Iro Dianellou | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Iro Dianellou | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Iro Dianellou , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , greece

Ioanna Dianellou is a passionate geologist 🧭 with a solid background in environmental and nuclear geochemistry 🌍⚛️. She currently works at Mirtec S.A. in Greece, specializing in asbestos analysis and chemical testing of environmental samples. Her hands-on research spans from mineral analysis to nanomaterials for nuclear waste treatment. Ioanna has participated in international projects, including an Erasmus+ internship in Turkey 🇹🇷. With publications in respected scientific journals 📚 and a strong academic foundation, she continues to contribute to geoscience and environmental safety. Her work is driven by curiosity, sustainability 🌱, and a deep commitment to scientific excellence. 🔬👩‍🔬

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education & Experience 

Ioanna holds a Master’s degree 🎓 in Synthetic Chemistry and Biochemistry from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, focusing on materials for nuclear waste treatment ☢️. Her thesis explored modified bentonite’s ability to remove Cs and Co. She earned her Geology diploma in 2020, specializing in Economic Geology. Ioanna has experience with analytical techniques like XRD, ICP-MS, FTIR, and SEM 🔍. She interned at Ege University (Turkey) under Erasmus+, and at Hellas Gold S.A. in exploration geology ⛏️. Currently, she is a geologist and lab technician at Mirtec S.A., conducting advanced chemical and mineral analyses. Her work bridges geology and environmental safety 🌿.

Professional Development 

Ioanna continuously enhances her expertise through academic research 🧪, internships, and hands-on lab experience. Her Erasmus+ internship at Ege University gave her international exposure 🌍 in nanomaterial synthesis and nuclear waste treatment. Working at Mirtec S.A., she applies advanced laboratory techniques (XRF, TG-DTA, XRD, ICP-MS) in real-world environmental and energy sample analyses 🔬. She’s collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, mastering geochemical and geotechnical investigation tools. Through her postgraduate education and scientific publications, she demonstrates ongoing professional growth and commitment to solving environmental and radiological challenges ☢️. Her proactive learning mindset ensures she remains updated in emerging technologies and methodologies 📚🧠.

Research Focus 

Ioanna Dianellou’s research focuses on environmental geochemistry, radiochemistry, and nanomaterials 🌋⚛️. She specializes in the removal of radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, cesium, and cobalt from aqueous and solid waste using modified materials such as bentonite and nanofibers. Her expertise includes characterization of materials (SEM, XRD, FTIR) and the application of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (ICP-OES, UV-Vis) 🧪. With publications in journals on radioactive waste sorption, she bridges geology with nuclear waste management. Her research aims to promote safe, sustainable methods for pollution control and environmental remediation, contributing to green energy and nuclear safety 🌱💡.

Awards and Honors 

Ioanna’s academic excellence is reflected in her high grades and distinction in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies 🥇. She graduated with an 8.56/10 (Excellent) in her Master’s and 8.37/10 (Very Good) in her Geology diploma 🎓. She earned an Erasmus+ scholarship for her internship at Ege University in Turkey, showcasing her skills in international research collaboration 🌍. Her co-authored publications in reputable journals such as Applied Radiation and Isotopes highlight her contribution to impactful scientific work 📚. These recognitions underscore her dedication, discipline, and emerging reputation in the field of nuclear and environmental geosciences 💫.

Publication Top Notes

1. Dianellou, I., Noli, F., Kantiranis, N. (2025)

Title: Sorption behavior of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co onto raw and cellulose-modified Greek bentonite
Journal: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol. 222, Article 111850
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111850

🔍 Summary:
This study investigates the sorption efficiency of raw and cellulose-modified Greek bentonite for the removal of radioactive isotopes Cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) and Cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co) from aqueous solutions. Using batch experiments, the modified bentonite demonstrated significantly improved sorption capacity due to increased surface functional groups. The research utilized XRD and FTIR for material characterization and applied kinetic and isotherm models to understand adsorption behavior. The findings offer insights into eco-friendly and efficient solutions for treating low-level radioactive waste using locally sourced clay materials.

