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

 

Firdous Ahmad Dar | Wastewater Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Firdous Ahmad Dar | Wastewater Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at National Institute of Technology Srinagar J&K, India

Mr. Firdous Ahmad Dar is a dedicated Civil Engineering professional currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. He holds a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Lovely Professional University (2018) and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Pratap University, Jaipur (2016).

Profile:

🎓 Educational Background:

  • 🧪 Pursuing Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering – NIT Srinagar (Since 2020)

  • 🏗️ M.Tech in Structural Engineering – Lovely Professional University, Punjab (2018)

  • 🏛️ B.Tech in Civil Engineering – Pratap University, Jaipur (2016)

🔬 Research Interests:

  • 💧 Wastewater Treatment & Fluoride Removal

  • 🌿 Adsorption Using Eco-Friendly Carbonaceous Materials

  • ♻️ Sustainable Construction: Pervious & Recycled Concrete

  • ⚗️ Activated Adsorbents from Organic Waste (Chinar Leaves, Chestnut Shells, Dal Lake Weeds)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Fluoride in Drinking Water: An In-depth Analysis of its Prevalence, Health Effects, Advances in Detection and Treatment
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Materials Today: Proceedings, 102, pp. 349–360, 2024.

  • Recent Advances in Adsorption Techniques for Fluoride Removal – An Overview
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 23, Article ID: 101017, 2023.

  • Removal of Fluoride from Wastewater with the Mg/Al Impregnated Adsorbent Prepared from Chinar Leaves: Adsorption Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Environmental Research, Article ID: 121004, 2025.

  • Comprehensive Batch Studies on Removal of Fluoride from Aqueous Solution by Acid and Alkali-Activated Adsorbents Prepared from Dal Lake Weeds: Mechanism, Kinetics and Thermodynamics
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Environmental Research, 259, Article ID: 119493, 2024.

  • Utilization of Organic Waste from Chinar Leaves as Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Adsorbent for Fluoride Removal
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Environmental Science and Pollution Research, pp. 1–24, 2024.

  • Study on Defluoridation of Water by Using Activated Carbon Derived from Chestnut Shell as Adsorbent
    F.A. Dar, S. Kurella
    Environmental Research and Technology, 7(4), pp. 547–563, 2024.

  • Adsorption of Fluoride from Wastewater with the Activated Carbon Derived from Coconut Shell
    F.A. Dar, A. Kumar, M. Hussain, J. Sotra, S. Kurella
    International Conference on Sustainable Advanced Technologies for Environmental Management, 2023.

  • Properties of Permeable Concrete Made by Recycled Aggregates
    K. Kapoor, F.A. Dar, D.A. Rather
    In: Sustainable Engineering: Proceedings of EGRWSE 2018, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 30, pp. 359–365, Springer, 2019.

  • Study the Permeability of Pervious Concrete
    K. Kapoor, F.A. Dar
    International Conference on Advances in Construction Materials and Structures, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), July 3–5, 2018.

  • A Device for Measuring the Infiltration Rate of Water Through Pervious Concrete
    F.A. Dar, K. Kapoor
    Indian Patent, Patent No: 362806, Publication Date: 2018/03/16, Application No: 201811008145

 

Kazem | Water Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr Kazem | Water Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Western Sydney University,  Australia

Kazem Javan is a dedicated PhD student in Civil Engineering at Western Sydney University, where his research focuses on developing sustainable, acid-resistant coatings for sewer pipe rehabilitation using recycled materials such as broken glass and mining by-products. His work is aligned with circular economy principles and carbon reduction goals and is actively linked to the CRC SmartCrete project on carbon-absorbing concrete.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. Student in Civil EngineeringWestern Sydney University (2024–2028)
    Focus: Development of acid-resistant, sustainable coatings for sewer pipe rehabilitation using recycled materials like broken glass and mine waste; part of CRC SmartCrete project.

  • Former Ph.D. Student in Environmental Engineering TechnologyUTS (2023–2024)
    Focused on renewable energy, waste management, and the water-energy-food-pollution nexus.

  • M.Sc. in Civil Engineering – Water EngineeringTarbiat Modares University (2008–2011)
    Research: Impact of climate change on water availability in watersheds.

  • B.Sc. in Civil EngineeringAzad Islamic University (2003–2007)
    Emphasis on sustainable infrastructure and green design.

🧪 Research & Publications:

Author of 12+ peer-reviewed journal articles in fields such as:

  • Urban stormwater systems optimization

  • Environmental pollution and sustainability

  • Climate change impacts on agriculture and water systems

  • System dynamics modeling for WEF Nexus

🏆 Awards & Memberships:

  • 🎖 SmartCrete CRC & WSU Postgraduate Research Scholarship

  • 👷 Member of:

    • Australian Water Association

    • Concrete Institute of Australia

    • Australasian Corrosion Association

    • Iran Construction Engineering Organization (Building Practitioner)

🛠️ Professional Experience:

  • Environmental & Civil Engineering ManagerArta Abnieh Dezh Part Co. (2013–2024)
    Led eco-friendly infrastructure projects and sustainable urban development.

  • Technical SupervisorIdeh Afroz Aria Co. (2011–2013)
    Specialized in hydrology, AI modeling, and water-climate infrastructure systems.

📜 Certifications:

  • HSE-MS (Health, Safety & Environmental Management)

  • Reviewer for Journal of Hydrology & Engineering Science and Technology

  • GIS in Water Engineering | Climate Forecasting | Steel Structures Inspection

  • Licensed Construction Supervisor (Iran)

💻 Technical Skills:

  • Programming & Data Analysis: R, MATLAB, Python

  • Engineering Tools: ArcGIS, QGIS, MS Project, EnergyPlus, AutoCAD

📊 Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 183

  • Citations Since 2020: 139

  • h-index: 6

  • i10-index: 6 (3 since 2020

Publication Top Notes:

  1. A review of interconnected challenges in the water–energy–food nexus: Urban pollution perspective towards sustainable development

  2. Enhancing environmental sustainability in a critical region: Climate change impacts on agriculture and tourism

  3. A comparison of ANN and HSPF models for runoff simulation in Gharehsoo River watershed, Iran

  4. A comparison of ANN and HSPF models for runoff simulation in Balkhichai River Watershed, Iran

  5. The influences of climate change on the runoff of Gharehsoo River Watershed

  6. Assessment of the impacts of nonstationarity on watershed runoff using artificial neural networks: A case study in Ardebil, Iran

  7. Assessing the Water–Energy–Food Nexus and Resource Sustainability in the Ardabil Plain: A System Dynamics and HWA Approach

  8. Assessing environmental sustainability of a vital crop in a critical region: Investigating climate change impacts on agriculture using the SWAT model and HWA method

  9. Coupled SWMM-MOEA/D for multi-objective optimization of low impact development in urban stormwater systems

  10. Interrelated issues within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus with a focus on environmental pollution for sustainable development: A review

  11. Integrating circular economy and life cycle assessment in virtual water management: A case study of food consumption across economic classes in Iran