Hongtao Shi | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Hongtao Shi | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

China University of Mining and Technology | China 

Hongtao Shi is a productive researcher in photogrammetry, remote sensing, and SAR-based soil moisture retrieval, with a strong record of contributions to agricultural monitoring and polarimetric decomposition techniques. His work spans high-resolution soil moisture estimation, multi-frequency and multi-incidence radar analysis, and time-series applications integrating passive and active remote sensing products. He has authored 31 peer-reviewed documents, which have collectively received 353 citations, as recorded across 333 citing documents. His current h-index is 10, reflecting both the influence and consistency of his research output within the scientific community. He has published in high-impact journals such as Remote Sensing of Environment, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, Journal of Hydrology, and Agricultural Water Management, addressing challenges in crop monitoring, radar scattering models, and novel polarimetric decomposition approaches. In addition to journal articles, he has delivered presentations at prestigious international conferences, including IGARSS and PolInSAR, where his work on SAR observation techniques and integration with microwave products has drawn recognition. His research has advanced methods for retrieving field-scale soil moisture and improving agricultural parameter estimation by leveraging L-band, quad-pol, and time-series SAR data, reinforcing his reputation as a specialist in SAR-based environmental remote sensing.

Profile:  Orcid 

Featured Publications

1. Zhao, J., Zhang, M., Zhou, Z., Wang, Z., Lang, F., Shi, H., & Zheng, N. (2025). CFFormer: A cross-fusion transformer framework for the semantic segmentation of multisource remote sensing images. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

2. Wang, Z., Zhao, L., Jiang, N., Sun, W., Yang, J., Shi, H., & Li, P. (2025). DMCF-Net: Dilated multiscale context fusion network for SAR flood detection. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing.

3. Shi, H., Wu, Q., Lu, Z., Zhao, J., Liu, W., Zhao, T., Zhu, L., Lang, F., & Zhao, L. (2025, November). Meter-level resolution surface soil moisture estimation over agricultural fields from time-series quad-pol SAR with constraints of coarse resolution CCI data products. Agricultural Water Management.

4. Qian, J., Yang, J., Sun, W., Zhao, L., Shi, L., Shi, H., Dang, C., & Dou, Q. (2025, July 14). Multi-layer and profile soil moisture estimation and uncertainty evaluation based on multi-frequency (Ka-, X-, C-, S-, and L-band) and quad-polarization airborne SAR data from synchronous observation experiment in Liao River Basin, China. Water.

Anjani Kumar Pandey | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Anjani Kumar Pandey | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

Anjani Kumar Pandey | Manipal University Jaipur Faculty of Science Technology and Architecture | India 

Dr. Anjani Kumar Pandey is an accomplished chemist with extensive academic, research, and technical expertise across coordination chemistry, supramolecular systems, and bio-inspired molecular design. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Department of Chemistry at Manipal University Jaipur, where he leads research on tripodal metal–ligand systems and artificial molecular containers for CO₂ sequestration and reduction, mentoring three Ph.D. and two master’s scholars. He previously held prestigious postdoctoral positions at the University of Padova, Italy, under Prof. Cristiano Zonta, and at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, under Prof. Bernhard Kräutler, contributing to sustainable CO₂ conversion and vitamin B12 analog synthesis. His earlier research associate experience at IIT Kanpur involved metalloporphyrin oxygenation and reactivity studies. Dr. Pandey earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from IIT Kanpur in 2020 with a CPI of 8.67, following an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Allahabad with distinction. His accolades include the MSCA Seal of Excellence, Austrian Science Grant (FWF), seed grants from Manipal University Jaipur and MAHE, best poster award at CRSI-NSC 23, and multiple CSIR fellowships. Skilled in advanced spectroscopic, electrochemical, and crystallographic techniques, he has strong interests spanning organometallic catalysis, solar cell materials, bio-organic systems, and molecular interactions.

Profile:  Orcid 

Featured Publications

Pandey, A. K., Sonia, Verma, I., & Mongal, B. N. (2024). Shining a light on Co(terpyridine)<sub>2</sub> complexes: Unravelling the impact of ligand substitution at the 4’-position on optical and electrochemical properties through experimental and theoretical investigations. Chemical Physics Impact.

Penasa, R., Pandey, A. K., Wurst, K., Rancan, M., Armelao, L., Licini, G., & Zonta, C. (2024). Ion-pairing stereodynamic probes for circular dichroism chiral sensing of amines. Inorganic Chemistry.

