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.

Moreno Toselli | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Moreno Toselli | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Full professor at University of Bologna |Italy

Prof. Dr. Moreno Toselli is a leading academic figure in Agricultural and Biological Sciences, widely recognized for his extensive contributions to plant nutrition, soil fertility, and sustainable fruit production. He earned his foundational training in Agricultural Sciences followed by doctoral specialization in fruit tree mineral nutrition, laying the groundwork for a career dedicated to improving orchard systems through evidence-based agronomic strategies. Over the years, he has advanced through academic ranks to become a senior faculty member at the University of Bologna, where he has played a central role in teaching, research, and laboratory leadership across multiple horticultural disciplines. His professional experience spans decades of impactful work on nutrient uptake, stress physiology, organic amendments, biochar interactions, root dynamics, soil contamination, carbon allocation, irrigation optimization, and physiological responses of perennial fruit crops. He has coordinated and contributed to numerous regional, national, and international research projects focused on digital agriculture, circular nutrient management, sustainable fertilization, carbon sequestration, and precision horticulture, collaborating with scientific partners and industry stakeholders to translate research findings into practical applications. His expertise extends to editorial responsibilities in respected journals and active participation in professional societies, reinforcing his influence in shaping contemporary agricultural practices. With a research portfolio comprising 2,274 citations by 1,887 documents, 125 published works, and an h-index of 27, his scholarly output demonstrates sustained global impact and authority in the field. His investigations have advanced understanding of key processes such as nutrient mobility in soil–plant systems, the effects of organic and mineral fertilizers on tree performance, the mitigation of abiotic stress, and the development of innovative fertilization and monitoring tools for improving orchard efficiency. He has also contributed to training future scholars through extensive supervision of student research and active involvement in academic program development. Overall, his career reflects a commitment to scientific excellence, sustainability, and innovation, positioning him as a prominent contributor to advancing knowledge and improving management strategies in modern horticulture.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications:

1. Toselli, M. (2025). Seasonal uptake and partitioning of macro- and micronutrients in yellow-fleshed kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis.

2. Toselli, M. (2025). Optimization of irrigation on walnut through the IRRIFRAME water balance model. Irrigation Science.

3. Toselli, M.(2025). The use of grape pomace residues as a nutrient source in subtropical viticulture. Agronomy.

4. Toselli, M.(2025). Proposal of nutritional standards for the assessment of the nutritional status of grapevines in subtropical and temperate regions. Plants.

5. Toselli, M.(2025). Agronomic strategies to manipulate kiwifruit calcium content to understand its role in fruit physiology.

6. Toselli, M. (2025). Understanding the role of calcium in kiwifruit: Ion transport, signaling, and fruit quality.

7. Toselli, M.(2024). Assessment of contribution of cover crop littering decomposition to the N uptake of bearing and non-bearing satsuma mandarin trees.

8. Toselli, M.(2024). Cu concentration in vegetable-cultivated soil: Comparison between open fields and protected environments in Brazil.

9. Toselli, M.(2024). Carbon and nitrogen stocks in vineyard soils amended with grape pomace residues. Agronomy.

10. Toselli, M.(2024). Molecular responses to drought and waterlogging stresses of kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa potted vines.

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.

 

Lwin Saing | Plants Taxonomy | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Lwin Saing | Plants Taxonomy | Best Researcher Award

Professor at  Ministry of Higher Education,Myanmar | Myanmar

Prof. Lwin Saing is a highly accomplished botanist and academic leader serving at the Ministry of Higher Education, Myanmar, and the Department of Botany, Mohnyin University. She holds a Ph.D. in Botany with a specialization in Plant Taxonomy and Evolution from the University of Yangon, where her doctoral research focused on the taxonomy and systematics of wild cereal species in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi coastal region. With over two decades of teaching and research experience, she has contributed significantly to advancing the understanding of Myanmar’s diverse flora through her expertise in taxonomy, systematics, and environmental conservation. Her extensive research encompasses wild plants taxonomy, evolutionary studies of grasses and cereals, and the conservation of endangered species. Prof. Lwin Saing has led and collaborated on numerous research projects under the Ministry of Higher Education, focusing on biodiversity conservation, endangered species classification, and ecological sustainability. She has published widely in national and international journals, including MDPI’s Plants, and has received several prestigious awards recognizing her scientific excellence, such as multiple Best Research Awards from the Ministry of Higher Education and distinguished recognitions from major universities in Myanmar. She has also supervised a large number of postgraduate theses, contributing to the development of future researchers in taxonomy and environmental science. In addition to her research, she actively participates in regional academic initiatives, including the South and Southeast Asian University Network, and represents Myanmar in international biodiversity programs. Her involvement in SEAMEO and UNESCO workshops reflects her commitment to advancing sustainable education and promoting ecological awareness. Prof. Lwin Saing’s work bridges taxonomy, ecology, and conservation, playing a vital role in preserving Myanmar’s botanical heritage while contributing to global plant science. Through her research, mentorship, and leadership, she continues to inspire a new generation of botanists, positioning herself as a key figure in Southeast Asia’s efforts toward sustainable biodiversity management and scientific innovation in plant taxonomy.

