Academic Committee
Dr. Junhan Cheng
Queen’s University Belfast
Junhan has extensive skills and experience in renewable energy ecosystem modeling, electrochemical energy storage, fuel cells, and hydrogen production via electrolysis. He is dedicated to integrating hydrogen energy ecosystems and interconnected energy networks to balance localized fluctuations in green electricity supply, supplying chain and end user consumption. By leveraging regional and local energy landscapes and infrastructure, he aims to develop customized next-generation energy integration solutions.
As a Net Zero Researcher at Queen’s University Belfast, Junhan specializes in the dynamic simulation of electrochemical systems. He is also exploring the implementation of digital twin technology and artificial intelligence to optimize, analyze, and control hydrogen energy ecosystems. In collaboration with H2IRL and its partners, he is developing next-generation electrolysis systems for dynamic operating conditions, designing application-specific scenarios and demonstration projects to support Ireland and Northern Ireland’s zero-carbon strategies and island-wide hydrogen deployment
Dr. Ibrahim Dincer
Ontario Technological University
Ibrahim Dincer is a full professor of Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech. University. Renowned for his pioneering works in the area of sustainable energy technologies he has authored/co-authored many books and book chapters, along with many refereed journal and conference papers. Dr. Dincer has chaired many national and international conferences, symposia, workshops and technical meetings. Dr. Dincer has delivered many keynotes and invited lectures.
Dr. Dincer is an active member of various international scientific organizations and societies, and serves as editor-in-chief, associate editor, regional editor, and editorial board member on various prestigious international journals. Dr. Dincer currently serves as President for Hydrogen Technologies Association in Turkey and Chair for Energy Working Group in Turkish Academy of Sciences. Dr. Dincer is a recipient of several research, teaching and service awards, including the Premier's research excellence award in Ontario, Canada.
During the past 10 years he has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the Most Influential Scientific Minds in Engineering and one of the most highly cited researchers. During the past 25 years Dr. Dincer’s research and activities have been diverse and primarily focused on sustainable energy solutions, sustainable communities and cities, district energy systems, green buildings, renewable energy technologies, energy storage technologies, hydrogen energy technologies, and waste to energy technologies. His group has developed various novel technologies for commercialization. He is known for his engineering education related talks as a committed educator.
Prof. Inci Eroglu
Prof. Inci Eroglu received her Engineer, Master of Science, and Doctorate degrees from the Middle East Technical University Chemical Engineering Department, Ankara Türkiye. She worked as an academician in the same department for 43 years and retired in March 2016. Her research focuses on hydrogen energy systems, biological hydrogen production, alkaline fuel cells, and proton exchange membrane fuel cells. She is an Executive Board Member of the International Hydrogen Energy Association (IAHE) and the founder member and vice president of the Turkish National Hydrogen Association. She received the Nejat Veziroglu Special Award in 2019 for her research and achievements in Hydrogen Energy.
Paul McCormack
CONFERENCE CHAIR, CEO HYDROGEN IRELAND ASSOCIATION
A research & innovation specialist Paul has many years of extensive skills and experience in developing, leading and delivering international projects. As a Green Hydrogen proponent Paul is passionate about tackling the climate crisis, generating energy security and building resilient communities with hydrogen as the catalyst for change.
A founding member of Hydrogen Ireland Paul is currently leading several international projects including GenComm, H2AZEL and H2CAT, Paul is helping accelerate the EU clean hydrogen journey, develop innovative sector coupling opportunities, establish alternative pathways to net zero and stimulating industry to pivot to new green economy models
His vision is to rise to our energy challenges and use this opportunity to; ensure green hydrogen is commodified, build a stronger resilient global green economy, deliver global energy security and ensure a just transition for all.