Pandey, A. K., Usman, M., & Rath, S. P. (2020). Hg···Hg···Hg interaction stabilizes unusual trinuclear double sandwich structure of mercury(II) porphyrins. Inorganic Chemistry.

Pandey, A. K., Usman, M., & Rath, S. P. (2019). A counter ion triggers stabilization of two geometrical isomers of a Ni(ii) dication diradical porphyrin dimer: The role of anion-π interactions.

Jiyoung Lee | Soil Plant | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jiyoung Lee | Soil Plant | Best Researcher Award

Jiyoung Lee | Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology | South Korea 

Jiyoung Lee, Ph.D., is a distinguished principal researcher whose career reflects consistent scientific contribution and leadership in biotechnology. Over the course of her research journey, she has authored 72 scholarly documents that demonstrate strong productivity and relevance across her field. Her work has accumulated 811 total citations, with these citations distributed across 774 citing documents, underscoring both the visibility and utility of her research outputs within the global academic community. With an h-index of 15, she has established a balanced record of sustained impact, indicating that at least 15 of her publications have each been cited 15 or more times. This metric highlights the depth and consistency of her influence rather than just the volume of her publications. Her role as a professor and senior-level researcher further amplifies her contributions through mentorship, collaboration, and scientific advancement. The combination of publication volume, citation reach, and h-index performance illustrates her ability to generate research that is not only high in quality but also meaningful to peers and practitioners. Her academic footprint reflects enduring engagement with innovative research themes and evolving scientific priorities, and she continues to contribute to the advancement of bioscience and biotechnology with a record that balances productivity, influence, and professional leadership.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Peng, Y., Lee, J. H., Kim, C. Y., & Lee, J. (2025). Halophyte-derived Kushneria strains enhance salt tolerance and rhizosphere dynamics in cabbage. Plant, Cell & Environment.

Kim, B. R., Jeong, Y. J., Kim, S., Kim, S. B., Lee, J., Lee, O. R., Kim, K. D., Jeong, J. C., Yang, B. W., & Kim, C. Y. (2025). Elicitor-mediated enhancement of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in cell suspension cultures of Lavandula angustifolia and in vitro biological activities of cell extracts. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Cho, D. H., Peng, Y., Humaira, Z., Park, Y. L., Kim, H. J., Jeong, R.-D., Kim, C. Y., & Lee, J. (2024). Flavobacterium capsici sp. nov., isolated from the rhizospheric soils of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Sng, B. J. R., Jeong, Y. J., Leong, S. H., Jeong, J. C., Lee, J., Rajani, S., Kim, C. Y., & Jang, I.-C. (2024). Genome-wide identification of cannabinoid biosynthesis genes in non-drug type Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivar. Journal of Cannabis Research.

Peng, Y., Jiang, L., Jeon, D., Cho, D., Kim, Y., Kim, C. Y., Lee, J. H., & Lee, J. (2024). Pseudoxanthomonas sp. JBR18, a halotolerant endophytic bacterium, improves the salt tolerance of Arabidopsis seedlings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Peng, Y., Jiang, L., Jeon, D., Jeong, J. C., Kim, Y., Kim, C. Y., Lee, J. H., & Lee, J. (2023). Mitigation of salt stress in plants by the salt-tolerant bacterium Pantoea ananatis JBR3-16 isolated from sand sedge (Carex pumila Thunb.). Plant Growth Regulation.

Stefania Fortunato | Soil Plant | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Stefania Fortunato | Soil Plant | Best Researcher Award

