Maria Sebastian Lopez | Geographical Education | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Maria Sebastian Lopez | Geographical Education | Women Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer | University of Zaragoza | Spain

Prof. Dr. María Sebastián López is a distinguished Spanish scholar whose research bridges geography, education, archaeology, and environmental studies. As a leading academic at the Universidad de Zaragoza, her work explores spatial citizenship, sustainable development, and innovative teaching methodologies using geospatial technologies. She has authored more than seventy publications, including influential journal articles and book chapters that integrate feminist cartography, GIS-based climate change education, and heritage landscape analysis. Her interdisciplinary contributions span topics such as prehistoric landscape transformation, environmental governance, and the role of cartography in civic engagement and digital education. With 342 citations from 308 documents, 15 publications, and an h-index of 9, her academic influence extends across multiple research domains. Prof. Dr. María Sebastián López research emphasizes how geography education can foster global understanding, gender equality, and active citizenship in addressing twenty-first-century challenges. She has collaborated on international projects that combine digital mapping, remote sensing, and participatory learning, advancing the pedagogical application of geospatial data in schools and universities. Through her pioneering work in geography education and cultural landscape research, she continues to promote the integration of spatial thinking, sustainability awareness, and historical consciousness in global educational practices.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid 

Featured Publications

González-Sampériz, P., Utrilla, P., Mazo, C., Valero-Garcés, B., Sopena, M. C., Sebastián-López, M., & others. (2009). Patterns
of human occupation during the early Holocene in the Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain) in response to the 8.2 ka climatic event. Quaternary Research, 71(2), 121–132.

Natalija Speh | Environmental Geography | Pioneer Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Natalija Speh | Environmental Geography | Pioneer Researcher Award

Assistant professor, Faculty of Environmental Protection Velenje, Slovenia

Dr. Natalija Špeh is an accomplished environmental geographer and assistant professor at the Faculty of Environmental Protection, Institute for Ecotechnologies and Sustainable Development in Velenje, Slovenia 🇸🇮. With over two decades of experience in environmental research, academic leadership, and teaching, she has significantly contributed to sustainable development and ecological protection. Her interdisciplinary work spans water resources, marine macrolitter, and rural geography, particularly focusing on the Adriatic Sea and mountain pasturing impacts. 🌿🌊

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Špeh earned her Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts, where she researched the “Sustainable evaluation of the area above the Western part of the Velenje lignite layer” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dušan Plut 🏞️. From 1997 to 2004, she completed her doctoral studies as a young researcher. She graduated in 1997 in Environmental Geography with a thesis on the water-ecological conditions of the Ložnica and Trnava River Basins in Velenje. 📘📍

💼 Experience

Dr. Špeh’s professional journey began as a researcher and project leader at ERICo Institute (1997–2006), where she coordinated and evaluated environmental projects 🧪. She later transitioned into academic leadership, serving as Dean (2008–2014) and program coordinator at the Environmental Protection College in Velenje. Since 2014, she has been a dedicated lecturer, imparting knowledge in Environmental Geography, Rural Areas, and Landscape Resource Management 🌱📚.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Špeh specializes in Environmental Geography, focusing on marine macrolitter, riverine macro/microplastics pollution, and water resources 🌊. Her research includes the Adriatic Sea, mountain pasturing impacts, and sustainable development in rural areas. Her work integrates natural and social sciences to address complex environmental challenges across Slovenia and beyond 🌍.

🏆 Awards

While specific award titles are not listed, Dr. Špeh’s distinguished career in research leadership and academic management, including serving as a Dean and project coordinator, highlights her recognition in the academic and environmental research community. Her consistent contributions reflect her standing as a respected scholar in her field 🎖️📈.

📚 Publications

“Recreational potential and landscape characteristics in Šaleška Valley” (2023), Geografski vestnik — Cited by: 5 articles

“Marine macrolitter: beach surveys in the Slovenian coastal zone” (2022), Acta geographica Slovenica — Cited by: 3 articles

“Evaluation of environmental protection measures in Velenje basin” (2019), Dela — Cited by: 8 articles

🏆 Conclusion

Dr. Natalija Špeh demonstrates outstanding dedication and contributions to environmental protection and sustainability research. Her pioneering work on environmental geography and pollution from micro/macroplastics makes her a strong and deserving candidate for the Pioneer Researcher Award. With increased global engagement and academic visibility, her impact could be even more far-reaching.

 

Mr. Dominic Ndulue | Geography | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Dominic Ndulue | Geography | Best Researcher Award

University of Nigeria, Nigeria

🌍 Dominic Chukwuka Ndulue is a passionate geographer from Oba, Anambra State, Nigeria. He has a profound interest in exploring environmental systems and their dynamics through remote sensing and GIS. With a background in education and impactful research, he contributes to understanding flood prediction, land-use dynamics, and soil erosion. 🌟

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

🎓 Dominic completed his secondary education at All Saints Secondary School, Oraifite, Anambra State. He pursued higher studies in Geography at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. He also fulfilled the NYSC program at the College of Education in Ikere, now Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology. 🎓

Experience

💼 Dominic is actively engaged in academic research, with expertise in integrating remote sensing and GIS techniques for environmental analysis. He has peer-reviewed work for reputable journals and continues to make significant contributions to the field of geosciences. 💻

Research Interests

📚 Dominic’s research interests include hydrogeomorphological analysis, flood prediction, land-use dynamics, soil erosion modeling, and the application of GIS and remote sensing in environmental studies. 🌎

Awards

🏆 Dominic’s academic contributions are recognized through peer-reviewed journal publications and his impactful research in geosciences and environmental studies.

Publications

Hydrogeomorphological analysis of Niger River Sub-basins for flood prediction in Anambra State, Nigeria

Integrating Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Map Analysis in Determining Spread of Built-Ups and Land-Use Dynamics of Terrain of Onitsha Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria

A review of soil erosion modeling in Nigeria using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model