Katayoun Kargar | Urban Drainage Systems | Research Excellence Award

Published on 08/12/202508/12/2025 by Popular Scientist

Dr. Katayoun Kargar | Urban Drainage Systems | Research Excellence Award

Toronto Metropolitan University | Canada

Dr. Katayoun Kargar is a civil engineering researcher whose work advances the understanding, modelling, and management of sewer blockages within urban drainage networks, particularly those caused by non-flushable consumer products. Her research integrates hydraulic modelling, data analytics, and infrastructure asset management to address performance deterioration in sewer systems and provide actionable strategies for municipalities. She has contributed original methodologies for analyzing blockage mechanisms using open datasets, quantified the hydraulic impacts of wipe-induced obstructions, and developed simulation frameworks capable of capturing flow alterations and risk conditions in sewer networks. Her work with SWMM includes creating and validating procedures that allow utilities to incorporate blockage dynamics into routine modelling, enabling more accurate capacity evaluations, maintenance prioritization, and system reliability assessments. By translating laboratory insights into practical planning tools, she supports municipalities in enhancing inspection regimes, optimizing rehabilitation strategies, and strengthening long-term infrastructure resilience. Her scholarly contributions include publications indexed in major scientific databases and presentations at leading professional forums, where her work has been recognized through notable awards for research excellence and technical communication. Complementing her academic achievements, she has professional experience in asset management consulting, applying modelling outputs and analytical approaches to assist municipalities in developing asset management plans, capital planning frameworks, and infrastructure lifecycle strategies. Her combined research and practical expertise contribute to advancing municipal wastewater infrastructure management and promoting data-informed decision-making in the engineering of sustainable urban drainage systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shamshirband, S., Hashemi, S., Salimi, H., Samadianfard, S., Asadi, E., … (2020). Predicting standardized streamflow index for hydrological drought using machine learning models. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 14(1), 339–350.

Samadianfard, S., Hashemi, S., Kargar, K., Izadyar, M., Mostafaeipour, A., … (2020). Wind speed prediction using a hybrid model of the multi-layer perceptron and whale optimization algorithm. Energy Reports, 6, 1147–1159.

Kargar, K., Samadianfard, S., Parsa, J., Nabipour, N., Shamshirband, S., … (2020). Estimating longitudinal dispersion coefficient in natural streams using empirical models and machine learning algorithms. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 14(1), 311–322.

Kargar, K., Safari, M. J. S., Mohammadi, M., Samadianfard, S. (2019). Sediment transport modeling in open channels using neuro-fuzzy and gene expression programming techniques. Water Science and Technology, 79(12), 2318–2327.

Safari, M. J. S., Mohammadi, B., Kargar, K. (2020). Invasive weed optimization-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system hybrid model for sediment transport with a bed deposit. Journal of Cleaner Production, 276, 124267.

Muhammad Ibrahim | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on 17/11/202517/11/2025 by Popular Scientist

Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | Hohai University | China

Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim is an environmental scientist whose research focuses on emerging pollutants, water quality, ecological risk assessment, and nature-based remediation strategies. His work spans the toxicological behavior of PFAS, heavy metals, antibiotics, and nutrient pollution, with special emphasis on their interactions, dispersal pathways, and ecological consequences in freshwater systems. He investigates semiconductor-based photocatalysis, bio-electrochemical remediation, phytoremediation, and biogeochemical processes in reservoirs, advancing innovative approaches for pollution control and sustainable water-environment management. His scholarship also extends to environmental modeling, microalgal bloom dynamics, atmospheric pollution assessment, and the ecological impacts of industrial effluents. In parallel, he contributes to interdisciplinary studies linking environmental protection with public health, climate indicators, agricultural sustainability, and data-driven solutions such as federated learning frameworks for environmental and healthcare applications. Professionally, he has developed strong expertise in scientific analysis, laboratory research, data interpretation, environmental monitoring, and team leadership. He has participated in multiple international conferences, contributed to collaborative research networks, and published extensively in high-impact journals across environmental science, engineering, and sustainability. His work is recognized through several competitive awards for academic excellence, innovative research, and global environmental solutions, reflecting his commitment to advancing scientific understanding and real-world applications that support cleaner ecosystems and resilient communities.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Li, Y., Ibrahim, M., Yue, C., Wang, Y., Hongzhe, P., Hassan, A. W., & Chunmin, Y. (2025). Exploring the impact of seasonal variation on the toxicological profile of Σ2PFAS in surface water bacterioplankton communities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 140464.

