Majed Ibrahim | Climate Change | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. ย Majed Ibrahim | Climate Change | Best Academic Researcher Award

Professor at Al al-Bayt University, ย Jordan

Prof. Majed Ibrahim is a distinguished professor and researcher in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan. He holds a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and Landscape Information Systems from the University of Freiburg, Germany (2014), with research focused on land degradation due to agricultural activities in northeastern Jordan.

Profile:

๐ŸŽ“ Education:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Ph.D. in Remote Sensing & Landscape Information System โ€“ University of Freiburg, Germany (2014)
    Thesis: “The Use of Geoinformatics in Investigating the Impact of Agricultural Activities on Land Degradation in NE Jordan (1990โ€“2010)”

  • ๐ŸŽ“ M.Sc. in Remote Sensing & GIS โ€“ Al al-Bayt University, Jordan (2010)

  • ๐ŸŽ“ B.Sc. in Geology and Environmental Sciences โ€“ Al al-Bayt University, Jordan (2008)

๐Ÿ’ผ Professional Roles:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Professor & Researcher โ€“ GIS & Remote Sensing Dept., Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences (2023โ€“present)

  • ๐Ÿ”น Director of Academic Accreditation & Acting Director of Quality and Development Center (2020โ€“present)

  • ๐Ÿ”น Consultant on University Rankings (QS, THE, UI GreenMetric) โ€“ Al al-Bayt University

  • ๐Ÿ“ Former Head of GIS & Remote Sensing Department (2017โ€“2019)

  • ๐Ÿ“ Former Assistant & Associate Professor (2014โ€“2023)

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interests:

  • ๐ŸŒ Remote Sensing Applications in Geology, Hydrology, Groundwater, and Environment

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Climate Change Modeling (LST, Evapotranspiration)

  • ๐Ÿค– Integration of Remote Sensing with AI

  • ๐ŸŒฑ Land Use / Land Cover Monitoring

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Visits & Projects:

  • ๐Ÿž๏ธ Freiburg University, Germany โ€“ Research Visitor (2019)
    Project: Land Surface Temperature in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

  • ๐Ÿ’ง Soil and water quality assessments in NE Jordan

๐Ÿ† Certifications & Training:

  • โœ… Certified Internal Auditor (ISO 21001 & ISO 9001)

  • ๐Ÿ… External Assessor Qualification โ€“ Association of Arab Universities, Egypt

  • ๐Ÿงญ ABET & AACSB training, Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE), Python & SWAT Analysis

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ’ผ Committee Engagements:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Chair/Member of over 20 internal committees at Al al-Bayt University

  • ๐ŸŒ Chair of QS & UI GreenMetric University Ranking Committees

  • ๐ŸŒฟ Chair, University Sustainability Committee (SDGs)

  • ๐Ÿงช Member of the Red Sea Projects Committee (Supreme Council for Science)

๐Ÿ’ป Technical & Software Proficiency:

  • ๐ŸŒ GIS & Remote Sensing Software: ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI, ERDAS, GPS

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Data & Statistical Tools: R, R Studio

  • ๐Ÿงฑ Geological Software: Surfer 16, RockWorks 16

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Microsoft Office, Adobe, Web tools

๐Ÿ“Š Citation Metrics:

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Total Documents: 25

  • ๐Ÿ” Total Citations: 222 (from 201 citing documents)

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ h-index: 7

Publication Top Notes:

  • Developing a scalable framework for accurate flood forecasting in arid regions: A case study of the Jerash Basin, Jordan
    Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2025.
    DOI: 10.12912/27197050/201999

  • Estimating land and sea surface temperatures using remote sensing and GIS: Insights into built-up areas and lithological formations in Aqaba, Jordan
    Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2025.
    DOI: 10.12912/27197050/200918

  • Hydrological analysis of Wadi Arab Valley Dam by integrating Soil Conservation Service and GIS
    Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2024.
    DOI: 10.12912/27197050/194026

  • Mapping of population growth influence on land use transformation from 1994 to 2015 in Madaba Governorate, Jordan
    Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2024.
    DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12436-1

  • Derivation of flood hydrographs using SCS synthetic unit hydrograph technique for Housha catchment area
    Water Supply, 2022.
    DOI: 10.2166/ws.2022.169

  • Delineating potential sites for artificial groundwater recharge using remote sensing and GIS techniques
    Water Supply, 2022.
    DOI: 10.2166/ws.2022.046

