Yanjun Chai | Ecosystem | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanjun Chai | Ecosystem | Best Researcher Award

Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Engineering at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China

Dr. Chai Yanjun is an accomplished Associate Professor and PhD supervisor at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology. As Deputy Director and Party Branch Secretary in the Department of Environmental Engineering, he plays a pivotal role in both research and academic leadership. With a strong background in agricultural environmental sciences, Dr. Chai has dedicated his career to restoring degraded farmland and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. His prolific research has led to over 50 academic publications, several patents, and numerous national and provincial projects. 🌿📘 His innovations serve not just academia, but also rural revitalization and ecological restoration. He is also actively involved in training the next generation of environmental engineers and researchers.

Professional Profile 

Scopus 

🎓 Education

Dr. Chai Yanjun received his PhD from the prestigious Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 📚🌱 His academic foundation is rooted in understanding the interactions between agricultural systems and environmental sustainability. During his doctoral studies, he focused on farmland pollution, biogas utilization, and nutrient cycling—laying the groundwork for his lifelong research pursuits. His academic training enabled him to bridge theoretical knowledge with field-based application, especially in the realm of sustainable land use and agricultural waste management. His education continues to influence his innovative approach to solving modern agricultural and environmental challenges. 🎓🧪

💼 Experience

With over two decades of academic and field-based experience, Dr. Chai has led more than 20 funded research projects, including major programs under the Zhejiang Province Public Welfare and Natural Science Foundations. 🌾🧠 His collaborations span governmental agencies, academic institutes, and industry, reflecting a dynamic approach to solving environmental problems. He has also played key roles in five national and provincial R&D projects. Currently, as an Associate Professor and Department Deputy Director, he not only teaches and mentors graduate students but also manages academic and strategic initiatives within the department. He has also successfully established two innovation workstations in Quzhou, aimed at rural development and scientific innovation. 🏢🌍

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Chai’s research excellence has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards. 🏆 He has won the Second Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress of Hubei Province, the Second Prize from China Electric Power Engineering, and the First Prize of Achievements from the China Construction Enterprise Management Association. His contributions extend beyond academia, influencing environmental policy and regional development strategies. Furthermore, he was approved to establish two impactful platforms: the Quzhou Doctor Innovation Workstation and the Quzhou Rural Revitalization Expert Workstation, both of which contribute significantly to local innovation and sustainability efforts. 🌟🎖️

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Chai’s research primarily targets the restoration of degraded and polluted farmland, and the resource-efficient use of agricultural waste. 🌾♻️ His work combines soil science, environmental chemistry, and ecological engineering to improve agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact. A core part of his research involves biogas slurry treatment and the mitigation of nitrogen and phosphorus loss from farmland. He actively works on creating practical, scalable solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment. Through standard development, patented technologies, and rural innovation workstations, he translates academic research into real-world benefits. His research supports China’s sustainability goals and rural revitalization strategy. 🧪🌱

🛠️ Skills

Dr. Chai Yanjun brings a rich and diverse set of interdisciplinary skills to his academic and research endeavors. 👨‍🔬 His expertise in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering allows him to address complex challenges in farmland restoration and pollution control with scientific precision. As a seasoned project leader, he excels in project coordination and strategic planning, guiding multi-institutional collaborations to success. 📊 His deep knowledge of sustainable waste management empowers him to turn agricultural byproducts into valuable resources, supporting both environmental and economic sustainability. ♻️ With multiple patents to his name, Dr. Chai is also a strong innovator, advancing technologies that bridge theory and real-world impact. 🧬 He plays a pivotal role in formulating policies and agricultural standards, ensuring that his work benefits not just academia, but society at large. 📑 In addition to his research contributions, he is a dedicated scholar involved in academic publishing, peer review, and the mentorship of postgraduate students, nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders. ✍️🎓 His leadership in rural revitalization programs further reflects his commitment to sustainable development at the grassroots level. 🏡

Conclusion

Dr. Chai Yanjun is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His work is deeply rooted in addressing real-world environmental and agricultural challenges through science and innovation. With a well-rounded portfolio of publications, patents, projects, and recognition, he embodies the qualities of a top-tier researcher making both academic and societal impact. Minor improvements in international engagement and broader interdisciplinary focus could further elevate his research profile. Nonetheless, his achievements to date already represent excellence deserving of this honor.

