Rosa Maria Roman-Cuesta l Climate Change Mitigation-Paris Agreement | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Rosa Maria Roman-Cuesta l Climate Change Mitigation-Paris Agreement | Research Excellence Award

European Commission. Joint Research Centre | Italy

Dr. Rosa Maria Roman-Cuesta is a forest ecologist with over 20 years of experience in land-use mitigation and adaptation under UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Her education includes a PhD in Forest Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and postdoctoral research at Oxford University and the Technical University of Munich. Her professional experience spans the European Commission JRC, FAO, CIFOR, and multiple international consultancies. Her research interests focus on AFOLU, Nature-Based Solutions, carbon dynamics, REDD+, and climate policy. Her research skills include remote sensing, GIS, carbon accounting, and land-use modeling. Her awards include the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship. Overall, Dr. Rosa Maria Roman-Cuesta bridges science and policy to support global climate action.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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3,985

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58

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30

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Featured Publications

Land Remains a Blind Spot in Tracking Progress under the Paris Agreement Due to Lack of Data Comparability

Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 · Open Access

A Global Assemblage of Regional Prescribed Burn Records — GlobalRx

Scientific Data, 2025 · Open Access

Considerations for Determining Warm-Water Coral Reef Tipping Points

Earth System Dynamics, 2025 · Open Access

Relationship of Litterfall Anomalies with Climatic Anomalies in a Mangrove Swamp of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

PLOS ONE, 2024 · Open Access

Correction to: Current National Proposals Are Off Track to Meet Carbon Dioxide Removal Needs

Nature Climate Change, 2024 · Erratum · Open Access

Mmasechaba Lebogang Moropane l Environmental Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Ms. Mmasechaba Lebogang Moropane l Environmental Sciences | Research Excellence Award

 University of the Western Cape | South Africa

Ms. Mmasechaba Lebogang Moropane is a Doctoral Researcher in Environmental and Water Sciences at the University of the Western Cape with an MSc (Summa Cum Laude) and BSc Honours in the same field. Her education integrates remote sensing, hydrology, geospatial analysis, machine learning, and big data analytics. Professionally, she serves as an Earth Science Departmental Research Assistant, supporting teaching and contributing to peer-reviewed journals, policy-oriented reports, and international conferences. Her research interests focus on groundwater-dependent ecosystems, non-perennial rivers, land degradation, and food–water security in semi-arid regions, employing advanced satellite analytics, AI, and XAI. She has received recognition through high-impact publications, peer-review roles, and national and international research collaborations, positioning her as a promising early-career researcher with strong interdisciplinary impact.

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Featured Publications

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 2026
Mmasechaba L. Moropane; Cletah Shoko; Timothy Dube; Dominic Mazvimavi

Rodney Tatenda Muringai | Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Rodney Tatenda Muringai | Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

University of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Rodney Tatenda Muringai is a climate change and food security scholar with over six years of experience spanning teaching, postdoctoral research, and applied policy work. He holds a PhD, MSc, PGDip, and BSS from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with additional training in sustainability from Beijing Normal University. His professional experience includes roles as Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Ad Hoc Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Research Assistant, and Ecosystem Services Analyst. Dr. Rodney Tatenda Muringai’s research interests focus on climate change adaptation, fisheries and aquaculture, livelihoods, and socio-ecological resilience, supported by strong skills in policy analysis, GIS, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. He has received NRF, SARChI, and LIMA awards and continues to contribute impactful, policy-relevant research that advances sustainable development in Africa.

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Featured Publications

Vulnerability of inland small-scale fishing communities to climate change and variability: Insights from the Zambezi River Basin, Zimbabwe

Rodney T. Muringai, Paramu L. Mafongoya, Romano Lottering – Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2025
Living in the wild: The bidirectional impacts of human–wildlife interaction in Binga and Nyaminyami rural districts, Zimbabwe

Rodney T. Muringai, Walter Musakwa, Phindile Mthembu, Takafara Gozo – Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 2025
Sub-Saharan Africa freshwater fisheries under climate change: Impacts, adaptation, and mitigation measures

Rodney T. Muringai, Paramu Mafongoya, Romano T. Lottering – Fishes, 2022
Climate change perceptions, impacts and adaptation strategies: Insights from fishers in the Zambezi River Basin, Zimbabwe

Rodney T. Muringai, Paramu Mafongoya, Romano T. Lottering – Sustainability, 2022
Unlocking the potential of fish to improve food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Rodney T. Muringai, Paramu Mafongoya, Romano T. Lottering et al. – Sustainability, 2021

Alicia Palacios-Orueta | Spatial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Alicia Palacios-Orueta | Spatial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid | Spain

