Justice Sebuga Kotani | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Young Researcher Award

Mr. Justice Sebuga Kotani | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Young Researcher Award

University of North Carolina, Charlotte | United States

Dr. Justice Kotani holds a PhD in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, following an MSc in Sustainability from the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability in Tokyo and a BSc in Development Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. His professional experience spans teaching assistance, program analysis and internships with the United Nations University (on carbon-pricing, NDCs and youth forums) and field planning roles with the Environmental Protection Agency (Ghana). His research interests centre on environmental planning, forest-landscape restoration, green infrastructure, urban informal economies and inclusive spatial governance in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Kotani has an h-index of 1, with four documents and two citations to date (via Google Scholar). He has published work on professional misconduct in planning, wetland ecosystems in Ghana, and spatial planning in informal urban economies; and earned the Wayland H. Cato Jr. First-Year Doctoral Fellowship among his awards. In summary, Dr. Kotani brings a strong international sustainability education, hands-on field experience and emerging scholarly contributions focused on socio-ecological transitions and inclusive planning.

Profile : Orcid 

Featured Publications

1️⃣ Kotani, J. S., Akrofi, M. M., & Okitasari, M. (2025). Synergies and trade-offs between Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions and Sustainable Development Goals. Next Research, DOI: 10.1016/j.nexres.2025.100938**

2️⃣ Kotani, J. S., Takyi, S. A., Asibey, M. O., Amponsah, O., Quagraine, V. K., & Liwur, S. B. (2024). Planning in Ghana: Analysis of the various forms of professional misconduct from the perspective of professional planners. Planning Practice & Research, 1-20.

Khaled Alhosani | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Khaled Alhosani | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ajman Municipality and Planning Department | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Khaled Mueen Alhosani is a distinguished leader in environmental governance, sustainable urban development, and public health innovation. As the Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector at the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, he has spearheaded transformative reforms, integrated smart infrastructure systems, and advanced Ajman’s vision of becoming a model city for sustainability and climate resilience. With over 17 years of experience in public sector leadership, Dr. Alhosani is widely recognized for his contributions to waste-to-resource innovation, circular economy integration, air quality enhancement, and climate neutrality strategies. His efforts have set new benchmarks in sustainable city management and contributed to Ajman’s recognition on regional and international platforms.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

Education

Dr. Alhosani holds a PhD in Sustainable Waste Management from the University of Bolton, UK, where his doctoral research established a reference framework for empowering public-private partnerships in advancing sustainable waste management within the circular industry economy. He also earned an MSc in Groundwater Engineering and Management from Ajman University, a BSc in Plant Sciences in Arid Regions from United Arab Emirates University, a Diploma in Human Resources from ITAC Institute, and completed a Leadership Transition Programme at INSEAD Business School, France. His academic journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation bridging environmental sciences, resource management, and leadership development.

Experience

Throughout his career, Dr. Alhosani has held pivotal roles shaping public health and environmental policy. As Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector in Ajman, he has led major initiatives in climate neutrality, smart environmental monitoring, and resource-efficient urban infrastructure. Previously, as Director of the Public Health and Environment Department, he developed early sustainability programs and enhanced municipal governance systems. His tenure at the Ministry of Environment & Water saw him lead national plant protection strategies and coordinate agricultural health projects across the GCC. Beyond administrative roles, he has contributed as an adjunct lecturer, research collaborator, and mentor, fostering emerging talent in sustainable development and ISO integration.

Research Interests

Dr. Alhosani’s research is centered on sustainable waste management, climate change mitigation, renewable energy integration, and smart city environmental policies. His published work spans frameworks for public-private partnership empowerment, circular economy models, air quality management, AI-enhanced educational frameworks for sustainability, and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through landfill waste reduction. His collaborations with international researchers and organizations have driven advancements in floating wind-H2 technology, sustainable education, and innovative waste-to-energy systems.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Alhosani’s leadership has been recognized through multiple awards and honors, including accolades for his role in transforming Ajman into an environmentally friendly city and his contributions to public sector excellence. He has overseen projects that have achieved significant milestones, such as the 100% reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture, the successful implementation of a single-use plastic bag reduction campaign, and Ajman Parks receiving the Green Flag Award for international sustainability standards. He has also been instrumental in establishing the Ajman Carbon Neutrality Roadmap and aligning educational institutions with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. His achievements extend to international forums, where he has represented Ajman at COP28, UN Global Compact workshops, and the Hamid Bin Rashid International Sustainability Award initiatives.

Publications

Alhosani, K.M., Kaied, Y.O., Darwish, A.S., Al-Kayiem, H.H., Farrell, P. (2025). “A Framework for Public-Private Partnerships Empowerment Towards Zero Industrial Waste in the UAE.” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology.

Darwish, A.S., Alhosani, K.M., Al-Kayiem, H.H. (2025). “AI-Enhanced Sustainable Educational Framework for a Greener World.” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology.

Kaied, Y.O., Alhosani, K.M., Darwish, A.S., Farrell, P. (2025). “Air Quality Management Strategic Framework for Future Sustainable Cities.” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology.