  • Latest concrete materials dataset and ensemble prediction model for concrete compressive strength containing RCA and GGBFS materials
    Construction and Building Materials, 2022.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126525

  • Development of prediction model to estimate compressive strength of eco-friendly concrete using multivariate polynomial regression and stepwise method
    Materials, 2022.
    DOI: 10.3390/ma15010317

  • Detection and modeling of soil salinity variations in arid lands using remote sensing data
    Open Geosciences, 2021.
    DOI: 10.1515/geo-2020-0244

  • Evaluate the effect of land surface temperature in arid and semi-arid lands using remote sensing data and GIS techniques
    International Journal of Global Warming, 2021.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2021.116713

  • Surface water quality monitoring and pollution of Ismailia Canal, Egypt, using GIS techniques
    Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 2021.

  • Estimation of changes in the Dead Sea surface water area through multiple water indices and geospatial techniques
    Global NEST Journal, 2021.
    DOI: 10.30955/gnj.004018

 

Yi Wang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Yi Wang | Environmental Science | ย Best Researcher Award

Assistant Agricultural Scientist at ย Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, United States

Dr. Yi Wang is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2020 and holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China.

Profile:

๐ŸŽ“ Education:

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry (2020) โ€“ University of Texas at El Paso
  • B.S. in Chemistry (2012) โ€“ University of Science and Technology of China

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Scientist (2022โ€“Present) โ€“ Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Postdoctoral Scientist (2020โ€“2022) โ€“ Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Research & Graduate Assistant (2015โ€“2020) โ€“ University of Texas at El Paso

๐ŸŒฑ Research Focus:

Dr. Wang specializes in the application of nanotechnology in agriculture, enhancing crop nutrition, disease resistance, and environmental safety. His work also explores the interactions between nanomaterials and plants, using advanced analytical techniques to improve agrochemical formulations and assess the impact of contaminants like PFAS and microplastics.

๐Ÿ† Research Grants & Projects:

  • PI: USDA NIFA AFRI-funded research on agro-nanomaterials ($299,541)
  • Co-PI: Nanoparticle-based crop disease management ($729,000)
  • Collaborator on multiple high-impact projects totaling millions in research funding

๐Ÿ“š Professional Contributions:

  • Editorial Board Member: ACS Agricultural Science and Technology, Plant Nano Biology, Agronomy
  • Reviewer: Top-tier journals like Environmental Science & Technology, Soil Biology & Biochemistry, and Scientific Reports
  • USDA-NIFA Proposal Panel Reviewer

๐Ÿ… Honors & Awards:

  • Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) Student Award (2018)
  • University of California CEIN Travel Award (2019)
  • Dodson Research Grant (2021)

๐ŸŽ“ Teaching & Mentorship:

  • Taught General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso
  • Mentor for Yale Conservation Scholars Program (2022, 2024)

๐ŸŒ Community Engagement:

  • Judge at Sigma Xi Student Research Conference
  • Presenter & Committee Member at Plant Science Day Events

Citations:

