Mr. Arkajyoti Pathak | Risk Management | Best Researcher Award

West Virginia University | United States

Dr. Arkajyoti Pathak is a dedicated geoscientist and Ph.D. candidate in Earth Sciences at West Virginia University, specializing in geochemical processes related to underground hydrogen storage. With a strong academic foundation from IIT Bombay (M.Sc. in Applied Geology) and Jadavpur University (B.Sc. in Geological Sciences), his research explores geochemical interactions of iron-bearing minerals under high-pressure, high-temperature subsurface conditions. He has extensive experience in experimental geochemistry, isotopic analysis, and modeling hydrogen–mineral interactions using advanced tools such as PHREEQC, ReacTran, and Geochemist’s Workbench. His work contributes to understanding hydrogen behavior, mineral transformation, and reactive transport mechanisms critical for clean energy storage solutions. Dr. Pathak has published multiple papers in high-impact journals including Fuels, Aquatic Geochemistry, and Transport in Porous Media, and has presented his findings at international conferences such as Goldschmidt, AGU, and GSA. His outstanding academic performance has earned him several prestigious honors including the Milton & Doris Promising Researcher Award, Department of Energy Graduate Assistantship, and All India Rank 1 in JAM and Rank 2 in GATE. His research interests span geochemistry, hydrogen storage, mineral-fluid interactions, and reactive transport modeling. He aspires to advance sustainable subsurface energy technologies through innovative geochemical insights.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bowman, A. P., & Sharma, S. (2024). Modeling impacts of Fe activity and H₂ partial pressure on hydrogen storage in shallow subsurface reservoirs. Aquatic Geochemistry, 6.

Pathak, A., & Sharma, S. (2024). Effect of iron mineral transformation on long-term subsurface hydrogen storage—Results from geochemical modeling. Fuels, 5(3), 334–346.

Bowman, S., Pathak, A., Agrawal, V., & Sharma, S. (2024). A simple method for obtaining heat capacity coefficients of minerals. American Mineralogist, 109(3), 624–627.

Pathak, A., Bowman, S., & Sharma, S. (2025). Theoretical investigation on the suitability of Fe(II)-rich sandstone for underground hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 193, 152425.

Bowman, S., Pathak, A., & Sharma, S. (2025). Reactive transport and Péclet number analysis of hydrogen flux pathways in uniform clay matrix: Implications for underground storage. Transport in Porous Media, 152(8), 59.

Pathak, A., Clark, A., & Sharma, S. (2025, April). Ironic behavior of iron-bearing phases during underground hydrogen storage? In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts (EGU25-13768).

Clark, A., Pathak, A., Tinker, K., Gulliver, D., & Sharma, S. (2024). Microbial and geochemical characterization of groundwater: Implications for underground hydrogen storage leakage. National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed | Geophysics | Best Researcher Award

Suez University | Egypt

Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Eldosouky Zaky is an accomplished Egyptian geophysicist recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University in 2022 and 2023. He holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Remote Sensing (2017), an M.Sc. (2014), and a B.Sc. (2003) in Applied Geophysics from South Valley University, Egypt. Currently serving as an Associate Professor of Theoretical and Applied Geophysics at the Faculty of Science, Suez University, Dr. Zaky has held several key academic and administrative roles, including Director of the Central Laboratory for Scientific Research and the University Performance Development Unit. His multidisciplinary expertise spans theoretical and applied geophysics, hydrogeology, remote sensing, environmental geophysics, geothermal and renewable energy, and climate change studies. Dr. Zaky has made significant contributions through his research and publications, including co-editing volumes with Elsevier and Frontiers Media on advanced geophysical data interpretation and geospatial analysis for mineral exploration. His work reflects a strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation. With extensive teaching, research, and leadership experience, Dr. Zaky continues to advance scientific understanding in geoscience and energy resources, bridging academic innovation with environmental responsibility.

Featured Publications

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Advanced integrated strategy for structural and mineralogical exploration of inaccessible regions employing remote sensing and multiscale analysis of aeromagnetic data. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Assessment of terrestrial radionuclide exposure and contamination rates within the Mbaitoli area, Nigeria. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Structural geometry and gold ores along the first outlined N–S dextral shear zone in the Egyptian Nubian Shield, East African orogenic belt: New insights from integrated remote sensing, gravity, magnetic and field studies. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Bio-inspired computational intelligence metaheuristic-based optimization and sensitivity analysis approach to determine techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). New insights into structural and tectonic evolution of Safaga–Semna shear belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt: Advanced integration of aeromagnetic, remote sensing and field studies. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources.