Aifani Confidence Tahulela | Sustainable Waste Management | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Aifani Confidence Tahulela | Sustainable Waste Management | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | Durban University of Technology | South Africa

Dr. Aifani Confidence Tahulela is a distinguished researcher currently serving as Research Coordinator at the BRICS Research Institute, Durban University of Technology, South Africa, where she develops and leads collaborative research strategies across BRICS nations. She is pursuing her PhD at Durban University of Technology, building on her academic foundation with an MTech and BTech in Public Management (both Cum Laude) from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and a National Diploma from the Central University of Technology. Her research focuses on sustainable waste management, circular economy development, and international cooperation on environmental governance. She has authored impactful publications, including contributions to Sustainable Waste Management: Policies and Case Studies (Springer, 2020), and recent studies in Sustainability and Taylor & Francis volumes addressing global environmental cooperation and household waste management. Dr. Tahulela’s international recognition includes multiple awards such as the Best Research Paper Award at HAMID University, Qatar (2021), BRICS Postgraduate Forum Best Paper Award (2022), Space Science PhD Award (2022), and Project Leader of the Year, BRICS (2023). She has also secured competitive scholarships from the National Research Foundation, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the China Scholarship Council. Beyond her research, she has contributed to academic development through roles at North West University and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, organizing workshops, supervising theses, and mentoring early-career researchers. Her expertise spans both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, supported by proficiency in SPSS, NVIVO, and Atlas.ti. Dr. Tahulela also plays an active role in international academic collaboration, having organized major conferences such as the 10th World Toilet Association International Conference on Waste, Water, and Sanitation. With her strong editorial contributions and her commitment to advancing global sustainability dialogues, she continues to make significant scholarly and policy impacts in the fields of sustainable development and environmental governance.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  1. 1. Tahulela, A. C., & Ballard, H. H. (2019). Developing the circular economy in South Africa: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainable Waste Management: Policies and Case Studies: 7th IconSWM—ISWMAW.

  2. 2. Tahulela, A. C. (2017). Effect of social norms and attitudes towards domestic waste in a selected formal settlement in the Western Cape, South Africa. Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

  3. 3. Tahulela, A. C., Tshikovhi, N., & Netswera, F. (2023). BRICS and global environmental cooperation: An assessment of sustainability pathways beyond COP26. Taylor & Francis.

  4. 4. Tahulela, A. C., Hashemi, S., & Lourens, M. E. (2025). Household waste disposal under structural and behavioral constraints: A multivariate analysis from Vhembe District, South Africa. Sustainability.

  5. 5. Liang, X., Liang, C., Guan, J., & Tahulela, A. (2023). Emerging trends and strategic responses in quantitative empirical research on cultural novelty. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology.

 

Pankaj Lushan Dutta – Agri Waste Management – Best Academic Researcher Award

Pankaj Lushan Dutta - Agri Waste Management - Best Academic Researcher Award

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University - India 

AUTHOR PROFILE

Google Scholar

ORCID

SUMMARY

Pankaj Lushan Dutta is an emerging researcher in the field of sericulture and wood science, with notable contributions toward renewable energy from biomass and sustainable agriculture. He is currently affiliated with the Forest College and Research Institute under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Known for his interdisciplinary expertise, he bridges traditional sericulture practices with innovative technologies. His academic path and prolific research output demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the value of sericultural byproducts and promoting environmental sustainability, making him a promising talent in agricultural and biological sciences.

EDUCATION

Pankaj Lushan Dutta holds a Postgraduate degree in Sericulture from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where he focused his thesis on the wood quality profiling of mulberry clonal genetic resources. He completed his undergraduate studies with a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Sericulture from Assam Agricultural University. His educational journey showcases a consistent focus on sericulture, sustainable practices, and biological innovations. Throughout his academic career, he has emphasized applied research with potential for real-world agricultural and industrial applications, especially in the context of renewable resource development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Pankaj has engaged in various academic and professional enrichment programs, including workshops and conferences that reflect his deep involvement in the sericulture and agricultural research community. His training includes pest management, sericulture business opportunities, and agri-entrepreneurship. He has presented papers and participated in international and national conferences, showcasing his research on sustainable sericulture, mushroom cultivation from waste, and renewable biomass energy. These experiences underline his growing contribution to science and technology and his proactive efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.

RESEARCH INTEREST

His research interests include wood science, dendro biomass energy generation, renewable energy from woody biomass, and sustainable utilization of sericultural byproducts. He also works on mini clonal technology in sericulture and emphasizes resource efficiency. Pankaj aims to utilize waste and underused materials to generate energy or develop bio-based products. His work contributes to environmental protection, alternative fuel solutions, and socio-economic upliftment through sustainable farming practices. These interests reflect a progressive, eco-conscious research philosophy that merges biology, agriculture, and energy.

AWARD AND HONOR

Pankaj has received multiple prestigious awards, such as the “Young Researcher Award” and the “Young Fellow Award” at international conferences for his innovative research contributions. These accolades were granted for his significant work in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and sericultural waste utilization. His recognition among national and international academic bodies speaks to his scholarly promise and influence. These honors not only validate his scientific rigor but also position him as a rising thought leader in the realms of eco-agriculture and sustainable innovations.

RESEARCH SKILL

Pankaj demonstrates a strong skillset in experimental design, scientific writing, literature synthesis, and laboratory techniques related to sericulture and biomass evaluation. His technical knowledge spans from field-level data collection to analytical assessments of mulberry and silkworm interactions. His capability in reviewing scientific literature, conducting collaborative research, and using biotechnology tools is evident from his peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, his familiarity with digital tools, AI-based applications, and pest management systems enhances his research efficiency and output. His interdisciplinary acumen allows him to tackle complex biological challenges with innovative perspectives.

PUBLICATIONS

He has authored over ten review and research articles in reputed journals, covering themes such as mulberry biomass, sericultural waste utilization, pollination ecology, carbon sequestration, and eco-friendly alternatives to fuel. His NAAS-rated publications and popular articles reflect his ability to blend academic rigor with practical relevance. His contributions also include a book chapter on botanical insecticides. His recent works address cultural sustainability and nucleic acid detection methods, highlighting his diversity in research areas and his focus on real-world agricultural issues.

Title: Pollination ecology: Understanding plant-pollinator relationships
Author(s): PB Patil, PL Dutta, RA Rajah, NR Bora, D Brahma, SN Krishnan, V Vasanth, I Nath
Journal: International Journal of Agricultural Research

Title: Role of plant extracts on growth and development of mulberry and non-mulberry silkworms
Author(s): I Nath, PL Dutta, AS Gadge, PR Narzary
Journal: Sci World

Title: Commercial Culture of Cordyceps militaris from Waste Products of Sericulture in India
Author(s): PR Narzary, D Brahma, J Sarma, I Nath, PL Dutta, NR Bora
Journal: Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Turning Trash into Treasure: Utilizing Sericultural Wastes in Mushroom Cultivation
Author(s): I Nath, PL Dutta, PR Narzary, MA Niranjan

CONCLUSION

Pankaj Lushan Dutta exemplifies a new generation of researchers with an eco-centric and innovation-driven approach. With a deep commitment to sustainable sericulture, biomass energy, and scientific dissemination, he bridges traditional agricultural practices with futuristic solutions. His academic diligence, award-winning contributions, and extensive publication record affirm his role as a valuable contributor to agricultural science. Looking forward, his trajectory suggests impactful research outcomes that align with global goals for renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and rural development through technology and knowledge dissemination.