Citations: 1,099 (1,063 since 2020)
h-index: 21 (20 since 2020)
i10-index: 31 (30 since 2020)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Improvement of Nutrient Elements and Allicin Content in Green Onion (Allium fistulosum) Plants Exposed to CuO Nanoparticles
  • Copper Nanowires as Nanofertilizers for Alfalfa Plants: Understanding Nano-Bio Systems Interactions from Microbial Genomics, Plant Molecular Responses, and Spectroscopic Studies
  • Foliar Exposure of Cu(OH)โ‚‚ Nanopesticide to Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Variety-Dependent Copper Translocation and Biochemical Responses
  • Bok Choy (Brassica rapa) Grown in Copper Oxide Nanoparticles-Amended Soils Exhibits Toxicity in a Phenotype-Dependent Manner: Translocation, Biodistribution, and Nutritional Impact
  • Copper Oxide (CuO) Nanoparticles Affect Yield, Nutritional Quality, and Auxin-Associated Gene Expression in Weedy and Cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grains
  • Enhancing Agrichemical Delivery and Plant Development with Biopolymer-Based Stimuli-Responsive Coreโ€“Shell Nanostructures
  • Evaluation of the Effects of Nanomaterials on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Responses: Underlining the Benefits of Nanotechnology for Agricultural Applications
  • Factors Affecting Fate and Transport of Engineered Nanomaterials in Terrestrial Environments
  • Therapeutic Delivery of Nanoscale Sulfur to Suppress Disease in Tomatoes: In Vitro Imaging and Orthogonal Mechanistic Investigation
  • Effects of Different Surface-Coated nTiOโ‚‚ on Full-Grown Carrot Plants: Impacts on Root Splitting, Essential Elements, and Ti Uptake
  • Growth, Gas Exchange, and Mineral Nutrients of Ornamental Grasses Irrigated with Saline Water
  • Unlocking the Potential of Nano-Enabled Precision Agriculture for Efficient and Sustainable Farming
  • Soil and Foliar Exposure of Soybean (Glycine max) to Cu: Nanoparticle Coating-Dependent Plant Responses
  • Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials on Rice (Oryza sativa L.): A Critical Review of Current Knowledge
  • Lignin Nanoparticles as Delivery Systems to Facilitate Translocation of Methoxyfenozide in Soybean (Glycine max)
  • Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Dose-Dependent Alteration of Maize (Zea mays L.) Metabolites and Mineral Nutrient Profiles Upon Exposure to Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles
  • Engineering Climate-Resilient Rice Using a Nanobiostimulant-Based โ€œStress Trainingโ€ Strategy
  • Differential Physiological and Biochemical Impacts of Nano vs. Micron Cu at Two Phenological Growth Stages in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Plants
  • Surface-Coated Sulfur Nanoparticles Suppress Fusarium Disease in Field-Grown Tomato: Increased Yield and Nutrient Biofortification
  • Soil-Aged Nano Titanium Dioxide Effects on Full-Grown Carrot: Dose- and Surface-Coating-Dependent Improvements on Growth and Nutrient Quality

 

 

Lelethu Mdoda | Climate change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Lelethu Mdoda | Climate change | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer at ย University of KwaZulu-Natal, ย South Africa

Dr. Lelethu Mdoda is a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specializing in Agricultural Economics. He earned his PhD at 25 from the University of Fort Hare, focusing on market participation and value chain integration among smallholder farmers in South Africa.

Profile:

๐ŸŽ“ Academic Background:

  • PhD in Agriculture – Agricultural Economics (2017) โ€“ University of Fort Hare
    • Thesis: Market participation and value chain integration among smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape
  • MSc in Agriculture – Agricultural Economics (2015) โ€“ University of Fort Hare
    • Dissertation: Farmersโ€™ awareness of climate change and its effects on productivity
  • BSc in Agriculture – Agricultural Economics/Economics (2013) โ€“ University of Fort Hare

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Focus & Expertise:

Dr. Mdoda specializes in agricultural policy, climate change adaptation, smallholder economies, food security, and rural development. His expertise extends to agribusiness, value chains, sustainability, and resource economics. He has extensive experience in applied econometric modeling, data analysis, and market research.

๐Ÿ“š Professional Career & Contributions:

  • Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles
  • NRF Rating: Y2
  • Active in mentoring, research, and project management

๐ŸŒ Professional Memberships & Leadership:

  • President of the African Farm Management Association (AFMA)
  • Member of AEASA, IAAE, and IFAMA

๐Ÿ† Awards & Recognitions:

  • DAAD German Scholarship (2016)
  • NRF Bursary for MSc (2015)
  • Best Agricultural Student Award (2007)
  • Travel Grants from IFAMA (2016, 2017)

๐Ÿค Community Engagement & Projects:

  • Founder & Executive Director of #HaySureLesner Foundation โ€“ Youth mentorship, drug abuse awareness, and career guidance
  • Nguni Project โ€“ Market coordination for livestock farming
  • Keiskamahoek Market Day โ€“ Supporting smallholder farmers with market access
  • WRC Project โ€“ Enhancing smallholder irrigation farming in Eastern Cape

Publication Top Notes:

  • Factors affecting the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by livestock farmers in the Eastern Cape province
    L Mdoda, L Mdiya
    Cogent Social Science 8 (1), 2026017 (43 citations, 2022)

  • Factors affecting subsistence farming in rural areas of Nyandeni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province
    S Qange, L Mdoda
    South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 48 (2), 92-105 (43 citations, 2020)

  • The direct and indirect economic contribution of small-scale black agriculture in South Africa
    M Aliber, L Mdoda
    Agrekon 54 (2), 18-37 (36 citations, 2015)

  • RETRACTED: Factors impacting sugarcane production by small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province-South Africa
    Z Thibane, S Soni, L Phali, L Mdoda
    Heliyon 9 (1) (30 citations, 2023)

