Gamal Khater | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Gamal Khater | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor | National Research Centre | Egypt

Prof. Dr. Gamal Khater is a distinguished researcher specializing in applied mineralogy, glass technology, and ceramic materials. He completed his B.Sc. in Geology and Chemistry from Mansoura University, followed by M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Geology from Ain Shams University. He has extensive professional experience as a professor emeritus at the National Research Centre, with prior roles including technical expertise and consultancy in Saudi Arabia, executive advisor positions, and industrial project leadership. His research interests focus on glass-ceramics, industrial waste valorization, dental and bioactive glasses, refractory ceramics, and radiation shielding applications, integrating both academic and industrial applications. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including national and international honors for research excellence, environmental management, and innovation, and holds patents related to high-performance basaltic glass and industrial glass marble production. He has supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses, contributed to international collaborations, and actively participates in professional societies such as the Mineralogical Society of Egypt and the Egyptian Geological Society. His research skill set includes materials characterization, crystallization studies, thermal and electrical property evaluation, and development of sustainable industrial applications from natural and industrial wastes. His work has achieved 1,163 citations by 896 documents, with 58 h-index and 20 documents, reflecting a high level of impact and international recognition in his field.

Profiles : ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Khater, G. A., Abu Safiah, M. O., & Hamzawy, E. M. A. (2015). Augite-anorthite glass-ceramics from residues of basalt quarry and ceramic wastes. Processing and Application of Ceramics.

2. Khater, G. A., & Morsi, M. M. (2011). Glass-ceramics based on spodumene-enstatite system from natural raw materials. Thermochimica Acta.

3. Khater, G. A. (2010). Diopside-anorthite-wollastonite glass-ceramics based on waste from granite quarries. Glass Technology: European Journal of Glass Science and Technology Part A.

4. Khater, G. A. (2010). Glass-ceramics in the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system based on industrial waste materials. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids.

5. Khater, G. A., & Idris, M. H. (2009). Effect of some nucleating agents on crystallizing phases and microstructure in Li2O-BaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system. Ceramics International.

Mahbubeh Tangestani | Monitoring Environmental contaminants | Breakthrough Research Award

Ms. Mahbubeh Tangestani | Monitoring Environmental contaminants | Breakthrough Research Award

Researcher | Addiction and Lifestyle Research Center of Bushehr Universityย | Iran

Ms.ย  Mahbubeh Tangestani is an Iranian researcher in Environmental Health Engineering with strong expertise in air pollution, human biomonitoring, exposure assessment, and environmental epidemiology. She completed her Master of Science in Environmental Health Engineering at Iran University of Medical Sciences with top academic ranking, and her Bachelor degree in the same field at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, both with outstanding GPAs. Her professional experience includes roles as a process engineer in wastewater treatment plant design, an environmental health auditor, and currently as an environmental health assessor at the Addiction and Lifestyle Research Center of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Her research interests focus on indoor and outdoor air quality, risk assessment, air pollution modeling, and health impact assessment, with publications in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, Environmental Research, and Marine Pollution Bulletin. She has presented her work at national and international conferences and has contributed to collaborative studies addressing environmental pollutants, microplastics, fluoride exposure, and bioaerosols in healthcare settings. She has received several honors including recognition as a distinguished student and selected researcher at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, and she has played a leadership role as a founding board member of the Environmental Health Association at Iran University of Medical Sciences. Her technical expertise spans laboratory analysis, exposure monitoring, microbial culture, data modeling, and risk analysis, supported by proficiency in specialized software and project management. She has 442 citations by 340 documents, 17 publications, and an h-index of 6.

Profiles : Google Scholar | ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications

1.Akhbarizadeh, R., Dobaradaran, S., Nabipour, I., Tangestani, M., Abedi, D., & โ€ฆ (2021). Abandoned Covid-19 personal protective equipment along the Bushehr shores, the Persian Gulf: An emerging source of secondary microplastics in coastlines. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 168, 112386.

2.De-la-Torre, G. E., Dioses-Salinas, D. C., Dobaradaran, S., Spitz, J., Nabipour, I., & โ€ฆ (2022). Release of phthalate esters (PAEs) and microplastics (MPs) from face masks and gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental Research, 215, 114337.