Stefania Fortunato | University of Bari Aldo Moro | Italy 

Stefania Fortunato is a Senior Laboratory Technician for research and teaching in Plant Biology and Physiology at the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment of the University of Bari Aldo Moro, where she has built a solid scientific profile grounded in multidisciplinary expertise. She earned her PhD in Agricultural Biodiversity and Environment in 2018 with a focus on Agricultural Genetics, conducting research on nitrogen metabolism in durum wheat, and complemented her academic path with a Master’s Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a professional qualification as a Biologist. Her international experience includes a visiting researcher position at the Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Spanish National Research Council (EEZ-CSIC) in Granada, where she worked on ROS and nitric oxide signaling and peroxisomal dynamics in plants. Her research activity spans Plant Physiology, Agricultural Genetics, and Food Science and Technology, addressing cellular redox mechanisms, nitrogen use efficiency, thermal stress response, oxidative processes in food products, and green analytical techniques. She has authored 28 documents that collectively garnered 564 citations across 627 citing sources, reflecting the impact of her contributions, and she holds an H-index of 11. A member of the Italian Society of Plant Biology since 2021, she actively contributes to advancing plant science through both laboratory innovation and academic collaboration.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Di Silvestre, N. J., Domingo, G., Vannini, C., Marsoni, M., Fortunato, S., de Pinto, M. C., Tamborrino, A., Negroni, Y. L., Zottini, M., Tran Hong, L., Lomagno, A., Mauri, P., Pesaresi, P., & Tadini, L. (2025). A holistic investigation of Arabidopsis proteomes altered in chloroplast biogenesis and retrograde signalling identifies PsbO as a key regulator of chloroplast quality control. Plant Cell and Environment.

Fortunato, S., Domingo, G., Davide, E., Lasorella, C., Bracale, M., Vannini, C., & de Pinto, M. C. (n.d.). Dual function plant cryptic nucleotide cyclases.

Ibrahim Ahmad | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Ibrahim Ahmad | Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture | Australia 

Ibrahim Ahmad is a veterinary scientist and Ph.D. researcher in Agriculture (Animal Science) at the University of Tasmania, specialising in sustainable livestock production and enteric methane mitigation. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a Master’s in Veterinary Medicine by research, and ongoing doctoral work focused on anti-methanogenic feed additives using Asparagopsis seaweed, he brings over a decade of progressive experience in veterinary practice, meat inspection, animal welfare, biosecurity, zoonotic disease control, ruminant nutrition and livestock systems research. His published body of work spans tuberculosis in livestock, zoonotic diseases, methane reduction strategies, and ruminant microbiome responses, with 14 peer-reviewed documents, 73 citations, and an h-index of 6, reflecting both productivity and research influence across animal health and agricultural science. He has presented at international conferences, contributed as a reviewer to multiple journals, and maintains active research networks across Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and beyond. His current doctoral research, backed by major scholarships such as the Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship and Tim Healey Memorial Scholarship, aims to improve climate-smart livestock systems with scalable on-farm solutions for methane reduction without compromising productivity or welfare. His academic memberships and international collaborations further consolidate his growing impact on veterinary research and sustainable agriculture.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Ahmad, I., Rawnsley, R. P., Bowman, J. P., & Omede, A. A. (2025). Rumen microbiome response to methane inhibition. Microbiology Australia.

Ahmad, I., Rawnsley, R. P., Bowman, J. P., & Omede, A. A. (2025). Limitations in feeding red seaweed Asparagopsis species for enteric methane mitigation in ruminants. Journal of Dairy Science.

Ahmad, I., Bowman, J., Rawnsley, R., & Omede, A. (2025, June 26). Feed-grade biochar supplementation for enteric methane emissions reduction: Potential anti-methanogenic myths and emerging facts [Conference presentation]. ANZBIG Conference, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.

Omede, A., Raedts, P., Ahmad, I., Talbot, J., Dolbey, B., & Rawnsley, R. (2024, July 8). Effect of transition feeding of Asparagopsis-oil (Asp-oil) on sheep performance. In Proceedings of the 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences (p. 389). Australian Association of Animal Sciences.

Marjan Khamis | Environmental Science | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Marjan Khamis | Environmental Science | Young Scientist Award

Marjan Khamis | Maasai Mara University | Kenya

Marjan Abdallah Khamis is a multilingual environmental chemistry professional currently pursuing an MSc in Environmental Chemistry at Maasai Mara University, where she also earned her BSc in Chemistry. Since 2019, she has served as a Research and Innovation Assistant in the Department of Research, Innovation and Outreach, contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives focused on sustainability, renewable energy, and community development. Her academic and professional growth is reinforced by diverse certifications, including internal quality auditing, knowledge management, laboratory practices, project planning, and new energy technologies. Marjan is fluent in English, Swahili, French, Nubian, basic Arabic, and Luo, enabling strong engagement in multicultural research and outreach settings. She has led and supported community-based programs on renewable energy and product development, engaged in research commercialization and intellectual property management, and developed skills in grant writing. Her research interests span environmental conservation, sustainable development, renewable energy systems, and emerging innovations in research and ICT. She has contributed to multiple publications on organic fertilizers, bio-slurry purification, biomass solar cells, and catalytic degradation for biofuel production. Professionally affiliated with Commonwealth Youth and the Royal Society of Chemistry, she remains active in research collaboration and dissemination. She is supervised and endorsed by Prof. Francis Mburu, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Outreach.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications


Khamis, M. A., Osano, A. M., Gutto, P. M., & Cheruiyot, S. K. (2025). Insights on catalytic bio‐slurry degradation to biofuels using an electrolytic biomass solar cell. Energy Science & Engineering.


