Fahad Shahzad | Forestry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fahad Shahzad | Forestry | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant | Beijing Forestry University | China

Dr. Fahad Shahzad is a dedicated researcher specializing in Environmental Remote Sensing and Forest Management at Beijing Forestry University. He has developed expertise in machine learning applications for environmental monitoring, vegetation dynamics, and forest fire prediction, contributing extensively to high-impact international journals. His work encompasses forest fire prediction models, spatio-temporal analysis of vegetation stress under climatic variability, biomass and carbon stock modeling, and urban heat island dynamics. Fahad has led and collaborated on numerous research projects across China, Pakistan, and Europe, integrating geospatial technologies, Google Earth Engine, and advanced GIS tools to generate actionable insights for sustainable forest management and climate resilience. Beyond research, he has contributed to consultancy projects with government and development organizations, supervised field data collection, and reviewed peer-reviewed articles for leading scientific journals. Through his collaborations with institutions such as Wuhan University, University of Évora, University of Swat, and University of Peshawar, he actively bridges multidisciplinary expertise in environmental science. His work advances predictive modeling for vegetation health, wildfire risk, and carbon dynamics, mentoring early-career researchers and providing practical solutions to environmental and climate challenges. Dr. Fahad Shahzad commitment lies in leveraging data-driven approaches to address global sustainability issues, combining rigorous scientific research with actionable environmental management strategies. His research has garnered 281 citations across 140 documents, with 18 published papers contributing to an h-index of 10.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar | Researchgate

Featured Publications

Mehmood, K., Anees, S. A., Muhammad, S., Hussain, K., Shahzad, F., Liu, Q., … 2024. Analyzing vegetation health dynamics across seasons and regions through NDVI and climatic variables. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 11775.

Anees, S. A., Mehmood, K., Rehman, A., Rehman, N. U., Muhammad, S., … 2024. Unveiling fractional vegetation cover dynamics: A spatiotemporal analysis using MODIS NDVI and machine learning. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 24, 100485.

Mehmood, K., Anees, S. A., Rehman, A., Rehman, N. U., Muhammad, S., … 2024. Assessment of climatic influences on net primary productivity along elevation gradients in temperate ecoregions. Trees, Forests and People, 18, 100657.

Shahzad, F., Mehmood, K., Hussain, K., Haidar, I., Anees, S. A., Muhammad, S., … 2024. Comparing machine learning algorithms to predict vegetation fire detections in Pakistan. Fire Ecology, 20(1), 57.

Hussain, K., Mehmood, K., Yujun, S., Badshah, T., Anees, S. A., Shahzad, F., … 2025. Analysing LULC transformations using remote sensing data: Insights from a multilayer perceptron neural network approach. Annals of GIS, 31(3), 473-500.

Nawar Al-Tameemi | Soil and Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi | Soil and Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant | Beijing Forestry University | China

Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi is a dedicated research assistant at Beijing Forestry University specializing in environmental science, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis. His work focuses on understanding and mitigating land degradation and desertification in arid and semi-arid regions through advanced data-driven approaches. He has contributed to pioneering research projects that examine vegetation degradation, land-use change, and desertification risk mapping by integrating satellite-derived data, statistical analyses, and machine learning techniques. Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi develops innovative frameworks that objectively assess the influence of climatic, vegetative, and human factors on land degradation, providing high-precision risk maps to inform sustainable land management and policy interventions. His research enhances the accuracy and applicability of environmental monitoring tools and supports targeted strategies to promote soil and water conservation. With publications in leading journals such as MDPI Remote Sensing and practical experience in applied projects, he bridges academic research with real-world environmental solutions. Committed to advancing knowledge in sustainable land use, Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi also contributes to mentoring, collaboration, and capacity-building in climate education, fostering awareness of ecological resilience and the adoption of clean, sustainable practices across vulnerable landscapes.

Featured Publications

Al-Tameemi, N., Xuexia, Z., Shahzad, F., Mehmood, K., Linying, X., & Zhou, J. (2025). From trends to drivers: Vegetation degradation and land-use change in Babil and Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq (2000–2023). Remote Sensing, 17(19), 3343.

