Dejun Yang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dejun Yang | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dejun yang, China University of Mining and Technology, China

Prof. Dejun Yang is an Associate Professor at the China University of Mining and Technology, specializing in environmental geotechnical engineering, ecological restoration, and soil pollution control in mining areas. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Zhejiang University and has been a Visiting Scholar at North Carolina State University, USA. His research focuses on sustainable land rehabilitation and pollution mitigation in mining-affected regions. Prof. Yang has received numerous national awards for his contributions to environmental restoration and has published extensively in leading scientific journals. He is also an active reviewer, expert consultant, and member of several professional organizations.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dejun Yang is a highly accomplished researcher with a strong academic background, impactful research contributions, and significant professional recognition. His work in environmental geotechnical engineering, ecological restoration, and soil pollution control in mining areas has earned prestigious awards and global recognition. His leadership in mentoring students, professional memberships, and international collaborations further support his candidacy for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Dr. Dejun Yang earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Zhejiang University, China, in 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Water and Wastewater Engineering from Hefei University of Technology, China, which he completed in 2004.

💼Experience

Dr. Yang is an Associate Professor at the School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, a position he has held since December 2013. Prior to this, he was a Lecturer at the same institution from 2009 to 2013. His postdoctoral research in Environmental Science and Engineering at China University of Mining and Technology spanned from 2009 to 2014. He has also gained international experience as a Visiting Scholar at North Carolina State University, USA, from 2016 to 2017, and as a Joint Ph.D. Trainee at Warwick University, UK, from 2007 to 2008.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Yang’s research interests lie in environmental geotechnical engineering, ecological restoration, and soil pollution control, with a particular emphasis on mining areas. His work contributes to sustainable land management and rehabilitation of degraded environments, ensuring ecological balance in regions impacted by industrial activities.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Yang possesses extensive expertise in environmental geotechnical engineering, ecological restoration, soil remediation, and sustainable mining practices. He is an active reviewer for high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment, Journal of Water and Climate Change, and Ecological Indicators. He serves as an expert reviewer for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Ministry of Education. His professional affiliations include membership in the United Kingdom Association for Outstanding Young Talents, the Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences, and the China Industrial Energy Conservation and Cleaner Production Association. He is also involved in various think tanks and technical advisory roles, contributing to green development strategies and policy-making in China.

🏆Awards

Dr. Yang has received multiple prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2022, he won the First Prize from the China National Coal Association for his work on guided ecological restoration in large coal mines and a Second Prize from the Ministry of Education for his contributions to land degradation mechanisms and system restoration in mining areas. He was also recognized with the Top 100 Undergraduate Teaching Teachers Award at China University of Mining and Technology in 2014, 2017, and 2021. His contributions to coal-based ecological restoration were acknowledged by the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2020 with a Second Prize for the Land and Resources Science and Technology Award. Additionally, he has received multiple teaching and academic awards, including prizes for his excellence in undergraduate instruction and environmental science competitions.

📚 Publications

    • Environmental capacity simulation and source analysis of toxic metals in soils of Wucaiwan mining area, Xinjiang, China
      Authors: Yang, D., Wang, M., Gao, X., Zhu, H., & Zhang, Y.
      Year: 2024
      Journal: Environmental Earth Sciences

    • Spatial distribution and its driving forces analysis of soil organic matter in semi-arid grassland open-pit mining areas
      Authors: Wu, Z., Wang, X., Dai, Z., Yang, Y., & Yu, Q.
      Year: 2024
      Journal: Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management

    • Ecological security evaluation and prediction for coal resource cities based on the PSR model: A case study of Xuzhou, China
      Authors: Song, Z., Zhu, N., Yang, D., & He, D.
      Year: 2024
      Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)

Conclusion:

Prof. Dejun Yang is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to his significant research contributions, impactful publications, and recognition in the field of environmental geotechnical engineering and ecological restoration. With continued efforts in enhancing his research citations, securing more competitive funding, and broadening public engagement, he could further solidify his standing as a global leader in environmental science and engineering.

Dorota Pikula | Soil | Soil Fertility Improvement Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikula | Soil | Soil Fertility Improvement Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikula, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Poland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikuła is a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Poland, specializing in soil organic matter, humic substances, and soil fertility management. She holds a habilitation in agricultural sciences and a Ph.D. in agronomy from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on soil carbon dynamics, fertilization effects, nitrogen fixation, and the environmental impact of agricultural practices. With extensive experience in scientific publishing, policy advisory, and long-term field experiments, she has received multiple awards from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture. She has authored over 500 publications and actively contributes to sustainable agriculture and soil conservation strategies.

