Size Ai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Size Ai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award 

Harbin Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Size Ai, currently a PhD researcher at the Harbin Institute of Technology, is an emerging scholar in the field of mechanical metamaterials and advanced structural design. Holding a PhD in Mechanics from Harbin Institute of Technology, Dr. Ai has developed strong expertise in the design, modeling, and steady-state analysis of mechanical metamaterials, focusing particularly on negative stiffness structures, multi-stable metastructures, and pneumatic actuators with tunable mechanical responses. His academic journey reflects a commitment to high-quality research, having published three SCI-indexed papers in top-tier JCR Q1 journals such as Thin-Walled Structures and Engineering Structures. His works include: “Analysis of Negative Stiffness Structures with B-spline Curved Beams” (Thin-Walled Structures, 2024), “Design and Analysis of an Origami-Embedded Multi-Stable Metastructure with Shape Reconfiguration” (Engineering Structures, 2025), and “Deep Learning-Based Structural Design and Mechanical Properties Analysis of Pneumatic Actuators with Tunable Multistability” (Thin-Walled Structures, 2025). These publications highlight Dr. Ai’s ability to integrate theoretical modeling, simulation optimization, deep learning techniques, and experimental validation to solve complex challenges in structural mechanics. He has contributed significantly to ongoing national research through his involvement in the National Natural Science Foundation of China project (Grant No. 12372041), which further demonstrates his active engagement in advancing scientific knowledge. One of Dr. Ai’s major contributions includes developing a configuration parameterization method based on B-spline curves to customize negative stiffness characteristics in metamaterials. Additionally, he proposed a steady-state switching strategy using reconfigurable energy barrier elements, enabling precise control over multi-stability and shape transformation in engineered structures. His work successfully demonstrates, through combined theory, simulations, and experiments, the feasibility of programmable mechanical behavior after forming—an advancement with promising applications in soft robotics, adaptive structures, vibration isolation, and smart materials. Dr. Ai’s research continues to attract academic attention, with citations indexed in the Web of Science database. He maintains a strong ethical commitment to research integrity, with no consultancy projects, patents, or books yet undertaken. While he currently holds no editorial appointments, professional memberships, or formal collaborations, his research trajectory shows excellence, independence, and innovation, positioning him as a competitive candidate for the Research Excellence Award. Dr. Ai affirms that all submitted information is accurate, verifiable, and supported by relevant research links, including: 10.1016/j.tws.2025.114287 and 10.1016/j.tws.2023.111418. He fully agrees to the terms, policies, and responsibilities associated with this award nomination and submits this application with the highest level of integrity.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Ai, S., Xie, Z., & Wei, J. (2025, November). Deep learning-based structural design and mechanical properties analysis of pneumatic actuators with tunable multistability.

Ai, S., Hou, S., Wei, J., & Xie, Z. (2025, October). Design and analysis of an origami-embedded multi-stable metastructure with shape reconfiguration.

Hou, S., Wei, J., Ai, S., & Tan, H. F. (2025, March). Broadband nonlinear vibration isolation for a friction dynamic system via quasi-zero stiffness isolator.

Bian, S., Ai, S., Wei, J., & Qingxiang, J. (2025, March). Structural design and performance analysis of large inflatable solar membrane reflector.

Ai, S., Wei, J., Xie, Z., & Tan, H. F. (2023, November). Analysis of negative stiffness structures with B-spline curved beams.

Xiaochen Xie | Econometrics and Finance | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Xiaochen Xie | Econometrics and Finance | Research Excellence Award 

