Jorge Cadena Iniguez | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Award and Honors

Prof. Dr. Jorge Cadena Iniguez | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Postgraduate College, San Luis Potosi Campus | Mexico

Prof. Dr. Jorge Cadena-Iniguez is a botanist and Phyto chemist widely recognized for his contributions to plant genetic resources, agricultural biodiversity, and the scientific advancement of Sechium edule (chayote). His research spans plant physiology, biochemical and phytochemical characterization, genetic improvement, postharvest biology, and the generation of value-added innovations derived from underutilized crops. He has built a solid scientific trajectory, reflected in 87 documents indexed in Scopus, 627 citations, and a Scopus h-index of 13, demonstrating his consistent impact on plant science, agronomy, and natural-product research. Dr. Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez integrates molecular tools, metabolite profiling, conservation biology, and biotechnology to support the sustainable use, improvement, and valorization of agricultural species, particularly those with ancestral, endemic, or underexploited importance. His leadership includes founding the global germplasm bank of Sechium edule, contributing to the development of biodiversity governance models aligned with the Nagoya Protocol, and participating in national and international initiatives focused on agricultural biodiversity conservation. His research has enabled the development of new varieties, technological innovations, and patented processes that strengthen rural value chains and promote the bioeconomic potential of native crops. Alongside these contributions, he has guided numerous graduate researchers and supported the scientific community through editorial service, peer review, and international collaborations. His body of work has been recognized for advancing agricultural innovation, enhancing the understanding of functional compounds in plants, and promoting sustainable strategies for genetic resource management.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications 

1. Iniguez Luna, M. I., Cadena-Zamudio, J. D., Ramírez-Mosqueda, M. A., Aguirre Noyola, J. L., Cadena, D. A. A., & Cadena-Iniguez, J. (2025). Molecular docking as a key driver of biocontrol for agri-food security. BioTech, 14(80), 1–25.

2. Barrera-Guzman, L. A., Cadena-Iniguez, J., Legaria-Solano, J. P., Cisneros-Solano, V. M., Watanabe, K. N., & Cadena, D. A. A. (2025). Biogeographical analysis of the Central American clade of Sechium (Cucurbitaceae). Revista de Biologia Tropical, 73(e20251987), 1–14.

3. Cadena-Iniguez, J., Arevalo-Galarza, M. de L., Aguirre-Medina, J. F., Avendano-Arrazate, C. H., Cadena, D. A. A., Cadena-Zamudio, J. D., Soto-Hernandez, M., Cisneros, V., Ruiz-Posadas, L. M., Soto-Mendoza, C., & Mejia Mendez, J. L. (2025). Chayote [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.] fruit quality influenced by plant pruning. Horticulturae, 11(8), 1–23.

4. Aguiniga-Sanchez, I., Morales-Altamirano, A. M., Santiago-Osorio, E., Rosado-Perez, J., Cadena-Iniguez, J., Mendoza-Nunez, V. M., Weiss-Steider, B., Gavia García, G., Arista-Ugalde, T. L., Arreola-Gomez, N. A., Amador-Gomez, A. I., & Montiel Garcia, L. D. (2025). Hypoglycemic and lipid metabolic control in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by hybrid extract. Food Bioscience, 68(20), Article 106499.

5. Santiago-Osorio, E., Ramirez-Padilla, M. G., Mendoza-Nunez, V. M., Cadena-Iniguez, J., Soto-Hernandez, M., Rosado-Perez, J., Romero-Lopez, E., Weiss-Steider, B., Gavia-Garcia, G., Arista-Ugalde, T. L., Cisneros-Solano, V. M., & Aguiñiga-Sanchez, I. (2025). Hepatoprotective effect of the Sechium HD-Victor hybrid extract in a model of liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 183, Article 117831.

Liqiang Jia | Biological Sciences | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Award and Honors

Dr. Liqiang Jia | Biological Sciences | Innovative Research Award

Dr. Liqiang Jia | Guizhou Education University | China

Dr. Liqiang Jia is a plant molecular biologist recognized for advancing crop genomics, stress physiology, and molecular mechanisms underlying plant development. His scientific impact is reflected in 108 citations across 88 documents, supported by a portfolio of 6 publications and an h-index of 5. His research spans functional gene characterization, chlorophyll regulation, iron homeostasis, root system architecture, mitochondrial protein function, and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme families in key crops such as rice, sorghum, and banana. Utilizing integrative genomics, molecular genetics, and transcriptomic analyses, he uncovers regulatory pathways driving plant growth, stress resilience, and nutrient efficiency. His discoveries in developmental regulation and stress-response networks contribute to innovation in plant biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. Through continued contributions in functional genomics, he enhances understanding of crop performance and biological adaptation.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications 

Li, Z., Mo, W., Jia, L., et al. (2019). Rice FLUORESCENT1 is involved in the regulation of chlorophyll. Plant Cell Physiology, 60(10), 2307–2318.

