Rifeng Wu | Environmental Pollution and Remediation | Best Paper Award

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Dr. Rifeng Wu | Environmental Pollution and Remediation | Best Paper Award

Lecturer | Guangxi Normal University | China

Dr. Rifeng Wu is an emerging environmental scientist whose research focuses on microbial reductive dehalogenation, organohalide bioremediation, and the integration of microbial systems with material-based catalytic processes. His work targets the remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with halogenated organic pollutants, advancing both mechanistic understanding and applied technologies for environmental cleanup. His research productivity includes 8 Scopus-indexed publications, 358 citations, and an h-index of 7, reflecting growing international recognition. A central component of Dr. Rifeng Wu’s research involves enhancing the ecological fitness, colonization behavior, and synergistic interactions of organohalide-respiring bacteria. His publication in Environmental Science & Technology demonstrates innovative strategies for improving microbial interactions to accelerate chloroethene bioremediation. He has also developed integrated systems combining microbial reductive dehalogenation with advanced oxidation processes such as persulfate activation, resulting in complete organohalide attenuation and improved remediation efficiency, as reported in Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering. Dr. Rifeng Wu has contributed impactful findings to high-impact journals including Journal of Hazardous Materials, where he introduced bio-RD-PAOP materials for polychlorinated biphenyl degradation, combining engineered materials with microbiological pathways to achieve enhanced dechlorination performance. His research also extends to nanomaterial synthesis for catalytic applications, demonstrated through multiple publications in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, and Chinese Journal of Catalysis, where he has designed advanced Pt-Pd-based nanostructures with superior electrocatalytic behavior for oxygen reduction reactions. He has participated in several national and provincial research projects, contributing to methodological advancements in contaminant degradation, microbial ecology, and sustainable remediation technologies. His recent work also includes studying microplastic-induced physiological changes in plants, broadening his contributions to emerging environmental pollution challenges. Dr. Rifeng Wu’s research achievements span journal publications, funded projects, innovative remediation systems, and interdisciplinary material–microbe technologies, positioning him as a notable young scholar in environmental biotechnology and pollution control.

Profiles: Scopus | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Wu, R., Shen, R., Liang, Z., Zheng, S., Yang, Y., Lu, Q., Adrian, L., & Wang, S. (2023). Improve niche colonization and microbial interactions for organohalide-respiring-bacteria-mediated remediation of chloroethene-contaminated sites. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(45). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c05932

2. Wu, R., Zhang, S., & Wang, S. (2022). Development and microbial characterization of Bio-RD-PAOP for effective remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 436, 129190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129190

3. Wu, R., & Wang, S. (2021). Integration of microbial reductive dehalogenation with persulfate activation and oxidation (Bio-RD-PAO) for complete attenuation of organohalides. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(2), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1457-8

4. Li, Y., Wu, R., Liu, Y., Wen, Y., & Shen, P. K. (2021). High-quality and deeply excavated PtPdNi nanocubes as efficient catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 42(5), 772–780. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(20)63703-2

5. Wang, S., Wu, R., Zhang, S., & Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. (2022). Development and microbial characterization of Bio-Rd-Pao for extensive attenuation of persistent organohalides. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4039585

Arash Javanshir-Khoei | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arash Javanshir-Khoei | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | Editorial Board Member

University of Tehran Department of Fisheries | University of Tehran | Iran

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arash Javanshir-Khoei is a highly accomplished Iranian fisheries and aquatic sciences researcher whose work spans marine ecology, ecotoxicology, aquatic pollution, and environmental remediation. With over 220 scientific publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and books, his research has contributed substantially to understanding pollutant dynamics and ecosystem health in marine and freshwater environments. His scholarly impact is reflected in 221 citations, 22 indexed documents, and an h-index of 8. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arash Javanshir-Khoei’s research focuses extensively on heavy metal contamination, nanoparticle toxicity, microplastics, and pesticide impacts on aquatic organisms. He has conducted pioneering studies on pollutants such as Cd, Pb, TiO₂, AgNPs, and chlorpyrifos in species including bivalves, oysters, carp, and estuarine fishes. His work integrates biomarkers, oxidative stress indicators, immune responses, and tissue-level toxicological assessments, offering critical insights into aquatic toxicology and environmental risk analysis. He has made major contributions to innovative water and wastewater treatment technologies, notably developing and evaluating systems such as the Bit Trap Filter (BTF) and BIODROF biological filtration units for removing industrial contaminants, pesticides, nanoparticles, and heavy metals. These systems have been applied to aquaculture effluent, urban wastewater, and industrial discharges, demonstrating significant capacity for eco-friendly pollutant reduction. His extensive research on bivalve filtration, bioaccumulation, phytoremediation, and biological purification processes has advanced nature-based solutions for water quality enhancement. He has also contributed to stock assessment, biodiversity monitoring, and hydrobiological modeling, particularly in the Caspian Sea basin. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arash Javanshir-Khoei is the author of 18 books, covering marine science, limnology, toxicology, aquatic biodiversity, and identification manuals. He has presented over 90 conference papers globally, demonstrating leadership in disseminating aquatic ecology and pollution research. His research awards include innovations in cyclic compound absorption and domestic wastewater treatment system design, highlighting his commitment to applied environmental solutions. His reviewer and scholarly contributions, combined with longstanding R&D in aquatic systems, position him as a leading figure in Iran’s environmental and fisheries research landscape.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate 

