Heng Liu | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Heng Liu | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Research Excellence Award

Qingdao University of Science and Technology | China

Prof. Heng Liu is an accomplished materials scientist and professor at Qingdao University of Science and Technology, widely recognized for his significant contributions to organometallic catalysis and polymer chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in 2015 from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (CIAC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), followed by productive postdoctoral research at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology between 2015 and 2017. Upon returning to China, he served as an associate professor at CIAC before joining Qingdao University of Science and Technology as a full professor in 2020. Throughout his career, Prof. Liu has built an impressive portfolio of research achievements that reflect his scientific rigor, innovation, and leadership in advancing olefin and diene polymerization technologies. His research primarily focuses on the development of high-efficiency organometallic catalysts, the functionalization of polymers, and performance enhancement strategies for synthetic rubber materials—areas that hold major industrial relevance in the rubber, plastic, and advanced materials sectors. Prof. Liu has published 63 high-impact journal articles in prestigious publications such as Advanced Functional Materials, ACS Catalysis, Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Macromolecules, and other leading SCI-indexed platforms. His strong publication record is supported by a robust citation footprint in global scientific databases, reflecting the wide impact and recognition of his work within the research community. He has successfully led and participated in multiple funded research projects, including major grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52573115, 22071236, 21801236), the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation (ZR2024ME117), and the Taishan Scholar Foundation (202211165), demonstrating his capability to secure competitive funding for frontier research. Beyond academic projects, Prof. Liu has completed six consultancy and industry collaborations, reinforcing the practical applicability of his scientific innovations. He holds 18 patents, underscoring his commitment to translating research outcomes into technological advancements. His editorial contributions include serving on the editorial boards of Frontiers in Chemistry and China Synthetic Rubber Industry, where he supports scholarly communication and peer review in his field. Prof. Liu’s work is strengthened by active collaborations with researchers across institutions and countries, contributing to scientific progress through interdisciplinary engagement. With expertise spanning catalysis, polymer design, and advanced material fabrication, Prof. Liu continues to make substantial contributions to both fundamental science and industrial technology. His achievements, leadership, and innovation position him as a distinguished candidate for the Research Excellence Award.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Polymer Chemistry (2025)

Zhang, H., Zhang, X., Zheng, H., Wang, F., Wei, X., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2025). Synthesis of α,ω-end hetero-functionalized polyisoprene via neodymium-mediated coordinative chain transfer polymerization. Polymer Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4PY01452A

Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2025 – Nov 05)

Zheng, H., Zhang, H., Zhao, W., Wang, F., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2025). Controllable preparation of hydroxyl-terminated liquid polydiene rubber featuring high 1,4-content by neodymium-mediated coordinative chain transfer polymerizations strategy. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.57602

Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2025 – Mar 10)

Li, X., Zhang, X., Wang, F., Liu, W., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2025). Neodymium-mediated coordinative chain transfer homopolymerization of bio-based myrcene and copolymerization with butadiene and isoprene. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.56557

Macromolecules (2025 – Feb 25)

Wang, X., Ma, L., Dong, B., Zhang, C., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2025). Axial anagostic interaction in α-diimine nickel catalysts: An ultraefficient occupation strategy in suppressing associative chain transfers to achieve UHMWPEs. Macromolecules, 58(?), pages pending. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c03244

Molecular Catalysis (2024)

Liu, X., Yang, Q., Zhang, C., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2024). 3,4-selective polymerization of isoprene by iron-based system: The key role of borate salts for enhancing catalytic activities and broadening 1,10-phenanthroline ligand scope. Molecular Catalysis, 114082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcat.2024.114082

SSRN Preprint (2024)

Liu, H., Liu, X., Zhang, C., Yang, Q., & Zhang, X. (2024). 3,4-selective polymerization of isoprene by iron-based system: The key role of borate salts for enhancing catalytic activities and broadening 1,10-phenanthroline ligand scope [Preprint]. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4690393

 

Shimelash Molla Kassaye | Environmental Science | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Shimelash Molla Kassaye | Environmental Science | Editorial Board Member

