Liang Xiao | Low-Carbon | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Assist. Prof. Dr. Liang Xiao | Low-Carbon | Research Excellence Award

Zhaoqing University | China

Assist. Prof. Dr. Liang Xiao is an Associate Professor at Zhaoqing University whose research advances the scientific understanding of soil carbon sequestration and soil fertility improvement through innovative, sustainable approaches grounded in soil science and environmental biogeochemistry. His work has contributed significantly to the development of new carbon-smart agricultural strategies, highlighted by the pioneering creation of an in-field, in situ oxy-exposure carbonization technology capable of producing biochar through a self-limited oxygen and water-quenched high-temperature pyrolysis mechanism. This breakthrough offers a practical pathway for farmers to produce low-cost biochar while enhancing soil quality and long-term carbon storage. Assist. Prof. Dr. Liang Xiao has also elucidated the sources and accumulation patterns of soil organic carbon in pond-field systems, providing new insight into carbon cycling in flooded agricultural landscapes. His research extends into plant-soil-microbe interactions, revealing the mechanistic role of microbial exopolysaccharides in mediating flood tolerance in maize seedlings, thereby bridging soil fertility management and crop resilience. His scholarly contributions span multiple high-quality journals, covering topics such as waterlogged carbon dynamics, biochar engineering, soil aggregation processes, nutrient-use efficiency, salinity mitigation, and the life-cycle environmental impacts of aquaculture systems. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and active participation in scientific societies, he promotes soil science literacy and supports evidence-based environmental stewardship. His research continues to shape emerging strategies for climate-resilient agriculture, regenerative soil management, and sustainable resource utilization.

Profiles: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Alessandro RoccoFasciana | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Alessandro Rocco Fasciana | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Research Fellow, University of Catania, Italy

Alessandro Fasciana 🇮🇹, born on January 14, 1991, is an Italian agronomist and research fellow passionate about agricultural innovation and sustainability. Currently affiliated with the University of Catania, he combines academic excellence with hands-on experience across agronomy, construction, and food service. Alessandro is driven by a commitment to improving environmental impacts in the agri-food sector and is actively contributing to consumer preference studies and eco-friendly agricultural solutions.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Alessandro completed his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science and Technology at the University of Catania in 2024 with top honors (110/110 with distinction). His thesis focused on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, along with mitigation strategies. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in the same field in 2020. He also holds a high school diploma in surveying from “E. Majorana” Technical Institute and a vocational certificate in Graphic File Production from ECAP Gela.

💼 Experience

Alessandro is currently a Research Fellow at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, conducting data analysis on consumer preferences for functional food products (2024–2025). His past experience includes working as a Geometra (2017–2023), where he specialized in building design, permits, and client consultation. He also interned with an agricultural consultant in 2016–2017, learning agronomic documentation and fertilization planning. Earlier in his career, he worked as a kitchen assistant (2013–2016), showcasing adaptability across sectors.

🔬 Research Interest

Alessandro’s research interests lie in sustainable agriculture, environmental mitigation, and consumer behavior related to functional foods. His academic and professional work focuses on analyzing emissions in livestock farming and exploring innovative strategies for environmental impact reduction. He is also keenly interested in bio-based waste recycling and soil enhancement practices.

🏆 Award

In 2024, Alessandro earned the professional qualification to practice as an Agronomist and Forestry Doctor in Italy, marking a major milestone in his career. This achievement reflects his academic dedication and readiness to serve both research and practical agricultural sectors.

📚 Publication

“Preliminary Analysis on Bio-Acidification Using Coffee Torrefaction Waste and Acetic Acid on Animal Manure from a Dairy Farm”, published in Agriculture (2025).
📄 Read publication | Published: 2025
Cited by: [Awaiting citations]

🏁 Conclusion

Alessandro Fasciana shows great potential as an emerging researcher in agricultural sciences, especially with his focus on sustainability and climate-related challenges. However, for the Best Researcher Award, which typically honors more established and prolific researchers, he may currently be better suited for a “Young Researcher” or “Emerging Talent” category. With continued research, publications, and broader engagement, he could become a strong contender for the main award in the future.