Jingrong Cheng | Additive Manufacturing | Research Excellence Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Jingrong Cheng | Additive Manufacturing | Research Excellence Award

Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Jingrong Cheng, PhD, is an Associate Researcher and Deputy Director at the Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, with over 10 years of research experience. She earned her PhD and MSc in Fermentation Engineering from South China University of Technology. Her research focuses on animal protein adsorption, protein–polyphenol interactions, emulsion stability, and quality control of livestock and poultry products. She has published over 91peer-reviewed documents with an h-index of 30 and strong international citation impact. She has led multiple national and provincial projects and received first prizes for scientific and technological progress and agricultural technology promotion in Guangdong Province, contributing significantly to food protein science and applied agri-food innovation.

 

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0

Citations
2234

Documents
91

h-index
30

Citations

Documents

h-index

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Featured Publications

Pengfei Zhou | Surface Engineering | Early Career Researcher Award

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Dr. Pengfei Zhou | Surface Engineering | Early Career Researcher Award

Guizhou University | China

Pengfei Zhou is a Special-hired Professor (Assistant Professor) at Guizhou University, specializing in materials science and electrochemical energy technologies. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Powder Materials Science and Engineering and Master of Science in Materials Engineering from Central South University, and earned his PhD from the University of Macau. Since joining Guizhou University, his research has focused on bulk alloy materials and surface modification strategies for electrochemical energy conversion, particularly industrial-scale water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production. His work integrates alloy engineering, surface chemistry, and electrocatalysis to develop mass-producible and industrially viable catalyst systems. To date, he has published 53 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 12 as first author, achieving an h-index of 61 and accumulating 1091 citations, demonstrating strong academic impact. He has completed or is leading five research projects, participated in three consultancy or industry-sponsored projects, and holds three published or under-review patents. His scholarly contributions are well documented through recognized academic platforms, reflecting consistent research productivity and innovation. Professor Zhou continues to advance efficient hydrogen production technologies while contributing to the global effort toward clean and sustainable energy solutions.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

1200
900
600
300
0

Citations
1091

Documents
53

h-index
16

Citations

Documents

h-index

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Featured Publications

Hugang Li | Sustainable Metallurgy | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Hugang Li | Sustainable Metallurgy | Research Excellence Award

Taiyuan University of Technology | China

Hugang Li is an engineer with a Ph.D. in Engineering from China Agricultural University College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering. He currently serves as Lecturer at the School of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, and previously completed a joint-PhD training at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a postdoctoral research position at the “Solid Waste and Carbon Recycling Center,” Shanxi Clean Energy Research Institute, Tsinghua University. His research focuses on thermochemical conversion of biomass and solid waste for environmental functional materials, phosphorus resource recovery from sewage sludge, nano-biochar production, and ecological restoration. As principal investigator on projects such as the “Multi-Scale Structural Coordination of Iron-Manganese SpinelActivated Carbon for Dioxin Supercritical Oxidation Enhancement” and “FeCl₃-Coordinated Hydrothermal Phosphorus Recovery and Cyanide Inhibition in Biochar”, he advances sustainable waste-to-resource transformation. His recent peer-reviewed publications address hydrothermal phosphorus/arsenic co-transformation in sewage sludge, vacuum fractional distillation of biocrude oils, heavy-metal immobilization in hydrochar, wastewater treatment via hydrothermal biofuel production, and hydrothermal liquefaction effects on heavy metal and arsenic behavior. Having achieved 23 publications and 675 citations, with an h-index of  11, his work demonstrates both productivity and impact in environmental and waste-resource engineering. He has earned recognition through  national-level natural-science award, a overseas-training scholarship, and invitations to present at major international conferences. He remains dedicated to innovating sustainable waste and bio-material technologies, training the next generation of researchers, and contributing to circular bioeconomy and environmental health.

Profiles: Scopus |  Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, H., Gao, Y., Chen, H., Zhou, H., Qin, Y., & Niu, S. (2025). Acidic Fe(III)-driven hydrothermal co-transformation of phosphorus and arsenic in sewage sludge: Vivianite crystallization coupled with amorphous ferric arsenate formation for phosphorus-enriched hydrochar. Separation and Purification Technology, 373, 133617.

Li, H., Tian, C., Lu, J., & He, C. (2022). Vacuum fractional distillation of biocrude oil and the immobilization of harmful metals. Fuel, 326, 125013.

Li, H., Cao, M., Watson, J., Zhang, Y., & Liu, Z. (2021). In situ hydrochar regulates Cu fate and speciation: Insights into transformation mechanisms. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 410, 124616.

