Itai Beeri | Environmental Studies| Best Researcher Award

Prof. Itai Beeri | Environmental Studies| Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Haifa, Israel

Prof. Dr. Uwe Waller is a seasoned and accomplished researcher whose interdisciplinary work in sustainable aquaculture, renewable energy, and biological engineering stands at the intersection of scientific innovation and practical sustainability. His applied contributions have reshaped marine research infrastructure and aquaculture practices in Germany and internationally. His strong industry collaborations, academic mentorship, and global volunteerism further establish him as a leader in translating scientific knowledge into real-world solutions.

Professional Profiles📖

🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Uwe Waller studied biology at the Free University of Berlin and the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel. He obtained his diploma in biology (Diplom Biologe) and later earned his doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) with a focus on marine sciences. His academic training laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary work combining biology, marine sciences, and engineering.

🧪 Experience

Prof. Waller has had a distinguished academic and applied research career in marine and aquaculture sciences. His early scientific work was conducted at the Institut für Meereskunde (IfM) in Kiel, where he specialized in fisheries biology, fish physiology, fish behavior, and aquaculture biotechnology. He supervised doctoral students, served on the board of the IfM, and curated the Kiel Aquarium, where he modernized technical systems to meet international standards.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Uwe Waller has received multiple honors for his pioneering contributions to sustainable aquaculture and environmental engineering. In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious “Maritime Technology” Prize by the K.E.R.N region in Schleswig-Holstein for his innovative work in aquaculture system development. His scientific and economic concept for the Gesellschaft für Marine Aquakultur (GMA) in Büsum was a milestone, leading to the creation of a prominent marine research facility now affiliated with the Fraunhofer Society. In 2012, the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) recognized his integrated recirculating aquaculture systems as a model for sustainability. His work on the PISA project demonstrated the feasibility of sustainable, animal welfare-compliant closed-loop aquaculture and received international recognition. Additionally, Waller’s expertise has been sought globally, including involvement in German aid programs such as the post-tsunami recovery in Southeast Asia, underlining his role in international development and science diplomacy.

🔬 Research Focus

Prof. Waller’s research is centered on integrated recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), including fish and prawn farming, automation, and remote control technologies. He has pioneered secondary recycling systems involving microalgae and plants and has developed photobioreactor-based microalgae production systems. His work emphasizes sustainable aquaculture through biological process engineering and the integration of aquaculture with renewable energy and nutrient recycling.

🛠️  Research Skills

Prof. Waller possesses a unique blend of scientific and engineering competencies that bridge biology, environmental science, and technology. His core skills include the design and optimization of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), bioprocess engineering, and the development of integrated recycling systems for water, nutrients, and energy. He is proficient in microalgae cultivation using photobioreactors, aquaculture automation, and remote monitoring technologies. His teaching and academic leadership have been shaped by a strong foundation in biology, marine ecology, and renewable energy systems, particularly in engineering curricula. In addition, he has extensive experience in project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international capacity building, having worked with universities, industry partners, and development agencies across Europe and Asia. His ability to integrate natural and engineering sciences has established him as a leading figure in sustainable aquaculture and environmental systems design.

✅ Conclusion 

Prof. Dr. Uwe Waller is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, particularly one that values applied science, sustainability, interdisciplinary integration, and global impact. His profile exemplifies the modern researcher—one who not only generates knowledge but also implements it for societal and environmental benefit. While enhancing publication visibility could strengthen his candidacy in highly competitive academic contexts, his comprehensive contributions already distinguish him as a transformative figure in his field.

Publications Top Notes📚
  • Change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior in public administration: The power of leadership and the cost of organizational politics
    Authors: E. Vigoda-Gadot, I. Beeri
    Journal: Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 22(3), 573–596
    Citations: 440
    Year: 2011

  • Advancing ethics in public organizations: The impact of an ethics program on employees’ perceptions and behaviors in a regional council
    Authors: I. Beeri, R. Dayan, E. Vigoda-Gadot, S.B. Werner
    Journal: Journal of Business Ethics, 112, 59–78
    Citations: 294
    Year: 2013

  • Does performance management relate to good governance? A study of its relationship with citizens’ satisfaction with and trust in Israeli local government
    Authors: I. Beeri, A. Uster, E. Vigoda-Gadot
    Journal: Public Performance & Management Review
    Citations: 215
    Year: 2018

  • Group-level organizational citizenship behavior in the education system: A scale reconstruction and validation
    Authors: E. Vigoda-Gadot, I. Beeri, T. Birman-Shemesh, A. Somech
    Journal: Educational Administration Quarterly, 43(4), 462–493
    Citations: 183
    Year: 2007

  • Wind(ow) of Change: A Systematic Review of Policy Entrepreneurship Characteristics and Strategies
    Authors: N. Frish Aviram, N. Cohen, I. Beeri
    Journal: Policy Studies Journal
    Citations: 155
    Year: 2019

  • Low-level bureaucrats, local government regimes and policy entrepreneurship
    Authors: I.B. Neomi Frisch-Aviram, N. Cohen
    Journal: Policy Sciences, 51(1), 39–57
    Citations: 99
    Year: 2018

  • Local political corruption: Potential structural malfunctions at the central–local, local–local and intra-local levels
    Authors: I. Beeri, D. Navot
    Journal: Public Management Review, 15(5), 712–739
    Citations: 83
    Year: 2013

  • Lack of Reform in Israeli Local Government and Its Impact on Modern Developments in Public Management
    Author: I. Beeri
    Journal: Public Management Review
    Citations: 50
    Year: 2020

  • Don’t push too hard. Examining the managerial behaviours of local authorities in collaborative networks with nonprofit organisations
    Authors: A. Uster, I. Beeri, D. Vashdi
    Journal: Local Government Studies, 45(1), 124–145
    Citations: 44
    Year: 2019

  • Turnaround management strategies in public systems: The impact on group-level organizational citizenship behavior
    Author: I. Beeri
    Journal: International Review of Administrative Sciences, 78(1), 158–179
    Citations: 40
    Year: 2012

Yanjun Chai | Ecosystem | Best Researcher Award

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)