Zhihua Qiao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a researcher at the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China, specializing in environmental toxicology and pollutant risk assessment. His work focuses on the ecological effects and interaction mechanisms of emerging contaminants, including brominated flame retardants and pesticides, in soil-plant-animal systems. With a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology, Dr. Qiao has published extensively in top-tier SCI journals and has led and contributed to numerous national research projects. His research integrates multi-omics technologies and advanced analytical techniques to understand the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and environmental fate of pollutants.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a rising research leader in environmental toxicology and ecotoxicological risk assessment. His work on brominated flame retardants, microplastics, heavy metals, and their interaction with soil organisms and plants is both highly relevant and methodologically advanced. His multidisciplinary approach and contributions to top journals signal strong potential for international leadership in his field.

🎓 Education

Zhihua Qiao began his academic journey at Shandong Agricultural University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering (Pesticides) from 2014 to 2021, achieving an undergraduate GPA of 3.42/4. He then pursued a Master’s and currently a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology (a national 211 project university), starting in 2021. His doctoral studies are supervised by Professor Zhang Wei and Associate Professor Jiang Xingyin. His academic coursework has included subjects such as Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Plant Physiology, Microbiology, and Environmental Toxicology.

đź’ĽExperience

Zhihua Qiao has extensive experience in environmental toxicology and pollutant risk assessment, particularly focusing on new brominated flame retardants and pesticides. He has served as the main researcher in national and provincial-level projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key R&D Program. His work includes investigating the bioaccumulation, metabolism, and toxic effects of compounds like decabromodiphenylethane and cadmium in complex systems involving earthworms, plants, and aquatic organisms. He has also studied co-exposure effects, soil and rhizosphere microbial responses, and developed insights into pollutant interaction mechanisms using multi-omics technologies.

🔬Research Focus

His research centers on environmental risk assessment and pollution control of emerging contaminants. He specializes in understanding the toxicity mechanisms of brominated flame retardants, pesticides, and heavy metals through integrated approaches involving transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbial ecology. His studies span soil-plant-animal systems and emphasize pollutant interactions, oxidative stress, detoxification, and ecological impact, especially in earthworms, lettuce, rice, and zebrafish models.

🛠️Skills

Zhihua Qiao is proficient in advanced research techniques including transcriptomics, metabolomics, 16S rDNA sequencing, XPS, and XRD. He is skilled in operating large-scale analytical instruments such as GC-MS, LC-MS, atomic fluorescence analyzers, flow cytometers, and qPCR machines. With strong English proficiency (CET-6 certified), he is capable of independently writing and translating scientific papers. His capabilities also extend to data processing, experimental design, and collaborative scientific writing.

🏆Awards

Zhihua Qiao has earned numerous awards for his academic excellence and research contributions. These include the National Scholarship for Master’s Students (2019), Outstanding Graduate and Outstanding Master’s Thesis of Shandong Province (2021–2022), Yu Zunhong Scholarship (2023), Green Seedling Program Scholarship of the Beijing Green Future Environment Foundation (2023), and several first-class academic scholarships for both master’s and doctoral studies. He also received the Second Prize at Zhejiang University’s Doctoral Forum on Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture and the First Prize at the Graduate Academic Forum of East China University of Science and Technology.

📚 Publications

  • Effects of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane and Cadmium Coexposure on Their Bioaccumulation, Oxidative Stress, Root Metabolism, and Rhizosphere Soil Microorganisms in a Soil-Rice System
    2024
    Qiao, Zhihua; Fu, Mengru; Liang, Weiyu; Zhang, Wei; Zhan, Xiuping
    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

  • Effect of Biodegradable Microplastics and Cd Co-pollution on Cd Bioavailability and Plastisphere in Soil-Plant System
    2024
    Shao, Xuechun; Liang, Weiyu; Gong, Kailin; Shen, Genxiang; Peng, Cheng
    Chemosphere

  • Microbial Metabolism in Wormcast Affected the Perturbation on Soil Organic Matter by Microplastics under Decabromodiphenyl Ethane Stress
    2025
    Han, Yanna; Fu, Mengru; Yang, Yuhe; Peng, Cheng; Zhang, Wei
    Journal of Hazardous Materials

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His demonstrated commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary environmental research, combined with academic excellence and technical strength, make him a compelling nominee. With continued progression toward independent project leadership and broader global collaborations, his trajectory aligns well with the expectations of this prestigious award.

Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi | Soil | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi | Soil | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

Prof. Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi is a Full Professor at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, specializing in watershed management, soil and water conservation, and erosion control. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India, and completed postdoctoral research at Kyoto University, Japan. With over three decades of experience, he has held leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Watershed Management Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources. His research focuses on erosion modeling, sediment yield analysis, hydrology, and climate change impacts. Prof. Sadeghi has received numerous national and international awards and is recognized as a distinguished professor in Iran.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi is an outstanding scientist with significant contributions to watershed management, soil and water conservation, and hydrological studies. His work has led to important advancements in erosion modeling, sediment yield assessment, and sustainable land-use practices. He has a strong international profile, substantial research output, and recognized leadership in his field. His innovative contributions to cyanobacterization, watershed sustainability, and flood risk management make him a prime candidate for the Research for Outstanding Scientist Award.

🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. SHR Sadeghi obtained his M.Sc. in Watershed Management Engineering from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, in 1992. He earned his Ph.D. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India, in 2000. He further pursued postdoctoral research at Kyoto University, Japan, specializing in the mechanisms and processes governing suspended sediment yield in forest watersheds in 2006​.

đź’ĽExperience

Prof. Sadeghi has held various academic and professional positions. He served as an Expert of Watershed Management Engineering at the Ministry of Agriculture from 1986 to 1988 and later as a Master Expert at the Ministry of Jihad-e-Sazandegi from 1991 to 1994. He joined Tarbiat Modares University as an Assistant Professor in 1994 and later became a Full Professor in 2011. He has served as Head of the Department of Watershed Management Engineering multiple times, Vice Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, and Dean of the International Campus of Tarbiat Modares University. He has also been a member of various scientific and international cooperation committees​.

🔬Research Focus

Prof. Sadeghi’s research focuses on watershed management, soil and water conservation, erosion and sedimentation processes, climate change impacts on soil erosion, flood and sediment hazard mitigation, ecohydrology, and the application of modeling techniques in hydrological studies. His work also includes evaluating watershed health and sustainability, using amendments for soil and water conservation, and developing innovative techniques for sediment measurement​.

🛠️Skills

His expertise spans watershed management, soil conservation, erosion control, hydrology, sediment yield analysis, and sustainable land and water resource management. He has strong skills in research leadership, academic administration, international collaboration, and environmental policy advisory​.

🏆Awards

Prof. Sadeghi has received numerous prestigious awards, including Golden Medals for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He was selected for inclusion in Leading Educators in the World by the International Biographical Center, Britain (2005), and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, USA (2005-2006). He was honored with the Leadership Award from the Soil Conservation Society of India in 2008 and received the Gold Medal from the same society in 2014. He has also been recognized multiple times as a Superior Researcher and Professor in Iran and received the Distinguished Professor of Iran title in 2021​.

📚 Publications

  1. Inhibiting soil and water loss in a saline soil through cyanobacterization

    • Authors: Sudabeh Gharemahmudli, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi
    • Journal: Soil and Tillage Research
    • Year: 2025
  2. Comparative effect of traditional and collaborative watershed management approaches on flood components

    • Authors: Ali Nasiri Khiavi, Mehdi Vafakhah, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Changhyun Jun, Sayed M. Bateni
    • Journal: Journal of Flood Risk Management
    • Year: 2025
  3. HOTSED: A new integrated model for assessing potential hotspots of sediment sources and related sediment dynamics at watershed scale

    • Authors: M. La Licata, Alberto Bosino, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Andrea Terret, Michael Maerker
    • Journal: International Soil and Water Conservation Research
    • Year: 2025
  4. Improvability of quality main indices of a marl soil using endemic microorganisms

    • Authors: Atefeh Jafarpoor, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Mehdi Homaee, Behrouz Zarei Darki
    • Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
    • Year: 2025
  5. Significance of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus on the Watershed Health Status

    • Authors: Sanaz Pourfallah Asadabadi, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Mehdi Vafakhah, M. Delavar
    • Journal: Water Resources Management
    • Year: 2025

Conclusion:

Prof. Sadeghi is a highly suitable candidate for this award. His long-standing contributions, global research collaborations, practical applications in environmental conservation, and leadership roles make him an ideal nominee. Strengthening his impact through higher citation outreach, policy engagement, and global research initiatives would further solidify his standing as one of the foremost experts in watershed management and soil conservation.