Youngtae Cho | Science Integration | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Youngtae Cho | Science Integration | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Youngtae Cho, Land and Housing Research Institute, South Korea

Dr. Youngtae Cho is the Director of the Urban Research Team at the Land and Housing Research Institute, South Korea. With a Ph.D. in Urban Design from Korea University, he specializes in smart-green city planning, sustainable urban policy, and data-driven urban innovation. Since 2005, he has led major national projects on smart cities, published over 50 academic papers, authored five books, and holds 11 patents. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Korea University and is an active member of national and international urban development committees.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Cho combines rigorous academic scholarship, practical innovation, and policy engagement in the field of smart-green urban development. His prolific publication record, patented technologies, and leadership of national smart-city initiatives illustrate both depth and breadth of impact.

🎓 Education

Dr. Youngtae Cho earned his doctorate in Urban Design from Korea University in 2023. His academic background supports his extensive work in smart green urban development and city planning.

💼Experience

Dr. Cho has been actively engaged in research on smart green cities since 2005 at the Land & Housing Research Institute, Korea Land & Housing Corporation. He serves as Director of the Urban Research Team and holds a position as adjunct professor at Korea University since 2017. He is a member of the National Smart City Committee (2024–present) and the New Town Forum (2019–present). He has also collaborated on international smart city conferences and partnerships with organizations from the Netherlands and Denmark.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Cho’s research revolves around smart city development, with emphasis on national policy, inclusivity, climate responsiveness, and carbon neutrality. His key projects include Korea’s National Strategic Smart City Program, Robot-Friendly AI Smart City, and Digital Twin-Based Climate Response City. He advocates evidence-based, data-driven approaches for city planning that integrate technology and environmental sustainability.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Cho specializes in sustainable and inclusive smart-green city planning, urban policy development, spatial analysis, and data-driven research. His technical competencies include AI applications in urban design, digital twin technologies, and climate-responsive infrastructure. His work integrates academic theory with practical implementation, improving feasibility and innovation in urban environments.

🏆Awards

Dr. Cho has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals indexed by SCI, A&HCI, Scopus, and KCI. He has authored five professional books, including Smart City Evolution (2022) and Change in Innovative Technology and National Space (2023). His patents (11 total) include innovations in smart intersections and smart poles. His contributions are further recognized through editorial appointments, including with Sustainable Cities and Society.

📚 Publications

Title: Analysis of Rainwater Quality and Temperature Reduction Effects Using Rainwater Harvesting Facilities
Year: 2024
Authors: Jongsoo Choi, Jungmin Lee, Myeongin Kim, Jae-hyeon Lee, Youngtae Cho
Journal: Buildings

Conclusion:

Dr. Youngtae Cho exemplifies the qualities of the Best Researcher Award: originality, influence, and translational impact. By expanding his editorial roles, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and leading high-value grants, he can further elevate his research profile. Overall, his achievements to date make him a highly deserving candidate.

Diana Feliciano | Science Integration | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano | Science Integration | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano, Teesside University, United Kingdom

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is a Professor of Climate Change and Sustainable Economic Development at Teesside University, United Kingdom. She holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc in Economics from the Portuguese Catholic University, and a BEng Hons in Engineering from the University of Lisbon. Her research focuses on climate change mitigation, sustainable land use, carbon sequestration, and agricultural policy. With extensive experience in academia and policy advisory roles, she has worked with institutions like the Committee on Climate Change, UNESCO, and the University of Aberdeen. She has secured prestigious research grants from UKRI, EU Horizon Europe, and the Wellcome Trust, leading projects on greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable food systems, and environmental policy integration.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is a highly accomplished researcher in climate change and sustainability, with extensive contributions to academia, policy, and global environmental initiatives. Her ability to secure competitive funding, collaborate internationally, and influence policy decisions makes her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award.

 

🎓 Education

Professor Diana Feliciano holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where she researched the contribution of rural land uses to greenhouse gas-neutral regions. She earned an MSc in Economics from the Portuguese Catholic University, focusing on the effectiveness of forest owners’ associations in Portugal. She also holds a BEng Hons in Engineering, specializing in forestry and natural resource management, from the University of Lisbon.

💼Experience

Professor Feliciano is currently a Professor of Climate Change and Sustainable Economic Development at Teesside University International Business School. She is also a Defra R&D Fellow working on embedding evidence in the Environmental Improvement Plan. Previously, she was a transdisciplinary scientist at the University of Aberdeen, a senior analyst for the Committee on Climate Change in London, and a researcher at UNESCO’s International Social Science Council in Paris. She has also worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant in Portugal and Scotland.

🔬Research Focus

Her research spans climate change mitigation, sustainable land use, and socio-economic aspects of environmental policy. She has extensively studied carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable agricultural practices. Her work integrates economic and environmental sciences to develop policies supporting climate resilience, sustainable food systems, and land-use management.

Awards

She has secured numerous prestigious grants, including funding from UKRI, EU Horizon Europe, Wellcome Trust, and the World Bank. She has led and participated in projects on carbon capture, sustainable food systems, and agricultural policy. She has also held leadership roles in international research collaborations, including COST Action FP1201 and NERC-funded projects.

Publications

Environmental, Social and Economic Perceptions of Local Food Production: A Case Study of Aberdeenshire Farmers’ Markets

Authors: Wardle, J.M., Sorathia, A., Smith, P., & Feliciano, D.M.S.
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
Journal: Scottish Geographical Journal

Assessing the Area of Suitable Land for Climate Change Mitigation with Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) in Scotland

Authors: Abimbola, I., & Feliciano, D.M.S.
Year: 2022
Citations: 1
Journal: Land

Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Climate Change Risk in a Central America Hotspot

Authors: Feliciano, D.M.S., & Sobenes, A.
Year: 2022
Citations: 6
Journal: Regional Environmental Change

 

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Diana Feliciano is highly suitable for the Research for Best Scholar Award, given her exceptional academic achievements, research impact, and policy contributions. While she could further enhance her influence through increased citations, high-impact publications, and expanded public engagement, her current standing in the scientific community makes her a strong contender for this prestigious recognition.