Yang Haichang | Soil Salinity | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Haichang | Soil Salinity | Best Researcher Award

Yang Haichang | Shihezi University | China

Dr. Yang Haichang is an Associate Professor at the College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, China, specializing in oasis ecology and sustainable agriculture. His research focuses on soil salinization control, water–salt transport mechanisms, saline–alkali soil improvement, and cultivation of salt-tolerant crops. He has published over 30 research papers, edited a monograph, secured patents, and contributed to technical standards that advance soil and water management. With experience as a postdoctoral researcher at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (CAS) and as a visiting scholar at CSIRO Land and Water in Australia, Dr. Yang has led national and regional research projects bridging academia and industry to promote ecological restoration and sustainable farming in arid regions.

Profiles

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Summary

Dr. Yang Haichang is an accomplished soil scientist whose research integrates field applications, ecological restoration, and innovative technologies for saline–alkali soil management. His leadership in academic projects, patents, publications, and standards has positioned him as a key contributor to sustainable agriculture in arid regions. With a solid track record of awards, mentoring, and cross-disciplinary innovations, he exemplifies the qualities sought in a Best Researcher Award candidate.

Education

Dr. Yang Haichang earned his PhD in Agricultural Resources and Environment and later conducted postdoctoral research at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He also enhanced his academic perspective as a visiting scholar at CSIRO Land and Water in Australia.

Experience

Dr. Yang Haichang serves as an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Shihezi University, College of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Resources and Environment. He has led and participated in several national and regional research programs, collaborated with industry partners, and contributed extensively to soil salinity management, water–salt transport studies, and resource-efficient agriculture in arid and saline environments.

Research Focus

His research primarily addresses oasis ecology, prevention and control of soil salinization, soil water–salt transport mechanisms, saline–alkali soil improvement, and cultivation of salt-tolerant crops. He also emphasizes the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in mitigating salt stress and works toward developing sustainable and resource-efficient farming systems that balance productivity with ecological stability in arid regions.

Skills

Dr. Yang specializes in soil salinization prevention and control, water–salt dynamics, oasis ecological restoration, and sustainable agriculture. His expertise also extends to developing saline–alkali soil improvers, advancing salt-tolerant crop cultivation, arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis research, and designing integrated soil and water management systems for arid regions.

Awards

Dr. Yang has received several prestigious honors including the National Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery Harvest Award, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Science and Technology Progress Award, and the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from Shihezi University. He has also been recognized as an Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and selected among Shihezi University’s outstanding young and middle-aged backbone teachers. His mentorship has been acknowledged through multiple Outstanding Instructor awards at both national and university-level competitions.

Publications

  • Shallow subsurface pipe drainage in Xinjiang lowers soil salinity and improves cotton seed yield
    Authors: Y. Liu, H. Yang, K. Wang, T. Lu, F. Zhang
    Journal: Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering

  • Assessment of reclamation treatments of abandoned farmland in an arid region of China
    Authors: H. Yang, F. Zhang, Y. Chen, T. Xu, Z. Cheng, J. Liang
    Journal: Sustainability

  • Evaluation of comprehensive improvement for mild and moderate soil salinization in arid zone
    Authors: H. Yang, Y. Chen, F. Zhang
    Journal: PLOS ONE

  • Effects of reclamation years on composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities in Northwest China
    Authors: Z. Cheng, F. Zhang, W.J. Gale, W. Wang, W. Sang, H. Yang
    Journal: Canadian Journal of Microbiology

  • Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on photosynthetic characteristics of cotton seedlings under saline-alkali stress
    Authors: Z. Peng, T. Zulfiqar, H. Yang, M. Wang, F. Zhang
    Journal: Scientific Reports

  • Temporal changes in soil organic carbon and aggregate-associated organic carbon after reclamation of abandoned, salinized farmland
    Authors: F.H. Zhang, H.C. Yang, W.J. Gale, Z.B. Cheng, J.H. Yan
    Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science

  • Soil aggregation and aggregate-associated carbon under four typical halophyte communities in an arid area
    Authors: H. Yang, J. Wang, F. Zhang
    Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Conclusion

Dr. Yang Haichang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His strengths in impactful research, innovation, mentorship, and real-world applications outweigh the areas for improvement, which primarily focus on expanding global reach and visibility. Recognizing him with this award would highlight significant advances in soil salinity management and sustainable agriculture, encouraging further breakthroughs in managing saline–alkali soils worldwide.

