Prabhin Sukumaran | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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.

Roberto Lorenzo Rodríguez Pacheco | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Roberto Lorenzo Rodríguez Pacheco | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Roberto Lorenzo Rodriguez Pacheco, Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Spain

Dr. Roberto Lorenzo Rodríguez Pacheco is a Senior Scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Spain. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and specializes in mining waste geotechnics, environmental geochemistry, and hydrogeology. With extensive experience at the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME), he has led and contributed to numerous international research projects on mining waste management, pollution assessment, and circular mining. He has published over 173 scientific papers and supervised multiple doctoral and master’s theses. Dr. Rodríguez Pacheco has received several prestigious awards, including the Best Academic Record in Cuba and First Prize at the National Exhibition of Science and Technology. His expertise spans geotechnical analysis, risk assessment, and sustainable resource management, making significant contributions to environmental sciences and mining sustainability.

Profile

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Summary:

Dr. Roberto Lorenzo Rodríguez Pacheco is a highly accomplished researcher with a strong background in mining waste management, environmental geochemistry, and hydrogeology. His extensive publication record, international collaborations, leadership in research projects, and contributions to sustainable mining practices make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His mentorship of young scientists and his recognition through multiple awards further reinforce his credibility.

🎓 Education

Roberto Lorenzo Rodríguez Pacheco holds a Geological Engineering degree from the University of Moa, Cuba, obtained in 1989. He later qualified as a Bachelor of Geology in Spain in 1999. He earned a Diploma in Underground Hydrogeology in 1997 from the International Center for Underground Hydrology Foundation in Spain. In 2002, he completed a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, within the Official Doctorate Program in Civil Engineering, specializing in the geotechnics of mining-metallurgical waste.

💼Experience

He has had a distinguished career in research and academia, serving in various institutions. He was a Senior Scientist at the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME) from 2011 to 2021 and later became a Senior Scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). He has also worked as part of the Research Group on Mining Waste and Environmental Geochemistry. Additionally, he was a researcher at the Higher Technical School of Civil Engineering, Barcelona, within the Land Engineering and Hydrogeology Groups. He has led or contributed to research efforts in institutions such as the University of Girona and international geological organizations.

🔬Research Focus

His research is centered on mining waste geotechnics, environmental geochemistry, hydrogeology, and circular mining. He has contributed extensively to risk assessment related to mining tailings, heavy metal contamination, and sustainable resource management. His work includes directing doctoral and master’s research, collaborating on major European projects, and leading efforts on the environmental implications of mining operations. He has been a principal investigator in multiple projects and contributed to over 173 scientific publications, fostering international collaborations across various countries.

🛠️Skills

His expertise spans multiple domains, including geological engineering, soil mechanics, hydrogeology, numerical modeling, pollution assessment, and risk evaluation. He has also developed proficiency in geotechnical analysis, environmental impact assessment, and the management of mining and metallurgical waste.

🏆Awards

He has received numerous accolades, including the Best Academic Record from the Higher Mining and Metallurgical Institute in 1989, awarded by the Minister of Higher Education of Cuba. He was also recognized with the Best Geology Career Record at the national level with a Gold Title (Matricula). Furthermore, he won First Prize at the National Exhibition of Science and Technology (R&D&I) in Havana in 1990.

📚 Publications

  • Environmental Implications of Saline Efflorescence Associated with Metallic Mining Waste in a Mediterranean Region

    • Authors: L.A. Alcolea-Rubio, A.V. Caparrós-Ríos, V.M. Robles-Arenas, A. Pérez-Sanz, R.L. Rodríguez
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Land 
  • Static Liquefaction Causes the Flow Failure of a Tailings Dam: A Case Study of El Descargador, Cartagena–La Unión Mining Region, SE Spain (October 1963)

    • Authors: R.L. Rodríguez, A.V. Caparrós, A. Alcolea, C. Roqué, M. Zarroca
    • Year: 2022
    • Journal: Minerals

Conclusion:

Dr. Rodríguez Pacheco is a well-qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking work in environmental sustainability and mining waste management has significantly contributed to science and industry. By further expanding his research scope and increasing public engagement, he could enhance his influence even further. Given his outstanding research contributions, he is highly deserving of this award.