Eriona Canga | Nature-based Solutions | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Eriona Canga | Nature-based Solutions | Research Excellence Award

Researcher | Alchemia-Nova Research and Innovation | Austria

Dr. Eriona Canga is an environmental researcher whose work centers on innovative, science-driven approaches to water management, nutrient removal, and sustainable eco-technologies. With extensive international research experience, she has developed strong expertise in hydro-geochemistry, constructed wetlands, and nature-based solutions for circular and climate-resilient urban systems. Her research focuses especially on wastewater treatment using multifunctional constructed wetlands and the optimization of phosphorus and nitrogen removal through advanced filter materials. She has contributed to major European and international research initiatives addressing sustainable agriculture, water circularity, biorefinery concepts, biochemical processes, and resource recovery in cities. Eriona’s scientific work demonstrates a deep understanding of hydro-physical behavior, solute transport, hydraulic conductivity, and nutrient retention in granular media and drainage filters. She has authored a body of peer-reviewed work that has achieved 199 citations across 186 documents, with 11 publications contributing to an h-index of 7. Her contributions extend to laboratory experimentation, field-scale assessments, and modeling approaches such as advection–dispersion, stream tube models, and transfer-function methods. She has presented her findings at international conferences focused on wetland systems, water pollution control, hydrology, and environmental technology, helping advance sustainable water treatment strategies. Dr. Eriona Canga is also active in multidisciplinary collaborations involving green chemistry, groundwater protection, and climate-related impacts on Mediterranean and European water systems. With strong capabilities in scientific coordination, laboratory management, project development, and academic supervision, she continues to advance research integrating ecological engineering, circular resource management, and innovative environmental technologies to support sustainable and resilient water infrastructures.

Featured Publications

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.

Dr. Noora Al-Qahtani | environmental | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Noora Al-Qahtani | environmental | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Noora Al-Qahtani, Acting Section Head of Central Laboratories Unit (CLU) Research Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering- Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, Qatar

Dr. Noora Hamad Al-Qahtani is the Acting Head of the Central Lab Unit and a Research Assistant Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University. 🌟 She holds a BSc in Physics and Biomedical Sciences from Qatar University (2008) and pursued her MSc and PhD at the University of Sheffield (2015) and Imperial College London (2020), respectively. Dr. Noora is recognized as the first Qatari female with a PhD in corrosion. Her academic and professional career spans over 15 years, during which she has significantly contributed to the field through her roles in various projects and committees, both locally and internationally. 🌍

Profile πŸŒŸπŸ“‹

Scopus

Orcid

Googlescholar

Based on the comprehensive profile provided, Dr. Noora Hamad AlQahtani appears to be an exceptionally strong candidate for recognition in research excellence. Here’s an analysis of her strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion on her suitability for the award:

Strengths for the Award πŸ’ͺπŸ†βœ¨

Outstanding Academic Background:

Dr. AlQahtani holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions (Imperial College London, University of Sheffield), specializing in materials science and corrosion, a field in which she is notably pioneering as the first Qatari female PhD in corrosion.

Impressive Research Contributions:

Her research portfolio includes over 50 published articles in high-impact journals and conference proceedings. Her involvement in mega projects funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP) demonstrates significant contributions to her field.

Dr. AlQahtani’s research interests span crucial areas such as corrosion, catalysis, fuel cells, and water treatment, which align well with contemporary scientific and environmental needs.

Recognition and Awards:

She has received numerous awards, including the Best Researcher Award at the International Research Awards on Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology and multiple international medals and special awards at iCAN 2023. These accolades reflect her innovative research and leadership in her field.

Leadership and Administrative Roles:

Her roles as Acting Head of the Central Lab Unit and Research Assistant Professor showcase her leadership and administrative skills. Her involvement in various committees and projects at Qatar University highlights her dedication and impact beyond research.

Teaching and Student Mentorship:

Dr. AlQahtani is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students, evident from her students’ achievements in various competitions and research poster contests. This reflects her commitment to education and fostering new talent in the field.

