Kwang-Joo Moon | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Kwang-Joo Moon | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher, National Institute of Environmental Research, South Korea

Dr. Kwang-Joo Moon πŸ‡°πŸ‡· is a Senior Research Scientist in the Global Environment Research Division at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Korea. With deep expertise in real-time monitoring of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs), Dr. Moon has played a crucial role in shaping air quality research in Korea and beyond. His interdisciplinary work spans mobile monitoring via drones, aircraft, and vehicles, coupled with advanced statistical techniques for source apportionment. He actively contributes to cross-national projects that enhance understanding of particulate matter (PM) and GHG emissions for cleaner, healthier air. πŸŒπŸ“ŠβœˆοΈ

Profile

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Education πŸŽ“

Dr. Moon pursued both his undergraduate and doctoral studies at INHA University in Incheon, Korea. πŸŽ“ He earned his B.A. in Environmental Engineering in 2001 and continued to obtain his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering in 2014. His academic foundation reflects a strong commitment to atmospheric science, air quality management, and environmental monitoringβ€”topics that continue to guide his research and professional pursuits. πŸ§ͺπŸ“š

Experience πŸ’Ό

Dr. Moon’s distinguished career began as a Research Assistant at NIER from 2001 to 2005. He then served as a Research Scientist at Korea’s Ministry of Environment from 2006 to 2008, gaining valuable policy-level experience. From 2009 to 2020, he rejoined NIER as a Research Scientist, focusing on national air quality initiatives. 🌫️ From 2017 to 2018, he took part in a strategic offshore assignment with the Korea-China Air Quality Joint Research Team at CRAES, China. Since 2021, he has served as Senior Research Scientist at NIER, contributing to pioneering work in mobile emission monitoring and pollutant tracking. πŸš›πŸŒπŸ“‘

Research Interest πŸ”

Dr. Moon’s research primarily focuses on real-time monitoring of air pollutants and greenhouse gases using sensor networks, mobile units, and statistical models. πŸ“ˆ His expertise includes source apportionment of PM and GHGs using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Hybrid Receptor Models. He is highly skilled in deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mobile laboratories, and airborne platforms for emission source tracking. His work integrates environmental engineering with advanced analytics and geo-informatics, targeting cleaner urban and industrial environments. πŸšπŸŒ«οΈπŸ“‘

Awards πŸ†

While formal individual awards are not listed, Dr. Moon has made impactful contributions to international air quality initiatives, such as the KORUS-AQ (Korea–United States Air Quality) field study (2016), the Korea-China PM2.5 joint research (2017–2018), and EAREX 2005 under UNEP’s ABC project. 🌐 These programs demonstrate his leadership in multinational collaborations and highlight his influence on air quality research across East Asia. 🧭🌎

Publications πŸ“„

Han, S., et al. (2024) – Modification of Hybrid Receptor Model for Atmospheric Fine Particles (PM2.5) in 2020 Daejeon, Korea, Using an ACERWT Model, Atmosphere, 15(4): 477
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in works using hybrid models for PM2.5 source analysis. πŸ“‘

Chae, J., et al. (2023) – The Study on Emission Characteristics of Gas-phase Hazardous Air Pollutants Generated at the Large-scale Industrial Complexes, J. Kor. Soc. Atmos. Environ., 40(1): 27-47
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in research on hazardous emissions in industrial zones. 🏭

Moon, K. (2023) – Study on the Distribution of VOCs in the Ambient Air of Domestic Industrial Complexes using Mobile SIFT-MS, J. Kor. Soc. Urban Environ., 22(4): 207–227
πŸ”— Read here
Referenced in studies applying mobile VOC sensing technology. πŸš™

Lee, C., et al. (2023) – A Study on the Concentrations Calibration for NO, NOβ‚‚, SOβ‚‚, CO and VOC Sensors Reflecting the Influence of Temperature and Relative Humidity, J. Kor. Soc. Urban Environ., 21(4): 259–266
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in sensor calibration research for environmental monitoring. 🌑️

Lee, C., et al. (2021) – Performance Test of Gas Sensors Measuring Air Pollutants of NO, NOβ‚‚, SOβ‚‚, CO and VOC, J. Kor. Soc. Urban Environ., 21(1): 13–20
πŸ”— Read here
Referenced in evaluations of low-cost air quality sensors. πŸ’¨

Yoo, H., et al. (2020) – Validation for SOC Estimation from OC and EC concentration in PM2.5 measured at Seoul, Particle and Aerosol Research, 16(1): 19–30
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in studies quantifying secondary organic carbon in PM. πŸ”

Lim, S., et al. (2020) – Fossil-driven secondary inorganic PM2.5 enhancement in the North China Plain, Environmental Pollution, 266(2): 115163
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in research on fossil fuel-related PM formation. πŸ›’οΈ

Park, J., et al. (2020) – Application of Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry in Airborne SOβ‚‚ Observation on Hanseo Beechcraft 1900D, Asian J. Atmos. Environ., 14(4): 413–421
πŸ”— Read here
Referenced for airborne chemical sensor applications. ✈️