Renmin University | China

Dr. Xiaochen Xie is an Assistant Professor at the School of Finance, Renmin University of China, where he has served since August 2021. He concurrently holds research associate appointments at the China Financial Policy Research Center, the Institute of Public Finance and Taxation, and the Institute of Digital Economics and Taxation at Renmin University. Dr. Xie’s research integrates international trade, industrial organization, public economics, and urban economics, with a strong emphasis on firm dynamics, pricing behavior, trade policy, and market structure in global technology industries. His scholarship particularly addresses the complex interactions between trade liberalization, industrial development, and consumer welfare, often using structural and empirical approaches to uncover mechanisms shaping modern markets. Dr. Xie earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Pennsylvania State University in 2021, where his dissertation, Essays on Firm Entry and Pricing, was supervised by renowned economist Jonathan Eaton. He also holds an M.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Statistics from Peking University. His interdisciplinary training forms the foundation of his analytical approach to understanding global economic phenomena. His research has appeared in leading outlets, including the Journal of Economic Geography, and he maintains an active pipeline of working papers on export dynamics, optimal taxation, industrial policy, and global smartphone markets. Several of his papers are under review or revise-and-resubmit at prestigious journals such as the International Journal of Industrial Organization and the Journal of the European Economic Association. His work has received recognition, including the Outstanding Paper Award at the NCER-CCER Chinese Economy Conference in 2021. A frequent presenter at international conferences, Dr. Xie has delivered research at institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and at major meetings including the European Economic Association and EARIE conferences. He is also an active referee for top scholarly journals. At Renmin University, Dr. Xie teaches public finance, quantitative empirical economics, and structural methods, consistently earning exceptional teaching evaluations. He has secured multiple competitive grants, including NSFC and university-funded projects focused on tariffs, international tax policy, and fiscal capacity. Beyond academia, he previously worked in finance and investment analysis and has served as Vice President at Yuewei Capital. Born in Tianjin in 1992, Dr. Xie is fluent in Chinese and English and enjoys Xiangqi, soccer, and travel.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Chen, Y., Huang, T., & Xie, X. (2025). Place-based policies: First-mover advantage and persistence. Journal of Economic Geography, lbaf001.

Lu, W., & Xie, X. (2024). Trade, markups, and consumer welfare: Evidence from the global smartphone industry (SSRN Working Paper No. 4804811). SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4804811

Xie, X. (2021). Two essays on firm entry and pricing (Doctoral dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University).

Wenxiu Cao | Chemical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr. Wenxiu Cao | Chemical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Hunan City University | China

Assoc prof. Wenxiu Cao is an emerging researcher at the Key Laboratory of Low Carbon and Environmental Functional Materials of Hunan Province, working within the College of Materials and Chemical Engineering at Hunan City University, Yiyang, China. His work aligns with some of the most rapidly advancing fields in materials science, environmental chemistry, and sustainable technology innovation. As part of a leading research group focused on low-carbon and environmentally functional materials, Wenxiu Cao contributes to addressing global challenges related to energy efficiency, pollution control, and ecological sustainability through advanced material design and chemical engineering approaches. At Hunan City University, his research environment supports interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing him to investigate the development, characterization, and application of innovative materials with environmental benefits. His work often intersects with cutting-edge themes such as low-carbon technologies, photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems, adsorption-based purification processes, nanostructured functional materials, and green chemical engineering. Through these areas, he contributes to solving real-world environmental issues connected to industrial emissions, renewable energy conversion, wastewater treatment, and sustainable manufacturing. His role at the Key Laboratory also involves contributing to scientific initiatives dedicated to reducing environmental footprints and developing functional materials capable of improving air and water quality. As an active researcher, Wenxiu Cao participates in experimental design, synthesis and fabrication of advanced materials, performance optimization, and analytical characterization using modern instrumental techniques. His work supports the creation of environmentally friendly material systems with high stability, efficiency, and applicability across industrial and environmental sectors. He also engages in scientific writing, data analysis, and academic collaboration, contributing to publications, laboratory innovation, and the knowledge exchange within his department and the broader scientific community. Being part of a provincial-level key laboratory places him at the center of technological advancement in Hunan Province, where research outcomes are expected to support China’s broader goals in carbon neutrality, sustainable development, and green transformation. His contributions help advance the mission of the College of Materials and Chemical Engineering by fostering high-impact research, contributing to student training, and strengthening the university’s academic profile. Through his ongoing work, Wenxiu Cao continues to build a promising research career focused on sustainable materials, environmental protection technologies, and innovations that support a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future. His dedication to advancing low-carbon material science highlights his commitment to both academic excellence and societal benefit.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Chen, J., Cao, W., Xu, S., Liu, L., Tang, H., Hu, N., & Zhang, W. (2025). Disaccharide/UiO-66(Zr) composites for selective dye adsorption: Synergistic mechanisms. Journal of Chromatography A, 2025(11), Article 466568.

