Lidi Shi | Earth | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Lidi Shi | Earth | Young Scientist Award

University of Toronto | Canada

Lidi Shi is a researcher with strong expertise in stratified flows in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers, with a particular focus on the mixing dynamics of confluent flows, stratification processes, and their ecological impacts on phytoplankton distributions. His current work emphasizes winter limnology, where he investigates oxygen dynamics under ice-covered lakes and examines how thermal stratification in dimictic lakes influences fish habitat availability. Motivated by the goal of generating meaningful environmental benefits, he integrates high-resolution field measurements with advanced numerical modeling to better understand physical–ecological interactions in inland waters. He is proficient in Matlab, Fortran, and Python, with full command of Delft-3D and Mike21 hydrodynamic modeling systems, and is experienced in using specialized field instruments such as temperature chains, ADV, ADCP, VMP, and fish telemetry. His scientific contributions are reflected in 13 research documents, 82 citations, and an h-index of 7, demonstrating both productivity and growing influence within the aquatic sciences community. Lidi Shi’s research advances predictive insights into water quality, ecosystem resilience, and habitat dynamics, positioning him as a promising scientist committed to applying limnological understanding toward tangible and positive environmental change.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Shi, L., Sun, J., Zuo, X., Morovati, K., Gualtieri, C., & Lin, B. (2025). Interplay between convection and wind in driving surface mixing in the Xiangjiaba Reservoir, China. Hydrological Sciences Journal.

Shi, L., Sun, J., Wells, M., Morovati, K., Gualtieri, C., Wu, M., Wang, X., Lin, B., & Zuo, X. (2025). Near-surface turbulence mixing in a large channel-type reservoir: Potential impacts on phytoplankton distribution. Journal of Hydrology.

Li, Y., Sun, J., Feng, H., Wang, X., Shi, L., & Lin, B. (2024). A comparative study on aquatic environment of two mega reservoirs in the mainstream of Yangtze River. Journal of Hydrology.

Morovati, K., Tian, F., Pokhrel, Y., Someth, P., Shi, L., Zhang, K., Nakhaei, P., & Ly, S. (2024). Fishery and agriculture amidst human activities and climate change in the Mekong River: A review of gaps in data and effective approaches towards sustainable development. Journal of Hydrology.

Lifang Pai | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lifang Pai | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lifang Pai, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lifang Pai is a researcher and Associate Professor at the School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, China. His expertise lies in geotechnical earthquake engineering and tunnel engineering, with a focus on tunnel-landslide systems, seismic disaster prevention, and intelligent early warning methods. He has led multiple national and provincial research projects, contributing to infrastructure safety and engineering standards in China. Dr. Pai has published over 50 research papers in top journals, holds 28 national patents, and has received prestigious awards, including the Gansu Science and Technology Progress Award and the Liu Huixian Earthquake Engineering Award.

 

Profile

Scopus

 

Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lifang Pai has established himself as a leading researcher in geotechnical earthquake engineering and tunnel engineering. His extensive research output, leadership in major projects, patents, and awards make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work has significantly contributed to disaster prevention and safety improvements in tunnel and railway engineering, particularly in high-risk seismic areas.

 

🎓 Education

Lifang Pai is an Associate Professor at the School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Liaocheng University in 2016, followed by a Master’s degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering from Lanzhou Jiaotong University in 2019. He then completed his Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering at the China Academy of Railway Sciences in 2022.

 

Experience

Since December 2022, Lifang Pai has been a faculty member at the School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, serving as an Associate Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow. He has also been actively engaged in academic editorial roles, serving as a Young Editorial Board Member for journals such as Deep Underground Science and Engineering, Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development, Journal of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Engineering, and Municipal Technology. Additionally, he is a Review Expert for the CNKI Expert Database.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research is centered on geotechnical earthquake engineering and tunnel engineering, with significant contributions in the areas of tunnel-landslide systems, seismic disaster prevention, and intelligent early warning methods. He has pioneered research in deformation mechanisms and control technology for tunnels in high-intensity earthquake zones, proposed innovative damage evaluation methods, and developed seismic safety standards for tunnel engineering. His work has been incorporated into the Gansu Provincial Local Standard for tunnel engineering in landslide-prone areas.

 

Awards

He was selected for the Tianyou Youth Support Program of Lanzhou Jiaotong University in 2023 and has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Gansu Science and Technology Progress Award, the Liu Huixian Earthquake Engineering Award, and the China Railway Society Science and Technology Progress Award. He was also recognized as one of the top 5% highly cited scholars in the field of Engineering in CNKI in 2024.

 

Skills

Lifang Pai has extensive expertise in disaster prevention and control technologies for tunnel-landslide systems, geotechnical hazard assessment, seismic wave propagation in slopes, and real-time monitoring of geological disasters. He has led and participated in over 30 national and provincial scientific research projects, including key R&D initiatives in China’s railway sector. His work has contributed to major infrastructure projects such as the National Sichuan-Tibet Railway Technology Innovation Center and the Zhangjiazhuang Tunnel Rescue Project.

 

Publications

  • Pai, L.F., Wu, H. (2024) – Damage characteristics and evaluation analysis of tunnel crossing sliding surface model based on shaking table test. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 152, 105867. (0 citations)

 

  • Guan, W., Wu, H., Pai, L., Ma, Z., Feng, K. (2024) – Acceleration response of part-screw pile composite foundation under long-term train load excitation. JVC/Journal of Vibration and Control, 30(19-20), pp. 4214–4225. (1 citation)

 

  • Zhang, S., Pai, L., Yue, R., Ma, Y., He, X. (2024) – Deterministic and Probabilistic Assessment of Failure Mechanisms in Geosynthetic-Reinforced Embankments. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 14(18), 8106. (0 citations)

 

  • Pang, J., Wu, H., Pai, L., Ning, Z., Xu, W. (2024) – A Review on Non-parallel Problem of Acoustic Pipes and Evaluation Methods of Pile Integrity in Foundation Pile Detection. Railway Standard Design, 68(7), pp. 78–91. (0 citations)

 

  • Pai, L., Wu, H., Wang, X. (2023) – Shaking table test and cumulative deformation evaluation analysis of a tunnel across the hauling sliding surface. Deep Underground Science and Engineering, 2(4), pp. 371–393. (4 citations)

 

  • Pai, L.F., Wu, H.G., Sun, H., Ma, Z.G. (2023) – Shaking table test of the dynamic response of a tunnel across a main sliding surface. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 169, 105440. (4 citations)

 

  • Wei, H., Wu, H.-G., Wu, D.-Y., Pai, L.-F., Guan, W. (2023) – Stress response characteristics of BFRP anchors on loess mudstone slope under rainfall conditions. Journal of Mountain Science, 20(5), pp. 1469–1482. (2 citations)

Conclusion:

Dr. Lifang Pai is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award based on his research excellence, leadership, and impact on engineering practices. Addressing areas for improvement, such as increasing international collaborations and interdisciplinary research, could further elevate his standing as a global research leader. Given his achievements, he is a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.