Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Climate Change Mitigation | Women Researcher Award

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Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Climate Change Mitigation | Women Researcher Award

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | University of Naples | Italy

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is an emerging researcher in Earth observation, remote sensing, and sustainable agroforestry, recognized for his strong interdisciplinary expertise and innovative scientific contributions. As a PhD student at the University of Naples Federico II, he focuses on integrating drone technologies, satellite imagery, and advanced data science methods to improve biomass estimation and precision agriculture in agroforestry systems. His research advances the use of UAS-based RGB, multispectral, and thermal datasets combined with AI, neural networks, photogrammetry, and supervised learning to monitor vegetation structure and enhance ecosystem productivity. With a foundation in Earth sciences and specialization in remote sensing and geoinformatics, Andsera has developed analytical skills spanning GIS, programming, machine learning, environmental modeling, and geospatial data processing. His earlier work on landslide susceptibility mapping in complex terrains contributed to environmental risk assessment in Ethiopia. He has authored peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Environmental Challenges and Aerospace, and has presented at major international conferences including IEEE MetroAerospace. His achievements have been recognized through the prestigious ENI Award, honoring young African talent in scientific research. Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen training in drone operation, big data foundations for Earth observation, and agricultural remote sensing further strengthens his technical versatility. His collaborations with academic and research institutions reflect a commitment to developing sustainable, data-driven solutions for environmental monitoring and climate-resilient land management. He has 2 citations by 2 documents, 2 documents in total, and holds an h-index of 1, highlighting his early but promising research impact. Through his work, he continues to contribute to the advancement of Earth observation technologies and their application in supporting sustainable agroecosystems and geospatial innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Mekonnen, A. A., Raghuvanshi, T. K., Suryabhagavan, K. V., & Kassawmar, T. (2022). GIS-based landslide susceptibility zonation and risk assessment in complex landscape: A case of Beshilo watershed, northern Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100586. Cited by: 57

Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2024). Above ground biomass estimation in agroforestry environment by UAS and RGB imagery. In 2024 11th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace (MetroAeroSpace). Cited by: 3

Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2025). Above-ground biomass prediction in agroforestry areas using machine learning and multispectral drone imagery. In 2025 IEEE 12th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace. Cited by: 1

Mekonen, A. A., Conte, C., & Accardo, D. (2025). An effective process to use drones for above-ground biomass estimation in agroforestry landscapes. Aerospace, 12(11), 1001.

Sisay Belete, S. B., Melkamu Bezabih, M. B., Birhan Abdulkadir, B. A., … (2019). Inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer improve food-feed traits of grain legumes in mixed crop-livestock systems of Ethiopia.

Maria Eugenia Salgado Salomón | Climatic Change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Maria Eugenia Salgado Salomón | Climatic Change | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco | Argentina 

Dr. María Eugenia Salgado Salomón is an accomplished forest engineer and biologist whose career seamlessly integrates research, teaching, and applied science in forest ecosystems, with a particular focus on mycorrhizal fungi, invasive species, and forest health in Patagonia. She holds advanced degrees in biology and forest engineering, complemented by international specialization in governance and integrated water management. Her professional journey includes leadership as head of the Phytopathology and Applied Microbiology department at CIEFAP and a researcher role at CONICET, where she has advanced projects on ectomycorrhizal interactions, fungal invasions, and forest resilience under climate change. She has mentored doctoral and professional students, supervised internships, and trained human resources, while contributing to knowledge transfer for forestry and agricultural producers. Her research, cited by 138 articles and reflected in 14 peer-reviewed documents with an h-index of 8, spans international collaborations, field studies, molecular techniques, and interdisciplinary approaches, yielding numerous publications, book chapters, and technical reports. She has engaged in global initiatives like INTACT, focusing on truffle cultivation and sustainable forest practices, and projects assessing forest biodiversity, post-wildfire resilience, and fungal taxonomy. As a dedicated educator, she teaches courses in biodiversity, conservation, topography, and remote sensing, nurturing future specialists in environmental and forest sciences. Her professional service includes thesis examination, journal peer review, and participation on editorial boards and international scientific committees. Through leadership, scientific rigor, and commitment to sustainable forest management, Dr. María Eugenia Salgado Salomón is a recognized authority in Patagonian forest ecology and mycorrhizal research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Huymann, L., Salgado Salomón, M. E., Rüde, L., Seibl, C., Schön, R., Barroetaveña, C., Siewert, B., & Peintner, U. (2025). Unveiling hidden treasures: A revision of phlegmacioid Cortinariaceae with special focus on edible South American species of Thaxterogaster subgenus Cretaces. Persoonia. In preparation.