3.Dobaradaran, S., Akhbarizadeh, R., Mohammadi, M. J., Izadi, A., Keshtkar, M., & โ€ฆ (2020). Determination of phthalates in bottled milk by a modified nano adsorbent: Presence, effects of fat and storage time, and implications for human health. Microchemical Journal, 159, 105516.

4.Tangestani, M., Naeimi, B., Dobaradaran, S., Keshtkar, M., Salehpour, P., & โ€ฆ (2022). Biosorption of fluoride from aqueous solutions by Rhizopus oryzae: Isotherm and kinetic evaluation. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 41(1), e13725.

5.Jamali, M., Dobaradaran, S., Mahvi, A. H., Raeisi, A., Tangestani, M., Saeed, R., & โ€ฆ (2020). Assessing the non-carcinogenic risk due to the intake of fluoride from fruit juice available in the market in Bushehr. Fluoride, 53(1), 136โ€“153.

Maryam Heidarian | Environmental Economics | Young Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Maryam Heidarian | Environmental Economics | Young Researcher Award

Faculty Member at Economic Affairs Research Institute, Iran

Dr. Maryam Heidarian,ย  Iran, is a distinguished economist specializing in energy economics, public sector policy, and environmental sustainability. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Faculty Member at the Economic Affairs Research Institute, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, Tehran. With an academic journey spanning from a Bachelorโ€™s in Business Economics to a Ph.D. in Public Sector, Urban, and Regional Economics at Razi University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Al-Zahra University, she has established herself as a leading scholar in fiscal stress, environmental economics, and regional development. Dr. Heidarian has authored numerous ISI-indexed articles in high-impact journals, contributing to fields such as governance, innovation, environmental quality, and green growth. She has taught extensively across universities including Razi University, Kermanshah University of Technology, and Al-Zahra University. Recognized for her excellence in both research and teaching, she is actively engaged in national projects, policy consulting, and peer reviewing in top-tier academic journals.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile

Educationย 

Dr. Maryam Heidarian educational path reflects deep specialization in economic sciences. She earned her Bachelorโ€™s degree in Business Economicsย  from Razi University, Kermanshah, where she built strong foundations in economic theory and applied analysis. She then pursued a Masterโ€™s degree in Energy Economics , producing a thesis on the impacts of fuel efficiency in the transportation sector, awarded top distinction. Advancing further, she completed her Ph.D. in Economic Sciencesย  with a focus on the spatial and threshold effects of fiscal stress on regional growth and employment, achieving outstanding results. Her postdoctoral research at Al-Zahra University, Tehran expanded into the intersection of fiscal stress, environmental quality, and the knowledge-based economy. Alongside formal degrees, she has obtained certifications in business, entrepreneurship, and banking services. This educational trajectory, combined with her excellence as an outstanding student researcher, has equipped her with advanced expertise in econometrics, fiscal policy, and sustainable economic development.

Experienceย 

Dr. Maryam Heidarian has extensive academic and professional experience spanning teaching, research, and policy advisory roles. At Razi University, she taught microeconomics, economic thought, tourism economics, and energy economics, while also mentoring Olympiad students in econometrics. She later joined Kermanshah University of Technology, teaching econometrics, macroeconomics, and general economics, before moving to Al-Zahra University, where she continues to lecture on economics and management-related courses. Professionally, she holds the position of Assistant Professor and Faculty Member at the Economic Affairs Research Institute, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, contributing to national-level economic research and policymaking. She has collaborated on projects for the Tax Office, Social Security Organization, Governorate, Cultural Heritage Organization, and Management and Planning bodies. Additionally, she serves as a peer reviewer for several leading journals, including Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Innovation and Green Development, and Quality & Quantity. Her dual expertise bridges academic rigor with applied policy solutions.

Research Interest

Dr. Maryam Heidarian research lies at the intersection of fiscal policy, regional development, energy economics, and environmental sustainability. Her doctoral and postdoctoral research explored fiscal stress and its threshold effects on growth, employment, and environmental quality, reflecting a deep interest in policy-driven economic challenges. She actively investigates the role of governance, innovation indices, and knowledge-based economy components in shaping green growth and sustainable development. Her studies further analyze technology spillovers, human development indicators, and international cooperation, particularly within developing and science-producing countries. She has published in prestigious journals such as Area Development and Policy, Studies in Economics and Econometrics, Social Indicators Research, and Quality & Quantity. Beyond theory, her work focuses on applying econometric and panel regression models to real-world issues like energy efficiency, pollution, and inequality. Overall, her research contributes to advancing evidence-based policymaking and aligning economic systems with long-term sustainability goals.

Award and Honor

Dr. Maryam Heidarianย  academic journey is marked by significant honors and recognitions. she secured admission to the Ph.D. program at Razi University under the brilliant talents quota, a testament to her exceptional performance. she was honored as the Outstanding Student Researcher by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Razi University for her innovative contributions. Earlier, she earned recognition from the National Elite Foundation during the academic year, highlighting her status among Iranโ€™s most promising scholars. Throughout her studies, she achieved top scores in her theses, including a perfectย  in her Masterโ€™s research. Her research excellence has been further validated through the acceptance of multiple ISI-indexed articles derived from her doctoral and postdoctoral projects. In addition, she has received certifications in entrepreneurship, business skills, and banking services, demonstrating her broad commitment to academic excellence, professional development, and applied economic impact at national and international levels.

Research Skill

Dr. Maryam Heidarian possesses advanced research skills that integrate theoretical economics with applied econometric analysis. She is proficient in using econometric software such as Stata, Matlab, IViews, Macrofit, and Microsoft Office, enabling her to conduct rigorous quantitative modeling and policy simulations. Her skills encompass panel data econometrics, regression analysis, spatial econometrics, and threshold modeling, which she applies to study fiscal stress, governance, and environmental economics. Beyond methodological expertise, she has a strong track record in data-driven policy research, having contributed to provincial and national projects addressing taxation, social security, labor, tourism, and planning. She is also adept at translating complex findings into practical recommendations for decision-makers. With experience in writing and publishing in ISI and Scopus-indexed journals, she demonstrates strong academic communication and peer-reviewing capabilities. Combined, these skills position her as a versatile researcher, bridging academic inquiry with practical solutions for sustainable economic and environmental challenges.

Publication Top Notes

Title: โ€œCogitating the role of technological innovation and institutional quality in formulating the sustainable development goal policies for E7 countries: Evidence from quantile regressionโ€
Authors: Ahsan Anwar, Summaira Malik, Paiman Ahmad
Journal: Global Business Review (abbreviated as Glob. Bus. Rev.)
Year: 2022

Conclusion

Dr. Maryam Heidarian highlights the crucial role of governance in promoting green growth across both emerging (E-7) and advanced (G-7) economies. Using panel quantile regression, the results confirm that the quality of governance measured through institutional effectiveness, regulatory capacity, and control of corruption exerts heterogeneous impacts across the distribution of green growth. For lower-performing countries, stronger governance serves as a foundational driver to overcome structural barriers to sustainability, while in higher-performing economies, good governance reinforces technological innovation and environmental policy effectiveness.

Dr . SamiraZafarnak | Hydrogenation | Best Researcher Award

Dr .SamiraZafarnak | Hydrogenation | Best Researcher Award

Dr . Samira Zafarnak , Shiraz University , Iran

A passionate and driven researcher ๐ŸŽ“, this individual holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering ๐Ÿงช from Shiraz University, with specialized expertise in catalysis, materials science, and sustainable energy ๐ŸŒฑ. With academic and industrial experience in both Iran ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท and the United Kingdom ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง, they bring a global, interdisciplinary approach ๐ŸŒ to research. Their current postdoctoral role at the Methanol Institute involves pioneering catalytic processes for methanol synthesis and COโ‚‚ conversion ๐Ÿ”ฌ. Renowned for their adaptability, collaboration ๐Ÿค, and critical problem-solving skills ๐Ÿ’ก, they contribute impactful knowledge in clean energy technologies and environmentally responsible engineering ๐ŸŒ.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

Education & Experience

This accomplished researcher earned their Ph.D. ๐ŸŽ“ in Chemical Engineering from Shiraz University (2019โ€“2023), with a dissertation on biogas reforming using nano clay catalysts ๐Ÿ”. They also completed an M.Sc. (2014โ€“2017) in the same field, focusing on ethane to ethylene conversion ๐Ÿ”ฌ, and a B.Sc. (2009โ€“2013) from Islamic Azad University ๐Ÿ“˜. Their academic journey is complemented by hands-on research in catalytic design and plasma systems during postdoctoral appointments in Iran ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท and the UK ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง. Their current role involves catalyst fabrication, reactor design ๐Ÿ—๏ธ, and gas chromatography-based evaluation at the Methanol Institute ๐Ÿ”ง.

