GUILHERME MARQUES | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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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

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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.

Isa Elegbede | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Isa Elegbede | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award 

Professor, at Lagos state university, Nigeria.

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede is a distinguished environmental scientist specializing in marine and fisheries sustainability. Currently serving as a Teaching and Research Professor at Lagos State University, Nigeria, he has held academic positions at Brandenburg University of Technology in Germany and Loyola Marymount University in the U.S. His research focuses on climate resilience, blue economy, and ecosystem restoration. Dr. Elegbede has collaborated with esteemed organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Ocean Enterprise Initiative. He has contributed significantly to over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has been cited over 1,500 times. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2024 DOERs Honoraria Award from the University of Texas at Austin and an invitation to the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona. Dr. Elegbede is also a Fellow of Future Earth Coast and serves on several international scientific committees.earthobservations.org

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Biology from Lagos State University, Nigeria (2003–2010). He furthered his studies with a Master of Science in Marine Sciences, majoring in Biology, at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (2011–2012). His pursuit of advanced knowledge led him to Brandenburg University of Technology in Germany, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences with a focus on Biology (2014–2021). During his doctoral research, Dr. Elegbede specialized in marine and coastal ecosystem sustainability, integrating aspects of ecology, limnology, and marine biology. His academic training has been instrumental in shaping his interdisciplinary approach to environmental research and education. The diverse academic experiences across Nigeria, Germany, and the U.S. have enriched his global perspective on environmental challenges and solutions.

💼 Experience 

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede has an extensive academic and professional background. Since June 2022, he has been a Teaching and Research Professor at Lagos State University, Nigeria, where he designs and teaches courses on biology, environmental science, and fisheries management. He supervises PhD, MSc, and undergraduate students, focusing on marine systems, biodiversity conservation, and climate change impacts. Prior to this, he served as a Teaching Professor at Brandenburg University of Technology, Germany (2014–2021), delivering courses in marine biology and environmental science. Dr. Elegbede also held positions as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (2019–2020), and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Loyola Marymount University, USA (2021–2022), where he co-led a $750,000 NSF-funded project on ecosystem restoration. His professional roles have consistently centered on advancing environmental education and research.

🔬 Research Interests 

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of environmental sciences. His primary focus areas include marine and coastal ecosystem sustainability, fisheries science, and the blue economy. He investigates the impacts of climate change on aquatic systems, emphasizing resilience and adaptation strategies. His work also delves into the ecological and health risks associated with heavy metals in aquatic environments, as well as the potential of aquaculture and blue food production for sustainable development. Dr. Elegbede is interested in the application of innovative technologies, such as GIS and remote sensing, in environmental monitoring and management. He actively contributes to policy development related to environmental sustainability, collaborating with organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Ocean Enterprise Initiative. His interdisciplinary approach integrates ecological, social, and economic dimensions to address complex environmental challenges.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede’s exemplary contributions to environmental science have been recognized through various prestigious awards. In June 2024, he received the DOERs Honoraria Award from the University of Texas at Austin’s Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, acknowledging his significant contributions to deep ocean observing. This $2,000 honorarium supported his efforts in advancing knowledge in ocean observation and environmental monitoring. Additionally, Dr. Elegbede was selected as an Invited Contributor to the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in March 2024, where he represented North American interests and collaborated with leading experts on global policies concerning marine sustainability and climate resilience. These accolades underscore his leadership and commitment to advancing environmental science and policy on an international scale.

📚 Top Noted Publications 

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers, significantly contributing to the fields of marine biology, environmental science, and sustainability. Notable publications include:

1. Health-related dimensions of fishers for sustainable commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Gulf of Guinea: Ecological and social assessments

  • Authors: Isa Olalekan Elegbede, Saud M. Al Jufaili, Toheeb Lekan Jolaosho, et al.

  • Journal: One Health, 2025, Article 100972

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.100972

  • Summary: This study investigates the health and safety dimensions of industrial shrimp fisheries in Nigeria’s Atlantic Gulf of Guinea. It compares fishers in Friend of the Sea (FOS) certified fisheries with those in non-certified (Business-as-Usual) fisheries. Findings indicate that certified fishers report better health conditions, lower risks, and higher insurance coverage levels, underscoring the importance of integrating health considerations into sustainability certification standards. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1squ.elsevierpure.com+1

2. Bioaccumulation dynamics, noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in commercially valuable shellfish and finfish species from the world’s largest floating slum, Makoko, Nigeria

  • Authors: Toheeb Lekan Jolaosho, Isa Olalekan Elegbede, Shehu Latunji Akintola, et al.

  • Journal: Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2024, Volume 207, Article 116807

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116807

  • Summary: This research examines the bioaccumulation of ten heavy metals in five commercially valuable species from Makoko, Lagos Lagoon. The study assesses the potential noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with long-term consumption of these species. Results suggest that while the probabilities of health risks are unlikely, the bioaccumulation dynamics and sources of these metals are of ecological concern. research.rug.nl+1researchgate.net+1

3. Optimizing aquaculture: Harnessing the growth and immunological benefits of olive plant compounds for blue food production

  • Authors: Rukayat Matti-Sanni, Isa Olalekan Elegbede, Segun Ajibola, et al.

  • Journal: REIDOCREA, 2024, Volume 13, Issue 32, Pages 461–478

  • Summary: This study explores the potential benefits of incorporating olive plant extracts into aquaculture diets. It focuses on their effects on fish growth and immunological responses, highlighting the role of bioactive substances derived from olive plants in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices and enhancing the production of blue foods. ugr.es

Conclusion

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede is highly suitable for the Research for Excellence in Research Award. His interdisciplinary work, impressive publication record, international collaborations, and demonstrated policy influence align well with the objectives of recognizing outstanding research impact. While areas like grant leadership and longer-term citation maturity could be enhanced, they do not detract significantly from the overall merit of his candidacy.