Hyun Je Oh | Climate Change | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Hyun Je Oh | Climate Change | Research Excellence Award

KICT/UST | South Korea

Hyun Je Oh is a seasoned civil and environmental engineer whose academic journey at Yonsei University includes a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a master’s in Environmental Engineering, and a doctorate in Civil & Environmental Engineering. He has built a long-standing career as a Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT), while also serving as a Professor at the University of Science & Technology (UST), contributing extensively to education and research mentorship. Over his professional tenure, he has led more than one hundred national research and development projects, focusing on advancing technologies in water treatment, wastewater management, water quality evaluation, and sustainable environmental engineering practices. His scholarly achievements include more than fifty peer-reviewed publications, most of them indexed at the SCI(E) level, and over four hundred academic presentations, demonstrating a strong impact across the scientific community. Additionally, he has driven innovation through numerous patent applications, many of which have been granted, resulting in multiple successful technology transfers to industry. He is a certified Professional Engineer in Water & Wastewater Engineering, and his research efforts continue to strengthen the development of clean water solutions, environmental policy, and infrastructure sustainability, ensuring meaningful contributions to public health and environmental protection.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

(2026). Optimal data pooling from multiple waterbodies to improve machine-learning predictions of cyanobacterial blooms. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology.

(2026). Evaluating circulation-type MCDI as a dual-function system for ion removal and enrichment. Desalination.

(2025). Comparative analysis of MCDI and circulation-MCDI performance under symmetric and asymmetric cycle modes at pilot scale. Sustainability,

(2025). Enhanced desalination performance of pilot-scale membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) system with circulation process. Desalination.

(2024). Performance optimization of a pilot-scale membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) system operating with circulation process. Separation and Purification Technology.

Kaori Shiojiri | Plant-Animal Interactions | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Kaori Shiojiri | Plant-Animal Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Ryukoku University | Japan

Prof. Dr. Kaori Shiojiri is a distinguished ecologist recognized for her expertise in chemical ecology and plant–insect interactions. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Agriculture from Kyoto University, specializing in Environmental Science and Technology. Following her doctoral training, she completed prestigious JSPS Research Fellowships, including international research work at the University of California, Davis and further research at Kyoto University’s Center for Ecological Research. She later served as an Assistant Professor under the Hakubi Project at Kyoto University’s Institute for Advanced Study before joining Ryukoku University, where she progressed from Lecturer to Associate Professor and currently serves as Professor in the Graduate School of Agriculture. Her research focuses on plant volatile–mediated communication, tritrophic interactions, ecological signaling, and sustainable agricultural systems. According to Google Scholar, she holds an h-index of 28 with 2881 citations, reflecting her strong publication record and scientific impact. She has received multiple honors, including awards from the Ecological Society of Japan, the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, the Japan Prize for Agricultural Science (Young Scientists), the Tachibana Award for Outstanding Women Researchers, the Morita Award, and the Miyadi Award. Her work continues to advance ecological understanding and strengthen environmentally sustainable agricultural innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shiojiri, K., & Karban, R. (2006). Plant age, communication, and resistance to herbivores: Young sagebrush plants are better emitters and receivers. Oecologia.

Tanaka, T., Ikeda, A., Shiojiri, K., Ozawa, R., Shiki, K., Nagai-Kunihiro, N., … Arimura, G. (2018). Identification of a hexenal reductase that modulates the composition of green leaf volatiles. Plant Physiology.

Shiojiri, K., & Takabayashi, J. (2003). Effects of specialist parasitoids on oviposition preference of phytophagous insects: Encounter–dilution effects in a tritrophic interaction. Ecological Entomology.

Shiojiri, K., Ozawa, R., Matsui, K., Sabelis, M. W., & Takabayashi, J. (2012). Intermittent exposure to traces of green leaf volatiles triggers a plant response. Scientific Reports.