Publications Top Notes

“Investigation of high-risk antibiotic resistance bacteria and their associated antibiotic resistance genes in different agricultural soils with biogas slurry from China”

Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Year: 2024

Citations: 4

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134775

“Effects of different types of biochar application on dryland yellow-red soil fertility”

Journal: Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao / Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering

Year: 2025

Citations: 0 (as of now)

Abdol Aziz Shahraki | Environmental Studies | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Abdol Aziz Shahraki | Environmental Studies | Best Researcher Award

Supervisor at Knowledge & Implementation Consulting Engineering Company, Iran

Professor Abdolaziz Shahraki is a distinguished academic and civil engineer with decades of impactful experience in urban and regional development. With a strong background in infrastructure, environment, and strategic urban planning, he has held prestigious positions at international institutions such as the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and leading universities across Iran. He is a prolific researcher whose work spans sustainable urbanism, water resource management, housing policy, transportation networks, and digital village initiatives. Professor Shahraki has contributed to more than 50 strategic urban development plans and has led major projects aimed at modernizing cities, improving infrastructure, and supporting marginalized communities. His international education and multilingual capabilities have allowed him to collaborate globally and contribute to top-tier journals. As a mentor, consultant, and city council advisor, he strives to advance resilience and sustainability in urban planning practices. His career reflects a rare blend of academic rigor and on-the-ground impact.

Professional Profiles📖

Google Scholar

ORCID 

🎓 Education 

Professor Shahraki’s educational foundation is rooted in multidisciplinary excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Development from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden (2014), where his doctoral work focused on new town planning in Iran. Prior to that, he earned a Master’s degree in Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (2003), and pursued postgraduate studies in Swedish literature and the socio-economic structures of Europe (1989–1994), all at KTH. He also completed a specialized Applied Computer Engineering program in 2000 at KTH’s School of Information and Communications Technology in Södertälje. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Road, Building, and Water Engineering from the University of Baluchistan, Iran, in 1981. His diverse academic path not only reflects his deep technical acumen but also his passion for interdisciplinary integration, particularly in addressing complex urban challenges. His education has laid the foundation for his research in sustainability and strategic regional development.

🏗 Experience 

Professor Shahraki has over three decades of teaching, research, and academic leadership. He served at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden, first as Assistant Professor (1994–2003), working on Stockholm’s infrastructure linked to the OS Project, and later as Associate Professor (2004–2014), where he developed his doctoral research on Iran’s new town planning. Upon returning to Iran, he took on roles at multiple institutions. At the International University of Chabahar (2014–2016), he led courses on urban and regional planning, tourism development, and natural resources management. From 2014 to 2018, he taught at Zabol State University’s School of Town Building Engineering. Since 2014, he has been a Professor at the University of Sistan Baluchistan, mentoring doctoral and graduate students in geography and urban planning. Across these positions, he has supervised countless theses and published extensively, contributing to the advancement of sustainable urban planning and infrastructure development in theory and practice.

🏆 Awards & Honors 

While specific awards are not listed, Professor Shahraki’s numerous honors can be inferred from his prestigious roles, international publications, and project leadership. His academic journey has been marked by several institutional recognitions, including funded publications from KTH and municipal bodies in Iran, signifying the value and trust placed in his expertise. His thesis was fully funded by KTH, and he has consistently secured governmental and institutional backing for city-scale strategic plans. His appointment as Managing Director of Sistan-Baluchistan’s Mega Urban Project reflects regional acknowledgment of his strategic leadership. He has been invited to serve as a reviewer for top-tier international journals and collaborates with globally renowned publishing houses, such as Springer, Elsevier, and Wiley. His repeated invitations to guide urban development policies at municipal and national levels also highlight his status as a trusted thought leader in sustainable planning and development, deserving recognition as a leading scholar-practitioner in his field.u

