Zhiyuan Qi | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Mr. Zhiyuan Qi | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Jianghan University | China 

Mr. Zhiyuan Qi is a dedicated Master Candidate in Biology at the College of Life Sciences, Jianghan University, specializing in aquatic biological resources protection. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Liaoning University, her undergraduate research focused on the anti-hepatoma activity of intracellular polysaccharides from Paecilomyces hepiali. Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to aquatic ecology, with active participation in the Yangtze River “Ten-Year Fishing Moratorium” monitoring project aimed at supporting sustainable aquatic ecosystem management. Mr. Zhiyuan Qi has contributed to the field through publications, including one in an EI-indexed journal and another in the international journal Animals, showcasing her research in fish community ecology and freshwater ecosystem restoration. Her scholarly excellence was recognized through the “Excellent Graduate Report” Award at an academic meeting of the Fisheries Resources and Environment Branch of the China Society of Fisheries. Mr. Zhiyuan Qi research focuses on the ecological monitoring of freshwater systems, providing crucial data for resource management and biodiversity conservation in the Three Gorges Reservoir head area. Through her scientific contributions, she strives to advance understanding of aquatic ecosystem dynamics, offering insights that promote effective conservation policies and sustainable management practices for regional aquatic resources.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Qi, Z., Zhai, D., Liu, H., Xiong, F., Liao, C., Tian, H., & Duan, X. (2025). Fish community structure and nested distribution pattern of the three tributaries at the head of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Journal of Lake Sciences, 33, Article 032.

Cai, F., Qi, Z., Hu, Z., Zhai, D., Chen, Y., Xiong, F., & Liu, H. (2025, September). Revealing phenotypic differentiation in Ochetobius elongatus from the Middle Yangtze River through geometric morphometrics. Animals, 15(19), 2870.

Yiping Tai | Ecology and Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yiping Tai | Ecology and Conservation | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor, at Jinan University, China.

Dr. Yiping Tai is an Associate Researcher and Master’s Supervisor at Jinan University’s Research Center of Hydrobiology. With a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Tai specializes in the theory and applied technology of near-natural restoration for urban aquatic ecosystems. His research addresses critical pollution challenges from nitrogen/phosphorus nutrients, heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides, microplastics, and perfluorinated compounds in urban rivers and estuaries. By developing innovative ecological engineering techniques such as constructed wetlands, rhizosphere remediation, and plant diversity restoration, he aims to create sustainable, self-regulating urban aquatic environments. Dr. Tai has published nearly 30 SCI-indexed papers and holds over 10 patents, contributing significantly to environmental science and engineering in China and internationally. 🌿💧

Professional Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Yiping Tai completed his Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of China’s premier institutions for environmental research and scientific training. His doctoral research focused on urban aquatic ecosystem restoration and pollutant mitigation strategies, which laid a foundation for his interdisciplinary approach combining ecology and engineering. During his academic journey, he gained expertise in hydrobiology, contaminant hydrogeochemistry, and ecological engineering, equipping him to tackle complex urban water pollution challenges. His education emphasizes both theoretical ecological frameworks and practical environmental solutions, fostering a deep understanding of nature-based restoration technologies. Tai’s academic training has been instrumental in his contributions to near-natural restoration science, positioning him as a leader in the ecological rehabilitation of urban water systems. 📚🎓

💼 Experience

With several years of research experience, Dr. Tai has served as an Associate Researcher and Master’s Supervisor at Jinan University’s Department of Ecology. His work spans collaborative projects with top universities and institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, South China Botanical Garden, Tongji University, and international partners in Europe. He leads applied research on constructing wetlands, rhizosphere bioaugmentation, and phytodiversity restoration to remediate urban water bodies. Dr. Tai has actively contributed to consultancy projects and ecological engineering innovations aimed at mitigating multi-pollutant sources from non-point urban runoff. His extensive fieldwork and lab research underpin his practical and theoretical contributions to hydrobiology and environmental science. This diverse experience ensures impactful advancements in urban aquatic ecosystem restoration techniques. 🔬🌊

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Tai’s research focuses on the near-natural restoration of urban aquatic ecosystems, particularly targeting pollution from nutrients, heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides, microplastics, and perfluorinated compounds. He pioneers nature-based solutions (NBS) by integrating ecological theory with applied environmental engineering. His innovations include multi-pollutant mitigation frameworks and scalable plant-microbe-soil systems such as constructed wetlands and rhizosphere remediation. Dr. Tai investigates ecological resilience through phytodiversity and develops modular assemblages that enhance habitat complexity and functional redundancy. His work bridges hydrobiology, contaminant hydrogeochemistry, and ecological engineering to achieve sustainable, self-regulating urban water environments. 🌱🌏

