Rima Bou Melhem | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Rima Bou Melhem | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Rima Bou Melhem | Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of the Environment and Space | France

Dr. Rima Bou Melhem is a dedicated researcher specializing in plant and environmental sciences, with expertise spanning phytoecology, microbiology, and biotechnology. Her research focuses on sustainable plant–soil interactions, microbial diversity, and natural bioactive compounds contributing to ecosystem resilience and agricultural innovation. She has conducted extensive fieldwork on soil and plant sampling in pine and cedar forest ecosystems and led studies on the isolation and molecular identification of entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana for biological pest control applications. Her scientific pursuits also include evaluating the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of plant extracts, integrating analytical chemistry techniques such as LC-MS, HPLC, and spectrophotometry to characterize phytochemical profiles. Beyond laboratory research, she has contributed to applied innovation through co-founding a start-up that integrates digital technologies with biological control systems for sustainable pest management. Her strong command of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and data analysis tools, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration and field-based research, underpins her goal of enhancing plant health, soil quality, and environmental sustainability. With a multidisciplinary approach bridging ecological research and technological innovation, she continues to contribute to advancing nature-based solutions for agriculture and ecosystem conservation.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Bou Melhem, R., Jourdain, L., Gogo, S., Leroy, F., Jacotot, A., Moquet, J.-S., Laggoun-Défarge, F., & Guimbaud, C. (2025, October 14). Rewetting is not enough: Sphagnum transplants promote lowering of greenhouse‐gas emissions in peatlands. Restoration Ecology.

Adriana Favacho Curty | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Adriana Favacho Curty | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Adriana Favacho curty | State University of Rio de Janeiro | Brazil

Dr. Adriana Favacho Curty’s research exemplifies scientific innovation in environmental and soil sciences, focusing on microplastic contamination in coastal and sandy sediments. Her postdoctoral work at Rio de Janeiro State University integrates advanced spectroscopic and X-ray techniques to develop methodologies for polymer characterization using Compton/Rayleigh scattering ratios. By combining FT-IR, Raman, and micro-XRF analyses, she establishes chemometric profiles that link plastic morphotypes to elemental compositions, contributing to the understanding of microplastic-metal interactions and their ecological implications. Her studies bridge environmental engineering, physics, and marine ecology, supporting the creation of standardized protocols for sampling, extraction, and quantification of microplastics in coastal environments. Through collaborative work at BIOTEMA and LIETA laboratories, she enhances analytical precision in assessing contamination pathways and pollutant adsorption mechanisms. Her publications and presentations in prominent scientific platforms demonstrate a consistent effort to improve methodologies for environmental risk evaluation and marine pollution monitoring. Beyond her experimental research, her consultancy experience in environmental and infrastructure projects strengthens her applied perspective on sustainable urban and coastal management. Dr. Curty’s contributions significantly advance the scientific understanding of plastic pollution and its integration into soil and aquatic systems, reinforcing the global framework for sustainable coastal ecosystem management.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications

Curty, A. F., Tsuyama, F., Cunha, P. M. O. M., Anjos, M. J., & Salomão, A. L. S. (2025, October 29). Metals’ adsorption onto environmental microplastics at shoreline sediments. X-Ray Spectrometry. Advance online publication.

Sandra Hervías-Parejo | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandra Hervias-Parejo | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandra Hervias Parejo, CSIC-UIB – Instituto Mediterraneo de Estudios Avanzados , Spain

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandra Hervías-Parejo is a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB) in Spain, specializing in ecosystem restoration, invasive species, and island ecology. With a PhD in Ecology from the University of Murcia, she has led and contributed to numerous international research projects addressing biodiversity loss and global change. Her work, published in top scientific journals, is widely recognized for its policy impact and commitment to open science. Dr. Hervías-Parejo is also active in science communication, mentoring, and promoting gender equity in research.

Profile

Scopus

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Summary:

Dr. Sandra Hervías-Parejo is an accomplished and highly regarded researcher in the field of ecology, with a special focus on conservation science. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both research and education, with numerous contributions to understanding and mitigating ecological threats. Her interdisciplinary work, international collaborations, and innovative research in island ecosystems make her an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Sandra Hervías-Parejo holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Murcia, Spain, awarded in 2014. She earned an MSc in Invasive Species Management from the same university in 2009. In addition, she holds a Certificate in Teaching Skills from the University of Granada, completed in 2006, and a Degree in Biology obtained through studies at the University of Granada and the University of La Laguna de Tenerife in 2004.

💼Experience

Sandra is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Global Change Research department at IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC), Spain, under an ERC Advanced Grant led by Dr. A. Traveset since November 2022. Her earlier roles include a Vicenç Mut postdoctoral fellowship at the Balearic Islands Government (CAIB) from August 2020 to July 2022, and a postdoctoral contract at IMEDEA from September 2018 to July 2020, which she left upon receiving the fellowship. She also held a postdoctoral research position at the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos from February 2016 to August 2017.

🔬Research Focus

Sandra has published 40 articles in SCI-indexed journals, with 90% led or conceptualized by her. Her research has significantly influenced conservation policies and practices, and all her recent publications are open access to promote transparency. She has played an active role in 14 international research projects, leading two of them, and collaborates with researchers from over 20 countries. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, and she regularly participates in European scientific groups, academic committees, and peer reviews for over 22 scientific journals.

🛠️Skills

Her expertise spans ecosystem restoration, food-webs, global change biology, invasive alien species, island ecology, keystone species, multilayer ecological networks, and functional traits. Sandra’s work is highly interdisciplinary and addresses urgent ecological issues, with a strong emphasis on applied conservation and biodiversity protection, particularly in vulnerable island ecosystems.

🏆Awards

Sandra’s projects have received both national and international funding, earning accolades for their innovation and societal relevance. She is dedicated to science communication, appearing on TV and radio, publishing popular science content, and developing educational materials. A strong advocate for gender equity, she works to inspire the next generation through outreach and mentoring.

📚 Publications

Title: On the structure of species-function participation in multilayer ecological networks
Year: 2024
Authors: Hervías-Parejo S., Cuevas-Blanco M., Lacasa L., Melián C.J., Eguíluz V.M.
Journal: Nature Communications

Title: Vertebrates can be more important pollinators than invertebrates on islands: the case of Malva (=Lavatera) arborea L.
Year: 2024
Authors: Robles C., Romero-Egea V., Traveset A., Ruiz de Ybáñez M.R., Hervías-Parejo S.
Journal: AoB PLANTS

Title: Gulls contribute to olive seed dispersal within and among islands in a Mediterranean coastal area
Year: 2024
Authors: Ando H., Martin-Velez V., Tavecchia G., Martínez-Abraín A., Hervías-Parejo S.
Journal: Journal of Biogeography

Conclusion:

Dr. Sandra Hervías-Parejo’s exceptional academic contributions, leadership in international research projects, and commitment to public engagement make her an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her ability to lead cutting-edge research and influence conservation policies is highly commendable, and she has consistently demonstrated a profound impact on both the scientific community and society.