Mattu University | Ethiopia

Dr. Shimelash Molla Kassaye is a highly dedicated scholar and researcher specializing in Hydrology and Water Resources Management, with an extensive academic background and a strong record of scientific contributions in the field of environmental and water sciences. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Mattu University, Ethiopia, where he continues to advance research and teaching in hydrology, climate change, and watershed management. His professional journey reflects consistent excellence and commitment to solving pressing environmental and water-related challenges affecting the African continent. Dr. Kassaye earned his Ph.D. in Water Management (Hydrology and Water Resources Management) from the African Centre of Excellence in Water Management (ACEWM) at Addis Ababa University in 2024. His doctoral research, titled “Evaluating the Hydrological Dynamics under Land Use/Cover and Climate Change in the Baro River Basin, Ethiopia,” focused on understanding the complex interactions between climate variability, land use change, and hydrological responses in one of Ethiopia’s key river basins. His research offers vital insights into sustainable water resource management and policy planning under changing climatic conditions. Prior to his Ph.D., he obtained an M.Sc. in Hydraulic Engineering from Jimma University in 2017 with an outstanding CGPA of 3.88/4.00 and a B.Sc. in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering from Arbaminch University in 2011. His professional experience spans over a decade of teaching, research, and academic service. Before assuming his current position, Dr. Kassaye worked as a Researcher and Lecturer at Mattu University (2014–2021) and as a Graduate Assistant at Arbaminch University (2012–2014). Through these roles, he has contributed significantly to the training of young engineers and scientists, supervising research projects, and integrating innovative technologies into water resource education and management practices. Dr. Kassaye’s research expertise covers a broad range of topics, including hydrologic modeling, climate change and variability, drought monitoring and prediction, integrated watershed management, natural resource management, and hydrometeorological risk assessment. His multidisciplinary approach, combining remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and hydrological modeling, enables comprehensive assessments of environmental systems under stress from both natural and anthropogenic factors. He has published multiple peer-reviewed scientific papers in high-impact international journals such as Water, Environmental Earth Sciences, Environmental Systems Research, and Earth. His publications have explored critical themes such as the sensitivity of meteorological dynamics to catchment variability, the integrated impact of land use and topography on hydrological extremes, and the quantification of climate change effects on streamflow dynamics. His academic excellence, combined with practical expertise and a strong publication record, positions him as a leading early-career researcher contributing to Ethiopia’s and Africa’s sustainable water resource management efforts. His dedication to advancing hydrological science underscores his commitment to building climate resilience and fostering sustainable development in vulnerable regions.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Kassaye, S. M., Tadesse, T., Tegegne, G., & Hordofa, A. T. (2024). Quantifying the climate change impacts on the magnitude and timing of hydrological extremes in the Baro River Basin, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 13(1), 1–15.

Belay, H., Melesse, A. M., Tegegne, G., & Kassaye, S. M. (2025). Flood inundation mapping using the Google Earth Engine and HEC-RAS under land use/land cover and climate changes in the Gumara Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Remote Sensing, 17(7), 1283.

Malede, D. A., Elumalai, V., Andualem, T. G., Mekonnen, Y. G., Yibeltal, M., Kassaye, S. M., & others. (2025). Understanding flood and drought extremes under a changing climate in the Blue Nile Basin: A review. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 100638.

Kassaye, S. M., Tadesse, T., & Tegegne, G. (2024). Quantifying the climate change impacts on the magnitude and timing of hydrological extremes in the Baro River Basin, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 13(2).

Kassaye, S. M., Tadesse, T., Tegegne, G., Hordofa, A. T., & Malede, D. A. (2024). Relative and combined impacts of climate and land use/cover change for the streamflow variability in the Baro River Basin (BRB). Earth, 5(2), 149–168.

Kassaye, S. M., Tadesse, T., Tegegne, G., & Tadesse, K. E. (2022). The sensitivity of meteorological dynamics to the variability in catchment characteristics. Water, 14(22), 3776.

Kassaye, S. M., Tadesse, T., Tegegne, G., & Hordofa, A. T. (2024). Integrated impact of land use/cover and topography on hydrological extremes in the Baro River Basin. Environmental Earth Sciences, 83(2), 49.

Kassaye, S. M., Ebissa, T. N., Gutema, B. G., & Gurmesa, G. T. (2020). Site selection and design of mini hydropower plant for rural electrification in Keber River. American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 9(5), 82–96.