Rinal Prasad | Renewable Energy Management | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Rinal Prasad | Renewable Energy Management | Best Researcher Award

Teacher | University of Fiji | New Zealand

Mr. Rinal Prasad is a dedicated mathematics and physics educator with extensive experience in teaching and academic leadership across several secondary schools. Currently serving as a mathematics teacher at Thames High School, he has previously led departments in mathematics, physics, and science, demonstrating strong leadership and curriculum development skills. Mr. Rinal Prasad holds a Master’s in Renewable Energy Management and a Postgraduate qualification in Education, complementing his Bachelor of Science with a double major in mathematics and physics. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for excellence in teaching and sustainability initiatives, leading projects that earned national and regional awards, including solar energy and biogas implementations at educational institutions. He is skilled in communication, problem-solving, and educational technology, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Mathematica, LabVIEW, and Lynx. Mr. Rinal Prasad is committed to mentoring students, fostering team collaboration, and achieving academic excellence under challenging conditions. Beyond the classroom, he engages in community service, volunteering for disaster relief efforts and fundraising initiatives, reflecting a strong sense of social responsibility. Passionate about sports, music, and socializing, he balances professional dedication with personal interests, embodying a holistic approach to education and life. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, and student success marks him as a transformative figure in education.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Prasad, R. R. (2025, September 28). Decarbonising island kitchens: Assessing the small-scale flexible balloon digester’s clean cooking potential in Fiji.

Miodrag Spalevic | Numerical Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Miodrag Spalevic | Numerical Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Professor | University of Belgrade | Serbia

Prof. Dr. Miodrag Spalevic is a distinguished full professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, with additional teaching at the Mathematical Grammar School in Belgrade. He completed his PhD studies in mathematics at the universities of Kragujevac and Montenegro and serves as an external member of the University of Athens for faculty selection in numerical analysis, approximation theory, and numerical integration. Prof. Dr. Miodrag Spalevic has made significant contributions as editor and referee for numerous international journals and is actively involved in shaping research in applied and numerical analysis, scientific computing, and quadrature theory, particularly focusing on Gaussian-type quadrature formulas and orthogonal polynomials. He has authored over a hundred papers and several influential books and chapters, mentoring numerous MSc and PhD theses. His research explores advanced quadrature rules, error bounds, and numerical algorithms, emphasizing practical computation for analytic functions and Fourier coefficients. Prof. Dr. Miodrag Spalevic has participated in and contributed to a wide array of international conferences, delivering invited lectures, plenary talks, and keynote presentations, while also organizing specialized minisymposia. His work bridges rigorous theoretical development with practical computational methods, making him a leading figure in approximation, quadrature, and scientific computing. He has 88 documents with 723 citations, an h-index of 14, and is widely recognized for his editorial and academic leadership across global mathematical communities.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Researchgate 

Featured Publications

Milovanović, G. V., & Spalević, M. M. (1998). Construction of Chakalov–Popoviciu’s type quadrature formulae. Rend. Circ. Mat. Palermo, 52, 625–636.

Spalević, M. M. (1999). Bessel’s inequality in terms of a basis of Vk. Acta Sci. Math. (Szeged), 65, 169–177.

Spalević, M. M. (1999). Product of Turán quadratures for cube, simplex, surface of the sphere, Ern, Er2n. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 106, 99–115.

Spalević, M. M. (2002). Quadrature formulae of Radau and Lobatto type connected to s-orthogonal polynomials. Zh. Vychisl. Mat. Mat. Fiz., 42, 615–626.

Spalević, M. M. (2001). Remainder term in Chakalov–Popoviciu quadratures of Radau and Lobatto type and influence function. Publ. Inst. Math. (Beograd) (N.S.), 70(84), 79–93.

Xuhang Zhan | Sensor | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Xuhang Zhan | Sensor | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Xuhang Zhan | Shenzhen University | China

Mr. Xuhang Zhan is a dedicated researcher and engineer specializing in electromagnetic ultrasonic non-destructive testing and ultrasound imaging, with strong expertise in host computer software development. Their academic foundation encompasses optics, college physics, electromagnetic fields and waves, analog and digital electronic technology, and signals and systems, providing a solid basis for advanced research. Mr. Xuhang Zhan has focused on multi-scale non-destructive testing methods for power batteries, particularly oriented toward secondary utilization. They independently designed and built a battery scanning imaging experimental platform using electromagnetic ultrasonic technology to probe the interior of lithium-ion batteries. This work involved leading the design of an electromagnetic ultrasonic scanning probe, optimizing parameters through electromagnetic simulation, and integrating hardware and software for precise experimental operation. Using LabVIEW, they developed motor displacement control programs and ultrasonic signal acquisition systems, while MATLAB facilitated signal filtering, feature extraction, and two-dimensional imaging algorithms. Their platform was successfully tested across different battery models and manufacturers, demonstrating both technical innovation and practical applicability. Beyond research, Mr. Xuhang Zhan has cultivated extensive experience in industrial control upper computer software development and collaborative hardware-software integration. Their skills extend to ultrasonic processing, imaging algorithm development, and experimental optimization. Throughout their academic journey, they actively engaged in college competitions, earning recognition for their achievements, reflecting a blend of creativity, technical rigor, and leadership. Mr. Xuhang Zhan continues to advance the field of non-destructive testing with a strong commitment to innovation and applied research in battery diagnostics and imaging technologies.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Zhan, X., Li, Z., Chen, H., Yu, G., & Li, X. (2025, September). Optimization and application of electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer for battery non-destructive testing. Sensors.