Marjan, A. (2021). Time-course analysis of chemical and physical properties of organic fertilizer from Tithonia diversifolia leaves. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture.

Chaka, B. (2021). The fallacy of organic fertilizers and synergistic interactions between Zn²⁺ and inorganic phosphate groups. Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy, 8(1).

Marjan, A., Osano, A., & Chaka, B. (2021). Purification of bio-slurry waste using an electrolytic biomass solar cell with co-generation of bio-hydrogen gas. International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences.

Chaka, B., Olal, W., Osano, A., Suter, E., Magu, M., Marjan, A., … & Mwendwa, G. (2020). The influence of Bomet red rock powder on composite organic fertilizers prepared from Tithonia diversifolia leaves and Musa acuminata (banana) stalks.

Ahmad Zaeem Faraz | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ahmad Zaeem Faraz | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ahmad Zaeem Faraz | Hohai University | United States 

Ahmad Zaeem Faraz is a highly accomplished Ph.D. candidate in Management (Strategic Management) at Hohai University, specializing in sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and strategic management in emerging markets. His research focuses on green CSR practices and the development of sustainable business models, integrating digital transformation and innovation to enhance organizational performance. With an MBA in Marketing and a Master’s in Educational Administration, Ahmad combines strong academic expertise with over seven years of teaching experience in strategic management and business courses at leading universities in Pakistan. He has successfully designed corporate training programs on CSR, regulatory compliance, and sustainability, bridging theory and practice for both students and professionals. Ahmad has published in top-tier journals, including Sustainable Development (Wiley, Q1, IF 8.2) and Kybernetes (Emerald, Q2, IF 2.5), and presented research at international conferences in China, the USA, and Romania. As a reviewer for several academic journals and a mentor to emerging scholars, he actively contributes to advancing knowledge and promoting research ethics. His interdisciplinary work links strategic management, green HRM, and digital innovation to practical solutions for SMEs in emerging markets, providing actionable insights that balance economic growth with social and environmental responsibility, demonstrating a significant impact on academia and industry alike.

Profile:  Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Xu, Y., Faraz, A. Z., Sarfraz, M., Arshad, S., Sun, J., & Ahmad, A. (2025). Strategic capabilities for sustainability: An integrated model of digital inclusion and sustainable performance. Sustainable Development.

  • Faraz, A. Z., Deng, Y., Arshad, S., & Rui, S. (2025). Digital transformation as a catalyst: Linking green CSR to sustainable development through environmental strategy and innovation in Pakistani SMEs. Kybernetes.

Fehmida Rashied | Soil Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Fehmida Rashied | Soil Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Fehmida Rashied | National Institute of Technology Srinagar | India 

Ms. Fehmida Rashied is an emerging researcher in analytical and organic chemistry with a strong foundation in chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, pesticide residue analysis, toxicology, and natural products. She has gained hands-on expertise in chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques through training at premier institutions such as NIT Srinagar, SKUAST-Kashmir, and the Geological Survey of India. Her professional skills span HPLC, GC, GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS/MS, and method validation for pesticides, heavy metals, and natural products, along with proficiency in sample preparation, extraction, cleanup, and quantification across diverse matrices. She has contributed to impactful research projects, including the synthesis of natural product-based polymer composites and carbon quantum dots. Her publication record reflects collaborative research contributions in biomedical chromatography, pesticide residue detection, and cancer-related studies. She has authored 3 documents, which have received 6 citations, resulting in an h-index of 2, highlighting the initial visibility and impact of her scholarly work. She has also presented at international conferences on agriculture, natural products, and climate change, and participated in webinars and high-end workshops in nanotechnology and analytical chemistry. With strong digital skills, communication abilities, and dedication to scientific growth, she continues to build research expertise aligned with contemporary challenges in food safety, toxicology, and natural product chemistry.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Jan, I., Rashied, F., Malik, N. A., Mukhtar, M., Dudwal, R., & Kataria, A. (Year). Detection of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables involving different chromatographic techniques (LC–MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, GC and HPLC). Journal of Biomedical Chromatography.

