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.

 

Bakhtiyor Karimov | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Professor at Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers | Uzbekistan

Prof. Dr. Bakhtiyor Karimov is a renowned ecologist and ichthyologist with over four decades of experience in aquatic ecology, hydrobiology, ecotoxicology, and fisheries. As a full professor at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME), Uzbekistan, he has contributed extensively to environmental protection and sustainable water management, particularly in the Aral Sea Basin. His multidisciplinary approach bridges academia, field research, and policy. He has collaborated with international organizations including FAO, UNESCO, and the European Union, and has led major research projects that have significantly influenced environmental and ecological frameworks in Central Asia.

Profile:

Orcid | Google Scholor

Education:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the State Lake and River Fisheries Institute, Russia, with a thesis focused on the comparative toxic resistance of fish species. He earned his first degree in Biology and Chemistry from Tashkent State University, he was awarded a Doctor of Science in Biology for his research on ecological and toxicological issues in the Aral Sea Basin. His academic journey further includes appointments as a Senior Research Worker, full Professor, and Academician of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences.

Experience:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s professional career spans academia, governmental advisory roles, and international project leadership. He has served in prominent positions such as Head of Hydroecology at the Institute of Water Problems and Director of Laboratories in Hydrobiology and Aquaculture. He worked in Germany under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowship and coordinated FAO projects across Central Asia. As national scientific supervisor for the EU Horizon “Hydro4U” project, he pioneered ecological innovations in hydropower. He has also advised parliamentary committees and scientific councils, influencing ecological policies and water resource management throughout Uzbekistan.

Research Interests:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s primary research interests include aquatic ecology, desert and arid zone aquaculture, ichthyology, water pollution, and biodiversity conservation. His investigations address the ecological impact of climate change, agricultural runoff, and hydropower on freshwater systems. He emphasizes integrative methodologies involving ecotoxicological assessments, habitat restoration, and ecosystem services analysis. With significant expertise in the Aral Sea Basin, he has advanced sustainable fisheries and ecological risk assessments. His work often bridges applied environmental science and policy, and his leadership in bioeconomic curriculum development further demonstrates his commitment to environmental sustainability and education.

Awards and Honors:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s exceptional career has been recognized with numerous accolades. He graduated with a Gold Medal from secondary school and received a Distinction Diploma from Tashkent State University. His prestigious fellowships include the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Germany,the Matsumae International Foundation Japan, and the Cariplo Lombardia Foundation Italy. He also received the Humboldt-Alumni Award for his ongoing scientific contributions. He is an elected Academician of IAELPS and a member of prominent ecological and zoological associations, including IUCN SSC, SETAC, and EWRA.

Publications:

Title: Saving freshwater from salts

Citation: 341

Year of Publication: 2016

Title: A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Citation: 200

Year of Publication: 2022

Title: Health risks from large-scale water pollution: trends in Central Asia

Citation: 164

Year of Publication: 2011

Title: Status, trends, and future dynamics of freshwater ecosystems in Europe and Central Asia

Citation: 128

Year of Publication: 2019

Title: Overview of past, current, and future ecosystem and biodiversity trends of inland saline lakes of Europe and Central Asia

Citation: 100

Year of Publication: 2020

Title: One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

Citation: 89

Year of Publication: 2025

Title: Challenges for the sustainable use of water and land resources under a changing climate and increasing salinization in the Jizzakh irrigation zone of Uzbekistan

Citation: 58

Year of Publication: 2020

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Bakhtiyor Karimov stands as a pioneering force in aquatic environmental science. His career reflects a profound commitment to solving ecological challenges through science, education, and policy. His publications in top-tier journals, leadership in global projects, and impact on biodiversity conservation in arid zones make him a compelling nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to ecological restoration, especially in the context of the Aral Sea and Central Asia, highlights his lasting contributions to both regional and global environmental science. Prof. Karimov exemplifies research excellence with real-world impact.