Li, Y., Wang, Y., Hu, X., Cheng, Y., Zhu, Y., Zhou, Y., Pan, H., Li, R., Ibrahim, M., & Gualtieri, C. (2025). Reservoir water-level operations to manage biogeochemical turnover. Water Research, 124225.

Ibrahim, M., Li, Y., Usman, M., Adnan, M., Danjaji, H. A., & Jibo, A. U. (2025). Effect of nitrate on the semiconductor-based photocatalytic degradation of azithromycin. Journal of Environmental Engineering, EEENG-8063.

Li, Y., Zhu, Y., Chen, Y., Wang, C., Zhao, G., Pan, H., Wang, C., Bao, H., Ibrahim, M., & Norgbey, E. (2025). Heavy metals contamination in water-sediment systems of a large drinking water reservoir in southern China: Large-scale assessment and risk-based management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 146557.

Chen, D., Ibrahim, M., Soroma, M., Danjaji, H. A., Jibo, A. U., & Yang, Y. (2025). Season-based phytoremediation potential of brown mustard for lead decontamination: effect of EDTA chelation and antioxidant enzyme activity. International Journal of Phytoremediation.

Indira Parajuli | Indoor Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Published on 13/10/202516/10/2025 by Popular Scientist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Indira Parajuli | Indoor Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Tribhuvan University, Central Development of Environmental Science | Nepal

Dr. Indira Parajuli is a highly accomplished Environmental Engineer and academic from Nepal with over 24 years of professional experience and 15 years of university-level teaching and research expertise in environmental science, climate change, and public health. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Incheon National University, South Korea (2016), specializing in indoor air quality management, air quality modeling, and environmental health risk assessment. Her research contributions encompass more than 45 publications, including international journals, textbooks, and research reports. Dr. Parajuli’s professional focus areas include indoor air quality and ventilation improvement, water and sanitation, environmental impact assessment, climate change mitigation, and sustainable urban energy management. She has served as Principal Investigator and collaborator on numerous national and international projects funded by organizations such as the World Bank, UNDP, ADB, and NAST. A recipient of prestigious honors including the Young Scientist Award (2018) and Nepal Vidhya Bhushan “Ka”, she also holds government appointments as a Senate Member and Chairperson of the Specialized Research Center for Mountain Green Economy at NAST. Dr. Parajuli is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Korean Society of Atmospheric Environment (KOSAE), and has presented her research at major global conferences across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Her work continues to advance sustainable environmental governance, health-focused ventilation solutions, and climate-resilient development in Nepal and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Parajuli, I. (2025, December). Assessment of indoor air quality and exposure analysis of single cell houses of the Himalayan region of Nepal. Atmospheric Environment.

Parajuli, I., & Jang, D. (2020). Data validation of non-invasive carboxyhemoglobin measurement in recipient blood using numerical modeling data: A case of Himalayan regions’ households of Nepal. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, Article 574.

Parajuli, I., & Lee, H. (2018). Health and environmental impact assessment of biomass cookstove using integrated environmental performance score. International Journal of Current Research, 10(6), 70466–70473.

Parajuli, I., & Lee, H. (2017). Study on integration techniques for environmental impact assessment of different medium based standard industrial classification: A case study of South Korea. Journal of Cleaner Production, 151, 643–651.

Parajuli, I., & Lee, H. (2017). Integration techniques for environmental impact assessment of industrial pollutants. International Journal of Environmental Protection, 7(1), 1–7.

Syeda Safina Ali | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on 02/07/202502/07/2025 by Popular Scientist

Ms. Syeda Safina Ali | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Research Analyst at National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

Ms. Syeda Safina Ali is a dedicated Environmental Scientist from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, with a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, and a strong academic background in climate adaptation, wastewater treatment, GIS, and sustainable energy. With professional experience as a Research Analyst at the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), she has contributed to national projects such as the PHCSP, BISP, and Pakistan’s Green Taxonomy.

Profile:

Google Scholar

🎓 Academic Excellence:

MSc in Environmental Sciences (93%, CGPA 3.75/4) – NUST, Islamabad
BSc in Environmental Sciences (82%, CGPA 3.82/4) – IIUI, Islamabad
Specialized in climate adaptation, wastewater treatment, water management, and GIS.