Nouman Liaqat | Electrical Engineer | Best Research Article Award

Mr. Nouman Liaqat | Electrical Engineer | Best Research Article Award

Engineer | Al-Dafe Trading and Contracting Company | Saudi Arabia

Mr. Nouman Liaqat is a passionate and accomplished Electrical Engineer whose expertise spans power systems, renewable energy, and intelligent control systems. His career reflects extensive hands-on experience in LV & MV cable design, lighting and power systems, earthing, lightning protection, and building management systems. He has contributed to major industrial and infrastructure projects in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating proficiency in electrical installations, fire safety systems, and HVAC integration. As an MEP Engineer at AL-DAFE in the Sky Project, Jeddah, he is engaged in low current systems including CCTV, Wi-Fi, and access control. Mr. Nouman Liaqat has also worked with leading firms such as Renewable Engineering Solutions, Ibrahim Fibers, and Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company, gaining valuable experience in switchgear, DCS, and control room operations. His academic excellence is reflected through gold medals in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, where his thesis focused on data-driven microgrid optimization using machine learning. His technical skills include AutoCAD, IoT system development, embedded programming, and PCB design. Mr. Nouman Liaqat has also been recognized for his innovative academic projects, such as self-balancing robots and solar-powered microgrids, earning top honors for his creativity and performance. Beyond engineering, he is proficient in multiple programming languages, holds certifications in digital technologies, and actively contributes to scholarly research, including journal publications on outage prediction in microgrids. His research has achieved 23 citations from 23 documents with 2 publications and an h-index of 1, reflecting his growing impact in the field. Mr. Nouman Liaqat continues to pursue excellence through technological innovation, sustainable engineering solutions, and interdisciplinary collaboration across global energy systems.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ji, T., Liaqat, F., Khazi, M. I., Liaqat, N., Nawaz, M. Z., & Zhu, D. (2024). Lignin biotransformation: Advances in enzymatic valorization and bioproduction strategies. Industrial Crops and Products, 216, 118759.

Liaqat, F., Khazi, M. I., Ji, T., Liaqat, N., Le, Y., Al-Ghanim, K. A., Nawaz, M. Z., et al. (2024). Biovalorization of lignin-derived substrates to vanillylamine via a self-sufficient amino donor and cofactor recycling whole-cell platform. Environmental Research, 263, 120112.

Shivukumar Rakkasagi | Climate Change | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Shivukumar Rakkasagi | Climate Change | Young Scientist Award

Indian Institute of Technology Indore | India

Dr. Shivukumar Rakkasagi is a dedicated researcher and educator in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the same institution, an M.Sc. in Geoinformatics from Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, and a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University. His research focuses on hydroclimatic extremes, wetland resilience, and geospatial-AI integration for climate risk assessment and sustainable environmental management. Dr. Shivukumar Rakkasagi has contributed to the understanding of climate-induced hazards affecting Ramsar wetlands and biodiversity through novel frameworks combining hydrology, AI, and socio-technical perspectives. His previous experience includes roles at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, and the Indian Space Research Organisation, where he developed expertise in remote sensing, GIS, and environmental modeling. He has co-authored numerous high-impact journal papers and book chapters published by Springer, Elsevier, and Nature, contributing significantly to climate resilience research. With 136 citations across 81 documents, 12 publications, and an h-index of 6, his scholarly impact continues to grow in the field of environmental sciences. Dr. Shivukumar Rakkasagi has been recognized with multiple prestigious honors, including national fellowships, best presentation awards, and scientific distinctions for excellence in Earth and environmental sciences. He actively serves as a reviewer for international journals such as Scientific Reports, Remote Sensing of Environment, and Water Resources Management and is a member of various professional and scientific societies. His interdisciplinary work bridges research and policy, fostering sustainable solutions for climate adaptation, ecosystem protection, and water resource resilience.

Featured Publications

Goyal, M. K., Gupta, A. K., Jha, S., Rakkasagi, S., & Jain, V. (2022). Climate change impact on precipitation extremes over Indian cities: Non-stationary analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 180, 121685.

