Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi | Soil Ecology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi | Soil Ecology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi, South East Technological University, Ireland

Dr. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi is a Forestry Lecturer at South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. She holds a Ph.D. in Forestry from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, where her research focused on the effects of topography on forest ecosystems, including soil and tree regeneration. With expertise in forest ecology, carbon modeling, and forest management, Dr. Fazlollahi Mohammadi has contributed to various research projects, including the Terrain-AI project, which aims to improve carbon flux estimates for climate mitigation. She has published several papers in top-tier journals and has collaborated with multiple academic and industry partners. At SETU, she teaches and supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate students, while also being involved in industry and research collaborations.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi is an outstanding candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award due to her exceptional contributions to forest ecology, her innovative research on the effects of topography on forest ecosystems, and her involvement in high-impact, collaborative projects like Terrain-AI. Her ability to blend academic excellence with practical applications, teaching, and mentoring makes her a strong asset to both the academic and broader environmental communities. Her research continues to influence forest management and conservation practices, with a focus on carbon modeling, soil management, and biodiversity.

🎓 Education

Chai Yanjun earned his PhD from the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his career in environmental engineering and sustainable agriculture.

💼Experience

After completing her Ph.D., Maryam worked as a lecturer at various Iranian universities, teaching modules on Ecology, Soil Fertility, Experimental Design, and Agriculture and Livestock Management. She also served as an occasional lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) in the Forest Climate and Carbon course, where she prepared and delivered lectures, developed quizzes, graded exams, and mentored students. In 2021, Maryam started a postdoctoral position at UCD, working on the Terrain-AI project, which explores the impact of management and disturbances on forest carbon uptake. Since December 2022, she has been a Forestry Lecturer at South East Technological University (SETU), where she teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervises students, and organizes field trips and labs.

🔬Research Focus

Maryam’s research is centered around forest ecology, particularly the effects of topography on forest ecosystems. She has studied soil physical, chemical, and biological traits, forest regeneration, herbaceous species, and tree distribution. Her work in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran has significantly contributed to understanding species selection based on soil conditions and forest management practices. Currently, her postdoctoral research in the Terrain-AI project aims to improve carbon flux estimates across complex environments and develop more accurate climate mitigation strategies.

🛠️Skills

Maryam is proficient in a variety of software tools, including MS Office, ArcGIS, MATLAB, R, SPSS, and statistical analysis tools such as EndNote and GS+. She has also completed a project management course for postdocs and applies this knowledge to her current projects. Her communication, analytical, and organizational skills have been key to her academic success, including the completion of her degrees and the timely delivery of reports.

🏆Awards

Maryam received funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Iran to develop an international collaboration, which led her to work at the University of Torino, Italy, for six months during her Ph.D. Additionally, she has published six papers in prestigious journals like Scientific Reports, Nature, and Applied Soil Ecology Journal, with her most recent work focusing on forest soil characteristics and tree species distribution.

📚 Publications

Title: Topographic patterns of soil traits and macro fauna in oriental beech forests in Iran
Year: 2025
Authors: M. Fazlollahi Mohammadi, Maryam; B. Tobin, Brian; A. Kulmatiski, Andrew; S.G. Jalali, Seyed Gholamali; Y. Kooch, Yahya
Journal: Applied Soil Ecology

Conclusion:

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi’s academic journey and research accomplishments highlight her as a leader in the field of forestry. Her strengths in research excellence, collaboration, and education, combined with her ability to translate academic findings into practical solutions, make her an ideal candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award. To further enhance her career, she could focus on broadening her research scope and increasing her visibility in public and policy circles, while continuing to make significant contributions to forest and environmental science.

Khandakar Islam | Soil | Award for Soil Education

Published on by Soil Scientist

Dr. Khandakar Islam | Soil | Award for Soil Education

Dr. Khandakar Islam, Ohio State University, United States

Dr. Khandakar Rafiq Islam is a Program Director of Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources at The Ohio State University South Centers. He specializes in climate-smart agriculture, soil health, water management, organic farming, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation. With a Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Quality from the University of Maryland, he has extensive experience in research, teaching, and international collaboration. A Fulbright Teaching Fellow and recipient of multiple awards, including the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Fellowship, he has led numerous projects on sustainable agriculture and published widely in peer-reviewed journals.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Khandakar Rafiq Islam is an exceptional candidate for the Award for Soil Education due to his extensive teaching, research, mentorship, and international outreach. His expertise in climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and sustainable land management has contributed significantly to soil science education globally. While he has received multiple awards for his research and mentoring, expanding his digital education footprint and public outreach could further strengthen his candidacy.

 

🎓 Education

Rafiq Islam holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Quality from the University of Maryland, USA. He earned an M.S. in Soil and Water Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and a B.S. in Soil and Environmental Sciences from Dhaka University, Bangladesh.

 

💼Experience

Dr. Islam has been the Program Director for Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources at The Ohio State University South Centers since 2002. He is also a Faculty Affiliate at the Ohio Sustainability Institute and the School of Environment and Natural Resources. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised graduate students, and served as a technical resource person for Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and OSU Extension Outreach. He has extensive international experience, including serving as a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in Turkey and a Visiting Professor at Satbayev University, Kazakhstan.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research focuses on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable soil and water management, organic farming, biochar applications, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation of contaminated soils. He has led numerous projects on soil fertility, nutrient management, and conservation agriculture while collaborating internationally on sustainable agricultural initiatives.

 

Awards

Dr. Islam has received numerous honors, including the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Fellowship Award (2024), Washington-Mandela Fellowship Ringleader Award (2023), American Council for International Education Awards (2021, 2019), and the USDA-Borlaug Mentor Award for visits to multiple countries. He was also a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in Turkey and a recipient of the No-Till Researcher and Educator Award from the Ohio No-Till Council.

 

Skills

Dr. Islam specializes in climate-smart agriculture, soil health and water management, organic farming, carbon sequestration, tillage, cover crops, marginal soil restoration, and biomaterial production. His expertise includes plant-induced abiotic and biocontrol services, agricultural research, and mentoring.

 

Publications

  • Impact of gypsum applications and cover crop on soybean (Glycine max) elemental composition
    • Authors: Gonzalez, J.M., Dick, W.A., Watts, D.B., Reeder, R.C., Shedekar, V.S.
    • Journal: Agricultural and Environmental Letters
    • Year: 2025
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination for Soil Reclamation: Implications for Sustainable Urban Development
    • Authors: Saparov, G., Dutbayev, Y., Amanzholkyzy, A., Trushin, M., Kozlov, A.
    • Journal: International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Predicting Accumulation and Potential Edge-of-Field Loss of Phosphorus to Surface Water from Diverse Ecosystems
    • Authors: Rahman, A., Islam, K.R., Ahsan, S., Didenko, N.O., Sundermeier, A.P.
    • Journal: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Increased humic materials explain aggregate-protected carbon and nitrogen accumulation in biochar-amended tropical soils
    • Authors: Amoakwah, E., Rahman, M.A., Islam, K.R., Asirifi, I., Arthur, E.
    • Journal: Pedosphere
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 1

 

  • Phytoremediation of contaminated urban soils spiked with heavy metals
    • Authors: Yelikbayev, B.K., Imanbek, F., Jamalova, G.A., Kalogerakis, N.E., Islam, K.R.
    • Journal: Eurasian Journal of Soil Science
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Cover crops, crop rotation, and gypsum, as conservation practices, impact Mehlich-3 extractable plant nutrients and trace metals
    • Authors: Gonzalez, J.M., Dick, W.A., Islam, K.R., Reeder, R.C., Shedekar, V.S.
    • Journal: International Soil and Water Conservation Research
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 2
  • Forty-two years impact of chemical fertilization on soil phosphorus partition and distribution under rice-based cropping systems
    • Authors: Biswas, C., Ferdous, J., Sarker, R.R., Islam, K.R., Jahangir, M.M.R.
    • Journal: PLoS ONE
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Mulching to improve sweet potato production
    • Authors: Sapakhova, Z., Islam, K.R., Toishimanov, M., Shamekova, M., Zhambakin, K.
    • Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 1

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Islam’s proven track record in soil science education, mentorship, curriculum development, and international collaboration makes him a highly deserving candidate for the Research Award for Soil Education. His work has empowered students, researchers, and professionals worldwide, ensuring a lasting impact on soil education, sustainability, and global food security. Strengthening digital education and public advocacy could further enhance his contributions to the field.