Aurele Ayemele Kenfack Gnetegha | Climate | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Aurele Ayemele Kenfack Gnetegha | Climate | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, Kunming Institute of Botany Chine, China

Dr. Ayemele Aurele is an accomplished early-career researcher specializing in ruminant nutrition, sustainable livestock production, and feed innovation. With a dynamic career shaped by global collaboration, he has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow, Senior Lecturer, and Visiting Professor across Africa and Asia. Currently affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, he leads transformative research that enhances animal productivity while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. πŸŒπŸ„πŸ’‘

Profile

Orcid

πŸŽ“ Education

Dr. Aurele earned his PhD in Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Science from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (in collaboration with Ohio State University, USA) in 2021. His research focused on improving nitrogen efficiency in ruminants using novel plants. He also holds a Master’s in Agroforestry & Fisheries and a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Dschang, Cameroon. πŸ“˜πŸ§ͺ🌿

πŸ’Ό Professional Experience

Dr. Aurele brings over a decade of multidisciplinary experience in teaching, research, and policy advising. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bamenda and Visiting Professor in China, he has supervised students, led research projects, and taught advanced courses in animal production and nutrition. Previously, he advised national climate policy under UNFCCC and worked with CIFOR on sustainable agriculture. πŸŒπŸ‘¨β€πŸ«πŸ“Š

πŸ”¬ Research Interest

Dr. Aurele’s research focuses on sustainable livestock nutrition, climate-smart feeding strategies, and microbial ecology in ruminants. His innovative work includes developing new forages and feed additives, reducing methane emissions, and enhancing rumen microbial efficiency using bioactive phytochemicals. 🌱🧬🐐

πŸ† Awards and Honors

He has secured funding from prestigious institutions such as the Chinese government and the EU, leading projects on forage innovation and climate-resilient livestock systems. His Marie Curie fellowship proposal received the EU’s β€œSeal of Excellence” in 2024. He coordinated over five major research initiatives, influencing feed science policy and practice. πŸ†πŸŒπŸ“ˆ

πŸ“š Publications

Rumen microbiota for cattle performance and greenhouse gas mitigation across the world
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024 (IF: 9.8)
πŸ”— Link – Accepted for publication
Scientific impact: Demonstrated roles of microbial groups in improving milk yield and reducing methane.
πŸ“‘ Cited by: In press

Feeding strategies for cattle performance and greenhouse gas mitigation across the world
Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 2024 (IF: 12)
πŸ”— Link – Under review
Scientific impact: Recommends feed additives for sustainable dairy farming.
πŸ“‘ Cited by: In review

Giant milkweed: A new plant resource…
Science of the Total Environment, 2020 (IF: 9.754)
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140665
πŸ“‘ Cited by: 52 articles
Use of phytochemicals to inhibit protozoa and reduce ammonia without increasing CHβ‚„.

Identification of bioactive phytochemicals…
Biology, 2021 (IF: 5.168)
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101055
πŸ“‘ Cited by: 18 articles
First-time analysis of six forest plants inhibiting rumen ammonia and protozoa.

Turning weeds into feed: Ensiling Calotropis gigantea…
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2024 (IF: 6.8)
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116292
πŸ“‘ Cited by: 4 articles
Revealed detoxification strategy that makes GM palatable and safe for dairy cows.

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Ayemele Aurele exemplifies the qualities of an emerging scientific leader in sustainable ruminant production and climate-smart agriculture. With high-quality publications, international teaching and research experience, and demonstrated innovation in feed science, he is a strong and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. πŸ…πŸŒŸ

Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Major Melusi Mabuza πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ is a dynamic Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng – ECSA), academic leader, and dedicated researcher currently serving as Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg πŸ›οΈ. He is known for his proactive mentorship, innovative thinking, and commitment to student excellence 🌟. With years of experience in academia and industry, he fosters collaboration, creativity, and technical brilliance in every sphere of his work βš™οΈπŸ“˜.

Profile

Scopus

πŸŽ“ Education

Dr. Mabuza holds a DEng in Chemical Engineering (2021), MTech in Chemical Engineering (2014), and BTech in Chemical Engineering (Cum Laude, 2010), all from Tshwane University of Technology πŸŽ“. He also earned a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering (2009) and completed matric in science (2005) πŸ§ͺ. Recently, he pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (2024) and Emerging Leadership training (2023) at the University of Johannesburg πŸ‘¨β€πŸ«.

🩺 Experience

Dr. Mabuza has held numerous academic positions, including Senior Lecturer roles at Vaal University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg, where he now leads his department πŸ§‘β€πŸ«. He also served in various industrial roles at MINTEK πŸ”¬. His journey includes impactful leadership positions, such as acting HOD, chairing ECSA committees, and serving on compliance and teaching boards across institutions πŸ› οΈπŸ“ˆ.

πŸ”¬ Research Interest

Dr. Mabuza’s research is centered on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) 🌍, materials science, and advanced materials. His work focuses on improving the performance of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for carbon dioxide sequestration and flue gas treatment πŸ§ͺ🧱. He has secured notable research grants, including Thuthuka Post-PhD funding and international engagement programs for scholarly advancement 🌐.

πŸ† Awards

He is a recipient of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship πŸ•ŠοΈ (2012) and a Future Professors Programme Fellow (2023–2024) 🌟. His academic excellence was recognized through the NRF Innovation Scholarship, CO2CRC Summer School attendance, and multiple best presenter awards during his postgraduate journey πŸ₯‡.

πŸ“š Publications

Adsorption Equilibria… (2025) – Energies, Cited by: 2

In-depth analysis of coal… (2024) – IJOGCT, Cited by: 1

Application of voltammetry… (2024) – Electrochemistry Communications, Cited by: 0

Physicochemical Properties of MOFs… (2024) – Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Municipal Solid Waste Biogas… (2024) – Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Zinc MOF for Methane Capture… (2024) – Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Textural Structural Properties of Coals… (2023) – Carbon Capture Science & Technology, Cited by: 3

Modelling COβ‚‚ and Flue Gas Sorption… (2022) – International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, Cited by: 4

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Major Melusi Mabuza is a highly qualified and impactful researcher with a demonstrated commitment to scientific advancement, leadership in academia, and a strong publication track record. His work in carbon capture and MOFs is both timely and of high relevance to sustainability and environmental technologies. With continued growth in international engagement and innovation, he is a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.