Javier Ruiz-del-Solar | Environments | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Javier Ruiz-del-Solar |  Environments | Best Researcher Award

Universidad de Chile,  Chile

Prof. Javier Ruiz-del-Solar S. (b. April 23, 1968) is a Full Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Advanced Mining Technology Center at the Universidad de Chile. A Chilean national, he earned his Doctor-Engineer degree from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany (1997), following a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Chile.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • 🧠 Doctor-Engineer – Technical University Berlin, Germany (1997)

  • M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering – Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Chile (1992)

  • 🔌 Electrical Engineer – Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Chile (1991)

🏆 Selected Awards & Honors:

  • 🏅 Member, Chilean Academy of Engineering (since 2009)

  • 🏆 Best Paper Awards – RoboCup Symposium (2004, 2015, 2017)

  • 🤖 RoboCup @Home Innovation Awards (2007, 2008)

  • 🎤 Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE RAS (2008–2009)

  • 👨‍🏫 Best Teacher Award, Universidad de Chile (2007)

🤖 Research Interests:

  • Robotics & Autonomous Systems

  • Mining Technology

  • Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence

🔬 Professional Activities:

  • 📚 Academic Accreditation: Comisionado, Comisión Nacional de Acreditación (CNA) (2010–2016)

  • 🛠️ Chairman, IEEE Latin American Robotics Council (2003–present)

  • 📝 Editorial Roles:

    • Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems – Associate Editor (2008–2017)

    • IEEE Trans. on Cognitive and Developmental Systems – Associate Editor (2017–2023)

    • Journal of Field Robotics – Advisory Board Member (2022–2024)

🎓 Ph.D. Thesis Supervision (Selected, 2014–2024):

Guided diverse theses in robotics, AI, and mining tech, including:

  • 👕 Recognition of clothing using continuous perception

  • 🧠 Brain-computer interfaces

  • 🤖 Multi-agent reinforcement learning

  • 🛻 Autonomous vehicle environment mapping

  • ⛏️ Geometallurgical unit discovery (Mining)

📚 Teaching (2014–2024):

Led numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, including:

  • 💡 Inteligencia Computacional

  • 🖼️ Procesamiento Avanzado de Imágenes

  • 🤖 Seminario de Robótica y Sistemas Autónomos

  • 🛠️ Diseño e Innovación Tecnológica I, II, III

  • 🧪 Tópicos Especiales en Minería

📈 Citation Metrics:

  • Cited by:

    • All time: 5,930 citations

    • Since 2020: 1,958 citations

  • h-index:

    • All time: 38

    • Since 2020: 25

  • i10-index:

    • All time: 143

    • Since 2020: 59

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Eigenspace-based face recognition: A comparative study of different approaches
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, P. Navarrete
    IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C: Applications and Reviews, 2005.
    247 citations

  2. Recognition of faces in unconstrained environments: A comparative study
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, R. Verschae, M. Correa
    EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, 2009, Article ID 1–19.
    179 citations

  3. Illumination compensation and normalization in eigenspace-based face recognition: A comparative study of different pre-processing approaches
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, J. Quinteros
    Pattern Recognition Letters, 29(14), 1966–1979, 2008.
    171 citations

  4. Real-time hand gesture detection and recognition using boosted classifiers and active learning
    H. Francke, J. Ruiz-del-Solar, R. Verschae
    In: Advances in Image and Video Technology: Second Pacific Rim Symposium, PSIVT 2007.
    141 citations

  5. Object recognition using local invariant features for robotic applications: A survey
    P. Loncomilla, J. Ruiz-del-Solar, L. Martínez
    Pattern Recognition, 60, 499–514, 2016.
    136 citations

  6. A comparative study of thermal face recognition methods in unconstrained environments
    G. Hermosilla, J. Ruiz-del-Solar, R. Verschae, M. Correa
    Pattern Recognition, 45(7), 2445–2459, 2012.
    135 citations

  7. Skin detection using neighborhood information
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, R. Verschae
    In: 6th IEEE International Conference on Automatic Face and Gesture Recognition, 2004.
    124 citations

  8. RoboCup@Home: Analysis and results of evolving competitions for domestic and service robots
    L. Iocchi, D. Holz, J. Ruiz-del-Solar, K. Sugiura, T. Van Der Zant
    Artificial Intelligence, 229, 258–281, 2015.
    118 citations