Fu, S., Wang, F., Chen, X., Cao, W., Wang, L., & Tang, Y. (2025). Mechanism of synergistic Ce–Mn catalysis for one-step highly selective cyclohexane oxidation to KA-oil. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2025(10-29).

Cao, W., Yuan, B., Zhuo, O., Li, Y., & Luo, W. (2022). Selective adsorption of CO₂/N₂ promoted by polar ligand functional groups of metal–organic frameworks. Journal of Porous Materials, 29(2), 1–12 (if page numbers unavailable, omit).

 

Yves Julien Mbama Biloa | Medicine and Health Sciences | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Yves Julien Mbama Biloa | Medicine and Health Sciences | Young Scientist Award 

Jean Monnet University | France

Mr. Yves Julien MBAMA BILOA is a dedicated emerging public health scholar whose research, teaching, and professional work converge around preventive health, clinical innovation, and population well-being. Born on May 16, 1996, in Cameroon, he is currently completing his Ph.D. in Public Health at Jean Monnet University of Saint-Étienne, France, where he will defend his doctoral thesis on December 18, 2025. His doctoral research—focused on developing a preventive clinical practice framework during the transition to retirement using the Delphi consensus method—positions him at the forefront of preventive healthcare innovation for aging populations. With a strong academic foundation in human biology, animal physiology, and epidemiology, he holds a Master’s degree in Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms (2021) and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and Health, both from the University of Douala, Cameroon. His expertise extends across qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, health promotion, and digital health applications. Yves has developed a robust professional background that includes university-level teaching, research contributions, and entrepreneurial experience. As a Public Health Teacher at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and IRFSS-FI Rhône Alpes, he has delivered courses on social inequalities in health, nursing practices, and international mobility, shaping the perspectives of future healthcare professionals. His entrepreneurial initiative as the Founder of the Center for Statistical Processing and Analysis in Douala demonstrates his leadership in offering methodological support, statistical consulting, and academic mentorship to students and researchers. His skill set spans statistical analysis, epidemiological assessment, scientific writing, and the application of artificial intelligence in health. His publication record reflects growing expertise in preventive healthcare, retirement-transition health strategies, and emerging health challenges. He has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals such as Public Health, Journal of Public Health (Berlin), BMC Infectious Diseases, and Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. His works include a Delphi-based preventive clinical practice framework, a scoping review on periodic health examinations during retirement transition, a mixed-methods protocol for evaluating Long Covid interventions (SPACO+), and studies on cardioprotective effects of methotrexate and metabolic syndrome among students. His research aims to strengthen health systems, empower healthcare decision-making, and enhance preventive care models, especially within the contexts of aging, chronic diseases, and digital health transformation. After completing his Ph.D., he intends to advance his expertise in health prevention, mental health, digital health, and health system improvement, contributing impactful and evidence-based insights to global public health

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Development of a preventive clinical practice framework for transition to retirement

Mbama Biloa, Y. J., Rozand, V., Oriol, M., Guindo, Y., Botelho-Nevers, E., & Bongue, B. (2025). Development of a preventive clinical practice framework for transition to retirement: A Delphi consensus of French physicians. Public Health, 249, 106003.

SPACO+: A mixed methods protocol for assessing the effectiveness of an educative intervention in patients with Long Covid

Kamdem, O. L., Dupre, C., Heugno, V., Baudot, A., Essangui, E., Blanquet, M., Guercon, N., Fanget, M., Bayet, S., Vericel, M. P., et al., & Mbama Biloa, Y. J. (2025). SPACO+: A mixed methods protocol to assessing the effectiveness of an educative intervention in patients with Long Covid. BMC Infectious Diseases, 25, 623.

Periodic health examination during transition to retirement: A scoping review

Mbama Biloa, Y. J., Rozand, V., Kamdem, L., Regnier-Denois, V., Botelho-Nevers, E., & Bongue, B. (2025). Periodic health examination during transition to retirement: A scoping review. Journal of Public Health (Berlin).