Sanjay Singh | Chemical Engineering | Best Innovator Award

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Dr. Sanjay Singh | Chemical Engineering | Best Innovator Award

Sanjay Singh | Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology | India

Dr. Sanjay Singh is a dedicated chemical engineering professional whose research and academic contributions span biomass utilization, thermochemical conversion, pyrolysis, co-pyrolysis, kinetic modeling, and waste-to-energy technologies. With 6 documents, 284 citations from 252 citing sources, and an h-index of 4, his scholarly impact reflects consistent and growing recognition in his field. He has authored peer-reviewed international journal articles focused on biomass-plastic co-pyrolysis, kinetic and thermodynamic analyses, and machine learning applications in thermal degradation prediction. In addition to journal publications, he has presented his findings at national and international conferences, demonstrating active engagement with the scientific community. Dr. Singh has published books and contributed book chapters on emerging trends in chemical and biochemical engineering, green hydrogen production, and carbon capture technologies. His innovation is evident through multiple granted patents across India, South Africa, and the UK, covering reactor design, electrochemical membrane bioreactors, wastewater treatment, and biodiesel production. Complementing his research output, he has developed technical skills in advanced analytical instruments such as GC, HPLC, STA, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, along with software expertise in Aspen Tech and MATLAB. His academic involvement includes teaching core laboratory courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and participating in numerous workshops and training programs to continually enhance his technical and pedagogical capabilities.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Singh, S., Kandpal, S., Geed, S. R., & Sawarkar, A. N. (2025). Co-pyrolysis of garlic (Allium sativum L.) straw and polyethylene waste through thermogravimetric analysis: Assessing synergistic effects in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic analyses. Bioresource Technology, 

Christian Siewert | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Christian Siewert | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Christian Siewert | University of Applied Sciences Dresden | Germany 

Dr. Christian Siewert is a German soil scientist and ecologist with more than three decades of academic and international experience. Holding a Ph.D. in natural sciences from the Soil Research Centre in Müncheberg and a Habilitation in soil science from the Technical University of Berlin, he has built a distinguished career across research, teaching, and international collaboration. Since 2005, he has served as a full professor, currently at the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, where he focuses on ecological sciences, soil fertility, land use technologies, environmental monitoring, and scientific publication activities. His professional record spans leadership roles, international project coordination, and contributions to over 14 EU strategic partnership research projects, including SUMCULA on sustainable cultural landscape management. With academic engagements across regions such as Russia, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, South America, and Japan, he has demonstrated long-standing expertise in cross-border ecological initiatives. Dr. Siewert has authored 32 scientific documents, which have collectively earned 809 citations, reflecting his influence in his field. His publication impact is further evidenced by an h-index of 15, underscoring the significance and reach of his scholarly contributions. Alongside 60 scientific publications and six patents, his work integrates research excellence with teaching, innovation, and global scientific cooperation.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Krahl, I., Tokarski, D., Kučerík, J., Schwitzky, E., & Siewert, C. (2025). New approach to experimental soil health definition using thermogravimetric fingerprinting. Agronomy.

  • Tokarski, D., Šimečková, J., Kučerík, J., Kalbitz, K., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., Barkusky, D., Ruehlmann, J., & Siewert, C. (2019). Detectability of degradable organic matter in agricultural soils by thermogravimetry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.

  • David, J., Weissmannová, H. D., Steinmetz, Z., Kabelíková, L., Demyan, M. S., Šimečková, J., Tokarski, D., Siewert, C., Schaumann, G. E., & Kučerík, J. (2019). Introducing a soil universal model method (SUMM) and its application for qualitative and quantitative determination of poly(ethylene), poly(styrene), poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics in a model soil. Chemosphere.

  • Tokarski, D., Kučerík, J., Kalbitz, K., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., Barkusky, D., Ruehlmann, J., & Siewert, C. (2018). Contribution of organic amendments to soil organic matter detected by thermogravimetry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.

  • Kučerík, J., Tokarski, D., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., & Siewert, C. (2018). Linking soil organic matter thermal stability with contents of clay, bound water, organic carbon and nitrogen. Geoderma.