Sony Baral | Ecology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Sony Baral | Ecology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sony Baral, Institute of Forestry Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Dr. Sony Baral is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She holds a Ph.D. in Green Economy from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in forestry policy, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and climate change. She has worked with organizations like UNDP, IUCN, and UN Women, contributing to policy development, research, and project implementation. Dr. Baral has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and technical reports and has received multiple research grants and scholarships. Her expertise includes green economy, natural resource management, policy analysis, and academic leadership.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Sony Baral is a distinguished researcher and academic leader in forestry, green economy, and climate change policy. Her extensive publication record, leadership roles, and international collaborations position her as a strong candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her research has made significant contributions to policy formulation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management, demonstrating both academic and practical impact.

 

🎓 Education

Sony Baral holds a Ph.D. in Green Economy from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria, completed with distinction. She earned her Master of Science in Mountain Forestry with a specialization in environmental economics from the same university, where she secured the first position. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry, Nepal, passing in First Division.

💼Experience

Dr. Baral is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, responsible for research coordination, policy formulation, Ph.D. program management, and academic excellence enhancement. She previously served as a Member of the City Planning Commission, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and worked with UNDP Nepal as a Policy and Institutional Analyst for Biodiversity Finance. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with international organizations such as IUCN, UN Women, and ANSAB, contributing to policy development, green economy, impact assessment, and participatory research. She has also been a visiting faculty at several institutions and has led major projects on forest management, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.

 

🔬Research Focus

Her research encompasses forestry policy, green economy, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, climate change, and natural resource management. She has conducted extensive studies on forest carbon assessment, policy analysis, wetlands restoration, and socio-ecological resilience. She has authored more than two dozen peer-reviewed articles in national and international scientific journals and contributed to technical reports and policy briefs.

 

Awards

She has received multiple competitive scholarships, including the North-South Dialogues Scholarship for her Ph.D. and M.Sc. studies in Austria, as well as a DANIDA Fellowship for her undergraduate studies. She was also awarded a Postdoctoral Scholarship from the Institute of Silviculture, BOKU University. Her research has been supported by grants from Tribhuvan University, SANDEE/ICIMOD, the Australian Impact Fund, the University Grant Commission, and the Koshi Province Ecosystem Services Assessment Grant. She has also secured funding for international conferences, including IUFRO and FLARE.

 

Skills

Dr. Baral possesses expertise in research methodology, project management, policy formulation, strategic planning, GIS applications, statistical analysis (SPSS, R studio), ecosystem modeling, and scientific writing. She has strong networking and collaboration skills and has played a key role in capacity-building initiatives, faculty development, and academic policy formulation.

 

Publications

 

  • Forest restoration efficiency: A comparative analysis of collectively vs. individually managed forests in Nepal

    • Journal: Trees, Forests and People
    • Year: 2025

 

  • The economics of forest restoration: A cost-effectiveness analysis of the leasehold forestry programme in Nepal

    • Journal: Trees, Forests and People
    • Year: 2025

 

  • Growth dynamics of Shorea robusta Gaertn in relation to climate change: A case study from tropical region of Nepal

    • Journal: Trees
    • Year: 2022

 

  • Erratum: Form Factors of an Economically Valuable Sal Tree (Shorea robusta) of Nepal

    • Journal: Forests
    • Year: 2020

 

  • Form Factors of an Economically Valuable Sal Tree (Shorea robusta) of Nepal

    • Journal: Forests
    • Year: 2020

 

  • Factors Affecting Fuelwood Consumption and CO2 Emissions: An Example from a Community-Managed Forest of Nepal

    • Journal: Energies
    • Year: 2019

 

  • A Total Economic Valuation of Wetland Ecosystem Services: Evidence from Jagadishpur Ramsar Site, Nepal

    • Journal: The Scientific World Journal
    • Year: 2016

Conclusion:

Based on her credentials, contributions, and leadership in environmental research, Dr. Sony Baral is a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. While she already possesses an impressive research and leadership portfolio, further increasing her research visibility, industry collaborations, and gender-focused initiatives in forestry could further strengthen her application. Her work exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier researcher dedicated to sustainable development and climate resilience.

Alifu Haireti | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Alifu Haireti | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Alifu Haireti ,Saint Louis University, United States

 

Dr. Alifu Haireti is a faculty member at Saint Louis University, United States, specializing in advanced research and academic excellence.  Dr. Haireti is dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation through scholarly work and professional engagement.

