Cleyton de Almeida Araújo | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Cleyton de Almeida Araújo | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Professor | UNIVASF | Brazil

Dr. Cleyton de Almeida Araújo is a distinguished researcher and academic specializing in Animal Science, with an emphasis on ruminant nutrition, forage management, and sustainable livestock production systems. His research primarily focuses on optimizing feed efficiency, improving forage quality, and developing eco-friendly livestock management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing animal productivity in semiarid regions. As an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), he plays a vital role in advancing experimental studies on silage fermentation, mineral balance in animal nutrition, and biosaline agriculture. Over the years, Dr. Araújo has authored numerous scientific articles in high-impact journals, contributing significantly to understanding forage preservation, carbohydrate fractionation, and the nutritional dynamics of alternative feed resources such as cactus pear and cassava shoots. His collaborative works have also examined the interplay between animal nutrition and environmental sustainability, highlighting innovative strategies for resource-limited ecosystems. Beyond his academic achievements, he has contributed to the scientific community through applied research that supports livestock farmers and policymakers in developing climate-resilient agricultural systems. His findings on feed substitution and silage improvement have practical implications for animal welfare, soil health, and rural livelihoods. Dr. Araújo’s scientific vision is rooted in bridging advanced nutritional science with sustainable production methods, fostering innovations that balance productivity with environmental stewardship. Through his continued research and mentorship, he aims to strengthen the resilience of tropical livestock systems, contributing to global efforts in food security, ecological conservation, and rural development. He has 78 citations from 26 publications, with an h-index of 5.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Araújo, C. A., Lima, R. S., Oliveira, G. F., Nascimento, D. B., Campos, F. S., Gois, G. C., Silva, T. G. F., Magalhães, A. L. R., & Araújo, G. G. L. (2025). Carbohydrate fractionation and nitrogen compounds, mineral status, and gas production in arboreal cotton and cactus silages. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 77(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-13274

2. Pereira, P. H. B., Oliveira, J. S., Guerra, R. R., Conceição, Â. I. da, Magalhães, A. L. R., Silva, D. K. de A., Bispo, S. V., Dias, G. G., Araújo, C. de A., & Valença, R. de L., et al. (2025). Forage cactus as a substitute for corn as an energy source in the finishing of feedlot lambs. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 57(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04502-8

3. Nascimento, D. B. do, Magalhães, A. L. R., Teodoro, A. L., Gois, G. C., Santos, K. C. dos, Amaral, T. N. E. de, Araújo, C. A. de, Silva, P. B. da, Severo, M. F. de S., & Campos, F. S. (2025). Chemical composition, mineral profile, carbohydrate fractionation, dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production of Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw at different phenological stages. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 68(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2023.2260770

4. Borges, E. N., Araújo, C. A. de, Monteiro, B. S., Silva, A. S., Albuquerque, L. de F., Araújo, G. G. L. de, Campos, F. S., Gois, G. C., Souza, R. C. de, & Araújo, A. O. de. (2025). Buffel grass pre-dried as a modulator of the fermentation, nutritional and aerobic stability profile of cactus pear silage. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 68(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2023.2212173

5. Silva, C. de S., Miranda, A. S. de, Novaes, J. J. da S., Araújo, C. A. de, Macedo, A. de, Araújo, J. S. de, Lima, D. O., Neto, J. V. E., Gois, G. C., & Araújo, G. G. L. de, et al. (2024). Fermentation profile, nutritional value and aerobic stability of mixed elephant grass and butterfly pea silages. Ciência Animal Brasileira, 25, e76994e. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-6891v25e-76994e

Birhanu Zemadim Birhanu | Irrigation & Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Birhanu Zemadim Birhanu | Irrigation & Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher | International Water Management Institute | Ghana

Birhanu Zemadim Birhanu is a distinguished research scientist and Deputy Country Representative at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Ghana, with over 23 years of experience across Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa, as well as Asia. He holds a PhD and MSc in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam and a BSc in Civil Engineering from Bahir Dar University. His key research areas include sustainable farming systems, water and land management, multifunctional landscapes, climate actions, and research for impact. Dr. Birhanu has made significant contributions through over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, nine book chapters, multiple technical reports, and several conference presentations, highlighting innovative practices in integrated watershed management, agroecological intensification, and sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems. He has played a pivotal role in major projects like Africa RISING, ResComm Tanzania, and Nature+ Solutions, advancing sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. His exemplary contributions have been recognized by several awards, such as Best Scientific Paper (ICRISAT Research Program) and Outstanding Resource Mobilizer. He holds a certificate in Leadership Essentials from Cornell University. Additionally, Dr. Birhanu serves as an editorial contributor to various scientific journals, supervises graduate research, and fosters knowledge exchange and capacity building in the water management domain. His expertise extends to hydrological modeling, GIS and remote sensing applications, and participatory research methods, contributing extensively to climate-resilient agricultural practices in sub-Saharan Africa.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID 

Featured Publications

1. Awulachew, S. B., Bekele, S., Awulachew, S., & Molden, D. (2013). The Nile River Basin.
Cited 111 times.

2. Tadese, M. T., Kumar, L., Koech, R., & Zemadim, B. (2019). Hydro-climatic variability: A characterisation and trend study of the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Hydrology, 6(2), 35.
Cited 81 times.

