Anubhab Gupta | Social Impact | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Anubhab Gupta | Social Impact | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Anubhab Gupta | Social Impact – Virginia Tech | United States

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📘 INTRODUCTION

Dr. Anubhab Gupta is an accomplished development economist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. His research and policy work lie at the intersection of applied development economics, general equilibrium modeling, and rural transformation. With deep engagement in global issues such as food security, refugee economies, and climate vulnerability, Dr. Gupta’s work spans continents and contributes to both academic advancement and practical policy design.

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Gupta’s academic journey began in India and expanded internationally. He earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis in 2019. Prior to that, he completed an M.S. in Applied Economics from The University of Arizona (2013), an M.A. in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi (2010), and a B.Sc. (Honors) in Economics from the University of Calcutta (2008). This diverse academic foundation has shaped his global outlook and multidisciplinary approach to solving real-world economic challenges.

💼 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Gupta’s career features a dynamic blend of academic leadership and international consulting. Since 2020, he has served as a faculty member at Virginia Tech. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Davis. His professional experiences include consulting for renowned organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations FAO, and the World Food Programme. His roles have taken him to field sites in Africa and South Asia, allowing him to apply rigorous economic tools to complex, on-the-ground development issues.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Dr. Gupta’s research primarily focuses on the economic impacts of displacement, agricultural market imperfections, food security programs, and rural development. He is widely recognized for using local general equilibrium models and field-based evaluations to assess the effectiveness of policies such as cash transfers, refugee aid, and school feeding programs. His empirical methods often incorporate a blend of household survey data, geospatial information, and policy simulations.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

His work has had substantial influence in academic, policy, and humanitarian circles. Dr. Gupta has played a central role in demonstrating the local economic impacts of refugee settlements, such as in Uganda, and has informed policy reforms for cash-based interventions in East Africa and South Asia. He regularly presents his findings at international forums, including keynote addresses, university seminars, and multilateral agency workshops. His insights contribute to better-designed development policies and scalable solutions in vulnerable regions.

📚 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Gupta has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals including the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, World Development, PLOS One, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Notable publications address issues like the economic impact of giving land to refugees, consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns in remittance regions, and spillover effects of cash transfers. In addition, he has a growing list of working papers and policy publications that contribute to academic debate and practical implementation alike.

🏆 HONORS & AWARDS

Throughout his career, Dr. Gupta has been recognized for both his teaching and research excellence. He received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award at UC Davis and the prestigious Erika C.H. Meng Scholarship for Development Policy. At Virginia Tech, he was named a CALS Global Opportunity Initiative (GOI) Fellow, reflecting his commitment to impactful global engagement in agricultural and applied economics.

💰 GRANTS AND FUNDING

Dr. Gupta has successfully secured over $2 million in research funding from agencies such as USAID, USDA NIFA, and the World Food Programme. These grants support projects on themes like climate resilience, youth retention in agriculture, food price volatility, and economic evaluation of school meal programs. His leadership in these initiatives demonstrates his ability to translate research into high-impact, actionable programs.

👨‍🏫 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Gupta’s influence extends to his role as a mentor and advisor to Ph.D. and M.S. students at Virginia Tech. He actively serves on departmental committees and professional organizations like the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. His ongoing work on climate adaptation, food markets, and refugee welfare positions him to be a continued thought leader in the development economics space. His collaborative ethos, field engagement, and commitment to evidence-based policy mark him as a scholar whose legacy will continue to grow.

✨ FINAL NOTE

In a world where food security, climate shocks, and displacement increasingly challenge development progress, Dr. Anubhab Gupta stands out as a scholar deeply attuned to the socioeconomic realities of vulnerable populations. His blend of academic rigor, field immersion, and policy impact makes his work both timely and transformative. As he continues to explore new frontiers in development economics, Dr. Gupta remains a vital contributor to shaping inclusive and resilient global communities.

📚 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 

Rural Economy-wide Impacts of Kenya’s Home-Grown School Meals Program”
    • Authors: M. K. Doan, H. Zhu, E. Whitney, M. Filipski, E. Gonzalez-Estrada, D. Ryckembusch, J. E. Taylor

    • Journal: Food Policy

    • Year: Forthcoming

“Impacts of Financial Literacy Training on Refugee Youth Outcomes”
    • Authors: N. Das, C. Mingo, H. Zhu

    • Journal: The Journal of Development Studies

    • Year: 2025

“Economic Impact of Nature-based Tourism”
    • Authors: H. Zhu, H. Bhammar, E. Whitney, M. Filipski, U. Narain, J. E. Taylor

    • Journal: PLOS One

    • Year: 2023 (Volume 18, Issue 4)

“Economic Impacts of Giving Land to Refugees”
    • Authors: H. Zhu, J. E. Taylor, M. Filipski, J. Valli, E. Gonzalez

    • Journal: American Journal of Agricultural Economics

    • Year: 2023

“A Local General-equilibrium Emergency Response Modeling Approach for Sub-Saharan Africa”
    • Authors: M. Filipski, J. Kagin, et al.