Dr. Alicia Palacios-Orueta is a Full Professor (Catedrática de Universidad) in the Department of Agroforestry Engineering at the Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM), with an internationally recognized career in environmental science and remote sensing. She holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from UPM and completed her MSc and PhD in Soil Science at the University of California, Davis. Her academic trajectory spans more than two decades, including appointments as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full Professor, as well as research positions in leading international institutions in the United States, Italy, Israel, and Sweden. Her research focuses on soil science, climatology, meteorology, geology, plant ecology, remote sensing, hyperspectral analysis, and spatial–temporal time series analysis. She is especially known for pioneering work on hyperspectral indices for soil and vegetation assessment and for innovative statistical approaches to remote sensing time series with spatial dimensions. Her research has received international visibility, including coverage by Nature Geoscience and New Scientist, and she has contributed to advisory bodies such as the Seosat/Ingenio Mission Advisory Group. She has coordinated numerous national and international research projects, supervised doctoral theses, and taught extensively at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Her scholarly impact is reflected in 44 documents, an h-index of 21, and approximately 1,743 citations. Overall, Dr. Palacios-Orueta is a leading scholar whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of land–atmosphere interactions and environmental monitoring through remote sensing.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

1800
1400
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0

Citations
1,743

Documents
44

h-index
21

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Scopus Profile View Orcid Profile

Featured Publications

Fan Xiao | Data Processing | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fan Xiao | Data Processing | Research Excellence Award

Sun Yat-sen University | China

Xiao Fan is an Associate Professor and PhD advisor at the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, recognized for his contributions to mineral exploration, mathematical geoscience, and data-driven Earth system analysis. He received his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in mineral resource exploration from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), with joint doctoral training at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on mineral system modeling, multi-physics numerical simulation, fractal and singularity analysis, machine-learning-based mineral prospectivity, and knowledge-driven geoscientific data integration. As a core member of major national innovation teams, he has led or participated in several national and provincial research projects and contributed to the creation of an advanced UAV-based geophysical–geochemical acquisition and processing platform. He has published 54 documents with 986 citations from 706 sources and holds an h-index of 19, along with multiple patents, software copyrights, and highly cited works in leading SCI journals. He serves on editorial boards and scientific committees, including roles as youth editor and guest editor, and has organized sessions for the International Geological Congress. His work advances quantitative mineral prediction and computational geoscience, contributing impactful models and methods that enhance understanding of mineralization processes and exploration efficiency.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

(2025). “Three-Dimensional Prospectivity Modeling of Jinshan Ag-Au Deposit, Southern China by Weights-of-Evidence.” Journal of Earth Science.

(2025). “Lithologic mapping of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks in the eastern Tianshan Gobi Desert using machine learning and multi-source data fusion.” Earth Science Frontiers.

(2025). “A DFT study on mechanisms of indium adsorption on sphalerite (100), (110), and (111) surfaces: Implications for critical metal mineralization.” Ore Geology Reviews.

(2025). “Data-driven expeditious mapping and identifying granites in covered areas via deep machine learning: A case study on the implications for geodynamics and mineralization of Eastern Tianshan.” Lithos.

(2025). “Numerical Modeling and Exploration Data Coupled-driven Mineral Prospectivity Mapping: A Case Study of Fankou Pb-Zn Deposit.” Geotectonica et Metallogenia.

Wentao Chen | Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Wentao Chen | Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology | China

Mr. Wentao Chen is a dedicated geography researcher currently pursuing a master’s degree with a strong academic foundation in geographical science, remote sensing, and spatial data analysis. Building upon his undergraduate training in earth science, geomorphology, meteorology, ecology, and GIS, he has developed a solid interdisciplinary background that supports his growing expertise in coastal and environmental studies. His research experience includes participation in major national projects, such as investigations into coastline evolution under global change and studies on carbonate leaching processes and carbon sequestration in coastal soil chronosequences. As the first author of a peer-reviewed article in Remote Sensing, he contributed significant insights into tidal mudflat sediment-thickness identification using ground-penetrating radar, demonstrating improved methodological accuracy through advanced signal-processing techniques. His academic performance has been recognized with multiple scholarships and awards, reflecting consistent commitment and scholarly potential. His primary research interests lie in coastal geomorphology, environmental remote sensing, and GIS-based spatial analysis, with a particular focus on coastal dynamic processes and subsurface structural characterization. Continually motivated to expand his technical and research capabilities, he aims to contribute meaningful scientific understanding to the fields of coastal environmental change and geospatial technology.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publication

Chen, W., Zhao, C., Zheng, G., Zhu, J., & Li, X. (2025). “Identification of the Sediment Thickness Variation of a Tidal Mudflat in the South Yellow Sea via GPR.” Remote Sensing.

