Prabhin Sukumaran | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran, Charotar University of Science & Technology, India 

Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran is an Assistant Professor at Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Gujarat, India, and a Visiting Research Scholar at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA. With a Ph.D. in Geology, his interdisciplinary research focuses on Pleistocene climate, human-environment interactions, stable isotope geochemistry, sedimentology, and geoarchaeology. He is also the Founding Director of the Paleoclimate Ecology and Heritage Research Foundation. Dr. Sukumaran is committed to science outreach, youth mentorship, and heritage conservation, and has received multiple national and international fellowships, including the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship and INQUA travel grants.

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Summary:

Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran exemplifies a dynamic and impactful researcher who combines deep scientific inquiry with public engagement and educational innovation. His academic achievements, international presence, leadership roles, and commitment to interdisciplinary research make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work is aligned with global scientific goals of understanding climate change, conserving heritage, and nurturing future researchers.

🎓 Education

Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where he conducted high-resolution studies on Late Holocene sediments from the lower Narmada Valley in western India. He earned his M.Sc. in Applied Geology from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, which is now recognized as IIT-ISM Dhanbad. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Geology from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala.

💼Experience

Dr. Sukumaran is currently serving as Assistant Professor at the Dr. K.C. Patel R & D Center, Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Gujarat, since May 2022. He also holds a concurrent position as a Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA. From 2012 to 2022, he worked as Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at CHARUSAT. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Geologist at the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) in Gandhinagar and served as a Junior and Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Geology, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Sukumaran’s research spans multiple interdisciplinary areas including Pleistocene climate change, human-climate interaction, stable isotope geochemistry, sedimentology, environmental magnetism, geomorphology, and remote sensing. He has a strong interest in the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna, studies on the Indian Ostrich, and the evolution of modern humans. His work in geoarchaeology and prehistoric archaeology contributes significantly to heritage conservation. He actively promotes scientific outreach and has been a key figure in programs that bridge science and society, such as the Vadodara Innovation Council’s Tod Fod Jod program and the Paleoher Ratna Fellowship.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Sukumaran possesses a wide range of analytical and field skills including sedimentological studies of fluvial systems, geomorphological modeling, stable isotope geochemistry, and environmental magnetism. He is proficient in subsurface mapping using micro-seismic techniques and in interpreting marine influences through micro-paleontological analyses. His instrument experience includes SEM, XRD, FTIR, seismometers, magnetometers, and advanced geochemical tools. On the software front, he is skilled in GIS and remote sensing platforms such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper, and MapInfo. He also utilizes RockWorks and Surfer for modeling, SPSS for statistical analysis, and multimedia tools like CorelDraw and Movavi for graphical and video presentations. Additionally, he has experience in website development using WordPress.

🏆Awards

Dr. Sukumaran has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years for his academic contributions. In 2025, he received travel support to attend the World Archaeological Congress in Australia and was honored with lifetime membership by the Association of Quaternary Researchers (AOQR). In 2024, he won first prize for innovative teaching methodology at an international symposium hosted by Parul University and was appointed as a Council Member of AOQR. He has received multiple international travel grants from INQUA and PAGES, and was awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship in 2021. He has consistently been recognized for his scientific papers, leadership roles, and outreach efforts in Quaternary science.

📚 Publications

Title: Late Quaternary fluvio-aeolian interactions and possible aridification in west-central India: Implications for prehistoric human adaptations in the Central Tapi Valley
Year: 2025
Authors: Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran
Journal: Quaternary International

Conclusion:

Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran meets and exceeds the expectations for the Best Researcher Award. His outstanding interdisciplinary research, societal contributions, and ongoing efforts to mentor and engage with the scientific and public communities position him as a role model in contemporary academia. Minor enhancements in publication strategy and policy integration could further elevate his already commendable profile. He is a deserving and commendable nominee for this prestigious honor.

Muhammad Riaz | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Muhammad Riaz | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Chengdu University of Technology, China

Dr. Muhammad Riaz is an Associate Researcher at the College of Energy Resources, Chengdu University of Technology, China. He holds a PhD in Geology from the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, and has extensive experience in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and carbonate reservoir studies. His research focuses on sedimentary environments, basin analysis, and the economic geology of energy resources. Dr. Riaz has received multiple national and international awards for his scientific contributions and has led and participated in several funded research projects in Pakistan and China.

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Summary:

Dr. Muhammad Riaz is an accomplished geoscientist with a focused research portfolio in sedimentology and reservoir geology. His academic credentials, international research exposure, funded projects, and publication record make him a competitive candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. He demonstrates not only research excellence but also the capacity to contribute to strategic energy-related scientific advancements.

🎓 Education

Dr. Muhammad Riaz holds a PhD in Geology from the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, where he studied from September 2015 to July 2019. Prior to this, he earned his MPhil in Applied Geology from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, completing the degree in 2013. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology from the same university, which he completed in 2011.

💼Experience

Dr. Riaz is currently serving as an Associate Researcher at the College of Energy Resources, Chengdu University of Technology, China, a position he has held since June 2024. Before this, he worked as a Senior Sedimentologist at the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) from March 2022 to June 2024. His academic experience includes a visiting role and an IPFP Assistant Professorship at the Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, between November 2020 and March 2022. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Research Assistant at the China University of Geosciences from 2016 to 2019 and served as a Field Geologist with Geo Drillers, where he contributed to major infrastructure projects including the Sport City Narowal and the Lahore Metro Bus System.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Riaz’s research focuses on sedimentology, stratigraphy, and the economic geology of carbonate and clastic systems. He has led and participated in national and international research projects, including a funded study on the economic significance of the Permian Wargal Limestone in Pakistan and a project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China on the sedimentary fabric diversity of Cambrian bioherms. His work aims to bridge academic research with practical applications in energy resource exploration and geological modeling.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Riaz brings extensive experience in sedimentology, geological mapping, field investigation, and GIS-based spatial analysis. He has contributed to both academic and applied geological research with a strong command of sedimentary facies analysis, basin evolution studies, and carbonate reservoir characterization. His multilingual capabilities in Urdu, English, and Chinese further enhance his collaborative potential in international research environments.

🏆Awards

Dr. Riaz has earned several distinctions. He received the Best Performance Award from the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan in 2023 and a research grant worth PKR 1 million from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in 2021. In 2018, he was honored with the Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement Award by the China University of Geosciences. He was also awarded a PhD scholarship by the Chinese Scholarship Council in 2015 and received merit scholarships during his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of the Punjab.

📚 Publications

Title: Sedimentology and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Late Permian Wargal Limestone: Implication for Reservoir Potential in the Salt Range, Pakistan
Authors: Riaz, M.S., Ghazi, S., Waqas, M.
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of the Geological Society of India

Title: Understanding the Origin of Ancient Carbonate Ooids: Recent Findings
Authors: Riaz, M.S., Banerjee, S., Latif, K., Ahmed, M.S., Fathy, D.
Year: 2024

Conclusion:

Dr. Muhammad Riaz is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to sedimentary geology and its applications in reservoir studies positions him as a valuable contributor to the scientific community. With further emphasis on interdisciplinary outreach and mentorship, he has the potential to rise as a leading figure in the geosciences. He is highly recommended for consideration.