Giles, P. V., Salgado Salomón, M. E., Carrión, N. N., & Barroetaveña, C. (2025). Amanita muscaria invasion in native Nothofagus dombeyi and Lophozonia alpina in Patagonia, Argentina: Unravel belowground associations. Bosques. In preparation.

Giles, P. V., Salgado Salomón, M. E., Pildain, M. B., & Barroetaveña, C. (2025). Invasive Amanita muscaria in Nothofagus dombeyi forests in Patagonia, Argentina. Biological Invasion Note. In revision.

Arguiano, C., Salgado Salomón, M. E., Barroetaveña, C., & Roy, M. (2025). Wildfire impact on below-ground communities associated with Nothofagus forests in Patagonia. Fire Ecology. In revision.

Salgado Salomón, M. E., García Barreda, S., Mohr Bell, D., Pildain, M. B., & Barroetaveña, C. (2025). Mapeo de zonas aptas para truficultura en Patagonia Argentina. Forest Systems. In press.

Salgado Salomón, M. E., De Errasti, A., Talarico, S. S., Gianolini, S., Urretavizcaya, F., & Barroetaveña, C. (2024). Evaluation of abundance and viability of arbuscular mycorrhizal spores in Austrocedrus chilensis forests affected by wildfires in Patagonia, Argentina. Wild, 2(3), 36.

Maral Habibi | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Maral Habibi | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

climate and environment, University of Graz: Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz, Austria 

Dr. Maral Habibi is a Climate Research Scientist at the University of Graz, Austria 🌍. With over a decade of experience in climatology, remote sensing, and environmental modeling, she has significantly contributed to drought monitoring, snow drought analysis, and climate vulnerability studies. Her research bridges science and policy, focusing on sustainable solutions for climate challenges such as water scarcity and extreme weather events 💧🌪️. She has served at leading institutions like GeoSphere Austria and ASMERC, and remains actively involved in EU and national climate projects, delivering impactful science that informs SDG policy and resilience planning 📊.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Habibi holds a Ph.D. in Physical Geography with a specialization in Climate Impacts, where she developed advanced modeling tools to assess climate-induced vulnerabilities across arid and mountainous terrains 🏔️📚. Her academic journey was shaped by rigorous training in geospatial analysis, meteorology, and environmental systems at esteemed institutions, building a strong foundation in climate sciences. Her education not only provided technical expertise but also fostered a passion for translational research — turning data into decisions for communities and ecosystems under stress 🌿.

Experience 💼

Dr. Habibi has served in multiple scientific and academic roles across Europe and the Middle East 🗺️. She is currently a Climate Research Scientist at the University of Graz, contributing to EU-funded projects such as HISTALP and SDGHub. At GeoSphere Austria, she supported climate reporting systems and national adaptation strategies 🛰️. As a researcher at ASMERC/RIMAS, she focused on dust storm dynamics and extreme climate events in arid regions. With visiting research experience at Padova University (Italy), she’s also involved in international collaborations on hydrological modeling and bias correction for climate data 🌧️🌬️.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Habibi’s research centers on climate change impact assessment, drought and snow drought monitoring, and geostatistical climate data interpolation 📡. She specializes in satellite-based environmental change detection, mountain hydrology, dust storm modeling, and sustainability indicators aligned with SDGs 🌎📈. Her innovations, such as improved kriging-based interpolation techniques and multi-index vulnerability frameworks, support risk mapping and policy applications. Her work applies remote sensing and AI to model environmental extremes and inform adaptation planning, making her research vital for climate-resilient futures 🔄.

