Jin Qian | Environmental Science | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc Prof Dr. Jin Qian | Environmental Science | Editorial Board Member 

Associate Professor | Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Jin Qian is an Associate Researcher at Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China, whose work focuses on advanced environmental catalysis, water and wastewater treatment, and sustainable energy–environment systems, as reflected by his Scopus profile showing 67 indexed publications, more than 2,549 citations across 2,127 citing documents, and an h-index of 31, indicating both productivity and sustained scholarly impact. His recent research emphasizes catalytic oxidation processes, antibiotic degradation, sulfur-driven and thiosulfate-mediated denitrification, and carbon-based functional materials for environmental remediation. In 2025 alone, he contributed to multiple high-impact studies, including dual-metal-catalyzed Fenton-like reactions on CdₓZn₁₋ₓS@biochar for efficient water purification in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, and the development of phosphorus-strengthened nickel single-atom catalysts enabling selective nonradical generation in Advanced Functional Materials, highlighting his strong integration of materials science with environmental engineering. His work in Bioresource Technology explores microbial responses to antibiotics such as norfloxacin in sulfur-based denitrification systems and the use of iron–carbon enhanced constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation, demonstrating a systems-level approach that bridges microbiology, electrochemistry, and process engineering. Additionally, his comprehensive review on carbon-based material additives for enhancing anaerobic digestion performance reflects his broader commitment to sustainable energy recovery from waste streams. Collectively, Jin Qian’s research advances mechanistic understanding of pollutant transformation, catalytic reaction pathways, and microbe–material interactions, while also offering scalable technological solutions for water purification, antibiotic resistance mitigation, and low-carbon energy production, positioning him as a rising contributor to the fields of environmental catalysis and sustainable environmental engineering.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  1. Qian, J., et al. (2025). Dual-metal-catalyzed Fenton-like reaction on CdxZn1–xS@biochar: Mechanistic insights into sulfide–metal interactions for water purification. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental.

  2. Qian, J., et al. (2025). Insights into norfloxacin biodegradation and the fate of antibiotic resistance genes associated with sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification. Chemical Engineering Journal.

  3. Qian, J., et al. (2025). Iron–carbon enhanced constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for tetracycline wastewater treatment: Efficacy, power generation, and the role of iron–carbon. Bioresource Technology.

  4. Qian, J., et al. (2025). Mechanistic insights into microbial and functional responses to norfloxacin in a thiosulfate-mediated denitrification granular sludge system. Bioresource Technology.

  5. Qian, J., et al. (2025). “P-strengthening strategy” of nickel single-atom catalyst with boosting selective generation of nonradicals: Synergy of metal center and substrate. Advanced Functional Materials.

Jin Qian’s research advances the fundamental understanding and practical application of environmental catalysis, microbial wastewater treatment, and sustainable energy systems. His work provides innovative solutions for water purification, antibiotic resistance mitigation, and low-carbon energy recovery, bridging scientific discovery with societal and industrial impact on a global scale.

Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

PhD Student | University of Naples | Italy

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is an exceptionally promising young researcher in Earth and Environmental Sciences, demonstrating remarkable academic excellence, research innovation, and international recognition. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, she focuses on developing sustainable agroforestry ecosystems using Earth Observation, AI, and drone technologies. Her research integrates remote sensing, GIS, machine learning, and UAS-based surveys to enhance biomass estimation and precision agriculture, reflecting a powerful blend of environmental sustainability and technological innovation. She has previously served as a Lecturer and Graduate Assistant at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, building a strong foundation in geoinformatics and academic mentorship. Her ENI Award 2022, a highly prestigious global recognition, underscores her excellence in energy and environmental research, while her participation in international training programs (ESA, AUVSI, Virginia Tech, and African Drone & Data Academy) highlights her commitment to continuous learning and scientific leadership. Mrs. Mekonen’s scholarly output includes peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Environmental Challenges (Elsevier) and conference papers presented at IEEE MetroAerospace 2024 and 2025, showcasing her global engagement and research relevance. With technical mastery across remote sensing software (ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI), programming (Python, R, Google Earth Engine), and AI modeling, she embodies a multi-disciplinary scientist driving innovation in Earth observation and climate-smart agriculture. Her work directly contributes to addressing climate change adaptation, land degradation, and sustainable resource management—core priorities in global sustainability research. Given her academic distinction, technical expertise, and impactful contributions, Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, representing the next generation of transformative scientific leaders in environmental and Earth system innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Mekonen, A. A., Raghuvanshi, T. K., Suryabhagavan, K. V., & Kassawmar, T. (2022). GIS-based landslide susceptibility zonation and risk assessment in a complex landscape: A case study of the Beshilo watershed, northern Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100586.

