Zhihua Qiao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a researcher at the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China, specializing in environmental toxicology and pollutant risk assessment. His work focuses on the ecological effects and interaction mechanisms of emerging contaminants, including brominated flame retardants and pesticides, in soil-plant-animal systems. With a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology, Dr. Qiao has published extensively in top-tier SCI journals and has led and contributed to numerous national research projects. His research integrates multi-omics technologies and advanced analytical techniques to understand the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and environmental fate of pollutants.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a rising research leader in environmental toxicology and ecotoxicological risk assessment. His work on brominated flame retardants, microplastics, heavy metals, and their interaction with soil organisms and plants is both highly relevant and methodologically advanced. His multidisciplinary approach and contributions to top journals signal strong potential for international leadership in his field.

🎓 Education

Zhihua Qiao began his academic journey at Shandong Agricultural University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering (Pesticides) from 2014 to 2021, achieving an undergraduate GPA of 3.42/4. He then pursued a Master’s and currently a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology (a national 211 project university), starting in 2021. His doctoral studies are supervised by Professor Zhang Wei and Associate Professor Jiang Xingyin. His academic coursework has included subjects such as Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Plant Physiology, Microbiology, and Environmental Toxicology.

đź’ĽExperience

Zhihua Qiao has extensive experience in environmental toxicology and pollutant risk assessment, particularly focusing on new brominated flame retardants and pesticides. He has served as the main researcher in national and provincial-level projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key R&D Program. His work includes investigating the bioaccumulation, metabolism, and toxic effects of compounds like decabromodiphenylethane and cadmium in complex systems involving earthworms, plants, and aquatic organisms. He has also studied co-exposure effects, soil and rhizosphere microbial responses, and developed insights into pollutant interaction mechanisms using multi-omics technologies.

🔬Research Focus

His research centers on environmental risk assessment and pollution control of emerging contaminants. He specializes in understanding the toxicity mechanisms of brominated flame retardants, pesticides, and heavy metals through integrated approaches involving transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbial ecology. His studies span soil-plant-animal systems and emphasize pollutant interactions, oxidative stress, detoxification, and ecological impact, especially in earthworms, lettuce, rice, and zebrafish models.

🛠️Skills

Zhihua Qiao is proficient in advanced research techniques including transcriptomics, metabolomics, 16S rDNA sequencing, XPS, and XRD. He is skilled in operating large-scale analytical instruments such as GC-MS, LC-MS, atomic fluorescence analyzers, flow cytometers, and qPCR machines. With strong English proficiency (CET-6 certified), he is capable of independently writing and translating scientific papers. His capabilities also extend to data processing, experimental design, and collaborative scientific writing.

🏆Awards

Zhihua Qiao has earned numerous awards for his academic excellence and research contributions. These include the National Scholarship for Master’s Students (2019), Outstanding Graduate and Outstanding Master’s Thesis of Shandong Province (2021–2022), Yu Zunhong Scholarship (2023), Green Seedling Program Scholarship of the Beijing Green Future Environment Foundation (2023), and several first-class academic scholarships for both master’s and doctoral studies. He also received the Second Prize at Zhejiang University’s Doctoral Forum on Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture and the First Prize at the Graduate Academic Forum of East China University of Science and Technology.

đź“š Publications

  • Effects of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane and Cadmium Coexposure on Their Bioaccumulation, Oxidative Stress, Root Metabolism, and Rhizosphere Soil Microorganisms in a Soil-Rice System
    2024
    Qiao, Zhihua; Fu, Mengru; Liang, Weiyu; Zhang, Wei; Zhan, Xiuping
    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

  • Effect of Biodegradable Microplastics and Cd Co-pollution on Cd Bioavailability and Plastisphere in Soil-Plant System
    2024
    Shao, Xuechun; Liang, Weiyu; Gong, Kailin; Shen, Genxiang; Peng, Cheng
    Chemosphere

  • Microbial Metabolism in Wormcast Affected the Perturbation on Soil Organic Matter by Microplastics under Decabromodiphenyl Ethane Stress
    2025
    Han, Yanna; Fu, Mengru; Yang, Yuhe; Peng, Cheng; Zhang, Wei
    Journal of Hazardous Materials

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihua Qiao is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His demonstrated commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary environmental research, combined with academic excellence and technical strength, make him a compelling nominee. With continued progression toward independent project leadership and broader global collaborations, his trajectory aligns well with the expectations of this prestigious award.

Awouminassi Marcellin ATAKOUN | Soil Conservation | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Awouminassi Marcellin ATAKOUN | Soil Conservation | Young Scientist Award

 Mr. Awouminassi Marcellin ATAKOUN ,West African Sciences Services Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Benin

Awouminassi Marcellin Atakoun is a dedicated PhD candidate at the West African Sciences Services Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) in Benin. With a strong academic background in soil, water, and environmental sciences, his research focuses on sustainable agricultural systems, agroecological transitions, and greenhouse gas mitigation. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the CLIFF-GRADS and IPCC scholarships, Marcellin contributes significantly to advancing climate-smart agricultural practices in West Africa.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Marcellin Atakoun is a highly promising researcher with a strong foundation in environmental sciences and a focus on addressing climate change challenges through sustainable agricultural practices. His receipt of internationally recognized scholarships underscores his potential and contribution to the field.

 

🎓 Education

Marcellin is a PhD candidate in Climate Change and Land Use at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He holds a Master’s degree in Soil-Water-Environment and Modeling and a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Production Sciences from the University of Parakou, Benin. His educational foundation includes a high diploma in Biology and Geology.

 

đź’ĽExperience

Awouminassi Marcellin Atakoun has diverse professional experiences spanning research, teaching, and project management in climate action and sustainable agriculture. He served as a United Nations Volunteer in Benin, contributing to the prevention of violent extremism. His research assistantships include working on biochar studies under the ProSol Project with GIZ, and at the Permanent Experimentation Center for soil and water conservation. Additionally, he has held roles in crop production management and scientific communication.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research is centered on sustainable agricultural systems, including agroecological transitions, soil and water conservation, greenhouse gas mitigation in cropping systems, and the modeling of production systems for sustainability.

 

Awards

Marcellin has received several prestigious awards, including the CLIFF-GRADS Scholarship for research in soil nitrogen fluxes, the IPCC Scholarship for climate change research, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship. He also holds a WASCAL PhD scholarship in Climate Change and Land Use and earned accolades for academic excellence in his Master’s program.

 

Skills

He is proficient in various software tools, including R Commander, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, and Python, among others. His expertise encompasses modeling, climate data analysis, and agroecological tools like DSSAT and QGIS.

 

Publications

  • Publication: GENDER ROLE IN FOOD RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGNTY IN WEST AFRICA: A RAPID REVIEW
    Authors: Addo, P., Djekic-Ivankovic, M., Abdu, A., NaĂŻm, S., Marquis, G.S.
    Citation: African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2024, 24(10), pp. 24725–24773.

 

  • Publication: Evaluation of cover crop contributions to conservation agriculture in northern Benin
    Authors: Atakoun, A.M., Tovihoudji, P.G., Diogo, R.V.C., Hougni, A., Tittonell, P.
    Citation: Field Crops Research, 2023, 303, 109118.

 

Conclusion:

Marcellin’s contributions, particularly in advancing climate-smart agricultural practices in West Africa, make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. However, enhancing his research profile through additional high-impact publications, broader collaborations, and leadership roles will further solidify his position as an influential figure in his field.