Christian Siewert | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Prof. Dr. Christian Siewert | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Christian Siewert | University of Applied Sciences Dresden | Germany 

Dr. Christian Siewert is a German soil scientist and ecologist with more than three decades of academic and international experience. Holding a Ph.D. in natural sciences from the Soil Research Centre in Müncheberg and a Habilitation in soil science from the Technical University of Berlin, he has built a distinguished career across research, teaching, and international collaboration. Since 2005, he has served as a full professor, currently at the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, where he focuses on ecological sciences, soil fertility, land use technologies, environmental monitoring, and scientific publication activities. His professional record spans leadership roles, international project coordination, and contributions to over 14 EU strategic partnership research projects, including SUMCULA on sustainable cultural landscape management. With academic engagements across regions such as Russia, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, South America, and Japan, he has demonstrated long-standing expertise in cross-border ecological initiatives. Dr. Siewert has authored 32 scientific documents, which have collectively earned 809 citations, reflecting his influence in his field. His publication impact is further evidenced by an h-index of 15, underscoring the significance and reach of his scholarly contributions. Alongside 60 scientific publications and six patents, his work integrates research excellence with teaching, innovation, and global scientific cooperation.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Krahl, I., Tokarski, D., Kučerík, J., Schwitzky, E., & Siewert, C. (2025). New approach to experimental soil health definition using thermogravimetric fingerprinting. Agronomy.

  • Tokarski, D., Šimečková, J., Kučerík, J., Kalbitz, K., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., Barkusky, D., Ruehlmann, J., & Siewert, C. (2019). Detectability of degradable organic matter in agricultural soils by thermogravimetry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.

  • David, J., Weissmannová, H. D., Steinmetz, Z., Kabelíková, L., Demyan, M. S., Šimečková, J., Tokarski, D., Siewert, C., Schaumann, G. E., & Kučerík, J. (2019). Introducing a soil universal model method (SUMM) and its application for qualitative and quantitative determination of poly(ethylene), poly(styrene), poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics in a model soil. Chemosphere.

  • Tokarski, D., Kučerík, J., Kalbitz, K., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., Barkusky, D., Ruehlmann, J., & Siewert, C. (2018). Contribution of organic amendments to soil organic matter detected by thermogravimetry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.

  • Kučerík, J., Tokarski, D., Demyan, M. S., Merbach, I., & Siewert, C. (2018). Linking soil organic matter thermal stability with contents of clay, bound water, organic carbon and nitrogen. Geoderma.

Huan Zhang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Prof. Dr. Huan Zhang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Huan Zhang, Nanjing Normal University, China

Prof. Dr. Huan Zhang is an Associate Professor at the School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, China. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Geography from Nanjing University and specializes in soil organic matter cycling, carbon sequestration, and land use change impacts. His research integrates multi-omics analysis, machine learning, and stable isotope techniques to investigate soil quality evolution and microbial regulation. With numerous publications in high-impact journals, he has significantly contributed to soil science. He was honored with the “Doctor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation” talent project in Jiangsu Province. His work advances sustainable soil management and ecosystem stability.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Huan Zhang’s research on soil carbon dynamics, microbial interactions, and land use change demonstrates outstanding scientific contributions. His work is methodologically innovative, well-published, and highly relevant to contemporary environmental issues. His interdisciplinary approach, combined with strong technical expertise, makes him a competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Huan Zhang holds a Ph.D. in Physical Geography from Nanjing University, a Master’s degree in Soil Science from Nanjing Agricultural University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Resources and Environments from Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology. His academic background has provided him with a strong foundation in soil science, environmental sustainability, and geographical studies.

💼Experience

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Huan Zhang has previously worked as a Lecturer at the same institution. Before that, he was a Research Assistant at the School of Geography and Marine Sciences, Nanjing University. His professional journey has been dedicated to soil research, with a focus on soil quality evolution and organic matter cycling.

🔬Research Focus

Huan Zhang’s research primarily revolves around the mechanisms driving soil organic matter change. His work involves constructing soil time series to analyze the evolution of soil quality under varying land use intensities, employing machine learning for precise simulation of soil processes, and investigating microscale organic carbon turnover in environments affected by human activities. His studies contribute to understanding soil carbon storage, ecosystem stability, and the broader implications of land use on soil sustainability.

🛠️Skills

Huan Zhang possesses expertise in soil organic matter cycling, land use change impact assessment, and carbon sequestration mechanisms. His technical skills include machine learning applications for soil process modeling, multi-omics analysis for microbial community assessment, and stable isotope techniques for organic carbon studies. He is proficient in quantitative research methodologies and has a deep understanding of soil-microbe interactions.

🏆Awards

He was recognized under the “Doctor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation” talent project in Jiangsu Province in 2018, receiving a grant for his contributions to innovative soil science research.

📚 Publications

Title: Carbon dynamics and pathways in soil density fractions across different land-use types over 3000 years: Insights from 13C natural abundance.
Authors: Xu, M., Jiao, H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., & Gao, C.
Year: 2025
Journal: Catena

Title: Stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in soil: Impacts of soil development and land use across the catchment scale.
Authors: Su, B., Gao, C., Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., & Jiao, H.
Year: 2025
Journal: Catena

Title: Bacterial and fungal diversity, community composition, functional groups, and co-occurrence network succession in dryland and paddy soils along a 3000-year chronosequence.
Authors: Jiao, H., Xu, M., Ji, J., Zhang, H., & Gao, C.
Year: 2025
Journal: Catena

Conclusion:

 Prof. Dr. Huan Zhang is well-suited for the Best Researcher Award. While further strengthening international collaborations and research leadership roles could enhance his profile, his existing work already makes a significant impact in soil science and environmental research. He is a strong contender for this recognition.