  9. Offline signature verification using local interest points and descriptors
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, C. Devia, P. Loncomilla, F. Concha
    In: Iberoamerican Congress on Pattern Recognition, 22–29, 2008.
    118 citations

  10. Robotics courses for children as a motivation tool: The Chilean experience
    J. Ruiz-del-Solar, R. Avilés
    IEEE Transactions on Education, 47(4), 474–480, 2004.
    117 citations

 

Tunde Etchie | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr Tunde  Etchie |  Environmental Chemistry |  Best Researcher Award

Lecturer & Researcher at  Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State,  Nigeria

Dr. Tunde O. Etchie is a dedicated Environmental Chemist focused on understanding the hazardous chemical compositions of air, water, and arable land and their impact on public health in Africa and Asia. His research explores how meteorology, demography, and socioeconomic status influence exposure to chemical pollutants and associated health burdens.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • PhD in Environmental Chemistry & Pollution Control | University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2016)
  • MSc in Environmental Chemistry & Pollution Control | University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2009)
  • BSc in Biochemistry | Delta State University, Nigeria (2005)

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Lecturer | Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria (2019 – Present)
  • Director | Meteorology, Environment & Demographic Surveillance Ltd, Port Harcourt, Nigeria (2017 – Present)
  • Lecturer | Landmark University, Kwara State, Nigeria (2018 – 2019)
  • Senior Research Officer | The INCLEN Trust International, New Delhi, India (2016 – 2017)

🔬 Research Interests:

Dr. Etchie is dedicated to understanding how hazardous chemical compositions in air, water, and arable land affect the burden of disease in Africa and Asia. His work explores the impact of meteorology, demography, and socioeconomic status on exposure to pollutants and related health outcomes.

📊 Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 391
  • Citations Since 2020: 264
  • h-index: 12 (9 since 2020)
  • i10-index: 13 (8 since 2020)

Publication Top Notes:

  • The health burden and economic costs averted by ambient PM2.5 pollution reductions in Nagpur, India
    Environment International, 102, 145-156 (2017). [68 citations]

  • The gains in life expectancy by ambient PM2.5 pollution reductions in localities in Nigeria
    Environmental Pollution, 236, 146-157 (2018). [60 citations]

  • Determination of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in surface water and sediment of Ubeji river, Warri, Nigeria
    Bioremediation, Biodiversity and Bioavailability, 5, 46-51 (2011). [54 citations]

  • The burden of disease attributable to ambient PM2.5-bound PAHs exposure in Nagpur, India
    Chemosphere, 204, 277-289 (2018). [46 citations]

  • Influence of seasonal variation on water quality in tropical water distribution system: Is the disease burden significant?
    Water Research, 49, 186-196 (2014). [22 citations]

  • Season, not lockdown, improved air quality during COVID-19 State of Emergency in Nigeria
    Science of the Total Environment, 768, 145187 (2021). [21 citations]

  • Health risk assessment of exposure to metals in a Nigerian water supply
    Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 20(1), 29-44 (2014). [21 citations]

  • Prioritizing hazardous pollutants in two Nigerian water supply schemes: A risk-based approach
    Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 91, 553-561J (2013). [19 citations]

  • Burn to kill: Wood ash a silent killer in Africa
    Science of the Total Environment, 748, 141316 (2020). [13 citations]

  • Evaluation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and some related heavy metals in soil and groundwater of Ubeji settlement, Warri Metropolis, Nigeria
    Terrestrial and Aquatic Environmental Toxicology, 6(1), 61-65 (2012). [13 citations]

  • Source identification of chemical contaminants in a rural settlement
    Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5(9), 730-740 (2011). [13 citations]

  • Theoretical prediction of molar entropy of modified shifted Morse potential for gaseous molecules
    Chemical Physics, 582, 112294 (2024). [12 citations]

  • Burden of disease at the same limit of exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons varies significantly across countries depending on the gap in longevity
    Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 180, 420-429 (2019). [11 citations]

  • Can the Indian national ambient air quality standard protect against the hazardous constituents of PM2.5?
    Chemosphere, 303, 135047 (2022). [5 citations]

  • Systemic chronic health risk assessment of residential exposure to Cd²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ in groundwater
    Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 94(1), 181-194 (2012). [5 citations]

  • Chronic exposure to heavy metals in public water supply and human health risk assessment
    Terrestrial and Aquatic Environmental Toxicology, 6(2), 106-111 (2012). [5 citations]

  • Dangerous organic chemicals identified in inhalable particulate matter air pollution
    IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 640(1), 012094 (2019). [2 citations]

  • Development of national health-based target for regulating airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in Nigeria
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1299(1), 012088 (2019). [1 citation]

  • COVID lockdowns significantly affect statewide atmospheric fine aerosols in India after excluding long-term pollution patterns and time-lag effect
    Atmospheric Environment, 343, 121013 (2025).