Unveiling the hidden shield: Methotrexate as a cardio-protector in psoriasis

Mai, S., Mbama, Y., Gouttefarde, P., Franck, T., Cizeron, G., Oriol, M., Maccari, F., Trombert, B., Bongué, B., & Perrot, J.-L. (2024). Unveiling the hidden shield: Methotrexate emerges as a cardio-protector in psoriasis—Insights from a scoping review [Preprint]. HAL Archive.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and components in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas in Cameroon

Bilog, N. C., Mekoulou Ndongo, J., Bika Lele, E. C., Guessogo, W. R., Assomo-Ndemba, P. B., Ahmadou, … Mbama Biloa, Y. J., … Temfemo, A. (2023). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and components in rural, semi-urban and urban areas in the littoral region in Cameroon: Impact of physical activity. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 42, 95.

Nan Yang | Arts and Humanities | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Nan Yang | Arts and Humanities | Research Excellence Award 

Soochow University | China

Dr. Nan Yang is an accomplished architect, researcher, and educator whose work bridges contemporary architectural innovation with vernacular tradition and sustainable design. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (2010–2012) and the University of Liverpool (2012–2014), both with First-Class Honours and RIBA Part I accreditation. He later completed his Master of Architecture at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (2014–2016), graduating with an excellent thesis score of 9/10. In 2024, Dr. Yang obtained his fully funded Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Liverpool, conducted at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Dr. Yang holds multiple professional certifications, including LEED AP BD+C (2017), Shanghai Intermediate Architectural Engineer (2020), and RIBA Chartered Architect (2021). His professional experience spans leading international design institutions such as MVRDV in Rotterdam, NTYPE Design in Chengdu, and architectural practices in Guangzhou, Kunming, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Since 2017, he has been a partner at Pingjie Design, while also serving as a design consultant for Shanghai Hengtai Architectural Design Consulting (2019–2024). In 2024, he joined Soochow University as a Lecturer and Postdoctoral Fellow. He has extensive teaching experience at Soochow University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China Academy of Art, and other top institutions, contributing as a design tutor, guest critic, researcher, and visiting scholar. Dr. Yang’s research focuses on contemporary vernacular architecture, adaptive construction, rural revitalization, spatial design, and emerging building technologies. His academic output includes numerous journal articles published in Architectural Journal, Sustainable Cities and Society, Huazhong Architecture, and other leading outlets. He has also contributed to international conferences, book chapters, and collaborative research projects, including studies on adaptive architecture and rural settlement design. He holds a utility patent for a 3D-printed component structural system. Dr. Yang’s design works and research have been showcased internationally, including at V2 Institute (Netherlands), Synthetic Lab (France), Huddersfield University (UK), Design Shanghai, and Suzhou Design Week. He has received over 40 awards such as the UIA-Hope Cup First Prize, Forbes China “30 Under 30” honoree (2021 cover figure), Active House Award, FA Young Designer TOP20, and multiple national design competition honors. Actively engaged in academic and professional communities, Dr. Yang serves as chief editor of UniDesignLab, editorial board member for several journals, competition juror, and mentor for youth rural development programs. His work continues to shape innovative, culturally rooted, and socially responsible architectural practices across China and beyond

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Yan Hainan, Yang Nan, Xiong Yimei (2018). The influence of the spatial characteristics of urban green space on the urban heat island effect… Sustainable Cities and Society

Ma Jiexin, Chen Fangbing, Chu Jianfei, Yang Nan (2018). Eutropia. City·Environment·Design, 12: 24–29.

Wang Jun, Chen Xing, Yang Nan (2020). Cultural Industry Development in Taohuawu… Huazhong Architecture, 38(01):83–86.

