Adugna Nigatu Alene | Environmental remediation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Adugna Nigatu Alene |  Environmental remediation | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Bahir Dar University,  Ethiopia

Adugna Nigatu Alene is a Lecturer at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, with an MSc in Organic Chemistry. His research centers on sustainable materials, including bio-sorbents, nanocatalysts, and biodegradable films. With extensive hands-on experience in material characterization techniques (UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, BET, CV), Adugna’s work contributes to environmental remediation, energy sustainability, and green chemistry. He has co-authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and received multiple innovation awards, including the 2024 Sustainable and Affordable Energy Award by TotalEnergies. Beyond academia, he is active in community outreach, offering training on pesticide safety and supporting local education initiatives.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • MSc in Organic Chemistry (1st Honors), Bahir Dar University – 2018

  • BSc in Chemistry (Very Great Distinction), Ambo University – 2013

🧪 Research & Expertise:

Adugna specializes in organic synthesis, nanomaterials, biodegradable films, and bio-sorbents. His research aims to tackle global challenges in environmental remediation, drug discovery, and sustainable energy. He is skilled in materials characterization using UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, BET, and CV techniques.

🧑‍🏫 Academic Roles:

  • Lecturer, Chemical Engineering Dept., Bahir Dar University (Since 2020)

  • Former Lecturer, Chemistry Dept., Woldia University

  • Technical roles in lab support and instruction from 2015 onward

🏆 Awards & Recognition:

  • 🥇 Power’Up Energy Award, TotalEnergies (2024)

  • 🥈 Bruh Ethiopia 2024 Business Idea Award

  • 🏅 Tatariwochu-Awash Bank Entrepreneurship Winner (2023)

🤝 Community Engagement:

  • Pesticide safety training for farmers 🌿

  • Chemical disposal consultation for EFDA 🧪

  • Lab setup support for schools 🏫

  • COVID-19 sanitizer production & free tutorials during weekends 🧼📘

📊 Citation Metrics:

  • Citations: 394 (since 2020: 393)

  • h-index: 7

  • i10-index: 6

Publication Top Notes:

  • Adsorptive Removal of Malachite Green Dye From Aqueous Solution Onto Activated Carbon of Catha edulis Stem as a Low-Cost Bio-Adsorbent

  • A Comparative Study of Acidic, Basic, and Reactive Dyes Adsorption From Aqueous Solution Onto Kaolin Adsorbent: Effect of Operating Parameters, Isotherms, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics

  • Bioadsorption of Basic Blue Dye From Aqueous Solution Onto Raw and Modified Waste Ash as Economical Alternative Bioadsorbent

  • Adsorptive Removal of Basic Green Dye From Aqueous Solution Using Humic Acid Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles: Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Studies

  • Utilization of a Novel Low-Cost Gibto (Lupinus albus) Seed Peel Waste for the Removal of Malachite Green Dye: Equilibrium, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Studies

  • Biodegradable Film From Mango Seed Kernel Starch Using Pottery Clay as Filler

  • Cereal-Based Traditional Beverage of Tella Residue (Attela) as a Green Organic Pollutant Sorbent for Methylene Blue Dye Removal: Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Studies

  • A Highly Stable Silver Nanoparticle Loaded Magnetic Nanocomposite as a Recyclable Catalyst

  • Studies on the Effects of Extracts of Fresh Khat/Catha edulis Leaves on the Oxidation of Niger Seed Oil

  • Development of Biodegradable Film From Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Mucilage Loaded With Acid-Leached Kaolin as Filler

  • Effect of Justicia schimperiana (Acanthaceae) Roots Extract on Blood Glucose Level and Lipid Profiles in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

  • Nutraceutical, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Wild Edible Fruits as Natural Foods

  • Nanocatalytic Reductive Removal of Congo-Red Dye Using Boron-Loaded Cobalt Oxide Nanocomposites From Aqueous Solutions

  • Enhanced Electrochemical Activity of Boron-Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Towards Supercapacitor Application

 

Nadezda Verkhovtseva | Soil Pollution | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Nadezda Verkhovtseva |  Soil Pollution |  Best Researcher Award

professor at MSU (Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov,  Russia

Dr. N. Verkhovtseva is a distinguished Professor at the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Biochemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU). She pursued her studies in Agrochemistry at MSU, where she also earned her Ph.D. in 1975. Dr. Verkhovtseva has had a notable academic journey, having taught at Yaroslavl State University before joining the esteemed research group led by Kondrat’eva at MSU. In 1994, she obtained her Doctor of Science degree in Microbiology and subsequently secured the position of Professor at MSU’s Faculty of Soil Science. Her prolific career includes the publication of over 180 articles in both Russian and international journals. Dr. Verkhovtseva’s research contributions have earned her a significant citation index, with 46 citations in Web of Science, 57 in Scopus, and 984 in Science Index. She has authored eight books, holds one patent, and serves as the executive editor of the journal Problems of Agrochemistry and Ecology. Her professional memberships include the Soil Science Society. Dr. Verkhovtseva’s expertise and dedication have significantly advanced the fields of agrochemistry and plant biochemistry.

Profile

 

🎓 Academic and Professional Background:

Dr. N. Verkhovtseva studied Agrochemistry at Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), Russia. After graduation, she entered the graduate school of the same university and received her PhD in Agrochemistry in 1975. She then taught at Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia, before joining the research academic group of Kondrat’eva at MSU. In 1994, she received her Doctor of Science degree in Microbiology from MSU and became a professor in the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Soil Science. She has published over 180 articles in both Russian and international journals.

🔬 Research and Innovations:

  • Citation Index: Web of Science: 46, Scopus: 57, Science index: 984
  • Books Published (ISBN): Eight
  • Patents: One published/under process
  • Journals Published (SCI, Scopus, etc.): 180

 

📚 Areas of Research:

  • Agrochemistry
  • Plant Biochemistry
  • Microbiology

 

🧪 Research Focus: Soil Pollution

Dr. Verkhovtseva’s research primarily focuses on soil pollution, investigating the impacts of contaminants on soil health and plant biochemistry. Her work aims to develop effective strategies for mitigating soil pollution and enhancing soil remediation techniques. Her contributions in this area have been instrumental in understanding the complex interactions between pollutants and soil ecosystems.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Effect of an Equal Dose of Polymetallic Pollution on the Microbiological Characteristics of Two Soils with Different Organic Carbon Contents

2. Metabolomic Analysis of Rhizosphere Soil Fertility in Maize (Zea mays) at Milking Stage

3. Physical-Tomographic Characteristics and Structure of Bacterial Community of the Agrophysical System “Germinating Roots—Pore Space of Soils” (Physical Model Experiment)

4. Structure of the Soil Pore Space in the Seedling Bed Before the Seedling Stage: Studies Using the Microtomography Method

5. X-ray Computed Tomography of the Structure of Roots and Dynamics of Soil Biota in the Early Growth Stages of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

6. Aggregate Formation in a Kaolinite Suspension during Microbiological Modification of Clay Surface

7. Physical and Microbiological Aspects of the Soil Seed Bed in the Early Formation of the Barley Root System (Hordeum vulgare L.): Tomographic Studies

8. The Effect of Ericoid Mycorrhizal and Ectomycorrhizal Plants on Soil Properties of Grass Meadow in Tundra of the Khibiny Mountains

9. Formation of Microaggregates in Kaolinite Suspension Inoculated by Bacillus velezensis (SEM-investigations)

10. Chemodiagnostic by Lipid Analysis of the Microbial Community Structure in Trace Metal Polluted Urban Soil