Raihan Riaz | Geography and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Raihan Riaz | Geography and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate at Jagannath University, Bangladesh

Summary:

Mr. Raihan Riaz is an emerging researcher in the field of Geography & Environment with a focus on climate change-induced migration, natural hazards, and disaster risk management in Bangladesh. He completed his MSc from Jagannath University with distinction, achieving the first position in his thesis group. With extensive research experience, Mr. Riaz has contributed to several notable projects on riverbank erosion, forced migration, and environmental hazards across various regions of Bangladesh. His skill set includes GIS-based modeling, statistical analysis, and field data collection, and he has published in several reputable journals. He is also actively involved in academia and environmental awareness initiatives, holding leadership roles in student organizations.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

  • Master of Science (MSc) in Geography & Environment, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2022; Exam held 2024)
    GPA: 3.99/4.00 | 1st Position in Thesis Group
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geography & Environment, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2021; Exam held 2023)
    CGPA: 3.84/4.00

🏢 Professional Experience:

  • Research Assistant (RA), Dr. Md. Mohiuddin (2024-25)
    Project: Determining the Factors of Migration during Flash Flood in Haor Area, Northeastern Bangladesh
  • Research Fellow, Ministry of Science & Technology, Dhaka (2023-24)
  • Research Assistant (RA), University Grants Commission of Bangladesh
    Projects: Consequences of River Bank Erosion Induced Forced Migration at Char Land in Bangladesh (2019-2020), Climate Change Induced Forced Migration in Southeast Bangladesh (2021-22)
  • Assistant Project Manager (APM), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (2020-21)
    Project: Perceptions Towards Climate Change-Induced Hazards and Resettlement Preferences in Coastal Bangladesh
  • Data Enumerator, Worked on multiple surveys, including the baseline survey of Rohingya refugee impact, livelihood status of the Dublarchar fisherman community, and land use assessment in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.

Research Interests:

Mr. Raihan Riaz’s research interests include climate change impacts, forced migration, natural hazards, and geospatial modeling. He has a particular focus on climate-induced migration, disaster risk reduction, and geographic information systems (GIS)-based modeling for environmental planning and hazard susceptibility mapping. His work often intersects with understanding the socio-economic effects of environmental changes and the resilience of affected populations.

Author Metrics:

Publications:

  • Neegar Sultana and Raihan Riaz., Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Flash Flood in Sunamganj District, Bangladesh, Natural Hazards, Springer [1st review complete]
  • Raihan Riaz and Neegar Sultana., Location-specific Heterogeneity in Landslide Resilience Index: A Household-based Comparative Study in Rangamati Hill District, Bangladesh, Ecological Indicators, Elsevier [Under Review]
  • Raihan Riaz and Mohiuddin, Md., Application of GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Hydro-Geomorphological Factors for Flash Flood Susceptibility Mapping in Bangladesh, Water Cycle, Elsevier [Accepted]
  • Neegar Sultana, Md. Farhad Hossain, Raihan Riaz., Landslide Risk Assessment in Bandarban Hill District of Bangladesh Using GIS and RS Techniques, Physical Geography, Taylor and Francis [1st Review Complete]
  • Raihan Riaz and N.M. Refat Nasher., Urban Expansion and Land Use Changes of a Fringe Area in the Southern Part of Dhaka City (Bangladesh) using Geo-Spatial Techniques, Journal of Geophysics, 27(6), 462-475 (2023)

Awards and Achievements

  • National Science & Technology Award for MSc Thesis (2023)
  • Dean’s List Scholarship for maintaining a CGPA above 3.75/4.00
  • University Merit Scholarship (2018-2021)
  • Mr. Riaz continues to make significant contributions to the study of environmental challenges and migration in Bangladesh, with several promising research outputs under review and in press.

Top Noted Publication:

Application of GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Hydro-Geomorphological Factors for Flash Flood Susceptibility Mapping in Bangladesh

  • Authors: R. Riaz, M. Mohiuddin
  • Journal: Water Cycle
  • Year: 2024
  • Summary: This paper uses GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to evaluate hydro-geomorphological factors and their contributions to flash flood susceptibility in Bangladesh. It emphasizes the integration of spatial data and analytical models to improve hazard mapping and risk management strategies for flood-prone areas.
  • Status: Accepted

Building Responsiveness through Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change: Lesson Learned from Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

  • Author: R. Riaz
  • Conference: BCSIR Congress-2023
  • Volume: 50 (1), pp. 367-371
  • Year: 2024
  • Summary: This conference paper highlights community-based adaptation strategies to address the adverse impacts of climate change in Bangladesh’s coastal zones. It discusses the lessons learned from local initiatives that enhance resilience and responsiveness among vulnerable communities.
  • Status: Presented at BCSIR Congress

