Irfan Ullah | Land | Young Scientist Award

Mr  Irfan Ullah | Land | Young Scientist Award

Gottingen University Germany,  Germany

Irfan Ullah is a dedicated plant scientist from Kaddi Sikandari, Razzar, District Swabi, KPK, Pakistan. Born on March 15, 1998, he holds an MPhil in Plant Sciences from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and a BS in Botany from Government Postgraduate College, Swabi. His research focuses on plant taxonomy, microbiology, molecular biology, and environmental sustainability.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • MPhil in Plant Sciences – Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (2023) 🏅

  • BS in Botany – Government Postgraduate College, Swabi (2021)

  • Associate Degree in Education (ADE) – AIOU (2020)

  • B.Ed – Sarhad University, Peshawar (2023)

  • Matriculation – Government High School Sikandari (2016)

🔬 Research & Projects:

  • Saprobic Macrofungi of the Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Morphological & Molecular Study)

  • Green Synthesis of Manganese Nanoparticles from Chlorophyllum molybdites & Its Effects on Plants

  • Local Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change & Its Impact on Plants (District Buner)

🛠 Skills & Expertise:

  • Plant Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry

  • Mushroom Cultivation & Microscopy Techniques

  • Software Proficiency: MS Office, SPSS, MEGA X, BioEdit

  • Research Methodology & Data Analysis

  • Excellent Communication & Leadership Skills

🏆 Achievements & Awards:

  • Gold Medalist 🎖️

  • BHEEF Scholarship Holder (1st in each semester of BS)

  • Best Teacher Award 🏅

  • Fellowship in MPhil (Secured above 80%)

👨‍🏫 Work Experience:

  • Biology Subject Specialist – Government High School Sikandari (2020-2021)

  • Teacher – PMI (Philip Morris International) (2018)

Publication: 

  • Biocultural Diversity at Risk Amidst and Beyond Overtourism: The Decline in Wild Green Foraging in Corfu over the Past 50 Years

 

Lelethu Mdoda | Climate change | Best Researcher Award

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)

 

Balaji Khogare | Environmental Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr Balaji Khogare | Environmental Analysis |  Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at  P.A.H. Solapur University Solapur, Maharashtra, India

Dr. Khogare Balaji Trimbak is a distinguished professional with expertise in [insert field of expertise or research focus]. Based in Maharashtra, India, Dr. Trimbak has made significant contributions to [specific contributions or accomplishments, if known].

Profile:

Academic Experience:

  • Assistant Professor (Clock Hour Basis) – Raje Ramrao Mahavidyalaya, Jath (2013–2018)
  • Assistant Professor (Contract Basis) – M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry, Raje Ramrao Mahavidyalaya, Jath (2018–2019)
  • Assistant Professor (Full-Time Contract Basis) – Medicinal Chemistry, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur (2020–2023)

Roles:

  • IT-Coordinator and Committee Member for NAAC Criterion-VII
  • Internal and External Practical Examiner

Academic Credentials:

  • Ph.D. (Chemistry): Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 2018
  • M.Sc. (Organic Chemistry): Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 2012 (58.92%, Second Division)
  • B.Sc. (Chemistry): Solapur University, Solapur, 2010 (60.80%, First Division)
  • H.S.C.: Divisional Board, Pune, 2006 (45.83%, Second Division)
  • S.S.C.: Divisional Board, Latur, 2004 (60.93%, First Division)

 

Memberships & Contributions:

  • Scientific Organizations:
    • Hong Kong Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society
    • Chemical Society of Japan
    • EuroScience
    • Life Member, ASSET, BARC Mumbai
  • Reviewer:
    • IASET Journal of Applied Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
    • Macromolecular Symposia
  • Editorial Board Member:
    • SCIREA Journal of Chemistry

Technical Program Committees:

Served in various international conferences, including:

  • ICAMS 2016 – Jath, India
  • ICSDWE 2018 – Shenyang, China
  • WRE 2018 – Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
  • HEREM 2018 – Bangkok, Thailand

Publication Top Notes:

  • Development of novel solvent extraction method for determination of gold (III) using 4-heptylaminopyridine: application to alloys and environmental analysis
    Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4(3), 3075-3083, 2016
    Authors: BT Khogare, GS Kamble, AN Kokare, SB Zanje, VJ Suryavanshi, …
    Citations: 26
  • Selective and sensitive liquid-liquid extraction and spectrophotometric determination of tellurium (IV) using sulfur containing reagent
    Chemical Data Collections, 19, 100173, 2019
    Authors: UB Barache, BT Khogare, AB Shaikh, SA Deodware, BN Kokare, …
    Citations: 19
  • Extractive Spectrophotometric Determination of Platinum in Cisplatin Injection, Alloys and Catalysts Assisted by 2-Nitrobenzaldehydethiocarbohrdrazone
    J. Trace Anal. Food Drug, 24, 1, 2016
    Authors: SB Zanje, AN Kokare, VJ Suryavanshi, GD Kore, BT Khogare, MA Anuse
    Citations: 12
  • Highly reproducible, simple and selective analytical method for extractive UV–visible spectrophotometric determination of ruthenium (III): Analysis of catalyst, fissium alloy
    Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 243, 118814, 2020
    Authors: AB Shaikh, UB Barache, BT Khogare, R Goswami, BN Kokare, …
    Citations: 7
  • Development of a solvent extraction system with 4-heptylaminopyridine for the selective separation of palladium (II) from synthetic mixtures, catalysts and water samples
    Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(45), 21634-21644, 2016
    Authors: BT Khogare, MA Anuse, PB Piste, BN Kokare
    Citations: 6
  • Development of a solvent extraction system with 4-heptylaminopyridine for the selective separation of platinum (IV) from catalysts, anticancer injections and water samples
    Analytical Methods, 8(10), 2156-2163, 2016
    Authors: BT Khogare, MA Anuse, PB Piste, BN Kokare
    Citations: 3
  • Ion-Pair Based Solvent Extraction of Rhodium (III) from Malonate Medium Using 4-heptylaminopyridine as an Extractant: Application to Alloys and Environmentally Relevant Matrices
    Analytical Chemistry Letters, 8(2), 230-243, 2018
    Authors: BT Khogare, UB Barache, SH Gaikwad, MA Anuse, PB Piste, BN Kokare
    Citations: 1
  • Green separation protocol for Nickel-Palladium-Platinum
    Proceedings of the Ninth DAE-BRNS Biennial Symposium, 2021
    Authors: SH Gaikwad, AB Shaikh, SA Deodware, TN Lokhande, PC Dhale, …
  • Determination of Cr (VI) from industrial wastewater from Kolhapur City
    Proceedings of the Ninth DAE-BRNS Biennial Symposium, 2021
    Authors: UB Barache, AB Shaikh, SA Deodware, TN Lokhande, BT Khogare, …
  • Medicinal uses of neem (Azadirachta indica) in human life: A Review
    Recent Advances in Zoology, 10, 1-4, 2018
    Authors: RKKKBN Khogare Balaji T, Kulal Shivaji R
  • Recent advances in carbon soot coated superhydrophobic materials for oil-water separation (Short Review)
    Advances in Material Science, 64-67, 2017
    Authors: KKRSSL Balaji T. Khogare, Rajaram S. Sutar
  • A polystyrene modified sponge for effective oil/water separation
    Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Materials Science, 2016
    Authors: BT Khogare, SR Kulal, KK Rangar, GD Salunkhe, PG Pawar, …

 

 

Hemlata Jambhulkar | Environmental | Best Paper Award

Mrs Hemlata Jambhulkar |  Environmental  |  Best Paper Award

Principal Technical Officer at  CSIR-NEERI,Nagpur, India

Mrs. Hemlata Padmakar Jambhulkar is a Principal Technical Officer at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, with a distinguished career in environmental engineering and over three decades of research experience. She holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Nagpur University and specializes in areas such as phytoremediation, soil remediation, wastewater management, and carbon sequestration. She is a life member of various scientific societies, including the Indian Women Scientist Association. Mrs. Jambhulkar has received several accolades, including the Dubai International Award for her contributions to ecological restoration and the Best Paper Award at the Women in Science meeting in 2007. Her work is instrumental in advancing sustainable environmental practices in India.

 

Publication Profile

Educational Qualifications:

  • M.Sc. in Chemistry (Physical, Environmental, Organic, Inorganic, Analytical), Nagpur University, 1989
  • B.Sc. in Microbiology, Botany, and Chemistry, Nagpur University, 1987

Research Experience:

Mrs. Jambhulkar has over three decades of experience in environmental research, particularly focusing on:

  • Phytoremediation of mining wastelands and degraded lands
  • Remediation of metal-contaminated soils
  • Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants on fly ash dumps
  • Management of wastewater through eco-friendly constructed wetlands
  • Carbon sequestration through afforestation
  • Wastewater recycling for agricultural and forestry applications

Memberships:

She is a life member of multiple professional bodies, including the Researchers Society of Chemical Sciences, Indian Network for Soil Contamination and Research (INSCR), Indian Water Resources Society, Indian Women Scientist Association, and Vigyan Bharati Vidarbha Pradesh Mandal.

Awards and Honors:

  • Dubai International Award (2007): Recognized for contributing to the project “Ecological restoration of degraded lands through biotechnological approaches.”
  • Best Paper Award (2007): For her work on “Assessment of bioaccumulation potential of heavy metals on fly ash dump” at the All India meeting of ‘Women in Science’ organized by the Indian Women Scientist Association.

Citations :

  • Total Citations: 385 (from 352 documents)
  • Publications: 6 documents
  • h-index: 5

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Eco-restoration approach for mine spoil overburden dump through biotechnological route”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Kumar, M.S.
    Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2019, 191(12), 772
    Citations: 22
  2. “Fly ash toxicity, emerging issues and possible implications for its exploitation in agriculture; Indian scenario: A review”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Shaikh, S.M.S., Kumar, M.S.
    Journal: Chemosphere, 2018, 213, pp. 333–344
    Citations: 115
  3. “Natural vs. reclaimed forests – a case study of successional change, reclamation technique and phytodiversity”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Singh, L., Singh, S.K., Thawale, P.R., Kanfade, H.
    Journal: International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2015, 29(6), pp. 476–498
    Citations: 5
  4. “Assessment of bioaccumulation of heavy metals by different plant species grown on fly ash dump”
    Authors: Jambhulkar, H.P., Juwarkar, A.A.
    Journal: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2009, 72(4), pp. 1122–1128
    Citations: 67
  5. “Phytoremediation of coal mine spoil dump through integrated biotechnological approach”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Jambhulkar, H.P.
    Journal: Bioresource Technology, 2008, 99(11), pp. 4732–4741
    Citations: 97
  6. “Restoration of fly ash dump through biological interventions”
    Authors: Juwarkar, A.A., Jambhulkar, H.P.
    Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2008, 139(1-3), pp. 355–365
    Citations: 79