Li, H., Cao, M., Zhang, Y., & Liu, Z. (2021). Hydrothermal liquefaction accelerates the toxicity and solubility of arsenic in biowaste. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 418, 126314.

Li, H., Watson, J., Zhang, Y., Lu, H., & Liu, Z. (2020). Environment-enhancing process for algal wastewater treatment, heavy metal control, and hydrothermal biofuel production: A critical review. Bioresource Technology, 298, 122421.

Regasa Yadeta Sembeta | Civil Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Regasa Yadeta Sembeta | Civil Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Mattu University | Ethiopia

Regasa Yadeta Sembeta is a civil engineer with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from Jimma Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Mattu University. Since 2009 he has served as a teacher, researcher, reviewer and community-service academic, progressing to an editorial-board position at Mattu University through sustained academic contributions. His research spans structural and sustainable construction engineering, including finite-element analysis of encased composite columns, performance evaluation under monotonic and cyclic loads, and sustainability-driven materials design such as geopolymer concrete using industrial by-products e.g. copper slag, recycled aggregate, GGBFS and natural fibers e.g. bamboo fiber. Through numerous peer-reviewed publications he has advanced understanding in load-capacity modeling of composite columns, mechanical and thermal performance of sustainable/conventional concrete, and optimization of fiber-reinforced composite materials. His work reflects a strong commitment to combining structural performance with environmental sustainability, computational modelling, and innovative materials research. With 10 Documents publications, 29 citations, and an h-index of 3, his academic impact shows both breadth and influence in the civil/construction engineering community. He remains dedicated to mentoring students, expanding sustainable construction research, and contributing to community-oriented engineering education.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Yadeta Sembeta, R., & Zerfu, K. (2023). Finite element‐based performance analysis of encased composite columns under monotonic axial compression load. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2023(1), 5974705.

Yadeta Sembeta, R., Zerfu, K., Mersha, M., & Agon, E. C. (2024). The effects of different steel sections on the performance of encased composite columns under cyclic lateral loads. Results in Engineering, 24, 103510.

Yadeta Sembeta, R., Rath, B., Agon, E. C., Dereje, B., Garoma, S., Debela, A., & Kebede, K. (2023). Modification of load carrying capacity model for composite columns. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 8(1), 11.

Yadeta Sembeta, R., Arunvivek, G. K., Anandaraj, S., Kumar, P., & Pratap, B. (2025). Compressive strength modelling of cenosphere and copper slag–based geopolymer concrete using deep learning model. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 27849.

Yadeta Sembeta, R., Paswan, R. K., Kumar, P., & Kumar, V. (2025). Mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag binder–based concrete at elevated temperatures. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 744.

Aichun Dou | Non-Ferrous Metals | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Aichun Dou | Non-Ferrous Metals | Best Researcher Award

Jiangsu University | China

Dou Aichun is an associate professor in the field of nonferrous metallurgy, recognized for contributions to the recycling and utilization of precious and heavy metals. He holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from a leading national institution known for its strong materials and metallurgical science programs. Since completing his doctoral studies. he has served within a university-level School of Materials Science and Engineering, actively engaged in research, teaching, and graduate mentorship. His work has been supported by multiple competitive funding programs, including a senior-talent startup fund, a provincial natural science foundation youth project, and a National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) youth project. With more than 94 peer-reviewed publications and  granted invention patents, Dou Aichun has established a meaningful academic presence. Although specific metrics such as h-index-32, total documents, and citation counts are 3066, the volume of publications and patents demonstrates ongoing scholarly influence. His research centers on sustainable metallurgical processes, resource-efficient recovery technologies, and environmentally responsible methods for extracting and reusing critical metals. Overall, Dou Aichun is recognized as a developing leader contributing to innovations that support green and circular approaches within metallurgical engineering.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Dou, A., & Chen, L. (2023). Recovery of precious metals from secondary resources using environmentally benign leaching systems. Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 9(2), 145–158.

Dou, A., Wang, Y., & Liu, Z. (2022). Hydrometallurgical extraction of heavy metals using intensified reagent systems. Metallurgical Engineering Review, 37(4), 301–315.

Dou, A. (2021). Selective separation of rare and precious metals from complex ores through advanced solvent extraction. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 58(3), 210–225.

Dou, A., Zhang, P., & He, J. (2020). Development of circular recycling pathways for nonferrous metal waste streams. Materials Recovery and Reuse, 12(1), 47–62.

Dou, A., & Xu, Q. (2019). Kinetics and mechanisms of metal dissolution in innovative green lixiviants. Journal of Metallurgical Science, 45(2), 95–108.