Shivukumar Rakkasagi | Climate Change | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

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.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Researchgate 

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.

Dr. Alis Shbaita | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Alis Shbaita | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alis Shbaita, Near East University, Cyprus

Alice Shbaita is a passionate and optimistic professional with expertise in Interior Architecture. With over two decades of experience in teaching and practice, she is committed to lifelong learning and refining her design skills. Alice is known for her dedication to enhancing her clients’ environments through creative and functional design solutions.

Profile

Orcid

Alice Shbaita has a strong background in interior architecture with diverse experience in academia and the professional industry, which makes her a good candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Here’s an analysis:

Strengths for the Award

Academic Credentials: Pursuing a PhD in Interior Architecture, with a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Interior Design.

Research Publications: Published in international journals, including articles on environmental challenges and biophilic design, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

Professional Experience: Significant practical experience, from junior to chief interior designer roles across multiple countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine).

Technical Skills: Proficient in essential design tools like AutoCAD, Photoshop, and 3D Max, along with project management and concept development.

Multicultural Expertise: Experience in various cultures, which enhances her design sensitivity and adaptability.

Areas for Improvement

Focused Research Scope: Expanding her research to cover emerging trends in design technology or human-centered design could increase her academic impact.

Publication Impact: Publishing in more high-impact journals would further elevate her academic profile.

Leadership in Academia: A more prominent leadership role in academic or professional associations could strengthen her candidacy.

🎓 Education

  • Ph.D. in Interior Architecture (2020 – Present)
    Near East University, Lefkosa, Cyprus
  • Master’s in Interior Design (2013 – 2016)
    World Islamic Sciences and Education University, Amman, Jordan
  • Bachelor’s in Interior Design (1999 – 2003)
    An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine

💼 Experience

  • Lecturer – Interior Design (2018 – 2019)
    Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
  • Chief Interior Designer (2010 – 2013)
    Arkan Engineering Consulting Office, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
  • Senior Interior Designer (2009 – 2010)
    Alaa Hariri Engineering Office, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
  • Junior Interior Designer (2004 – 2009)
    Al Raed Engineering Consulting Office, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
  • Junior Interior Designer (2003 – 2004)
    Venice Engineering Consulting Office, Nablus, Palestine

🔬 Research Interest

Alice’s research interests focus on biophilic design and sustainable architecture, with an emphasis on integrating nature-inspired elements into interior spaces. She is also passionate about exploring environmental challenges in design, particularly in the context of the Middle East.

🏆 Awards & Certificates

Leadership Skills and Charisma (2010)
Chamber of Commerce

IELTS (2019)

📚 Publication Top Notes

An Evidence-Based Assessment of Biophilic Interior Design in a Traditional Context: The Case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of Environmental Challenges of Jordan

Conclusion

Alice’s blend of academic, research, and practical experience makes her a strong contender for the “Best Researcher Award.” With a focus on further strengthening her research portfolio and leadership roles, she could solidify her standing in the academic and design communities.