  • Analysis of profitability of smallholder irrigated food plots in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
    L Mdoda, A Obi
    Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development 3 (53), 225โ€“232 (23 citations, 2019)

  • Socio-economic factors affecting home gardens as a livelihood strategy in rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
    L Mdiya, L Mdoda
    South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 49 (3), 1-15 (21 citations, 2021)

  • Adoption drivers of improved open-pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
    M Sigigaba, L Mdoda, A Mditshwa
    Sustainability (20 citations, 2021)

  • Profit efficiency in family-owned crop farms in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A translog profit function approach
    N Mujuru, A Obi, S Mishi, L Mdoda
    Agriculture & Food Security 11 (20), 2-9 (18 citations, 2022)

  • Determinants of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies adoption by smallholder food crop farmers in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Free State
    A Makamane, J Van Niekerk, O Loki, L Mdoda
    South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 51 (4), 52-74 (14 citations, 2023)

  • Use of information systems (Mobile phone app) for enhancing smallholder farmersโ€™ productivity in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Implications on food security
    L Mdoda, M Christian, I Agbugba
    Journal of the Knowledge Economy 15 (1), 1993-2009 (13 citations, 2024)

 

Paul Sutton | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Paul Sutton | Climate Change | ย Best Researcher Award

Professor at ย University of Denver, United States

Professor Paul C. Sutton is a leading expert in sustainability science, population geography, and ecological economics. He is a Professor of Geography at the University of Denver, where he has served since 1999. His research focuses on topics such as urban metabolism, green infrastructure, land degradation, and the development of indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sutton is also involved in international environmental initiatives, having contributed to UNEP’s Global Environmental Outlook and served as a Visiting Fellow at The Australian National University.

Profile

Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara (1999)
  • M.A. in Applied Statistics, University of California, Santa Barbara (1997)
  • M.A. in Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara (1995)
  • B.S. in Chemistry, Union College, Schenectady, New York (1983)

Career Highlights:

  • Professor of Geography at the University of Denver (2012-Present)
  • Visiting Fellow at The Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University (2020-2021)
  • Research Associate at NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center (1995-2010)
  • Lecturer at UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Geography (1992-1999)
  • High School Teacher (1983-1993) and Process Engineer (1984-1992)

Research Focus:

  • Population Geography
  • Sustainability Science
  • Ecological Economics
  • Developing Indicators for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
  • Ecosystem Services and Integrated Assessment
  • Urban Metabolism and Smart Cities
  • Green Infrastructure
  • Land Degradation
  • Applications of Nighttime Satellite Imagery

Engagement & Service:

  • Founding Member, Center for a Regenerative Future (2024)
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Morrison, CO (2018-2026)
  • Contributor to UNEPโ€™s Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6 and GEO-7)
  • Chair, Academic Program Review Team at Texas State University (2013)
  • Proposal & Manuscript Reviewer for NSF, NASA, ESA, ARC, and other scientific foundations
  • Keynote Speaker at various international forums

Honors and Awards:

  • Best Graduate Advisor, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2024)
  • Australian Water Award for Goyder Institute Collaboration (2022)
  • Prose Award Winner for Environmental Sciences (UNEP GEO6) (2021)
  • Best Researcher Award – IRULA (2019)
  • NASA Earth System Science Fellowship (1997-1999)

Citations:

  • Citations: 62,096 (All-time), 28,454 (Since 2019)
  • h-index: 55 (All-time), 45 (Since 2019)
  • i10-index: 102 (All-time), 92 (Since 2019)