Jia, L., Zhao, Q., & Chen, S. (2019). Evolution and expression analysis of the sorghum ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. Functional Plant Biology, 46(3), 236–247.

Dong, C., Hu, H., Jue, D., Zhao, Q., Chen, H., Xie, J., & Jia, L. (2016). The banana E2 gene family: Genomic identification, characterization, expression profiling analysis. Plant Science, 245, 11–24.

Jia, L., Wu, Z., Hao, X., et al. (2011). Identification of SPR1 involved in root development and iron homeostasis in rice. New Phytologist, 189(3), 843–855.

Jia, L., Zhang, B., Mao, C., et al. (2008). OsCYT-INV1 for alkaline/neutral invertase is involved in root cell development and reproductivity in rice. Planta, 228(1), 51–59.

 

Lwando Mdleleni | Environmental Science | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Award and Honors

Dr. Lwando Mdleleni | Environmental Science | Best Research Article Award

Senior Research Specialist | Human Science Research Councli | South Africa

Dr. Lwando Mdleleni is a distinguished researcher, academic, and development practitioner based in Cape Town, South Africa, whose work bridges public administration, development studies, and social innovation. He currently serves as Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council and Senior Lecturer in the School of Government at the University of the Western Cape. His research emphasizes evidence-based policymaking, community-centered interventions, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems to promote equitable and sustainable development. Dr. Mdleleni’s work has been cited by 27 documents, across 5 key publications, reflecting his scholarly influence, and he holds an h-index of 2. His academic training includes a Ph.D. in Development Studies, a postdoctoral fellowship in ICT4D, and advanced degrees in public administration from the University of the Western Cape. Recognized for his contributions to sustainable development and inclusive governance, he has received awards for his doctoral research, postdoctoral work, and leadership in community-focused initiatives. His work exemplifies the translation of research into actionable strategies that strengthen public administration and foster transformative social impact across Africa.

Profile: Scopus

Featured  Publications

Mdleleni, L. Can e-governance aid young people in indigent communities gain access to higher education: analysis from an action-research project in OR Tambo district, South Africa. University of the Western Cape. Read here — Cited by 15 articles.

Mdleleni, L., & Pather, S. ICT adoption and socio-economic development in rural South Africa. Journal of Information Technology for Development. Read here — Cited by 12 articles.

Mdleleni, L. University-community partnerships for sustainable development: Lessons from South Africa. Development Southern Africa. Read here — Cited by 8 articles.

GUILHERME MARQUES | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Award and Honors

Prof. Guilherme Marques | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul | Brazil

Guilherme Fernandes Marques is an accomplished scholar and practitioner in the field of water resources management. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas (IPH), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, With a career spanning over two decades, he has established himself as a leading expert in hydro-economics, water governance, climate adaptation, and integrated water resources planning. Beyond academia, he actively participates in policymaking and governance, serving as associate editor of the Sustainable Water Resources Management Journal (Springer Nature), president of the regulatory board of AGESAN-RS, and member of the Gravataí River watershed committee. His career bridges teaching, research, consulting, and capacity building across Brazil and internationally. With professional collaborations in the United States, Canada, France, Chile, Kenya, and beyond, Prof. Marques continues to pioneer methods, policies, and frameworks aimed at advancing water security and sustainable development.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Education

Prof. Marques holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Davis, where his research focused on the economic representation of agricultural activities in water resources systems engineering, funded by a CNPq fellowship. He also earned an M.Sc. in Hydraulics and Sanitary Engineering from the University of São Paulo (EESC/USP), supported by a CAPES fellowship, with a thesis on evaluating water availability and land use potential in the Juramento River Basin. His foundational academic training was completed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), where he obtained his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. Complementing these degrees, he pursued specialized training in environmental law and conservation at EESC/USP and UNESP. This combination of engineering, economics, and environmental governance education provided him with a unique multidisciplinary expertise, equipping him to address water-related challenges through integrated and adaptive approaches.