3. Akinseye, F. M., Ajeigbe, H. A., Traore, P. C. S., Agele, S. O., Zemadim, B., … (2020). Improving sorghum productivity under changing climatic conditions: A modelling approach. Field Crops Research, 246, 107685.
Cited 79 times.

4. Melesse, A. M., & Abtew, W. (2016). Landscape dynamics, soils and hydrological processes in varied climates. Springer International Publishing.
Cited 66 times.

5. Schmidt, E., & Zemadim, B. (2015). Expanding sustainable land management in Ethiopia: Scenarios for improved agricultural water management in the Blue Nile. Agricultural Water Management, 158, 166–178.
Cited 58 times.

Xiaomei Gou | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xiaomei Gou | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xiaomei Gou | Sustainable Agriculture - lecturer at Guangxi University, China

Xiaomei Gou is a dedicated researcher and lecturer at Guangxi University, specializing in soil ecology. With a doctoral degree in agriculture from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, her academic journey has been marked by an emphasis on ecological mechanisms in soil systems. She has authored several high-impact research publications and has significantly contributed to understanding soil nutrient dynamics and microbial interactions at a global scale.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Scopus

EDUCATION

Xiaomei Gou earned her doctoral degree in agriculture from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her academic focus was centered on soil ecology, equipping her with an in-depth understanding of the biological, chemical, and environmental factors influencing soil systems. Her educational background forms a strong foundation for her research activities and teaching responsibilities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Currently serving as a Lecturer at Guangxi University, Xiaomei Gou actively engages in teaching and research. Her role involves mentoring students, conducting field studies, and contributing to scientific knowledge in soil ecology. Her experience as an educator and researcher allows her to bridge academic learning with applied ecological practices.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Her research interests lie primarily in soil ecology, with a strong emphasis on nutrient cycling, microbial interactions, and sustainable agricultural practices. Xiaomei explores the mechanisms of nutrient losses and microbial functioning, especially involving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, to enhance soil health and ecosystem management.

AWARD AND HONOR

Xiaomei Gou has been nominated for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of her substantial scientific contributions. Her pioneering studies on nitrogen mineralization and microbial ecology have received acknowledgment in top-tier journals. This nomination reflects her commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural science.

RESEARCH SKILL

Her research expertise includes soil microbial ecology, nutrient loss mitigation, and ecological modeling. She is skilled in designing and executing experiments related to soil nutrient dynamics and microbial analysis. Xiaomei utilizes both field-based and laboratory methodologies to derive scalable insights from complex ecological data.

PUBLICATIONS

Xiaomei Gou has authored 12 research papers as the first author in reputed journals including Global Change Biology, Catena, and Pedosphere. Notably, her 2025 publication in Agriculture investigates the role of crop rotation in enhancing soil organic carbon. She has published eight articles in SCI-indexed journals to date.

Title: Climate and soil pH modulate global negative effects of nitrogen enrichment on soil nematodes
Authors: Weibo Kong, Nico Eisenhauer, Josep Peñuelas, Liping Qiu, Xiaomei Gou, Yu Song, Jintao Jiao, Xiaoxu Jia, Xiang Wang, Mingan Shao, Gehong Wei, Xiaorong Wei
Journal: Nature Communications

Title: Global patterns of soil phosphatase responses to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
Authors: Xiaomei Gou, Yongqing Ren, Xin Qin, Xiaorong Wei, Jingjing Wang
Journal: Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Title: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate erosional soil nitrogen loss by regulating nitrogen cycling genes and enzymes in experimental agro-ecosystems
Authors: Xiaomei Gou, Yaxian Hu, Huaqian Ni, Xiang Wang, Liping Qiu, Xingchen Chang, Mingan Shao, Gehong Wei, Xiaorong Wei
Journal: Science of The Total Environment

CONCLUSION

Through her focused research on soil ecology and microbial interactions, Xiaomei Gou has made commendable contributions to sustainable agriculture. As a lecturer and scientist, she continues to influence academic and environmental research. Her dedication and output underscore her role as a rising leader in soil ecological science.

Sabab Ali Shah | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sabab Ali Shah | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Aror University of Art Architecture Design and Heritage Sukkur - Pakistan

Professional Profile

Scopus
Orcid
Google Scholar

Summary

Dr. Sabab Ali Shah is an accomplished environmental and water engineering academic, currently serving as Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritage, Sukkur, Pakistan. He also holds the position of Director at the Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC). His international education and diverse research experiences have significantly contributed to his scholarly footprint in hydrology, climate change, and water resource management.

