Jun Meng | Soil | Best Scholar Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Jun Meng | Soil | Best Scholar Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Jun Meng, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China

Assist. Prof. Dr. Jun Meng is a faculty member at the School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Zhejiang University and specializes in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, biochar technology, and microplastic environmental risk assessment. Dr. Meng has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in top environmental science journals and has led multiple national and provincial research projects. His work contributes to sustainable soil management and environmental protection through innovative approaches in soil chemistry and pollutant mitigation.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Jun Meng is a well-qualified, highly impactful researcher in the fields of soil science, environmental remediation, and microplastic pollution. His body of work reflects a mature research trajectory marked by high-impact publications, successful grant acquisition, and technological innovation through patents. His contributions are both academically rigorous and practically relevant, addressing key environmental challenges in China and globally.

🎓 Education

Dr. Jun Meng earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from Zhejiang University in 2014, where he developed a strong foundation in soil chemistry, environmental remediation, and pollutant dynamics. His academic training emphasized interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex environmental challenges, particularly related to soil contamination and restoration.

💼Experience

Following the completion of his doctorate, Dr. Meng worked at Zhejiang University from 2014 to 2018, contributing to several key research initiatives. In 2018, he joined the School of Environmental and Natural Resources at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology as an Associate Professor. In this role, he has continued to lead research in soil remediation, biochar applications, and microplastic pollution, while mentoring students and managing funded national and provincial-level projects.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Meng’s research primarily focuses on the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, biochar production and its environmental applications, as well as the environmental behavior and health risk assessment of microplastics. He has demonstrated exceptional skill in environmental risk assessment, soil microbiome interactions, and the development of novel biochar-based materials. His work also includes investigating the transformation and mobility of potentially toxic elements within the soil-plant system.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Jun Meng possesses extensive expertise in soil science, particularly in the areas of heavy metal contamination, biochar production and application, and microplastic behavior in terrestrial environments. His skills include environmental risk assessment, soil microbiome analysis, field experiment design, and advanced analytical techniques for tracing pollutant transformation and mobility. He is also experienced in interdisciplinary research collaboration and the practical application of lab-scale innovations to field-scale environmental solutions.

🏆Awards

Dr. Meng has been recognized for his contributions to environmental research through multiple competitive research grants, including funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation. His innovative work has also led to several national and international patents, highlighting his contributions to applied environmental technologies. His publications have garnered significant academic impact, as reflected in his high citation count and H-index.

📚 Publications

Title: Three-year remediation evaluation for arsenic and cadmium co-contaminated acidic and alkaline paddy fields: Insights on availability, bioaccumulation, health risk, and cost
Authors: Liu, Jian; Xu, Xiangxue; Meng, Jun; Yang, Dong; Shan, Shengdao
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Title: Novel CS/MIL-53(Fe)/CdS type-II heterojunction with improved charge transfer: Mechanistic insights, photocatalytic activity, and toxicological evaluation
Authors: Yu, Zhuofan; Yang, Ye; Meng, Jun; Shen, Xiaofeng; Xue, Qingquan
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Title: Efficient conversion and deconstruction of waste straw using compound fungal agent: Fermentation optimization, nutrient enrichment and microbial community analysis
Authors: Liu, Bingyang; Wang, Qun; Shen, Linpei; Sun, Pengfei; Shan, Shengdao
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Title: Green synthesized nanoscale zero-valent iron impregnated tea residue biochar efficiently captures metal(loid)s for sustainable water remediation
Authors: Wang, Jie; Huang, Junhao; Meng, Jun; Li, Zhangtao; Ok, Yong Sik
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Conclusion:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Jun Meng is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award. His research excellence, innovation, and scientific leadership in soil remediation and environmental health place him among the top-tier young scholars in his field. With continued growth in international visibility and mentorship activities, he is poised to make even broader contributions to science and society in the years ahead.

Diana Feliciano | Science Integration | Best Scholar Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano | Science Integration | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano, Teesside University, United Kingdom

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is a Professor of Climate Change and Sustainable Economic Development at Teesside University, United Kingdom. She holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc in Economics from the Portuguese Catholic University, and a BEng Hons in Engineering from the University of Lisbon. Her research focuses on climate change mitigation, sustainable land use, carbon sequestration, and agricultural policy. With extensive experience in academia and policy advisory roles, she has worked with institutions like the Committee on Climate Change, UNESCO, and the University of Aberdeen. She has secured prestigious research grants from UKRI, EU Horizon Europe, and the Wellcome Trust, leading projects on greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable food systems, and environmental policy integration.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is a highly accomplished researcher in climate change and sustainability, with extensive contributions to academia, policy, and global environmental initiatives. Her ability to secure competitive funding, collaborate internationally, and influence policy decisions makes her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award.

 

🎓 Education

Professor Diana Feliciano holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where she researched the contribution of rural land uses to greenhouse gas-neutral regions. She earned an MSc in Economics from the Portuguese Catholic University, focusing on the effectiveness of forest owners’ associations in Portugal. She also holds a BEng Hons in Engineering, specializing in forestry and natural resource management, from the University of Lisbon.

💼Experience

Professor Feliciano is currently a Professor of Climate Change and Sustainable Economic Development at Teesside University International Business School. She is also a Defra R&D Fellow working on embedding evidence in the Environmental Improvement Plan. Previously, she was a transdisciplinary scientist at the University of Aberdeen, a senior analyst for the Committee on Climate Change in London, and a researcher at UNESCO’s International Social Science Council in Paris. She has also worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant in Portugal and Scotland.

🔬Research Focus

Her research spans climate change mitigation, sustainable land use, and socio-economic aspects of environmental policy. She has extensively studied carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable agricultural practices. Her work integrates economic and environmental sciences to develop policies supporting climate resilience, sustainable food systems, and land-use management.

Awards

She has secured numerous prestigious grants, including funding from UKRI, EU Horizon Europe, Wellcome Trust, and the World Bank. She has led and participated in projects on carbon capture, sustainable food systems, and agricultural policy. She has also held leadership roles in international research collaborations, including COST Action FP1201 and NERC-funded projects.

Publications

Environmental, Social and Economic Perceptions of Local Food Production: A Case Study of Aberdeenshire Farmers’ Markets

Authors: Wardle, J.M., Sorathia, A., Smith, P., & Feliciano, D.M.S.
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
Journal: Scottish Geographical Journal

Assessing the Area of Suitable Land for Climate Change Mitigation with Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) in Scotland

Authors: Abimbola, I., & Feliciano, D.M.S.
Year: 2022
Citations: 1
Journal: Land

Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Climate Change Risk in a Central America Hotspot

Authors: Feliciano, D.M.S., & Sobenes, A.
Year: 2022
Citations: 6
Journal: Regional Environmental Change

 

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is highly suitable for the Research for Best Scholar Award, given her exceptional academic achievements, research impact, and policy contributions. While she could further enhance her influence through increased citations, high-impact publications, and expanded public engagement, her current standing in the scientific community makes her a strong contender for this prestigious recognition.