Featured Publication:

Saing, L. M. (2025). Evolutionary trends of some wild cereal from In-Daw-Gyi Lake, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science Journal, 24(1).

Saing, L. M. (2024). The differences in morphological characters between some wild species of genus Mussaenda Burm. ex L. Universities Research Journal, 14(5).

Saing, L. M. (2023). Significant differences in morphological characters of Poaceae and Cyperaceae families. Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science Journal, 22(1).

Saing, L. M. (2023). Studying the characters of taxonomy and evolution in giant grass and some crops derived from grass. Mohnyin University Research Journal, 3(2).

Saing, L. M. (2022). Distinct spot characters of some variegated foliage leaves species in Mohnyin University campus. Mohnyin University Research Journal, 2(2).

Paul Afreh | Sustainable recycling of Spent Lithium-ion batteries | Excellence Award

Mr. Paul Afreh | Sustainable recycling of Spent Lithium-ion batteries | Excellence Award

Graduate Student, Taiyuan University of Technology, Ghana

Paul Afreh, a Ghanaian national born on December 8, 1989, is an environmental science expert currently residing in China. With a focus on sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling, Paul is pursuing his MSc in Environmental Science and Engineering at Taiyuan University of Technology. His academic and professional journey spans across Ghana and China, showcasing his dedication to research and education.

Profile

Orchid

Strengths for the Award

Paul Afreh demonstrates significant research potential and achievement, particularly in the field of Environmental Science and Engineering. His work on sustainable recycling of lithium-ion polymer batteries, specifically his research into optimizing high-temperature thermal pretreatment and selective cobalt recovery, is both innovative and impactful. His publications on these topics in reputable journals highlight his ability to contribute valuable knowledge to the field. Additionally, his role as a reviewer for the Result in Engineering Journal indicates his commitment to academic rigor and peer-review processes, which is a crucial aspect of scientific excellence.

Areas for Improvement

While Paul Afreh’s research achievements are commendable, there is room for growth in terms of expanding his research scope beyond the current focus on lithium-ion battery recycling. Engaging in interdisciplinary research or exploring new avenues within environmental science could further enhance his profile. Additionally, gaining more international exposure through collaborations, conferences, and publications in top-tier journals could strengthen his case for excellence in a broader scientific context.

Education 🎓

Paul holds a BSc in Science Education with a specialization in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He is currently advancing his expertise with an MSc in Environmental Science and Engineering at Taiyuan University of Technology, China, where his research focuses on extracting valuable elements from spent lithium-ion polymer batteries.

Experience 💼

Paul has a rich teaching background, having served as Head of the Science Department and Biology Tutor at Bosomtwe Oyoko Senior High School in Ghana. He has also worked as a University Teaching Assistant in the Biology Education Department at the University of Education, Winneba. His research experience includes optimizing high-temperature thermal pretreatment of spent lithium-ion batteries and contributing to the 2024 Africa Beyond Aid International Conference.

Research Interest 🔬

Paul’s research interests lie in sustainable recycling technologies, particularly focusing on the extraction and recovery of valuable elements like lithium and cobalt from spent lithium-ion polymer batteries. His work aims to optimize recycling processes to support environmental sustainability.

Awards 🏆

Paul has been recognized for his academic and professional contributions, including receiving the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from the Teaching Regulation Agency, UK, and serving as Chairperson of the Subcommittee for the 5th Africa Beyond Aid (AFBA) Conference. He is also an active member of the National Union of Ghanaian Students-China’s Academic Committee.

Publications 📚

  1. “Sustainable lithium and cobalt recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries: best practices for the future.” Review. Published in Fortune Journals 2024.
  2. “Optimization of High-temperature thermal pretreatment conditions for maximum enrichment of Lithium and Cobalt from Spent Lithium-ion polymer batteries.” Published in Results in Engineering 2024

Conclusion

Paul Afreh is a promising candidate for the Research for Excellence Award, especially in the field of Environmental Science. His work on lithium-ion battery recycling is not only timely but also critical in the context of sustainable development. With further expansion of his research portfolio and increased international engagement, he could be an even stronger contender for such prestigious recognition.