Profile

Orcid

Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikuła is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Soil Fertility Improvement Award, given her extensive contributions to soil organic matter studies, long-term field experiments, and sustainable fertilization practices. Her research has significantly impacted both scientific understanding and practical agricultural applications. She has also been recognized nationally for her work in soil fertility and nutrient management. However, to further strengthen her profile, she could focus on global-scale research collaborations, innovation-driven contributions, and leadership in large-scale international projects.

🎓 Education

Dorota Pikuła holds a habilitated doctorate in agricultural sciences with a specialization in agriculture and horticulture from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute, awarded in 2019. Her postdoctoral research focused on the environmental and production effects of crop cultivation in rotations with varying organic matter inflow. She earned her master’s degree in engineering from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, in 2000, specializing in Environmental Protection. Her master’s thesis investigated heavy metal fractions in soils fertilized with sewage sludge. She later obtained a Ph.D. in agricultural sciences in agronomy from the same university in 2006, where she studied the influence of selected physicochemical properties of soil on heavy metal content in fodder plants.

💼Experience

Dorota Pikuła has extensive professional experience in agricultural science, research, and publishing. She worked as an editor and agrotechnical advisor from 2002 to 2006 for agricultural publications such as Agro-Spółdzielca and Poradnik Rolniczy. In 2006, she joined the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute in Puławy as a senior research and technical specialist. Since 2016, she has been working as an adjunct researcher in the Department of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous research projects, including studies on soil organic matter quality, humic substances, nitrogen fixation, and the environmental impact of different agricultural practices.

🔬Research Focus

Dorota Pikuła specializes in soil organic matter, humic substances, and soil fertility management. Her research explores soil organic carbon dynamics, the impact of fertilization and crop rotation on soil quality, and the role of humic acids in improving soil fertility. She has conducted extensive work on nitrogen fixation, soil contamination with heavy metals, and the long-term effects of manure application on soil health. She has also contributed to the development of soil quality assessment methods and indicators.

🛠️Skills

Dorota Pikuła possesses expertise in soil science, agricultural chemistry, and environmental protection. She is skilled in analyzing soil organic matter composition, conducting long-term field experiments, and evaluating the environmental effects of different farming practices. Her proficiency extends to scientific publishing, training agricultural professionals, and contributing to policy development on sustainable agriculture. She is an active member of several scientific organizations and has authored over 500 popular science publications, demonstrating her ability to translate complex scientific findings into practical knowledge for farmers and policymakers.

🏆Awards

Dorota Pikuła has received several prestigious awards from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In 2015, she was recognized for her contributions to rational fertilizer management. In 2023, she was awarded for her work on protecting water sources from phosphorus pollution caused by agricultural activities. In 2024, she received another award for developing and implementing a method for determining humic substance content in fertilizers and plant aids.

📚 Publications

  • The Composition of the Organic Matter Fractions of Loamy Sand after Long-Term FYM Application without Liming (2022) – Agronomy – Dorota Pikuła, O. Ciotucha
  • Changes in Relationships between Humic Substances and Soil Structure following Different Mineral Fertilization of Vitis vinifera L. in Slovakia (2022) – Agronomy – V. Šimanský, E. Wójcik‐Gront, J. Horváthová, Dorota Pikuła, T. Lošák, A. Parzych, M. Lukac, E. Aydın
  • Effect of the Degree of Soil Contamination with Heavy Metals on Their Mobility in the Soil Profile in a Microplot Experiment (2021) – Agronomy – Dorota Pikuła, W. Stępień
  • Materia organiczna istotnym elementem żyzności gleb (2020) – Studia i Raporty IUNG-PIB – Dorota Pikuła
  • Selected chemical properties of sandy soil after 36 years of differential fertilization with mineral nitrogen and manure without liming in two crop rotation (2020) – Soil Science Annual – Dorota Pikuła
  • Zbiór zaleceń dobrej praktyki rolniczej mający na celu ochronę wód przed zanieczyszczeniem azotanami pochodzącymi ze źródeł rolniczych (2019) – IUNG-PIB – Dorota Pikuła
  • Praktyki zapobiegające stratom węgla organicznego z gleby (2019) – Środowiskowe Aspekty Gospodarki Nawozowej – Dorota Pikuła
  • Soil properties and productivity in two long-term crop rotations differing with respect to organic matter management on an Albic Luvisol (2019) – Scientific Reports – Dorota Pikuła, S. Martyniuk, M. Kozieł

Conclusion:

Dr. Pikuła is a strong candidate for the Research for Soil Fertility Improvement Award due to her pioneering research on soil fertility, strong publication record, practical impact on agriculture, and policy contributions. While she already has an impressive portfolio, enhancing international collaboration, innovation, and leadership in large-scale initiatives would further strengthen her standing for this prestigious award.