Sukegawa, S., Shiojiri, K., Higami, T., Suzuki, S., & Arimura, G. (2018). Pest management using mint volatiles to elicit resistance in soy: Mechanism and application potential. The Plant Journal,

Babar Iqbal | Plant Physiology | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Babar Iqbal | Plant Physiology | Editorial Board Member

Jiangsu University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Babar Iqbal is an environmental biotechnologist at Jiangsu University (School of Environment & Safety Engineering) in China, whose work addresses major challenges in agroecosystems such as microplastic pollution, soil microbial health, and toxic metal stress. He leads projects on the mechanisms by which microplastic contamination affects crop physiology, soil microbial metabolism, and carbon‐use efficiency, including investigations on wheat  under cadmium stress. He co-authored an open-access Frontiers Ecology & Evolution paper on how soil microplastics affect Oryza sativa root traits under alien plant invasion. His other recent research includes the regulation of soil microbial metabolism through changes in plant communities in wetlands. On his university profile, he is noted as the principal investigator of a major project (2024–25) investigating the combined effects of microplastic and invasive plant contamination on wheat. His research interests center on sustainable agriculture, soil ecotoxicology, microbial ecology, and bio-remediation of polluted soils. Dr. Iqbal has contributed to both fundamental research and applied strategies, such as biochar-based remediation of contaminated soils. He also serves as corresponding author on several high-impact review articles, reflecting leadership in his field. Overall, his work is helping to build more resilient, sustainable agricultural systems in the face of emerging environmental threats.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Nazir, M. J., Li, G., Nazir, M. M., Zulfiqar, F., Siddique, K. H. M., Iqbal, B., & Du, D. (2024). Harnessing soil carbon sequestration to address climate change challenges in agriculture. Soil and Tillage Research.

Iqbal, B., Zhao, T., Yin, W., Zhao, X., Xie, Q., Khan, K. Y., Zhao, X., Nazar, M., Li, G., … (2023). Impacts of soil microplastics on crops: A review. Applied Soil Ecology.

Iqbal, B., Li, G., Alabbosh, K. F., Hussain, H., Khan, I., Tariq, M., Javed, Q., … (2023). Advancing environmental sustainability through microbial reprogramming in growth improvement, stress alleviation, and phytoremediation. Plant Stress.

Zahoor, R., Zhao, W., Dong, H., Snider, J. L., Abid, M., Iqbal, B., & Zhou, Z. (2017). Potassium improves photosynthetic tolerance to and recovery from episodic drought stress in functional leaves of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Nazar, M., Xu, L., Ullah, M. W., Moradian, J. M., Wang, Y., Sethupathy, S., Iqbal, B., … (2022). Biological delignification of rice straw using laccase from Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 for bioethanol production: A clean approach for agro-biomass utilization. Journal of Cleaner Production

Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan | China

Dr. Muhammad Imran is a plant pathologist currently working as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the School of Biological Engineering at Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China. He earned his PhD (2018–2022) in Arid Land Agriculture (Crop Protection) from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, after completing an MPhil in Plant Pathology from China Agricultural University and a Bachelor’s in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. His Google Scholar profile shows , reflecting a growing research impact. On ResearchGate he lists about 25 publications and 211 citations. Dr. Imran’s research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, with a strong interest in biological control of plant diseases, using beneficial microorganisms such as endophytes, fungi (Trichoderma), and bacteria combined with nanotechnology (e.g., zinc nanoparticles) to sustainably manage pathogens like Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea. He has participated in projects dealing with fungicide resistance, deploying integrated disease management strategies, and exploring eco-friendly biocontrol agents. He has published in high-impact journals, including work on Trichoderma culture filtrates for early blight suppression, and co-authored studies on zinc nanoparticle-mediated induction of plant defense. Dr. Imran’s commitment to reducing chemical pesticide use and promoting green agriculture reflects his broader vision of strengthening crop resilience while safeguarding ecosystems.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Imran, M., Alomran, M. M., Khalifa, H. A., Bilal, M. S., Ahmed, A. F., Ali, E. F., Alqurashi, A. S., Aldayel, M. F., & Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M. (2025). Exploring smart solutions for stressed soils: Dual-action of culture filtrates and nanoparticles for sustainable onion cultivation. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Feng, X., Shi, Y., Sun, Z., Li, L., Imran, M., Zhang, G., Zhang, G., & Li, C. (2025). Control of Fusarium graminearum infection in wheat by dsRNA-based spray-induced gene silencing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Sahibzada, K. I., Shahid, S., Akhter, M., Faisal, M., Abd El Rahman, R. A., Imran, M., Lv, Y., Wei, D., & Hu, Y. (2025). Advancing enzyme-based detoxification prediction with ToxZyme: An ensemble machine learning approach. Toxins

