Pankaj Indurkar | Water Treatment | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Pankaj Indurkar | Water Treatment | Research Excellence Award

Senior Scientist | Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute | India

Mr. Pankaj Indurkar is a researcher in membrane science, separation technology, and water purification, recognized for contributions that integrate advanced materials engineering with data-driven modeling. His work spans the development of high-performance ion-exchange membranes, mixed-matrix membranes, and polymeric frameworks designed for desalination, pollutant remediation, and industrial water processing. He has played key roles in designing electrodialysis, membrane distillation, and electro-deionization systems, contributing to indigenous technology development for saline water treatment, brackish water desalination, and ultrapure water generation. His research portfolio demonstrates strong expertise in synthesizing functional materials such as MOF-incorporated membranes, porous polymeric networks, nanocomposites, and metal-doped aerogels, complemented by extensive use of statistical modeling, multivariate optimization, response surface methodology, and machine learning for predicting membrane performance and enhancing process efficiency. He has published widely in high-impact journals on topics including heavy-metal remediation, fluoride and arsenic removal, electrodialysis modeling, neural-network-guided membrane design, and nanomaterial-based water purification strategies. His work also includes book chapters on MOF-based membranes for water and wastewater remediation and contributions to the development of computational frameworks for chemicals recovery from brines, integrating optimization, techno-economic analysis, and data analytics. Through collaborative and multidisciplinary projects, he has contributed to the fabrication, testing, and field deployment of membrane-based and adsorbent-based treatment units for industry and research institutions. His expertise reflects a blend of experimental innovation and computational intelligence aimed at advancing sustainable and energy-efficient water treatment technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Pankaj, D. I., & Kulshrestha, V. (2025). Electrochemical informed machine learning models for prediction of electrodialysis desalination performance. Separation Science and Technology.

Kumar, P., Suhag, S., Indurkar, P. D., Shahi, V. K., & Kulshrestha, V.* (2025). Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile-based terpolymer cation exchange membrane for efficient brackish water desalination via electrodialysis with neural network prediction. Desalination.

Mishra, S., Upadhyay, P., Indurkar, P. D., & Kulshrestha, V.* (2025). Designing of PVDF-based cation exchange membranes with improved electrochemical properties for energy-efficient brackish water desalination. ACS ES&T Engineering.

Shukla, S., Gupta, A. R., Ratnakar, S. B., Ganguly, B., Indurkar, P. D., & Sharma, S. (2025). A revolutionizing polymeric framework with integrated aluminium fragment for superior water decontamination empowered by a statistical modeling approach. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 13.

Sutariya, B., Sarkar, P., Indurkar, P. D., & Karan, S.* (2024). Machine learning-assisted performance prediction from the synthesis conditions of nanofiltration membranes. Separation and Purification Technology.

Yueping Bao | Water Treatment | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Yueping Bao | Water Treatment | Editorial Board Member

Associate Professor | Nankai University | China

Dr. Yueping Bao is an environmental scientist and engineer whose work centers on advancing sustainable water treatment technologies through innovative catalytic and membrane-based approaches. Her research integrates materials science, environmental engineering, and analytical chemistry, with a strong focus on advanced oxidation processes, catalytic ceramic membrane development, pollutant degradation mechanisms, and electrochemical treatment strategies. She has contributed to major national research initiatives, including work on enzyme-assisted photocatalytic degradation of chlorophenol pollutants, where she played a key role in catalyst synthesis, system design, and analytical method development. Her expertise spans catalyst fabrication, membrane optimization, water purification system enhancement, and the application of chromatography-based pollutant detection methods. Professionally, she has held research and academic positions in leading institutions, contributing to interdisciplinary projects aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater treatment. Her teaching experience includes supporting postgraduate laboratory instruction and materials science courses, reflecting a commitment to both scientific innovation and student development. Dr. Bao has also engaged with the global research community, sharing her work at international scientific forums. Through her combined research, academic service, and professional engagement, she continues to advance environmentally resilient technologies with the potential to mitigate complex pollution challenges and support long-term water resource protection.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Chen, X., Zhang, H., Xu, S., Du, X., Zhang, K., Hu, C.-P., Zhan, S., Mi, X., Oh, W. D., Hu, X., et al. (2023). A recyclable Co–Fe bimetallic immobilized cellulose hydrogel bead (CoFeO@CHB) to boost singlet oxygen evolution for tetracycline degradation. Catalysts, 13(8), 1150.

