Wanxuan Yao | Climate change mitigation technologies | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Wanxuan Yao | Climate change mitigation technologies | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel | Germany

Dr. Ben Wanxuan Yao is an accomplished climate scientist specializing in biogeochemical modelling, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and carbon capture and storage (CCS). His research integrates modelling, data analysis, and environmental assessment to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness, and societal implications of carbon mitigation technologies. With extensive experience in developing CDR evaluation frameworks, he has advanced the global understanding of marine-based carbon removal and its integration within policy and sustainability contexts. He has led multidisciplinary research initiatives focused on site-specific CDR and CCS portfolio development, aligning scientific innovation with national and international climate goals. His work encompasses quantitative modelling of oceanic carbon and nutrient cycles, AI-based parameter calibration on high-performance computing systems, and holistic assessments of carbon sequestration techniques. His findings have been published in leading international journals, including Geophysical Research Letters, Earth’s Future, Environmental Research Letters, and Global Change Biology, providing critical insights into the environmental, economic, and ethical dimensions of marine carbon removal technologies. Beyond research, he has played a key role in facilitating collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry through workshops, think tanks, and conferences, strengthening the interface between science and decision-making in the field of climate solutions. His expertise in geospatial data analysis, system modelling, and sustainable innovation has positioned him as a valuable contributor to the evolving landscape of carbon management and environmental strategy. Dr. Yao’s academic excellence and research influence are reflected in his growing global recognition, with 67 citations, 8 publications, and an h-index of 5, underscoring his impactful contributions to the advancement of climate modelling and carbon removal science.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

1. Somes, C. J., Dale, A. W., Wallmann, K., Scholz, F., Yao, W., Oschlies, A., Muglia, J., & Achterberg, E. P. (2021). Constraining global marine iron sources and ligand‐mediated scavenging fluxes with GEOTRACES dissolved iron measurements in an ocean biogeochemical model. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 35(8), e2021GB006948. Cited by: 30

2. Frenger, I., Landolfi, A., Kvale, K., Somes, C. J., Oschlies, A., Yao, W., & Koeve, W. (2024). Misconceptions of the marine biological carbon pump in a changing climate: Thinking outside the “export” box. Global Change Biology, 30(1), e17124. Cited by: 27

3. Yao, W., Kvale, K. F., Achterberg, E., Koeve, W., & Oschlies, A. (2019). Hierarchy of calibrated global models reveals improved distributions and fluxes of biogeochemical tracers in models with explicit representation of iron. Environmental Research Letters, 14(11), 114009. Cited by: 15

4. Kvale, K., Keller, D. P., Koeve, W., Meissner, K. J., Somes, C. J., Yao, W., & Oschlies, A. (2020). Explicit silicate cycling in the Kiel Marine Biogeochemistry Model, version 3 (KMBM3) embedded in the UVic ESCM version 2.9. Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, 1–46.Cited by: 10

5. Yao, W., Kvale, K. F., Koeve, W., Landolfi, A., Achterberg, E., Bertrand, E. M., & Oschlies, A. (2022). Simulated future trends in marine nitrogen fixation are sensitive to model iron implementation. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 36(3), e2020GB006851. Cited by: 6

Dr. Wanxuan Yao’s work advances global climate solutions by integrating biogeochemical modelling with carbon removal science, enhancing the precision of Earth system projections and guiding sustainable carbon management strategies for policymakers and industry. His research bridges scientific innovation and environmental governance, driving impactful progress toward a low-carbon, resilient future.

Alessandro De Oliveira Rios | Climate Change | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Alessandro De Oliveira Rios | Climate Change | Excellence in Research Award

Full Professor | Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul | Brazil

Dr. Alessandro de Oliveira Rios is a distinguished researcher affiliated with the University Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil. With an exceptional academic record, he has authored over 160 scientific publications and received more than 6,600 citations, reflecting his significant impact in food science, biotechnology, and sustainable materials, supported by an h-index of 47 that highlights his sustained research excellence. His work focuses on biodegradable materials, natural bioactive compounds, food packaging innovations, and plant-based product development, exploring advances such as microencapsulation of Amazonian buriti fruit oil for oxidative stability in meat products, biodegradable sodium alginate films enriched with carotenoids, and intelligent nonwoven indicators for food spoilage detection. By integrating green chemistry, food engineering, and material science, his research emphasizes circular economy principles and eco-innovative strategies that minimize environmental impact. Beyond materials innovation, Dr. Rios contributes to functional foods and nutrition science, studying the stability of phenolic and carotenoid compounds in regional fruits like Caryocar brasiliense and developing plant-based and hybrid burger formulations aligned with global sustainability goals. Collaborating with over 350 international co-authors across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, he has established a strong global research network, publishing in leading journals such as Food Hydrocolloids, Food Research International, and Biomass. Through his pioneering, interdisciplinary contributions, Dr. Rios advances sustainable food systems, environmental protection, and public health, reinforcing his reputation as one of Brazil’s leading scientific voices in food innovation and sustainability, while actively supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through impactful, real-world applications of biotechnological research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Rios, A. de O., et al. (2025). Microcapsules with Amazonian buriti fruit oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) on maintaining oxidative stability of ground beef. Food Hydrocolloids. Citations: 7

2. Rios, A. de O., et al. (2025). Biodegradable sodium alginate films incorporated with lycopene and β-carotene for food packaging purposes. Food Science and Technology International. Citations: 11

3. Rios, A. de O., et al. (2025). Hybrid and plant-based burgers: Trends, challenges, and physicochemical and sensory qualities. [Open Access Review]. Citations: 6

4. Rios, A. de O., et al. (2024). Unlocking the potential of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.): Stability of phenolic compounds, carotenoid profile, and vitamin A after drying. Food Research International. Citations: 6

5. Rios, A. de O., et al. (2024). Efficient and sustainable production of intelligent nonwovens as indicators of food spoilage through solution blow spinning of proteins and natural pigments from agri-food waste. Food Control.
Citations: 11

Dr. Alessandro de Oliveira Rios’s pioneering research advances sustainable food systems and green technologies, bridging science, industry, and environmental innovation. His work transforms biodegradable materials and natural bioactives into practical solutions that reduce waste, enhance food security, and support global sustainability goals.

Vahed Ghiasi | Renewable Energy | Pioneer Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahed Ghiasi | Renewable Energy | Pioneer Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Malayer university | Iran

Dr. Vahed Ghiasi is an accomplished civil and geotechnical engineer with a Ph.D. in Geotechnical and Geological Engineering from University Putra Malaysia (2012), where his research focused on the effects of weak rock geomechanical properties on tunnel stability. He currently serves as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Malayer University, Iran, with extensive experience in supervising graduate students, managing large-scale research projects, and contributing to both national and international engineering initiatives. His professional expertise encompasses tunnel engineering, soil-structure interaction, foundation engineering, advanced soil mechanics, and landslide hazard assessment, supported by practical work in seismic and earth dam engineering. Dr. Ghiasi has led numerous research projects, including international collaborations on landslide hazard mapping using neural networks and fuzzy logic, while publishing over 130 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals such as SN Applied Sciences, Results in Engineering, Geomechanics and Engineering, and Natural Hazards. He is also an active contributor to the global scientific community, serving on editorial boards for journals like SN Applied Sciences and Applied Engineering and Technology, and reviewing for more than 20 international journals. His research interests include geotechnical design, tunnel stability analysis, landslide risk assessment, soil improvement, and advanced numerical modeling techniques, utilizing software such as PLAXIS, PHASE 2 FEM, and FDM. Dr. Ghiasi’s professional involvement extends to memberships in prominent societies including SEAGS, IGS, ITA-AITES, ASCE, and IEM, and he has been recognized with awards such as the Most Outstanding Iranian Student in Malaysia (2011) and Superior Researcher of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Malayer University (2019–2023). His work demonstrates a commitment to advancing geotechnical engineering knowledge, mentoring future engineers, and contributing to resilient infrastructure development. Dr. Ghiasi’s growing academic impact is reflected in 316 citations, 45 documents, and an h-index of 11, demonstrating his sustained influence in geotechnical engineering research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

1. Safaei, M., Omar, H., Huat, B. K., Yousof, Z. B. M., & Ghiasi, V. (2011). Deterministic rainfall induced landslide approaches, advantage and limitation. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 16, 1619–1650. Cited by 47

2. Mafian, S., Huat, B. B. K., & Ghiasi, V. (2009). Evaluation on root theories and root strength properties in slope stability. European Journal of Scientific Research, 30(4), 594–607. Cited by 43

3. Ghiasi, V., & Koushki, M. (2020). Numerical and artificial neural network analyses of ground surface settlement of tunnel in saturated soil. SN Applied Sciences, 2(5), 939. Cited by 42

4. Kazemian, S., Prasad, A., Huat, B. B. K., Ghiasi, V., & Ghareh, S. (2012). Effects of cement–sodium silicate system grout on tropical organic soils. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 37(8), 2137–2148. Cited by 38

5. Safaei, M., Omar, H., Yousof, Z. B. M., & Ghiasi, V. (2010). Applying geospatial technology to landslide susceptibility assessment. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 15(G), 677–696. Cited by 31