Kateřina Holušová | Data Visualization | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Kateřina Holušová | Data Visualization | Women Researcher Award

Mendel University in Brno | Czech Republic

Dr. Kateřina Holušová is a Czech forestry and landscape ecology expert with extensive experience in sustainable forest management, nature conservation, and forestry education. She earned her Ph.D. in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation from Mendel University in Brno in 2013 and a second Ph.D. in Forensic Engineering with a specialization in Forestry and Nature Conservation from Brno University of Technology in 2012, following an M.Sc. in Forestry Engineering from Mendel University. Since 2016, she has been the founder and practical forester at the Moravian Forestry Institute, while also serving as a part-time research assistant and lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, covering courses in forest economics, public relations, and development cooperation. Dr. Holušová has participated in numerous international and national projects, including sustainable forestry initiatives in Georgia’s Tusheti region, foreign development cooperation projects for Ukraine, and programs supported by the Czech Ministries of Agriculture and Environment. She has authored 14 publications, cited 65 times across 61 documents, with an h-index of 4. Her research focuses on sustainable forest management, ecosystem services, and landscape conservation. Dr. Holušová actively engages in field research, international collaborations, and conferences, bridging academic research with practical forestry solutions to promote sustainable, ecologically informed forest management.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2025). Regional development in forestry from the point of view of the bioeconomy at the EU member-state level. Land. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122377

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2025). Regional development in forestry from the point of view of the bioeconomy at the EU member-state level. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202510.2153.v1

Holušová, K., & Holuša, O. (2025). Assessing the provision of ecosystem services using forest site classification as a basis for the forest bioeconomy in the Czech Republic. Forests, 16(8), 1242. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081242

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2023). Is the current forest management to the northernmost population of Cordulegaster heros (Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae) in Central Europe (Czech Republic) threatening? Forests, 14(2), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020228

Holušová, K., & Holuša, O. (2023). Occurrence and population density of the endemic species Cordulegaster buchholzi (Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae) on the Cyclades Islands in Greece. Insects, 14(11), 896. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110896

Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Vasile Alecsandri University | Romania

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint is a distinguished academic and researcher in physical education, sports sciences, and winter sports, with over three decades of experience in higher education and international sports organizations. He holds a Doctorate in Pedagogy, recognized as a Doctor in Physical Education and Sports, and a habilitation in optimizing training in faculties of physical education and sports. Currently a Ph.D. supervisor at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, he has served as Professor and Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Performance at “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, as well as Vice-Dean and Head of Chair for Sportive Games. His teaching expertise spans winter sports, association football, coaching, and professional sports pedagogy, while his research interests focus on training optimization, programmed teaching, assessment of theoretical knowledge, and sports performance evaluation. Prof. Balint has coordinated national and international projects, authored multiple books and book chapters, and published numerous ISI-indexed and peer-reviewed articles. He has been recognized with prestigious international honors, including the FIEP Gold and Silver Crosses of Honor and ambassadorial appointments in physical education. Through his leadership, research, and mentorship, Prof. Balint has significantly contributed to the development of physical education, sports science, and international collaboration in training and coaching excellence.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Grosu, V. T., Vari, H. I., Ordean, M.-N., & Grosu, E. F. (2022). Increasing self-confidence in students from different universities through exercises in body technique and dance therapy. Conference Paper.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Article.

Šiška, Ľ., Balint, G., Zentko, J., & Voinea, N. L. (2025). Use of a mobile phone for assessing the intensity of strength exercises – Pilot study. Preprint.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Preprint.

(2024). Changes in selected movement abilities through the use of movement games in physical education lessons at the gymnasium level. Journal of Physical Education and Sport.

Vilma Petkova | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Vilma Petkova | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography “Acad. Ivan Kostov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences | Bulgaria

Prof. Vilma Petkova is an eminent chemist-engineer and researcher specializing in inorganic materials science, crystallography, thermal analysis, and environmentally clean technologies. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Technology and Metallurgy and has over three decades of academic and research experience, serving in positions ranging from Assistant Professor to full Professor at the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and New Bulgarian University. Her research spans inorganic substances, nanomaterials, cement and construction materials, fertilizers, solid-phase kinetics, thermal and X-ray analysis, spectroscopy, and eco-friendly materials. Prof. Petkova has supervised numerous bachelor, master, and Ph.D. students, actively participated in over 130 national and international conferences, and contributed to more than 193 publications, including 89 indexed in IF/SJR journals, accumulating 904 citations across 744 documents with an h-index of 18. She has led and participated in national and international research projects, served on scientific councils, editorial boards, and accreditation panels, and received recognition for her leadership in thermal analysis and materials science. Her expertise integrates material characterization, environmental chemistry, biotechnology, and sustainable development. Prof. Petkova continues to advance research, mentor emerging scientists, and contribute to global knowledge in material science and chemistry, promoting innovations that balance technological progress with environmental sustainability.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Petkova, V., Mihaylova, K., Serafimova, E., Titorenkova, R., Tsvetanova, L., & Trikkel, A. (2025). “Impact of High Energy Milling and Mineral Additives on a Carbonate–Quartz–Apatite System for Ecological Applications.” Materials.

Petkova, V., Mihaylova, K., Kaljuvee, T., & Piroeva, I. (2025). “Induced structural changes within a natural apatite-calcite system via short-time mechanochemical activation.” Materials Chemistry and Physics.

Petkova, V., Stoyanov, V., Mihaylova, K., & Kostova, B. (2025). “Impact of pozzolanic and inert powders on the microstructure and thermal chemistry of cement mortars.” Ceramics International.

Stoyanov, V., Petkova, V., Mihaylova, K., & Shopska, M. (2024). “A Study of the Influence of Thermoactivated Natural Zeolite on the Hydration of White Cement Mortars.” Materials.

Serafimova, E., & Petkova, V. (2022). “BTEX exposure in indoor air in schools in Bulgaria.” IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering.