Melina Dritsak | Economics | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Melina Dritsak | Economics | Women Researcher Award |

University of Western Macedonia | Greece

Melina Dritsaki is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Western Macedonia with extensive academic and professional experience spanning Greece and the United Kingdom. She holds a PhD in Applied Informatics from the University of Macedonia, an MSc in International Banking and Financial Studies from the University of Southampton, and a BSc in Economics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Prior to her current role, she served as Senior Health Economist at the University of Oxford and as Research Fellow at the University of Warwick and Brunel University. Her research lies at the intersection of econometrics, applied macroeconomics, health economics, energy economics, and public policy, with a strong emphasis on panel data methods, time-series analysis, and economic evaluation alongside clinical trials. She has published 86 peer-reviewed scientific documents with 1,442 citations and an h-index of 20, reflecting the impact and consistency of her scholarly contributions. Dr. Dritsaki has participated as lead economist or co-applicant in numerous nationally and internationally funded research projects and has supervised postgraduate research in economics and public health. Her work has been recognised with the Young Investigators Award from the European Respiratory Society. Through sustained research productivity, international collaboration, and teaching excellence, she continues to contribute significantly to empirical economic research and evidence-based policymaking.

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Featured Publications

Megersa Adugna | Chemical Engineering | Excellence in Research award

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Mr. Megersa Adugna | Chemical Engineering | Excellence in Research award

Wollega University | Ethiopia

Megersa Tadesse Adugna is a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Wollega University, where he has served since November 2022, following an earlier role as assistant lecturer. He holds a master’s degree in Chemical (Process) Engineering from Adama Science and Technology University and a bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Wollega University. His research expertise centers on green catalysis, biomass valorization, heterogeneous catalysts, photocatalysis, and hydrogen production, particularly demonstrated in his work on the “Synthesis of Furfural from Xylose Using Carbon-Based Bifunctional Solid Acid Catalyst” published in International Journal of Chemical Engineering (2024).  More recently, he contributed to a study on Zn–Al-doped nanocomposites for dye removal published in Scientific Reports (2025). According to Google Scholar, with several citations to his work. He is experienced in curriculum development, student supervision, lab management, and community engagement, and has also earned professional certifications such as E-SHE from Arizona State University. His academic commitment is complemented by his drive for sustainable engineering solutions, and he continues to mentor students and advance research in green and renewable chemical technologies.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Adugna, M. T., Tefera, Z. T., & Yilma, M. (2024). Synthesis of furfural from xylose using carbon-based bifunctional solid acid catalyst in the biphasic system. International Journal of Chemical Engineering.

Matla, S., Talathoti, G., Adugna, M. T., Bate, T. L., King, P., & Vangalapati, M. (2025). Sustainable synthesis of Zn/Al-doped nanocomposite from bio-waste: Characterization and RSM-guided brilliant blue dye adsorption optimization. Scientific Reports.

Hanna Liventseva | Geological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Hanna Liventseva | Geological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Geosciences Barcelona GEO3BCN, CSIC | Spain

Dr. Hanna Liventseva is a distinguished Ukrainian geologist and researcher at Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC), Spain. She earned her Master of Science in Geology from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and later completed her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Institute of Geological Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Liventseva has held key academic and administrative positions, including Rector of the PHEI Tutkovsky Institute and Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Association of Geologists. Her professional journey includes leadership roles in the JSC Nadra Group, editorial stewardship of the journal Ukrainian Geologist, and coordination of numerous EU-funded research initiatives such as INFACT, CROWDTHERMAL, REFLECT, ENGIE, and CRM-geothermal under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Her research interests encompass geological surveying, mineral exploration, geothermal energy, and sustainable resource management. She has significantly contributed to international scientific collaboration, notably promoting Spanish-Ukrainian partnerships through memorandums of understanding and the “Global Vision of Ukrainian Geology” conference series. With over 25 research documents, an h-index of 4, and more than 70 citations, Dr. Liventseva continues to advance geoscientific research and education, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and youth engagement in Earth sciences.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Barylo, A., & Liventseva, H. (2025, October 23). Preliminary zoning of the territory of Ukraine based on the geothermal play types. Geothermal Energy.