Publication Top Notes

  1. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital
    Costanza, R., d’Arge, R., De Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., et al. (1997).ย Nature, 387(6630), 253.
  2. Changes in the global value of ecosystem services
    Costanza, R., De Groot, R., Sutton, P., Van der Ploeg, S., Anderson, S. J., et al. (2014).ย Global Environmental Change, 26, 152-158.
  3. Twenty years of ecosystem services: how far have we come and how far do we still need to go?
    Costanza, R., de Groot, R., Braat, L., Kubiszewski, I., Fioramonti, L., Sutton, P., et al. (2017).ย Ecosystem Services, 28, 1-16.
  4. The coasts of our world: Ecological, economic and social importance
    Martรญnez, M. L., Intralawan, A., Vรกzquez, G., Pรฉrez-Maqueo, O., Sutton, P., et al. (2007).ย Ecological Economics, 63(2-3), 254-272.
  5. The value of coastal wetlands for hurricane protection
    Costanza, R., Pรฉrez-Maqueo, O., Martรญnez, M. L., Sutton, P., Anderson, S. J., et al. (2008).ย Ambio, 241-248.
  6. Global estimates of market and non-market values derived from nighttime satellite imagery, land cover, and ecosystem service valuation
    Sutton, P. C., Costanza, R. (2002).ย Ecological Economics, 41(3), 509-527.
  7. Is decoupling GDP growth from environmental impact possible?
    Ward, J. D., Sutton, P. C., Werner, A. D., Costanza, R., Mohr, S. H., Simmons, C. T. (2016).ย PLOS ONE, 11(10), e0164733.
  8. Radiance calibration of DMSP-OLS low-light imaging data of human settlements
    Elvidge, C. D., Baugh, K. E., Dietz, J. B., Bland, T., Sutton, P. C., Kroehl, H. W. (1999).ย Remote Sensing of Environment, 68(1), 77-88.
  9. Census from Heaven: An estimate of the global human population using night-time satellite imagery
    Sutton, P., Roberts, D., Elvidge, C., Baugh, K. (2001).ย International Journal of Remote Sensing, 22(16), 3061-3076.
  10. A global poverty map derived from satellite data
    Elvidge, C. D., Sutton, P. C., Ghosh, T., Tuttle, B. T., Baugh, K. E., Bhaduri, B., Bright, E. (2009).ย Computers & Geosciences, 35(8), 1652-1660.
  11. Global distribution and density of constructed impervious surfaces
    Elvidge, C. D., Tuttle, B. T., Sutton, P. S., Baugh, K. E., Howard, A. T., Milesi, C., et al. (2007).ย Sensors, 7(9), 1962-1979.
  12. The value of ecosystem services: putting the issues in perspective
    Costanza, R., dโ€™Arge, R., De Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., et al. (1998).ย Ecological Economics, 25(1), 67-72.
  13. Shedding light on the global distribution of economic activity
    Ghosh, T., Powell, R. L., Elvidge, C. D., Baugh, K. E., Sutton, P. C., Anderson, S. (2010).ย The Open Geography Journal, 3(1), 147-160.
  14. Estimation of gross domestic product at sub-national scales using nighttime satellite imagery
    Sutton, P. C., Elvidge, C. D., Ghosh, T. (2007).ย International Journal of Ecological Economics & Statistics, 8(S07), 5-21.
  15. A comparison of nighttime satellite imagery
    Sutton, P., Roberts, D., Elvidge, C., Meij, H. (1997).ย Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 63(11), 1303-1313.
  16. A review of methods, data, and models to assess changes in the value of ecosystem services from land degradation and restoration
    Turner, K. G., Anderson, S., Gonzales-Chang, M., Costanza, R., Courville, S., et al. (2016).ย Ecological Modelling, 319, 190-207.
  17. A scale-adjusted measure of โ€œurban sprawlโ€ using nighttime satellite imagery
    Sutton, P. C. (2003).ย Remote Sensing of Environment, 86(3), 353-369.
  18. The Nightsat mission concept
    Elvidge, C. D., Cinzano, P., Pettit, D. R., Arvesen, J., Sutton, P., Small, C., et al. (2007).ย International Journal of Remote Sensing, 28(12), 2645-2670.
  19. Modeling population density with night-time satellite imagery and GIS
    Sutton, P. (1997).ย Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 21(3-4), 227-244.
  20. The future value of ecosystem services: global scenarios and national implications
    Kubiszewski, I., Costanza, R., Anderson, S., Sutton, P. (2017).ย Ecosystem Services, 26, 289-301.

 

Virendra Kumar Vijay | Renewable energy | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Virendra Kumar Vijay | Renewable energy | Best Researcher Award

Professor atย  Indian Institute Of Technology, India

 

Dr. Virendra Kumar Vijay is an esteemed professor, researcher, and innovator specializing in renewable energy, sustainable technology, and rural development. Currently, he holds the prestigious position of IREDA Chair Professor and Head at the Centre for Rural Development and Technology (CRDT), IIT Delhi. With over 32 years of academic and professional experience, Dr. Vijay has dedicated his career to promoting biogas technology, renewable energy solutions, and sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Publication Profile

Education:

Dr. Vijayโ€™s academic journey is marked by a commitment to agricultural engineering and renewable energy. He earned his Bachelorโ€™s degree in Agricultural Engineering from Sukhadia University, Udaipur, in 1987, followed by a Masterโ€™s in Renewable Energy from Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, in 1989, graduating with honors. His Ph.D. in Rural Development & Technology from IIT Delhi, completed in 1998, focused on rural industries development using biomass energy, setting the foundation for his work in renewable energy and rural sustainability.