Experience

Prof. Marques has extensive experience in academia, consulting, and policy development. At UFRGS/IPH, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on water management, systems analysis, and water economics while leading the Water Planning Research Group (WARP). His professional expertise extends beyond the classroom, with decades of consulting experience for the World Bank on projects addressing water security, hydropower optimization, drought preparedness, and governance reforms in Brazil. He coordinated international projects in Brazil, Kenya, Chile, and the United States, applying advanced hydro-economic models to real-world challenges. His roles included developing integrated frameworks for water charges and basin plans, conducting climate adaptation studies, and facilitating multi-stakeholder negotiation processes. Additionally, he has served as president of AGESAN-RS’s regulatory board, contributing to improved sanitation governance, and as a member of watershed committees, ensuring stakeholder participation in water governance. His diverse roles highlight his ability to combine scientific expertise with practical policy applications, impacting both local and international water management systems.

Research Interests

Prof. Marques is passionate about solving “wicked problems” in water systems, focusing on hydro-economics, optimization, and interdisciplinary water governance. His research interests include water economics, valuation of environmental assets, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, hydropower optimization, reservoir operations, and environmental flows. He also studies the water–energy–food nexus, analyzing trade-offs and synergies that support sustainable development and climate change adaptation. His work integrates theory with applied decision-making tools, often using optimization models and scenario analysis to prepare for uncertainty and extreme events. He has worked extensively on projects funded by CNPq, CAPES, FAPEMIG, FAPERGS, IAI, and NSF, contributing to methodological advances and practical solutions in multiple countries. Through his leadership at the WARP research group, he has built interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge academia, public agencies, and international organizations, generating insights that influence both scientific research and governance practices in water resources and climate resilience.

Awards & Recognitions

Throughout his career, Prof. Marques has received recognition for his academic, professional, and consulting contributions. His doctoral studies at UC Davis were supported by a prestigious CNPq fellowship from Brazil, while his master’s research was funded by CAPES. He has successfully led and secured competitive funding from Brazilian and international agencies, including CNPq, CAPES, FAPEMIG, FAPERGS, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). His applied research for the World Bank in Brazil has been instrumental in shaping water governance reforms, basin planning, and water charges systems, which have been recognized as valuable contributions toward improving water security and resilience. In addition, his active role as associate editor for Sustainable Water Resources Management and reviewer for high-impact journals demonstrates professional recognition from the global scientific community. His leadership roles in AGESAN-RS and watershed committees underscore his commitment to applied governance and public service in water management.

Publications

Prof. Marques has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to the advancement of water governance, hydro-economics, and environmental sustainability. Selected recent publications include:

Nhampossa, J.A.; Marques, G.F.; et al. Strategies for integrating small and large scale water storage infrastructure in watersheds: Trade-offs under competing economic uses. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.
Cited by 32 articles.

Dalcin, A.P.; Marques, G.F.; et al. The Economic Value of Hydrometeorological Information in Hydropower Operations. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.
Cited by 29 articles.

Riediger, P.I.; Marques, G.F.; et al. Improving sanitation strategies through wastewater reuse and water supply at the watershed scale: A Brazilian view. Water Policy.
Cited by 36 articles.

Marques, G.F.; Formiga-Johnsson, R.M.; et al. Integrating water charges and watershed management for decision-making. Sustainable Water Resources Management.
Cited by 41 articles.

Conclusion

Prof. Guilherme Fernandes Marques is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His career demonstrates a rare balance between academic rigor, real-world application, and policy relevance. His long-standing dedication to water security, hydro-economic optimization, and sustainable resource governance has had a transformative impact both in Brazil and internationally. With further expansion of international collaborations and interdisciplinary outreach, he has the potential to become a leading global authority in water resources research. Overall, his profile strongly merits recognition with this award.

Jiahao He | Environmental Economics | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Award and Honors

Dr. Jiahao He | Environmental Economics | Best Research Article Award 

Postdoctoral Researcher, at Zhejiang University, China.

He Jiahao, born in July 1992 in Shenyang, China, is a dedicated researcher and academic in environmental design and urban sustainability. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Architectural Design) from the University of Kitakyushu, Japan, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Zhejiang University City College, specializing in environmental design. His research focuses on sustainable urban planning, green building design, and solid waste management. As an active scholar, He Jiahao is a member of the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), the Asian Institute of Urban Environment (AIUE), and the Asian Institute of Low Carbon Design (AILCD). In addition to his academic career, he has entrepreneurial experience, founding Zhejiang Green Domain Technology (Huzhou) Co., Ltd. in 2024. His contributions to environmental sustainability research and urban development have been widely recognized through academic publications and conference presentations.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education 🎓

He Jiahao’s academic journey began at Shenyang No. 20 High School (2007-2010). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from Northeastern University (2010-2014), receiving a Bachelor of Arts. His outstanding academic performance secured him direct admission to Beijing Institute of Technology, where he pursued a Master’s in Design (2014-2017) with a focus on environmental design. He later enrolled at the University of Kitakyushu in Japan (2019-2022), where he obtained a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. His doctoral research explored sustainable urban planning models, integrating environmental psychology and design principles. Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher at Zhejiang University City College (2023-present) under the Zhejiang University School of Architecture and Engineering. His academic background blends architecture, environmental science, and urban planning, equipping him with a multidisciplinary approach to tackling sustainability challenges.

