Lelethu Mdoda | Climate change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Lelethu Mdoda | Climate change | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer at  University of KwaZulu-Natal,  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:

🎓 Academic Background:

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

🔬 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.

📚 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

🌍 Professional Memberships & Leadership:

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

🏆 Awards & Recognitions:

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

🤝 Community Engagement & Projects:

  • Founder & Executive Director of #HaySureLesner Foundation – Youth mentorship, drug abuse awareness, and career guidance
  • Nguni Project – Market coordination for livestock farming
  • Keiskamahoek Market Day – Supporting smallholder farmers with market access
  • WRC Project – 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), 225–232 (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 farmers’ 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)

 

Nitasha Vig | Environment Science | Young Scientist Award

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Dr Nitasha Vig |  Environment Science |  Young Scientist Award

Trinity Western University,  Canada

Nitasha Vig is a dedicated educator and researcher with over 5 years of experience in environmental pollution and its implications on public health. Currently serving as a Sessional Instructor at LaSalle College Vancouver, she specializes in Environmental Science and Sustainable Design. Nitasha is adept at translating complex environmental science concepts into engaging lessons, fostering student understanding, and promoting impactful learning experiences.

Publication Profile

🎓 Education:

  • MBA (International Business) | Trinity Western University, BC (2024-2026)
  • Ph.D. (Environmental Studies) | Panjab University, Chandigarh, India (2016-2023)
    Thesis: Environmental Impact of Coal Thermal Power Plants.
  • M.Sc. (Environmental Science) | Panjab University, India (2013-2015)
  • B.Ed. | Kurukshetra University, India (2012-2013)
  • B.Sc. (Microbiology) | Panjab University, India (2009-2012)

🧑‍🏫 Teaching & Research Interests:

  • 🌫 Environmental Pollution (Air, Soil, Water)
  • ♻️ Environmental Management
  • 💡 Sustainability & Public Health
  • 🔬 Advanced Instrumentation (Mass Spectroscopy, XRD, SEM-EDS)
  • 🌱 Agriculture

💼 Key Professional Roles:

  • Instructor (LaSalle College Vancouver, BC)
    Teaching Environmental Science and Sustainable Design.
  • Project Coordinator
    Community Environmental Empowerment Program (CEEP) at Panjab University, India.
  • Research Associate
    Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Clean Cooking Fuel Project.
  • Scientist B
    Air quality and health studies funded by the Department of Science & Technology, India.

🏆 Achievements:

  • 🥇 Gold Medalist in Medical Lab Technology
  • 🏅 Best Oral Presentation Award, 2021
  • 🏆 1st Prize at Chandigarh Science Congress, 2022

🌱 Research Focus

  • Environmental Pollution & Management
  • Public Health Risks
  • Agricultural Sustainability

Publication Top Notes

  • Ravindra, K., Vig, N., Biswal, M., Sehgal, R., & Mor, S. (2024). Characterization and Morphometric Identification of Household Fan Dust and its Human Health-Risk Implications. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 235(10), 614.
  • Ravindra, K., Vig, N., Chhoden, K., Narayan, S., & Mor, S. (2024). Impact of Massive Flood on Drinking Water Quality and Community Health Risk Assessment in Patna, Bihar, India. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 10(3), 104.
  • Ravindra, K., Vig, N., Agarwal, N., Attri, S.V., & Mor, S. (2024). Metal Contamination of Different Water Categories and Surface Soil Near Thermal Power Plants at Varied Geographic Sites of India and Their Health Risk Assessment. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 235(2), 152.
  • Mor, S., Vig, N., Mehta, S.K., & Ravindra, K. (2024). Physico-chemical Characterization of Coal Combustion By-products Derived from Thermoelectric Power Plants. Environment, Development and Sustainability. (Article in Press).
  • Vig, N., Ravindra, K., & Mor, S. (2023). Environmental Impacts of Indian Coal Thermal Power Plants and Associated Human Health Risk to the Nearby Residential Communities: A Potential Review. Chemosphere, 341, 140103.
  • Vig, N., Ravindra, K., & Mor, S. (2023). Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment of Groundwater and Associated Health Risks Around Coal Thermal Power Plant, Punjab, India. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20(6), 6259–6274.
  • Vig, N., Ravindra, K., & Mor, S. (2023). Evaluation of Groundwater for Drinking and Irrigation Applications Concerning Physicochemical and Ionic Parameters Through Multiple Indexing Approach: A Case Study Around the Industrial Zone, Punjab, India. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 45(5), 2077–2097.
  • Vig, N., Mor, S., & Ravindra, K. (2023). The Multiple Value Characteristics of Fly Ash from Indian Coal Thermal Power Plants: A Review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(1), 33.
  • Kaur, K., Mor, S., Vig, N., & Ravindra, K. (2022). Assessing the Risk of Landfill Leachate on the Groundwater Quality of Chandigarh. Journal of Environmental Biology, 43(4), 593–603.
  • Mor, S., Vig, N., & Ravindra, K. (2022). Distribution of Heavy Metals in Surface Soil Near a Coal Power Production Unit: Potential Risk to Ecology and Human Health. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(4), 263.