  • Is wood ash a silent killer in sub-Saharan Africa
    Health & Medicine, 10.32907/RO-119-3033 (2020).

 

Guilong Peng | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr Guilong  Peng |  Environmental Science |  Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at  Southwest University,  China

Dr. Guilong Peng is an Associate Professor at Southwest University, specializing in Environmental Analytical Chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in Municipal Engineering from Chongqing University and completed postdoctoral research in Environmental Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University. Dr. Peng’s research focuses on advanced oxidation processes, biochar applications, and environmental contaminant degradation. He has published extensively in prominent journals, contributing valuable insights into contaminant treatment and metal recovery. Dr. Peng is dedicated to advancing environmental chemistry, with a particular emphasis on practical solutions for pollution management.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Postdoctoral Research, Environmental Science & Engineering, Tsinghua University (2017-2019)
  • Ph.D., Municipal Engineering, Chongqing University (2014-2017)
  • M.Sc., Analytical Chemistry, Southwest University (2011-2014)
  • B.Sc., Chemistry, Sichuan Normal University (2004-2008)

🧪 Research Focus:

  • Environmental Analytical Chemistry
  • Advanced Oxidation Processes
  • Biochar Applications

🏫 Professional Experience:

  • Associate Professor, Southwest University (2021–present)
  • Lecturer, Southwest University (2019–2021)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Analysis of the Steady-State Concentrations of Reactive Species and Their Role in Contaminant Degradation by the Iron-Biochar/Persulfate Advanced Oxidation Process: Comparison of Probe Compound and Quenching Agent Methods
    Separation and Purification Technology (2025-02)
    DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128502
  • Activation of Metabisulfite by Dissolved Fe(III) at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations for Organic Contaminants Degradation
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025-01-23)
    DOI: 10.3390/ijms26030953
  • Highly Efficient Removal of Organic Pollutants with HCO3−-Enhanced Ru(III)/NaClO Process
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025-01-15)
    DOI: 10.3390/ijms26020677
  • The Role of Fe(IV) in the Zero-Valent Iron Biochar Activated Persulfate System for Treatment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern
    Chemical Engineering Journal (2024)
    DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2024.150553
  • New Insights into the Quantification of Fe(IV) Using Methyl Phenyl Sulfoxide (PMSO) as Probe in the Iron-Based Heterogeneous Catalyst Activated Persulfate Process
    Environmental Pollution (2024-12)
    DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124924
  • Cu-EDTA Decomplexation by UV/Peracetic Acid Oxidation and Coupled Cu Recovery by Alkaline Precipitation: Efficiency and Mechanism
    Chemical Engineering Journal (2024-10)
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155678
  • Catalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin in Aqueous Solution by Peroxymonosulfate Activated with a Magnetic CuFe2O4@Biochar Composite
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023)
    DOI: 10.3390/IJMS24065702
  • Synthesis of an Environmentally Friendly Modified Mulberry Branch-Derived Biochar Composite: High Degradation Efficiency of BPA and Mitigation of Toxicity in Silkworm Larvae
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023)
    DOI: 10.3390/IJMS24043609
  • Enhanced Fe(III)/Fe(II) Redox Cycle for Persulfate Activation by Reducing Sulfur Species
    Catalysts (2022)
    DOI: 10.3390/CATAL12111435
  • Activation of Peroxymonosulfate by Pyrophosphate for the Degradation of AO7 at Neutral pH
    Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2022-07)
    DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15391-3
  • Decomplexation of Ni(II)-Citrate and Recovery of Nickel from Chelated Nickel Containing Electroplating Wastewater by Peroxymonosulfate with Nickel
    Separation and Purification Technology (2022-01)
    DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.120142
  • A Facile Method to Fabricate AC/CuO for Efficient Removal of Organic Pollutants by Adsorption and Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes
    AQUA – Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society (2021)
    DOI: 10.2166/AQUA.2020.094