Rakkasagi, S., Goyal, M. K., & Jha, S. (2024). Evaluating the future risk of coastal Ramsar wetlands in India to extreme rainfalls using fuzzy logic. Journal of Hydrology, 632, 130869.

Goyal, M. K., Rakkasagi, S., Shaga, S., Zhang, T. C., Surampalli, R. Y., & Dubey, S. (2023). Spatiotemporal-based automated inundation mapping of Ramsar wetlands using Google Earth Engine. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 17324.

Rakkasagi, S., Poonia, V., & Goyal, M. K. (2023). Flash drought as a new climate threat: Drought indices, insights from a study in India and implications for future research. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 14(9), 3368–3384.

Goyal, M. K., Gupta, A. K., Das, J., Jain, V., & Rakkasagi, S. (2023). Heatwave magnitude impact over Indian cities: CMIP 6 projections. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 154(3), 959–971.

Salar Salah Muhy Al-Din | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Salar Salah Muhy Al-Din | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Salar Salah Muhy Al-Din is a distinguished academic and researcher in architecture and sustainable design, currently serving in the Faculty of Design at Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design, Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. He holds a B.Eng. in Civil and Surveying Engineering from the University of Baghdad, an M.Sc. in Sustainable Architecture from Bharaty Vidyapeeth University, India, and a Ph.D. in Architecture from Girne American University, North Cyprus. His research focuses on sustainable and climate-responsive architectural design, indoor thermal comfort, and the integration of smart and salutogenic design principles in buildings. He has contributed extensively through teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervising Master’s theses on energy optimization, healthcare architecture, and project management, and publishing in top-tier international journals on thermal comfort, sustainable building materials, and smart design policies. Assist. Prof. Dr. Salar Salah Muhy Al-Din has initiated and led scientific projects including the establishment of the Journal of Salutogenic Architecture and regional collaborations for sustainable city planning in Kurdistan. He has received awards for innovative design projects and best paper presentations at international architecture conferences. He serves as Editor-in-Chief and editorial board member of multiple journals, session chair at global conferences, and is an active member of professional organizations such as the Iraqi Engineers Union, Kurdistan Engineers Union, and international smart city networks. His work bridges practical architectural solutions with environmental sustainability, influencing policy, urban planning, and the next generation of architects through innovative research and education. He has 22 citations by 19 documents with an h-index of 3.

Featured Publications

Amen, M. A., Afara, A., & Muhy-Al-Din, S. S. (2024). The persuasibility of globe thermometer in predicting indoor thermal comfort using non-standard globe diameter: Row houses of semi-arid climates as case studies. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 12(1), 425–435.

Muhy Al-Din, S. S. (2017). The influence of Mediterranean modernist movement of architecture in Lefkosa: The first and early second half of 20th century. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 1(1), 10–23.

Shawkat, L. W., Al-Din, S. S. M., & Kuzovic, D. (2018). Opportunities for practicing sustainable building construction in Kurdistan region, Iraq. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 2(1), 69–101.

Muhy Al-Din, S. S., Iranfare, M., & Surchi, Z. N. S. (2017). Building thermal comfort based on envelope development: Criteria for selecting right case study in Kyrenia-North Cyprus. Energy Procedia, 115, 80–91.

Muhy Al-Din, S. S. (2019). Evaluation of the sustainable aspects in housing sector to overcome housing stress in Northern Iraq. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs.

Sali Atanga Ndindeng | Food Quality | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sali Atanga Ndindeng | Food Quality | Best Researcher Award

Africa Rice Center | Ivory Coast

Dr. Sali Atanga Ndindeng is a distinguished Grain Quality and Post-Harvest Scientist and Program Leader of the Rice Sector Development Program at the Africa Rice Center, where he also serves as Principal Scientist in Grain Quality and Post-Harvest Technology, Co-Lead for Scaling for Impact, and Interim One CGIAR Country Convenor for Côte d’Ivoire. With a PhD in Agriculture from Hokkaido University, Japan, and extensive experience in biochemistry and agricultural sciences, he has dedicated his career to developing, testing, and scaling innovations in rice post-harvest management and grain quality enhancement. He collaborates closely with breeders under the Global One Rice Program, National Agricultural Research Institutes across Africa, and development partners to advance varietal screening, parboiling technologies, fortified rice products, and low glycemic rice-based foods. He has successfully established multi-stakeholder rice platforms in numerous African countries and led the creation of Healthy Diets Living Laboratories to promote nutritious food systems. His work encompasses designing climate-smart rice value chains, coordinating major donor-funded projects, and fostering public-private partnerships to strengthen research, policy, and market linkages. Ndindeng has developed a range of innovations, including improved artisanal parboiling technologies, rice husk stoves, multipurpose grinders, fortified rice recipes, and methodologies for assessing post-harvest losses. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating the impact of his research on agricultural productivity, nutrition, and sustainable development, with 603 citations by 514 documents across 40 publications and an h-index of 14. Fluent in English and French, he also mentors emerging scientists and guides the next generation of rice sector innovators across Africa, reflecting his commitment to advancing agricultural science and improving livelihoods on the continent.

