Marzena Banach | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Marzena Banach | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | Poznan University of Technology | Poland

Dr. Marzena Banach is a researcher specializing in smart city technologies, environmental monitoring systems, and hardware-efficient artificial intelligence. Her research focuses on intelligent air-pollution sensing, remote sensing analytics, low-power embedded systems, and AI-driven environmental prediction models, with emerging interests in sustainable urban infrastructure and smart architectural solutions. She has held key research roles in multidisciplinary projects addressing smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, and environmental data acquisition, contributing extensively to both academic and applied research initiatives. Dr. Banach’s major contributions include the development of hardware-optimized sensor architectures, novel neural-network training schemes for air-quality prediction, and high-resolution pollution mapping frameworks deployed in dense urban environments. Her work has advanced real-time environmental monitoring, informed sustainable urban planning, and strengthened data-driven decision-making in smart city ecosystems. Through her research, she aims to bridge intelligent electronics, environmental sustainability, and urban innovation to support resilient, technology-enabled cities worldwide.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

100

70

60

30

0

Citations
86

Documents
21

h-index
6

🟦 Citations
🟥 Documents
🟩 h-index


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Featured Publications

Workiye Getnet Abera | Sustainable Agriculture | Editorial Board Member 

Mr. Workiye Getnet Abera | Sustainable Agriculture | Editorial Board Member

Lecturer and Researcher | Debre Tabor University | Ethiopia

Workiye Getnet Abera is a dedicated researcher and lecturer specializing in Chemical and Food Engineering, with a strong focus on sustainable materials, food quality enhancement, and green bioprocessing technologies. His research centers on developing bio-based products, optimizing agro-industrial waste conversion, and advancing innovative materials such as antimicrobial biolubricants, biodegradable films, and functional food products; emerging interests include circular bioeconomy strategies and eco-friendly polymer alternatives. He has served as a lecturer, researcher, and reviewer at Debre Tabor University since 2024 in the School of Chemical Engineering, following four impactful years at Dilla University where he contributed to teaching and research in Food Engineering. His key scientific contributions include the synthesis and optimization of antimicrobial biolubricants derived from Ocimum lamiifolium and lactic acid, the development of biodegradable bioplastic films from banana peel starch blended with cellulosic fibers, and advancements in gluten-free sorghum bread formulation enriched with sweet lupin flour, all of which demonstrate innovation in material science, sustainability, and food technology. In addition to his research outputs, he has provided extensive peer-review service across leading journals in food science, polymer research, environmental chemical engineering, and biomass valorization, supporting academic quality and scientific integrity. His work collectively contributes to global sustainability efforts by creating environmentally responsible alternatives to petroleum-based products, improving food system resilience, and promoting value-added utilization of agricultural residues. With a forward-looking vision, Workiye aims to strengthen the role of green engineering in driving industrial innovation, enhance the accessibility of sustainable materials, and support science-based solutions to environmental and societal challenges worldwide.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

1. Abera, W. G. (2024). Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of antimicrobial biolubricant derived from Ocimum lamiifolium and lactic acid. Heliyon, e38972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38972

2. Abera, W. G. (2024). Quality assessment of gluten-free sorghum bread prepared with sourdough and the addition of sweet lupin flour. CYTA – Journal of Food, Article 2397022. https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2397022

3. Abera, W. G. (2023). Synthesis and characterization of bioplastic film from banana (Musa Cavendish species) peel starch blended with banana pseudo-stem cellulosic fiber. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04207-8

Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor | University of Florida | United States

Dr. Jehangir H. Bhadha is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Everglades Research and Education Center within the Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences Department, with affiliate roles in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Interdisciplinary Ecology, the Water Institute, and the Center for Sustainable and Organic Food Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science and an M.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Florida, alongside an MSc in Geology and a BS (Honors) in Mineralogy from the University of Bombay, India. Dr. Bhadha’s key research focuses on water quality, soil sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and nutrient management, specifically developing and testing innovative best management practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus pollution and enhance soil health in subtropical agroecosystems. His prolific publication record includes contributions to high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Soil Science, Journal of Environmental Management, PLOS ONE, and HortScience, reflecting interdisciplinary work on phosphorus management, biochar use, and organic matter dynamics. His work has received national and international recognition, including the George Barley Water Prize for phosphorus removal solutions, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Visionary Leadership Award, and multiple service awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi and the University of Florida. In addition to research, Dr. Bhadha serves on editorial boards of journals like Discover Soil Journal, Frontiers in Environmental Sciences, and PLOS ONE, actively contributing to advancing scientific communication in soil and environmental sciences. His commitment to sustainability and applied research continues to influence agricultural practices and environmental policy, aiming for practical solutions that balance productivity with ecological stewardship.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Publications

1. Bhadha, J. H., Capasso, J. M., Khatiwada, R., Swanson, S., & LaBorde, C. (2017). Raising soil organic matter content to improve water holding capacity. University of Florida IFAS EDIS, Publication# SL447.

2. Alvarez-Campos, O., Lang, T. A., Bhadha, J. H., McCray, M. J., Glaz, B., & Daroub, S. H. (2018). Biochar and mill ash improve yields of sugarcane on a sand soil in Florida. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 253, 112–130.

