Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Research Education And Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan-Rad is an Associate Professor at the Soil and Water Research Department of AREEO, Gorgan, Iran. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, with a specialization in digital soil mapping, soil salinity, and machine learning applications in soil science.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2014)
    Thesis: Mapping and Updating Soil Map Using Random Forest and Multinomial Logistic Regression

  • M.S. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2006)
    Thesis: Effects of Irrigation Systems on Soil Moisture, Salinity, and Nutrient Uptake in Wheat

  • B.S. in Soil Science, Guilan University (1998)

👨‍🏫 Academic Positions:

  • Associate Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2023–Present)

  • Assistant Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2014–2023)

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Pahlavan-Rad’s work specializes in digital soil mapping, soil salinity modeling, soil texture and organic carbon prediction, and application of machine learning (e.g., Random Forest, MLR) in soil science. His regional expertise includes arid and floodplain landscapes in Iran and collaborative research in Europe, particularly the Czech Republic.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 1,132

  • Citations Since 2020: 833

  • h-index: 13 (since 2020: 12)

  • i10-index: 15 (since 2020: 14)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Updating Soil Survey Maps Using Random Forest and Conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling in the Loess Derived Soils of Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 232, 97–106. (2014)

  • Development and Analysis of the Soil Water Infiltration Global Database
    Earth System Science Data, 10(3), 1237–1263. (2018)

  • Response of Wheat Plants to Zinc, Iron, and Manganese Applications and Uptake and Concentration of Zinc, Iron, and Manganese in Wheat Grains
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 40(7–8), 1322–1332. (2009)

  • Spatial Variability of Soil Texture Fractions and pH in a Flood Plain (Case Study from Eastern Iran)
    Catena, 160, 275–281. (2018)

  • Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict the Final Fruit Weight and Random Forest to Select Important Variables in Native Population of Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
    Scientia Horticulturae, 181, 108–112. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Water Infiltration Using Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest in a Dry Flood Plain, Eastern Iran
    Catena, 194, 104715. (2020)

  • Legacy Soil Maps as a Covariate in Digital Soil Mapping: A Case Study from Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 279, 141–148. (2016)

  • Predicting Regional Spatial Distribution of Soil Texture in Floodplains Using Remote Sensing Data: A Case of Southeastern Iran
    Catena, 182, 104149. (2019)

  • Predicting Soil Organic Carbon Concentrations in a Low Relief Landscape, Eastern Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 15, e00195. (2018)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Deltaic Soils: A Case of Study from Hirmand (Helmand) River Delta
    Geoderma, 313, 233–240. (2018)

  • Effects of Potassium Rates and Irrigation Regimes on Yield of Forage Sorghum in Arid Regions
    International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 6(4), 207–212. (2015)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Random Forest Model in Golestan Province
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 21(6), 73–93. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Properties Using Random Forest with Sparse Data in a Semi-Active Volcanic Mountain
    Eurasian Soil Science, 53(9), 1222–1233. (2020)

  • Effects of Application of Zn, Fe and Mn on Yield, Yield Component, Nutrient Concentration and Uptake in Wheat Grain
    Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 79, 142–150. (2008)

  • Nutrient Uptake, Soil and Plant Nutrient Contents, and Yield Components of Wheat Plants Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34(8), 1133–1143. (2011)

  • Application of Generalized Additive Model and Classification and Regression Tree to Estimate Potential Habitat Distribution of Range Plant Species (Case Study: Khazri …)
    Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, 27(3), 561–576. (2020)

  • Application of Random Forest Method for Predicting Soil Classes in Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 24(1), 67–84. (2017)

  • Spatial Prediction of WRB Soil Classes in an Arid Floodplain Using Multinomial Logistic Regression and Random Forest Models, South-East of Iran
    Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13, 1–11. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Soil Classes in Floodplain and Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation, 9(4), 107–120. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Machine Learning-Based Methods to Predict Soil Organic Carbon in Two Different Districts in the Czech Republic
    Soil & Water Research, 19(1). (2024)

  • Predicting Spatial Variability of Soil Salinity and Clay Content Using Geostatistics and Artificial Neural Networks Methods (Short Technical Report)
    Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production, 6(1), 247–254. (2016)

  • Responses of Wheat Plants in Terms of Soil Water Content, Bulk Density, Salinity, and Root Growth Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 33(6), 874–888. (2010)

  • Digital Modeling of Surface and Subsurface Soil Salinity in Golestan Province, Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 37, e00800. (2024)

  • Modeling Wheat Yield Using Some Soil Properties at the Field Scale (Case Study: Sistan Dam Research Farm, University of Zabol)
    Agricultural Engineering, 44(1), 81–95. (2021)

  • Preparation of Three-Dimensional Maps of Soil Particle Size Fractions by Combining Quantile Regression Forest Algorithm and Spline Depth Function in Golestan Province
    Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research, 55(1), 51–68. (2024)

