Mohammadmehdi Panahi | Urban Disaster Risk Management | Young Scientist Award | 13662

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Dr.Mohammadmehdi Panahi | Urban Disaster Risk Management | Young Scientist Award 

University of Tehran | Iran

Mohammad Mehdi Panahi is a top-ranked Master’s student in Urban Planning at the University of Tehran, recognized as a “Brilliant Talent” for academic excellence and interdisciplinary research. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Yazd University, where he also graduated first in his class. His academic journey reflects a strong commitment to sustainable and equitable urban development, with research interests that include urban resilience, green infrastructure, housing markets, governance, and climate-induced migration.Mohammad’s graduate research centers on the impact of green infrastructure planning on housing prices in the Tehran metropolis, employing spatial econometrics, GIS, and remote sensing to explore urban-environmental interactions. His parallel work at Tarbiat Modares University investigates how climate migration reshapes real estate markets, using empirical data from the Shiraz Metropolitan Area.He is also a research collaborator with Virginia Tech University, contributing to a phronetic planning project on land governance and elite decision-making within Tehran’s Article 5 Commission (1999–2024). This research was published in the peer-reviewed Land Journal and critically examines how political structures influence urban land use outcomes.Beyond academic articles, Mohammad contributed to the book “Violent Infrastructure: Ecologies of Decay and Displacement” (Virginia Tech University Press), where he created spatial visualizations and thematic maps addressing the link between decaying infrastructure, displacement, and ecological systems.To date, he has authored/co-authored 2 peer-reviewed publications. His methodological strengths lie in spatial analysis, difference-in-difference modeling, systematic literature reviews, and mixed-methods research, making him well-equipped to address critical challenges in urban sustainability, land governance, and housing justice.

Profiles: scopus | orcid

Featured Publications

Panahi, M. M. (2025). Seeds of resilience: How social capital cultivates community strength in environmental crisis management. Journal of Environmental Management, 343, 124937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124937

Panahi, M. M. (2025). Phronetic planning’s Janus face: Charting elite advantage in Tehran’s land use decisions. Land, 14(1), 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010127

Felix Kpenekuu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Felix Kpenekuu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Felix Kpenekuu is a dedicated environmental scientist with a passion for teaching and research. He is currently affiliated with the Department of Environmental Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. His research primarily focuses on developing innovative multi-scale approaches to assess drought risks and adaptations to climate change, particularly in dryland farming systems. Felix is deeply invested in field-based participatory studies, aiming to understand how climate change and variability impact sustainable development goals. His commitment to advancing environmental science is evident through his extensive academic background and professional experience, which includes teaching roles at various educational institutions and active involvement in community-based environmental initiatives. Felix’s work not only contributes to the academic community but also provides practical solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Felix Kpenekuu is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, which he began in 2019 and is expected to complete in 2024. In 2023, he achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from the Department of Education in England. He holds an MSc in Environmental Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, obtained between 2015 and 2017. Felix also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Second Class Division from the University of Education (UEW) in Winneba, Ghana, during the period of 2007 to 2011. His educational journey began with a Teacher Certificate from Offinso Training College in Offinso, Ghana, which he completed from 2001 to 2004.

Professional Experience

Felix Kpenekuu has a diverse professional background in teaching and academia. Since 2016, he has been a Science Teacher at Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School in Tanoso, Ghana. Concurrently, he has served as a Part-time Tutor at the Royal Ann College of Health in Manhyia, Ghana, from 2019 to the present. Felix also works as a Part-time Facilitator at Humpty Dumpty School in Ahodwo, Ghana, a role he began in 2018. Additionally, from 2018 to 2022, he was a Part-time Tutor at the University of Development Studies in Manhyia, Ghana. Before these roles, Felix taught science at Afua Kobi Ampem Girls’ Senior High School in Trabuom, Ghana, from 2011 to 2016, and at Anyinasuso D/A Junior High School in Anyinasuso, Ghana, from 2004 to 2007. His extensive experience in education reflects his dedication to teaching and his commitment to enhancing learning experiences for students at various educational levels.

Research Interest

Felix Kpenekuu’s research interests lie in the field of environmental science, with a focus on developing innovative multi-scale approaches for assessing drought risks and adaptations to climate change in dryland farming systems. He is particularly interested in conducting field-based participatory studies that explore how climate change and variability impact the sustainable development goals. Felix’s research aims to understand the complex interactions between climate change and agricultural practices, seeking to find sustainable solutions that can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on farming communities and contribute to achieving broader environmental and developmental objectives.

Award and Honors

Felix Kpenekuu has garnered various awards and honors throughout his academic and professional journey, underscoring his dedication and excellence in his field. In 2023, he was awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by the Department of Education, England, recognizing his teaching credentials and proficiency. His commitment to education and research has earned him merit awards for outstanding performance at Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School and other institutions where he has served. Felix’s leadership in promoting renewable energy was acknowledged through his recognition as a key contributor in the Energy’s Commission Senior High School Renewable Energy Challenge. Additionally, his role as an examiner for the West African Examination Council earned him an Excellence in Service Award, highlighting his contributions to upholding high standards in educational assessments. These accolades reflect Felix’s significant impact in the realms of environmental science and education, marking him as a distinguished professional in his field.

Research Skills

Felix Kpenekuu has developed a robust set of research skills that underpin his work in environmental science. His expertise includes designing and conducting field-based participatory studies, which involve collaborating directly with communities to gather data and insights on the impacts of climate change and variability on dryland farming systems. He is proficient in multi-scale approaches for assessing drought risks and adaptations, integrating local knowledge with scientific methods to develop comprehensive strategies for climate resilience. Felix is skilled in data analysis and interpretation, utilizing statistical tools and software to analyze environmental data and draw meaningful conclusions. His ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and effectively is demonstrated through his teaching and mentorship roles, where he translates research findings into practical knowledge for students and community stakeholders. Additionally, Felix is adept at writing and publishing research papers, contributing valuable insights to the academic community and advancing the understanding of sustainable development goals in the context of climate change.

Publications

  1. Title: Understanding drought risk management in vulnerable communities in dryland farming systems: Evidence from northwest Ghana
    • Authors: Kpenekuu F., Antwi-Agyei P., Nimoh F., Osei M. A., Guodaar L.
    • Journal: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR)
    • Volume: 100
    • Article: 104186
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available yet
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104186
  2. Title: Role of social capital in agricultural diversification: Implications for sustainable development in rural regions
    • Authors: Godfred Addai, Lawrence Guodaar, Owusu Amponsah, Dalia M. Ibrahiem, Kpenekuu Felix, Philip Antwi-Agyei
    • Journal: Sustainable Development
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available yet
    • DOI: 10.1002/sd.2938
  3. Title: How do climate change adaptation strategies result in unintended maladaptive outcomes? Perspectives of tomato farmers
    • Authors: Guodaar L., Asante F., Eshun G., Abass K., Afriyie K., Appiah D. O., Gyasi R., Atampugre G., Addai P., Kpenekuu F.
    • Journal: International Journal of Vegetable Science
    • Volume: 26
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: 15–31
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: Not specified
    • DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2019.1573393
  4. Title: Substantial land use and land cover changes in the Owabi Reservoir catchment, Ghana: implications for livelihoods and management
    • Authors: Antwi-Agyei P., Kpenekuu F., Hogarh J.N., Obiri-Danso K., Abaidoo R.C., Jeppesen E., Andersen M.N.
    • Journal: Geosciences
    • Volume: 9
    • Issue: 7
    • Article: 286
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: Not specified
    • DOI: 10.3390/geosciences9070286