Rahel Bekele | Agricultural Economics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rahel Bekele | Agricultural Economics | Best Researcher Award

Research scientist, Duke University, United States

🌍 Rahel Deribe Bekele is a dedicated Ethiopian researcher and postdoctoral associate at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. With a strong background in agricultural economics, her work primarily focuses on the economics of irrigation systems and their environmental impacts, especially within the Ethiopian context. Married with two children, Rahel’s academic journey and professional experiences have deeply influenced her research trajectory.

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Scopus

Strengths for the Award

Rahel Deribe Bekele is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her extensive academic background and impactful research in agricultural economics, climate change, and irrigation systems in Ethiopia. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding and addressing the environmental and technological challenges in these areas. Her work, notably in irrigation technologies, gendered energy technology gaps, and the effects of climate change on Ethiopian agriculture, reflects a deep engagement with both theoretical and applied research. The publication of her findings in high-impact journals and participation in international conferences highlights her contribution to the global discourse on sustainable development and environmental economics.

Area for Improvement

While Rahel’s research portfolio is impressive, expanding her focus to include more interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in emerging fields such as digital agriculture and climate-smart technologies, could further enhance her impact. Additionally, increasing her involvement in capacity-building initiatives or mentoring young researchers in Ethiopia and other developing countries could broaden her influence and reinforce her role as a leader in her field.

Education

🎓 Rahel Deribe Bekele earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the Center for Development Research (ZEF), Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Germany, in May 2021. Her dissertation, supervised by Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun, explored the economics of irrigation systems in Ethiopia. She also holds an M.Sc. in Economics with a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (2008), and a B.A. in Economics from the same institution. Additionally, Rahel completed a Ph.D. course in Environmental Valuation at Gothenburg University, Sweden, in 2009.

Experience

💼 Rahel Deribe Bekele has accumulated extensive experience in research and consultancy. Since August 2022, she has been serving as a Postdoctoral Associate and Research Scientist at Duke University. Prior to this, she worked as a consultant at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), leading studies on irrigation and energy use in Ethiopia. Her previous roles also include a Climate Change and Development Co-operation Analyst at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and a Junior Research Fellow at the Environmental for Development (EfD) Center.

Research Interest

🔬 Rahel Deribe Bekele is passionate about agricultural economics, with a particular focus on irrigation systems, environmental impacts, and sustainable land management practices. Her research delves into the intersection of economics and environmental sustainability, aiming to contribute to policy development and practical solutions in the context of Ethiopia and beyond.

Awards

🏆 Rahel Deribe Bekele has been recognized for her contributions to agricultural and environmental economics, including invitations to present her research at prestigious conferences such as the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists and the 17th annual conference of Environment for Development (EfD).

Publications Top Notes

Bekele, R. D., Mekonnen, D., Ringler, C., & Jeuland, M. (2024). Irrigation technologies and management and their environmental consequences: Empirical evidence from Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management, 302, 109003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109003

Arega, T., Yami, M., Bekele, R. D., Ringler, C., & Jeuland, M. (2023). Closing the gendered energy technology gap in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2224. https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.137070

Theis, S., Bekele, R. D., Lefore, N., Meinzen-Dick, R. S., Ringler, C., & Larkin, E. (2021). Integrating gender in small-scale irrigation development: Inclusive recommendations. IFPRI-REACH Project Note. https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134571

Bekele, R. D., Mirzabaev, A., & Mekonnen, D. (2021). Adoption of multiple sustainable land management practices among irrigator rural farm households of Ethiopia. Land Degradation & Development, 32(17), 5052-5068. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4091

Bekele, R. D., & Mekonnen, D. (2021). Local empowerment and irrigation devolution in Ethiopia. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 38(6), 1062–1088. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1936465

Conclusion

Rahel Deribe Bekele’s significant contributions to agricultural economics, particularly in the context of Ethiopia, make her a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. Her work addresses critical issues related to irrigation, climate change, and energy use, with a focus on improving sustainability and livelihoods in rural areas. By expanding her research collaborations and mentoring efforts, she could further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her domain.

Shidaling Matteppanavar | Magnetism and Supercapcitors | Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Shidaling Matteppanavar | Magnetism and Supercapcitors | Outstanding Scientist Award

Assistant Professor, KLE Societys Basavaprabhu Kore Arts Science and Commerce College Chikodi, India

Dr. Shidaling Matteppanavar is a distinguished physicist specializing in multiferroics, thermoelectric energy conversion, and electrochemical sensors. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at KLE Society’s Basavaprabhu Kore Arts Science and Commerce College, Chikodi, Karnataka, India. With over 91 publications to his credit, Dr. Matteppanavar has made significant contributions to the field of material science. His work is highly cited, reflecting his influence in the scientific community.

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Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

Dr. Shidaling Matteppanavar has a strong academic and research background with 91 publications and a notable h-index of 23, demonstrating his significant impact in the field of physics. His research spans across various cutting-edge areas, including multiferroics, thermoelectric energy conversion, and electrochemical supercapacitors, showcasing his versatility and expertise. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Physical Review Materials and the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). Moreover, Dr. Matteppanavar has secured multiple research grants, including a substantial ₹50 lakh grant for thermoelectric research, highlighting his ability to attract funding and contribute to impactful projects.

Areas for Improvement

While Dr. Matteppanavar’s research output and grant acquisition are impressive, expanding his international collaborations and further increasing the citation count of his publications could enhance his global recognition. Additionally, focusing on translating his research into practical applications or patents could further strengthen his candidacy for an outstanding scientist award.

Education 🎓

Dr. Matteppanavar earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Bangalore University, Bangalore, India, in 2017, where his research focused on Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3-based multiferroics. He completed his M.Sc. in Physics in 2010 and B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 2007, both from Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, graduating with first-class honors.

Experience 🏢

Dr. Matteppanavar has extensive research and teaching experience, including a postdoctoral research associate position at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, and visiting fellowships at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. He has been an Assistant Professor at KLE Society’s Basavaprabhu Kore College since July 2019.

Research Interests 🔬

His research interests include multiferroics, thermoelectric materials, electrochemical supercapacitors and sensors, and structural dynamics and magnetism. Dr. Matteppanavar’s work explores the interplay between crystal structure and thermal transport in solids, contributing to advancements in memory storage applications and energy conversion technologies.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

Dr. Matteppanavar has received several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Researcher award from KLE Society, multiple best poster awards at international conferences, and substantial research grants from Vision Group of Science and Technology (VGST) and Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTeP). His achievements reflect his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and education.

Publications Top Notes 📚

Dr. Matteppanavar has published extensively in high-impact journals. Below are some of his recent works:

Badiger, H., Matteppanavar, S., et al., Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2024 – Investigation of magneto-electric properties of Co0.65Zn0.35Fe2O4–Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 multiferroic composites. Cited by 1463.

Chiu, H-H., Ho, M-K., Matteppanavar, S., et al., Materials Today Chemistry, 2024 – Manipulating and investigating the room-temperature magnetic memory phenomenon: The impact of rare-earth ion doping on nickel oxide nanoparticles. Cited by 102190.

Badiger, H., Matteppanavar, S., et al., AIP Conference Proceedings, 2024 – Structural, cation distribution, magnetic and electrical properties of Co0.5Zn0.5−xNdxFe2O4 nano-ferrite. Cited by 2363.

Iyer, K.K., Maiti, K., Matteppanavar, S., et al., Phys. Rev. Materials, 2023 – Emergence of partially disordered antiferromagnetism and isothermal magnetization plateau due to geometrical frustration in a metallic compound, Er2RhSi3. Cited by L101401.

Ramakrishnan, S., Matteppanava, S., et al., Annalen der Physik, 2023 – Realization of Z2 Topological Metal in Single‐ Crystalline Nickel Deficient NiV2Se4. Cited by 535.

Conclusion

Dr. Shidaling Matteppanavar is a strong candidate for the Research for Outstanding Scientist Award. His extensive publication record, significant h-index, and successful acquisition of research grants underscore his contributions to the field of physics. By continuing to enhance his international collaborations and practical impact, he can further solidify his standing as a leading scientist in his domain.