Assessment of Riverbank Erosion-Deposition Trend Using Geospatial Techniques in the Padma River, Bangladesh

  • Author: R. Riaz
  • Conference: 9th International Conference on Water and Flood Management (ICWFM)
  • Volume: 2
  • Year: 2023
  • Summary: This paper presents a geospatial analysis of riverbank erosion and deposition trends along the Padma River. By applying remote sensing and GIS tools, it offers an understanding of the river’s morphological changes over time, providing insights into erosion mitigation and river management.
  • Status: Presented at ICWFM 2023

Urban Expansion and Land Use Changes of a Fringe Area in the Southern Part of Dhaka City (Bangladesh) Using Geo-Spatial Techniques

  • Authors: R. Riaz, N.M.R. Nasher
  • Journal: The Journal of Indian Geophysical Union
  • Volume: 27 (6), pp. 462-475
  • Year: 2023
  • Summary: This research explores urban expansion and land use dynamics in the southern fringes of Dhaka city. Utilizing geospatial techniques, the paper analyzes land use changes over time, highlighting the environmental and planning challenges associated with rapid urbanization.
  • Status: Published

Conclusion:

Mr. Raihan Riaz is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, especially considering his early career stage and already substantial contributions to environmental and disaster risk research. His focus on climate change-induced migration and disaster risk reduction in Bangladesh addresses pressing local and global issues, making his work highly relevant and impactful. With his technical expertise, growing publication record, and recognition through national awards, Mr. Riaz is well-positioned for further success.

To maximize his candidacy for this award, Mr. Riaz could continue to expand his publication portfolio, seek international collaborations, and enhance the global applicability of his research. Given his strong foundation and ongoing projects, he holds significant potential to be recognized as an outstanding researcher in his field.

 

 

Taonda Adama | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Taonda Adama | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Taonda Adama at WASCAL, Burkina Faso

Summary:

Mr. Adama Taonda is a climate change and biodiversity researcher with a keen focus on sustainable agriculture practices. A current Ph.D. candidate at WASCAL, Côte d’Ivoire, he has been involved in pivotal research on the effects of land use and climate on biodiversity across West Africa. His scientific contributions focus on modeling species distribution under climate change scenarios and evaluating aboveground biomass and carbon stocks. Mr. Taonda is dedicated to advancing climate resilience through scientific research and has participated in numerous national and international climate initiatives.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

PhD Graduate Student (Climate Change and Biodiversity), WASCAL, Côte d’Ivoire – January 2022–Present

Master’s Degree (Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture), African Centre of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Agriculture, Côte d’Ivoire – 2018–2020

Bachelor’s Degree (Biological Science), Joseph KI ZERBO University, Burkina Faso – 2010–2015

🏢 Professional Experience:

Mr. Taonda Adama has extensive experience in climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Since March 2021, he has served as a technical coordinator and assistant at the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development (SP/CNDD) in Burkina Faso. In this role, he contributed to the development of sectoral plans integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and played a key role in assessing environmental reports and the progress of national climate change initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Taonda has coordinated various international and regional conventions on climate change, worked on evaluating projects, and revised national adaptation plans (NAP) in collaboration with international bodies such as the WAEMU.

His technical expertise extends to biodiversity conservation, species distribution modeling, and aboveground biomass and carbon stock prediction. He has participated in several international seminars and training workshops, focusing on climate change adaptation, SDG integration, and biodiversity management.

Research Interests:

  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Aboveground biomass and carbon stock prediction
  • Species distribution modeling
  • Tree-ring analysis and quantitative wood anatomy through dendroclimatology

Top Noted Publication:

Effects of land use and climate on the diversity and population structure in natural stands of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae) in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

  • Journal: Global Ecology and Conservation
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 51
  • Article ID: e02909
  • Authors: Taonda, A., Zerbo, I., N’Guessan, A.E., Kassi, J.N., Thiombiano, A.
  • Access: Open access

Local perceptions of anthropogenic and climate factors affecting the use and the conservation of Detarium microcarpum and Detarium senegalense in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

  • Journal: Integrative Conservation
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 1
  • Pages: 58–75
  • Authors: Taonda, A., Zerbo, I., N’Guessan, A.E., N’Dja Kassi, J., Thiombiano, A.
  • Access: Open access

Dynamics of reconstitution of the vegetal biodiversity of the Foumbou class forest (north of the Ivory Coast)

  • Journal: International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences
  • Year: 2021
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue: 6
  • Pages: 2607–2624
  • Authors: Taonda, A., N’Guessan, A.E., N’Dja Kassi, J.
  • Access: Open access
  • Citations: 2