Bhutto, Y.A., Pandey, A.K., Saidur, R., Alhosani, K.M. (2025). “Enabling the Thermal Performance of Lauric Acid Phase Change Material Integrated with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes for Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage Solution.” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology.

Kalidasan, B., Pandey, A., Alhosani, K.M., Darwish, A.S. (2025). “Harnessing Coconut Shell Carbon Micro Particles for Enhanced Optical Absorbance and Sustainable Energy Storage in Organic Phase Change Materials.” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology.

Conclusion

Dr. Khaled Mueen Alhosani is a visionary figure whose expertise bridges policy, research, and innovation to deliver tangible environmental and public health outcomes. His leadership continues to shape Ajman’s sustainable future through ambitious projects in circular economy, climate action, smart city systems, and cross-sectoral collaboration. With an unwavering commitment to knowledge sharing, mentorship, and international partnership building, Dr. Alhosani exemplifies the integration of academic excellence with pragmatic governance. His work serves as a reference point for municipalities and organizations aspiring to achieve net-zero emissions, resilient infrastructure, and globally recognized environmental performance.

XiaoQi LI | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Ms. XiaoQi LI | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Ms. XiaoQi LI | Qualitative Research – huazhong agriculture university | China

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education

Ms. LI XiaoQi is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture at Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China, where she focuses on spatial and ecological planning. She previously earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, where she engaged in cultural landscape studies and planning strategies. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Geography from Hengyang Normal University, laying the foundation for her expertise in environmental systems and terrain analysis.

Experience

Ms. Li has actively contributed to multiple national and institutional research projects. Notably, she participated in a project on the spatial planning and organic renewal of rural ecological livability, funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China, where she conducted historical image interpretation, rural settlement analysis, and development strategy formulation. She was also involved in a National Natural Science Foundation project focused on the landscape zoning and spatial structure of traditional settlements in the Wuling Mountains. In addition, she has been an invited speaker at national conferences, including the 12th Landscape Architecture Conference in Henan and the Conference on National Parks and Landscape Recreation in Shanghai, presenting on topics related to agricultural landscape change and public health-oriented park design.

Research Interests

Her primary research interests lie in agricultural landscape change assessment, sustainable landscape management, and the ecological dynamics of karst mountainous regions. She specializes in the use of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing image analysis, and historical landscape interpretation, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data approaches. Her work seeks to enhance the understanding of land use transitions, rural revitalization, and ecological planning under environmental stressors such as drought.

Awards

Ms. Li has received numerous recognitions for her academic and project excellence. She was honored with the Three Good Graduate Student Award and the Excellent Student Cadre Award at the school level in 2023. During her master’s program, she was a recipient of the First Class Scholarship. Her design and planning capabilities have earned her the Third Prize in the Excellent Urban Planning Competition of Guangdong Province, the Silver Prize in the International Ai Jing Landscape Design Competition, and First Prizes in both the Science and Technology Innovation Competition and the Hunan Urban-Rural Planning Design Competition. Additionally, she was acknowledged as an Excellent Communist Youth League Member during her undergraduate studies.

Publications

Li, X.Q., & Li, C.F. (2024). “Changes in agricultural landscape patterns and their influencing factors in karst mountainous areas under drought stress” in Ecological Indicators (In Revision).
Li, X.Q., & Yang, Q.C. (2024). “Scientometric insights into human settlements in karst landscape areas: Trends, challenges, and future directions” in Journal of Cleaner Production (In Revision).
Li, X.Q., Yang, Q.C., Lyu, X., Ye, Y., & Zhang, B. (2023). “Multidimensional framework for analyzing the distribution patterns of traditional villages in the karst landscape regions of China” in Ecological Informatics, 77, 102184.
Li, X.Q., & Zhao, J.H. (2023). “Study on the revitalization and protection of the Southern Guangdong Ancient Post Road from the perspective of study tourism—Taking the Xijing Ancient Road as an example” in Modern Urban Research, 04, 49–54.
Zhao, J.H., & Li, X.Q. (2022). “Public participation in the construction of Auckland Botanic Garden in New Zealand” in Chinese Landscape Architecture, 38(10), 44–49.

Muna Salameh – Sustainable Architecture Award –  Women Researcher

Dr. Muna Salameh - Sustainable Architecture Award -  Women Researcher

Ajman university - United Arab Emirates

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Muna Salameh embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from AN Najah National University in Palestine, where she demonstrated exceptional dedication and earned honors. She furthered her studies with a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the same institution, showcasing her commitment to interdisciplinary learning. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment from BUID, where she delved deep into the realms of sustainable architecture, heritage preservation, and landscape design.

Professional Endeavors

With a solid academic foundation, Dr. Salameh transitioned into professional roles, blending practice with academia seamlessly. She honed her skills through practical experience in architecture while simultaneously documenting buildings and teaching architectural courses in various institutions across Palestine and the UAE. Since 2004, she has been a stalwart member of the faculty at Ajman University, where she has made significant contributions to both teaching and research in the field of architecture.