Bao, Y., Chen, Y., Lim, T.-T., Wang, R., & Hu, X. (2019). A novel metal–organic framework (MOF)-mediated interfacial polymerization for direct deposition of polyamide layer on ceramic substrates for nanofiltration. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 6(201900132).

Bao, Y., Oh, W.-D., Lim, T.-T., Wang, R., Webster, R. D., & Hu, X. (2019). Elucidation of stoichiometric efficiency, radical generation and transformation pathway during catalytic oxidation of sulfamethoxazole via peroxymonosulfate activation. Water Research, 149, 1–12.

Lee, W. J., Bao, Y., Hu, X., & Lim, T.-T. (2019). Hybrid catalytic ozonation–membrane filtration process with CeOₓ and MnOₓ impregnated catalytic ceramic membranes for micropollutants degradation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 368, 109–118.

Xing, J., Liang, H., Chuah, C. J., Bao, Y., Luo, X., Wang, T., Wang, J., Li, G., & Snyder, S. A. (2019). Insight into Fe(II)/UV/chlorine pretreatment for reducing ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fouling: Effects of different natural organic fractions and comparison with coagulation. Water Research, 161, 115112.

Zahra Askari | Water | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Zahra Askari | Water | Best Research Article Award

Lorestan University | Iran

Dr. Zahra Askari is a postdoctoral researcher in water science whose work focuses on the complex interactions between hydrological processes, sediment dynamics, and climate change. Her research integrates experimental modeling and computational analysis to explore bed-load sediment transport, bed morphology changes, and the hydraulic behavior of open channels under unsteady flow conditions. She has contributed to advancing flood simulation and river discharge forecasting by applying soft computing, hybrid time series models, and machine learning approaches. Her academic interests span sediment transport mechanics, flood control, and the impact of climatic variability on river systems. Dr. Askari has authored and co-authored several publications in international journals such as Applied Water Science, Geosciences, Chinese Soil and Water Conservation, and Acta Geophysica. She is skilled in using advanced analytical and simulation tools, including Flow3D, HECRAS, MATLAB, and Python, to model complex hydraulic and hydrological phenomena. In addition to her research, she has experience teaching subjects related to hydraulic systems and applied mathematics at the university level. Recognized for her academic excellence, she has received awards for outstanding performance during her graduate studies and has served as a reviewer for scientific journals. Her ongoing work contributes to developing sustainable water management strategies and improving predictive modeling techniques for hydrological and environmental applications.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Askari, Z., Samadi-Boroujeni, H., Fattahi-Nafchi, R., Yousefi, N., Eslamian, S., … (2017). Prediction comparison of flow resistance in channels with rounded and angular coarse rough beds. American Research Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering, 3(1), 1–15.

Yousefi, N., Reza, K. S., & Eslamian, S. A. Z. (2016). Estimating width of the stable channels using multivariable mathematical models. Arabian Journal of Geosciences.

Moughani, S. K., Osmani, A., Nohani, E., Khoshtinat, S., Jalilian, T., Askari, Z., … (2024). Groundwater spring potential prediction using a deep-learning algorithm. Acta Geophysica, 72(2), 1033–1054.

Marani-Barzani, M., Eslamian, S., Amoushahi-Khouzani, M., Gandomkar, A., … (2017). Assessment of aridity using geographical information system in Zayandeh-Roud Basin, Isfahan, Iran. International Journal of Mining Science (IJMS), 3(2), 49–61.

Askari, Z., Afzalimehr, H., Singh, V. P., & Fattahi, R. (2015). Prediction of flow velocity near inclined surfaces with varying roughness. International Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 4(1), 1–9.

Guiying You | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Guiying You | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

