersection of social practices and tourism. 🎓 Master’s degree in Modern Economic and Social History (2016), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Experience

🧑‍🏫 Assistant Professor (since 2022), University of Ostrava. 🧑‍🏫 Teacher (since 2021), Elementary School in Bohumín. 🌐 Erasmus Exchange (2018), The University of Passau, Germany, where he spent six months enriching his academic perspectives.

Research Interests

🔍 Research Interests: Jan Pezda’s research delves into the modern history of East Central Europe, emphasizing the Czech lands under the Habsburg Empire. His work examines nationalism, body, gender, sexuality, popular urban culture, physical culture, and tourism during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Awards

🏆 Awards and Grants:

  • SGS02/FF/2021-2022: Focused on Czechoslovak society during the interwar period.
  • SGS01/FF/2019: Investigated economic and social history of Moravia and Silesia.
  • Moravian-Silesian Regional Council Grant (2017-2020): For talented postgraduates.
  • Award of the Rector of University of Ostrava (2014): For successful representation.
  • National Student Scientific Conference (2014): 1st Place and Special Award for Best Paper.

Publications

📚 Monographs:

  • Slunce, voda, vzduch. Zrod moderního turismu [Sun, Water, Air. The Birth of Modern Tourism] (forthcoming, 2025).

📘 Chapters in Monographs and Proceedings:

  • Pezda, Jan ‒ Klement, Martin (2023). Showers in the Prague Sokol Club by Miloš Jiránek (1903). In: A History of Sport in Europe in 100 Objects. Hildesheim: Arete Verlag Hildesheim, pp. 398-401.
  • Pezda, Jan (2021). Kult masa. Tělotvorba, „muskulinita“ a Frištenský okolo roku 1900. In: Bendová, Eva – Hojda, Zdeněk (eds.): Od práce k zábavě. Volný čas v české kultuře 19. století. Praha, pp. 160-187.
  • Pezda, Jan – Klement, Martin (2021). Přemysl’s Soldiers and Libuše’s Companions. On Gender and the Limits of Female Emancipation in the Sokol Gymnastic Movement. In: Cleophas, Francois Johannes (ed.): Critical Reflections on Physical Culture at the Edges of Empire. Stellenbosch, pp. 57-83.
  • Pezda, Jan (2019). Industrializace venkovského času (1842-1861). In: Hrdina, Martin – Piorecká, Kateřina – Bendová, Eva (eds.): Pochopit vteřinu. Prožívání času v české kultuře 19. století. Praha, pp. 64-76.
  • Pezda, Jan (2016). A smallholder on the road. Selected aspects of pilgrimages and travel in the second half of the 19th century, based on the example of Josef Stříž (1833-1905). In: Teterycz-Puzio, Agniezska – Kościelak, Lech – Łączyńska, Ewa (eds.): Via viatores quaerit. Mobilność społeczna w dziejach krajów Grupy Wyszehradzkiej. Słupsk, pp. 379-398.
  • Pezda, Jan (2014). K vybraným aspektům poutnictví a cestování ve druhé polovině 19. století na příkladu chalupníka Josefa Stříže. In: Čadková, Kateřina (ed.): Historie 2013. Sborník prací z 19. celostátní studentské vědecké konference konané 3.−4. dubna 2014 v Pardubicích. Pardubice, pp. 175-199.

 

Jacob Bortman | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Jacob Bortman | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Head of PHM Lab at Ben Gurion University, Israel

Jacob Bortman, a distinguished figure in mechanical engineering and aerospace technology, brings a wealth of expertise to his work. His career spans extensive research in advanced modeling techniques, computational mechanics, and vibration-based condition monitoring. With a focus on structural integrity and nonlinear analysis, Jacob has advanced the field through his application of the p-version of the finite element method, particularly in analyzing fastened structural connections. His contributions extend to materials science, where he explores the mechanical properties of engineering materials using rigorous finite element analysis. Jacob’s interdisciplinary approach integrates theory with practical applications, addressing complex challenges in aerospace engineering and beyond. Recognized for his teaching excellence and leadership, he continues to influence both academic research and practical innovations in mechanical engineering, leaving a lasting impact on the field.

Professional Profiles

Education

Jacob Bortman completed his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at Tel Aviv University from 1978 to 1982, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 92. He continued at Tel Aviv University for his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from 1983 to 1984, with a thesis titled “Extended Weight Function Method Analysis of a Mixed Mode Fracture Specimen” under the supervision of Prof. Leslie Banks-Sills, achieving a GPA of 96.5 and Summa Cum Laude honors. He earned his D.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA, from 1988 to 1991. His doctoral thesis, “Nonlinear Models for Fastened Structural Connection Based on the p-Version of the Finite Element Method,” was supervised by Prof. Barna Szabo. He graduated with an A+ GPA and was awarded Summa Cum Laude honors.