Tiezhen Ren | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Tiezhen Ren | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Xinjiang university | China

Prof. Dr. Tie-Zhen Ren is a distinguished Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, China. She obtained her Ph.D. in Inorganic Materials Chemistry from the University of Namur (FUNDP), Belgium, where she completed a thesis on hierarchically nanoporous functional materials under the supervision of Prof. Bao-Lian Su. Prior to her doctorate, she studied Polymer Engineering at Tianjin Institute of Technology and later pursued graduate studies in Plant Protection at Anhui Agricultural University. Her academic career includes serving as a Professor at Hebei University of Technology (2007–2021), conducting postdoctoral research at Stockholm University in Sweden, and working as a visiting researcher at the City College of New York. Prof. Ren’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials, mesoporous silica and metal oxide systems, photocatalysis, environmental materials, crystalline porous germanium oxides, catalyst development, and biomass-derived functional materials. She has extensive experience with advanced characterization techniques such as TEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, FT-IR, and electrochemical systems, and actively teaches courses such as General Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Principles, Catalysis, and Technical English. Prof. Ren has been the recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the China National Scholarship for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad, the Tianchi Talent Leader Award, and the Tianjin Natural Science Award. She has led multiple national and international research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education, and Xinjiang Autonomous Region, focusing on photocatalysis, nanocatalyst design, biomass valorization, and environmental remediation. She has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications across high-impact journals and continues to contribute to research in sustainable chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. She is fluent in English and Chinese and has basic proficiency in French.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Huang, S., Zhang, H., Zhang, T., Li, C., Ren, T., & He, Z. (2025). High‐efficiency exfoliation of atomically‐thin non‐Van der Waals quasicrystal nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction performance. Small Methods. https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501162

Song, Z.-H., Muhammad, I., Ren, T.-Z., Abulizi, A., Okitsu, K., Li, H.-R., & Zhang, X.-J. (2025, March 27). Preparation of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles via fluidized roasting and their application in the pyrolysis of spent mulching film for hydrocarbon production. ACS Sustainable Resource Management. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00436

Han, J., Sun, L., Ulbricht, M., Fischer, L., Zhang, G., Gao, W., Lv, L., Ren, T., Liu, X., & Ren, Z. (2025). Sulfite enhanced permanganate/Fe(II) moderate oxidation coagulation for the treatment of algae-laden water: Performance and mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.159084

Fu, H., Bai, H., Abulizi, A., Okitsu, K., Maeda, Y., Ren, T., & Wang, S. (2024). Surfactant-enhanced ZnOₓ/CaO catalytic activity for ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Reaction Chemistry & Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00306J

Cui, M.-J., Li, S.-S., Ren, T., Abulizi, A., & Nulahong, A.-S. (2024). Boosting BaTi₄O₉ photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity by functionalized CuNi alloy. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.115834

Cui, M.-J., Muhammad, I., Feng, J., & Ren, T. (2024). Isopropanol assisted preparation of α–Al₂O₃ nanoparticles and its surface charge investigation. Solid State Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107706

Yurou Liu | Management and Accounting | Research Excellence Award

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Assist Prof Dr. Yurou Liu | Management and Accounting | Research Excellence Award

southwest Jiaotong University | China

Dr. Yurou Liu is an emerging scholar and Assistant Professor at Southwest Jiaotong University, China, with a strong academic foundation supported by a Ph.D. from Renmin University of China and international experience as a visiting researcher at the National University of Singapore. Her research sits at the intersection of law and finance, earnings management, and tax avoidance, with a particular focus on how legal systems, regulatory frameworks, and governance arrangements influence corporate financial decision-making and strategic behavior. Dr. Liu has successfully led three funded research projects, including a prestigious National Natural Science Foundation Youth Project, as well as grants from the Ministry of Education and Renmin University, demonstrating her ability to secure competitive research funding and contribute to national academic priorities. Complementing her academic research portfolio, she has also engaged with industry through a consultancy research project commissioned by the Shanghai Municipal Audit Bureau, focusing on the development and international benchmarking of audit mechanisms in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, showcasing applied policy relevance and societal impact. Dr. Liu has published eight peer-reviewed journal articles in highly regarded and internationally indexed outlets, including the Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Business Ethics, British Accounting Review, and Accounting and Business Research, along with other respected journals in the field of accounting and finance. Her research has received growing scholarly recognition, accumulating more than 120 citations on Google Scholar, reflecting increasing influence and relevance within the academic community. Through her empirical work, Dr. Liu provides novel insights into how judicial efficiency affects corporate investment and financing behavior, how reforms and dispute resolution mechanisms influence financial misconduct, and how disclosure policies and governance systems shape innovation, transparency, and market response. Her findings contribute meaningful evidence supporting improved investor protection, enhanced regulatory enforcement, reduced financial risk, and greater accountability within corporate systems. With a research agenda aligned toward public governance, financial integrity, and evidence-based regulation, Dr. Liu contributes rigorously to both theoretical advancement and policy development. Her academic achievements, demonstrated leadership in funded research, and impactful publications underscore her growing standing as a promising young scholar in the global research community. Her commitment to research excellence, ethical scholarship, and continuous contribution to knowledge makes her a strong candidate for recognition under the Research Excellence Award.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Liu, Y. (2023). Judicial independence and crash risk: Evidence from a natural experiment in China. Journal of Corporate Finance, 83, Article 102490.