postdoctor | Peking University | China

Guiying You is an environmental scientist specializing in air pollution and control with extensive research on volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases, and atmospheric chemistry. She has actively contributed to multiple national, provincial, and municipal projects focusing on emission characterization, pollution prevention, and control strategies. Her research integrates large-scale data analysis, field experiments, and numerical modeling to understand pollutant behavior and mitigation approaches. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, serving as both first author and co-author, and her work has advanced knowledge in VOCs source profiling, emission factors, and pollution control technologies across various industries such as petroleum refining, automobile manufacturing, packaging, and printing. Her academic journey reflects strong dedication to environmental science and engineering, contributing to both theoretical frameworks and practical solutions for improving air quality. With strong analytical expertise and technical experience, she continues to drive impactful research that bridges science and environmental policy.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Guiying You pursued her academic career in environmental science and engineering with a focus on air pollution control, beginning with a strong foundation in conservation of water and soil at undergraduate level, where she gained knowledge of environmental systems and resource management. She deepened her expertise through a master’s degree in environmental science, concentrating on global greenhouse gas emissions and gaining skills in analyzing climate-related environmental data. She further advanced her specialization through doctoral research in environmental engineering, focusing on volatile organic compound emissions from key industries such as petroleum refining, chemical processing, industrial coating, and printing. Her doctoral study established methodologies for emission factor determination, pollution source identification, and source profile establishment, contributing to comprehensive VOCs management frameworks. Across her academic journey, she consistently achieved strong academic performance while building a solid background in laboratory instrumentation, field measurement techniques, statistical modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches linking environmental science with sustainable solutions.

Professional Experience

Guiying You has participated in several large-scale funded research projects addressing air pollution, climate change, and emission reduction strategies. Her work on soil respiration and greenhouse gas sensitivity contributed to global-scale understanding of temperature effects on ecosystem functions. She has been actively involved in projects tackling atmospheric pollution in urban-industrial regions, conducting field observations, equipment operation, data processing, and project reporting. Her research on anthropogenic VOC emissions has led to detailed source profiling, emission factor estimation, and control strategy formulation for industries such as refining, automobile manufacturing, and packaging. She has also contributed to collaborative studies on multi-medium air pollution, integrating spatiotemporal emission patterns, inventory development, and advanced pollution control technologies. In addition, her role in city-level air quality projects has involved identifying key pollutants, analyzing ozone formation mechanisms, and proposing coordinated policies for PM2.5 and ozone control. These experiences highlight her versatility in both academic and applied research.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her academic and research career, Guiying You has been recognized with multiple awards and honors that reflect her academic excellence, research achievements, and contributions to student and institutional development. She has been awarded the National Inspirational Scholarship multiple times, placing among the top percentile of her peers, and recognized as an Outstanding Graduate for her consistent performance. She has also received distinctions as a Meritorious Student and Study Activist, demonstrating both academic commitment and proactive engagement in research and learning. Beyond academics, she has been active in cultural and artistic pursuits, earning awards including first prize, second prize, and runner-up positions in university-level competitions, showcasing a balanced profile of intellectual and extracurricular excellence. These recognitions underscore her dedication, discipline, and broad skillset, positioning her as a high-achieving researcher who combines technical expertise with leadership qualities, creativity, and continuous pursuit of excellence in both scientific and personal development.

Research Focus

The research focus of Guiying You lies in air pollution and control, with specialization in the emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds and their environmental and health impacts. Her work emphasizes developing comprehensive methodologies for pollution source identification, emission factor estimation, source profile establishment, and full-process measurement of VOCs across major industries including petroleum refining, automobile manufacturing, industrial coating, and printing. She integrates field measurements, laboratory experiments, and advanced modeling techniques to build accurate emission inventories and evaluate reduction potentials. Her studies also address greenhouse gas sensitivities, ecosystem respiration, and mechanisms of ozone formation, linking atmospheric science with climate change and human health risks. She employs advanced analytical instruments and statistical tools to process complex environmental data, contributing to evidence-based solutions for coordinated control of PM2.5 and ozone. Her research ultimately aims to provide scientific support for air quality management, sustainable industrial development, and effective environmental policies at multiple scales.

Publication

Emission Factors and Source Profiles of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Petroleum Refining Industry through On-Site Measurement from Multiple Refineries
Year: 2024

Characterizing VOCs emissions of five packaging and printing enterprises in China and the emission reduction potential of this industry
Year: 2023

Emission factors and source profiles of volatile organic compounds in container manufacturing industry
Year: 2024

Emission factors and source profiles of volatile organic compounds from the automobile manufacturing industry
Year: 2024

High performance of coal dust suppression with waste activated sludge using microbially induced calcite precipitation technology
Year: 2022

Conclusion

Guiying You is a highly capable and promising researcher whose contributions to the study of VOCs emissions, greenhouse gases, and air pollution control position her as a strong candidate for recognition. Her strengths in rigorous experimentation, detailed emission profiling, and comprehensive control strategy development highlight her potential to address critical environmental challenges. With continued international engagement and expanded interdisciplinary impact, she is well-suited to achieve further distinction and make lasting contributions to both science and policy in environmental sustainability.

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.