Morteza Hazbei | Built Environment Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Morteza Hazbei | Built Environment Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Research associate | Concordia University | Canada

Dr. Morteza Hazbei is a dedicated scholar and practitioner in architecture and urban design, focusing on sustainable architecture, urban livability, inclusive urbanism, and resiliency. His work integrates parametric and computational design with a deep understanding of contextual influences in the built environment, aiming to optimize architectural solutions for functionality, sustainability, and social value. He has contributed to both academic and professional spheres, engaging in innovative research projects that explore the intersections of design, biodiversity, livability, and quality in urban spaces. His research investigates the impact of digital and algorithmic tools on architectural practice, addressing challenges related to context, optimization complexity, and environmental performance. In addition to his research, he has developed and taught graduate and undergraduate courses, emphasizing sustainable and equitable design principles, and has supervised numerous student projects and theses. Hazbei’s professional practice includes architectural design and project supervision, emphasizing sustainable and contextually responsive approaches. He has published extensively, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, focusing on parametric design, eco-didactic approaches, and quality in the built environment. His work has been recognized for its academic excellence and societal relevance, contributing to knowledge mobilization, public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Active in academic service, he has served as a reviewer for multiple journals, participated in jury panels, moderated conferences, and contributed to committees that promote research dissemination and graduate student representation. His scholarship bridges theory, technology, and practice, fostering innovative approaches to architecture and urban design that prioritize sustainability, livability, and social impact.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Hazbei, M., Yesayan, T., Yu, N., Hutt-Taylor, K., & Ziter, C. D. (2025). Lessons from exploring the relationship between livability and biodiversity in the built environment. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Advance online publication.

Cucuzzella, C., Hazbei, M., & Asgari, M. H. (2024). Parametrizing the unmeasurable: Urban qualities as quantitative parameters for computer games. International Journal of Architectural Computing.

Hazbei, M., Rafati, N., Kharma, N., & Eicker, U. (2024). Optimizing architectural multi-dimensional forms: A hybrid approach integrating approximate evolutionary search, clustering and local optimization. Energy and Buildings.

Rafati, N., Hazbei, M., & Eicker, U. (2023). Louver configuration comparison in three Canadian cities utilizing NSGA-II. Building and Environment.

Hazbei, M., Cucuzzella, C., & Mauro, G. M. (2023). Revealing a gap in parametric architecture’s address of “context.”

Syeda Safina Ali | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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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:

🎓 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:

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

 

Ruijuan Qu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ruijuan Qu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor Nanjing University China

Ruijuan Qu is an Associate Professor at the School of Environment, Nanjing University, China. With a specialization in environmental chemistry, she focuses on the transformation mechanisms of organic pollutants and the development of innovative degradation technologies. She has contributed significantly to the field, developing a comprehensive framework for pollutant transformation analysis and its ecological impact. Her research aims to support scientific advancements in ecological risk assessment and pollution treatment. 🌍🔬

Profile

Orcid

Education

Ruijuan Qu received her PhD in 2015 from Nanjing University, where she also began her academic career. Since then, she has grown her expertise and specialization in environmental chemistry and pollutant transformation, supporting cutting-edge research and eco-friendly practices. 🎓📚

Experience

Starting as an assistant researcher in 2015, Ruijuan advanced to associate researcher by 2018 and has held her position as Associate Professor since December 2019. Over her career, she has led several national research projects, contributing essential findings to the fields of pollutant degradation and environmental chemistry. 👩‍🔬🌱

Research Interests

Ruijuan’s research centers on the environmental transformation of organic pollutants, with an emphasis on analyzing reaction mechanisms, transformation products, and toxicity changes. She employs quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) to explore pollutant behavior, and she is dedicated to advancing green and effective pollutant degradation technologies. 🧪🌊

Awards

In recognition of her significant contributions to environmental science, Ruijuan Qu was named on Stanford University’s 2023 World’s Top 2% Scientists List. This honor highlights her dedication to innovative research and her impactful findings in pollutant transformation. 🏅✨

Publications Top Notes: 

Ruijuan Qu has authored over 70 SCI-indexed papers, with her work appearing in renowned journals like Environmental Science & Technology and Water Research. She also holds seven ESI highly-cited papers. Here are a few of her notable publications:

Qu, R. (2022). “Transformation of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems,” Environmental Science & Technology. Cited by 120 articles. Link to Publication

Qu, R. (2021). “Advances in Polymerization for Low-Carbon Wastewater Treatment,” Water Research. Cited by 98 articles. Link to Publication

Milad Mirzaei Aminiyan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Milad Mirzaei Aminiyan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D. in Soil Science-Biophysics University of Tehran Iran

Dr. Milad Mirzaei Aminiyan is a distinguished researcher specializing in environmental sciences, with a focus on soil and water resources management. Based in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Tehran, Iran, Dr. Mirzaei has made significant contributions to understanding soil contamination, microplastic pollution, and environmental geochemistry, impacting both academic and practical fields of soil science.

