Zhiwei Gao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Zhiwei Gao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Zhiwei Gao, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China

Mr. Zhiwei Gao is a PhD candidate at the College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China. His research focuses on soil ecology, particularly the impacts of climate change on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, soil microbial and nematode communities, and ecological restoration in degraded desert steppe ecosystems. He utilizes advanced tools such as stable isotope tracing, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics. Zhiwei has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and actively contributes to academic conferences in the fields of ecology and environmental science.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Summary:

Mr. Zhiwei Gao is an emerging researcher with a strong academic foundation, a progressive research vision, and a publication record that supports his potential as a future leader in soil ecology and environmental restoration. His innovative use of ecological and molecular tools positions him at the forefront of climate-soil interaction research in grassland ecosystems.

🎓 Education

Zhiwei Gao holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences from the College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, completed in 2017. He pursued a Master of Science in Ecology at the same institution from 2018 to 2021, under the supervision of Professors Zhang Guodong and Jia Meiqing. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Grassland Science at the College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, beginning in September 2022, under the guidance of Professor Han Guodong.

đź’ĽExperience

During his master’s studies, Zhiwei focused on using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics to explore soil nematode communities as ecological indicators. His research included evaluating ecological reclamation in open-pit mined grasslands and assessing the effects of climate change and human disturbance on desert steppes in Inner Mongolia. In his PhD research, he is investigating the impact of climate change factors such as warming, drying, and nitrogen deposition using long-term field experiments and microcosmic facilities. He applies stable isotope tracing (13C and 15N), genomics, community ecology, and bioinformatics to analyze soil carbon and nitrogen transformation processes, the structure and function of the soil micro-food web, and gene-level mechanisms influencing soil nutrient dynamics.

🔬Research Focus

His core research interests lie in soil ecology, microbial and nematode community dynamics, ecological restoration of degraded lands, and biogeochemical cycling under climate change. He emphasizes integrating molecular biology with ecosystem-level analysis to understand the soil micro-food web and its role in carbon and nitrogen cycling, particularly in desert steppe ecosystems affected by grazing and mining.

🛠️Skills

Zhiwei is proficient in the use of R, SPSS, SigmaPlot, and Origin for the statistical analysis and visualization of high-throughput and metagenomic data. He is competent in reading and interpreting English-language scientific literature, having passed both the College English Test-4 and Test-6. He is experienced in writing and publishing SCI-indexed journal articles and can independently design, analyze, and interpret scientific experiments and data.

🏆Awards

Zhiwei Gao has been honored with four consecutive university-level scholarships. He was named an outstanding student cadre during the academic year 2019–2020 and was recognized as an outstanding Party member of the graduate CPC Party branch in 2020–2021. His academic and leadership roles reflect his dedication and contributions to the scientific and campus community.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Wetland types shape microbial function related to soil phosphorus cycling based on metagenomics analysis
    Authors: Jia Meiqing, Gao Zhiwei, Yidong Wang, et al.
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences

  • Title: Eight-year tillage in black soil, effects on soil aggregates, and carbon and nitrogen stock
    Authors: Wang L, Qi S, Gao WF, Gao Zhiwei, et al.
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Scientific Reports

  • Title: Exploring the effects of warming and nitrogen deposition on desert steppe based on soil nematodes
    Authors: Gao Zhiwei, Li XD, Han Guodong, Zhang GG
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Land Degradation and Development

  • Title: Soil bacterial community is more sensitive than fungal community to nitrogen supplementation and climate warming in Inner Mongolian desert steppe
    Authors: Jia Meiqing, Gao Zhiwei, Han Guodong, et al.
    Year: 2022
    Journal: Journal of Soils and Sediments

  • Title: Exploring the optimal grazing intensity in desert steppe based on soil nematode community and function
    Authors: Gao Zhiwei, Zhang GG, Jia Meiqing, Li XD
    Year: 2022
    Journal: Land Degradation and Development

  • Title: Soil nematode communities and functions: Ecological package restoration responses in damaged desert steppe open-pit mining ecosystems
    Authors: Gao Zhiwei, Zhang GG, Jia Meiqing, Han Guodong
    Year: 2022
    Journal: Land Degradation and Development

Conclusion:

Mr. Zhiwei Gao stands out as a promising young scientist whose research aligns well with the goals of the Best Researcher Award. His scientific rigor, publication excellence, and dedication to ecological problem-solving make him a commendable nominee. With continued development in global collaboration and interdisciplinary outreach, he is poised to make significant contributions to environmental science at both national and international levels.

Jianling Xu | Soil | Excellence in Soil Research

Prof. Jianling Xu | Soil | Excellence in Soil Research

Prof. Jianling Xu, Northeast Normal University, China

Prof. Jianling Xu is a distinguished environmental scientist and Professor at Northeast Normal University, China. With deep expertise in soil environmental health, pollution remediation, and sustainable resource utilization, she has led numerous national research initiatives and contributed over 30 SCI-indexed publications and 40 patents. Her work focuses on land-sea pollution control and ecological risk assessment. A recipient of prestigious awards such as the MOE Second Prize for Technological Invention and Hainan’s “Sifang Talent,” Prof. Xu also serves as Vice Chair of the Wetland Committee of CSES and an expert for the Basel Convention Asia-Pacific Think Tank.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Prof. Jianling Xu exemplifies the ideal profile for the Research for Excellence in Soil Research Award. Her multifaceted work in soil health, pollution remediation, and ecological risk management is backed by strong publications, innovative solutions, and meaningful impact on both science and society. She bridges the gap between academic rigor and practical application, influencing policy, education, and environmental practices.

🎓 Education

Prof. Jianling Xu serves as a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor in Environmental Science and Engineering. She is affiliated with Yazhou Bay Innovation Institute, the College of Ecology and Environment at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, and the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her academic background supports her specialization in soil and environmental systems, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to ecological challenges.

đź’ĽExperience

Prof. Xu has led and contributed to numerous national and institutional research initiatives. She is actively involved in high-impact projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Her leadership extends to consultancy work, editorial responsibilities as a reviewer for SCI-indexed journals, and international environmental governance through the Basel Convention Asia-Pacific Think Tank. Additionally, she holds the role of Vice Chair of the Wetland Committee of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences (CSES).

🔬Research Focus

Her primary research areas lie in environmental science and engineering with a focus on soil environmental health, pollution remediation, and sustainable resource management. She has conducted in-depth studies on heavy metal contamination in agricultural black soils, quantified pollutant sources such as coal combustion and mining, and developed mitigation strategies for mercury and cadmium risks. Her work significantly contributes to sustainable soil conservation and public health policy development.

🛠️Skills

Prof. Xu brings expertise in land-sea pollution control, ecological remediation, environmental risk assessment, pollution source tracing using PMF modeling, and waste resource utilization. She is also proficient in environmental planning and management and demonstrates exceptional skills in coordinating complex research programs, innovating soil remediation strategies, and applying risk management in heavy metal pollution.

🏆Awards

She has received multiple prestigious recognitions, including the Second Prize for Technological Invention from the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the “Sifang Talent” award from Hainan Province. Prof. Xu has been honored as a “Provincial Top Innovative Talent” and is a distinguished contributor to national education through her development of two National First-Class Courses.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Quantification of an integrated approach to heavy metal source apportionment and probabilistic health risk assessment in the black soil region of central Jilin Province, China
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

  • Title: Study of the Relationship Between Nitrogen, Phosphorus Content, and Microbial Community Changes in Deer Manure Compost with Different Conditioners
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Fermentation

  • Title: Study on the Effect of Conditioners on the Degradation of Tetracycline Antibiotics in Deer Manure Composting
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Fermentation

  • Title: Removal of sulfonamide antibiotics by constructed wetland substrate with NaOH-modified corn straw biochar under different operating conditions
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Bioresource Technology

  • Title: The efficiency of enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a vertical flow constructed wetland using alkaline modified corn cobs as a carbon source
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Environmental Technology and Innovation

Conclusion:

Prof. Jianling Xu is an excellent candidate for this award. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also contributes to sustainable soil management practices essential for agriculture, ecosystem services, and human health. With a few enhancements in global collaboration and outreach, she stands out as a thought leader with lasting impact in the field of soil science.

Shuai huang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Shuai huang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Shuai huang, National Institute of Natural Hazards, China

Prof. Dr. Shuai Huang is a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Natural Hazards, China, specializing in earthquake disaster mechanisms, resilience-based prevention, and geotechnical engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing and was a visiting scholar at Imperial College London. Dr. Huang has led numerous national and provincial research projects, contributed to emergency responses for major disasters, and received multiple prestigious scientific awards. He has published over 50 SCI/EI papers, holds more than 50 invention patents, and plays a key role in developing seismic safety standards.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Shuai Huang is a leading researcher in geotechnical engineering, earthquake disaster prevention, and infrastructure resilience. His extensive publication record, leadership roles, and real-world engineering contributions make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work has had a profound impact on seismic safety, national disaster prevention policies, and engineering applications.