Liventseva, H. (2025, May). Science diplomacy in action: Geological museums and collections: Their role in science, education and tourism. Conference paper.

Liventseva, H. (2025, May 22). Geothermal energy of Spain as a part of the green transition. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the XXI Century. Conference paper.

Kitchka, A., Liventseva, H., & Ohar, V. (2024). Fedir Lysenko and discovery of the Dnipro-Donets petroleum super-basin: The lost name of the pioneer. Magazine article

Liventseva, H., & Krochak, M. (2024, September 12). Significance of geological collections for European school education. State, problems and prospects for the development of mineralogical science and education in Ukraine: Materials of the Thirteenth Scientific Readings named after Academician Yevhen Lazarenko.

Kristen McNamara | Plant Stress Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Kristen McNamara | Plant Stress Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Southern Rural Water | Australia

Kristen McNamara is an environmental scientist and climate change professional with extensive experience in natural resource management, conservation, and policy implementation. She holds a Master of Environment from The University of Melbourne, where she focused on climate adaptation, mitigation, ecosystem restoration, and circular economy principles, and a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) with Honors from The University of Queensland. Currently serving as Climate Change & Environment Lead at Southern Rural Water, Kristen has led initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions, developed the company’s Climate Adaptation Plan under the Climate Change Act (2017), and facilitated multi-unit committees to drive climate action. Her international experience includes serving as a youth delegate at UNFCCC COP25, coordinating coral reef and turtle conservation projects in Malaysia, and engaging in community-led environmental programs across Australia. Kristen’s research interests span climate policy, water resource management, blue carbon ecosystems, and sustainable agricultural practices. She has published multiple papers in environmental science and conservation. Recognized for leadership and innovation, she has received awards including the Dean of Science Leadership Award, the Our Catchments, Our Communities Women in Leadership Grant, and various marine conservation prizes. Kristen continues to advance sustainable environmental solutions while mentoring future leaders in climate action.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

McNamara, K., Greet, J., Mole, B., & Jones, C. S. (2025). Livestock grazing and dense willow shading negatively impact instream plant growth. River Research and Applications.

Kpanoga Kolombia | Forestry Economics | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Kpanoga Kolombia | Forestry Economics | Best Researcher Award

University of Alberta | Canada

Kpanoga Kolombia is a Development Economist specializing in renewable energy, environmental and natural resource economics, with over five years of academic and policy research experience across Canada, France, Germany, and West Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Sherbrooke, with a focus on non-market valuation and climate economics, and advanced degrees from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Lome. His work includes extensive empirical research on willingness to pay for carbon emission reduction, forest restoration, and ecosystem services in Quebec and Togo. Currently, he is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Alberta, a lecturer at ENAP, and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. His research interests span development economics, climate change, forest economics, and public policy. Kolombia has published in peer-reviewed journals like the African Journal of Ecology, and has several articles under review in journals including Ecological Economics and Plos One. He has received multiple scholarships including the Mitacs, FRQ, and Affaires Mondiales Canada Fellowships. Kolombia continues to advance inclusive and evidence-based environmental policy through interdisciplinary and applied economic research.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications

Kolombia, K., & Yovo, K. (2025). Willingness to pay for forest restoration in Togo: Comparison of estimates from choice experiment, contingent valuation and travel cost methods. African Journal of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70102

Kolombia, K. (2024). Economic evaluation of Mont-Bellevue Park in Sherbrooke using the individual travel cost method. Manuscript submitted for publication, Discover Cities.

Kolombia, K. (2024). Effect of policy consequentiality on willingness to pay for renewable energy in transport in Quebec. Manuscript submitted for publication, Journal of Cultural Economics.

Dupras, J., & Kolombia, K. (2024). Willingness to pay for the forestation of agricultural coulees: A choice experiment and contingent valuation study in Quebec. Manuscript submitted for publication, PLOS ONE.

Kolombia, K. (2024). Willingness to pay for renewable energy: A choice experiment and contingent valuation study in Quebec. Manuscript submitted for publication, Ecological Economics.

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”