Minglu Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Minglu Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Beijing University of Technology and Business | China

Dr. Minglu Zhang is currently a professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Beijing Technology and Business University, having previously served as associate professor (2015–2019) and lecturer (2012–2015) in the same discipline. After completing a postdoctoral appointment in the School of Environment at Tsinghua University (2010–2012) and earlier research experience at the University of California, Irvine (2008–2010), he has built a distinguished career in environmental microbiology and water systems research. His primary research interests encompass microbial ecology and molecular microbiology in water and solid waste systems, with a special focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in drinking water systems. Dr. Zhang has led and contributed to several major national research projects. For example, he is the principal investigator on the “Typing and Traceability System for VBNC State Pathogens of Major Digestive Tract at Ports” (2022–2025, National Key R&D Program), as well as on the “Technology and Equipment Development for Monitoring, Early Warning and Purification of Malodorous Gas Emissions under Classified Collection of Domestic Waste” (2020–2024, National Key R&D Program). Earlier, he also led work on the distribution and migration of antibiotic resistance genes at multi-phase interfaces in drinking water distribution systems (2015–2017, National Natural Science Foundation of China). To date, Dr. Zhang has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications. According to his ResearchGate profile, his publication count is 79, with more than 1,300 citations. His academic impact is further reflected by his h-index, which is listed as 5 on the SciSpace author profile. Among his representative works are: “Metagenomics analysis of antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial community and virulence factor genes of fouled filters and effluents from household water purifiers in drinking water” (Science of the Total Environment, 2023); “Global transcriptional analysis for molecular responses of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores in drinking water after low- and medium-pressure UV irradiation” (Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2024); and “Highly efficient degradation of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate removal by bio-trickling filter reactors” (Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2024). These works illustrate how he combines high-throughput molecular methods (e.g. metagenomics, transcriptional profiling) with applied engineering systems (e.g. drinking water treatment, gas emission purification) to address critical environmental microbiology challenges. Over the course of his career, Dr. Zhang has established himself as a leading scholar at the intersection of environmental engineering and microbial molecular ecology. His work not only advances fundamental understanding of microbial community dynamics and resistance gene behavior in engineered systems, but also yields practical solutions for water quality protection, public health, and waste management. His contributions are broadly recognized in China’s environmental research community and are increasingly cited in the international literature.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

Zhang, M., et al. (2025). Adsorption and desorption characteristics of nano-metal-modified zeolite for removal of oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Coatings, 15(10), 1206. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101206

Jiang, J., Zhang, Y., Cui, R., Ren, L., Zhang, M., & Wang, Y. (2023). Effects of two different proportions of microbial formulations on microbial communities in kitchen waste composting. Microorganisms, 11(10), 2605. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102605

Wang, Y., Cui, R., Jiang, H., Bai, M., Zhang, M., & Ren, L. (2022). Removal of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia using a biotrickling filter packed with modified composite filler. Processes, 10(10), 2016. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10102016

Xu, S., Zhang, L., Lin, K., Bai, M., Wang, Y., Xu, M., Zhang, M., Zhang, C., Shi, Y., & Zhou, H. (2021). Effects of light and water disturbance on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and the release of algal toxins. Water Environment Research, 93, 2958–2970. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1644

Bonface Onyango | Conservation | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Bonface Onyango | Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Graduate research fellow at Pwani University/icipe, Kenya.

Bonface Onyango is a dedicated professional with a passion for bioinformatics and computational biology. With a strong educational background in both biochemistry and bioinformatics, Bonface has honed his skills in data analysis, programming, and research methodologies. His extensive experience includes roles as a Graduate Research Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), where he contributed to the development of biocollections databases and integrative digital platforms. Additionally, Bonface has served as a Medical Representative at Surgipharm Ltd- Abbott Nutrition Int and as a Research Assistant at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), where he conducted household surveys and field data collection on various research projects. His teaching experience as both a high school teacher and an online tutor reflects his commitment to knowledge dissemination and capacity building. Bonface has also demonstrated leadership and technical expertise in various bioinformatics projects and hackathons, showcasing his ability to innovate and collaborate in multidisciplinary settings. With a keen interest in leveraging data science and machine learning techniques for biological research, Bonface continues to make significant contributions to the field and is poised to excel in his future endeavors.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Bonface Onyango pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya, graduating in 2019. Subsequently, he embarked on his academic journey in Bioinformatics by enrolling in a Master’s program at Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, in 2021. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree, aiming to deepen his knowledge and expertise in this interdisciplinary field.

Professional Experience

Bonface Onyango has accumulated diverse professional experiences across various sectors. As a Graduate Research Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2021 to 2023, he spearheaded the development of a biocollections database and constructed an integrative digital platform. Prior to this, he served as a Medical Representative at Surgipharm Ltd- Abbott Nutrition Int in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2020 to 2021. In this role, he meticulously detailed products to doctors, conducted continuous medical education to healthcare professionals, and actively participated in scientific webinars focusing on nutritional products. Additionally, his tenure as a Research Assistant at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in Kisumu, Kenya, from 2019 to 2020, involved conducting household data collection surveys on post-COVID-19 impact and supervising field data collection on the contribution of Non-Profit Institutions (NPIs) to the country’s economy. His proficiency and leadership skills were further demonstrated during his time as a Content Supervisor at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in Siaya, Kenya, in 2019, where he supervised enumerators during the Kenya Population and Housing Census.

Research Interest

Bonface Onyango’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of topics within the realm of bioinformatics and computational biology. His primary focus lies in leveraging machine learning techniques for the analysis of genomic data, with specific emphasis on predicting the source of pathogens like Salmonella Enterica from whole genome sequencing data. Additionally, he is deeply involved in exploring microbial diversity in COVID-19 patients using AI-driven approaches. His expertise extends to the development of bioinformatics pipelines for ancestry prediction using whole exome data, reflecting his commitment to unraveling complex biological phenomena through computational methods. Moreover, he has a keen interest in reproducible research practices and machine learning applications in diverse biological contexts.

Award and Honors

Throughout his career, Bonface Onyango has received recognition and accolades for his contributions to various fields. Notable among these honors are his appointments as project lead and technical lead in prestigious bioinformatics hackathons and codeathons organized by institutions like the African Society of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) and Founders Factory Africa. Furthermore, his outstanding performance as a graduate research fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has been acknowledged, reflecting his dedication and proficiency in developing biocollections databases and integrative digital platforms. Additionally, his role as a content supervisor during the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census highlights his commitment to excellence in data collection and management.

Research Skills

Bonface Onyango possesses a diverse set of research skills that enable him to excel in his field. With a solid foundation in bioinformatics and computational biology, he demonstrates proficiency in data analysis, particularly in handling large-scale genomic datasets and applying machine learning algorithms for predictive modeling. His expertise extends to programming languages such as Python, R, and Bash, along with familiarity with Linux environments. Bonface is adept at utilizing various libraries and tools, including Sklearn, Pandas, Numpy, Git, and Docker, to streamline research workflows and facilitate collaboration. Moreover, his proficiency in citation management software such as Zotero, Mendeley, and Latex underscores his meticulous approach to academic writing and publication. Overall, Bonface’s research skills are instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing complex biological challenges.