🎓 Education

Huang Shuai holds a Ph.D. in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Engineering and Protection Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, which he obtained in 2015. He is currently a research fellow at the National Institute of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Ministry of Emergency Management, and a master’s supervisor at the Beijing Institute of Technology. From February 2023 to February 2024, he was a visiting scholar at Imperial College London.

đź’ĽExperience

Huang Shuai has extensive experience in earthquake disaster chain research, disaster mechanisms, and resilience-based prevention and control. He has held several key positions, including Associate Researcher at the National Academy of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (July 2020 – February 2023) and Associate Researcher at the Institute of Crustal Stress, China Earthquake Administration (November 2017 – July 2020). From May 2015 to November 2017, he served as an Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Crustal Stress, China Earthquake Administration. He has provided emergency support for major earthquake, geological, and flood disasters, including the “7.20” heavy rainstorm disaster in Zhengzhou, Henan, and the 2023 floods in She County, Anhui Province.

🔬Research Focus

His primary research areas include slope seismic design and resilience prevention, the dynamic interaction between environmental media and engineering structures, seismic stability analysis and prevention technology for reservoir bank slopes, and failure mechanisms of high and steep slopes under rainfall-earthquake coupling. He is actively involved in the development of seismic safety standards for water-rich slopes and dangerous reservoirs.

🛠️Skills

Huang Shuai is proficient in earthquake-induced disaster simulation, seismic performance analysis of engineering structures, and the application of digital twin simulation platforms for disaster prediction. He has published more than 50 SCI/EI papers in top journals, with three being selected as ESI highly cited papers. Additionally, he has led over 10 engineering projects and holds over 50 invention patents. He has contributed to the compilation of two national standards and four group standards. As a key member of various professional organizations, he is involved in expert reviews, disaster resilience initiatives, and academic editorial work.

🏆Awards

Huang Shuai has received 18 social science and technology awards, including the Second Prize of the China Earthquake Administration Earthquake Prevention and Disaster Reduction Scientific Achievement Award, the Second Prize of the Qingdao Science and Technology Progress Award, and the China Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Achievement Award. He has also been recognized as one of the “21st National Youth Job Experts” by the Youth League Central Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources, as well as a Beijing Excellent Talent Youth Backbone Individual. His research has been selected as one of the “2023 Capital Frontier Academic Results” by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology.

📚 Publications

  • Research on Dynamic Response and Deformation Instability Mechanism of Slope Under Rainfall-Earthquake Sequences

    • Author(s): Huang, Shuai; Liu, Jingwei

    • Year: 2025

    • Journal: Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment

  • Research on Simplified Evaluation Method for Soil-Rock Mixed Slope Stability Under Dam-Break Flood Impact

    • Author(s): Huang, Shuai; Zhang, Lin; Li, Dong

    • Year: 2025

    • Journal: Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment

  • Interaction of Pipelines with Landslides: Analysis of Mechanical Properties at Different Strengths

    • Author(s): Zhang, Junhao; Huang, Shuai; Wang, Hongyu; Zhou, Biao; Liu, Jingwei

    • Year: 2025

  • Deformation and Failure Mechanism of Overlying Soil Layers Under Strike-Slip Fault Action

    • Author(s): Pei, Pengcheng; Huang, Shuai; Yuan, Jing; Zhang, Zhikang

    • Year: 2024

    • Journal: Chinese Journal of Geological Hazard and Control

  • Machine Learning and Numerical Simulation Research on Specific Energy Consumption for Gradated Coarse Particle Two-Phase Flow in Inclined Pipes

    • Author(s): Wan, Chuyi; Xiao, Shengpeng; Zhou, Dai; Huan, Caiyun; Han, Zhaolong

    • Year: 2024

    • Journal: Physics of Fluids

  • Reconstruction of the Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Flow Field in the Pipeline Based on Limited Pipeline Wall Information

    • Author(s): Xiao, Shengpeng; Wan, Chuyi; Zhu, Hongbo; Zhang, Mengmeng; Han, Zhaolong

    • Year: 2025

    • Journal: Physics of Fluids

  • Impact Response of Dam Affected by Landslide Surge Based on Improved SPH Method

    • Author(s): Huang, Shuai; Wang, Zhonggen; Li, Yu; Feng, Yuxiang

    • Year: 2025

    • Journal: Gongcheng Kexue Yu Jishu/Advanced Engineering Sciences

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Shuai Huang is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances academic knowledge but also provides critical solutions for disaster mitigation and infrastructure resilience. With further global engagement and interdisciplinary expansion, his influence in the field will continue to grow.

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.