Maryam Bayatvarkeshi | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Maryam Bayatvarkeshi | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

Maryam Bayatvarkeshi | University of Waterloo | Canada

Maryam Bayatvarkeshi is a researcher at the University of Waterloo, Canada, specializing in water science, hydrology, and environmental sustainability. She holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Geography–Water from the University of Waterloo and in Agricultural Hydrology from Bu-Ali Sina University. Her research focuses on hydroclimatic processes, peatland restoration, and sustainable irrigation practices, integrating field measurements with modeling approaches. She has teaching and research experience in both Iran and Canada, with expertise spanning hydrology, GIS, water resource management, and environmental data analysis. Recognized with awards such as the RBC Water Scholars Graduate Entrance Scholarship and best thesis and presentation honors, she continues to contribute to advancing water and environmental sciences through research, teaching, and professional service.

Summary

Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has established herself as a promising researcher with a strong foundation in soil-water science, hydrology, and environmental sustainability. Her academic excellence, publication record, and international teaching experience highlight her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a track record of recognition and an expanding research portfolio, she is well-placed to make continued contributions to both science and society.

Education

Dr. Maryam Bayatvarkeshi holds dual doctoral degrees, one in Geography–Water from the University of Waterloo with a research emphasis on hydroclimatic influences of seismic line disturbances, and another in Agricultural Hydrology from Bu-Ali Sina University, where she studied nitrogen-nano fertilizer effects on nitrate movement in soil. She also earned her master’s degree in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at Bu-Ali Sina University with a focus on applying Neuro-Fuzzy inference systems and artificial neural networks for estimating crop evapotranspiration, following a bachelor’s degree in Water Engineering from the same institution. In addition, she has received specialized training in pedagogy with a Certificate in University Teaching from the University of Waterloo.

Experience

Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has served as an assistant professor at the University of Malayer, where she taught a range of hydrology, irrigation, meteorology, and water resource management courses. She has continued her teaching journey in Canada as a sessional instructor and teaching assistant at the University of Waterloo, covering topics from map design and applied statistics to hydroclimatology, urban stormwater management, and geographic information systems. She also works as a tutor at Varsity Tutors, teaching statistics to undergraduate and graduate students. Her research assistantship roles at the University of Waterloo include projects on the socio-economic impacts of mining in Africa and on Canadian peatland carbon stocks and greenhouse gas exchanges.

Research Focus

Dr. Bayatvarkeshi’s research interests bridge water science, hydrology, and environmental sustainability. Her work emphasizes hydroclimatic dynamics, peatland restoration, sustainable irrigation practices, and the impacts of land-use changes on water and nutrient movement. She is particularly interested in integrating field measurements with modeling approaches to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, agricultural sustainability, and ecosystem restoration.

Skills

Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has strong expertise in hydrology, irrigation and drainage systems, water resource management, geographic information systems, hydroclimatology, and remote sensing. She has hands-on field experience in deploying meteorological stations, conducting snow surveys, and measuring hydrological components in both peatland and agricultural systems. In addition, she is skilled in environmental data modeling, statistical analysis, and integrating artificial intelligence approaches in agricultural and water sciences.

Awards

Her academic excellence has been recognized with multiple honors, including the prestigious RBC Water Scholars Graduate Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo, the best oral presentation award at the Environment Graduate Students Association conference, and the best thesis award in a national competition in Iran for Agriculture and Natural Resources. She has consistently ranked among the top students throughout her academic career, holding second position in her bachelor’s program and first position in both her master’s and doctoral studies.

Publications

  • Groundwater level prediction using machine learning models: A comprehensive review
    Authors: H Tao, M M Hameed, H A Marhoon, M Zounemat-Kermani, S Heddam, M Bayatvarkeshi, …
    Journal: Neurocomputing

  • Effects of slow-release fertilizers on nitrate leaching, its distribution in soil profile, N-use efficiency, and yield in potato crop
    Authors: H Zareabyaneh, M Bayatvarkeshi
    Journal: Environmental Earth Sciences

  • Performance evaluation of ANN and ANFIS models for estimating garlic crop evapotranspiration
    Authors: H Z Abyaneh, A M Nia, M B Varkeshi, S Marofi, O Kisi
    Journal: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

  • Modeling soil temperature using air temperature features in diverse climatic conditions with complementary machine learning models
    Authors: M Bayatvarkeshi, S K Bhagat, K Mohammadi, O Kisi, M Farahani, …
    Journal: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