Experience 🏢

He Jiahao’s professional career spans academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. He started as a design assistant at Beijing Century Baojia Architectural Design Co., Ltd. (2017), where he gained hands-on experience in architectural planning. In 2022, he joined the University of Kitakyushu’s International Environmental Engineering Faculty as a research assistant in the Laboratory of Professor Hiroatsu Fukuda. Since 2023, he has served as an Assistant Researcher in Environmental Design at Zhejiang University City College while holding a postdoctoral position at Zhejiang University’s School of Architecture and Engineering. In 2024, he ventured into entrepreneurship by founding Zhejiang Green Domain Technology (Huzhou) Co., Ltd., focusing on sustainable urban solutions. His expertise in environmental design and urban planning has enabled him to bridge academia and industry, contributing to green city initiatives and policy development.

Research Interests 🔬

He Jiahao’s research spans multiple aspects of environmental sustainability, including:
1️⃣ Environmental Design & Theory – Exploring innovative design solutions for urban landscapes.
2️⃣ Sustainable Urban Planning & Green Building Design – Developing eco-friendly infrastructure and smart cities.
3️⃣ Urban Environmental Simulation & Assessment – Utilizing advanced modeling techniques to predict urban sustainability outcomes.
4️⃣ Municipal Solid Waste Management – Investigating waste recycling technologies and public policy impact.

His research integrates architectural design, behavioral science, and environmental engineering, aiming to create more livable, low-carbon urban spaces. He actively collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as smart waste management and urban renewal strategies, contributing to sustainable development policies.

Awards & Honors 🏆

  • Outstanding Presentation Award – 2023 5th International Conference of iSMART
  • Silver Medal – 2023 Zhejiang University Student Rural Revitalization Innovation Competition
  • Bronze Award – 2022 Fifth Asian Art Biennale (Fukuoka, Japan)
  • Best Paper Award – International Conference on Low Carbon Design 2022

His accolades highlight his contributions to environmental sustainability, academic research, and innovative urban solutions.

Top Noted Publications 📚

1️⃣ He Jiahao*, Yu Zhefan, Fukuda Hiroatsu (2021). Extended Theory of Planned Behavior for Predicting the Willingness to Pay for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Beijing. Sustainability (SSCI/SCI). 🔗 Link

2️⃣ Xin Bao, Tao Zhang*, Bart Dewancker, Jiahao He, Siyuan Liu (2023). Exploring the Unit Spatial Layout Preference for Urban Multi-unit Residential Buildings: A Survey in Beijing, China. Sustainability (SSCI/SCI). 🔗 Link

3️⃣ Xuanli Wang, Huifang Yu, Jiahao He, et al. (2024). Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Carbon Emissions and Their Influencing Factors at the County Scale: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province, China. Land (SSCI/SCI). 🔗 Link

4️⃣ Shipeng Xu, Jiahao He, Tao Zhang, Hiroatsu Fukuda, Xin Bao (2024). Comprehensive Study of Residential Environment Preferences and Characteristics among Older Adults: Empirical Evidence from China. Buildings (SSCI/SCI). 🔗 Link

5️⃣ He Jiahao*, Huifang Yu*, Yong He, et al. Forecasting and Influencing Factors of Municipal Solid Waste Generation in Hangzhou City: Based on Grey Model. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities (SSCI/SCI, Independent Review).

6️⃣ He Jiahao*, Liu Siyuan, Fukuda Hiroatsu (2022). Predicting Campus Waste Separation and Recycling Behavior in Environmental Education for Chinese College Students Using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Energy Reports (ISSN: 2352-4847).

7️⃣ He Jiahao*, Fukuda Hiroatsu. Research on the Green Development Model of Chinese Traditional Central Agricultural Region. 16th International Conference of Asian Institute of Urban Environment, Matsushima, Japan (ISSN: 2189-7972).

8️⃣ Mingxing Zeng, Jiahao He, Siyuan Liu, Changming Tang. Research on Regional Cultural Symbols in Urban Square Design—A Case Study of Chengdu Tianfu Square. International Asian Institute of Low Carbon Design (AILCD) 2022 (ISSN: 2189-1400).

Conclusion

Jiahao He is a strong candidate for the Best Research Article Award, given his SSCI/SCI publications, interdisciplinary approach, and impactful research in sustainability and urban planning.