Molla Tadesse Lakew | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Molla Tadesse Lakew | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mekdela Amba University | Ethiopia

Dr. Molla Tadesse Lakew is an emerging scholar in rural development and agricultural innovation whose work already demonstrates measurable impact: according to his Google Scholar profile, he has an h-index of 1 and 3 total citations to date. His peer-reviewed publications include studies on farmers’ social network influences on adoption of agricultural innovations and on levels of knowledge and adoption of innovations by smallholder farmers in Central Gondar, Ethiopia. With an MSc in Rural Development & Agricultural Extension and a BSc in Agricultural Economics, he brings over six years of experience lecturing at Mekdela Amba University, leading curricular design, supervising student research, heading the Department of Agricultural Economics, and serving as Vice Dean. His research interests lie at the intersection of social capital, innovation systems, food security, and agricultural economics, using both qualitative and quantitative methods (econometrics, STATA, SPSS). Recognized as a Visiting Fellow through the AfricaLics PhD Academy and recipient of related fellowships and awards, he expects to complete his PhD by October 2025. Dr. Lakew aims to leverage his research and leadership toward strengthening agricultural innovation, improving livelihoods, and informing evidence-based policy in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Factors affecting the use of mobile phone by smallholder farmers in vegetable marketing: The case of Fogera district of South Gondar Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Assessment of Smallholder Farmers’ Level of Knowledge and Adoption of Agricultural Innovations Across Various Categories of Farmers in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

Examining farmers’ social network influences on the decision to adopt specific agricultural innovations in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

 The role of local indigenous institutions in enhancing social capital for adoption of agricultural innovations: A special emphasis in Ethiopia.

Hemen Dave | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hemen Dave | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

National Forensic Sciences University | India

Author Profile

Orcid ID

🏠 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Hemen Dave’s academic foundation is rooted in Environmental and Biological Sciences. He completed his B.Sc. in Biochemistry (2006) and M.Sc. in Environmental Science (2008) from Gujarat University with a strong academic record. Further elevating his academic trajectory, he earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Manipal University, Jaipur, in October 2014. His doctoral research, titled “Study of Plasma for Surface Modification of Polymers, Biomaterial and Their Characterization”, was jointly guided by Dr. Lalita Ledwani and Dr. S.K. Nema, focusing on plasma applications in material science—an area now pivotal to eco-friendly industrial processes.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Dave’s career began at IIM Ahmedabad (2008–2009), where he contributed to India’s Second National Communication to UNFCCC. He then transitioned into academia and research, taking up roles at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (2009–2012), Institute for Plasma Research (2012–2014), and environmental consultancy firms like Vasudev Associates and Envisafe. These positions showcased his adaptability in both research and applied environmental science. From 2015 to 2018, he served as an Assistant Professor at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, actively contributing to curriculum development, laboratory enhancement, and student mentorship. Since March 2018, he has been a part of National Forensic Sciences University, Government of India, where he also fulfills administrative roles including Coordinator of the University Placement Cell and Member of the Board of Studies.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Dave’s interdisciplinary research bridges plasma chemistry, environmental sustainability, textile science, and materials characterization. His work explores plasma surface modification for enhancing dye uptake in polymers and natural fibers, and has expanded into eco-friendly dyeing processes for both textiles and leather. His research also extends into water treatment, notably using green oxidants like Ferrate for CETP effluent treatment. His keen focus on green chemistry and sustainable industrial practices aligns closely with global environmental objectives.

🌍 Impact and Influence

The real-world impact of Dr. Dave’s work is evident in multiple domains—industrial applications, environmental policy input (e.g., UNFCCC reports), and sustainable textile processing. His studies have improved industrial dyeing efficiency, encouraged the adoption of plasma technologies, and contributed to low-emission practices in textile and leather sectors. As a faculty and mentor, he has shaped numerous young minds in environmental sciences, instilling values of ecological responsibility and scientific rigor.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Dave brings a strong arsenal of technical expertise, including:

  • Plasma Diagnostics (Optical Emission Spectroscopy)

  • Material Characterization Techniques (ATR-FTIR, XPS, SEM)

  • Water and Waste Analysis

  • Environmental Compliance Documentation (EC applications, EMS reports)

  • Data handling for greenhouse gas inventories

  • Curriculum Development and Lab Setup

These skills are applied both in field consultancy and academic instruction.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Dr. Dave has rich teaching experience, having served at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, MSU Baroda, and now at NFSU. He has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Environmental Studies, covering theory and lab work. His teaching style emphasizes hands-on learning, industry-relevant training, and research-driven education. He has guided student projects, coordinated field visits, and developed course content for air quality monitoring and wastewater treatment.

🏆 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Hemen Dave is a scholar-practitioner, seamlessly integrating academic research with industrial solutions. His legacy lies in promoting green technologies in environmental sciences and shaping policies through his early association with IIM and MoEF projects. Looking ahead, Dr. Dave is well-positioned to drive policy-oriented research, foster industry-academia collaborations, and mentor the next generation of sustainability-focused professionals. His future work is expected to delve deeper into advanced environmental materials, clean energy, and sustainable development strategies aligned with India’s and global goals.

📖Publications

rsenite and arsenate ions adsorption onto a biogenic nano-iron entrapped dual network Fe@alginate-κ-carrageenan hydrogel beads
  • Authors: Srivastava, A.; Azad, S.K.; Singh, K.; Prasad, B.; Kumari, M.; Nandan; Sahoo, A.K.; Dave, H.; Maurya, D.M.; Singh, D. et al.
    Journal: Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering
    Year: 2023
Effective removal of Cr(VI) ions from the aqueous solution by agro-waste-based biochar: an exploration of batch and column studies
  • Authors: Singh, K.; Azad, S.K.; Dave, H.; Prasad, B.; Maurya, D.M.; Kumari, M.; Dubey, D.; Rai, A.K.; Sillanpää, M.; Sah, M.P. et al.
    Journal: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
    Year: 2023
Enzymatic surface modification of banana fabric with cellulase: Characterization and antimicrobial finishing with plant extracts
  • Authors: Vajpayee, M.; Singh, M.; Dave, H.; Ledwani, L.
    Journal: Industrial Crops and Products
    Year: 2023
Study of physico-chemical and antibacterial properties of DBD plasma treated ahimsa silk coated with natural active agent
  • Authors: Singh, M.; Vajpayee, M.; Ledwani, L.; Dave, H.; Nema, S.K.
    Journal: Physica Scripta
    Year: 2023
A mechanistic insight into chromium (VI) ion adsorption onto pristine, UCB as well as Al-modified Neolamarckia cadamba wood biochar, MCB
  • Authors: Singh, K.; Azad, S.K.; Dave, H.; Prasad, B.; Maurya, D.M.; Kumari, M.; Dubey, D.; Rai, A.K.; Singh, D.; Sillanpää, M. et al.
    Journal: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
    Year: 2022