Amal Zaher | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Amal Zaher | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr Amal Zaher, Beni-suef University, Egypt

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amal Zaher Shehata is an accomplished academic and researcher in Environmental and Chemical Engineering, affiliated with the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University, Egypt. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering, she has led transformative research on wastewater treatment, nanomaterials, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Zaher has authored numerous impactful publications in high-ranking journals, particularly focusing on advanced oxidation processes, layered double hydroxides, and photocatalysis. She has supervised 16 postgraduate theses (14 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D.), contributed to funded national and international research projects, and actively participates in quality assurance and curriculum development. In addition to her academic duties, she serves as Director of the Training Committee at PSAS and is a reviewer for respected journals such as RSC and Fuel. Her research contributions and dedication to environmental advancement make her a distinguished candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Amal Zaher holds a B.Sc. Honors (2000), M.Sc. (2006), and Ph.D. (2012) in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Egypt. Her master’s thesis focused on “A New Technology for Treatment of Oil-Polluted Wastewater,” while her doctoral research, titled “Advanced Process for Oily Water Treatment: Statistical Optimization,” advanced the field of environmental process engineering through data-driven techniques. Her academic journey reflects deep expertise in water and wastewater treatment, catalysis, and nanotechnology. She has since expanded her specialization to include interdisciplinary applications in environmental science, particularly within industrial and sustainable development contexts. Her strong academic background underpins her effective teaching, supervision, and pioneering research efforts at Beni-Suef University.

Experience

Dr. Zaher began her career as a freelance engineer (2000–2002) and later served as a safety and occupational health specialist (2002–2016) at the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration, Minia, Egypt. In academia, she served as Assistant Professor (2013–2022) and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022 at the Environmental Science and Industrial Development Department, PSAS Faculty, Beni-Suef University. She also directed the faculty’s Training Unit (2016–2018) and currently leads the Training Committee. Dr. Zaher has taught various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Biogas Technology, Environmental Management Systems, Green Chemistry, and Clean Water Technology. Her leadership extends to academic program development, quality assurance, and supervision of graduate students. With over two decades of diverse professional experience, she effectively bridges the gap between engineering practice and academic innovation.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Amal Zaher has received recognition as a dedicated researcher and academic leader. Her H-index of 10 and 355+ citations (as of May 2025, Scopus ID: 8922238500) reflect her research influence in environmental nanotechnology and water treatment. She is a peer reviewer for internationally acclaimed journals, including RSC and Fuel, and has contributed to global conferences and symposia, both as an attendee and organizer. Notably, she has coordinated institutional programs on occupational safety and environmental sustainability, reinforcing her impact in academic development. She is also an active member of the Arab Federation for Specialized Women and the Institute for Engineering Research and Publication. Her participation in funded research projects, including international collaborations with institutions in the USA, highlights her global research footprint and scholarly contributions deserving of the Best Researcher Award.

Research Focus

Dr. Zaher’s research centers on sustainable environmental technologies, with a focus on advanced water and wastewater treatment methods. Her core expertise includes photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, nanomaterials (e.g., LDH, MOFs), and adsorption techniques for removing pharmaceuticals, dyes, and heavy metals. She applies experimental and computational techniques to optimize processes for treating oily wastewater and enhancing solar desalination systems. Dr. Zaher also explores the reuse and recycling of nanomaterials in water purification, with attention to green synthesis approaches. Her interdisciplinary work integrates chemical engineering, environmental science, and material chemistry to create scalable, eco-friendly solutions to water pollution. Ongoing collaborations and publications on nanostructures and electrochemical sensing technologies further underscore her commitment to environmental innovation and sustainable development.

Publication Top Notes

  1. 2006Using Advanced Oxidation Process for Oily Water Clean-Up, National Conference, Las Vegas, USA.

  2. 2012Optimization of a Simulated Photo-Fenton Process, 9th International Conference on Modeling Simulation and Visualization Methods.

  3. Influences of tungsten incorporation… toward urea elimination, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45(15), 8082-8093.

  4. Zn/Fe LDH as a clay-like adsorbent for oxytetracycline removal, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(11), 12256-12269.

  5. Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Wastewater, Egyptian Journal of Chemistry, 63(11), 4439-4445.