  • Soil temperature estimation using an artificial neural network and co-active neuro-fuzzy inference system in two different climates
    Authors: H Zare Abyaneh, M Bayat Varkeshi, G Golmohammadi, K Mohammadi
    Journal: Arabian Journal of Geosciences

  • Forecasting nitrate concentration in groundwater using artificial neural network and linear regression models
    Authors: A Zare, V Bayat, A Daneshkare
    Journal: International Agrophysics

  • Determination of water requirement, single and dual crop coefficient of garlic (‘Allium sativum’) in the cold semi-arid climate
    Authors: H Z Abyaneh, M B Varkeshi, A Ghasemi, S Marofi, R A Chayjan
    Journal: Australian Journal of Crop Science

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Maryam Bayatvarkeshi embodies the qualities of an emerging global leader in soil and water sciences. Her demonstrated academic achievements, impactful research, and commitment to professional service make her highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. With further expansion of international collaborations and societal engagement, she has the potential to become an even more influential figure in advancing sustainable solutions for global water and environmental challenges.

Hong Zheng | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Hong Zheng | Soil Physics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Hong Zheng, Beijing University of Technology, china

Prof. Hong Zheng is a distinguished professor at Beijing University of Technology, China, and a leading expert in computational geomechanics. With a Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, his work has resolved major challenges in geotechnical modeling and has been applied to significant projects like the Three Gorges Dam. A recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Prof. Zheng has published nearly 100 SCI papers, authored a technical book, and holds multiple patents. His contributions have been integrated into academic curricula and international engineering standards.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Hong Zheng stands out as a dedicated and accomplished researcher with substantial contributions to his field. His expertise, leadership, and influence within the academic community make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work continues to inspire innovation and collaboration, positioning him at the forefront of research developments.

🎓 Education

Professor Hong Zheng graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University in 1985. He continued at the same institution to complete his master’s degree in solid mechanics in 1988. In 2000, he earned his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

💼Experience

Professor Zheng is currently a professor at Beijing University of Technology and holds the title of Beijing Scholar. Between 1995 and 2001, he collaborated with Professor C.F. Lee at the University of Hong Kong. In addition to his academic role, he has led numerous research and consultancy projects, including major initiatives such as the Three Gorges Project.

🔬Research Focus

His primary research area is computational geomechanics, with particular emphasis on the continuous-discontinuous approach in geotechnical mechanics. His work has addressed longstanding challenges in computational mechanics and has significantly influenced the development of textbooks, industry standards, and commercial software applications.

🛠️Skills

Professor Zheng is highly skilled in engineering numerical analysis and computational mechanics. His accomplishments include authoring nearly 100 SCI-indexed journal articles, publishing a technical book (ISBN 978-7-03-072442-7), and contributing to six patents. His expertise also extends to editing academic journals and participating in two professional societies.

🏆Awards

Professor Zheng is a recipient of the prestigious National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. His professional contributions and research achievements have gained significant recognition in both national and international academic communities.

📚 Publications

Title: Evaluation of initial geostress field of underground powerhouse in the complex alteration area of western Sichuan based on back-propagation neural network method
Authors: Zheng, Hong; Cao, Shiqi; Jiang, Quan; Xu, Dingping; Li, Zhiwei
Year: 2025
Journal: Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources


Title: Analysis of transient free surface seepage flow using numerical manifold method
Authors: Jia, Zhen; Zheng, Hong
Year: 2025
Journal: Computers and Mathematics with Applications


Title: A linear fracture constitutive model for the two-dimensional finite-discrete element method (FDEM) and its parameters calibration procedure
Authors: Yan, Chengzeng; Han, Du; Zheng, Hong; Wang, Tie; Ali, Sajid
Year: 2025
Journal: Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements


Title: Experimental study on dynamic mechanical response and crack control mechanism of anchored layered sandstone by DIC technology
Authors: Lu, Yuyin; Yu, Yang; Feng, Guangliang; Zeng, Jianjun; Zheng, Hong
Year: 2025
Journal: Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation


Title: Three-dimensional seepage analysis for the tunnel in nonhomogeneous porous media with physics-informed deep learning
Authors: Lin, Shan; Dong, Miao; Luo, Hongming; Guo, Hongwei; Zheng, Hong
Year: 2025
Journal: Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements

Conclusion:

Prof. Hong Zheng’s suitability for the Best Researcher Award is clear due to his consistent academic excellence and impactful research. However, focusing on expanding his interdisciplinary reach and increasing public engagement could enhance the broader influence of his work. Overall, his contributions to his field make him a deserving nominee for the award, with the potential for even greater impact in the future.