Liu, Y. (2022). Investor protection and audit fees: Evidence from the E-interaction platform in China. Accounting and Business Research, 52(7), 815–837.

Liu, Y., & Liu, J. (2024). Social integrity and stock price crash risk. Journal of Business Ethics, 190(3), 703–721.

Liu, J., Ye, K., & Liu, Y. (2023). Mandatory information disclosure and innovation: Evidence from the disclosure of operational information. China Journal of Accounting Research, 16(2), Article 100294.

Liu, Y. (2023). The high-speed railway opening and audit quality: Evidence from China. Economic and Political Studies, 11(4), 494–515.

Liu, Y., Ye, K., & Liu, J. (2023). Major asset restructuring performance commitments and classification shifting through non-recurring items. China Journal of Accounting Studies, 11(2), 270–299.

Liu, Y., & Chen, H. (n.d.). Does retail investor attention deter or promote earnings management? Evidence from interactive platforms. (Publication status unknown).

 

Qingguo Ma | Chemical Engineering | Excellence in Innovation Award

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Dr. Qingguo Ma | Chemical Engineering | Excellence in Innovation Award

Taiyuan Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Qingguo Ma, an accomplished Associate Professor at the Taiyuan Institute of Technology, is a distinguished researcher specializing in advanced wastewater treatment, particularly in the catalytic degradation of formaldehyde. With a doctoral degree obtained from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Dr. Ma has established a focused research trajectory in the development of innovative and efficient oxidation-based solutions for industrial pollutant removal. His work emphasizes the use of advanced oxidation processes employing oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and monopersulfate in conjunction with highly efficient catalytic systems, including transition metal oxides and lanthanum-based composite metal oxide catalysts. Through this research, Dr. Ma has successfully achieved remarkable improvements in formaldehyde degradation efficiency, notably demonstrating degradation rates exceeding 90% under ambient conditions without the need for acidic, alkaline, photochemical, or electrocatalytic environments. This breakthrough shortens the oxidative degradation time by up to 12 times compared to conventional heterogeneous catalysts and provides a scalable pathway toward cost-effective and energy-efficient wastewater treatment technologies. Dr. Ma’s academic contributions are supported by a robust research profile, including five completed or ongoing research projects, eleven patents published or under application, and thirteen peer-reviewed publications indexed in SCI databases. His work has attracted growing scholarly attention, reflected in a developing citation index and engagement in two consultancy or industry-linked research initiatives. As a member of the Shanxi Provincial Society for Inspection and Testing, he actively contributes to the advancement of environmental monitoring and chemical engineering practices within the professional community. His research further explores the mechanistic pathways of formaldehyde oxidation, identifying both radical-driven and non-radical catalytic routes, which enhances scientific understanding and offers new design concepts for catalytic materials used in environmental remediation. Dr. Ma continues to expand collaborations and strengthen knowledge transfer through academic platforms, contributing meaningfully to scientific and societal progress in pollution control. With demonstrated excellence, innovation, and commitment to advancing sustainable wastewater treatment technologies, he exemplifies the qualities recognized by the Excellence in Innovation Award. Dr. Ma affirms the authenticity and accuracy of all information included in this application and acknowledges the guidelines and terms set forth for this nomination.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Ma, Q. (2024). Preparation of perovskite-type LaMnO₃ and its catalytic degradation of formaldehyde in wastewater. Molecules, 29(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163822

