Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award | PhD Candidate | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Hong Kong 

Mr. Yang Chen is a dedicated researcher in environmental and energy economics whose work integrates advanced computational methods with policy-relevant environmental analysis, contributing significantly to the understanding of carbon emissions, pollution control, and sustainability transitions. Mr. Yang Chen’s academic foundation is rooted in his doctoral studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he specializes in environmental modelling, causal complexity analysis, and machine-learning–assisted prediction systems. His education equips him with strong analytical abilities in econometrics, environmental impact assessment, and data-driven research methodologies, forming the backbone of his scholarly identity. Professionally, Mr. Yang Chen has engaged in several completed and ongoing research projects involving interdisciplinary teams and multi-institutional networks, allowing him to contribute to innovative work addressing global environmental and energy challenges. His research interests include carbon emission modelling, renewable energy policy evaluation, environmental pollution dynamics, and the application of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) combined with SHAP-based machine-learning frameworks, reflecting his commitment to methodological innovation and complex-systems thinking. Mr. Yang Chen’s research skills span statistical modelling, causal inference, policy impact analysis, machine learning for environmental prediction, scientific writing, and peer-review activities for high-impact journals, strengthening his role as a rising scholar in sustainability research. His publication record includes approximately ten papers in reputable JCR Q1 journals such as Building and Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Earth’s Future, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Journal of Environmental Management, demonstrating consistent scholarly productivity. In addition to journal articles, Mr. Yang Chen has contributed as an editorial board member to two academic books published by leading Chinese presses, reflecting recognition of his expertise. His citation metrics, including more than two hundred citations, an h-index of six, and multiple i10-index publications, further underscore the growing influence of his work. Although he is early in his career and has not yet accumulated major awards, Mr. Yang Chen’s recognition as a reviewer for top journals and his authorship in high-impact platforms demonstrate his academic credibility and emerging leadership within the research community. In conclusion, Mr. Yang Chen exemplifies the qualities of a forward-looking environmental economist whose combination of methodological innovation, strong publication output, and commitment to interdisciplinary sustainability research positions him for significant future contributions to global climate policy, environmental modelling, and academic leadership.

Profile:  ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Chen, Y., Luo, L., Feng, W., Wu, J., & Cai, W. (2025). Progressive prediction of embodied carbon emissions across stages of schematic design with machine learning. Journal of Cleaner Production. (Citations: 3)

  2. Chen, Y., Guo, X., Yi, W., Hong, J., & Wen, Q. (2025). Synergistic pollution and carbon reductions from the China National Sustainable Communities Pilot Policy. Energy. (Citations: 5)

  3. Zheng, S., Chen, Y., Hong, J., & Pu, Y. (2025). Global climate policy effectiveness analysis: Evidence from 49 countries, 1951–2018. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. (Citations: 2)

  4. Chen, Y., Hong, J., Wen, Q., Yi, W., & Zheng, S. (2024). The Janus-faced role of renewable energy development in global carbon reduction under renewable energy policies. Earth’s Future. (Citations: 12)

  5. Chen, Y., Lai, T., Hong, J., & Teng, Y. (2023). Path analysis of regional carbon lock-in and unlocking from a qualitative comparative perspective. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate. (Citations: 1)

  6. Chen, Y., Zhao, Z., Yi, W., Hong, J., & Zhang, B. (2023). Has China achieved synergistic reduction of carbon emissions and air pollution? Evidence from 283 Chinese cities. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. (Citations: 18)

  7. Chen, Y., Hong, J., Tang, M., Zheng, Y., Qiu, M., & Ni, D. (2022). Causal complexity of environmental pollution in China: A province-level fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. (Citations: 40)

 

Amir Hossein Nafez | Environmental Science | Environmental Impact Award

Dr. Amir Hossein Nafez | Environmental Science | Environmental Impact Award

Academic Member | Isfahan University of medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Amir Hossein Nafez is a distinguished environmental health engineer whose academic and research career reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, environmental biotechnology, and waste management innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Health Engineering from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where his doctoral research focused on evaluating sewage sludge composting using biological and environmental parameters to enhance compost maturity and stability. Dr. Nafez also holds a Master’s degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, which together built a strong foundation in water, wastewater, and solid waste management. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, he leads pioneering research projects on solid waste treatment, biosolids management, composting, and microbial risk assessment. His research interests encompass solid waste management, hazardous waste handling, biological waste treatment, composting and vermicomposting, biosolids recycling, and microbial quality assessment. Dr. Nafez has co-authored more than 35 peer-reviewed articles in globally recognized journals, including Waste Management, Environmental Research, Environmental Technology & Innovation, and Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, where his work on microbial stability, heavy metal assessment, and biochar application in composting has been widely cited. His research skills include advanced laboratory analysis, microbial examinations, leachate treatment, bioremediation, and environmental monitoring. As a proactive academic, Dr. Nafez collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address complex environmental and public health challenges while mentoring students in environmental sustainability and waste recovery methods. His professional engagements extend to collaborative research on microbial risk mitigation, pollution control, and the development of safe waste disposal practices in healthcare and industrial sectors. Dr. Nafez’s notable contributions have earned him recognition within the scientific community, highlighting his commitment to promoting eco-efficient waste management systems and innovative recycling strategies. He has also contributed to national and international research initiatives aimed at reducing environmental contamination and improving urban health outcomes. Through his extensive research, teaching, and scientific collaborations, Dr. Amir Hossein Nafez continues to influence the advancement of environmental engineering practices globally. His scholarly dedication, technical expertise, and vision for sustainable development underscore his significant role in shaping future environmental health strategies, making him a deserving candidate for recognition and professional distinction in the global research community.

Profile:  Google scholar | Scopus 

Featured Publications

  1. Nikaeen, M., Nafez, A. H., Bina, B., Nabavi, B. F., & Hassanzadeh, A. (2015). Respiration and enzymatic activities as indicators of stabilization of sewage sludge composting. Waste Management, 39, 104–110. (Citations: 112)

  2. Nafez, A. H., Nikaeen, M., Bina, B., & Hassanzadeh, A. (2015). Composting of sewage sludge in different strategies of aeration with a mixture of green plant wastes as bulking agent. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 24(6), 2406–2414. (Citations: 58)

  3. Nafez, A. H., Nikaeen, M., Kadkhodaie, S., & Hatamzadeh, M. (2015). Sewage sludge composting: Quality assessment for agricultural application. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 187(709), 1–9. (Citations: 85)

  4. Sadeghi, S., Nafez, A. H., Nikaeen, M., Mohammadi, F., & Hadi, M. (2022). Microbial characteristics of municipal solid waste compost: Occupational and public health risks from surface-applied compost. Waste Management, 144, 98–105. (Citations: 47)

  5. Nafez, A. H., Nikaeen, M., Hassanzadeh, A., & Kadkhodaei, S. (2020). Changes in microbial populations during co-composting of dewatered sewage sludge with pruning wastes in windrow piles. Biodiversitas, 21(10), 4655–4662. (Citations: 22)

  6. Sharafi, S. M., Ebrahimpour, K., & Nafez, A. H. (2021). Environmental disinfection against COVID-19 in different areas of health care facilities: A review. Reviews on Environmental Health, 36(2), 193–198. (Citations: 95)

  7. Yavari, A., Nazar, M. M., Sharafi, S. M., & Nafez, A. H. (2022). Evaluation of stability and maturity indices during composting process from a mixture of poultry waste and sawdust by windrow method. Iranian Journal of Health and Environment, 15(4), fa1–fa16. (Citations: 19)