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,  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 Bachelor’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

Education 

Dr. Maryam Heidarian educational path reflects deep specialization in economic sciences. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics  from Razi University, Kermanshah, where she built strong foundations in economic theory and applied analysis. She then pursued a Master’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 Sciences  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.

Experience 

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 Heidarian  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 Iran’s most promising scholars. Throughout her studies, she achieved top scores in her theses, including a perfect  in her Master’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: “Cogitating the role of technological innovation and institutional quality in formulating the sustainable development goal policies for E7 countries: Evidence from quantile regression”
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.

Ken Sun | Environmental Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Prof.Dr.Ken Sun | Environmental Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Professor at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China

Dr. Ken Sun 🇨🇳 is a distinguished Professor at the College of Ecology and Environment, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power 💧⚡, Zhengzhou. With a passion for sustainable development, Dr. Sun has made pioneering contributions in the fields of water resources, energy-environment nexus, and green technology 🌱🌍. He has led numerous provincial and national research projects, addressing complex challenges like industrial pollution, water-carbon-energy coupling, and ecological security in major river basins 🏞️. A prolific author 📚, he has published widely in international journals such as Science of the Total Environment, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Chemical Engineering Journal. His innovative work extends to patented water treatment technologies 🧪, and he has authored a scholarly monograph on clay modification. A dedicated environmental scientist and research leader, Dr. Sun continues to shape policy-relevant research for China’s ecological and health resilience 🏅🌐.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education and Experience 

Dr. Ken Sun’s academic journey is grounded in environmental science and engineering 🧬, culminating in his doctoral qualification in China 🇨🇳. Over the years, he has become a leading expert in the intersection of water environment, industrial sustainability, and energy-health systems 💧🏭🫁. Currently serving as Professor at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power in Zhengzhou 🏛️, Dr. Sun is also a principal investigator on high-impact provincial and national-level projects. His experience spans over a decade of cross-disciplinary research on antibiotics in wastewater, mineral adsorption processes, and urban pollution control 🧫🌆. Dr. Sun’s academic versatility is reflected in his supervision of projects under the Henan Science and Technology Research Program, as well as foreign expert collaborations. His growing international reputation is matched by strong institutional leadership and mentoring of young scientists 🎓🧑‍🔬.

Professional Development 

Dr. Sun’s professional development is marked by consistent leadership across research, innovation, and education 📈👨‍🏫. As a Principal Investigator of 8 major scientific projects funded by the Henan Province and national programs 🏗️, he has driven forward sustainability-focused initiatives on topics such as CO₂ emissions, industrial water efficiency, and ecological security evaluation 📊🛰️. He actively collaborates with foreign experts 🌍, exemplified by his role in international research initiatives on high-altitude mining and dual-carbon strategies. Dr. Sun has authored over 16 indexed journal papers 📖 and holds four invention patents on advanced composite adsorbents and wastewater treatment technologies 🧪🔬. He is also a published author with Springer Nature, contributing to knowledge transfer in environmental remediation. Dr. Sun regularly participates in academic forums and serves as a reviewer for top-tier environmental journals 🧾🎤, continuing to enhance his scholarly profile and broaden the impact of applied research.