Imran, M., Khalifa, H. A., Sun, Z., Bilal, M. S., Abd El-Wahed, M. H., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, E. F., & Li, C. (2025). Insights into the dynamics of biochemical profile and relative gene expression of cucumber fruits associated with Fusarium spoilage. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, Advance online publication.

Imran, M., Sun, Z., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, H., Aldayel, M. F., & Li, C. (2024). One stone two birds: Endophytes alleviating trace elements accumulation and suppressing soilborne pathogen by stimulating plant growth, photosynthetic potential and defense-related gene expression. Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Milena Hristozova | Radio Ecology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Milena Hristozova | Radio Ecology | Women Researcher Award

Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “Nikola Poushkarov” | Bulgaria

Dr. Milena Hristova Hristozova is a Bulgarian scientist specializing in radiobiology, radioecology, and environmental protection. She earned her Ph.D. in 2014 from the Military Medical Academy, Sofia, with research focused on radiobiological and radioecological studies of the flora and fauna of Livingston Island, Antarctica. She also holds master’s degrees from the University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski” and the University of Veliko Tarnovo “St. St. Cyril and Methodius.” Dr. Hristozova currently serves at the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnology and Plant Protection “Nikola Poushkarov,” Sofia, where she works in the Laboratory of Radioecology and Radioisotope Research. Her work involves the assessment of environmental contamination by radionuclides and radioecological monitoring of soil, water, and food systems. Previously, she worked for over 15 years at the Military Medical Academy, contributing to research on radiation protection and low-dose exposure effects. She has also participated in research expeditions to Antarctica and international collaborations with institutions in Japan, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Dr. Hristozova has published over 35 scientific papers and conference proceedings, with an h-index of 1, more than 23 citations, and over 7 documented research outputs across scientific databases. Her research interests include low-dose radiation effects, environmental radioactivity, and Antarctic ecosystems. She continues to advance sustainable approaches to radiological safety and environmental protection.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Hristozova, M., Botev, I., Kalchev, R., & Naidenow, W. (2004). Composition and temporal changes of zooplankton in high mountain lakes in the Rila Mountains (Southwestern Bulgaria). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica.

Kalchev, R., Botev, I., & Hristozova, M. (2004). Ecological relations and temporal changes in the pelagial of the high mountain lakes in the Rila Mountains (Bulgaria). Journal of Limnology.

Alyakov, M., Petrunov, P., Kindekov, I., Donchev, R., Jelev, J., & Hristozova, M. (2006). Possibilities for treatment of the radiation injuries through helping of the post-irradiation repair. Military Medicine.

Kindekov, I., Vassilieva, V., Alyakov, M., Nikolova, P., Petrunov, P., Jelev, J., Donchev, R., & Hristozova, M. (2006). Bio-stimulators can enhance the radioresistance of the organism (experimental study). In Public Health and Health Care in Greece and Bulgaria.

Pejchal, J., Vasilieva, V., Hristozova, M., et al. (2011). Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay/CBMN cytome assay in human lymphocytes after in vitro irradiation and its use in biodosimetry. Military Medical Science Letters (Vojenské Zdravotnické Listy).