Moon, K.J., et al. (2008) – Source apportionment of fine carbonaceous particles by PMF at Gosan, Environment International, 34(5): 654–664
πŸ”— Read here
Widely cited in East Asian PM source studies. 🌏

Han, J.S., Moon, K.J., et al. (2006) – Identification of source regions of fine particles using hybrid receptor models, J. Geophys. Res.: Atmos., 111(D22)
πŸ”— Read here
Cited in hybrid model development for long-range transport. 🌬️

Han, J.S., Moon, K.J., et al. (2006) – Size-resolved source apportionment of ambient particles by PMF at Gosan, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 6(1): 211–223
πŸ”— Read here
Foundational in PMF model applications across Asia. πŸ“

Conclusion

Based on his research achievements, publications, and experience, Kwang-Joo Moon is a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to environmental research, particularly in air quality and pollution monitoring, demonstrate his potential to make a significant impact in the field. With some further emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and publishing in top-tier journals, he is well-positioned to continue making meaningful contributions to research.

Richard Usang | Environmental Monitoring and Management | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr Richard Usang | Environmental Monitoring and Management | Best Researcher Award

Senior Data Scientist, Heineken UK, United KingdomΒ Β πŸ“˜

Dr. Richard Usang is a distinguished Chemistry expert and Data Scientist based in Southampton, United Kingdom. With a Ph.D. in Industrial & Environmental Chemistry and an MSc in Data Science, he has seamlessly integrated scientific research with advanced data analytics. His expertise spans industrial chemistry, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Dr. Usang has a strong background in academic research, technical writing, and data-driven decision-making. His passion for innovation and problem-solving has led him to work on projects that bridge the gap between chemistry and AI, optimizing industrial processes and contributing to cutting-edge technological advancements.

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Education πŸŽ“

Dr. Usang holds an MSc in Data Science from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, which he completed in September 2023. Prior to this, he earned a Ph.D. in Industrial & Environmental Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in August 2021. His academic journey also includes an MSc in Industrial Chemistry, which he completed in November 2014, ranking in the top 1% of his class. His foundation in chemistry was established with a BSc in Chemistry from Benue State University, Nigeria, where he graduated as the top-ranking student in July 2011. His strong academic background reflects his commitment to excellence in scientific research and technological advancements.

Professional Experience πŸ’Ό

Dr. Usang currently serves as a Senior Data Scientist at Heineken UK, where he leads the development of Structural Equation Modelling frameworks to evaluate brand power and guide strategic marketing decisions. He has successfully implemented predictive models to optimize brewing parameters, reducing production variability and improving product quality. Previously, as a Lead Data Analyst at EMCOR UK, he significantly improved operational efficiency by reducing maintenance reporting time from three weeks to just four hours.

His tenure as a Data Scientist at The Heineken Company (2020–2022) saw him analyzing water chemistry across brewery sites, optimizing treatment processes, and reducing water treatment costs by 15%. He also developed forecasting models using machine learning, which led to a 10% reduction in overstock and a 5% increase in customer satisfaction. Prior to this, he worked as a Brewing Process Specialist at Heineken, overseeing production processes, training staff, and managing the installation of an anaerobic wastewater treatment plant in line with sustainability goals.

Dr. Usang’s academic career includes his role as a Research Assistant at the University of Ibadan, where he conducted extensive research on chemical processes and environmental impact. He contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and played a key role in mentoring undergraduate students in laboratory techniques and scientific analysis.

Research Interests πŸ”¬

Dr. Usang’s research interests lie at the intersection of chemistry, data science, and artificial intelligence. His expertise in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry drives his passion for sustainable solutions in manufacturing and waste management. He is highly skilled in machine learning, AI model evaluation, and natural language processing, which he applies to scientific data interpretation and optimization. His work in statistical and quantitative analysis supports his research in predictive modeling and AI-driven decision-making for industrial applications. His interdisciplinary approach ensures that his research contributes both to scientific knowledge and practical industrial solutions.

Awards and Recognitions πŸ†

Dr. Usang has earned numerous accolades throughout his academic and professional journey. He ranked first in his class during his BSc in Chemistry at Benue State University, a testament to his academic excellence. During his MSc in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Ibadan, he was among the top 1% of his cohort. His contributions to research and innovation have been recognized through international conferences and symposiums, where he has presented groundbreaking studies on chemical modifications and sustainability. His achievements in the corporate sector, particularly in data science applications in the brewing industry, further highlight his commitment to excellence and innovation.

Publications πŸ“š

Integrating Principal Component Analysis, Fuzzy Inference Systems, and Advanced Neural Networks for Enhanced Estuarine Water Quality Assessment (2025). Published in Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies. Link

Effect of Chemical Modification on the Functional and Physicochemical Properties of Some Underutilized Starches. Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Scientific Research and Innovation, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Synthesis, Aqueous Solubility Studies, and Antifungal Activity Test of Some Tributyltin(IV) Carboxylates.

Conclusion βœ…

Dr. Richard Usang is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, bringing a unique blend of Chemistry and Data Science expertise. His contributions to industrial chemistry, environmental sustainability, and AI applications in research make him a strong contender. Strengthening his publication record and expanding academic leadership roles could further solidify his standing in the field. πŸš€