📚 Research Contributions:

5 Publications (Published/Accepted/In Progress) in Springer, MDPI, and national journals.
Topics include:
- Photosynthetic microbial desalination cells
- Strategic Environmental Assessment in infrastructure
- Snowmelt runoff modelling for water resource management
Thesis work directly aligned with SDGs 6, 7, 9, 13 & 15.

🧪 Technical Expertise:

GIS/RS: ArcGIS, QGIS
Numerical Modelling: HEC-RAS, SRM
Data Analysis: R, OriginLab, MS Excel
Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Drafting

💼 Professional Roles:

Research Analyst (Climate Change) – NDRMF, Islamabad
Supporting national & international climate projects (PHCSP, BISP, Green Taxonomy)
HSE Trainer (Part-Time) – Burj Al-Emarat Training Services
Internships with PepsiCo, NHA, PMD, NARC – Hands-on field and policy experience

🌱 Volunteer & Reviewer:

Peer Reviewer for Elsevier & Springer Nature journals
Volunteer with Ministry of Climate Change, Youth Campaigns & Plantation Drives
Freelance GIS/RS Specialist, Transcriber & Content Writer

🏆 Certifications & Training:

✅ ISO 14001, 9001, 45001
✅ OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
✅ Risk Assessment, Environmental Sustainability
✅ Courses by UN, World Bank, UNITAR, Oxford Climate Society

🌍 Conferences & Global Engagement:

Speaker/Participant at:
- 8th Intl. Conf. on Water Sciences – MDPI
- ADB Workshop on Women & Heat Stress
- Virtual Summer School – Green Chemistry, Indonesia
- Climate Action Fellowship, Oxford Climate Society School

Publication:

Integration of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Motorway/Highway Planning and Construction: A Case Study for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Pakistan
SS Ali, A Batool
NUST Journal of Natural Sciences, 9(4), 1 (2024)
Sugar Industry Wastewater Treatment Through Photosynthetic Microbial Desalination Cells: A Sustainable Approach
SS Ali, Z Sheikh
Environmental and Earth Sciences Proceedings, 32(1), 9 (2025)

Xifeng Xie | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 26/06/202526/06/2025 by Popular Scientist

Prof. Xifeng Xie | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor of Electrical Engineering at Southwest Jiaotong University, China

Prof. Xifeng Xie is a Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the same university and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Energy and Power Engineering. Since 2006, he has been actively engaged in academia and industry, with a professorship at Guangxi Vocational College of Water Resources and Electric Power since 2019. His research focuses on battery chargers, power electronic converters, and reactive power compensators. He has published 8 SCI/Scopus-indexed journal articles, authored 2 books, holds 7 patents, and has led several funded research and industry projects. Prof. Xie’s innovations—such as an isolated resonant voltage balancing circuit—have significantly improved system efficiency and reduced operational costs. He is also a reviewer for Hongshui River Magazine and a member of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering.

Profile:

Orcid

🏛️ Institution & Designation:

Professor, School of Electrical Engineering
Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China

🎓 Academic Background:

Prof. Xie earned his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Southwest Jiaotong University in 2002 and 2006. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Energy and Power Engineering at the same institution.

👨‍🏫 Professional Journey:

Since 2006, he has served at Guangxi Vocational College of Water Resources and Electric Power and became a full professor in 2019.

⚡ Research Areas:

His research focuses on:

🔋 Battery chargers
🔌 Power electronic converters
⚙️ Reactive power compensators

🧠 Key Contributions:

He has developed an isolated resonant voltage balancing circuit and dead-time compensation strategy, leading to:

🔽 Current unbalance reduced to 2.6%
⚡ Power factor improved to 0.997
🚀 Efficiency increased to 98.2%
💰 Reduced component count and system costs

📊 Research & Innovation:

🧪 Research Projects: 3 completed/ongoing
🏭 Industry Projects: 5
📖 Books Published: 2 (ISBN)
🧾 Patents: 7 (published/under process)
📚 Journals (SCI/Scopus): 8
✍️ Editorial Role: Reviewer, Hongshui River Magazine

🌐 Collaborations & Memberships:

🤝 Collaborator with the National Natural Science Foundation of China
🎓 Distinguished Scholar Program of Guangxi Higher Education Institutions
🔧 Member, Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering

Publication Top Notes:

The Constant Power Transmission Control for Suppressing DC-Link Voltage Ripple Effect of Single-Phase AC–DC–AC Converter
IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, August 2025.
DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2025.3556470
Authors: Minyang Zou, Linghui Meng, Jianglin Nie, Jiajin Li, Linzhe Li, Xiao Lv, Cheng Zhang, Xifeng Xie, Zeliang Shu
Predictive Control Method with Conduction Mode Detection to Suppress Input Current Distortion of Three-Level Power Factor Correction
IET Electric Power Applications, November 2024.
DOI: 10.1049/elp2.12491
Authors: Xifeng Xie, Zeliang Shu, Rongxin Chen, Jianghong Yin, Chunxiang Ling

Ms. HAFSA ANAM | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 05/04/202505/04/2025 by Popular Scientist

Ms. HAFSA ANAM | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Macquarie University, Australia

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Education 🎓

Hafsa completed her B.Sc. in Telecommunication Engineering in 2015 with a CGPA of 3.78/4.00, and later earned her M.Sc. in Telecommunication Engineering in 2017 with a CGPA of 3.79/4.00, both from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, Pakistan. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. at Macquarie University, working on smart RFID sensor systems for IoT applications.

Professional Experience 💼

As part of her doctoral journey, Hafsa has worked as a Teaching Associate at Macquarie University, actively supporting undergraduate courses. Her role involved lectures, lab sessions, and student mentoring, enabling her to blend cutting-edge research with academic leadership. She also collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to design real-world applicable sensor systems.

Technical Skills 🛠️

Her core strengths lie in chipless RFID design, electromagnetic modeling, wireless communication systems, and flexible sensor fabrication. She is skilled in tools and techniques for antenna design, EM simulations, and printable electronics, with a focus on green, passive, and cost-effective RFID systems.

Teaching Experience👨‍🏫

Hafsa has contributed to several B.Sc. units as a Teaching Associate at Macquarie University. She has assisted in course delivery, lab experiments, and student project supervision, helping to bridge practical RFID development with academic theory.

Awards & Honors 🏅

Hafsa has been recognized with the Post Graduate Research Fund (PGRF) from Macquarie University in 2024 and is the recipient of a fully-funded Ph.D. scholarship (2022–present). Her research excellence earned her the Best Poster Presentation Award at the HDR Conference at Macquarie University in 2022, marking her as an emerging scholar in the RFID research community.

Research Interests 🔍

Her research is centered on chipless RFID tags, wireless communication, electromagnetics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). She is especially interested in developing multifunctional, battery-free RFID sensors that are capable of monitoring environmental parameters, with applications in recycling, smart infrastructure, retail, and industrial systems.

Publications Top Notes: 📝

Dual Sided Data Dense 25-bit Chipless RFID Tag

Authors: Hafsa Anam, Syed Muzahir Abbas, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Iain Collings

Publication Year: 2023

Publication Type: Conference Paper

RFID Enabled Humidity Sensing and Traceability

Authors: Hafsa Anam, Syed Muzahir Abbas, Iain Collings, Subhas Mukhopadhyay

Publication Year: 2023

High-density Compact Chipless RFID Tag for Item-level Tagging

Authors: Ayesha Habib, Hafsa Anam, Yasar Amin, Hannu Tenhunen

Publication Year: 2018

Internet-of-things Based Smart Tracking

Author: Hafsa Anam

Publication Year: 2017

Miniaturized Humidity and Temperature Sensing RFID Enabled Tags

Authors: Javeria Anum Satti, Ayesha Habib, Hafsa Anam, Sumra Zeb, Yasar Amin, Jonathan Loo, Hannu Tenhunen

Publication Year: 2018

Journal: International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering

Jahan Chowdhury Sarwar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on 13/03/202513/03/2025 by Popular Scientist

Prof. Jahan Chowdhury Sarwar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi Bangladesh

Dr. Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan is a highly esteemed Professor in the Department of Geology and Mining at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. With over 40 years of experience in academia, research, and administration, he has significantly contributed to the field of Hydrogeology and environmental geosciences. His leadership roles include serving as Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dean, and Department Chairman, shaping the academic and research landscape of his institution. Alongside his academic responsibilities, he remains active in numerous social and cultural organizations, championing community development, transparency, and public health.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Jahan embarked on his academic journey in geology at the University of Rajshahi, completing his B.Sc. (Hons.) in 1980 and M.Sc. in 1981. He later pursued his Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from the Moscow State Geological Prospecting Academy, Russia, in 1997. His foundational education includes an HSC (1977) and SSC (1975) from the Rajshahi Board, reflecting a lifelong commitment to learning and scientific excellence.

