Bilal jan Haji Muhammad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bilal jan Haji Muhammad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

PhD Scholar and Researcher at Northeast normal university | Afghanistan

Dr. Bilal Jan Haji Muhammad is a dedicated GIS and Remote Sensing specialist recognized for his strong interdisciplinary expertise across geospatial sciences, geology, and environmental research. With an academic foundation shaped through advanced studies in Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, and Rural Development, he has built a diverse professional background spanning higher education research, hydrogeological engineering, and geo-material analysis. His experience includes troubleshooting and managing GIS/RS systems, conducting spatial modeling, coordinating with data providers, leading geotechnical investigations, mentoring students, and supporting large-scale infrastructure and environmental projects. Throughout his career, Dr. Bilal Jan Haji Muhammad has developed comprehensive command over remote sensing, Google Earth Engine, geostatistics, deep learning for spatial prediction, and R-based environmental modeling. His research portfolio reflects contributions across land use and land cover modeling, geochemical exploration, forest canopy assessment, tectonic interpretation, petrography, ecological monitoring, surface urban heat island dynamics, vegetation analysis, and geoenvironmental process evaluation. He has published academic work in journals such as the Scottish Geographical Journal, Georeview, Journal of Mountain Area Research, Kuwait Journal of Sciences, and GeoJournal, demonstrating impactful scholarship supported by 6 citations, an h-index of 2, and an i10-index of 0. Dr. Bilal Jan Haji Muhammad has also contributed to international scientific forums as an invited speaker and participant, especially in areas linking remote sensing, surface science, and environmental change. His professional development includes specialized training in modern geo-applications, climate-focused GIS, and advanced geospatial techniques using global platforms. Alongside his academic achievements, he has engaged in significant projects in hydrogeology, deep rock drilling, and dam-related geoengineering, expanding his applied technical capacity. His interests extend to environmental sustainability, land degradation assessment, urban ecological dynamics, and the integration of remote sensing with Earth science diagnostics for informed decision-making. Driven by a commitment to scientific rigor, community engagement, and technological innovation, Dr. Bilal Jan Haji Muhammad continues to advance geospatial research and contribute to sustainable development challenges through high-quality analysis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful scholarly work.

Profile: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

1. Muhammad, B. J. H., Ping, W., Mohabbat, M. J., Ahmad, I., & Islam, I. (2025). Modelling and prediction of land use land cover change dynamics based on the land change modeller in Kunar Province, Eastern Afghanistan. Scottish Geographical Journal, 1–24.

2. Ahmad, I., Ping, W., Razzaq, A., Muhammad, B. J. H., & Ali, W. (2024). Assessing urban thermal field variance and surface urban heat island effects: An ecological study in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Georeview, 34(2).

3. Muhammad, B. J. H., Rahmani, N. R., Mohabbat, M. J., Islam, I., Ahmad, I., & Ping, W. (2025). Integration of remote sensing and geochemical analysis of chromite bodies in Logar Ophiolitic Complex, Southeast Afghanistan. Kuwait Journal of Science, 100427.

4. Muhammad, B. J. H., Ping, W., Mohabbat, M. J., Patmal, M. H., & Ahmad, I. (2024). Morpho-tectonic and satellite image interpretation for identifying Gardez Fault in Afghanistan. Journal of Geoscience, Engineering, Environment, and Technology, 9(2), 221–226.

5. Muhammad, B. J. H., Ping, W., Mohabbat, M. J., Islam, I., & Khattak, S. A. (2025). Examining the relationship among land surface temperature (LST), land use/land cover (LULC) and spectral indices in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. GeoJournal, 90(5), 237.

6. Gebreyesus, M. Z., Zhang, H., Ibrahim, H. M., & Muhammad, B. J. H. (2025). Assessment of land degradation recovery measures and its socioeconomic challenges in the southern region of Eritrea. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 46(3), 410–426.

7. Muhammad, B. J. H., Ping, W., & Mohabbat, M. J. (2024). Integration of GIS and remote sensing for evaluating forest canopy density index in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Georeview, 34(1), 12.

8. Ping, W., Mohabbat, M. J., Islam, I., & Ahmad, I. (2024). Comparative analysis of mechanical strength and petrographic features of andesite and basalt from Sawabi area, NW Pakistan: Implications for construction engineering. Journal of Mountain Area Research, 9, 92–106.
9. Zerom, M., Hongyan, Z., Ibrahim, H. M., & Muhammad, B. J. H. (2025). Assessing land degradation recovering measures in Southern Region of Eritrea and its socio-economic challenges.

10. Ping, W., & Muhammad, B. J. H. (n.d.). Assessing urban thermal field variance and surface urban heat island effects: An ecological study in Malakand Division. Manuscript version listed online.

Jiahao Fan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jiahao Fan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Biological Systems Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison | United States

Dr. Jiahao Fan is a highly accomplished researcher whose work lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and biological systems engineering. His professional journey reflects a commitment to developing innovative, data-driven technologies that enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. He completed his advanced studies in Biological Systems Engineering with a focus on integrating machine learning and computational modeling into precision agriculture. His educational background also includes strong foundations in machine learning, data mining, and remote sensing, equipping him with the expertise to address complex, multidisciplinary challenges in modern biological sciences. Throughout his research career, Dr. Jiahao Fan has contributed to the advancement of multimodal deep learning frameworks, vision-language modeling, and sensor-based data fusion for agricultural applications. His pioneering projects include developing object detection and segmentation systems for plant monitoring, multimodal feature fusion methods for crop analysis, and efficient retrieval-based prediction algorithms that optimize computational performance in data-limited environments. His academic work demonstrates a deep understanding of artificial intelligence applied to biological processes, leading to several peer-reviewed publications and open-source innovations that support sustainable farming systems. Dr. Jiahao Fan’s research is characterized by technical precision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a vision to bridge computational sciences with real-world agricultural needs. His efforts have earned notable recognition within the research community, as reflected in his 476 citations by 474 documents, 6 published works, and an h-index of 5, highlighting the scholarly influence and practical value of his contributions. Through his continuous pursuit of excellence in both theory and application, Dr. Jiahao Fan remains dedicated to advancing the frontiers of agricultural automation, digital phenotyping, and sustainable resource management. His work not only enriches the academic discourse in agricultural and biological sciences but also lays the groundwork for future innovations that integrate artificial intelligence with global food security and environmental resilience.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

  • Fan, J.(2022). Estimation of maize yield and flowering time using multi-temporal UAV-based hyperspectral data. Remote Sensing, 14(13), 3052.

  • Fan, J.(2023). Enhancing maize silage quality assessment through UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping and deep transfer learning. In AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco.

  • Fan, J.(2023). Uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based high‐throughput phenotyping of maize silage yield and nutritive values using multi-sensory feature fusion and multi-task learning with attention mechanism. Remote Sensing, 17(21), 3654.

  • Fan, J.(2025). Mitigating NDVI saturation in imagery of dense and healthy vegetation. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 227,

  • Fan, J.(2022). Multi-temporal estimation of maize yield and flowering time using UAV-based hyperspectral data. Proceedings of the North American Plant Phenotyping Network (NAPPN) Annual Conference.

Rodrigo Zarate Torres | Environmental Science | Innovative Research Award

Dr.Rodrigo Zarate Torres | Environmental Science | Innovative Research Award 

Profesor Investigador at Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración| Colombia

Dr. Rodrigo Zárate Torres is a distinguished academic leader, educator, and researcher whose work bridges leadership, emotional intelligence, sustainability, and organizational innovation. He currently serves in an academic leadership capacity at the Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración (CESA) in Colombia, where he contributes to the advancement of management education and research. He holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) with a focus on Global Management, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing and International Business, and a degree in Industrial Engineering. Throughout his career, Dr. Rodrigo Zárate Torres has held key academic and administrative positions, including director, dean, and researcher, in institutions recognized for academic excellence. His extensive experience encompasses strategic leadership development, higher education accreditation, and organizational consulting, with contributions to both local and international academic collaborations. His research, widely cited across the global scholarly community, includes 18 publications, 118 citations by 110 documents, and an h-index of 7, demonstrating the quality and impact of his work. Dr. Rodrigo Zárate Torres’s scholarly interests focus on the intersections of emotional intelligence, leadership behavior, organizational culture, and sustainable management, emphasizing how human factors drive innovation and performance in diverse institutional contexts. He has published numerous studies in high-impact journals, exploring psychometric validation, leadership styles, and the role of emotional and spiritual intelligence in organizational success. Recognized as a “Senior Researcher” by Colciencias, he has also received awards for excellence in teaching and research, including international recognition for his contributions to project management and academic development. His active involvement in editorial boards, research groups, and professional associations has further enhanced his influence in shaping management education and leadership scholarship in Latin America and beyond. Dr. Rodrigo Zárate Torres’s academic vision integrates strategic foresight, ethical leadership, and emotional competence as foundational elements of sustainable development and institutional excellence. His enduring dedication to research, mentorship, and leadership continues to inspire innovation and social responsibility within academia and the broader organizational landscape.

Featured Publications:

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A., & Matviuk, S. (2012). Emotional intelligence and leadership practices in Colombian organizations. Cuadernos de Administración, 28(47), 91–104.

  • Acosta-Prado, J. C., Zárate-Torres, R. A., & Pautt Torres, G. M. (2015). Characterization of emotional intelligence in Colombian managers. Universitas Psychologica, 14(3), 815–832.

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A., Rey-Sarmiento, C. F., & Acosta-Prado, J. C. (2022). Impact of leadership practices on manager’s pathways to goal attainment: The mediating effect of emotional intelligence. International Journal of Organizational Analysis,

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A., Rey-Sarmiento, C. F., Acosta-Prado, J. C., Gómez-Cruz, N. A., Rodríguez Castro, D. Y., & Camargo, J. (2025). Influence of leadership on human–artificial intelligence collaboration. Behavioral Sciences, 15(7), 873.

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A., Rey-Sarmiento, C. F., & Acosta-Prado, J. C. (2025). Social impact of happiness on transformational leadership in students from Colombian universities. Frontiers in Psychology.

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A. (2023). How good is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for predicting leadership? Frontiers in Psychology,

  • Zárate-Torres, R. A., Acosta-Prado, J. C., & Garzón Catrillón, M. A. (2016). Attributes and emotional intelligence in Colombian followers. Revista Espacios, 37(25), 18.