Profile

Scopus.com

Google scholar.com

Education 🎓

  • 2023 – Guest Ph.D. Student, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Copenhagen, Denmark
    Research Project: Impact of polyethylene microplastics on willow growth.
  • 2018-2024 – Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Biophysics, University of Tehran, Iran
    Thesis: The effects of microplastic particles on soil and sunflower growth.
  • 2010-2013 – M.Sc. in Soil Physics and Conservation, Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran
    Thesis: Impact of nanozeolite on soil organic carbon.
  • 2006-2010 – B.Sc. in Environmental Soil Science, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Iran
    Project: Effects of pistachio waste on soil biophysical properties.

Professional Experience 👨‍🔬

Dr. Mirzaei served as the Technical and Commercial Manager at ABENEGAHDAR Organic Fertilizer Factory (2013-2018) and as an R&D Environmental Scientist in Rafsanjan’s Eco-industrial Zone. His work emphasizes environmental pollution analysis, sustainable soil management, and ecotoxicology of emerging contaminants.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Mirzaei’s research includes:

  • Environmental pollution and ecotoxicology (microplastics, PTEs, PFAS)
  • Soil organic carbon management
  • Hydrochemical and geochemical analysis for water quality assessment
  • Modeling contaminant transport and biodegradation in soil

Awards 🏆

  • 2022: Recognized as a top researcher among Ph.D. students in Soil Sciences at the University of Tehran.
  • 2018: Achieved 5th overall rank and 2nd in Soil Physics in Iran’s Ph.D. Entrance Exam.
  • 2013: Awarded for best M.Sc. thesis in Bu-Ali Sina University’s Agricultural Faculty.

Publications Top Notes: 📄

Dr. Mirzaei has published extensively in leading journals. Below are selected publications with citations:

2024: Mitigating the impacts of polyethylene microplastics using a microbial consortium.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. DOI.

2022: Contamination of potentially toxic elements around a copper smelter.
Environmental Geochemistry and Health. DOI.

2021: Source apportionment of PAHs in industrial city dust in Iran.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI.

2019: Pollution risk assessment in school dust in Shiraz, Iran.
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. DOI.

2018: Risk assessment of heavy metals in road dust in Rafsanjan, Iran.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI.

 

SONIA GOMES | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. SONIA GOMES | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Academician/Research Scholar Investigadora
👩‍🔬 Sónia Gomes is an accomplished molecular biologist specializing in genetic studies, particularly in agricultural biotechnology and molecular genetics. She is currently an Auxiliary Researcher at the University of Porto, focusing on interdisciplinary marine and environmental research. With extensive teaching experience and leadership in significant research projects, Sónia has contributed notably to genomic studies in olive trees and food biotechnology.

profile

Orcid.org

Education

🎓 PhD in Molecular Genetics (2006-2010): Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal. Thesis: “Genomic Studies in Olea europaea L.: From the Field to the Olive Oil End Product”.
🎓 MSc in Molecular Genetics (2003-2006): Universidade do Minho, Portugal. Dissertation: “Molecular markers for Olea europaea L. cultivars identification”.
🎓 BSc in Applied Biology (1997-2002): Universidade do Minho, Portugal. Thesis: “Effect of growth regulators in plant regeneration of Vitis vinifera L.”.

Experience

💼 Auxiliary Researcher (2023-Present), University of Porto, CIIMAR
💼 Invited Assistant Professor (2022-Present), ICBAS, University of Porto
💼 Research Fellow (2003-2007), OLIV-TRACK project, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro

Research Interests

🔬 Molecular Genetics: Expertise in genomic studies of Olea europaea (olive trees) for improving food traceability.
🌊 Marine Biotechnology: Investigating the impact of microplastics and parasites on fish, seafood safety, and environmental sustainability.
🧬 Agricultural Biotechnology: Focused on using DNA markers for plant and food traceability.

Awards

🏆 Blue Bio Value Ideation Award (2023): Oceano Azul Foundation
🏆 NEWFOOD Valorization Award (2021): Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
🏆 OENOPPIA Award (2019): International Research on Wine Development

Publications Top Notes:

📚 Olive oil traceability through DNA markers (2012). Co-author: Martins-Lopes, P. Published in Book.
📖 Nucleic Acids Sample Preparation for Food Traceability (2016). Published in Sample Preparation Techniques for Soil, Plant, and Animal Samples. Springer New York, 2016.
🧬 Olive Tree Genetic Resources Characterization Through Molecular Markers (2012). Published in Genetic Diversity. DOI: 10.5772/32973.
🍃 Olive-Colletotrichum acutatum: An Example of Fruit-Fungal Interaction (2012). Published in Plant Breeding. DOI: 10.5772/27965.
🧫 Occurrence of microplastics in water, feed, and tissues of European seabass (2024). Published in Environmental Research DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120208.