2. Kaptanoglu, I.G., Yusan, S., Kaynar, Ü.H., Aytas, S., Erenturk, A.S., Dianellou, I. (2025)

Title: Investigation of thorium(IV) removal utilizing reduced graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanofibers via response surface methodology
Journal: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-025-10095-1

🔍 Summary:
This research explores the removal of thorium(IV) ions from aqueous solutions using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) combined with zinc oxide nanofibers. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the adsorption parameters. The nanofibers were characterized using SEM and FTIR, and adsorption experiments were evaluated through statistical modeling. Dianellou’s contribution helped refine the experimental approach and validate results. The study presents an innovative hybrid nanomaterial that efficiently adsorbs radioactive thorium, demonstrating potential for use in advanced nuclear waste management technologies.

3. Kyriakidis, F., Dianellou, I., Vollas, A., Alatzoglou, M., Gargoulas, N., Oikonomou, V. (2024)

Title: Presence of asbestos in building materials and soils in postfire areas of Mati, Kineta and Varimbombi in Greece
Journal: Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Vol. 46, Article 452
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-02211-z

🔍 Summary:
This environmental study focuses on the identification of asbestos contamination in areas affected by wildfires in Greece. Polarized light microscopy and stereomicroscopy were used to analyze soil and building debris samples from Mati, Kineta, and Varimbombi. Dianellou contributed to the analytical assessment of asbestos fibers and the evaluation of public health risks. The results show widespread asbestos presence due to the combustion of building materials, underlining the need for remediation and proper waste management in post-disaster zones.

Conclusion

Ioanna Dianellou’s research is not only scientifically advanced but also socially impactful. Her work is grounded in both academic excellence and real-world application, a hallmark of a well-rounded and forward-thinking researcher. Her contributions to radioactive pollutant remediation and environmental monitoring are timely, innovative, and of global relevance. She is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award and embodies the future of interdisciplinary scientific problem-solving.

Jibamitra Ganguly | Geo Chemistry| Best Researcher Award

Jibamitra Ganguly | Geo Chemistry| Best Researcher Award

Jibamitra Ganguly, University of Arizona, United States

Professor Jibamitra Ganguly is a renowned Earth and Planetary Scientist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona 🌍. With a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1967), his pioneering research has spanned petrology, geochemistry, thermodynamics, and planetary science 🚀. Over five decades, he has mentored countless scholars, delivered keynote lectures globally 🌎, and contributed foundational work on diffusion kinetics, thermobarometry, and planetary evolution. His scientific legacy is recognized through numerous awards, fellowships, and visiting professorships 🌟. Widely respected for both his depth and breadth, Prof. Ganguly remains a towering figure in geosciences and cosmochemistry 🪐.

Profesessional Profile:

Google Scholar

🎓 Education & Experience

Professor Ganguly earned his Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Chicago in 1967 🎓, focusing on mineral equilibria and stability. He began his career as a Scientific Officer at India’s Atomic Energy Establishment ⚛️, followed by academic roles including Assistant Professor at BITS Pilani 🇮🇳 and Postdoc at Yale University 🇺🇸. He was a Research Geophysicist at UCLA 🌐 before joining the University of Arizona in 1975, where he served as a Professor until 2016 👨‍🏫. He later became an Honorary Professor at IISER India 🏛️, marking a distinguished career in research, teaching, and international collaboration 🌎.

🌍 Professional Development 

Professor Ganguly has been a driving force in global geoscientific engagement 🌐. He’s delivered keynote talks at premier conferences like Goldschmidt, IMA, and the Meteoritical Society 🎤, elevating the discourse in experimental petrology and planetary thermodynamics 🌋. His leadership in summer schools and workshops across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. 📚 reflects his dedication to geochemical education. Collaborations with CNR 🇮🇹, CAS 🇨🇳, and CSIR 🇮🇳 showcase his international influence. His integral role in NASA and NSF-backed cosmochemical research 🚀🔬 has helped unify planetary science with Earth systems research, nurturing a truly interdisciplinary and global academic impact 🌎.

🔎 Research Focus 

Professor Ganguly’s research spans geosciences and planetary sciences 🌋🪐. He’s an authority in mineral thermodynamics, diffusion kinetics, and phase equilibria 🧪. His innovations include closure temperature theory, mineral order-disorder, and mantle heat transfer modeling 🌍🔥. In planetary science, his work investigates the thermal history of meteorites, mineral reactions in asteroids, and early solar system events ☄️⏳. His multidisciplinary approach integrates field data, lab experiments, and theoretical models, bridging geoscience and cosmochemistry 🌐. His studies help decipher Earth’s deep interior and unravel extraterrestrial processes, positioning him as a pioneer in Earth and planetary system evolution 🌌🛰️.