Dr. Ali Saberi Mehr
University College Dublin
Dr. Ali Saberi Mehr is an Assistant Professor at University College Dublin, specialising in energy systems engineering. His research focuses on renewable energy and hydrogen technologies, including hydrogen storage, Power-to-X solutions, and techno-economic analysis of emerging energy systems. He has contributed to several high-profile projects, such as the EU-funded "DEMOsofc" project, which demonstrated the largest 174kW SOFC system installation in Torino, Italy, and the SFI-supported "HyLIGHT" project, which explored hydrogen’s role in decarbonisation on the Island of Ireland. Currently, he is actively involved in the SFI-supported "RESR" project, investigating ammonia-borane as a hydrogen storage medium.
Dr. Saberi Mehr's expertise extends to hydrogen storage across various scales, with a particular focus on geological hydrogen storage. His research integrates techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, and multi-objective optimisation in Power-to-X applications.
Beyond research, Dr. Saberi Mehr is deeply engaged in academic leadership and professional development. He was the Academic Chair at the Hydrogen Ireland Conference in November 2024 and has been appointed Academic Chair for WHTC 2025. Also, he serves as a Board Member of the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter, contributing to advancements in energy and sustainability.
His editorial experience includes roles with MDPI Energies and Energy Engineering journals. As an educator, he is committed to excellence in teaching and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). At University College Dublin, he lectures in Thermodynamics II and III, equipping both undergraduate and postgraduate students with critical knowledge in energy systems engineering.
Giuseppe Spazzafumo
Executive VP for Conferences, International Association for Hydrogen Energy
Associate Professor at the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Giuseppe teaches “Methodologies and Technologies for Energy Sustainability” and has been involved in research in the field of hydrogen-related technologies since the mid-1980s. In these 40 years he has written numerous scientific articles and some books on this topic. He has participated in all the most important international conferences, in addition to having created the HYPOTHESIS series (HYdrogen POwer THeoretical and Engineering Solutions International Symposium) in 1995 and having organized and chaired the second edition of the WHTC in 2007.
Member of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy Board of Directors since 1999. IAHE Fellow. Awarded in 2018 with the IAHE Rudolph A. Erren Award and in 2022 with the IAHE Jules Verne Award.
He recently created the academic spin-off EnTraT srls (Energy Transition Team), mainly focused on the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of hydrogen and battery energy systems with the aim of investigating which are the best technologies for an environmentally friendly energy transition.
Dr. Ayfer Verizoglu
President, International Association for Hydrogen Energy
Dr. Ayfer Veziroglu earned her Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1999. She furthered her education at the University of Miami in the United States, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Management of Technology in 2004. She completed her doctoral studies in Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Systems, receiving her Ph.D. from Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2013.
Experience:
Dr. Veziroglu has held several prominent positions, including:
President, HEPLLC (May 2021 – present)
President, IAHE (September 2024 – present)
Chief Financial Officer, IAHE (March 2019 – present)
Manager, Hytime Consulting (November 2023 – present)
Financial Manager, HEPLLC (January 2010 – present)
Trustee and Financial Officer, IAHE-TNV-Trust (January 2008 – present)
Board Director, IAHE (June 2002 – present)
Executive Vice President, IAHE (October 2017 – September 2024)
Assistant Editor, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (January 2003 – January 2008)
Human Resources Advisor and Graduate Student Supervisor, UNIDO-ICHET (2004 – 2006)
National Sales Representative, Panatel A.S. (February 1997 – May 1998)
Coordinator, Jinemed A.S. (July 1992 – January 1996)
Area of Research:
Dr. Veziroglu is committed to advancing the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies globally, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen transportation.
Publications:
To date, Dr. Veziroglu has authored and/or co-authored 48 publications, which include 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 19 papers in conference proceedings, one book chapter, and five books. and has edited or co-edited three conference proceedings, primarily focusing on hydrogen energy. Additionally, Dr. Veziroglu has delivered numerous invited talks at conferences and academic institutions.
She has acted as a reviewer for hydrogen projects at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in China.