Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fakhrossadat Mohammadi | Interdisciplinary Research | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fakhrossadat Mohammadi | Interdisciplinary Research | Research Excellence Award

Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) | Iran

Fakhrossadat Mohammadi is an accomplished researcher and scholar specializing in protein chemistry, nanobiotechnology, and bioinorganic interactions. She holds advanced degrees in chemistry and molecular sciences and has extensive experience in spectroscopic, computational, and biochemical methods for studying protein-ligand interactions. Over the past decade, she has contributed significantly to understanding the molecular mechanisms of amyloid fibril formation and inhibition, exploring the interactions of natural and synthetic curcuminoids, flavonoids, and metal complexes with proteins such as α-lactalbumin, lysozyme, and serum albumins. Her work combines in vitro, in silico, and analytical approaches to uncover the structural, functional, and antiamyloidogenic properties of bioactive compounds. Mohammadi’s research extends to nanoparticle-protein interactions, including silver, gold, and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and their effects on protein stability and biological activity. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, including International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Royal Society Open Science, and Langmuir, and her studies are recognized for advancing therapeutic strategies against amyloid-related diseases. Her research interests include protein misfolding, enzyme inhibition, bio-nanomaterials, molecular docking, and spectroscopic characterization. Mohammadi’s work is noted for its methodological rigor and potential translational applications, contributing to the fields of biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and nanobiotechnology.

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Featured Publications


Analysis of binding interaction of curcumin and diacetylcurcumin with human and bovine serum albumin using fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy

– F Mohammadi, AK Bordbar, A Divsalar, K Mohammadi, AA Saboury, The Protein Journal 28 (3), 189-196, 2009

Analysis of binding interaction of genistein and kaempferol with bovine α-lactalbumin

– F Mohammadi, M Moeeni, Journal of Functional Foods 12, 458-467, 2015

Interaction of curcumin and diacetylcurcumin with the lipocalin member β-lactoglobulin

– F Mohammadi, AK Bordbar, A Divsalar, K Mohammadi, AA Saboury, The Protein Journal 28 (3), 117-123, 2009

Inhibition of amyloid fibrillation of hen egg-white lysozyme by the natural and synthetic curcuminoids

– F Mohammadi, A Mahmudian, M Moeeni, L Hassani, RSC Advances 6 (28), 23148-23160, 2016

Dr. Zahra Khoshdouni Farahani | Research Excellence Award | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Zahra Khoshdouni Farahani | Research Excellence Award | Research Excellence Award

science and research branch university | Iran

Dr. Zahra Khoshdouni Farahani is a university lecturer and scientific reviewer with a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University. Her research focuses on food chemistry, functional beverages, encapsulation of bioactive compounds, nanotechnology in food systems, and food quality and safety. She has extensive experience in teaching courses across food science, cereal and dairy technology, food microbiology, edible oils, confectionery, and quality control. Dr. Farahani has published numerous papers in high-impact journals (Q1-Q2), contributed to international conferences, and authored specialized books on food chemistry and encapsulation technologies. She is actively involved in scientific societies, international committees, and editorial boards, serving as a reviewer for multiple Q1 and Q2 journals. Recognized with numerous awards, including gold and platinum medals at international invention and innovation festivals, she has also successfully secured multiple ISI publications. Her work emphasizes the integration of bioactive compounds, functional foods, and sustainable food processing technologies. Dr. Farahani’s research and teaching advance the understanding of food systems, improve food safety and quality, and foster innovation in food technology, contributing to both academic excellence and industry applications globally.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Farahani, Z. K., Mousavi, M., Ardebili, M. S., & Bakhoda, H. (2022). Modification of sodium alginate by octenyl succinic anhydride to fabricate beads for encapsulating jujube extract. Current Research in Food Science, 54.

Khoshdouni, F. Z. (2021). The effect of extraction method (ultrasonic, maceration, and soxhlet) and solvent type on the extraction rate of phenolic compounds and extraction efficiency of Arctium lappa L. Food and Health, 4(2), 28–34.

