Xinwei Song | Soil Science | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Xinwei Song | Soil Science | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Xinwei Song | Soil Science | post doctor at Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Xinwei Song is a researcher whose work focuses extensively on microbial ecology, arsenic biogeochemistry, and metagenomic tool development, contributing meaningfully to understanding how microbial processes mediate environmental transformations; although ORCID does not provide personal information, educational background, or formal professional positions, Dr. Song’s scholarly record demonstrates strong engagement with interdisciplinary environmental microbiology, particularly mechanisms of microbial arsenic metabolism and the development of computational tools to support these investigations. Dr. Xinwei Song’s research experience can be inferred from authorship in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics, where publications address complex microbial interactions including rhizosphere-triggered viral lysogeny that drives microbial metabolic reprogramming to enhance arsenic oxidation, as well as the creation of AsgeneDB, a curated orthology-based database for annotating arsenic metabolism genes across metagenomes. These contributions indicate research interests centered on microbial functional genomics, environmental contamination, microbial-virus interactions, and algorithmic or database-driven approaches to metagenome interpretation. While explicit information about research skills is not provided, Dr. Song’s published work clearly demonstrates proficiency in metagenomics, microbial community analysis, environmental biogeochemistry, database curation, and computational annotation pipelines, as well as collaborative, multi-institutional scientific work. Awards and honors are not listed on ORCID, but the presence of publications in prestigious journals suggests strong recognition within the scientific community. In summary, Dr. Xinwei Song emerges as a productive and technically skilled environmental microbiologist whose contributions advance both fundamental understanding and data-driven tools for studying arsenic-related microbial processes, and although formal education and positions are not documented in the provided records, Dr. Song’s publication record reflects a high level of expertise, methodological sophistication, and commitment to advancing microbial biogeochemical research.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications:

  1. Song, X., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhao, K., Tong, D., Gao, R., Lv, X., Kong, D., Ruan, Y., Wang, M., et al. (2025). Rhizosphere-triggered viral lysogeny mediates microbial metabolic reprogramming to enhance arsenic oxidation. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58695-5.

  2. Song, X., Li, Y., Stirling, E., Zhao, K., Wang, B., Zhu, Y., Luo, Y., Xu, J., & Ma, B. (2022). AsgeneDB: A curated orthology arsenic metabolism gene database and computational tool for metagenome annotation. NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics. https://doi.org/10.1093/nargab/lqac080.

  3. Song, X., Li, Y., Stirling, E., Zhao, K., Wang, B., Zhu, Y., Luo, Y., Xu, J., & Ma, B. (2022). AsgeneDB: A curated orthology arsenic metabolism gene database and computational tool for metagenome annotation. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.164975586.65142559/v1.

 

Gonzalo Almendros | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Almendros | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Research Professor, CSIC, Spain.                    

Prof. Gonzalo Almendros Martín is a distinguished Research Professor at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Spain, specializing in biogeochemistry, humic substances, and soil organic matter. Since 1976, his work has contributed substantially to understanding soil carbon dynamics and environmental geochemistry. With over four decades of experience, Prof. Almendros leads innovative research on natural resources, contributing globally to climate-smart soil science and environmental sustainability. 🌱🌍

Professional Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Almendros earned his Licenciatura in Biological Sciences (1977) and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (1980) from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, both with honors. His studies combined botany and zoology and earned him an Extraordinary Degree Award, highlighting his academic excellence. 🎓📘

💼 Experience

Starting as an Honorary Research Fellow at CSIC in the late 1970s, Prof. Almendros advanced through predoctoral and postdoctoral roles before becoming a tenured scientist. He served as Scientific Researcher (1990–2006) and later as a Research Professor (2006–present) at CSIC. In 2024, he was named Honorary Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. 🧑‍🔬🏛️

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Almendros’s research focuses on the origin, structure, and role of humic substances at the molecular level. He investigates soil organic matter dynamics, environmental disturbances (e.g., wildfire), biochar, compost, and soil amendments using spectroscopic and computational tools, contributing to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. 🌿📊