Ma, Q. (2023). Removal of formaldehyde in water with low concentration of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by lanthanum–silicon oxide composite. Desalination and Water Treatment, 29734. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2023.29734

Ma, Q. (2023). The Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cycloketones using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Catalysts, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010021

Ma, Q. (2022). Removal of formaldehyde from aqueous solution by hydrogen peroxide. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 44(4). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X22040099

Ma, Q. (2021). Enhancing propene selectivity in methanol and/or butene conversion by regulating channel systems over ZSM-5/ZSM-48 composite zeolites. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2020.110803

Ma, Q. (2015). Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by silica–VTMO–OSO₃H. Journal of Porous Materials, 22(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10934-015-9918-8

Ma, Q. (2015). Silica/A153-SO₃H: An efficient catalyst for the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones with hydrogen peroxide. Comptes Rendus Chimie, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crci.2014.09.002

Ma, Q. (2015). Sn-bentonite-induced Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of 2-heptylcyclopentanone to δ-dodecalactone with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. Research on Chemical Intermediates, 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-013-1342-6

Wei-Hong Lin | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Wei-Hong Lin | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award 

National Health Research Institutes| Taiwan

Dr. Wei-Hong Lin is an accomplished environmental engineering researcher specializing in the fate, behavior, and ecological risks of microplastics and emerging contaminants. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation bridging environmental science, physical chemistry, and bioenvironmental engineering, Dr. Lin completed his Ph.D. at the National Taiwan University (2025), following an M.S. from National Sun Yat-sen University (2017) and a B.S. from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (2015). His research trajectory spans microplastic weathering, heavy metal adsorption, environmental toxicology, groundwater remediation, and wetland ecosystem management. Dr. Lin’s academic and professional journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Merced, and a Research Assistant at Academia Sinica. His work has resulted in multiple high-impact publications in journals including Environmental Pollution, Chemosphere, and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. During his doctoral training under the mentorship of Prof. Shang-Lien Lo, Dr. Lin pioneered an economical solar simulation system to study the environmental aging of microplastics, proposing one of the early mechanistic pathways explaining polymer degradation under environmental stressors. He further investigated heavy-metal interactions with both conventional and biodegradable plastics in marine and freshwater systems, while mentoring graduate students and contributing to national policy development through Taiwan’s Chemical Substance Management Capacity Enhancement Project. At UC Merced, he secured competitive funding from Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) to study synergistic interactions between dissolved organic matter, weathered microplastics, and calcium ions, producing new insights now drafted for journal submission. Earlier work at Academia Sinica contributed to advancing mechanistic understanding of Criegee intermediates using laser-based spectroscopic techniques. Dr. Lin’s technical expertise spans analytical platforms including SEM, FTIR, ICP-OES, dynamic light scattering, flow cytometry, and advanced chromatography techniques for PFAS detection. He also possesses extensive experience in laboratory and project management and has contributed to environmental fieldwork, remediation system design, and teaching environmental experimentation. His research advances global understanding of plastic pollution pathways and informs science-based environmental governance, making him a rising contributor to environmental engineering, pollutant behavior research, and sustainability science.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Cheng, P. K., Ponnusamy, V. K., Lin, W.-H., Chinnadurai, J., Tsai, P. C., Chen, C. Y., Chang, W. T., & Huang, P. C. (2025). Association between urinary metabolites of 1,3‐butadiene and toluene exposure with kidney function indices in Taiwanese school‐aged children living near a petrochemical complex. Environmental Pollution, 127400.

Lin, W.-H., Wang, H.-Y., Kuo, J., & Lo, S.-L. (2023). Adsorption and desorption characteristics of heavy metals onto conventional and biodegradable plastics. Chemosphere, 333, 138920.

Lin, W.-H., Kuo, J., & Lo, S.-L. (2021). Effect of light irradiation on metal adsorption onto microplastics. Chemosphere, 285, 131457.

Chao, W., Lin, Y. H., Yin, C., Lin, W.-H., Takahashi, K., & Lin, J. J. M. (2019). Temperature and isotope effects in the reaction of CH₃CHOO with methanol. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 21(25), 13633–13640.

