Page 169 - ISES SWC50

Gouri Datta
Country: India
Year Started Research: 1984
Title of Research: Solar Thermal Technologies, Buildings energy
efficiency
University: University of Delhi
Still Active in Research: Yes

Dr Datta served as Associate Professor of Physics, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi India, retiring in 2017.
Prior to this position, Gouri Datta was Visiting Scientist at Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi, 1996-1998. Her
research work has mainly been on solar air and water heaters, drying, solar radiation, storage, collector testing and
passive-solar architecture. She has more than sixty publications in international journals and conferences in these
fields and has completed several research projects including an international project on solar energy between Italy
& India. Dr Datta has been an invited/keynote speaker for more than 40-International conferences. Dr. Datta has
participated in several ISES SWC and ISREE events. She held the SERC Fellowship to work in SERC, Borlange
Sweden (1990) on solar collector geometries at high latitudes. Dr Datta was awarded the prestigious TRIL Fellowship
(ICTP Trieste Italy, 1998) to work with ENEA Rome on solar-passive architecture, and DST fellowship (1996) to
work MNRE in Gurgaon on solar-collector testing. She is also a member of 8 professional societies and is on the
executive of Indian chapter of ICTP. Dr Datta is also interested in physics and philosophy and has presented papers
on correlation between ancient Hindu religion and solar science in ancient times in India- particularly on astronomy
and cosmology. She has been on the gender sensitization committee at her institute, which has initiated her to
study the plight of women in India’s rural areas. She is making efforts to reduce vulnerability of these rural women
and empower them by sustainable-energy use. Gouri was recognized with the International Solar Energy Pioneer
Award by UNESCO and the WREN in 2010. Gouri Datta remains active in research through her appointment and
recognition as Fellow of Stromstad Academy, Stromstad Sweden since 2011.

Antonia Sônia Alves Cardoso Diniz
Country: Brazil
Year Started Research: 1988
Title of Research: Solar Thermal and PV Systems, PV Reliability
University: Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas)
Still Active in Research: Yes

Antonia Sônia Alves Cardoso Diniz is currently Coordinator of the Grupo de Estudos em Energia (GREEN Solar
Laboratory) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She is an
Associate Professor in the Graduate Mechanical Engineering Program at PUC Minas. She received her Bachelor
of Physics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in 1980, her Electrical Engineering degree from PUC Minas
in 1981, and Ph.D. from the University of Liverpool in Material Science and Engineering in 1995. Before coming
to PUC Minas, Dr. Diniz was a Specialist Engineer at the Energetic Company of Minas Gerais (CEMIG) in Belo
Horizonte for 28 years, including initiating their projects in PV rural electrification. Dr. Diniz was a visiting research
professor at the Arizona State University Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory in 2013. Dr. Diniz’ current research
is focused on solar thermal systems, PV module and system reliability, energy efficiency, and distributed energy
resources. Particular mention is her leadership in gaining ISO 17025 accreditation for GREEN, leading activities
in Brazil for certification of solar thermal systems, and R&D on soiling of PV modules and systems in the Brazil
climate conditions. She has been active in, IEEE, ISES, WREN, and ABSOLAR. Dr. Diniz is a consultant for CAPES
(Brazil’s science and education agency), past Associate Editor of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
(Elsevier), served as a member of the International Committee of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (IEEE
PVSC). Currently, Dr. Diniz is a member of the International Advisory Committee for the World Conferences on Solar
Energy Conversion (WCPEC)—with the next conference in Rome, 2022. She has some 100 publications in journal
and conference proceedings, has had many invited and contributed presentations at technical meetings, including
participation in ISES SWCs.

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