Featured Publications

Wanji, S., Tanke, T., Atanga, S. N., Ajonina, C., Nicholas, T., & Fontenille, D. (2003). Anopheles species of the mount Cameroon region: Biting habits, feeding behaviour and entomological inoculation rates. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 8(7), 643-649.

Ndindeng, S. A., Mbassi, J. E. G., Mbacham, W. F., Manful, J., Graham-Acquaah, S., … (2015). Quality optimization in briquettes made from rice milling by-products. Energy for Sustainable Development, 29, 24-31.

Wanji, S., Tendongfor, N., Esum, M., Ndindeng, S., & Enyong, P. (2003). Epidemiology of concomitant infections due to Loa loa, Mansonella perstans, and Onchocerca volvulus in rain forest villages of Cameroon. Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 192(1), 15-21.

Ndindeng, S. A., Manful, J., Futakuchi, K., Mapiemfu-Lamare, D., Akoa-Etoa, J. M., … (2015). Upgrading the quality of Africa’s rice: A novel artisanal parboiling technology for rice processors in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Science & Nutrition, 3(6), 557-568.

Zohoun, E. V., Tang, E. N., Soumanou, M. M., Manful, J., Akissoe, N. H., Bigoga, J., … (2018). Physicochemical and nutritional properties of rice as affected by parboiling steaming time at atmospheric pressure and variety. Food Science & Nutrition, 6(3), 638-652.

Marina Vranić | Animal Nutrition | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Prof. Dr. Marina Vranić | Animal Nutrition | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Professor | University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture | Croatia

Prof. Dr. Marina Vranić is a distinguished Croatian scholar and full professor at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Forage and Grassland. Her academic journey began with a degree in agriculture specializing in livestock production, followed by a master’s in animal nutrition and a doctorate in grassland studies, all from the University of Zagreb. Before entering academia, she gained valuable professional experience as an adviser in governmental offices, as well as through roles in agricultural policy and commercial enterprises, which shaped her multidisciplinary perspective. Her primary research interests include forage conservation, animal nutrition, in vivo research methods, and the application of advanced NIR spectroscopy for predicting forage nutritive value. She has authored and co-authored more than one hundred publications, contributing significantly to the fields of animal nutrition and forage science, with her work widely recognized both nationally and internationally. Her scholarly impact is reflected in 114 citations by 91 documents, 34 documents, and an h-index of 7. In addition to research, she has actively contributed to international scientific collaborations and projects, including those supported by the Croatian Science Foundation and the World Bank. She has been involved in numerous studies addressing the improvement of forage quality, sustainable livestock production, and nutritive modulation of fatty acids in animal diets. Known for her strong communication skills, she excels in collaborative research environments and has mentored students and young researchers in the agricultural sciences. Her contributions extend beyond academia through her engagement in policy development, scientific societies, and applied agricultural practices, reflecting her dedication to advancing sustainable food production and livestock nutrition in Croatia and beyond.

Featured Publications

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Perčulija, G., Grbeša, D., Leto, J., Bošnjak, K., & Rupić, I. (2004). Quality of bulky forages on family farms in the Republic of Croatia. Mljekarstvo, 54(3), 175–186.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Bošnjak, K., Leto, J., & Perčulija, G. (2007). Feeding value of low quality grass silage supplemented with maize silage for sheep. MTT Agrifood Research Finland.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Bošnjak, K., Leto, J., Perčulija, G., & Matić, I. (2008). Effects of replacing grass silage harvested at two maturity stages with maize silage in the ration upon the intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention in wether sheep. Livestock Science, 114(1), 84–92.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Leto, J., Perčulija, G., Bošnjak, K., Kutnjak, H., & Maslov, L. (2005). Quality of bulky forages on family farms in the Republic of Croatia: Monitoring of grass silage quality during two winter feeding seasons of dairy cows. Mljekarstvo, 55(4), 297–312.

Mašek, T., Krstulović, L., Brozić, D., Vranić, M., Maurić, M., Bajić, M., & Starčević, K. (2014). Cow colostrum and early milk enriched with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acid. European Food Research and Technology, 238(4), 635–640.