Ms. Maha MILI | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award |

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Ms. Maha MILI | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award

PhD student, at LEGI – École Polytechnique de Tunisie, Tunisia.

Ms. Maha Mili is a dedicated PhD student in Environmental and Energy Economics with a keen interest in addressing climate change challenges in water-scarce regions. Based in Tunisia, she brings together academic excellence, technical modeling skills, and practical policy insight to explore sustainable solutions for energy transitions. Her research integrates the fields of economics, environmental science, and development policy, contributing to both national and global dialogues on ecological sustainability.

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🎓 Education

Maha Mili is currently pursuing her PhD in Territories, Migration, and Development with a specialization in Economics from the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) and Faculty of Economics and Management, Nabeul (FSEGN). Her doctoral research focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions under water scarcity through integrated modeling approaches. She holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics and Finance from the Polytechnic School of Tunisia, where she specialized in economic and financial optimization and wrote a thesis on water use efficiency. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor’s in Business Sciences with a focus on Finance from IHEC Carthage, and a Mathematics Baccalaureate with High Honours from the Secondary School of Jammel.

💼 Experience

Maha has gained valuable professional experience through internships in both consulting and financial sectors. At PwC Tunisia, she contributed to economic modeling projects and policy impact analysis using CGE tools. She also worked as a financial analyst at PBR Rating – CFC Partners, conducting client evaluations and preparing financial certification reports. Additionally, her earlier role at Arab Tunisian Bank (ATB) involved managing client financial support and loan risk assessments, offering her a well-rounded view of economic applications in real-world contexts.

🔬 Research Interests

Her research revolves around climate resilience, ecological transitions, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Specifically, she focuses on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, virtual water trade, and the role of green hydrogen in Tunisia’s energy transition. Maha applies Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models and hybrid approaches to simulate and assess energy and water policies under climate constraints. Through her work with the International Center for Environmental and Development Research (CIRED) and LEGI-EPT, she contributes to the development of decision-support tools aimed at guiding equitable and sustainable policy-making.

🏆 Awards

Maha is a recipient of the prestigious PHC-UTIQUE Hubert Curien Partnership Scholarship (2024–2027), which supports her binational research collaboration between Tunisia and France. Her participation in international workshops such as the GIZ Water Master Class, Energy-Economy Modelling Workshops, and IAEA’s EMPOWER model sessions further underscore her active engagement in global knowledge-sharing platforms.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Title: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptive Strategies for Water Use Efficiency in Tunisia: A Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Maha Mili, Mohamed Adel Dhif, Houyem Chekki
Journal: Water Economics and Policy
Indexing: Scopus, ESCI (Emerging Sources Citation Index)
Citations: Not yet cited (as of 2025 publication)
Year of Publication: 2025

Conclusion

Maha Mili exemplifies the profile of a promising young researcher—analytically skilled, globally aware, and deeply committed to solving some of the most pressing environmental and economic challenges of our time. With her strong academic foundation, practical experience, and visionary research focus, she is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to sustainable development and climate adaptation policy.

Prof. Dr Fadia El Sherif | Plant biotechnology | Women Researcher Award |

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Prof. Dr. Fadia El Sherif | Plant biotechnology | Women Researcher Award | 

Department of biological science, at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.

Prof. Dr. Fadia Mohamed Youssef Askar El Sherif is an esteemed plant physiologist and biotechnologist, specializing in stress physiology, micropropagation, and plant genetic engineering. With a career spanning three decades, she has made significant contributions to plant biotechnology, medicinal plant research, and sustainable agriculture. She has held academic positions at Suez Canal University, Egypt, and King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, fostering international collaborations and mentoring the next generation of researchers.

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Education 🎓

Ph.D. in Floriculture & Biotechnology (2009) – Suez Canal University, Egypt & University of Hamburg, Germany

M.Sc. in Floriculture (1997) – Suez Canal University, Egypt

B.Sc. in Agricultural Science (1993) – Suez Canal University, Egypt

Professional Experience 💼

Professor, Department of Horticulture – Suez Canal University, Egypt (Since 2019)

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences – King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (2013–2022)

Visiting Scholar – Institute of Forest Genetics, University of Hamburg, Germany (2006–2008)

Associate Professor, Horticulture Department – Suez Canal University, Egypt (2014–2019)

Assistant Lecturer & Demonstrator – Suez Canal University, Egypt (1993–2014)

Throughout her career, she has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervised multiple research projects in plant physiology, biotechnology, and horticulture.

Awards & Honors 🏆

International Publishing Award (2013–2023) – Suez Canal University, Egypt

Recognized for outstanding research contributions in plant biotechnology

Numerous supervised M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, shaping the future of agricultural biotechnology

Top Noted Publications 📚

Effect of gamma irradiation on enhancement of some economic traits and molecular changes in Hibiscus sabdariffa L. – F. El Sherif, S. Khattab, E. Ghoname, N. Salem, K. Radwan – 89 citations – Life Science Journal – 2011

Foliar application of Moringa oleifera leaves extract altered stress-responsive gene expression and enhanced bioactive compounds composition in Ocimum basilicum – M.A. Alkuwayti, F. El-Sherif, Y.K. Yap, S. Khattab – 50 citations – South African Journal of Botany – 2020

Silybum marianum L. plants under abiotic elicitation: Silybin content and overexpression of chalcone synthase genes – H.A.S. El-Garhy, S. Khattab, M.M.A. Moustafa, R. Abou Ali, A.Z.A. Azeiz, F. El-Sherif – 45 citations – Plant Physiology and Biochemistry – 2016

Aloe vera leaf extract as a potential growth enhancer for Populus trees grown under in vitro conditions – F. El Sherif – 42 citations – American Journal of Plant Biology – 2017

Effect of manure and bio-fertilizers on growth, yield, silymarin content, and protein expression profile of Silybum marianum – E.G. Ismail, W.W. Mohamed, S. Khattab, F.E. Sherif – 42 citations – International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – 2013

Conclusion

Dr. El Sherif is a highly qualified researcher with a strong publication record, international exposure, and leadership in plant biotechnology and physiology. She is a suitable candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award, especially if she can highlight her research impact, citations, and leadership roles in more detail.