Lin, Y. H., Yin, C., Lin, W.-H., Li, Y. L., Takahashi, K., & Lin, J. J. M. (2018). Criegee intermediate reaction with alcohol is enhanced by a single water molecule. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 9(24), 7040–7044.

Kao, C. M., Lin, W.-H., Lien, P. J., Sheu, Y. T., & Tu, Y. T. (2018). Application of a multi‐function constructed wetland for stream water quality improvement and ecosystem protection: A case study in Kaohsiung City Taiwan. In Artificial or Constructed Wetlands (1st ed., pp. 126–141). CRC Press.

Jing Li | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Prof Dr. Jing Li | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Shenyang University of Technology | China

Dr. Jing Li is a distinguished Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at Shenyang University of Technology, specializing in electrical machines and apparatus, arc physics, gas-discharge theory, and simulation modeling. With a career dedicated to advancing the science behind electrical switching devices and circuit protection, her research integrates theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and engineering application—particularly in areas involving complex arc discharge dynamics, thermal behavior, and switching reliability of electrical apparatus under extreme operating conditions. Dr. Li has made substantial contributions to the understanding of arc interruption mechanisms, arc-fluid interaction phenomena, contact erosion processes, and high-altitude circuit breaker behavior, addressing pressing challenges relevant to next-generation power systems, high-voltage DC applications, and emerging smart-grid infrastructure. Her research excellence is demonstrated through her role as Principal Investigator for major funded programs, including one National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project, one province-level major R&D initiative, and six general research projects supported by government science and education agencies. Additionally, she has participated in more than twenty national, provincial, and collaborative research grants, highlighting her strong research leadership and interdisciplinary engagement within China’s advanced electrical engineering research ecosystem. Dr. Li’s achievements have been recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the Mechanical Science and Technology Progress Award (Second and Third Prizes) and the Liaoning Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize). Dr. Li has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal papers, with publications appearing in high-impact international and national journals such as the Chemical Engineering Journal, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, Physics of Fluids, Chinese Physics B, Plasma Science and Technology, Proceedings of the CSEE, and Transactions of the China Electrotechnical Society. Her most recent work includes advanced modeling of arc formation, droplet splashing behavior, fluid-chemical coupling during current interruption, and structural improvements in circuit breaker performance, reflecting deep insight into plasma-material interaction and multiphysics coupling. In addition to her research, Dr. Li serves as a reviewer for leading journals including Physics of Fluids, Proceedings of the CSEE, and Electrical Appliances & Energy Efficiency Management, demonstrating her recognition as a leading expert in the field. Through her scholarly work, project leadership, and contributions to scientific evaluation, Professor Jing Li continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the science and engineering of modern electrical protection systems and applied plasma physics.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Duan, W., Li, J., Yang, J., Huang, C., Fu, S., Li, Z., & Li, T. (2025). Experimental and numerical study of metal droplet splashing effects on direct current air arc interruption. Physics of Fluids. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0288531

Duan, W., Li, J., Gao, W., Shi, B., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2025). Investigation on heat transfer and fluid flow of arc-flash phenomenon in DC molded case circuit breakers: Model optimization and structural improvement. International Journal of Thermal Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2025.109919

Xing, C., Liu, S., Li, Y., Xu, J., & Li, J. (2025). Degradation stage division and identification of AC contactor’s contact system. IEEE Sensors Journal. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2025.3527471

Duan, W., Li, J., Bao, Y., Huang, H., Yang, J., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2025). Interaction between arc root stagnation-transition and contact erosion during direct current air circuit breaker interruption. Physics of Fluids. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0239389

Li, J., Yin, Y., Peng, S., Liu, S., Fu, Y., & Yu, L. (2025). The improvement of self-excited small current breaking of SE-DCCB by magnetic field reconstruction based on the evolution mechanism of arc root transition. Physics of Plasmas. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0230317

Peng, S., Li, J., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2024). Research on the liquid metal bridge formation process at contact separation moment of DC air circuit breaker. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.2024.3357755

Li, J., Peng, S., Yi, C., Huang, H., Cao, Y., Liu, S., & Zhou, Z. (2024). Optimization research on DC air circuit breaker at high altitudes based on arc root stagnation and arc reverse movement phenomena. Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42835-023-01633-6