Khoshdouni Farahani, Z., Mousavi, M., Seyedain Ardebili, M., & Bakhoda, H. (2022). The influence of sodium alginate and sodium alginate/WPI as coating material on microcapsules of jujube extract produced by spray dryer. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, e17175.

Helmi, M., Khoshdouni Farahani, Z., Hemmati, A., & Ghaemi, A. (2024). Facile synthesis of Persian gum–graphene oxide composite as a novel adsorbent for CO₂ capture: Characterization and optimization. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5511.

Farahani, Z. K., Mousavi, M., Seyedain Ardebili, M. S., & Bakhoda, H. (2023). Stability, physicochemical, rheological and sensory properties of beverage containing encapsulated jujube extract with sodium alginate stabilized by sodium alginate and Gellan gum. Food Chemistry Advances, 2, 100195.

Dr. Farzad Ahmad | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Farzad Ahmad | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Excellence in Research

Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center | Iran

Dr. Farzad Ahmadi is a distinguished researcher in Natural Resources with a specialization in Rangeland Management, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran. His work bridges ecological sustainability and socio-economic resilience, focusing on rangeland management, pastoral systems, and environmental hazards such as dust storms, drought, and land degradation. Dr. Ahmadi has contributed significantly to community-based forestry and mangrove management, invasive species control, and urban waste and composting systems. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters addressing the impacts of environmental challenges on livelihoods, soil fertility comparisons of native versus non-native species, and strategies for rangeland restoration. Dr. Ahmadi has actively collaborated on national and international research projects, investigating drivers of community participation in sustainable forestry initiatives. His expertise encompasses field research, environmental impact assessments, socio-economic surveys, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, with proficiency in GIS, AutoCAD, and SPSS. Recognized for integrating ecological and social dimensions in resource management, he continues to advance sustainable and participatory approaches in natural resource conservation. His research contributes to enhancing ecosystem resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and informing policy and community practices in rangeland and forest management globally.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ahmadi, F., Zamani, O., Mirzaei, H., & Azadi, H. (2024). Exploring the impact of dust storms on pastoralists’ livelihoods in West Iran: Social, economic, and environmental consequences. Environmental Quality Management, 33(4), 821–833. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.22158

Ahmadi, F., & Mirzaei, H. (2025). Factors influencing pastoralists’ participation in rangeland restoration and rehabilitation projects: A case study in West Iran. Rangelands. (In press)

Moslehi, M., Ahmadi, F., Matinizadeh, M., Sadeghi, S. M., Izadi, M., Faunae, N., Alizadeh, T., & Shackleton, R. T. (2025). Native versus non-native Prosopis woody species: Which fertilize the soil better? Folia Oecologica, 52(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2025-0008

Dr. Jack Pink | Authentic Leadership | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Jack Pink | Authentic Leadership | Young Scientist Award

Stanford University | United States

Dr. Jack Pink is a maritime archaeologist specializing in the study of shipwrecks and their broader cultural and ecological impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in Archaeology, an M.A. in Maritime Archaeology, and a B.A. in Archaeology, with extensive training in underwater and terrestrial field methods, including SCUBA and HSE diving qualifications. His research integrates archaeological excavation, geophysics, remote sensing, and digital methodologies, with a particular focus on shipwreck assemblages, maritime heritage records, and the application of data science and machine learning to heritage datasets. Dr. Pink has contributed to major projects including Unpath’d Waters, the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Programme, and digital twin modeling of historic vessels such as RRS Discovery. His work encompasses field leadership, policy development for underwater cultural heritage, and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in maritime archaeology, data science, and heritage management. He has published in leading journals, presented internationally, and received awards for community engagement and contributions to maritime archaeology research. Dr. Pink continues to explore interdisciplinary approaches connecting archaeology, technology, and marine ecology, enriching understanding of maritime heritage and informing conservation practices. His research advances both academic knowledge and practical applications in heritage management and sustainable exploration of underwater sites.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Pink, J. (2025). Paper ships on digital seas. Journal of Maritime Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-025-09487-x

Pink, J., Pedrotti, F., & Whitewright, J. (2025). The archaeology of the Rhoda Mary, a Cornish schooner hulked in the River Medway. Journal of Field Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2025.2476269