 

Ayoub Lazaar | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award | 3887

Dr. Ayoub Lazaar |  Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Center for Sustainable soil Sciences, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Of Benguerir, Morocco

Dr. Ayoub Lazaar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences (C3S), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology and Geo-Environment and specializes in soil science, pedology, remote sensing, GIS, and spectroscopy (Vis-NIR/MIR). His research focuses on soil salinity assessment, spectral diagnostics of degradation, and geospatial modeling for sustainable land management. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications and developed Morocco’s first Vis-NIR soil spectral library. Dr. Lazaar has also led over 100 environmental impact assessments in his previous consultancy role. His innovations support precision agriculture and environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions.

Profile:

🎓 Academic & Professional Background:

Dr. Ayoub Lazaar holds a Ph.D. in Geology and Geo-Environment and is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences (C3S), UM6P. His expertise spans soil science, remote sensing, GIS, spectroscopy (Vis-NIR/MIR), geochemistry, and clay mineralogy. He has conducted over 100 Environmental Impact Assessments during his time as Lead Manager at ADA-Consulting.

🔬 Research Focus & Innovations:

  • 🧪 Soil salinity assessment using MIR spectroscopy and machine learning

  • 🛰️ Geospatial modeling for sustainable land management

  • 🔍 Spectral diagnostics of soil degradation in arid/semi-arid zones

  • 📚 Published 6+ peer-reviewed articles (2 under review)

  • 📊 Built the first Vis-NIR soil spectral library in the Triffa plain, Morocco

  • 🛠️ Developed low-cost sensors now adopted by FAO programs

🌍 Contributions & Impact:

Dr. Lazaar’s research bridges lab science with field applications, promoting cost-effective soil health diagnostics and sustainable agricultural practices. His latest focus includes developing pedotransfer functions for salinity prediction and analyzing groundwater quality in the Mediterranean region using advanced GIS and statistical tools.

🌐 Professional Affiliations:

  • IUSS (International Union of Soil Sciences)

  • SSSA (Soil Science Society of America)

  • EGU (European Geosciences Union)

  • CESFRA, UM6P

  • ASSS, MARS, and FAO Soil Spectroscopy Groups

Publication Top Notes:

  1. The application of proximal visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate soil organic matter on the Triffa Plain of Morocco
    Lazaar, A., Mouazen, A.M., El Hammouti, K., Fullen, M., Pradhan, B., Memon, M.S., et al.
    International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 8(2), 195–204. (2020). [Citations: 35]

  2. Potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to characterize and discriminate topsoils of different soil types in the Triffa Plain (Morocco)
    Lazaar, A., Mahyou, H., Asagholizadeh, A., El Hammouti, K., et al.
    Soil Science Annual, 70(1), 54–63. (2019). [Citations: 14]

  3. The manifestation of VIS-NIRS spectroscopy data to predict and map soil texture in the Triffa Plain (Morocco)
    Lazaar, A., Pradhan, B., Zakariae, N., Abdelali, G., El Hammouti, K., Karim, A., et al.
    Kuwait Journal of Science, 48(1), 111–121. (2021). [Citations: 9]

  4. Physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of the Mediterranean soils of Triffa Plain (Northeast Morocco) by physicochemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and VIS spectroscopy
    Lazaar, A., El Hammouti, K., Andich, K., Hadria, R.
    ACM Conference Proceedings, (2020).

  5. Apport de la télédétection hyperspectrale dans la cartographie et la caractérisation des sols du Maroc Oriental
    Lazaar, A.
    (French publication), 2017.

 

Elahe Daraei | Soil physics | Best Researcher Award

Dr Elahe Daraei |  Soil physics |  Best Researcher Award

Soil science at  Bu-Ali Sina University,  Iran

Dr. Elahe Daraei is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Soil Resource Management, with a focus on soil physics. Her research investigates fluid flow and transport in porous media and complex systems through theoretical modeling and numerical simulation.

Publication profile:

Educational Background:

  • Ph.D. in Soil Physics
    Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
    Expected Graduation: September 2024
    Thesis: Effect of natural biochar and nanoparticles on the physico-mechanical properties, solute transport, and photosynthetic indices and plant transpiration.
  • M.Sc. in Soil Physics
    Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
    September 2015 – September 2018
    Thesis: Several years’ effect of nanoparticles on solute transport and some soil physical properties.
  • B.Sc. in Soil Science
    Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
    February 2011 – February 2015

Research Contributions:

Dr. Daraei has published several articles, including:

  • Impact of natural biochar on soil water retention capacity and quinoa plant growth in different soil textures (2024, Soil and Tillage Research).
  • Effect of oxide nanoparticles on soil water retention curve and soil tensile strength (2023, Pedosphere).
  • Long-term effect of magnesium and iron nanoparticles on solute transport in saturated condition (2021, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science).

 

Publication Top Notes:

  • Impact of natural biochar on soil water retention capacity and quinoa plant growth in different soil textures
    Daraei, E., Bayat, H., Gregory, A.S.
    Soil and Tillage Research, 2024, 244, 106281.
  • Long-term effect of magnesium and iron nanoparticles on solute transport in saturated condition
    Daraei, E., Bayat, H., Zamani, P., Gregory, A.S.
    Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2022, 68(10), pp. 1430–1442.

 

 

Enang Roger Kogge | Soil Science | Excellence in Research

Dr Enang  Roger Kogge |  Soil Science |  Excellence in Research

Soil Scientist at  University of Dschang,  Cameroon

Dr. Roger Kogge Enang is an esteemed soil scientist with over 14 years of experience in both teaching and research. His extensive work covers essential areas of soil science, including soil fertility management, land evaluation, soil mineralogy, and the remediation of soil pollution. His research contributes to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation, addressing global challenges like food security and climate change.

Publication profile:

🎓 Qualifications & Experience:

Dr. Roger Kogge Enang holds over 14 years of teaching and research experience in soil science and environmental chemistry. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher, actively contributing to scientific advancements in soil fertility, land evaluation, and soil mineralogy. His deep understanding of soil systems has made him a key figure in the field of environmental sustainability.

📚 Research Focus:

  • Soil Science: Specializes in soil fertility, soil pollution remediation, and land evaluation.
  • Environmental Impact: Researches the effects of human activity on soil systems, including sustainable land use and climate change resilience.
  • Cocoa Agroforestry: His work on cocoa-based agroforestry systems supports sustainable agriculture in tropical regions.

🖋️ Active Publication Record:

Dr. Enang consistently publishes in peer-reviewed journals, with a minimum of two articles annually since 2016. His research is globally recognized, with collaborations including Belgian scholar Eric Van Ranst.

🎓 Teaching & Leadership:

With extensive teaching experience, Dr. Enang has been a mentor to students in soil science and environmental studies. His educational impact complements his research, enhancing the next generation’s understanding of soil and environmental sciences.

📊 Citation Metrics Summary:

  • 116 Citations across 109 documents
  • 12 Published Documents
  • h-index: 6

 

Publication Top Notes:

  • Origin and evolution of soil materials of the Paleo-Chadian linear-dune landscape in the Far North Region of Cameroon
    Enang, R.K., Mees, F., Yerima, B.P.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Geoderma Regional, 2024, 38, e00843.
  • Distribution of Total Nitrogen in Soils of the Tropical Highlands of Cameroon
    Kome, G.K., Kips, P.A., Yerima, B.P.K., Enang, R.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Eurasian Soil Science, 2023, 56(7), pp. 889–901.
  • Pedotransfer functions for cation exchange capacity estimation in highly weathered soils of the tropical highlands of NW Cameroon
    Enang, R.K., Kips, P.A., Yerima, B.P.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Geoderma Regional, 2022, 29, e00514.
  • Iddingsitisation of olivine and kaolinitisation of biotite in two contrasting tephra-derived soils along the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL)
    Enang, R.K., Mees, F., Yerima, B.P.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Soil Research, 2021, 59(3), pp. 276–286.
  • Soil Organic Carbon Distribution in a Humid Tropical Plain of Cameroon: Interrelationships with Soil Properties
    Kome, G.K., Enang, R.K., Yerima, B.P.K.
    Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2021, 2021, 6052513.
  • Exchangeable aluminium and acidity in Acrisols and Ferralsols of the north-west highlands of Cameroon
    Yerima, B.P.K., Enang, R.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Geoderma Regional, 2020, 23, e00343.
  • Soil Physicochemical Properties and Geochemical Indices: Diagnostic Tools for Evaluating Pedogenesis in Tephra-Derived Soils along the Cameroon Volcanic Line
    Enang, R.K., Yerima, B.P.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Eurasian Soil Science, 2020, 53(8), pp. 1079–1099.
  • Trace Elements in Tephra Soils of Mounts Kupe and Manengouba (Cameroon)
    Enang, R.K., Yerima, B.P.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Eurasian Soil Science, 2020, 53(5), pp. 595–606.
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of the Walkley-Black Method for Soil Organic Carbon Determination in Tephra Soils of Cameroon
    Enang, R.K., Yerima, B.P.K., Kome, G.K., Van Ranst, E.
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2018, 49(19), pp. 2379–2386.
  • Models relating soil pH measurements in H2O, KCl and CaCl2 for volcanic ash soils of Cameroon
    Kome, G.K., Enang, R.K., Yerima, B.P.K., Lontsi, M.G.R.
    Geoderma Regional, 2018, 14, e00185.