Zhihua Qiao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

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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.

💼Experience

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.

Davoud Akhzari | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Davoud Akhzari | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Davoud Akhzari, Malayer University, Iran

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Davoud Akhzari is a faculty member in the Department of Nature Engineering at Malayer University, Iran. He specializes in soil-plant interactions, phytoremediation, and rangeland management. With a Ph.D. in Plant Eco-physiology from Gorgan University, his research focuses on sustainable solutions for environmental stressors, including salinity, drought, and heavy metals. Dr. Akhzari has published extensively on biofertilizers, vermicompost, and innovative soil rehabilitation techniques. He is also a reviewer for several international journals, contributing to advancements in environmental and agricultural sciences.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Davoud Akhzari is a distinguished researcher whose work addresses critical challenges in sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation. His focus on innovative solutions such as biofertilizers and nanoparticle applications highlights his commitment to advancing knowledge and providing practical tools for improving soil and plant health under environmental stress. His extensive publications, international collaborations, and contributions as a journal reviewer position him as a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award.

 

🎓 Education

Davoud Akhzari holds a Ph.D. in Soil, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, specializing in Plant Eco-physiology with a minor in rangeland improvement and soil rehabilitation, from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran. His doctoral research focused on introducing halophyte plant species for winter rangeland improvement in saline areas. He earned his M.Sc. with distinction in Natural Resource Management, emphasizing vegetation improvement in arid zones, also at Gorgan University. His thesis analyzed the impacts of vegetation management on reducing wind erosion risks.

 

💼Experience

Dr. Akhzari is currently an Associate Professor at Malayer University in the Department of Nature Engineering, where he has served since 2016. Previously, he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Watershed and Rangeland Management Department from 2011 to 2016. He has held various administrative roles, including Head of Department, Dean of Central Library, and Dean of the Brilliant Talents Office.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Akhzari’s research emphasizes the interaction of soil and plant systems under stress conditions, including salinity, drought, and heavy metals. He is also dedicated to sustainable rangeland management, environmental remediation, and improving agricultural productivity through innovative practices like vermicompost and mycorrhizal fungi integration.

Awards

He has contributed extensively to research in soil and environmental sciences, with numerous publications in high-impact journals. His work has been recognized for advancing the understanding of plant-soil interactions under stress conditions and innovative biofertilizer applications.

 

Skills

Dr. Akhzari possesses expertise in the production and application of compost and vermicompost biofertilizers, proliferation of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and advanced data analysis using R and SAS software. Additionally, he is an experienced reviewer for numerous academic journals and specializes in phytoremediation, abiotic and biotic stress management, and soil rehabilitation techniques.

Publications

  • Amelioration of Garden Thyme Growth in Saline Soils by the Combined Application of Vermicompost, Silicon Nanoparticles and Zeolite
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Akhzari, D., Gómez-Brandón, M.
    Citations: 0

 

  • Effects of Environmental Abiotic Stresses on Photosynthetic Pigment Concentrations in Various Plant Species
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Akhzari, D., Pessarakli, M.
    Citations: 0

 

  • Effects of Fire on Some Vegetation and Soil Properties in a Semi-Arid Shrubland (Case Study: Kachaleh Rangelands, Kamyaran Region)
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Mohammadi, A.I., Akhzari, D., Saedi, K.
    Citations: 1

 

  • Effect of Dust on Growth and Reproductive Characteristics of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera)
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Bazgeer, S., Behrouzi, M., Nouri, H., Nejatian, M.A., Akhzari, D.
    Citations: 3

 

  • Impact of Drought, Salinity, and Heavy Metal Stress on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Traits of Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.)
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Akhzari, D., Pessarakli, M., Mahdavi, S., Ariapour, A.
    Citations: 0

 

  • The Interaction of Organic Fertilizer and Pitting on Nutrient Content, Phenolic Compounds, and Root and Shoot Lengths in Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.)
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Akhzari, D., Pessarakli, M.
    Citations: 0

 

  • Changes in Essential Oil Profile of Thymus daenensis Celak., Thymus fedtschenkoi Ronniger., and Thymus vulgaris L. Under Methyl Jasmonate Treatment
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Shayganfar, A., Akhzari, D.
    Citations: 2

Conclusion:

Dr. Akhzari is highly suitable for the award due to his expertise, innovative research contributions, and international engagement. While focusing on areas such as increasing citations, securing larger research grants, and expanding mentorship efforts could further strengthen his profile, his existing achievements make him a deserving candidate. Recognizing his work would not only honor his contributions but also encourage further advancements in his impactful areas of research.