 

Professional Experience:

  • Dr. Vijayโ€™s professional career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to academia, research, and technology transfer. Starting as an Assistant Professor at Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, he went on to serve at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur. Since joining IIT Delhi, he has held key academic and administrative roles, including Head of the CRDT and National Coordinator for Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. His work at IIT Delhi includes leading projects, teaching, and advancing research initiatives. Notably, he developed low-cost biogas purification and bottling technology for vehicular use, which has been successfully implemented by nine industries and multiple field sites, contributing to India’s bio-CNG standards.

Research and Innovation

Dr. Vijayโ€™s research interests are centered around biogas purification, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy integration, and rural entrepreneurship. His groundbreaking work on biogas enrichment and bottling technology has gained recognition nationally, including the operation of Indiaโ€™s first biogas-fueled car. Additionally, his research efforts have led to patents and impactful technology transfers in collaboration with industries such as Indian Compressors Ltd, Tech Zone, and Mahindra & Mahindra. Dr. Vijayโ€™s pioneering work in bio-CNG and sustainable rural energy systems has established him as a thought leader in sustainable technology.

Key Achievements and Awards:

As a prolific researcher and innovator, Dr. Vijay has been awarded three patents, with his most notable patent enabling biogas to be converted into a fuel gas with enhanced thermal efficiency. He has received numerous accolades, including the Merit Certificate by the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, and several awards recognizing his contributions to biofuel and renewable energy research. Dr. Vijay has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has supervised numerous Ph.D. scholars. His author metrics on Google Scholar reflect his impact in areas such as biogas technology, waste management, and rural development, with citations demonstrating the influence of his work in academic and industrial circles.

Publication Top Notes

Zeeshan Zafar | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Zeeshan Zafar |ย  Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher atย  Wuhan University,ย  China

 

Dr. Zeeshan Zafar is a physical geographer and researcher with expertise in remote sensing, GIS, and environmental modeling. His work focuses on machine learning applications in hydrology and climate change impact studies, particularly in urban and natural ecosystems. Dr. Zafar has contributed to research publications on carbon storage modeling, LULC, urban heat islands, and soil erosion, and he actively collaborates on projects assessing ecological health risks and sustainable urban planning.

 

Publication Profile

Education:

Dr. Zeeshan Zafar completed his Ph.D. in Physical Geography from Northwest University, Xiโ€™an, China. He holds an M.S. in Remote Sensing & GIS from PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Zafar is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Wuhan University, China, where he focuses on advanced GIS and ecological modeling methodologies. Previously, he served as a GIS Manager at GreenAge Services in Pakistan (2016-2018) and as an Instructor at Virtual University, Pakistan (2013-2016), where he developed remote sensing and GIS curricula and trained students in these fields.

Research Interest:

Dr. Zafar’s research integrates machine learning, hydrological modeling, ecosystem services, and climate change impacts. His expertise extends to ecological modeling, land-use/land-cover (LULC) change, urbanization, and land surface temperature modeling. He is proficient in advanced spatial analysis using satellite data, machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling.

Author Metrics:

Dr. Zafar has published extensively in reputable journals, including Ecological Informatics, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, and Water Supply. His research, recognized for its impact on understanding climate and urban dynamics, is supported by over 20 peer-reviewed articles and ongoing submissions to high-impact journals. His work is regularly cited by peers in environmental science and remote sensing domains.