    • Journal: Agricultural Economics

    • Year: 2022

Mei-Ling Zheng | Precision Patterns | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mei-Ling Zheng | Precision Patterns | Best Researcher Award

Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences | China

Publication Profile

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Prof. Mei-Ling Zheng ⚡🌍

👩‍🔬 INTRODUCTION

Dr. Zheng Meiling is a renowned researcher and leader in the field of organic nanophotonics. She currently holds the position of Researcher at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and is the head of the Bionic Intelligent Interface Science Center’s Organic Nanophotonics Laboratory. With dual PhD degrees in science and engineering, she has made groundbreaking contributions to ultrafast laser micro/nano-processing techniques for functional materials.

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Zheng’s academic journey began with her dual PhD degrees earned in 2009 and 2010 from Osaka University and the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. During these formative years, she became passionate about optical precision shaping techniques and developed an interest in nanophotonics. Her research skills were further honed when she became an advanced visiting scholar at Osaka University, where she expanded her knowledge in photonics and nanotechnology.

💼 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Zheng is also an influential academic mentor, having guided many graduate students through their doctoral studies. In addition, she holds significant roles in several high-level academic committees, including the Optical Precision Molding Committee of the China Society of Photographic Science. Her contributions extend to the Chinese Optical Society, where she serves as a member of the High-Speed Photography and Photonics Committee and the Young Council of the China Photographic Society.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON Precision Patterns

Dr. Zheng’s primary research interests lie in the development of ultrafast laser micro/nano-processing and functional materials with specialized optical properties. Under her leadership at the Bionic Intelligent Interface Science Center, she has focused on innovations in nanotechnology and photonics, bridging cutting-edge nanophotonics with practical applications in materials science.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Zheng’s research has greatly impacted both academic and applied research in optics and nanophotonics. She has published over 130 research papers, many of which appear in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Nano Letters, Advanced Functional Materials, and Small. Her 81 first-author or corresponding-author papers have been cited extensively, solidifying her position as a leading scientist in photonics and optics.

📚 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Zheng has contributed significantly to the scientific community with over 130 publications, including 81 first-author or corresponding-author papers. Her research is highly cited, and she has written three chapters in English-language monographs. In addition to her extensive publications, Dr. Zheng holds 20 patents, including 9 granted in China and 4 internationally, which demonstrate her innovative approach to nanotechnology and photonics.

🏅 HONORS & AWARDS

Dr. Zheng’s contributions to science and technology have been widely recognized. She was nominated for the 2022 Top 10 Advances in Chinese Optics, awarded the Editor’s Recommendation Award by Laser & Optoelectronics Progress in 2020, and has won numerous Best Paper Awards at international conferences. Her work has garnered both national and international recognition, establishing her as a leader in the field.

🌟 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS HIGHLIGHT

Dr. Zheng Meiling’s work has laid the foundation for future breakthroughs in optics and nanotechnology. Her ongoing research and leadership at the Bionic Intelligent Interface Science Center will undoubtedly continue to drive innovations in ultrafast laser processing and functional materials, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the field of organic nanophotonics.

📜 FINAL NOTE

Dr. Zheng Meiling’s academic career is a testament to her dedication and passion for advancing optical precision and nanophotonics. Her leadership and innovative research continue to inspire future generations of scientists. Dr. Zheng remains a pivotal figure in the field, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical applications in the world of photonics.

 📚 TOP NOTES PUBLICATIONS

Evolution and Application of Digital Micromirror Device Based Maskless Photolithography
  • Authors: Zhou Ziyi, Dong Xianzi, Zheng Meiling
    Journal: Laser & Optoelectronics Progress
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.3788/LOP202259.0922030 🌐📚
Flytrap Inspired pH-Driven 3D Hydrogel Actuator by Femtosecond Laser Microfabrication
  • Authors: Wang Jian-Yu, Jin Feng, Dong Xian-Zi, Liu Jie, Zheng Meiling
    Journal: Advanced Materials Technologies
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.1002/ADMT.202200276🌐🔬
Micropattern of Silver/Polyaniline Core-Shell Nanocomposite Achieved by Maskless Optical Projection Lithography
  • Authors: Wang Rong-Rong, Zheng Mei-Ling, Zhang Wei-Cai, Liu Jie, Li Teng, Dong Xian-Zi, Jin Feng
    Journal: Nano Letters
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.2C02528 🌐💡
Switchable lasers via solvent stimulus-responsive photonic crystals
  • Authors: Zhang Bao-Xin, Jin Feng, Dong Xian-Zi, Liu Jie, Zheng Mei-Ling
    Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry C
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.1039/D2TC01558G 🌐⚙️
Transport spectroscopy from Hubbard bands of dopant-induced quantum dot array to one-dimensional conduction subband
  • Authors: Zhang Xiaodi, Chen Jundong, Han Weihua, Ge Yandong, Guo Yangyan, Dong Xianzi, Duan Xuanming, Zheng Meiling, Yang Fuhua
    Journal: Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/AC8430 🌐🔬