🧑‍🏫 Experience

Beginning his teaching career as a Lecturer in 1984, Dr. Jahan progressed to Professor by 2004. He has held pivotal roles including Pro-Vice Chancellor (2013–2017) and Dean of the Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences (2012–2013). As Chairman of the Department of Geology and Mining, he oversaw vital departmental development. Beyond academia, he has contributed to national policy through committees like the NAP for Combating Desertification and actively engages with civic organizations such as the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and Rotary International.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Jahan’s research covers a diverse spectrum of earth sciences, including Hydrogeology, Groundwater Modelling, Rainwater Harvesting, and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). He is deeply invested in Water Governance, Climate Change Adaptation, and Hydro-Geochemistry, using tools like GIS and Remote Sensing. His studies on drought, water footprint, and strategic policy planning contribute to sustainable water resource management in Bangladesh and beyond.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Jahan has been widely recognized for his academic leadership and social engagement. While this application is a nomination for further distinction, his earlier appointments as Syndicate Member at BAUET, and leadership in the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, underscore his dedication to societal development. He has been a sought-after keynote speaker at international conferences, reflecting his esteemed standing in the scientific community.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

Dr. Jahan has co-authored numerous impactful publications that explore sedimentology, groundwater modeling, and hydrochemistry. Some of his notable works include:

Jahan, C.S. et al. (1990) – Sedimentary environment discrimination using grain size analysis, Journal of Geological Society of India, 35: 529-534 – Cited by 45 articles.

Jahan, C.S. & Ahmed, M. (1997) – Flow of groundwater in the Barind Area, Bangladesh: Implication of Structural Framework, Journal of Geological Society of India, 50: 743-752 – Cited by 62 articles.

Jahan, C.S. et al. (1994) – Specific yield evaluation: Barind area, Bangladesh, Journal of Geological Society of India, 44: 283-290 – Cited by 35 articles.

Jahan, C.S. et al. (1995) – Seasonal Effect on Regional Groundwater Flow: Barind area, Bangladesh, ASCE Conference Proceedings, Texas Water ’95 – Cited by 21 articles.

Jahan, C.S. et al. (1993) – Hydrogeology of Tanore and Nachole thanas of Barind project area, Journal of Applied Hydrology, VI(1-4): 39-48 – Cited by 18 articles.

Evaluation of spatio-temporal dynamics of water table in NW Bangladesh: an integrated approach of GIS and Statistics

Modeling of agricultural drought risk pattern using Markov chain and GIS in the western part of Bangladesh

Evaluation of depositional environment and aquifer condition in Barind area, Bangladesh using Gamma Ray Well Log Data

Hydrogeological condition and assessment of groundwater resource using visual modflow modeling, Rajshahi city aquifer, Bangladesh

Climatic data analysis for groundwater level simulation in drought prone Barind Tract, Bangladesh: Modelling approach using artificial neural network

Lilian Huang | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 06/03/202506/03/2025 by Popular Scientist

Prof. Lilian Huang | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor Harbin Engineering University China

Lilian Huang is a professor at the School of Information and Communication Engineering, Harbin Engineering University. With a strong background in navigation, guidance, and control, she has made significant contributions to fractional-order chaotic systems, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos-based encryption. Her research has been widely published in high-impact journals, and she holds multiple patents related to chaotic system control and encryption techniques.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Lilian Huang earned her Ph.D. (2005) and Master’s (2002) in Navigation, Guidance, and Control from Harbin Institute of Technology. She completed her Bachelor’s in Automation from Zhongyuan University of Technology in 1996. Her academic journey laid a strong foundation for her expertise in control systems and nonlinear dynamics.

💼 Experience

Currently serving as a professor at Harbin Engineering University since 2012, Lilian Huang has also worked as an associate professor (2005-2012) and postdoctoral researcher (2005-2008) at the same institution. She was a visiting scholar at the University of Delaware in 2016-2017. Before joining academia, she worked as an assistant engineer at Harbin Dong’an Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (1996-2000), gaining industry experience.

🔬 Research Interests

Lilian Huang’s research focuses on fractional-order chaotic systems, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos control. She explores their applications in encryption, secure communication, and dynamic system analysis. Her work contributes to developing novel chaotic systems with enhanced security features for information processing.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

She has led several prestigious research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Heilongjiang Province. Her innovations in chaos-based encryption and nonlinear control have been recognized through numerous patents and high-impact publications.