  2. Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2024). Above-ground biomass estimation in an agroforestry environment by UAS and RGB imagery. In 2024 11th International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAerospace) (pp. 272–277). IEEE.

  3. Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2025). Above-Ground Biomass Prediction in Agroforestry Areas Using Machine Learning and Multispectral Drone Imagery. In 2025 IEEE 12th International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAerospace) (pp. 63–68). IEEE.

  4. Mekonen, A. A., Conte, C., & Accardo, D. (2025). An effective process to use drones for above-ground biomass estimation in agroforestry landscapes. Aerospace, 12(11), 1001.

  5. Mekonen, A. A. (2021). GIS-based modeling and assessment of landslide susceptibility in mountainous terrain: A case study from Northern Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University, MSc Thesis.

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen’s pioneering research in Earth observation, AI, and drone-based agroforestry monitoring is transforming how we measure and manage environmental resources. Her innovative integration of remote sensing and machine learning enhances sustainable agriculture, supports climate change mitigation, and drives global innovation in precision ecosystem management—bridging science, technology, and sustainability for a resilient future.

Safa Nouaa | Environmental Applications | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Safa Nouaa | Environmental Applications | Best Researcher Award

Safa Nouaa at Université Ibn Zohr/Faculté des sciences Agadir, Morocco

Safa Nouaa is a Ph.D. researcher in Applied Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at Ibn Zohr University, specializing in adsorbent materials and wastewater treatment. She has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and presented her findings at international conferences. Her work explores enzyme immobilization, composite materials for pollutant removal, and adsorption kinetics. She has received research funding from the Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle of the French Embassy in Morocco. She collaborates with institutions such as Université de Lille, INRA, and Technical University of Iași. Her contributions aim to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and environmental protection.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Educational Details

Safa Nouaa is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at Ibn Zohr University, Faculty of Sciences, Agadir, Morocco (2021–present). She holds a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech (2016–2018) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Ibn Zohr University, Agadir (2013–2016). She completed her Baccalaureate in Experimental Sciences from Mohamed V High School, Essaouira, in 2013.

Professional Experience

Safa Nouaa has significant experience in research and industrial applications of chemistry, particularly in environmental remediation and cosmetic formulations. She worked as a Purchasing and Procurement Manager at Carmel Cosmetics Labs (2023), ensuring efficient supplier selection and inventory management. Prior to this, she was a Project Consultant and Production Manager at Vanadis (2021–2022), where she formulated and tested new cosmetic prototypes following COSMOS standards. She also served as a Technical Manager at Zymophar Biotech (2019–2020), overseeing production processes and ensuring compliance with ISO 22716. Her experience spans product formulation, R&D, quality control, and procurement.

Research Interest

  • Enzyme Immobilization – Enhancing stability and reusability of biocatalysts.
  • Adsorbent Materials – Synthesis and characterization of novel materials for wastewater treatment.
  • Wastewater Treatment – Removal of pollutants using advanced materials and enzymatic processes.
  • Environmental Remediation – Sustainable solutions for pollution control.
  • Physicochemical Characterization – Material analysis using FTIR, SEM, XRD, and other techniques.
  • Adsorption Kinetics & Thermodynamics – Understanding pollutant removal mechanisms.

Author Metrics:

  • Publications: 7 (Indexed in SCI, Scopus)
  • Citation Index: 37
  • Books Published: 1
  • Industry/Consultancy Projects: Several in environmental and cosmetic chemistry
  • Editorial Roles: Contributions to peer-reviewed journals
  • Collaborations: Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle (French Embassy in Morocco), Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, Université de Lille, INRA, and Technical University of Iași.

Top Noted Publication

Exploiting RSM and ANN Modeling Methods to Optimize Phosphate Ions Removal Using LDH/Alginate Composite Beads

Authors:
  • Safa Nouaa
  • Rachid Aziam
  • Ridouan Benhiti
  • Mohamed Zerbet
  • Mohamed Chiban
Published in:

Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2024

Abstract:

This study explores the optimization of phosphate ion removal from aqueous solutions using layered double hydroxide (LDH)/alginate composite beads. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling approaches were employed to enhance adsorption efficiency. The synthesized composite beads were characterized using physicochemical techniques, and adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were analyzed. The models provided accurate predictions, aiding in process optimization for improved wastewater treatment efficiency.

Conclusion

Mrs. Safa Nouaa is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work in environmental remediation and wastewater treatment, coupled with international collaborations and industrial applications, makes her a notable researcher. To enhance her profile further, she could aim for higher-impact publications, leadership roles in research projects, and increased citation impact. With her multidisciplinary expertise and innovative approaches, she is well-positioned for future recognition in environmental science and applied chemistry.