Contributions and Research Focus On Sustainable Architecture Award

Dr. Salameh's research focus encompasses several critical areas within the realm of architecture and sustainable built environment. Her work delves into the impact of courtyard orientation on the thermal performance of school buildings, the role of heritage conservation in sustainable modern urban designs, and the enhancement of student satisfaction through innovative school courtyard designs. She has also explored comparative analyses of thermal conditions between modern and traditional districts in hot-arid climates, shedding light on sustainable design solutions for diverse environments.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Salameh has garnered widespread recognition for her contributions to academia and research. Her papers have been published in esteemed journals and presented at prestigious conferences, earning accolades such as the Best Presentation Award at the 6th International Conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering (ICACE2022). Additionally, her open-access paper has been acknowledged by Elsevier for its substantial contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further solidifying her status as a thought leader in the field.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Salameh's research has had a profound impact on the field of sustainable architecture and urban planning, influencing both academic discourse and practical applications. By bridging the gap between heritage conservation and sustainability, her work has paved the way for innovative approaches to modern urban design in hot-arid climates. Her emphasis on student satisfaction and performance through thoughtful architectural interventions underscores her commitment to creating environments that foster learning and well-being.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As Dr. Salameh continues her academic pursuits, her legacy is marked by a dedication to pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture and urban planning. Her multifaceted approach, encompassing research, teaching, and community engagement, sets a benchmark for future generations of architects and scholars. Looking ahead, she remains committed to addressing global challenges through her research, advocating for environmentally conscious design practices, and nurturing the next wave of architectural innovators.

In summary, Dr. Muna Salameh's journey from early academic pursuits to her current role as an esteemed Assistant Professor at Ajman University is a testament to her passion, dedication, and profound impact on the field of architecture and sustainable built environment. Her contributions, accolades, and future aspirations all reflect a commitment to excellence and a vision for a more sustainable and equitable built environment.

Citations

  • Citations   94
  • h-index       5
  • i10-index    3

Notable Publication

 

 

mahdieh pazhouhanfar – Landscape/Architecture – Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr mahdieh pazhouhanfar - Landscape/Architecture - Golestan universit - Iran  🏆

Professional Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc Prof Dr Mahdieh Pazhouhanfar embarked on her academic journey with a Master of Science Degree in Architecture from Yazd University, Iran, spanning from June 1994 to July 2002. She further pursued her Ph.D. in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Faculty of Design and Architecture, University Putra Malaysia, from July 2008 to September 2011. Her dissertation focused on understanding the relationship between visual landscape preference and the restorative potential of urban landscapes. These foundational academic pursuits set the stage for her subsequent research and professional endeavors.

Professional Endeavors

Assoc Prof Dr Mahdieh's professional journey is marked by diverse roles and significant contributions within the architectural and engineering sectors. Notably, she served as an Engineer in Architecture for the Ports and Shipping Organization (PSO) in Tehran, Iran, from December 2004 to August 2006. Later, from August 2006 to August 2008, she assumed the role of Advisor and Manager at Shahid Rejaee Port, Tehran, overseeing various pivotal projects ranging from architectural investigations to the design and study of essential infrastructural elements. Additionally, her teaching experiences encompass a range of esteemed institutions, including Golestan University and various branches of Islamic Azad University, contributing to academic enrichment and fostering future talent in the field.

Contributions and Research Focus

Assoc Prof Dr Mahdieh's research focus is deeply rooted in enhancing the understanding and design of urban landscapes, parks, and green spaces. Her extensive research portfolio encompasses studies investigating the restorative potential of urban landscapes, citizens' perceptions of urban parks, and the role of architectural attributes in shaping visual preferences and experiences. Through rigorous methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations, Mahdieh's contributions have advanced knowledge boundaries, informed design practices, and fostered sustainable and user-centric urban environments.

Accolades and Recognition

Assoc Prof Dr  Mahdieh's contributions to the field have been consistently recognized through various accolades and honors. Notably, she was awarded the Top Researcher of Golestan Construction Engineering Organization in 2012 and received the Graduate Research Fellowship from the University Putra Malaysia for her exemplary research endeavors. These accolades underscore her dedication, expertise, and significant impact within the academic and professional community.

Impact and Influence

Assoc Prof Dr Mahdieh's work has resonated within the broader academic and professional community, exerting a tangible impact on urban design, architecture, and landscape planning. Through her extensive publications, conference presentations, and professional engagements, she has facilitated knowledge dissemination, spurred dialogue, and influenced practices within the field. Her research insights, methodologies, and findings have informed policy decisions, shaped design practices, and inspired future generations of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As Mahdieh Pazhouhanfar continues her academic and professional journey, she is poised to further shape the landscape of urban design, architecture, and landscape planning. With a steadfast commitment to research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and user-centric design principles, she remains dedicated to advancing knowledge boundaries, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments. Her legacy is characterized by innovation, impact, and inspiration, paving the way for a more harmonious relationship between urban landscapes and inhabitants.

Notable Publications

Citations:

A total of 603 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his research within the academic community.

  • Citations      :603
  • h-index         :11
  • Documents  :12