Educational Details

Dr. Shah completed his MS-PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in Environmental and Water Engineering, from Hanyang University, South Korea (2017–2022). His doctoral research focused on evaluating hydrological responses to climate change and human activities. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Agri) degree with distinction from Sindh Agriculture University, Pakistan, in 2012.

Professional Experience

Dr. Shah has held academic and administrative roles in both national and international institutions. He worked as a Teaching Assistant and Post-Doctoral Fellow at Hanyang University, South Korea, and currently serves as Assistant Professor at Aror University. His leadership roles include Chairman of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Director of ORIC. He has also contributed as Program Incharge, Board of Faculty member, and conference organizer, and held industry experience during his internship at Valley Irrigation Pak.

Research Interest

His research interests lie in Civil and Environmental Engineering with an emphasis on Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, Climate Change Adaptation, Hydro-environmental Modelling, Rainfall-Runoff Modelling, Stochastic Processes, and Hydrologic Risk Assessment. He actively explores the impacts of hydrological extremes like floods and droughts, with a focus on integrated watershed and water management under changing climatic conditions.

Author Metrics

Dr. Shah has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers. His citation metrics are noteworthy: 3,330 citations on Google Scholar, 302 on ResearchGate, 234 on Web of Science, and 222 on Scopus. He also serves as an editorial board member and guest editor for multiple international journals and has completed over 100 verified peer reviews.

Awards and Honors

He has received numerous accolades, including the Annual Excellent Research Award (2024) from Aror University, the Research Fellowship at INTI International University, Malaysia (2023), and the Excellence Achievement Award (2022) from the Sindh Education Foundation. He is a recipient of the HEC Pakistan PhD Scholarship and earlier merit-based awards such as the Quaid-e-Azam and Diya Foundation scholarships.

Publication Top Notes

1. A Fascinating Exploration into Nitrite Accumulation into Low Concentration Reactors Using Cutting-Edge Machine Learning Techniques
  • Authors: Hareef Ahmed Keerio, Sabab Ali Shah, Zouhaib Ali, Salahuddin Panhwar, Ghulam Shabir Solangi, Amjad Ali, Rizwan Wahab, Yang-Chun Yong

  • Journal: Process Biochemistry

  • Year: 2024

  • Abstract : This study employs advanced machine learning techniques to model nitrite accumulation in low-concentration reactors, offering insights into biochemical optimization for wastewater treatment.

2. Lithological Exploration for Potable Water Lens in the Indus Delta and Their Connectivity with Freshwater Seepage and Environment
  • Authors: Zamir Abro, Sabab Ali Shah, Abdul Latif Qureshi, Abdul Soomro, Muhammad Ali Jamali, Tae-Woong Kim, Raeid Saad Alharbi

  • Journal: Water Practice & Technology

  • Year: 2024

  • Abstract: The research focuses on identifying potable water lenses in the Indus Delta through lithological assessments and connects their behavior with freshwater seepage patterns and environmental implications.

3. Evaluating the Impact of Climate Variability and Anthropogenic Activities on Streamflow Condition in Large River Basin Using Budyko-Based Functions
  • Authors: Sabab Ali Shah, Darya Memon, Raeid Saad Alharbi, Tae-Woong Kim

  • Conference: 9th FRIEND-Water Global Conference 2023, Dakar, Senegal

  • Publisher/Organizer: Institut Confucius, Université

  • Year: 2023

  • Abstract : This study applies Budyko-based hydrological modeling to separate the effects of climate variability and human activities on river streamflow, providing a critical tool for water management in large basins.

4. Decomposition of Hydrological Response to Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities
  • Authors: Sabab Ali Shah, Darya Memon, Raeid Saad Alharbi, Tae-Woong Kim

  • Conference: 40th IAHR World Congress

  • Location: Vienna, Austria

  • Year: 2023

  • Abstract : The paper introduces a methodological framework for decomposing hydrological responses to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, aiding decision-making in watershed planning and resilience building.

5. Application of Drone Surveillance for Advanced Agriculture Monitoring by Android Application Using Convolutional Neural Network
  • Authors: Sabab Ali Shah, Ghulam Mustafa Lakho, Hareef Ahmed Keerio, Muhammad Nouman Sattar, Gulzar Hussain, Mujahid Mehdi, et al.

  • Journal: Agronomy

  • Year: 2023

  • Abstract : This research presents a novel drone-based agricultural monitoring system powered by a CNN-integrated Android app, enhancing real-time field surveillance and precision farming strategies.

Conclusion

Dr. Sabab Ali Shah clearly demonstrates the hallmarks of a leading researcher—productivity, innovation, impact, leadership, and service to the academic community. His interdisciplinary approach, commitment to addressing climate change and water security, and ongoing international contributions make him exceptionally suited for the Best Researcher Award. Recognizing his work will not only celebrate individual excellence but also promote research excellence within emerging academic institutions in Pakistan.