🏅 Awards & Honors 

Professor Ganguly’s excellence has been recognized worldwide 🏆. He received the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize 🇩🇪 and is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) 🌟. He served as Chief Guest at IIEST’s 2018 convocation 🎓 and was an Invited Scientist under the United Nations TOKTEN Program with CSIR India 🌐. As Honorary Professor at IISER India 🏛️ and guest professor in Germany, Sweden, Italy, and India 🌍, his academic influence spans continents. His accolades honor a lifetime of groundbreaking contributions to Earth and planetary sciences 🔬🌎.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Mixing properties of aluminosilicate garnets: constraints from natural and experimental data, and applications to geothermo-barometry

Authors: J. Ganguly, S.K. Saxena
Journal: American Mineralogist, Vol. 69(1-2), pp. 88–97, 1984
Citations: 725
Summary:
This seminal work investigates the mixing properties of aluminosilicate garnet solid solutions using both natural and experimental data. Ganguly and Saxena developed thermodynamic models for the mixing behavior of garnets in the pyrope-almandine-grossular system. The study provided key constraints for the use of garnet as a geothermobarometer—a tool for estimating pressure and temperature conditions of rock formation—thereby advancing petrologic modeling and metamorphic studies.


2. Thermodynamics of aluminosilicate garnet solid solution: new experimental data, an optimized model, and thermometric applications

Authors: J. Ganguly, W. Cheng, M. Tirone
Journal: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 126, pp. 137–151, 1996
Citations: 452
Summary:
This paper presents new experimental data and an improved thermodynamic model for aluminosilicate garnet solid solutions. By refining activity-composition relations, the authors developed a more accurate method for garnet-based thermometry. The model has found widespread application in metamorphic petrology, allowing for more precise temperature estimations in high-grade metamorphic rocks.


3. Equilibrium Compositions of Coexisting Garnet and Orthopyroxene: Experimental Determinations in the System FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂, and Applications

Authors: Hany Lee, J. Ganguly
Journal: Journal of Petrology, Vol. 29(1), pp. 93–113, 1988
Citations: 439
Summary:
This study experimentally determines equilibrium compositions of garnet and orthopyroxene in the Fe-Mg-Al-Si-O system at high temperatures and pressures. The resulting thermodynamic data have been used to calibrate geothermometers and geobarometers, facilitating better interpretations of metamorphic conditions in ultramafic and mafic rocks. The work is foundational in linking mineral compositions with metamorphic P-T paths.


4. Cation diffusion in aluminosilicate garnets: experimental determination in spessartine-almandine diffusion couples, evaluation of effective binary diffusion coefficients, and applications

Authors: S. Chakraborty, J. Ganguly
Journal: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 111(1), pp. 74–86, 1992
Citations: 386
Summary:
This research focuses on the diffusion behavior of cations (notably Fe and Mn) in garnet minerals using diffusion couples of spessartine and almandine. The study provided essential diffusion coefficients and insights into the time scales of metamorphic processes. These findings are pivotal for understanding compositional zoning in garnets and for modeling the kinetics of mineral reactions.


5. Quartz-coesite transition revisited: Reversed experimental determination at 500–1200 °C and retrieved thermochemical properties

Authors: K. Bose, J. Ganguly
Journal: American Mineralogist, Vol. 80(3-4), pp. 231–238, 1995
Citations: 373
Summary:
This paper revisits the quartz–coesite phase transition through a series of reversed experiments at various temperatures. The authors refined the equilibrium boundary and derived updated thermochemical data, which are crucial for understanding ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic conditions. This work significantly contributed to the identification of coesite as an indicator of extreme metamorphic environments, such as those found in subduction zones.

🧾 Conclusion

  • Prof. Jibamitra Ganguly is an exemplary researcher whose work has transformed our understanding of mineral behavior in high-temperature and high-pressure geological environments. His quantitative, high-impact, and enduring contributions make him an ideal recipient of a Best Researcher Award in the geosciences. His research not only informs academic knowledge but also supports applied geological investigations, such as tectonic reconstructions and resource exploration.