Technological and Research Expertise:

Her proficiency in diverse technological areas related to materials science and environmental chemistry, including advanced techniques and methodologies, underscores her technical expertise and readiness to drive innovation.

Areas for Improvement πŸš€πŸ“ˆπŸ”§

Broader Impact and Outreach:

While her research is highly specialized, expanding her outreach to broader, interdisciplinary applications could further enhance the impact of her work. Collaborating with industries and institutions beyond her current network might provide new opportunities for applying her research findings.

Public Engagement and Communication:

Increasing public engagement through popular science communication, media appearances, or public lectures could help in raising awareness about her research and its societal benefits. This could also enhance the visibility of her work to a wider audience.

Diversity in Research Funding:

Although she has secured significant funding from Qatar National Research Fund, exploring additional sources of international funding or partnerships could provide more stability and opportunities for diverse research projects.

Education πŸŽ“πŸ“š

Dr. Al-Qahtani earned her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Imperial College London, UK (2020), with a dissertation on corrosion mechanisms and kinetics. πŸ“œ Prior to this, she completed her MSc in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, UK (2015). Her academic journey began with a BSc in Physics and Biomedical Sciences from Qatar University (2008). Her educational background is complemented by additional certifications in leadership and technology entrepreneurship. πŸŽ“

Experience πŸ› οΈπŸ’ΌπŸ“†

Dr. Al-Qahtani’s extensive experience includes serving as the Acting Section Head of CLU and Research Project Manager at CAM. She has held various academic and research roles, including Graduate Faculty with Supervisory Status and Section Head of Student and Mentor Training at Qatar University. πŸ›οΈ Her experience also includes significant industry collaborations and leadership positions in professional committees.

Research Interests πŸ”¬πŸ§ πŸ“Š

Dr. Al-Qahtani’s research interests focus on corrosion, catalysis, fuel cells, water treatment, and electrocoalescence. πŸ”¬ She is particularly passionate about waste recycling and developing innovative solutions in these areas. Her work integrates advanced methodologies to address critical challenges in materials science.

Awards πŸ…πŸ†πŸŽ–οΈ

Dr. Al-Qahtani has received numerous accolades, including the Best Researcher Award at the International Research Awards on Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (2023). πŸ† She has also earned multiple awards for her innovative projects at various international competitions, such as iCAN 2023, where she received several gold and silver medals.

Publications TOp Notes πŸ“πŸ“–β­

 

Monitoring of under deposit corrosion for the oil and gas industry: A review

Electrospun highly corrosion-resistant polystyrene–nickel oxide superhydrophobic nanocomposite coating

Synthesis and characterization of sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol/zinc oxide/iron oxide nanocomposites for electrochemical applications

Heterogeneous catalysts for conversion of biodiesel-waste glycerol into high-added-value chemicals

Synthesis of Gemini cationic surfactants based on natural nicotinic acid and evaluation of their inhibition performance at C-steel/1 M HCl interface: electrochemical and …

Vapour-phase selective hydrogenation of Ξ³-Valerolactone to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran biofuel over silica-supported copper catalysts

Preparation and Preliminary Dielectric Characterization of Structured C60-Thiol-Ene Polymer Nanocomposites Assembled Using the Thiol-Ene Click Reaction

Active sites engineered biomass-carbon as a catalyst for biodiesel production: Process optimization using RSM and life cycle assessment

Non-covalent functionalization of surfactant-assisted graphene oxide with silver nanocomposites for highly efficient photocatalysis and anti-biofilm applications

Sustainable conversion of biodiesel-waste glycerol to acrolein over Pd-modified mesoporous catalysts

Conclusion βœ¨πŸ”

Dr. Noora Hamad AlQahtani is an exemplary candidate for the “Excellence in Research” award. Her academic credentials, prolific research output, leadership roles, and recognition from both local and international bodies highlight her outstanding contributions to the field of materials science and engineering. Her dedication to teaching and mentoring further amplifies her impact on the academic community.