 

Necla Koralay | Environmental Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Necla Koralay | Environmental Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Karadeni̇z Technical University | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Necla Koralay is an environmental scientist and forest engineer whose academic work focuses on watershed management, soil erosion, hydrology, and water quality. She completed her undergraduate studies in Forest Engineering at Ankara University and later earned her postgraduate and doctoral degrees from Karadeniz Technical University, where she specialized in watershed management, erosion modeling, and hydrological assessment. She also continues undergraduate education in geography to broaden her interdisciplinary expertise. Over her academic career, she has served as a research assistant, research assistant (PhD), and currently as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Forestry. Dr. Koralay has contributed extensively to the scientific literature through articles published in SCI, SCI-Expanded, ESCI, and peer-reviewed journals, focusing on RUSLE-based erosion modeling, morphometric analysis, and the effects of hydropower plants and forestry activities on water quality. She has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences and has been involved in funded research projects related to erosion–flood risk mapping and sediment dynamics. In addition to her research, she serves as an editor for the Ormancılık Araştırma Dergisi. Her academic achievements have been recognized with notable awards for outstanding performance during her undergraduate education, reflecting her long-standing dedication to environmental and forestry sciences.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Koralay, N., & Kara, Ö. (2025). “Risk assessment of soil erosion with RUSLE using geographic information system and organic carbon and total nitrogen loadings of suspended sediment in Sogutlu Stream Watershed of Trabzon, Turkey” in Environmental Earth Sciences.

Koralay, N., & Kara, Ö. (2024). “Assessment of flood risk in Söğütlü Stream Watershed of Trabzon Province in Turkey using geographic information systems and analytic hierarchy process approach” in Natural Hazards.

Koralay, N. (2024). “An Investigation into the Carbon and Total Nitrogen Content of Suspended Sediments in Değirmendere Watershed and Its Implications for Erosion Risk” in Forestist.

Koralay, N., & Kara, Ö. (2023). “Effects of morphometric characteristics on flood in Degirmendere sub-watersheds, Northeastern Turkey” in International Journal of River Basin Management.

Koralay, N., & Kara, Ö. (2022). “Trabzon Değirmendere Çatak alt havzasının erozyon risk haritasının oluşturulması ve sediment iletim oranının belirlenmesi” in Ormancılık Araştırma Dergisi.

Hisao Nakai | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hisao Nakai | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Nursing, University of Kochi | Japan

Dr. Hisao Nakai is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Kochi, specializing in disaster nursing, disaster management, and GIS‑based risk assessment. Holding a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Kanazawa University, he has published 28 documents, which have been cited 107 times by 96 documents, resulting in an h-index of 7. His research centers on vulnerable populations—such as medically dependent children, older adults, and people with mental illness—and uses participatory ICT/IoT systems like K‑DiPS, which he helped develop, to support personalized disaster readiness, evacuation planning, power backup, and business continuity. He has applied GIS to simulate evacuation routes (e.g., for tsunamis) and assess environmental risks, especially for those with special needs. Academically, he has held roles at Kanazawa Medical University and Kochi University and has received awards including a Japanese Public Health Society poster prize. He has also led national surveys on disaster information sharing among caregivers of children requiring medical care. Through his interdisciplinary, community‑oriented work, Dr. Nakai is advancing equitable disaster resilience for people often overlooked in traditional emergency planning, combining practical applications with innovative research in disaster preparedness and nursing science.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Nakai, H., Oe, M., Nagayama, Y., Tokuoka, M., Yamaguchi, C., & Tanaka, K. (2025). “A retrospective study on evacuation and long-term displacement among home-visit psychiatric nursing service users in the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake” in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Oe, S., Nakai, H., Nagayama, Y., Oe, M., & Yamaguchi, C. (2025). “Factors associated with worsening post-earthquake psychiatric symptoms in patients receiving psychiatric visiting nurse services during the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake: A retrospective study” in Psychiatry International.

Nitta, Y., Hashimoto, R., Shimizu, Y., Nakai, Y., & Nakai, H. (2025). “Adherence to outpatient care among individuals with pre‐existing psychiatric disorders following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake: A retrospective study” in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports.

Nakai, H., Oe, M., & Nagayama, Y. (2024). “Factors related to evacuation intention when a Level 4 evacuation order was issued among people with mental health illnesses using group homes in Japan: A cross-sectional study” in Medicine.

Nakai, H., Ishii, K., & Sagino, T. (2024). “Turnover intention among staff who support older adults living alone in Japan: A cross-sectional study” in Social Sciences.

Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Fakir Mohan University | India

Dr. Ujjwal Das is an Assistant Professor (Temporary) of Geography at Fakir Mohan University, India, specializing in social determinants of population health, geospatial analysis, and public health research. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh (2025), following an M.Phil. and Master of Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, and a Gold Medalist M.A. in Applied Geography from Ravenshaw University. Dr. Das has presented his research at multiple national and international conferences, focusing on urban poverty, child malnutrition, elderly morbidity, and maternal health. His scholarly contributions include over 14 peer-reviewed publications, 5 book chapters, and extensive research on mortality, fertility, and population-environment interactions. He is proficient in quantitative and spatial analysis tools including SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, R, and Mortpak. With an h-index of 3, more than 9 documents, and over 37 citations, his work is widely recognized for its impact on public health and population geography. Dr. Das has received awards for excellence in research and contribution to population studies. His ongoing work integrates geospatial methods with social science approaches to inform policy and improve health outcomes in India, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Das, U., & Mohanty, S.K. (2025). “Urban Poverty and Child Malnutrition in India: A Geographical Analysis” in Health on the Move: Population and Public Health Perspectives.

Ahamad, V., & Das, U. (2025). “Health on the move: cardiovascular disease risk among ageing male migrants in India” in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus.

Das, U. (2025). “Is Virginity a Matter of Dignity or a Lack of Opportunity? Exploring the Paradoxical Relationship Between Premarital Sex and Education Among Youth in India” in Sexuality & Culture.

Das, U., & Kar, N. (2025). “Understanding economic disparities in elderly health outcomes: a decomposition analysis in Bankura district” in BMC Public Health.

Das, U., Kar, N., Riba, T., & Rout, N.R. (2025). “Prevalence of diabetes and disability among older adults in West Bengal and India: A comparative analysis” in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.

Simon William Mkasimongwa | Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Simon William Mkasimongwa | Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

The University of Melbourne | Australia

Mr. Simon William Mkasimongwa is a dedicated researcher and climate expert specializing in atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and air quality management. He has developed strong expertise in data analysis, environmental policy evaluation, and sustainable development practices. With a passion for addressing global environmental challenges, he integrates scientific research with community engagement, event coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has experience in leading environmental projects, delivering academic content, hosting radio programs, and mentoring youth in climate-related initiatives. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing environmental science and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable futures.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Mr. Mkasimongwa has pursued advanced education in the fields of atmospheric chemistry, sustainable development, and safety and health science. His academic journey includes a doctorate in atmospheric chemistry focusing on air quality monitoring and management in urban regions, a master’s degree with emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and a bachelor’s degree in sustainable development. Throughout his education, he has gained proficiency in research methodologies, data analysis, and the application of atmospheric modeling tools such as HYSPLIT and AERMOD. His educational background has provided him with a solid foundation to analyze environmental challenges and develop actionable strategies for climate resilience.

Experience

Professionally, Mr. Mkasimongwa has served as an air lab manager and teaching assistant at a leading university, where he contributed to climate change adaptation courses, urban air quality studies, and student mentorship. His responsibilities included assisting in research projects, managing laboratory operations, and supporting data collection and analysis for air quality monitoring programs. He has volunteered extensively with international organizations focused on environmental conservation, serving as a youth leader, event coordinator, and radio presenter for environmental awareness programs. His experience spans research assistance, administrative roles, and public engagement, reflecting a multifaceted career in academia, research, and community advocacy.

Research Interest

His research interests encompass climate change, air quality management, extreme meteorological events, and environmental policy evaluation. He is particularly focused on monitoring and managing air pollution in urban environments, utilizing advanced tools such as GIS, SPSS, BenMAP-CE, and other atmospheric modeling systems. His work also explores the impacts of climate-related disasters on urban resilience and community adaptation. Through interdisciplinary approaches, he aims to develop strategies that enhance environmental sustainability and mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Awards

Mr. Mkasimongwa has been recognized with numerous honors for his academic and community contributions. His accolades include prestigious prizes from international organizations for outstanding leadership in environmental initiatives, multiple academic achievement awards for excellence in research and coursework, and full scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Additionally, he has received recognition for his contributions to youth climate leadership programs, model UN conferences, and community-based environmental conservation efforts. These awards highlight his consistent dedication to both academic excellence and societal impact.

Publications

Mkasimongwa, S. W., Fakour, H., Hassani, H. J., Sultan, B. A., & Lai, H.-C. (2024). “Assessment of Dar es Salaam’s resilience to climate change disasters using the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI)” in Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography.

Lai, H.-C., Dai, Y.-T., Mkasimongwa, S. W., Hsiao, M.-C., & Lai, L.-W. (2023). “The Impact of Atmospheric Synoptic Weather Condition and Long-Range Transportation of Air Mass on Extreme PM₁₀ Concentration Events” in Atmosphere.

Conclusion

Through his academic, professional, and voluntary engagements, Mr. Simon William Mkasimongwa exemplifies a strong commitment to advancing the field of atmospheric science and climate change mitigation. His ability to integrate research with community outreach and education demonstrates his holistic approach to environmental challenges. With expertise in climate modeling, air quality management, and policy development, he continues to contribute to sustainable development goals and inspire future generations toward responsible environmental stewardship.