Publication Top Notes
  • Selection of medical clinic for disease diagnosis by using TOPSIS method
    RM Zulqarnain, S Abdal, B Ali, L Ali, F Dayan, MI Ahamad, Z Zafar
    International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 61(1), 2020.
  • Application of TOPSIS method in decision making via soft set
    RM Zulqarnain, S Abdal, A Maalik, B Ali, Z Zafar, MI Ahamad, S Younas
    Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 24(3), 18208-18215, 2020.
  • Trend analysis of the decadal variations of water bodies and land use/land cover through MODIS imagery: An in-depth study from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
    Z Zafar, MS Mehmood, MI Ahamad, A Chudhary, N Abbas, AR Khan
    Water Supply, 21(2), 927-940, 2021.
  • Fostering deep learning approaches to evaluate the impact of urbanization on vegetation and future prospects
    Z Zafar, MS Mehmood, Z Shiyan, M Zubair, M Sajjad, Q Yaochen
    Ecological Indicators, 146, 109788, 2023.
  • Time Series Analyses and Forecasting of Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity Using ARIMA Model in Punjab, Pakistan
    MS Mehmood, Z Zafar, M Sajjad, S Hussain, S Zhai, Y Qin
    Land, 12(1), 142, 2022.
  • Performance assessment of machine learning algorithms for mapping of land use/land cover using remote sensing data
    Z Zafar, M Zubair, Y Zha, S Fahd, AA Nadeem
    The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, 27(2), 216-226, 2024.
  • Spatial Downscaling and Gap-Filling of SMAP Soil Moisture to High Resolution Using MODIS Surface Variables and Machine Learning Approaches over ShanDian River Basin, China
    AA Nadeem, Y Zha, L Shi, S Ali, X Wang, Z Zafar, Z Afzal, MAUR Tariq
    Remote Sensing, 15(3), 812, 2023.
  • Generalized fuzzy TOPSIS to solve multi-criteria decision-making problems
    RM Zulqarnaฤฑn, M Saeed, B Ali, S Abdal, M Saqlaฤฑn, MI Ahamad, Z Zafar
    Journal of New Theory, 40-50, 2020.
  • Comprehensive assessment on groundwater quality, pollution characteristics, and ecological health risks under seasonal thaws: Spatial insights with Monte Carlo simulations
    C Jia, AR Altaf, F Li, I Ashraf, Z Zafar, AA Nadeem
    Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 22, 100952, 2023.
  • Mapping flood extend and its impact on land use/land cover and settlements variations: A case study of Layyah District, Punjab, Pakistan
    S Soomro, C Hu, MW Boota, MHAA Soomro, S Jian, Z Zafar, X Li
    Acta Geophysica, 69, 2291-2304, 2021.
  • Application of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Soft Matrices for Disease Diagnosis
    RM Zulqarnain, M Saeed, MI Ahamad, S Abdal, Z Zafar, M Aslam
    International Journal of Discrete Mathematics, 5(1), 4-9, 2020.
  • The spatial coupling effect between urban street networkโ€™s centrality and collection & delivery points: A spatial design network analysis-based study
    MS Mehmood, G Li, A Jin, A Rehman, V Wijeratne, Z Zafar, AR Khan
    PLOS One, 16(5), e0251093, 2021.
  • Predictive modeling of regional carbon storage dynamics in response to land use/land cover changes: An InVEST-based analysis
    Z Zafar, M Zubair, Y Zha, MS Mehmood, A Rehman, S Fahd, AA Nadeem
    Ecological Informatics, 102701, 2024.
  • Disease identification using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers by Sanchezโ€™s approach
    RM Zulqarnain, XL Xin, B Ali, S Abdal, A Maalik, L Ali, MI Ahamad, Z Zafar
    International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 61(1), 13-18, 2020.
  • Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Reservoir Fluids and Seismic Properties of Reservoir Rocks
    MI Ahamad, Z Zafar, M Arsalan, A Rehman, M Sajid, RM Zulqarnain
    International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 63, 36-43, 2020.
  • Spatiotemporal dynamics analysis of surface water body and snow cover area to climate change in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
    Z Zafar, MS Mehmood, A Akbar, MA Khan
    Physical Geography, 44(5), 600-619, 2023.
  • Evaluating land use/cover change associations with urban surface temperature via machine learning and spatial modeling: Past trends and future simulations in Dera Ghazi Khan
    MS Mehmood, A Rehman, M Sajjad, J Song, Z Zafar, Z Shiyan
    Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11, 1115074, 2023.
  • SAFER-ET based assessment of irrigation patterns and impacts on groundwater use in the central Punjab, Pakistan
    AA Nadeem, Y Zha, L Shi, Z Zafar, S Ali, Y Zhang, AR Altaf, M Afzal
    Agricultural Water Management, 289, 108545, 2023.
  • Modelling the Climate Change on Crop Estimation in the Semi-Arid Region of Pakistan Using Multispectral Remote Sensing
    Z Zafar, S Farooq, MI Ahamad, MS Mehmood
    Optics, 9(1), 1-7, 2020.
  • Assessment of urbanization impacts on vegetation cover in major cities of Pakistan: Evidence from remotely sensed data
    Z Zafar
    GeoJournal, 89(4), 167, 2024.

