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)

 

bushra maryam | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

bushra maryam | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Tianjin University, China

Dr. Bushra Maryam is an emerging environmental scientist with a profound passion for nanotechnology and sustainable innovation. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at Tianjin University, China, under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Xianhua Liu. Her work bridges nanomaterials and ecological safety, focusing on lanthanide-doped upconverted nanocomposites for environmental and energy applications. With academic roots from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan, her career reflects a strong blend of academic excellence and applied scientific inquiry. Dr. Maryam has made impactful contributions to areas like microplastic detection, photocatalytic hydrogen generation, and nano-ecotoxicology, publishing in top-tier journals like Nature Communications, Environmental Pollution, and Sustainable Energy & Fuels. Her work is characterized by scientific rigor, innovation, and a clear commitment to environmental sustainability. Recognized with the prestigious Peiyang Future Scholars Scholarship, Dr. Maryam stands as a promising voice in the future of environmental science and nanotechnology.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Maryam’s academic journey began at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, where she earned her B.Sc. (2006–2010) and M.Sc. (2011–2013) in Environmental Sciences. Her undergraduate thesis focused on developing Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems for the refrigerator industry, while her M.Sc. research investigated bioethanol production using Bacillus cellulosilyticus. These early projects demonstrated her strong foundation in industrial and bio-environmental issues. In 2020, she commenced her Ph.D. at Tianjin University, China, specializing in the design and application of lanthanide-doped upconverted nanocomposites for environmental monitoring and energy generation. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Xianhua Liu, her doctoral work has yielded cutting-edge research in photocatalysis, nanoplastics tracking, and eco-toxicological applications. This academic path reflects her continuous dedication to addressing global environmental challenges through interdisciplinary scientific research.

Experience

Dr. Bushra Maryam has a balanced portfolio of teaching, research, and industry-oriented experiences. From 2015 to 2019, she worked as a Senior Science Instructor at City Public High School in Pakistan, where she mentored young science students and integrated environmental topics into educational frameworks. Prior to that, she served as a Research Fellow (2011–2013) at the Food and Biotechnology Research Center under Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology, contributing to industrial biotechnology projects. She also undertook a research project at Haier Industries in 2010, focusing on occupational health and safety. These professional engagements enriched her practical insights into environmental applications, bio-resource management, and safety compliance. Her multidisciplinary exposure has fueled her transition into a research-intensive career that now tackles global-scale environmental and sustainability concerns through scientific innovation.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Bushra Maryam has been honored with the Peiyang Future Scholars Scholarship by Tianjin University, a recognition awarded to high-potential international doctoral researchers in China. This prestigious scholarship affirms her outstanding academic performance and research promise in the environmental sciences. Additionally, she has actively participated in several high-impact scientific gatherings, including the International Conference on Advances in Energy Resources and Environment Engineering (ICAESEE 2022) and the 14th Global Chinese Scholars Symposium (GCCES-2022). Earlier in her career, she engaged with national forums such as the World Environment Day Seminar (2012) and the International Conference on Toxicology (2012) hosted by UVAS. These accolades and involvements reflect not only her scholarly capabilities but also her commitment to public engagement, scientific exchange, and sustainable advocacy.

Research Focus

Dr. Maryam’s research revolves around the development, innovation, and environmental application of heterogeneous functional nanomaterials. Her core interest lies in utilizing lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles for monitoring micro- and nanoplastics, hydrogen production, and eco-toxicological studies. She has successfully demonstrated the use of luminous polystyrene nanoparticles to trace nanoplastics in plants and nematodes and has explored photocatalytic hydrogen generation from ammonia borane using novel heterostructures. Her work bridges nanoscience with ecological safety, offering tools to visualize invisible environmental pollutants while promoting clean energy solutions. With a deep focus on sustainability, she explores how advanced nanomaterials can mitigate environmental threats, monitor contamination, and enhance water purification. Her interdisciplinary research integrates materials science, environmental toxicology, renewable energy, and molecular detection—positioning her as a transformative figure in environmental nanotechnology.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Environmental Science: Nano (2025)
    Luminous polystyrene upconverted nanoparticles to visualize the traces of nanoplastics in a vegetable plant.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1039/D4EN01052C]

  2. Sustainable Energy & Fuels (2024)
    Near-infrared driven photocatalytic hydrogen production from ammonia borane hydrolysis using heterostructure-upconverted nanoparticles.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1039/D4SE01047G]

  3. Sensors (Under Review)
    Luminous upconverted nanoparticles as high-sensitivity optical probes for visualizing nano- and microplastics in Caenorhabditis elegans.

  4. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2023)
    Self-supported Pt@Ni₂P for controllable hydrogen release from ammonia-borane hydrolysis.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1021/acs.iecr.3c01055]

  5. Nature Communications (2024)
    Microplastic detection and remediation through efficient interfacial solar evaporation for immaculate water production.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-50421-x]

  6. Environmental Pollution (2024)
    Polystyrene nanoplastics distinctly impact cadmium uptake and toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124373]

  7. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2024)
    Water-enabled electricity generation on film structures: From materials to applications.
    🔗 [DOI:10.1016/j.rser.2024.114461]

  8. Science of The Total Environment (2024)
    Microfluidic sensors for the detection of emerging contaminants in water: A review.