Professional Development

In their postdoctoral career, this researcher has embraced interdisciplinary growth ๐ŸŒ by engaging in high-level catalyst synthesis, plasma engineering โšก, and reactor design. They contributed to RF-driven plasma jet development at the University of York ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง, analyzing hydroxyl density using spectrometry ๐Ÿงซ. At the Methanol Institute, they design scaled-up reactors and evaluate novel catalysts for COโ‚‚ hydrogenation and RWGS reactions ๐Ÿ”. They demonstrate a commitment to safety standards, laboratory excellence ๐Ÿงช, and continuous learning ๐Ÿ“ˆ. These experiences have strengthened their adaptability, analytical thinking, and global collaboration capacity ๐Ÿค in cutting-edge chemical engineering applications.

Research Focus

Their research focus centers on catalysis, sustainable energy conversion, and COโ‚‚ utilization ๐ŸŒฑ. By exploring noble/non-noble metal catalysts over nano-structured supports, they aim to make energy processes cleaner and more efficient โ™ป๏ธ. Their work bridges fields such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials ๐Ÿงฒ, and plasma applications in chemical reactions โš›๏ธ. Key areas include biogas reforming, methanol synthesis, and the Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS) reaction ๐Ÿ”„. Their research contributes to global efforts in green technology, reducing carbon emissions ๐ŸŒ, and advancing the next generation of chemical reactors and materials innovation ๐Ÿ”ง.

Awards & Honors

This dedicated scientist has earned recognition through competitive academic placements and impactful research appointments ๐ŸŒŸ. Their Ph.D. research was praised for its innovation in sustainable energy systems โšก. They were selected as a Postdoctoral Associate at the prestigious University of York ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง and later as a Fellow at the Methanol Institute ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท, where they lead pivotal reactor design projects ๐Ÿ—๏ธ. Their work has been highlighted in academic presentations and journal submissions ๐Ÿ“š. A strong candidate for future research excellence awards ๐Ÿฅ‡, their contributions to catalytic engineering and green chemistry have marked them as a rising talent in chemical innovation ๐Ÿงช.

Publication Top Notes

1. Dry reforming of methane for COโ‚‚ conversion using sintering-resistant halloysite-supported Ni catalysts enhanced by alkaline-earth metal oxide promoters

Citation:
Zafarnak, S. (2025). Dry reforming of methane for COโ‚‚ conversion using sintering-resistant halloysite-supported Ni catalysts enhanced by alkaline-earth metal oxide promoters. Fuel, Published: 2025-03-19.
Roles: Writing – review & editing, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Funding acquisition.

2. Design and fabrication of a microchannel plasma reactor for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

Citation:
Peiravi, M., Zafarnak, S., & Taghvaei, H. (2025). Design and fabrication of a microchannel plasma reactor for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 107007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107007

3. Zeolite and molecular sieves for natural gas dehydration

Citation:
Zafarnak, S., & Rahimpour, M. R. (2024). Zeolite and molecular sieves for natural gas dehydration. In Advances in Natural Gas: Formation, Processing, and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19221-0.00002-8

4. Membrane technology for syngas production

Citation:
Zafarnak, S., Meshksar, M., Rahimpour, H. R., & Rahimpour, M. R. (2023). Membrane technology for syngas production. In Advances in Synthesis Gas: Methods, Technologies and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91871-8.00007-6

5. Postdisaster issues and problems

Citation:
Zafarnak, S., Rahmatmand, B., & Rahimpour, M. R. (2023). Postdisaster issues and problems. In Crises in Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95163-0.00015-3

Conclusion

Dr. Zafarnak embodies the essence of a “best researcher” through her scientific rigor, innovation, and dedication to sustainable technologies. Her work not only contributes significantly to the scientific community but also addresses critical global challenges in energy, environment, and chemical engineering. The combination of her academic excellence, international impact, and practical contributions makes her a standout candidate for any Best Researcher Award.