Abhijeet Das | Environmental Studies | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Abhijeet Das | Environmental Studies | Best Research Article Award

Research Consultant | Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman Global University | India

Dr. Abhijeet Das, currently serving as a Project Consultant at Madhu Smita Design & Engineers Studio, is an accomplished civil and water resources engineering professional with a strong academic and research background. He holds a Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from C.V. Raman Global University, along with an M.Tech and B.Tech in Civil Engineering from BPUT, Rourkela. With over ten years of diverse experience across consultancy, academia, and research, Dr. Das has led and contributed to numerous national and international projects in hydrological modeling, watershed hydrology, surface water assessment, GIS and remote sensing, and machine learning applications in water resources. His research emphasizes climate change impact analysis, geoinformatics, environmental sustainability, and simulation-optimization modeling. A prolific contributor to scientific advancement, he holds multiple patents and has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Inspiring Educator Award and several Best Project Awards for his innovative work in machine learning and water quality assessment. Dr. Das has presented as an invited speaker at globally reputed conferences in Vienna, Berlin, Rome, Singapore, Amsterdam, and Osaka. He actively engages in academic development through regular participation in international workshops, faculty development programs, and short-term training courses. His scholarly output includes, 205 citations 89 documents, and an h-index of 8, reflecting his impactful contributions to the field of civil and environmental engineering.

Profiles:  Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. An optimization based framework for water quality assessment and pollution source apportionment employing GIS and machine learning techniques for smart surface water governance. (2025). Discover Environment.

2. Reimagining biofiltration for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment. (2025).

3. A data-driven approach utilizing machine learning (ML) and geographical information system (GIS)-based time series analysis with data augmentation for water quality assessment in Mahanadi River Basin, Odisha, India. (2025). Discover Sustainability.

4. Evaluation and prediction of surface water quality status for drinking purposes using an integrated water quality indices, GIS approaches, and machine learning techniques. (2025). Desalination and Water Treatment.

5. Bioplastics: a sustainable alternative or a hidden microplastic threat? (2025). Innovative Infrastructure Solutions.

Anna Vatsanidou | Environmental Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou | Environmental Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Greece

Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food and Natural Resources Management, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She is an accomplished agriculturist with extensive expertise in precision and sustainable agriculture, environmental impact assessment, and life cycle analysis of agri-food systems. Her academic path and professional journey reflect a strong commitment to advancing agri-food sustainability and contributing to innovative solutions for global agricultural challenges.

Professional Profiles

ORCID | Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Vatsanidou holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Agricultural Production Systems and a Doctorate in Environmental Assessment from the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment at the University of Thessaly. Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her specialized expertise in evaluating environmental impacts within agricultural and food production systems. During this period, she gained a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, system optimization, and the application of environmental models to assess agricultural inputs and outputs. Her multidisciplinary training combines agronomy, environmental sciences, and technological innovation, equipping her with the tools to address complex challenges in modern agriculture.

Experience

Dr. Vatsanidou has developed a distinguished career spanning academia, research institutes, and both public and private organizations. She began as an agronomist in public agencies, gaining valuable experience in agricultural systems and their operational challenges. Expanding into the private sector, she focused on applied agricultural practices and project implementation. At the Benaki Phytopathological Institute, she served as project manager, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and advancing research outcomes into practical strategies. Her academic pathway includes serving as a PhD Researcher at CERTH’s Institute of Bio-Economics and Agrotechnology, specializing in environmental impact assessment. She has also collaborated as an external fellow with the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Thessaly. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at NKUA, teaching, mentoring, and leading projects in precision agriculture and sustainability.

Research Focus

Dr. Vatsanidou’s research is centered on the evaluation and development of precision agricultural techniques, environmental footprint analysis, and sustainable production systems. A core component of her work is the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts across the agri-food chain, from primary production to processing. Her studies address key challenges in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management, and environmental protection, with an emphasis on balancing productivity with ecological sustainability. She has made significant contributions to precision farming technologies for crop protection, environmental assessment of emission reduction technologies, and the integration of innovative tools such as imaging recognition and digital algorithms in agriculture. Her research supports the global transition towards agriculture 4.0 and 5.0 by incorporating digitalization, automation, and sustainable practices into farming systems.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Freshness Prediction for Apples & Lettuces
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; George Kalitsios; Marianna I. Kotzabasaki; Dimitrios V. Giannopoulos; Kosmas Dimitropoulos; Anna Vatsanidou
Summary: Presents a mobile app that combines imaging recognition with advanced algorithms to predict fruit and vegetable freshness in real time. The tool helps reduce food waste and ensures better quality monitoring along the supply chain.