  6. Tungsten incorporation in nickel doped carbon nanofibers…, Fuel, 280, 118654.

  7. La-doped Zn-Fe LDH for tetracycline adsorption, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 322, 114546.

  8. LDH Nanocubes Synthesized with Zeolite Templates, Nanomaterials, 11(12), 3315.

  9. Zn–Fe LDH nanostructures for dye removal, Scientific Reports, 11(1).

  10. Photocatalytic degradation with ZnO nanoparticles, Journal of International Society for Science and Engineering.

  11. Recycling of Zn–Al LDH after levofloxacin adsorption, RSC Advances, 10(46), 27633-27651.

  12. Enhanced Solar Desalination Units, Conference Proceedings.

  13. Book Chapter (2024)Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Sensing of Heavy Metals, Springer.

  14. Book Chapter (2025)Nanofibres for Medical Applications, Elsevier.

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amal Zaher exemplifies excellence in environmental engineering research and education. Her substantial contributions to water treatment technologies, advanced nanomaterials, and green chemistry underscore her standing as a thought leader and innovator. With a proven track record of impactful publications, active supervision, and international collaboration, she is an outstanding nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her work not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also promotes sustainable solutions that benefit both science and society.

saeid shabani | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

saeid shabani | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr saeid shabani, AREEO, Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Saeid Shabani is a distinguished forestry researcher specializing in forest monitoring, natural hazards, and sustainable ecosystem development 🌳🌍. He holds a Ph.D. in Forestry from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran (2015), where he developed models for predicting soil and forest stand disturbances caused by logging 🏗️🌲. His research integrates GIS, machine learning, and statistical modeling to assess forest fragmentation, carbon stock monitoring, and climate change impacts 📊🛰️. Dr. Shabani has led numerous projects on afforestation, ecosystem assessments, and genetic variations in tree species 🌱🔬. His publications in high-impact journals, along with his role as a reviewer for esteemed scientific outlets, solidify his reputation as a leading expert in forestry research 📖🌿. With expertise in ArcGIS, R, and SPSS, he bridges the gap between technology and environmental conservation 💻🍃. His dedication to sustainable forest management makes him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏅👏.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Saeid Shabani earned his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Guilan, Iran (2005) 🌲, where he developed a strong foundation in forest management and conservation. He pursued his Master of Science in Forestry at Tarbiat Modares University (2009) 📊, focusing on the relationship between forest gaps, physiographic factors, and vegetation in Lalis Forest, Nowshahr 🌳🗺️. He further advanced his expertise with a Ph.D. in Forestry from the same institution (2015) 🏗️, specializing in modeling soil and forest stand disturbance caused by logging operations 🏞️🔍. Dr. Shabani’s academic journey emphasizes sustainable forest ecosystem development, leveraging GIS, machine learning, and data-driven modeling 📈🌍. His interdisciplinary research bridges ecological conservation and technological advancements to enhance forestry management strategies 💡🌱.

Experience

Dr. Saeid Shabani has extensive experience in forestry research, specializing in forest monitoring, sustainable development, and climate impact assessments 🌍🌿. He has led and collaborated on multiple projects across the Hyrcanian and Arasbaran forests, focusing on afforestation, forest road monitoring, and carbon stock assessment 🏞️📊. His expertise in GIS, R, and machine learning has enabled him to develop predictive models for forest stand disturbances and susceptibility to environmental threats like snowstorms and windthrow 🌪️🛰️. As a scientific reviewer, he contributes to journals such as Scientific Reports, Turkish Journal of Forestry, and Ecology of Iranian Forests 📖📝. He has also been involved in standardizing forestry job competencies and ecosystem differentiation. His impactful work in forest conservation and ecosystem modeling positions him as a leading researcher in environmental sustainability and forestry science

Awards & Honors

Dr. Saeid Shabani has received multiple recognitions for his groundbreaking contributions to forestry research 🌿🏆. His work on forest sustainability, ecosystem monitoring, and climate resilience has earned him prestigious awards and funding. He was a recipient of the Chinese Government Scholarship 🎓🇨🇳 and has won Best Paper Awards for high-impact forestry research in journals like the European Journal of Forest Research 📜🏅. His expertise as a reviewer has been acknowledged with Reviewer Recognition Awards from Scientific Reports, South African Geographical Journal, and Journal of Forest Research & Development 🔍📖. He has secured project grants from environmental organizations for studies on afforestation, soil health, and carbon stock modeling 🌲💰. His Excellence in Forestry Research Award highlights his innovative use of GIS and machine learning in forest monitoring 🏗️🛰️. Through his dedication to sustainable forestry and advanced modeling techniques, he has cemented his reputation as an award-winning researcher in environmental science.