Featured Publications

1. Barghbani, R., Rezaei, K., & Javanshir, A. (2012). Investigating the effects of several parameters on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris using Taguchi’s experimental approach. International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries, 1(2), 128.

2. Carlotti, F., Rey, C., Javanshir, A., & Nival, S. (1997). Laboratory studies on egg and faecal pellet production of Centropages typicus: Effect of age, effect of temperature, individual variability. Journal of Plankton Research, 19(8), 1143–1165.

3. Raeeszadeh, M., Khoei, A. J., Parhizkar, S., Rad, F. T., & Salimi, B. (2023). Assessment of some heavy metals and their relationship with oxidative stress and immunological parameters in aquatic animal species. Biological Trace Element Research, 201(9), 4547–4557.

4. Khoei, A. J. (2021). Evaluation of potential immunotoxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on antioxidant capacity, immune responses and tissue bioaccumulation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 244, 109005.

5. Sobhanardakani, S., Zandipak, R., Parvizimosaed, H., Javanshir Khoei, A., & Musalemi, M. (2014). Efficiency of chitosan for the removal of Pb(II), Fe(II) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions. Iranian Journal of Toxicology, 8(26), 1145–1151.

Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Scientist – C | G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment | India

Dr. Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar is an accomplished wildlife biologist and conservation ecologist currently serving as Scientist–C at the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, India. His research focuses on landscape ecology, population genetics, conservation biology, and climate change impacts on biodiversity across the Indian Himalayan Region. With over 26 peer-reviewed research publications, 3 authored books, 6 book chapters, and multiple technical reports, his scientific contributions span reintroduction biology, large carnivore ecology, habitat connectivity modeling, and macro-ecological assessments using advanced geospatial and statistical approaches. Dr. Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar’s interdisciplinary work integrates molecular ecology, spatial statistics, and remote sensing to address conservation challenges for flagship species such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), common leopard (Panthera pardus), and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). His pioneering studies in PeerJ, Landscape Ecology, PLoS ONE, European Journal of Wildlife Research, and Global Ecology and Conservation have significantly advanced understanding of habitat fragmentation, dispersal corridors, and reintroduced species viability. He has successfully completed and led more than ten national and international R&D and funding projects, including those supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), ICIMOD, SBI Foundation, and DST–SERB. His ongoing projects address ecosystem resilience, biodiversity mainstreaming, and climate vulnerability across the Himalayas. Dr. Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar has earned 26 documents, 403 Scopus citations, an h-index of 12, and numerous recognitions including the Research Excellence Award (2020) and the prestigious Max Planck–India Mobility Fellowship (2022–2025). He also serves as Editorial Advisor for Cambridge Scholars Publishing (UK) and reviewer for several international journals. His scientific leadership, innovative modeling approaches, and conservation-driven fieldwork continue to shape biodiversity management and sustainability strategies in fragile mountain ecosystems.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | Sci Profiles | Scholar GPS | Academia

Featured Publications

1. Krishnamurthy, R., Cushman, S. A., Sarkar, M. S., Malviya, M., Naveen, M., et al. (2016). Multi-scale prediction of landscape resistance for tiger dispersal in central India. Landscape Ecology, 31(6), 1355–1368.

2. Sarkar, M. S., Ramesh, K., Johnson, J. A., Sen, S., Nigam, P., Gupta, S. K., et al. (2016). Movement and home range characteristics of reintroduced tiger (Panthera tigris) population in Panna Tiger Reserve, central India. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 62(5), 537–547.

3. Gour, D. S., Bhagavatula, J., Bhavanishankar, M., Reddy, P. A., Gupta, J. A., et al. (2013). Philopatry and dispersal patterns in tiger (Panthera tigris). PLOS ONE, 8(7), e66956.

4. Reddy, P. A., Cushman, S. A., Srivastava, A., Sarkar, M. S., & Shivaji, S. (2017). Tiger abundance and gene flow in Central India are driven by disparate combinations of topography and land cover. Diversity and Distributions, 23(8), 863–874.

5. Chaudhary, A., Sarkar, M. S., Adhikari, B. S., & Rawat, G. S. (2021). Ageratina adenophora and Lantana camara in Kailash Sacred Landscape, India: Current distribution and future climatic scenarios through modeling. PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0239690.