Research Focus 

Dr. Ken Sun’s research primarily focuses on the water-energy-carbon nexus,environmental sustainability, and pollution remediation ♻️💧🔥. He investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological risk, water resource efficiency, and industrial pollutant behavior, particularly in the Yellow River Basin and regions impacted by the South-to-North Water Diversion Project 🌊🏞️. His innovative studies on residual antibiotics removal using clay minerals and microwave-assisted oxidation have broad implications for wastewater treatment and public health 🦠⚗️. Dr. Sun also explores the relationship between industrial structure and environmental security, using advanced data modeling and geographic information systems 🗺️📈. His work bridges the disciplines of environmental engineering, ecological economics, and climate policy, ensuring multi-sectoral relevance. With a strong focus on sustainable industrial practices and green transformation, Dr. Sun’s research addresses national priorities while contributing to global conversations on climate resilience and resource optimization 🌐🌱.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Ken Sun has earned significant recognition for his scientific excellence and innovative research contributions 🏅🧠. As Principal Investigator of multiple Science and Technology Research Projects in Henan Province, he has successfully completed groundbreaking studies on water-carbon-energy systems, ecological security, and industrial water use 🌍💡. His achievements are reflected in the award of the Young Backbone Teacher Training Program distinction and selection for key expert roles in international environmental collaborations 🤝🎓. Dr. Sun’s research excellence is also validated by four authorized Chinese invention patents in advanced water treatment and adsorbent technologies 🧪📃. His monograph published by Springer Nature has further cemented his position as a thought leader in environmental remediation and green nanotechnology 📗🔍. With over 16 academic papers published in prestigious journals and numerous collaborative projects under his belt, Dr. Sun stands as an influential figure in China’s environmental research landscape 🥇🇨🇳.

Publication of Top Notes

1. “Impact of the Henan Section of the Central Line Project of South‑to‑North Water Diversion on the High‑Quality Development of Water‑Receiving Cities”
  • Title: Impact of the Henan Section of the Central Line Project of South‑to‑North Water Diversion on the High‑Quality Development of Water‑Receiving Cities
  • Authors: Ken Sun, Tianshu Yan, Chang Liu, Zhenzhen Yang, Jingmin Han, Li Li (corresponding author) Beijing Review+12MDPI+12IDEAS/RePEc+12
  • Journal / Year: Sustainability, 2024 (Vol. 16, Issue 13, Article 5714) IDEAS/RePEc+2MDPI+2EconPapers+2
  • Summary:
    This open-access study evaluates how the Henan segment of China’s central line of the South‑to‑North Water Diversion Project (CLPSNWD) influences the high-quality development (HQD) of cities receiving diverted water. Using an entropy-based fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, the authors analyze 12 indicators across four HQD dimensions—economic vitality, livelihoods, environment, and green development—from 2010 to 2019. Findings show the project has stronger effects on economic vitality and public welfare than on environmental and green development aspects. Among recipient cities, Anyang, Hebi, and Zhengzhou exhibited the most significant gains in HQD. The empirical evidence underscores the importance of tailored support policies for equitable benefit allocation EconPapers+3MDPI+3ScioWire Magazine+3.
2. “The Coupling Coordination and Spatiotemporal Evolution of Industrial Water‑Energy‑CO₂ in the Yellow River Basin”
  • Title: The coupling coordination and spatiotemporal evolution of industrial water‑energy‑CO₂ in the Yellow River Basin
  • Authors: Ken Sun* (corresponding), Jingmin Han, Wu Q, et al. IDEAS/RePEc+9pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+9MDPI+9EconPapers+2IDEAS/RePEc+2MDPI+2
  • Journal / Year: Science of the Total Environment, 2024
  • Summary:
    This article constructs an evaluation system of industrial water‑energy‑CO₂ (WEC) subsystems in China’s Yellow River Basin (YRB) from 1999 to 2019. Employing a coupling degree model along with spatial autocorrelation analysis, the research assesses development levels, coupling relationships, and coordination evolution over time and across regions. Results show that overall integration of industrial WEC subsystems has improved, with industrial energy–CO₂ coupling exceeding water–energy and water–CO₂ links. Coordination evolved from “forced” to “good” levels, yet exhibited spatial randomness without clear clustering. The study advocates for enhanced integrated resource management, intra‑basin cooperation, and systemic planning for sustainable industrial growth in the YRB pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Conclusion

Dr. Ken Sun demonstrates outstanding qualifications for the Best Researcher Award due to his consistent, high-impact contributions to environmental science and policy, proven leadership in applied research, and dedication to sustainability and innovation. His work is not only technically robust but also socially relevant—addressing water scarcity, carbon reduction, and public health through science. He embodies the spirit of a transformative researcher whose findings directly influence both academia and environmental management practices.