🏆 Awards

He received the Plaque of Honor from the Spanish Association of Scientists (2007) for his outstanding work in scientific research and technological development. Prof. Almendros also holds eight five-year research terms, seven six-year terms, and a recent qualification for knowledge transfer and innovation (2020). 🏅🇪🇸

📚 Top Noted Publications

Kgathi et al., (2024)Changes in soil organic matter with land use in BotswanaAgronomy.
Cited by: 2 articles

Jiménez-de-Santiago et al., (2023)Structural changes in humic substances with pig slurry fertilisationSoil Use and Management.
Cited by: 3 articles

Carrero-Carralero et al., (2022)Transformation of extractive compounds in pine and juniperPlant and Soil.
Cited by: 7 articles

Jiménez-Morillo et al., (2022)Hydrophobicity of fire-affected soilsScience of the Total Environment.
Cited by: 12 articles

Jiménez-González et al., (2022)Biocrust cyanobacteria and gypsum biomineralizationGeoderma.
Cited by: 10 articles

Panettieri et al., (2020)Carbon dynamics in ley grasslandSOIL.
Cited by: 8 articles

Almendros et al., (2018)Statistical approach to SOM resilienceJournal of Chromatography A.
Cited by: 18 articles

Miralles et al., (2015)Lignin signature in humic acidsJournal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis.
Cited by: 25 articles

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Almendros Martín stands as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His profound and sustained contributions to biogeochemistry and soil science, proven research leadership, mentorship, international collaborations, and technological innovations mark him as a globally influential scientist. His achievements not only advance fundamental science but also address global challenges in climate resilience, land degradation, and sustainable agriculture. 🏆🌿

Fengliang Zhao | soil | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fengliang Zhao | soil | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Shanxi University, China

Dr. Fengliang Zhao 🇨🇳 is a dedicated researcher at the Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. With a robust foundation in soil science and agronomy, his research focuses on soil fertility, crop nutrition, and phytoremediation of polluted environments. His work bridges the gap between sustainable agriculture and soil physicochemical processes, supporting resilient food systems and ecological health. 🌱🌏

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Zhao earned his Ph.D. in 2012 from Zhejiang University, one of China’s top academic institutions. 🏛️ His academic training has laid a strong foundation for his expertise in soil nutrient dynamics, sustainable crop production, and biochar applications. 📘👨‍🎓

💼 Experience

Currently serving as a researcher, Dr. Zhao has hosted 16 scientific projects and has contributed significantly to field and lab-based studies. His leadership in multi-year national and provincial research programs reflects his deep engagement in both academic and practical agricultural development. 🧪📊

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Zhao’s interests include soil amendment and crop nutrition, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and environmental phytoremediation. His work has advanced understanding in nanofertilizer effects, biochar integration, and sustainable crop rotations. 🌿💧🧬

🏆 Awards

Dr. Zhao is a strong nominee for the Best Researcher Award, recognized for his scientific contributions and leadership in ecological agriculture. With a citation index of 19, he remains a respected figure in soil sciences and plant protection. 🥇📖

📚 Top Noted Publications

A comprehensive evaluation of the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for applications in agriculture in stressed environments, Pedosphere, 2025 — 🔗 [Cited by 8 articles]

Nutrient retention after crop harvest in a typic hapludults amended with biochar types under no-tillage system, Scientific Reports, 2024 — 🔗 [Cited by 2 articles]

Response Patterns of Soil Nitrogen Cycling to Crop Residue Addition: A Review, 2024 — 🔗 [Cited by 1 article]

Role of Coconut Shell Biochar on Soil Properties, Microbial Diversity and Nitrogen Mineralization in Tropical Latosol, Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2024 — 🔗 [Cited by 3 articles]

Plant–Nanoparticle Interactions: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Insights, 2024 — 🔗 [Review Article]

Conclusion

Dr. Fengliang Zhao is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His multidisciplinary contributions in sustainable soil management, nutrient optimization, and environmental protection are of significant relevance to pressing global challenges in agriculture and climate change. His consistent project leadership, diverse outputs (papers, books, patents), and international collaborations position him as a valuable asset to the environmental science community. With focused efforts on impact amplification and international visibility, Dr. Zhao is on a promising trajectory toward becoming a global leader in soil and environmental sciences. 🌱🏆🌐