Marjan Khamis | Environmental Science | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Marjan Khamis | Environmental Science | Young Scientist Award

Marjan Khamis | Maasai Mara University | Kenya

Marjan Abdallah Khamis is a multilingual environmental chemistry professional currently pursuing an MSc in Environmental Chemistry at Maasai Mara University, where she also earned her BSc in Chemistry. Since 2019, she has served as a Research and Innovation Assistant in the Department of Research, Innovation and Outreach, contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives focused on sustainability, renewable energy, and community development. Her academic and professional growth is reinforced by diverse certifications, including internal quality auditing, knowledge management, laboratory practices, project planning, and new energy technologies. Marjan is fluent in English, Swahili, French, Nubian, basic Arabic, and Luo, enabling strong engagement in multicultural research and outreach settings. She has led and supported community-based programs on renewable energy and product development, engaged in research commercialization and intellectual property management, and developed skills in grant writing. Her research interests span environmental conservation, sustainable development, renewable energy systems, and emerging innovations in research and ICT. She has contributed to multiple publications on organic fertilizers, bio-slurry purification, biomass solar cells, and catalytic degradation for biofuel production. Professionally affiliated with Commonwealth Youth and the Royal Society of Chemistry, she remains active in research collaboration and dissemination. She is supervised and endorsed by Prof. Francis Mburu, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Outreach.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications


Khamis, M. A., Osano, A. M., Gutto, P. M., & Cheruiyot, S. K. (2025). Insights on catalytic bio‐slurry degradation to biofuels using an electrolytic biomass solar cell. Energy Science & Engineering.


Marjan, A. (2021). Time-course analysis of chemical and physical properties of organic fertilizer from Tithonia diversifolia leaves. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture.

Chaka, B. (2021). The fallacy of organic fertilizers and synergistic interactions between Zn²⁺ and inorganic phosphate groups. Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy, 8(1).

Marjan, A., Osano, A., & Chaka, B. (2021). Purification of bio-slurry waste using an electrolytic biomass solar cell with co-generation of bio-hydrogen gas. International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences.

Chaka, B., Olal, W., Osano, A., Suter, E., Magu, M., Marjan, A., … & Mwendwa, G. (2020). The influence of Bomet red rock powder on composite organic fertilizers prepared from Tithonia diversifolia leaves and Musa acuminata (banana) stalks.

Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda | Institute of Technology University of Moratuwa | Sri Lanka

Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. She holds a PhD in Water Engineering and an MSc in Water Management from the University of South Australia. Her research focuses on sustainable water management, construction waste minimization, and innovative construction materials. With leadership experience as Head of the Civil Engineering Technology Division, she also serves as a mentor and student counsellor, contributing to academic growth and research excellence. She has published in leading journals, co-chaired international conferences, and actively collaborates to enhance research visibility and institutional capacity.

Profiles

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Summary

Dr. Semananda combines expertise in civil engineering, water management, and sustainable construction with leadership roles in academia. Her publications address pressing global challenges such as water scarcity, urban agriculture, and sustainable construction practices. She also plays a pivotal role in supporting institutional research growth through collaborations, conference leadership, and mentoring.

Education

Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda holds a PhD in Water Engineering and an MSc in Water Management from the University of South Australia. Her academic training blends civil engineering with advanced expertise in sustainable water resource management.

Experience

She serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa, where she has also held leadership roles such as Head of the Civil Engineering Technology Division. She contributes to student development as a counsellor and mentor while playing an active role in guiding and strengthening academic research at her institution.

Research Focus

Her research is centered on construction waste management, sustainable water management, corrosion resistance in civil engineering materials, and innovative use of by-products such as rice husk ash in construction. She is particularly noted for her pioneering doctoral research on wicking bed technology, which advanced sustainable water management.

Skills

Her skills include research supervision, water management, sustainable construction practices, waste minimization, and academic leadership. She has expertise in corrosion studies of civil engineering materials, innovative construction materials such as rice husk ash and non-autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, and institutional research coordination, including DOI management and publication partnerships.

Awards

She has been recognized through appointments such as Co-Chair of the International Research Conference at ITUM in 2024 and 2025, editorial membership since 2019, and reviewer roles for MDPI journals. She has also contributed as a reviewer and guest editor, enhancing the visibility and impact of research at ITUM.

Publications

Estimation of Low Flow Statistics for Sustainable Water Resources Management in South Australia
Authors: Niranjani P. K. Semananda, Guna A. Hewa
Journal: Hydrology (MDPI), 2022

Assessing Reliability of Recycled Water in Wicking Beds for Sustainable Urban Agriculture
Authors: Niranjani P. K. Semananda, James D. Ward, Baden R. Myers
Journal: Earth (MDPI), 2021

Experimental Investigation of Wicking Bed Irrigation Using Shallow-Rooted Crops Grown under Glasshouse Conditions
Authors: N. P. K. Semananda, J. D. Ward, B. R. Myers
Journal: Irrigation Science (Springer), 2020

A Semi-Systematic Review of Capillary Irrigation: The Benefits, Limitations, and Opportunities
Authors: N. P. K. Semananda, J. D. Ward, B. R. Myers
Journal: Horticulturae (MDPI), 2018

Evaluating the Efficiency of Wicking Bed Irrigation Systems for Small-Scale Urban Agriculture
Authors: N. P. K. Semananda, J. D. Ward, B. R. Myers
Journal: Horticulturae (MDPI), 2016

Conclusion

Niranjani Premila Kumari Semananda demonstrates strong research capability, leadership, and institutional impact, making her a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With further expansion of her publication record and engagement in international collaborations, she has the potential to achieve even greater recognition in her field.