Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | University of Crete | Greece

Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki is a dedicated emerging researcher specializing in marine biology, with particular focus on microplastic pollution, marine organisms, and sediment–water interactions, and she is currently affiliated with the University of Crete, where she is pursuing her doctoral studies in biology. Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s academic background reflects a strong foundation in environmental science and aquatic ecology, supported by rigorous training that has shaped her into a capable and analytically driven scientist whose work bridges laboratory analysis and field-based marine research. Throughout her professional experience, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki has contributed to multidisciplinary research groups investigating microplastic contamination in marine organisms, metal accumulation within integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems, and environmental stress responses in benthic ecosystems, allowing her to develop proficiency in sampling methodologies, microscopic and spectroscopic identification of microplastics, statistical data evaluation, and risk-benefit assessments related to seafood safety. Her research interests revolve around understanding anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on microplastic occurrence in commercially valuable species such as mussels, pearl oysters, and Mediterranean fish, as well as the ecological implications of aquaculture activities on growth performance and contaminant exposure in bivalves and other marine organisms. Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s research skills include microplastic extraction and quantification techniques, environmental monitoring, aquaculture system analysis, organismal tissue processing, and data interpretation within ecological and toxicological frameworks, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to both applied and theoretical marine science. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications addressing critical regional and global concerns regarding marine pollution, contributing to the scientific understanding of how microplastics and metals interact with biological systems in the Mediterranean Sea. Her work has already been recognized through measurable scholarly impact, including citations and collaboration with well-established marine scientists, demonstrating her growing influence in the field. In addition, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki has received acknowledgment within her academic community for her dedication, research productivity, and contributions to collaborative environmental projects, underscoring her commitment to advancing marine conservation efforts. Overall, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s academic journey, research achievements, and expanding expertise position her as a promising young scientist whose work continues to support sustainable aquaculture practices, informed environmental management, and deeper scientific understanding of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

  1. Manolaki, S.-M., Chatzivasileiou, D., Lampa, M., Dimitriou, P. D., Philippidis, A., & others. (2023). Microplastic contamination in cultured mussels and pearl oysters in Greece.

  2. Manolaki, S.-M., Dimitriou, P. D., Lampa, M., Karakassis, I., & Papageorgiou, N. (2025). Microplastic concentration in Mediterranean commercial fish: A systematic review.

  3. Dimitra, C., Baltadakis, A., Dimitriou, P. D., Magiopoulos, I., Manolaki, S.-M., & others. (2025). Metal in organisms cultivated in IMTA systems at Mediterranean fish farms: Risk and benefit assessment.

 

Roger Falconer | Water Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Roger Falconer | Water Science | Best Researcher Award

Emeritus Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom 

Roger Falconer is an internationally renowned expert in Hydro-Environmental Modelling 🌊 and Flood Risk Modelling 🌧️. He serves as Emeritus Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering at Cardiff University and holds professorial roles in leading Chinese institutions 🇨🇳. As a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering 🏅 and a Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, he has shaped water security strategies globally 🌍. With 7000+ Scopus citations and over 70 supervised PhDs, his contributions span academic, policy, and industrial applications in water systems, flooding, and tidal renewable energy ⚡.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Roger Falconer’s academic journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from King’s College London 🎓, followed by a Master’s (MSCE) from the University of Washington 🇺🇸. He earned a PhD DIC from Imperial College London and later received prestigious higher doctorates: DEng from the University of Birmingham and DSc(Eng) from Imperial College London 📘. In 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering by the University of Bradford in recognition of his distinguished engineering leadership 🏗️.

💼 Experience

Roger Falconer began his academic career as a Lecturer in Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Birmingham (1977–86), advancing to Professor of Environmental Hydraulics and Department Head at the University of Bradford (1986–97) 🏫. At Cardiff University, he served as Professor (1997–2018) and now holds the title of Emeritus Professor. Internationally, he has held honorary roles in leading Chinese universities and advised major institutions on hydro-environmental issues 🌐.

🔬 Research Interest

His research focuses on Hydro-Environmental Modelling, Flood Risk Modelling, Tidal Renewable Energy, and Global Water Security 🌐. Roger pioneered modelling tools such as DIVAST, a key engine in the widely used Flood Modeller software 💻. His models support over 100 global environmental impact assessments and are used by 60+ academic institutions worldwide 🌍. His recent work expands to tidal lagoons and barrages, helping shape sustainable water infrastructure for the future 🌊.

🏆 Awards

Roger Falconer is a Fellow of four prestigious academies, including the Royal Academy of Engineering (1997) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (2019) 🌟. He has received multiple honorary memberships and chaired the REF2014 Civil Engineering panel in the UK 🇬🇧. As a prolific speaker, he’s delivered 40+ keynotes and held lectures at 570+ institutions worldwide. His impact on water engineering has been recognized globally through awards, lectureships, and scientific advisory roles 🥇.

📚 Publications

Modelling and Forecasting Processes in Urban Environments (2025) – Hydrology
📑 Cited by: TBD

An Approach for IoT-Based Smart Sensors Placement (2025) – EGU
📑 Cited by: TBD

Monsoonal Extreme Rainfall in Southeast Asia: A Review (2024) – Water
📑 Cited by: TBD

Impact of West Somerset Lagoon on Water Renewal (2024) – EGU
📑 Cited by: TBD

The Influence of Open Boundary Location on Tidal Lagoon Modelling (2023) – EGU
📑 Cited by: TBD

Dynamic Tracing of Fecal Bacteria Using 2D/3D Models (2022) – River
📑 Cited by: TBD

A Unified Formula for Discharge Capacity of Street Inlets (2022) – Journal of Hydrology
📑 Cited by: 5+

Flood Risk Assessment of People and Vehicles (2022) – Science of The Total Environment
📑 Cited by: 10+

Water Security: Why We Need Global Solutions (2021) – Engineering
📑 Cited by: 25+

Tidal Energy Generation Schemes Using Genetic Algorithms (2021) – Applied Energy
📑 Cited by: 15+

Conclusion

Roger Falconer is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to his remarkable contributions to hydro-environmental modelling, his substantial academic output, and his leadership within the field. His models and research have global relevance, especially in addressing complex issues related to water security and sustainable development. With continued collaboration in interdisciplinary fields, Falconer has the potential to influence future water management strategies and policies on a global scale.