Ayomide Olubaju | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ayomide Olubaju | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award

Abiola Ajimobi Technical University | Nigeria

Olubaju Ayomide Emmanuel is a dedicated and innovative researcher specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, with growing recognition for his contributions to geospatial science. He holds an M.Tech. in Surveying and Geoinformatics (Remote Sensing) and a B.Tech. in the same discipline from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Currently serving as an Assistant Lecturer at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, he combines teaching and research to advance environmental monitoring and sustainable urban planning. His research interests encompass environmental degradation, climate change impact assessment, urban informatics, multi-sensor remote sensing, forest species monitoring, and machine learning applications in geospatial analysis. Olubaju has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications focusing on urbanization, forest ecology, and mining-induced land degradation, accumulating 3 documents, 4 citations, and an h-index of 2. He has participated in national and international conferences, workshops, and collaborative projects addressing climate resilience and spatial data science. A member of professional societies including ISPRS, IAENG, and the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, Olubaju’s academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary research and data-driven solutions for sustainable environmental management. His goal is to pursue a Ph.D. to deepen his expertise and contribute to innovative geospatial applications in global environmental research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Akinbiola, S., Akinsola, J. E. T., Ajagbe, S. A., Salami, A., Olubaju, A., Awotoye, O., & Awoleye, O. M. (2025). Artificial intelligence technique for prediction of carbon stocks and uncertainty estimates in tropical forests. SN Computer Science.

Akinbiola, S., Salami, A. T., Olubaju, A. E., & Awotoye, O. O. (2025). Assessing the impact of environmental variables on the distribution of keystone tree species in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest complex using MaxEnt modelling techniques. SSRN Electronic Journal.

Ibukun, J. A., Olubaju, A. E., Thomas, S. F., Sodipo, E. O., Akinbiola, S. A., Oyetunji, S. O., Shitu, K., Kucher, D. E., & Tariq, A. (2025). Modeling mining-induced land degradation in Itagunmodi: A multi-temporal machine learning approach with random forest and gradient boosting. Trees, Forests and People, 21, 100926.

Ibukun, J. A., Olubaju, A. E., Thomas, S. F., Sodipo, E. O., Akinbiola, S. A., Rebouh, N. Y., Said, Y., & Tariq, A. (2025). Assessing vegetation degradation and thermal effects of artisanal small-scale mining using remote sensing time series data. Land Degradation & Development.

Akinbiola, S., Salami, A. T., Olubaju, A. E., & Awotoye, O. O. (2024). Assessing the impact of environmental variables on the distribution of keystone tree species in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest complex using MaxEnt modelling techniques. SSRN Electronic Journal.

Karim Solaimani | Remote Sensing | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Karim Solaimani | Remote Sensing | Best Researcher Award

Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran

Professor Karim Solaimani is a distinguished Iranian environmental scientist and hydrologist affiliated with the Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU) under the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Remote Sensing and Hydrology from the University of Glasgow, UK, and has since established himself as an eminent scholar in the fields of remote sensing, GIS applications, hydrology, watershed management, and land use planning. His extensive academic contributions include over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles, widely cited in international scientific databases, reflecting significant impact and global recognition. Professor Solaimani’s research integrates geospatial technologies for environmental modeling, sediment yield assessment, and natural hazard mapping, focusing particularly on Iran’s complex hydrological systems. He has received the Excellent National Teaching and Research Professor Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to education and research. Over his career, he has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, supervised numerous postgraduate students, and contributed to the advancement of environmental science through innovation, mentorship, and applied research. His enduring commitment to sustainable land and water resource management continues to influence both academic and practical environmental policy developments in Iran and beyond.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Solaimani, K., Darvishi, S., & Shokrian, F. (2024). Assessment of machine learning algorithms and new hybrid multi-criteria analysis for flood hazard and mapping. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

Solaimani, K. (2023). A new approach to landslide assessment using Depth-Number fractal model. ECOPERSIA.

Solaimani, K. (2023). Evaluation of effective criteria on flood risk based on network analysis process and GIS in Vazroud basin of Mazandaran province. Ecohydrology.

Solaimani, K. (2023). Investigating alterations in the underground water level of Ravansar-Sanjabi Plain under CIMP5 climate scenarios. Desert Ecosystem Engineering.

Solaimani, K. (2023). Monitoring and forecasting of spatiotemporal changes in land use and the growth of Kermanshah Township using remote sensing and the CA-Markov model. Urban Structure and Function Studies.

Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural research | Ethiopia

Atikilt Abera Alemayehu is a soil and water conservation researcher at the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), Gondar, Ethiopia, with extensive expertise in watershed management, soil erosion control, hydrological modeling, and sustainable land use practices. He earned his M.Sc. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from Hawassa University and his B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management from Bahir Dar University. His research addresses critical challenges in soil and water resource management, including sediment yield reduction, carbon sequestration, agroforestry interventions, runoff and moisture measurement, and geospatial modeling using tools such as GIS, RS, SWAT, and InVEST. Atikilt has authored more than 4 scientific documents, published in peer-reviewed journals such as Environmental Challenges, Journal of Soils and Sediments, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, and Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology. His academic contributions have earned him over 37 citations, with an h-index of 3. In addition to publishing, he has presented at national and international conferences, trained stakeholders, and coordinated research projects that bridge science and practice. Committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience, his work continues to make significant impacts on soil and water conservation in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Alemayehu, A. A., Desalegn, M., & Hunie, M. (2024). Introduction of a siphon pump for large-scale irrigation in East Belesa district, Ethiopia. International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Addis, H. K., Samuel, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, A., Feyisa, T., Hunie, M., Getu, E., Adane, M., et al. (2024). Spatial assessment of soil resources on different land uses and slope gradient as a planning tool in Ferenjua watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Samual, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, H. K., Feyisa, T., Worku, T., Tahir, M., & Getu, E. (2023). Effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on crop yield and soil properties in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.

Addis, H. K., Ayalew, B., Gebretsadik, M., Abera, A., Getu, L. A., & Addis, A. K. (2023). Cross-correlation of soil moisture and stone content and their spatial pattern across the different slope aspects and soil depth. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology.

Alemayehu, A. A., Muluneh, A., Moges, A., & Kendie, H. (2020). Estimation of sediment yield and effectiveness of level stone bunds to reduce sediment loss in the Gumara-Maksegnit watershed, Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Journal of Soils and Sediments.

Manish Kumar | Renewable energy | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Manish Kumar | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Delhi Technological University | India

Manish Kumar is a dedicated researcher in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in thermal engineering and sustainable energy systems. He earned his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Dev Bhoomi Institute of Technology, Dehradun, and a Master of Technology in Thermal Engineering from Delhi Technological University, where he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. with fellowship. His doctoral research focuses on experimental investigations of compression ignition (CI) engine performance using ternary blends of biodiesel, diesel, and ethanol with fuel additives, contributing to the advancement of clean and efficient fuel alternatives. He has published over 15 research papers in reputed international journals and conferences, achieving an h-index of 8, with 242 citations indexed in Google Scholar. His work extensively explores biodiesel blends, nanoparticles as fuel additives, exhaust gas recirculation, and optimization techniques such as response surface methodology, Taguchi method, and artificial neural networks. He has presented at several international conferences and participated in seminars and faculty development programs on renewable and green energy technologies. Recognized for academic excellence, he has received awards including a Certificate of Appreciation for academic performance. His contributions highlight his commitment to sustainable energy research, aiming to reduce emissions and enhance engine efficiency for a greener future.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

“RETRACTED: Enhancement of combustion characteristics of waste cooking oil biodiesel using TiO2 nanofluid blends through RSM”

“Optimization of engine performance parameters and exhaust emissions in compression ignition engine fueled with biodiesel-alcohol blends using taguchi method, multiple …”

“Effect of fuel injection pressure and EGR techniques on various engine performance and emission characteristics on a CRDI diesel engine when run with linseed oil methyl ester”

“Study the effect of optimized input parameters on a CRDI diesel engine running with waste frying oil methyl ester-diesel blend fuel with ZnO nanoparticles: a response surface …”

“Optimisation of an experimental and feasibility research on a CRDI diesel engine based on a blend of waste cooking oil and waste plastic oil using RSM: A value addition for …”

“Prediction of an optimum engine response based on different input parameters on common rail direct injection diesel engine: A response surface methodology approach”