🔬 Research Focus

Professor Shahraki’s research integrates engineering, planning, and sustainability to address urban and regional development challenges. His core focus lies in sustainable urban infrastructure, smart city design, housing, transportation, tourism, and water management. His interdisciplinary work draws from civil engineering, environmental science, and socio-economic analysis, aimed at fostering resilient cities in arid and developing regions. He has pioneered research on digital villages, ancient and modern housing techniques, ecosystem-based flood control, and sustainable energy integration. He also contributes to literature on post-COVID urban standards, urban equity, and hydrological drought analysis. By combining traditional knowledge with contemporary technological solutions, his work is particularly influential in areas experiencing rapid urbanization, such as Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. Through extensive fieldwork and policy advising, he bridges theory and practice, aiming to provide replicable, inclusive planning frameworks. His research agenda continues to impact not just academia, but also real-world urban governance and infrastructure development strategies.

🛠 Skills 

Professor Shahraki brings a rare blend of technical, managerial, and academic skills. His engineering foundation allows him to design and manage infrastructure projects, including roads, housing, water systems, and urban transportation networks. As a strategic planner, he excels in spatial planning, GIS mapping, and regional development analysis. He is also proficient in urban sustainability metrics and environmental impact assessments. His work on digital villages and smart cities shows his fluency in integrating ICT into planning frameworks. He is a multilingual communicator, fluent in English, Swedish, Farsi, and Baluchi, which enhances his global academic collaborations. As a teacher and mentor, he is known for guiding doctoral and graduate students through complex research projects. His leadership in major urban projects reflects strong organizational and policy advising abilities. Whether in the classroom, field, or policy arena, his toolkit is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical implementation across multicultural, interdisciplinary environments./0258

Publications Top Notes📚

Progressing urban development and life quality simultaneously
🔹 Citations: 42
🔹 Year: 2016

Sustainable regional development through knowledge networks
🔹 Citations: 26
🔹 Year: 2019

Urban planning for physically disabled people’s needs with case studies
🔹 Citations: 30
🔹 Year: 2021

Renovation programs in old and inefficient neighborhoods of cities with case studies
🔹 Citations: 16
🔹 Year: 2022

Tourism development techniques in the urban master plan
🔹 Citations: 18
🔹 Year: 2022

Planning of transportation infrastructure networks for sustainable development with case studies in Chabahar
🔹 Citations: 13
🔹 Year: 2023

Urban planning and design in unauthorized neighborhoods using case studies
🔹 Citations: 16
🔹 Year: 2017

House building techniques for achieving sustainable development goals
🔹 Citations: Not available yet
🔹 Year: 2024

Supplying water in hydro-drought regions with case studies in Zahedan
🔹 Citations: 12
🔹 Year: 2019

Managing urban wastewater to fight the pandemic of COVID-19 effectively
🔹 Citations: Not available yet
🔹 Year: 2022

 

Maryam Mohammadi | Environmental Studies | Zoology Honour Awards

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Dr. Maryam Mohammadi | Environmental Studies | Zoology Honour Awards

Researcher at Kashan university, Iran

Maryam Mohammadi is a dedicated researcher in the field of Physical Chemistry, specializing in computational chemistry and nanomaterials. With a decade-long academic journey, she has developed a passion for exploring the molecular-level interactions of materials through Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations. Her research delves into the quantum behavior of advanced materials like black phosphorene and boron nitride nanotubes, with applications in environmental sensing and nanotechnology. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has teaching experience at both the university and high school levels, empowering the next generation of scientists. Maryam is multilingual, fluent in Persian, Kurdish, and proficient in English, and she continuously updates her skills through scientific workshops and self-learning. With published research in leading ISI journals and recognition as a Young Scientist Awards Candidate, she embodies the profile of a promising and impactful early-career researcher.

Professional Profiles📖

Google Scholar

🎓 Education 

Maryam Mohammadi’s academic path reflects a deep commitment to the sciences, particularly chemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Kashan in 2023, focusing on computational chemistry and nanomaterials. Her doctoral studies emphasized advanced simulation techniques and theoretical analysis, laying a strong foundation for independent research. She previously obtained her M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry from the same university in 2013, where she began developing her skills in molecular modeling and physical theory. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from the University of Isfahan in 2011, where she acquired a robust understanding of analytical, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Throughout her studies, Maryam maintained a strong academic record and participated in scientific activities and workshops, further enriching her practical and theoretical expertise. Her educational background uniquely positions her at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and computational science.