 

Profile

Google Scholar

Summary:

Dr. Alifu Haireti, as a faculty member at Saint Louis University, exemplifies qualities of a researcher dedicated to innovation and academic excellence. Their specialization in advanced research positions them as a leader in fostering knowledge and inspiring future academic endeavors. Dr. Haireti’s professional engagement further underlines their dedication to the field.

 

🎓 Education

Dr. Alifu Haireti holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Remote Sensing from Chiba University, Japan, where he specialized in delineating debris-covered glaciers using geomorphometric parameters and Landsat band ratios. He also earned his Master’s in Environmental Remote Sensing from the same institution, focusing on glacier mapping and area change detection. He completed his Bachelor’s in Communication Engineering at Sichuan University, China.

 

💼Experience

Dr. Haireti currently serves as a Geospatial Computing Engineer at the Taylor Geospatial Institute, Saint Louis University, where he works on precision agriculture and carbon sequestration research. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Saint Louis University, developing climate-resilient smart crops, and at the Hirabayashi Lab, Japan, focusing on the impacts of global warming on extreme floods and river dynamics.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Haireti’s research encompasses environmental monitoring, flood dynamics, glacier studies, precision agriculture, and the integration of satellite observations with advanced modeling and machine learning techniques.

 

Awards

His accolades include the Outstanding Graduate Award from Chiba University, the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad, and the Watanuki International Scholarship.

 

Skills

Dr. Haireti excels in remote sensing, GIS, hydrological modeling, and extreme event attribution. He is proficient in handling big data using Python in a Linux environment and has expertise in machine learning, UAV data collection, and various remote sensing technologies, including hyperspectral and LiDAR systems.

Publications

  • Publication: Production of Global Land Cover Data–GLCNMO2013
    Authors: K Toshiyuki, T Ryutaro, A Bayan, S Ram, W Takuma, M Daichi, …
    Citation: 92
    Year: 2017

 

  • Publication: A new band ratio technique for mapping debris-covered glaciers using Landsat imagery and a digital elevation model
    Authors: H Alifu, R Tateishi, B Johnson
    Citation: 72
    Year: 2015

 

  • Publication: Enhancement of river flooding due to global warming
    Authors: H Alifu, Y Hirabayashi, Y Imada, H Shiogama
    Citation: 70
    Year: 2022

 

  • Publication: Machine-learning classification of debris-covered glaciers using a combination of Sentinel-1/-2 (SAR/optical), Landsat 8 (thermal) and Digital elevation data
    Authors: A Haireti, V Jean-Francois, J Brian Alan, H Yukiko
    Citation: 64
    Year: 2020

 

  • Publication: Residual flood damage under intensive adaptation
    Authors: M Tanoue, R Taguchi, H Alifu, Y Hirabayashi
    Citation: 62
    Year: 2021

 

  • Publication: Anthropogenic climate change has changed frequency of past flood during 2010-2013
    Authors: Y Hirabayashi, H Alifu, D Yamazaki, Y Imada, H Shiogama, Y Kimura
    Citation: 46
    Year: 2021

 

  • Publication: Detection of land subsidence in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, using DInSAR technique
    Authors: R Bhattarai, H Alifu, A Maitiniyazi, A Kondoh
    Citation: 43
    Year: 2017

 

  • Publication: Delineation of debris-covered glaciers based on a combination of geomorphometric parameters and a TIR/NIR/SWIR band ratio
    Authors: H Alifu, BA Johnson, R Tateishi
    Citation: 32
    Year: 2015

 

  • Publication: Multi-criteria technique for mapping of debris-covered and clean-ice glaciers in the Shaksgam valley using Landsat TM and ASTER GDEM
    Authors: A Haireti, R Tateishi, B Alsaaideh, S Gharechelou
    Citation: 20
    Year: 2016

 

  • Publication: Inventory of Glaciers in the Shaksgam Valley of the Chinese Karakoram Mountains, 1970–2014
    Authors: A Haireti, H Yukiko, J Brian Alan, V Jean-Francois, K Akihiko, U Minoru
    Citation: 10
    Year: 2018

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Alifu Haireti is a suitable and commendable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. To further solidify their candidacy, evidence of impactful research outcomes and increased visibility through wider collaborations or public engagement would enhance their profile. Their existing strengths already establish them as a significant contributor to the academic community.

Dr. Pradeep Rawat | Earth | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Pradeep Rawat | Earth | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pradeep Rawat, Asian International University, India

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat is a distinguished Professor of Geography and Geospatial Science at Asian International University, India. With a Ph.D. in Geo-hydrological GIS modeling, he brings over 16 years of expertise in disaster risk management, environmental geoinformatics, and hydrological hazard modeling. His research primarily focuses on using GIS and remote sensing technologies to address climate change impacts, natural hazards, and ecological challenges, particularly within the Himalayan region. A recognized expert, he has served as a consultant for ICIMOD and holds various prestigious roles, including GIS Expert for the Kumaun River Rejuvenation Committee.