Professional Experience

Jacob Bortman brings a wealth of expertise and leadership from both military and academic realms. Serving in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) from 1981 to 2009, he retired as a Brigadier General, having held pivotal roles such as Head of Material Directorate and Head of Aircraft Department. His military career underscores his deep commitment to aerospace engineering and operational leadership. Since 2010, Jacob has been a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. His academic contributions are substantial, focusing on areas such as structural integrity, fatigue, and damage tolerance. He also holds editorial positions in prominent journals and has been involved in consulting for Israel Aerospace Industries and various tech startups. Throughout his career, Jacob Bortman has garnered accolades, including the Israeli National Defense Prize and the Prime Minister’s National Prize for Excellence in Public Service. His dedication to advancing mechanical engineering and aerospace technology is evident in his extensive professional achievements and leadership roles.

Research Interest

Jacob Bortman’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of mechanical engineering disciplines, with a primary focus on structural integrity, fatigue, and damage tolerance. His work delves into advanced modeling techniques and nonlinear analysis methods for fastened structural connections, utilizing the p-version of the finite element method. Additionally, he explores vibration-based condition monitoring and its applications in engineering management. Jacob’s research extends into the realms of aerospace engineering, particularly in the development of innovative solutions for aircraft maintenance and structural reliability. He is deeply engaged in the study of computational mechanics, exploring its applications in enhancing the performance and longevity of mechanical systems. His multidisciplinary approach integrates theoretical insights with practical applications, aiming to advance the understanding and implementation of robust engineering practices. Through his research, Jacob Bortman contributes significantly to the fields of mechanical engineering and aerospace technology, addressing critical challenges in structural design, maintenance optimization, and materials science.

Award and Honors

Jacob Bortman has garnered numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his illustrious career. In 2022, he was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award of the PHM Society, a testament to his profound contributions to Prognostics and Health Management. His leadership in a strategic program at Israel Aerospace Industries earned him the Israeli National Defense Prize in 2020, highlighting his pivotal role in advancing national defense technology. Recognized as an Outstanding Lecturer in 2016 at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob is celebrated for his excellence in teaching and mentorship. His distinguished service in the Israeli Air Force was honored with the Israeli Prime Minister’s National Prize for Excellence and Quality in Public Service in 1992, and he received a Special Note for Excellence in 1988 from the IAF. These accolades underscore Jacob Bortman’s exceptional achievements and lasting impact in mechanical engineering, aerospace technology, and beyond.

Research Skills

Jacob Bortman is highly skilled in advanced modeling techniques and computational mechanics, specializing in structural integrity and nonlinear analysis. His proficiency in the p-version of the finite element method has enabled him to conduct detailed analyses of fastened structural connections and mechanical behaviors. With a focus on aerospace engineering, Jacob’s expertise extends to vibration-based condition monitoring, essential for optimizing maintenance strategies and ensuring structural reliability. He has contributed significantly to materials science research, particularly in understanding the mechanical properties of engineering materials through finite element analysis. Jacob’s interdisciplinary approach integrates theoretical insights with practical applications, addressing complex engineering challenges with innovative solutions. His research not only enhances academic knowledge but also fosters advancements in practical engineering solutions, making a profound impact in the fields of mechanical engineering and aerospace technology.

Publications

  1. Title: A systematic literature review of deep learning for vibration-based fault diagnosis of critical rotating machinery: Limitations and challenges
    • Authors: Matania, O.; Dattner, I.; Bortman, J.; Kenett, R.S.; Parmet, Y.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Journal of Sound and Vibration
  2. Title: Development of an Operational Digital Twin of a Freight Car Braking System for Fault Diagnosis
    • Authors: Davidyan, G.; Bortman, J.; Kenett, R.S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Advanced Theory and Simulations
  3. Title: A novel method for helical gear modeling with experimental validation
    • Authors: Cohen, R.; Bachar, L.; Matania, O.; Klein, R.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Nonlinear Dynamics
  4. Title: Dynamic behavior of large faults toward severity estimation in bearings
    • Authors: Madar, E.; Sol, A.; Klein, R.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Structural Health Monitoring
  5. Title: Signal Processing for the Condition-Based Maintenance of Rotating Machines via Vibration Analysis: A Tutorial
    • Authors: Matania, O.; Bachar, L.; Bechhoefer, E.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Sensors
  6. Title: Digital Twin of a Gear Root Crack Prognosis
    • Authors: Matania, O.; Bechhoefer, E.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Sensors
  7. Title: Development of an Operational Digital Twin of a Locomotive Parking Brake for Fault Diagnosis
    • Authors: Davidyan, G.; Bortman, J.; Kenett, R.S.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Scientific Reports
    • Citations: 2
  8. Title: A novel hybrid physical AI-based strategy for fault severity estimation in spur gears with zero-shot learning
    • Authors: Bachar, L.; Matania, O.; Cohen, R.; Lipsett, M.G.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing
    • Citations: 2
  9. Title: Predicting ductile failure of aluminum components under general loading conditions: Computational implementation, model verification and experimental validation
    • Authors: Rom, N.; Bortman, J.; Priel, E.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: International Journal of Solids and Structures
    • Citations: 3
  10. Title: Toward diagnostics of water-lubricated bearings of naval vessels by vibration analysis
    • Authors: Matania, O.; Heletz, S.; Klein, R.; Groper, M.; Bortman, J.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Structural Health Monitoring
    • Citations: 1