Yonggan Zhao | Soil Salinity | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonggan Zhao | Soil Salinity | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonggan Zhao, Tsinghua University, china

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonggan Zhao is a leading researcher in saline soil reclamation at Tsinghua University, China. Holding a doctoral degree from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, his work focuses on developing innovative technologies for improving saline-alkali soils and enhancing grain production. He has completed eight major research projects, published 25 SCI-indexed papers, authored five books, and holds 20 patents. His large-scale reclamation initiatives have added 7,866 hectares of arable land and increased grain production by 70 million kilograms annually. As Director of the Saline-Alkali Soil Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry, he actively contributes to sustainable land management and food security.

Profile

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Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonggan Zhao stands out as a leading researcher in saline soil reclamation and sustainable agriculture. His pioneering work in using flue gas desulfurization gypsum and biochar for soil improvement has transformed large-scale agricultural lands in China. With a strong research portfolio, numerous patents, and high-impact publications, he has made significant contributions to both academia and industry.

 

🎓 Education

Yonggan Zhao holds a doctoral degree from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and currently serves as a Supervisor at Tsinghua University. His research focuses on saline soil reclamation technology, with innovative findings that have been successfully applied to large-scale reclamation practices.

 

🌱Professional Memberships

He serves as the Director of the Saline-Alkali Soil Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry (ID: 024124304), demonstrating his leadership in the field.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily focuses on salinity management and strategies to enhance grain production capacity in saline-alkali soils, addressing a crucial challenge in sustainable agriculture.

 

 

Contributions and Impact

Yonggan Zhao’s groundbreaking work has unveiled key mechanisms in using flue gas desulfurization gypsum to improve saline-alkali soils. He has proposed innovative techniques for salt and alkali removal while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility. His large-scale reclamation initiatives have successfully added 7,866 hectares of arable land, boosting grain production by 70 million kilograms per year. These efforts have also secured RMB 460 million in technical service funding, reflecting the substantial economic and environmental benefits of his work.

Publications

    • Applying biochar and flue gas desulfurization gypsum in the root zone to improve saline-alkali soil quality and sunflower yield
      • Authors: Tian, R., Wang, S., Liu, J., Yang, J., Zhao, Y.
      • Journal: Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao/Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering
      • Year: 2024
      • Citations: 2
    • Advances in invention patents related to flue gas desulfurization gypsum amendments for ameliorating saline-alkali soils
      • Authors: Li, M., Tian, R., Li, R., Li, Y., Zhao, Y.
      • Journal: Qinghua Daxue Xuebao/Journal of Tsinghua University
      • Year: 2024
      • Citations: 0
    • A quantitative assessment of the dynamic process and potential capacity of using gypsum to reclaim sodic soil
      • Authors: Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Wang, S., Xu, L., Zhao, Y.
      • Journal: Journal of Soils and Sediments
      • Year: 2023
      • Citations: 3

 

    • Water regime enhances the effects of flue gas desulfurization gypsum on the reclamation of highly saline-sodic soil
      • Authors: Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Zhao, Y., Liu, J., Li, Y.
      • Journal: Land Degradation and Development
      • Year: 2023
      • Citations: 5
    • Practical application of high-sodicity wasteland reclamation with flue gas desulfurization gypsum in the Songnen Plain of China
      • Authors: Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Zhao, Y., Zhou, Y., Xu, L.
      • Journal: Land Degradation and Development
      • Year: 2022
      • Citations: 6
    • Prospects of using flue gas desulfurization gypsum to ameliorate saline-alkaline soils
      • Authors: Zhao, Y., Wang, S., Li, Y., Liu, J., Zhuo, Y.
      • Journal: Qinghua Daxue Xuebao/Journal of Tsinghua University
      • Year: 2022
      • Citations: 10
    • Suitable application of flue gas desulphurized gypsum to improve the sunflower yield in saline-alkali soil in the Hetao irrigation areas of Inner Mongolia
      • Authors: Li, M., Zhang, W., Wang, S., Li, E., Zhong, S.
      • Journal: Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao/Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering
      • Year: 2022
      • Citations: 10
    • Progress in Research and Engineering Application of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum to Reclaim Saline-Alkali Land
      • Authors: Tian, R., Zhang, W., Li, Y., Zhao, Y., Wang, S.
      • Journal: Ranshao Kexue Yu Jishu/Journal of Combustion Science and Technology
      • Year: 2022
      • Citations: 2

 

    • Fertility and biochemical activity in sodic soils 17 years after reclamation with flue gas desulfurization gypsum (Open Access)
      • Authors: Zhao, Y.-G., Wang, S.-J., Liu, J., Li, Y., Zhang, W.-C.
      • Journal: Journal of Integrative Agriculture
      • Year: 2021
      • Citations: 14

Conclusion:

Given his outstanding research achievements, leadership in soil science, and impactful contributions to sustainable agriculture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonggan Zhao is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening his global collaborations and increasing the international impact of his work could further solidify his reputation as a world-leading researcher in this field.