Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Climate Change Mitigation | Women Researcher Award

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Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Climate Change Mitigation | Women Researcher Award

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | University of Naples | Italy

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is an emerging researcher in Earth observation, remote sensing, and sustainable agroforestry, recognized for his strong interdisciplinary expertise and innovative scientific contributions. As a PhD student at the University of Naples Federico II, he focuses on integrating drone technologies, satellite imagery, and advanced data science methods to improve biomass estimation and precision agriculture in agroforestry systems. His research advances the use of UAS-based RGB, multispectral, and thermal datasets combined with AI, neural networks, photogrammetry, and supervised learning to monitor vegetation structure and enhance ecosystem productivity. With a foundation in Earth sciences and specialization in remote sensing and geoinformatics, Andsera has developed analytical skills spanning GIS, programming, machine learning, environmental modeling, and geospatial data processing. His earlier work on landslide susceptibility mapping in complex terrains contributed to environmental risk assessment in Ethiopia. He has authored peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Environmental Challenges and Aerospace, and has presented at major international conferences including IEEE MetroAerospace. His achievements have been recognized through the prestigious ENI Award, honoring young African talent in scientific research. Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen training in drone operation, big data foundations for Earth observation, and agricultural remote sensing further strengthens his technical versatility. His collaborations with academic and research institutions reflect a commitment to developing sustainable, data-driven solutions for environmental monitoring and climate-resilient land management. He has 2 citations by 2 documents, 2 documents in total, and holds an h-index of 1, highlighting his early but promising research impact. Through his work, he continues to contribute to the advancement of Earth observation technologies and their application in supporting sustainable agroecosystems and geospatial innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Mekonnen, A. A., Raghuvanshi, T. K., Suryabhagavan, K. V., & Kassawmar, T. (2022). GIS-based landslide susceptibility zonation and risk assessment in complex landscape: A case of Beshilo watershed, northern Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100586. Cited by: 57

Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2024). Above ground biomass estimation in agroforestry environment by UAS and RGB imagery. In 2024 11th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace (MetroAeroSpace). Cited by: 3

Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2025). Above-ground biomass prediction in agroforestry areas using machine learning and multispectral drone imagery. In 2025 IEEE 12th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace. Cited by: 1

Mekonen, A. A., Conte, C., & Accardo, D. (2025). An effective process to use drones for above-ground biomass estimation in agroforestry landscapes. Aerospace, 12(11), 1001.

Sisay Belete, S. B., Melkamu Bezabih, M. B., Birhan Abdulkadir, B. A., … (2019). Inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer improve food-feed traits of grain legumes in mixed crop-livestock systems of Ethiopia.

Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Major Melusi Mabuza 🇿🇦 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 🏛️. 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 ⚙️📘.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 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 🎓. He also earned a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering (2009) and completed matric in science (2005) 🧪. Recently, he pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (2024) and Emerging Leadership training (2023) at the University of Johannesburg 👨‍🏫.

🩺 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 🧑‍🏫. He also served in various industrial roles at MINTEK 🔬. His journey includes impactful leadership positions, such as acting HOD, chairing ECSA committees, and serving on compliance and teaching boards across institutions 🛠️📈.

🔬 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 🧪🧱. He has secured notable research grants, including Thuthuka Post-PhD funding and international engagement programs for scholarly advancement 🌐.

🏆 Awards

He is a recipient of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 🕊️ (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 🥇.

📚 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 CO₂ 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.

Maral Habibi | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Maral Habibi | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

climate and environment, University of Graz: Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz, Austria 

Dr. Maral Habibi is a Climate Research Scientist at the University of Graz, Austria 🌍. With over a decade of experience in climatology, remote sensing, and environmental modeling, she has significantly contributed to drought monitoring, snow drought analysis, and climate vulnerability studies. Her research bridges science and policy, focusing on sustainable solutions for climate challenges such as water scarcity and extreme weather events 💧🌪️. She has served at leading institutions like GeoSphere Austria and ASMERC, and remains actively involved in EU and national climate projects, delivering impactful science that informs SDG policy and resilience planning 📊.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Habibi holds a Ph.D. in Physical Geography with a specialization in Climate Impacts, where she developed advanced modeling tools to assess climate-induced vulnerabilities across arid and mountainous terrains 🏔️📚. Her academic journey was shaped by rigorous training in geospatial analysis, meteorology, and environmental systems at esteemed institutions, building a strong foundation in climate sciences. Her education not only provided technical expertise but also fostered a passion for translational research — turning data into decisions for communities and ecosystems under stress 🌿.

Experience 💼

Dr. Habibi has served in multiple scientific and academic roles across Europe and the Middle East 🗺️. She is currently a Climate Research Scientist at the University of Graz, contributing to EU-funded projects such as HISTALP and SDGHub. At GeoSphere Austria, she supported climate reporting systems and national adaptation strategies 🛰️. As a researcher at ASMERC/RIMAS, she focused on dust storm dynamics and extreme climate events in arid regions. With visiting research experience at Padova University (Italy), she’s also involved in international collaborations on hydrological modeling and bias correction for climate data 🌧️🌬️.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Habibi’s research centers on climate change impact assessment, drought and snow drought monitoring, and geostatistical climate data interpolation 📡. She specializes in satellite-based environmental change detection, mountain hydrology, dust storm modeling, and sustainability indicators aligned with SDGs 🌎📈. Her innovations, such as improved kriging-based interpolation techniques and multi-index vulnerability frameworks, support risk mapping and policy applications. Her work applies remote sensing and AI to model environmental extremes and inform adaptation planning, making her research vital for climate-resilient futures 🔄.

Awards 🏅

Recognized for her impactful work in climate modeling and sustainability, Dr. Habibi is a prime candidate for the Best Researcher Award by Environmental Scientists Awards 🏆. Her portfolio includes over 25 peer-reviewed publications, coordination in national and EU-level projects, and active participation in global research networks such as the EGU and Copernicus 🌐. Her contributions to climate services, drought detection, and SDG indicator development have supported policy initiatives in Austria and beyond, marking her as a leader in applied environmental science 🏛️.

Publications 📚

📘 Drought Characteristics and Variability in the Urmia Lake Basin: Application of the SPI and SPEI, Water, 2022 – Cited by 17

📘 Assessing Snow Drought in the Alpine Region Using Homogenized Time Series, Atmosphere, 2023 – Cited by 9

📘 Climate Vulnerability Index for Drying Lakes: A Case from Iran, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2022 – Cited by 6

📘 Geostatistical Interpolation of Climate Indicators: Kriging with External Drift Method, Remote Sensing, 2021 – Cited by 11

📘 Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources in Arid Regions, Land, 2022 – Cited by 8

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Maral Habibi is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary research, international collaborations, and application of climate science for real-world environmental planning strongly support her candidacy. With continued growth in citation impact and expanded leadership roles, her contributions to sustainable environmental solutions are both commendable and forward-looking.