 

Juergen Junk | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dr. Juergen Junk | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Head of research group at University of Trier, Luxembourg

Dr. Juergen Junk is an accomplished environmental meteorologist and geographer with a distinguished career in climate research and agro-environmental systems. As the Head of Group at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, he leads critical projects aimed at understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change. With extensive experience in research and academia, Dr. Junk has supervised numerous PhD and MSc theses, contributed to national climate strategies, and secured several significant research grants. His work bridges the gap between climate science and practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ”ฌ

Profile:

Educational Background:

Juergen Junk holds a Diploma in Physical Geography from the University of Trier, completed in 1999 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. A. Helbig. He further specialized in Environmental Meteorology, graduating in 2013 from the University of Trier.

Professional Experience:

Since 2021, Juergen Junk has been the Head of Group at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), ERIN Department, Agro-environmental Systems in Belvaux, Luxembourg. Before this, he served as a Senior Researcher at the same institute from 2016 to 2021. His career includes significant roles such as Senior Researcher at the Centre de Recherche Gabriel Lippmann in Belvaux, Luxembourg (2007-2014), and Research Associate in Environmental Meteorology at the University of Trier (1999-2007). Since 2015, he has continued his role as a Senior Researcher at LIST.

Research Interests:

Juergen Junk’s research focuses on climate change impacts, environmental meteorology, and agro-environmental systems. He has a keen interest in studying the interaction between climate change and agricultural ecosystems, including the effects on pests and their natural enemies, air pollution, and thermal stress on human health. He is also involved in high-resolution climate change projections and the analysis of nanoparticles in the near-surface atmosphere.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Buchholz, S., A. Krein, J. Junk, A. C. Gutleb, L. Pfister and L. Hoffmann (2011). “Modeling, measuring, and characterizing airborne particles: Case studies from southwestern Luxembourg.” Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 41(23): 2077-2096.
  • Buchholz, S., A. Krein, J. Junk, G. Heinemann and L. Hoffmann (2013). “Simulation of Urban-Scale Air Pollution Patterns in Luxembourg: Contributing Sources and Emission Scenarios.” Environmental Modeling & Assessment, 18: 271-283.
  • den Outer, P. N., H. Slaper, J. Kaurola, A. Lindfors, A. Kazantzidis, A. F. Bais, U. Feister, J. Junk, M. Janouch and W. Josefsson (2010). “Reconstructing of erythemal ultraviolet radiation levels in Europe for the past 4 decades.” Journal of Geophysical Research, 115(D10).
  • Eickermann, M., M. Beyer, K. Goergen, L. Hoffmann and J. Junk (2014). “Shifted migration of the rape stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus napi) linked to climate change.” European Journal of Entomology, 111(2): 243-250.
  • Eickermann, M., J. Junk, L. Hoffmann and M. Beyer (2015). “Forecasting the breaching of the control threshold for Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus in oilseed rape.” Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 17(1): 71-76.
  • Eickermann, M., J. Junk and C. Rapisarda (2023). “Climate Change and Insects.” Insects.
  • El Jarroudi, M., L. Kouadio, J. Junk and C. H. Bock (2020). “Improved Prediction of Leaf Emergence for Efficacious Crop Protection: Assessing Field Variability in Phyllotherms for Upper Leaves in Winter Wheat and Winter Barley.” Agronomy, 10(11): 1825.
  • El Jarroudi, M., L. Kouadio, J. Junk, H. Maraite, B. Tychon and P. Delfosse (2022). “Assessing the Interplay between Weather and Septoria Leaf Blotch Severity on Lower Leaves on the Disease Risk on Upper Leaves in Winter Wheat.” Journal of Fungi, 8(11).
  • Emmerling, C., A. Krein and J. Junk (2020). “Meta-Analysis of Strategies to Reduce NH3 Emissions from Slurries in European Agriculture and Consequences for Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Agronomy, 10: 10.
  • Goergen, K., J. Beersma, L. Hoffmann and J. Junk (2013). “ENSEMBLES-based assessment of regional climate effects in Luxembourg and their impact on vegetation.” Climatic Change, 119(3): 761-773.