Research Focus

Dr. Saeid Shabani is a distinguished researcher specializing in forest monitoring, ecosystem sustainability, and climate impact assessment 🌲🌎. His expertise lies in applying GIS, machine learning, and statistical modeling to predict forest disturbances caused by natural hazards and human activities 🛰️📊. His research focuses on forest fragmentation and logging impact modeling 🏗️🌳, assessing the effects of snowstorms, windthrow, and climate change on forest ecosystems ❄️🌪️, and evaluating carbon stock in Hyrcanian and Arasbaran forests 🌱📈. Additionally, he contributes to afforestation efforts and sustainable forest management strategies 🌿♻️ while analyzing soil health and biodiversity conservation in forest stands 🔬🍂. Through cutting-edge methodologies, he develops innovative solutions to preserve global forest ecosystems and mitigate environmental risks 🌍💡. His work plays a vital role in policy-making and sustainable forestry development, ensuring the long-term health of natural resources.

Publication Top Notes

  • 📜 Spatial Prediction of Soil Disturbance Caused by Forest Logging Using Generalized Additive Models and GISEuropean Journal of Forest Research 🏗️🌲

  • 🌍 Forest Stand Susceptibility Mapping During Harvesting Using Logistic Regression and Boosted Regression Tree ModelsGlobal Ecology and Conservation 📊🛰️

  • 📏 Spatial Modeling of Forest Stand Susceptibility to Logging OperationsEnvironmental Impact Assessment Review 🏞️📉

  • ❄️ Modeling the Susceptibility of Uneven‑Aged Broad‑Leaved Forests to Snowstorm DamageEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research 🌨️🌲

  • 🌡️ How Do Different Land Uses/Covers Contribute to Land Surface Temperature and Albedo?Sustainability 🏡🌞

  • 🌱 Soil Health Reduction Following Conversion of Primary Vegetation Covers in Semi-Arid EnvironmentsScience of the Total Environment 🏜️🌾

  • 🗺️ Modeling and Mapping of Soil Damage Caused by Harvesting in Caspian Forests Using CART and RF TechniquesJournal of Forest Science 📈📊

  • 🌪️ Prediction of Windthrow Phenomenon in Deciduous Temperate Forests Using Logistic Regression & Random ForestCerne Journal 🌳💨

Robert Venter | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Robert Venter | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Dr Robert Venter, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Dr. Robert Venter appears to be a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on several key factors:

Publication profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Venter’s academic background is extensive, with a PhD in Entrepreneurship and multiple qualifications in Human Resource Management and Legal Studies from the prestigious University of the Witwatersrand. His multidisciplinary foundation provides a robust platform for impactful research.

Teaching Experience

His teaching career spans over two decades at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he has contributed significantly as a Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, and Associate Lecturer. His roles as a sessional lecturer at Wits Business School and his honors supervision further demonstrate his dedication to education and research development.

Service and Leadership

Dr. Venter’s leadership roles within the university community are notable. He has served as Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning, chaired multiple committees, and acted as the Head of the Division of Management and Human Resource Management. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, including roles as a residence hall coordinator and an HIV/AIDS counselor.

Awards and Recognition

He has been recognized multiple times for his excellence, including the University of the Witwatersrand’s Award for Supervisory Excellence and the Vice-Chancellor’s Team Teaching Award. His long service awards reflect his dedication to the academic institution.

Research Contributions

Dr. Venter’s recent publications address critical areas such as transformational entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and sustainable leadership. His research outputs are both broad and impactful, dealing with issues such as immigrant entrepreneurship, pro-poor ecosystems, and risk-taking in social entrepreneurship. He has also contributed to the development of new conceptual models and scales, such as the Social Entrepreneurial Intention Bias Scale, which have practical implications for entrepreneurship research.

Conclusion

With a rich combination of educational background, teaching excellence, service leadership, and impactful research contributions, Dr. Venter’s profile aligns with the criteria for the Best Researcher Award. His work, particularly in social entrepreneurship and sustainable leadership, addresses critical societal needs, making him a deserving candidate for the award.

Publication top notes