Pink, J., & Whitewright, J. (2022). A life less than ordinary: The schooner Ocean (1821–1865). Historical Archaeology, 56, 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-021-00322-3

Pink, J. (2021). Philip Reid: The merchant ship in the British Atlantic, 1600–1800: Continuity and innovation in a key technology. Journal of Maritime Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-021-09299-9

Dr. Lixing Zheng | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Lixing Zheng | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

PowerChina Chongqing Engineering Co., Ltd | China

Dr. Lixing Zheng is a researcher specializing in hydrogen energy production, life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling, and low-carbon regional scenario analysis. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from the South China University of Technology, followed by a PhD from the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His academic and professional journey has included extensive involvement in postdoctoral research at PowerChina Chongqing Engineering Co., Ltd., where he contributes to advancing sustainable energy systems. Dr. Zheng has authored influential works, including contributions to the Encyclopedia of China (3rd Edition) and several peer-reviewed publications on hydrogen production efficiency, hydrogen energy supply scenarios, hydrogen metallurgy, exergy efficiency, and the life-cycle impacts of renewable energy technologies. His research has supported key national and regional projects focused on energy transformation, carbon neutrality pathways, and industrial technology development. Dr. Zheng’s achievements have been recognized through honors such as the 2024 Outstanding Paper Award from the Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, the 2024 Global Top Ten Award for Commercialisation of Research Results by Engineers, and the Second Prize of the 2025 China Power Construction Group Science and Technology Award. His work continues to advance the scientific foundation for sustainable, low-carbon energy systems.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Analysis of exergy flow and CCUS carbon reduction potential in coal gasification hydrogen production technology in China. Energies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yu Zhao | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yu Zhao | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

Shenyang Jianzhu University | China

Zhao Yu is an accomplished scholar in management science and engineering with a strong academic foundation, holding a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a master’s degree in management science and engineering, and a Ph.D. from Chongqing University. With professional experience spanning academia and government research, he has served as a lecturer, associate professor, and policy research section chief, contributing significantly to both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development. His research focuses on emergy analysis, carbon emissions, construction sustainability, green building, urban metabolism, zero-waste city governance, supply-chain carbon measurement, and real estate mass appraisal. He has published 18 SCI/SSCI papers as first author, including multiple articles in top-tier CAS Zone 1 journals, and has led more than 2 million RMB in funded research projects, including prestigious Ministry of Education and provincial social science grants. His work has advanced carbon reduction strategies, emergy-based sustainability evaluations, and digital governance in the construction sector. He has also guided students to achieve national awards, reflecting his commitment to talent cultivation and academic excellence. Overall, his contributions demonstrate impactful leadership in advancing sustainable construction, ecological governance, and innovative urban development pathways for regional and national progress.

Profile:  ORCID 

Featured Publications

Zhao, Y. (2025). Assessing recycled concrete’s sustainability with emergy theory and input–output modeling. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Engineering Sustainability.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Coupling system dynamics with emergy analysis to achieve China’s zero-waste city goals: A metabolic perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Efficient project management of historical building groups: A BIM-based approach with the critical chain method and 5D simulation. International Journal of Construction Management.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Flow shop scheduling for prefabricated components production considering parallel machines and buffer constraints. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Enhancing real estate mass appraisal in Type II metropolitan cities: A GIS-MGWR approach. International Journal of Strategic Property Management.

Dr. Uma Jothi | Team Building and Team Management | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Uma Jothi | Team Building and Team Management | Excellence in Research

Amrita University, India

Dr. J. Uma is an accomplished academic and researcher in the fields of information technology, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. She holds a B.Tech in Information Technology, an M.E. in Computer Science and Engineering with distinction, and has submitted her Ph.D. thesis in Information and Communication Engineering at Anna University. With more than twelve years of academic experience, she has served as Assistant Professor in leading engineering institutions, contributing significantly to teaching, curriculum development, and research mentorship. Her research focuses on cloud resource allocation, deep reinforcement learning, intelligent optimization algorithms, blockchain technologies, IoT-based systems, and data security. She has published impactful journal articles in reputed outlets like Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies and Springer’s Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, along with several book chapters and conference papers. Her work includes innovations in heuristic optimization, adversarial defenses in deep learning, and smart healthcare IoMT solutions. She is also a published patent holder in IoT-based agriculture monitoring systems and employee training platforms. Dr. Uma has organized major AICTE- and RGNIYD-funded programs, contributing to national-level capacity building in data science, IoT, and smart city technologies. Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing research, innovation, and academic excellence.