3. Zhang, Z., Wang, J. J., Lyu, X., Jiang, M., Bhadha, J. H., & Wright, A. (2019). Impacts of land use change on soil organic matter chemistry in the Everglades, Florida—a characterization with pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Geoderma, 338, 393–400.

4. Bhadha, J. H., Harris, W. G., & Jawitz, J. W. (2010). Soil phosphorus release and storage capacity from an impacted subtropical wetland. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 74(5), 1816–1825.

5. Bhadha, J. H., Daroub, S. H., & Lang, T. A. (2012). Effect of kinetic control, soil: solution ratio, electrolyte cation, and others, on equilibrium phosphorus concentration. Geoderma, 173, 209–214.

Dr Imaneh Goli – Land tenure security -Best Researcher Award

Imaneh Goli - Land tenure security -Best Researcher Award

University of Liège - Belgium

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

SUMMARY

Dr. Imaneh Goli is a highly accomplished postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège, Belgium, specializing in agricultural development, climate change adaptation, and rural resilience. With an H-index of 10 and over 25 peer-reviewed publications, her work emphasizes climate-smart agriculture, gender analysis, and land use policy. She has contributed significantly to both academic and applied research, collaborating with international institutions and participating in EU-funded projects like FARCLIMATE, demonstrating her commitment to sustainable development and environmental governance.

EDUCATION

Dr. Goli earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension and Education from Islamic Azad University (Tehran Science and Research Branch), focusing on gender-based adaptation behavior among rice farmers. She also holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Sari and a Bachelor's degree in Pest and Plant Pathology from the University of Damghan. Her academic background strongly reflects her interest in sustainable agricultural practices and rural development, especially in vulnerable and marginalized communities impacted by environmental changes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dr. Goli is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège, Belgium, working on the FARCLIMATE project. Prior to this, she held multiple roles in Iran's Ministry of Agriculture, including food security expert, rural women advisor, and plant/pest control specialist. She served on the Committee for Sustainable Development and Technology, contributing to national agricultural policies. Her work bridges policy, education, and research, reflecting her dynamic career trajectory across academic, governmental, and international collaboration domains.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Her research encompasses climate-smart agriculture, environmental management, food policy, and rural development, with an emphasis on gender-sensitive climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods. Dr. Goli integrates mixed-method approaches (quantitative and qualitative) to study complex environmental issues affecting smallholder farmers. She is particularly interested in exploring the socio-economic impacts of climate change and advancing evidence-based policies that empower women and marginalized communities in agriculture and resource management.

AWARD AND HONOR

Dr. Goli’s academic recognition includes her editorial roles in prestigious journals and selection as a keynote speaker at international conferences. She contributes to special issues in journals like Applied Sciences and Land Degradation & Development. Her involvement in international research networks like MountResilience and reviewer responsibilities for journals such as Climatic Change and Sustainability further highlight her leadership and impact in agricultural and environmental sciences.

RESEARCH SKILL

She possesses strong technical skills in SPSS, MAXQDA, ARC_GIS, RS, and structural equation modeling tools like LISREL, Amos, and PLS. Dr. Goli is proficient in mixed-method research, scenario planning, and data analysis. These skills have supported her extensive work in climate change, gender studies, and rural development. Her analytical expertise is also evident in her publications, policy evaluations, and training modules on sustainable livelihoods and food systems.

PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Goli has authored over 25 high-impact articles in peer-reviewed journals including Land Use Policy, Water, Agriculture, and Climate and Development. Her research explores gender equity in land tenure, climate adaptation strategies, sustainability indices, and rural livelihoods. She has co-authored a book chapter on climate-smart agriculture with Springer and contributed to special issues on food security and agroforestry. Her citation record and h-index reflect her growing influence in the field of environmental and agricultural research.

  1. Where are we standing and where should we be going? Gender and climate change adaptation behavior
    I. Goli, M. Omidi Najafabadi, F. Lashgarara
    Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics

  2. Why do farmers abandon agricultural lands? The case of Western Iran
    R. Movahedi, S. Jawanmardi, H. Azadi, I. Goli, A.H. Viira, F. Witlox
    Land Use Policy

  3. Investigating the effect of vocational education and training on rural women’s empowerment
    R. Ebrahimi, S. Choobchian, H. Farhadian, I. Goli, E. Farmandeh, H. Azadi
    Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

  4. Evaluating the Productivity of Paddy Water Resources through SWOT Analysis: The Case of Northern Iran
    I. Goli, H. Azadi, M. Nooripoor, M.B. Baig, A.H. Viira, I. Ajtai, A.I. Özgüven
    Water

  5. Agricultural land tenure system in Iran: An overview
    H. Shirzad, A.A. Barati, S. Ehteshammajd, I. Goli, N. Siamian, 
    Land Use Policy

CONCLUSION

Dr. Imaneh Goli’s academic career reflects a deep commitment to sustainable agricultural development, gender equality, and climate resilience. Through her research, teaching, and international collaboration, she has built a diverse and impactful profile. Her policy-relevant work, editorial service, and active participation in scientific communities make her a valuable contributor to global efforts addressing food security and environmental sustainability. Dr. Goli continues to influence the academic landscape while advancing innovative solutions for rural and climate-impacted communities.