🏗 Experience 

Maryam has over a decade of experience in academia and research. Her expertise spans computational chemistry, materials science, and physical chemistry, with a strong focus on DFT-based simulations. She presented her first major scientific work in 2013 at the 16th Iranian Conference on Physical Chemistry, showcasing molecular dynamics simulations of amino acid interactions with boron nitride nanotubes. Since then, her work has evolved into high-impact research on black phosphorene, with recent ISI publications exploring its adsorption properties and sensing capabilities. As a university lecturer, Maryam has taught Physical Chemistry and General Chemistry I & II, imparting knowledge to undergraduate students. She also served as a high school chemistry instructor, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to science education. Her research experience is complemented by proficiency in several computational tools and an ability to work across interdisciplinary areas, combining chemistry, physics, and material science in meaningful ways.

🏆 Awards & Honors 

Maryam Mohammadi has been recognized for her academic potential and contributions to scientific research. Notably, she was selected as a Young Scientist Awards Candidate by the Applied Surface Science Journal, an honor that reflects her growing impact in the field of surface chemistry and nanomaterials. She was also acknowledged as a Zoology Honour Awards Candidate by the same journal, which suggests interdisciplinary relevance and scientific excellence. In addition to these accolades, she holds a Teaching Certificate from the Isfahan Teacher Training Center, showcasing her commitment to education and professional development. Maryam has participated in multiple scientific workshops, where she received certifications that enhanced her technical and research skills. These achievements affirm her status as a rising researcher and educator, with recognition both from academic institutions and respected scientific communities.

🔬 Research Focus

Maryam’s research is centered on computational modeling of nanomaterials, with a specific emphasis on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations. Her recent studies investigate the adsorption of pollutants and aromatic molecules on black phosphorene surfaces—a novel material with potential applications in chemical sensing and environmental monitoring. She also explores how strain and charge manipulation can enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of nanomaterials, contributing to the development of next-generation sensors. Her work with boron nitride nanotubes and amino acids further demonstrates her versatility in both biological and inorganic systems. By integrating computational tools such as Gaussian, Quantum Espresso, and Materials Studio, she models atomic-level interactions to predict real-world chemical behavior. Her research bridges theory and application, aiming to contribute to sustainable technologies and novel material innovations.

🛠 Skills 

Maryam possesses a strong suite of technical and analytical skills, particularly in computational and theoretical chemistry. She is proficient in industry-standard software such as Gaussian, Quantum Espresso, Materials Studio, DL-Poly, and Origin, as well as operating within Linux environments. She applies Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations to explore molecular behavior and material properties. Additionally, she is well-versed in Bader and Mulliken Charge Analysis, the DFT-D2 dispersion correction method, and data visualization techniques. Her command of Microsoft Office and general data management software supports her research documentation and reporting tasks. Beyond research, her teaching experience shows effective communication and curriculum development skills. Maryam’s ability to merge computational expertise with strong theoretical foundations enables her to tackle complex scientific challenges with precision and creativity.

Publications Top Notes📚

🔬 Adsorption of aromatic molecules on a black phosphorene surface: a first-principles study
Authors: M. Mohammadi, Z. Tavangar
Journal: New Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 47, Issue 4, pp. 1842–1851
Year: 2023
Citations: 3

🌍 Effect of strain and charge injection on pollutant molecule sensing using black phosphorene: A DFT study
Authors: M. Mohammadi, Z. Tavangar
Journal: Applied Surface Science
Status: In Press
Year: Expected 2025
Citations: Not yet available

🧬 Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Amino Acids Interaction with Zigzag Boron Nitride Nanotube
Authors: Z. Tavangar, M. Mohammadi
Conference: 16th Iranian Conference on Physical Chemistry (Poster Presentation)
Year: 2013
Citations: Not indexed (conference abstract)