Title: Life Cycle Assessment of Insect vs. Conventional Feed
Authors: Anna Vatsanidou; Styliani Konstantinidi; Eleftherios Bonos; Ioannis Skoufos
Summary: Compares the environmental impact of conventional and insect-based protein feeds using life cycle assessment (LCA). Findings highlight insect-based proteins as a sustainable alternative for animal production.

Title: Biopolymer Nanopesticides for Degradation
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; Giasemi K. Angeli; Anna Vatsanidou; Marianna I. Kotzabasaki
Summary: Reviews the design of biopolymer-based nanopesticides aimed at improving pesticide degradation. Emphasizes eco-friendly nanotechnology solutions to enhance crop protection while reducing environmental risks.

Title: Cybersecurity in Agriculture 4.0 & 5.0
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; Muttukrishnan Rajarajan; Konstantinos G. Arvanitis; Anna Vatsanidou
Summary: Analyzes cybersecurity challenges in digital agriculture, covering precision farming and smart technologies. Proposes risk mitigation measures to protect agricultural data, devices, and infrastructures.

Title: Emission Reduction in Livestock Systems
Authors: Vasileios Anestis; Anna Vatsanidou; Thomas Bartzanas
Summary: Examines emission reduction strategies in livestock systems. Evaluates their effectiveness, environmental benefits, and potential adoption, supporting sustainable practices in animal production.

Conclusion

Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is an innovative and impactful researcher whose work bridges the fields of agriculture, environmental science, and digital technology. Her commitment to sustainability, leadership in major international projects, and contributions to both academic scholarship and practical applications mark her as an outstanding candidate for recognition. Through her teaching, research, and collaborations, she continues to advance sustainable agricultural development while shaping the next generation of agricultural scientists. Her work exemplifies excellence in addressing the pressing challenges of food security, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation in the agri-food sector.

Gulam Husain Patel | Life Cycle Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Mr. Gulam Husain Patel | Life Cycle Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Junior researcher at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Finland

Gulam Husain Patel is a passionate environmental and energy engineer based in Lappeenranta, Finland 🌍. With a strong academic foundation in mechanical, environmental, and power plant engineering, he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Science degree in Energy Systems at LUT University 🎓. Gulam’s work centers around sustainable hydrogen production and life cycle assessment (LCA), aiming to combat climate change through innovative energy solutions 🌱⚡. He has held roles in research, teaching, and industry, reflecting his well-rounded capabilities. Gulam brings international exposure from India, Russia, and Finland and is committed to integrating engineering expertise with sustainability science for real-world impact. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu 🗣️, he also engages in public science education. With a growing publication record and keen interest in Power-to-X technologies, he represents the new wave of environmentally conscious engineers building a cleaner future 🌐🔬.

Professional Profiles📖

Scopus 

ORCID 

🎓 Education 

Gulam Husain Patel holds a diverse academic portfolio focused on sustainability and energy systems 📚. He is currently a Doctoral Researcher (D.Sc.) in Energy Systems at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), Finland (2022–Present), with research centered on sustainable hydrogen production and Power-to-X technologies ⚙️🌿. He earned an M.Sc. in Sustainable Science and Solutions from LUT (2021–2022), where he deepened his understanding of environmental engineering practices and systems thinking. Prior to that, he completed an M.Sc. in Power Plant Engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia (2020–2021), gaining in-depth technical expertise in large-scale energy systems 🏭. His academic journey began at Mumbai University, India, where he obtained a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (2012–2014), building the core engineering competencies that underpin his sustainability work. His educational background showcases a solid blend of theoretical knowledge and global perspective 🌍🎓.