Awards 🏅

Recognized for her impactful work in climate modeling and sustainability, Dr. Habibi is a prime candidate for the Best Researcher Award by Environmental Scientists Awards 🏆. Her portfolio includes over 25 peer-reviewed publications, coordination in national and EU-level projects, and active participation in global research networks such as the EGU and Copernicus 🌐. Her contributions to climate services, drought detection, and SDG indicator development have supported policy initiatives in Austria and beyond, marking her as a leader in applied environmental science 🏛️.

Publications 📚

📘 Drought Characteristics and Variability in the Urmia Lake Basin: Application of the SPI and SPEI, Water, 2022 – Cited by 17

📘 Assessing Snow Drought in the Alpine Region Using Homogenized Time Series, Atmosphere, 2023 – Cited by 9

📘 Climate Vulnerability Index for Drying Lakes: A Case from Iran, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2022 – Cited by 6

📘 Geostatistical Interpolation of Climate Indicators: Kriging with External Drift Method, Remote Sensing, 2021 – Cited by 11

📘 Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources in Arid Regions, Land, 2022 – Cited by 8

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Maral Habibi is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary research, international collaborations, and application of climate science for real-world environmental planning strongly support her candidacy. With continued growth in citation impact and expanded leadership roles, her contributions to sustainable environmental solutions are both commendable and forward-looking.

Shanshan Wang | Regional Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr Shanshan Wang | Regional Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Lanzhou University, China🌟

Dr. Wang Shanshan is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University. With a Ph.D. in Meteorology earned in 2015, she has made substantial contributions to understanding climate change, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Dr. Wang has over 50 impactful publications and nearly 2000 citations, demonstrating her pivotal role in the scientific community. She actively participates in national research projects and academic collaborations, bringing innovative insights into climate extremes.

Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Wang completed her Ph.D. in Meteorology at Lanzhou University in 2015. Her education laid a strong foundation for her research into climate change dynamics, emphasizing the mechanisms of extreme weather events.

Experience 💼

From 2015 to 2019, Dr. Wang worked at the Institute of Arid Meteorology under the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). She also served as a guest researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015–2016). Since 2019, she has been a young researcher at Lanzhou University, contributing to cutting-edge research in climate studies.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Wang’s research focuses on climate change in arid and semi-arid regions, with a special interest in the mechanisms driving extreme flood and drought events. She is also passionate about quantifying human impacts on weather extremes and developing predictive models to enhance climate adaptation strategies.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Wang Shanshan has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades for her outstanding contributions to the field of meteorology. She was awarded the “Outstanding Youth Fund” in Gansu Province and the esteemed Xie Yibing Youth Meteorological Science & Technology Award. Her commitment to advancing climate research also earned her recognition under the “Young Science and Technology Talent Promotion Project” in Gansu Province. Furthermore, her impactful work has been acknowledged with prizes from the Ministry of Education and Gansu Province, solidifying her reputation as a leading scientist in her field. 🏆🌟

Publications Top Notes 📚

Dr. Wang has over 50 published papers in prestigious journals, including:

Long-term variations in diurnal precipitation patterns and their attribution to aerosols across China (2024, Atmospheric Research) – DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107883

Published in Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS)

Published in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL)

Published in Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR)

Published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS)

Conclusion

Dr. Wang Shanshan is a highly deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her impressive track record of academic achievements, innovative research contributions, and significant impact on understanding extreme weather events positions her as a leader in her field. With her continued dedication to advancing climate science, she is an ideal candidate for this prestigious award.