🏆 Awards

Dr. Yiping Tai’s impactful research has earned prestigious accolades, including the First Prize of the Guangdong Environmental Protection Technology Award (HBKJ2021-1-G08), recognizing his innovative contributions to pollution control technology. He also received the Second Prize of the Guangdong Science & Technology Progress Award (J19-2-04-R09) for his advances in ecological engineering. More recently, Tai was honored with the First Prize of the Guangdong Wetland Association Science & Technology Award (GWCA-2024-K1-01-R06), underscoring his leadership in urban aquatic ecosystem restoration. These awards highlight his excellence and dedication to sustainable environmental solutions in urban water management. 🏅🎖️

📚 Top Noted Publications

Dr. Tai has published nearly 30 papers in top-tier journals addressing urban aquatic ecosystem restoration, constructed wetlands, phytoremediation, and pollutant mitigation. Key recent publications include:

📜 Tai, Y. et al. (2024). “Advanced constructed wetlands for multi-pollutant removal in urban rivers.”
Journal: Water Research
Summary: This study investigates the role of advanced constructed wetlands in treating complex urban river pollution. Tai and colleagues focus on the synergistic removal of multiple pollutants (including nutrients, heavy metals, and organic compounds) through integrated design and functional plants. The paper emphasizes sustainable approaches for urban water management and highlights key engineering strategies and ecological considerations.
🔗 Read here — cited by 25 articles.

🌿 Tai, Y. et al. (2024). “Phytodiversity-driven ecological restoration of urban waters.”
Journal: Environmental Science & Technology
Summary: This article explores how enhancing phytodiversity (plant diversity) can promote ecosystem restoration in urban aquatic systems. By evaluating ecological parameters and the interactions between plant species and pollutants, the authors provide insights into nature-based solutions for urban water resilience. This work advances urban ecology research by linking biodiversity directly to ecosystem function recovery.
🔗 Read here — cited by 18 articles.

🌱 Tai, Y. et al. (2025). “Rhizosphere bioaugmentation for degradation of recalcitrant compounds.”
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Summary: Focusing on the potential of rhizosphere bioaugmentation, this paper investigates the co-cultivation of specialized microbial consortia and target plants to break down stubborn contaminants in aquatic environments. The results demonstrate significant pollutant removal rates and underscore the promise of engineered rhizosphere systems for sustainable water treatment.
🔗 Read here — cited by 12 articles.

Conclusion

Yiping Tai is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his pioneering work in urban aquatic ecosystem restoration, demonstrated innovation, significant publication record, and recognition through patents and regional awards. His contributions bridge theory and practical applications, directly impacting environmental management and sustainability. Addressing suggested areas for growth could propel his work onto a larger global stage. Overall, Tai exemplifies excellence in research with a clear trajectory for continued leadership.

Xinxin Zhang | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Ms. Xinxin Zhang | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

postgraduate, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Xinxin Zhang is a passionate postgraduate researcher at the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her work focuses on urban and regional planning, sustainable land use in both urban and rural areas, and urban landscape geography. Dedicated to addressing global sustainability challenges, she actively explores the interaction between human and natural systems, especially in the context of water–socioecological feedback mechanisms 💧🌍.

Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Xinxin Zhang pursued her postgraduate studies at the prestigious Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her academic journey is centered around urban and regional planning, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development practices. Throughout her education, she cultivated a multidisciplinary approach combining geography, urban studies, and environmental science to address contemporary societal challenges.

Experience 💼

With a strong academic foundation, Xinxin Zhang is engaged in cutting-edge research at the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology. She has been actively involved in the International Partnership Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences  (Project Code: 045GJHZ2024045FN), contributing to the understanding of socioecological dynamics in East Africa. Her experience spans cross-disciplinary collaborations and practical research applications focused on sustainable land use and water resource management 💧.

Research Interest 🔬

Driven by her commitment to sustainability, Xinxin Zhang’s research interests include urban and regional planning, sustainable land use management in both urban and rural contexts, and urban landscape geography. She is particularly passionate about analyzing the feedback relationships between water systems and socioecological environments, offering vital insights into the sustainable management of natural resources 🌿🌊.

Award 🏆

Xinxin Zhang’s scholarly contributions have earned her recognition in the field of sustainable geography. Her impactful research on the feedback relationship between water–socioecological systems in the Lake Victoria Basin has positioned her as a promising young scholar. She aspires to continue contributing to international scientific communities through awards like the Young Scientist Award or Best Research Scholar Award 🥇.

Publication 📚

“A Century of Water–Socioecological Dynamics and Evolutionary Stages in Lake Victoria Basin, East Africa” (2025, Land) Link here — Cited by 3 articles.

Conclusion

 Based on the submitted profile, Xinxin Zhang demonstrates promising research excellence with a strong academic foundation and relevant, impactful work in socioecological systems. For the Best Researcher Award, Zhang is a suitable candidate, especially at the postgraduate level. However, enhancing publication volume, industry engagement, professional memberships, and leadership roles will significantly strengthen future nominations.