💼 Experience 

Gulam has gained dynamic work experience across academia, research, and industry 👷‍♂️🔬. He currently serves as a Junior Researcher at LUT University (2022–Present), contributing to advanced research on life cycle assessment and sustainable hydrogen production for Power-to-X systems 🔄💧. Prior to this, he worked as a Junior Research Assistant at LUT (Jan–Oct 2022), focusing on natural gas-based hydrogen LCA and GHG emission mitigation strategies 🌫️➡️🌱. He also served as a Marketing Assistant at LUMA-keskus Saimaa (2021–2022), where he promoted science education and delivered experimental teaching sessions to inspire young learners 🔍👨‍🏫. Earlier, he interned with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (2016–2017), monitoring manufacturing processes and supporting production line maintenance 🏭🛠️. Across these roles, Gulam has demonstrated an aptitude for combining technical skills with communication and education, showcasing versatility and purpose-driven engagement in every project he undertakes 📈🔍.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Gulam Husain Patel’s academic and professional journey has been complemented by several enriching certifications and prestigious programs 🏅📜. He participated in the MonGOS project by NAWA, a distinguished initiative focused on sustainability and environmental research 🌍. He also completed the Summer School in Oil and Gas and the Winter School in Wastewater Treatment at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, reflecting his commitment to expanding domain knowledge and technical exposure 💧⚡. While early in his research career, his peer-reviewed publication in Green Chemistry (2024) signifies a strong entrance into scholarly recognition 📰🧪. Gulam’s current pursuit of a Doctorate in Energy Systems at LUT University, underpinned by funded research projects, positions him well for future academic and industry accolades 🏆. His proactive engagement with cutting-edge environmental challenges and sustainable technologies makes him a rising talent in the clean energy sector 🚀🌱.

🔬 Research Focus 

Gulam’s research is rooted in sustainable energy systems, with a focus on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of hydrogen production pathways 🧪⚙️. He is particularly interested in the Power-to-X approach, which involves converting renewable electricity into synthetic fuels like hydrogen for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors 🔄⚡. His current doctoral project at LUT University assesses the environmental performance of hydrogen technologies, aiming to identify the most climate-friendly production methods 🌍🌿. Gulam’s work contributes to the EU’s and Finland’s goals for carbon neutrality by 2035 by targeting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through data-driven analysis 📉🌫️. He combines modeling tools such as GaBi and Ansys with policy-oriented insight, bridging the gap between research and sustainable implementation 🧩💼. His vision is to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions through robust environmental evaluation, international collaboration, and technological innovation 🌎🔬.

🧰 Research Skills 

Gulam Husain Patel possesses a blend of technical, analytical, and communication skills vital to environmental engineering and energy research 💻🔧. His proficiency in software like Microsoft Office, Ansys, GaBi, and Cloud services enables him to handle simulation, LCA, and data analysis tasks with precision 📊🧩. He has experience using GaBi for in-depth environmental impact modeling and Ansys for thermodynamic simulations — key tools for his work in sustainable hydrogen production and energy systems ⚙️🌱. With full professional proficiency in English, native fluency in Hindi and Urdu, and elementary Finnish, he can effectively collaborate across diverse teams and cultural settings 🌐🗣️. Beyond technical competencies, Gulam brings strong skills in public engagement, gained through his teaching and marketing assistant roles. He is adaptive, innovative, and committed to addressing global sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary lens 🚀🌍.

Publications Top Notes📚

“Environmental performance of biomethanation based on life cycle assessment”
Journal: Energy, April 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135244
Authors: Gulam Husain Patel, Mika Horttanainen, Marika Kokko, Hulya Civelek Yörüklü, Jouni Havukainen

“Climate change performance of hydrogen production based on life cycle assessment”
Journal: Green Chemistry, 2024
DOI: 10.1039/D3GC02410E
Authors: Gulam Husain Patel, Jouni Havukainen, Mika Horttanainen, Risto Soukka, Mari Tuomaala

 

✅ Conclusion

Gulam Husain Patel exhibits strong potential and a clear trajectory toward becoming an influential academic researcher in environmental and energy systems. His current achievements, particularly in hydrogen research and LCA, are commendable. While he is an emerging researcher with impressive academic breadth, his profile would benefit from expanded research output and leadership roles.

 Verdict: Highly Promising Candidate — suitable for consideration, particularly for early-career researcher recognitions or “Emerging Researcher” categories within the Best Academic Researcher Award framework.