Ebissa, T. N., Kassaye, S. M., & Malede, D. A. (2024). Hydrological response to climate change in Baro Basin, Ethiopia, using representative concentration pathway scenarios. Environmental Systems Research, 13(1), 42.

Waheed, A., Kousar, S., Khan, M. I., & Fischer, T. B. (2025). Environmental and Sustainability Indicators. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators.

Amirhossein Nik Zad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Amirhossein Nik Zad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | Italy

Amirhossein Nikzad is a dedicated researcher specializing in the Food–Energy–Water Nexus, with a strong focus on agro‐photovoltaic (Agri‐PV) systems, photovoltaics, life cycle assessment, renewable energy technologies, CO₂ emissions reduction, energy management, and optimization of hybrid energy systems. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in the Agri-Food program at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (started 1 November 2022) in Piacenza, Italy, where his investigations explore how combining agricultural production with solar photovoltaic installations can sustainably address the intertwined demands for food, clean energy, and water resources. Prior to that, he completed an MSc in Energy Systems Engineering at Shahrood University of Technology (2016–2019, Iran), where he developed skills in modelling, systems analysis, and performance assessment of renewable and hybrid energy systems. Over the course of his academic and research career, Amirhossein has contributed to [number of publications] peer-reviewed articles, accumulating approximately [number of citations] citations across his works, with an h-index of [your h-index]. His publications span Life Cycle Assessment studies, techno-economic and environmental feasibility analysis of Agri-PV, strategies for CO₂ reduction, and optimization of energy systems. He often uses modelling tools such as PVsyst, PVSOL, System Advisor Model (SAM), HOMER PRO, MATLAB, RETScreen Expert, and software for life cycle assessment like SimaPro, reflecting his commitment to combining empirical evidence and computational modelling. Amirhossein has also been active in academic service: reviewing for journals including Energy Strategy Reviews, Energy Research & Social Science, Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, Electric Power Systems Research, Energy Reports, and Renewable Energy Focus. He was appointed Associate Editor (from July 2025) of the American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems. He has gained international experience through his fully funded PhD in Agro-Food Systems and a full‐time research fellowship at Mälardalen University (Västerås, Sweden, Sep 2024 ‐ Jan 2025).

His projects include participation in the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, notably Value4Farm (since June 2023), which aligns with his interest in sustainable integration of energy generation and agricultural practice. He has also presented his work at major conferences, such as the 6th AgriVoltaics World Conference (Freiburg, Germany, July 2025), where he contributed three posters on topics linked to Agri-PV and the food-energy-water nexus. Amirhossein’s technical skills lie in PV system design and simulation (with PVsyst, PVSOL, SAM), hybrid renewable energy optimization, energy management and model-based optimization, and life cycle impact assessment with tools like SimaPro. His analytical skills are complemented by his experience lecturing in Solar PV system design and offering training sessions/workshops during his time in Iran. With a well-grounded background in energy systems engineering, a growing publication record, and involvement in cross-disciplinary, international projects, Amirhossein is building a strong profile at the intersection of renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and agricultural systems. His goal is to contribute to transformational research that enables decarbonization, sustainable resource use, and climate resilient food and energy systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Nikzad, A., & Chahartaghi, M. (2019). Technical, economic, and environmental modeling of solar water pump for irrigation of rice in Mazandaran province in Iran: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 239, 118007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118007

Chahartaghi, M., & Nikzad, A. (2021). Exergy, environmental, and performance evaluations of a solar water pump system. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 43, 100933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2020.100933

Nikzad, A., & Mehregan, M. (2022). Techno-economic and environmental evaluations of a novel cogeneration system based on solar energy and cryptocurrency mining. Solar Energy, 232, 409–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.12.049

Bellone, Y., Croci, M., Impollonia, G., Zad, A. N., Colauzzi, M., Campana, P. E., & others. (2024). Simulation-based decision support for agrivoltaic systems. Applied Energy, 369, 123490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123490

Zad, A. N., Agostini, A., Impollonia, G., Zainali, S., Croci, M., Colauzzi, M., & Campana, P. E. (2024). Life cycle assessment of various agrivoltaic systems across Europe. Sustainable Production and Consumption.