 

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat’s research expertise, proven track record in GIS modeling, and contributions to disaster risk reduction make him an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His focused study on climate impacts, particularly within the Himalayan region, has yielded substantial insights relevant to environmental resilience and disaster preparedness. His collaborative projects and esteemed consulting roles add to his profile as a knowledgeable and influential researcher in geospatial science.

 

🎓 Education

Dr. Rawat holds a Ph.D. in Geo-hydrological GIS modeling for disaster risk management from Kumaon University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. He also holds Post Graduate degrees in Geoinformatics and Geography from the same institution.

💼Experience

Dr. Rawat has over 16 years of experience in academic and research roles across national and international institutions. He has served as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Senior Research Fellow (SRF), and Research Associate (RA) in various prestigious institutions such as Kumaun University, Nagaland University, and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Since 2021, he has been a Professor at Asian International University in Imphal, Manipur, India. His work has focused on geospatial applications for disaster management and environmental degradation, particularly in the Himalayan region.

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily addresses disaster risk management, geospatial modeling for environmental and hydrological changes, and the impacts of climate change on natural hazards in mountainous terrains. His studies have a specific focus on the Himalayan region, with interests in flood, landslide, and monsoon hazard mitigation using GIS and remote sensing technologies.

🏆Awards

Dr. Rawat has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named a GIS Expert for the Kumaun River Rejuvenation Committee (2019), an Editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Satellite Oceanography and Meteorology (2016), and Consultant Scientist at ICIMOD (2011). He has also been awarded Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow positions by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

 

Skills

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat possesses advanced skills in geospatial technology, GIS modeling, and remote sensing for disaster risk management, climate change studies, and hydrological hazard prediction. He is proficient in environmental geoinformatics, geohydrological modeling, and spatial data analysis for ecological and hydrological assessments. His expertise includes GIS applications for natural disaster risk reduction, soil erosion, and geomorphic hazard analysis.

Publications

  • Rawat, P.K., Belho, K., & Rawat, M.S. (2024). Geospatial analysis of alarmingly increasing flood vulnerability and disaster risk within the northeast Himalaya region of India. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 114, 104920.

 

  • Rawat, M.S., Rawat, P.K., & Belho, K. (2024). Geospatial AI solution to monitor and mitigate increasing adverse ecological and hydrological impacts of climate change in Uttarakhand Himalaya (India). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(39), pp. 52326–52351.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., Belho, K., & Rawat, M.S. (2024). Geospatial analysis of soil erosion and subsequent geomorphic hazards in the Eastern Himalayan Region, India. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing.

 

  • Belho, K., Rawat, M.S., & Rawat, P.K. (2023). GIS modeling to investigate environmental change and degradation in Kohima district, North East Hill (NEH) region of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(12), 1553.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., & Pant, B. (2023). Geoenvironmental GIS development to investigate landslides and slope instability along the frontal zone of Central Himalaya. Natural Hazards Research, 3(2), pp. 196–204.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., Pant, B., Pant, K.K., & Pant, P. (2022). Geospatial analysis of alarmingly increasing human-wildlife conflicts in Jim Corbett National Park’s Ramnagar buffer zone: Ecological and socioeconomic perspectives. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 10(3), pp. 337–350.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., Pant, C.C., & Bisht, S. (2017). Geospatial analysis of climate change and emerging flood disaster risk in fast urbanizing Himalayan foothill landscape. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 8(2), pp. 418–447.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., Pant, C.C., & Nibanupud, H.K. (2016). Environmental geoinformatics of fast-growing Himalaya’s foothill towns and surrounding: concept and implementation. Earth Science Informatics, 9(1), pp. 1–19.

 

  • Rawat, P.K., & Tiwari, P.C. (2014). Climate change and its impacts on community food and livelihood in Kumaun Himalaya: A case study of Dabka catchment. In Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation, pp. 266–297.

 

  • Rawat, P.K. (2014). GIS development to monitor climate change and its geohydrological consequences on non-monsoon crop pattern in Himalaya. Computers and Geosciences, 70, pp. 80–95.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Rawat’s achievements in geospatial science, his dedication to addressing environmental challenges, and his leadership in the field support his nomination for the Best Researcher Award. By continuing to expand his research influence and interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Rawat has the potential to elevate his contributions and achieve even greater impacts in the field of geospatial science and beyond.