Profiles:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Xian International University | China
Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

A Waheed, A. M., Miao, X., Waheed, S., & Ahmad, N. (2019). How new HRM practices, organizational innovation, and innovative climate affect the innovation performance in the IT industry: A moderated-mediation analysis. Sustainability, 11(3), 621.

Shaheen, O. F. F., Ahmad, N., Waqas, M., & Waheed, A. (2017). Structural equation modeling (SEM) in social sciences & medical research: A guide for improved analysis. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(7), 82–95.

Ahmad, A. W., Ahmad, N., Zhu, Y., & Ibrahim, M. (2018). Development of a standard brownfield definition, guidelines, and evaluation index system for brownfield redevelopment in developing countries: The case of Pakistan. Sustainability, 10(12), 4347.

Ahmad, A. W., Ahmad, N., Zhu, Y., Shafait, Z., & Sahibzada, U. F. (2019). Critical barriers to brownfield redevelopment in developing countries: The case of Pakistan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 1193–1209.

Jawad Karamat, S. K., Shurong, T., Ahmad, N., & Waheed, A. (2018). Barriers to knowledge management in the health sector of Pakistan. Sustainability, 10(11), 62.

Mr. Naveen Kumar | Performance Management | Best Scholar Award

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Mr. Naveen Kumar | Performance Management | Best Scholar Award

Jawaharlal Nehru university, New Delhi | India 

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Kumar, N., & Karambir, R. (2012). A comparative analysis of PMX, CX and OX crossover operators for solving traveling salesman problem. International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology, 1(2), 98–101.

Kumar, N., & Chaudhary, A. (2024). Surveying cybersecurity vulnerabilities and countermeasures for enhancing UAV security. Computer Networks, 252, 110695.

Kumar, N. (2012). A genetic algorithm approach to study traveling salesman problem. Journal of Global Research in Computer Science, 3(3), 33–37.

Kumar, N., Chaudhary, V., & Dubey, S. K. (2025). Cybersecurity and emerging technologies: Challenges and opportunities. In Cybersecurity preparedness among Indian firms: Opportunities, challenges, and strategies (pp. xx–xx).

Kumar, N., Kumar, G., & Chaudhary, V. (2024). Redefining national security threats in cyberspace: A challenging problem. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Emerging Threats to National Security: Cyber and Information Warfare (pp. xx–xx).

Mr. Idrissa Zida | Inequality | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Idrissa Zida | Inequality | Young Researcher Award

CEDRES/University Thomas SANKARA | Burkina Faso

Idrissa Zida is a dedicated Ph.D. student in Economics at Thomas Sankara University, Burkina Faso, specializing in Macroeconomics and Development Management. With a solid academic foundation including both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in the same field, his research focuses on public finance, income inequality, and sustainable economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has co-authored a scientific publication in Economic Change and Restructuring examining the effects of public debt on income inequality, exploring both direct and indirect transmission channels. Idrissa has gained valuable professional experience through internships and roles at the General Directorate of Economy and Planning, the Diocesan Communication Center, and L’Economiste du Faso, where he developed skills in economic analysis, research, and project management. As Deputy Secretary General of the Center for Studies and Research on Human Development in Africa (CERDHA) and President of the Youth Association for the Emergence of Zondoma (AJEZ), he actively contributes to academic and community development initiatives. His continued commitment to research, professional excellence, and social advancement underscores his ambition to contribute to the economic transformation and sustainable development of Africa.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Zida, I., Ouedraogo, I., & Sawadogo, R. (2025). Effects of public debt on income inequality in sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the direct and indirect transmission channels. Economic Change and Restructuring. Advance online publication.