Divya Mehta | Ecology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Divya Mehta | Ecology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Divya Mehta | College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo | Brazil

Dr. Divya is a dynamic forestry researcher whose work bridges forest genetics, environmental management, and socio-ecological sustainability. Her doctoral research focused on the genetic improvement of Punica granatum (wild pomegranate), emphasizing reproductive biology, breeding design evaluation, and molecular characterization to enhance genetic diversity and productivity. Her master’s work on identifying forest fire risk factors in Himachal Pradesh integrated bio-physical and socio-economic analyses to develop preventive strategies for fire-prone landscapes. With a strong background in forestry and environmental sciences, she has contributed significantly to projects on climate change vulnerability, agroforestry resilience, ecosystem service valuation, and forest resource management across diverse ecosystems. Currently engaged in postdoctoral research at ESALQ-USP, Brazil, she investigates ecological assessments of vegetation zones to understand plant functional traits, carbon stocks, and biodiversity dynamics in island ecosystems. Dr. Divya’s scholarly contributions extend beyond research to academic service as co-editor of a special issue on sustainable socio-ecological systems and reviewer for leading international journals in ecology, sustainability, and forest science. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing forest conservation, genetic improvement, and ecosystem-based approaches for climate resilience and sustainable development.

Profiles:  Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Mehta, D., Righi, C. A., Kumar, C., & Pereira, C. R. (2025). Systematic review on carbon and biodiversity in forest ecosystems of Amazonia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

  • Mehta, D. (2019). Developing fire danger model using logistic regression analysis for mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Agrometeorology.

  • Mehta, D., Baweja, P. K., & Aggarwal, R. K. (2018). Forest fire risk assessment using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Current World Environment, 13(3), 447–456.

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.