Prof Lachezar Filchev | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award |

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Prof. Lachezar Filchev | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award | 

Professor, at Space Research and Technology Institute SRTI-BAS, Bulgaria.

Prof. Lachezar Filchev is a distinguished researcher in environmental science, remote sensing, and GIS, with extensive experience in space and earth observation technologies. His work spans landscape-ecological analysis, geospatial data modeling, and environmental monitoring, contributing to global sustainability and natural resource management. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in international research collaborations, utilizing advanced geospatial techniques to address critical environmental challenges.

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Education 🎓

Prof. Filchev holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, successfully defended on January 18, 2012. He earned his Master’s (M.Sc.) and Bachelor’s (B.Sc.) degrees in Geography from Sofia University, achieving outstanding academic performance with GPAs of 6.00 and 5.99, respectively. Additionally, he has obtained certifications in Environmental Management and Applied Informatics, enhancing his expertise in data-driven environmental research.

Professional Experience 💼

With over 15 years of research experience, Prof. Filchev has held key positions at leading scientific institutions, including:

Soil Resource Agency – GIS and Remote Sensing (2006)

Space Research Institute – Remote Sensing of the Earth (2006–2012)

Space and Solar-Terrestrial Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2010–2015)

Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2012–2018)

Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary research teams, contributed to major international projects, and advanced the integration of GIS and remote sensing in environmental science.

Research Interests 🌍

His research is centered on remote sensing, GIS applications, and earth observation technologies for environmental monitoring and sustainable land-use management. Prof. Filchev has contributed significantly to studying land-use conflicts, stream network changes, landslide detection, and electromagnetic pollution monitoring. His work integrates satellite data, geospatial modeling, and environmental impact assessments to develop solutions for climate change adaptation and natural resource conservation.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Prof. Filchev has been recognized for his contributions to environmental research and remote sensing through various national and international collaborations. His participation in EU-funded projects such as SEE_ERA.NET has bolstered scientific cooperation and technological advancements in environmental monitoring.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Multi-Sensor Spectral Synergies for Crop Stress Detection and Monitoring in the Optical Domain: A Review

Authors: K. Berger, M. Machwitz, M. Kycko, S.C. Kefauver, S. Van Wittenberghe, et al.

Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment

Citations: 152

Index: 280 (Article No. 113198)

Year: 2022

Caring for Soil is Caring for Life: Ensure 75% of Soils are Healthy by 2030 for Healthy Food, People, Nature, and Climate – Interim Report of the Mission Board for Soil Health

Authors: C. Veerman, T.P. Correia, C. Bastioli, B. Biro, J. Bouma, E. Cienciala, et al.

Publisher: Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

Citations: 132

Index: N/A

Year: 2020

Assessing Soil Erosion Risk through Geoinformation Sciences and Remote Sensing – A Review

Authors: L. Filchev, V. Kolev

Book Chapter: Recent Technologies for Disaster Management (Edited by P.K. Rai, P. Singh, V.N. Mishra)

Citations: 63

Index: N/A

Year: 2021

Single- and Multi-Date Crop Identification Using PROBA-V 100 and 300 m S1 Products on Zlatia Test Site, Bulgaria

Authors: E. Roumenina, C. Atzberger, V. Vassilev, P. Dimitrov, I. Kamenova, M. Banov, et al.

Journal: Remote Sensing

Citations: 35

Index: 7 (Issue 10), Pages 13843–13862

Year: 2015

Surveys, Catalogues, Databases/Archives, and State-of-the-Art Methods for Geoscience Data Processing

Authors: L. Filchev, L. Pashova, V. Kolev, S. Frye

Book Chapter: Knowledge Discovery in Big Data from Astronomy and Earth Observation

Citations: 30

Index: Pages 103–136

Year: 2020

Conclusion

Dr. Lachezar Filchev is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the fields of environmental science, remote sensing, and GIS. Strengthening leadership in funded projects and increasing high-impact publications could further enhance his chances.

Mr Upendra Meesala | Agriculture and Technology | Best Researcher Award |

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Mr. Upendra Meesala | Agriculture and Technology | Best Researcher Award | 

Student, at Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College , India.

Upendra Meesala is an aspiring researcher and technologist with a strong background in Information Technology, specializing in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and automation. With a keen interest in solving real-world problems, he has contributed to research in computer vision, IoT-based solutions, and hybrid learning applications. His expertise spans multiple domains, including low-code application development, backend services, and frontend technologies. Upendra has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, technical proficiency, and innovation, making significant strides in research and development.

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Education 🎓

Upendra is currently pursuing a B.Tech in Information Technology at Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College, Vijayawada, with a stellar CGPA of 9.30 (expected graduation: April 2025). He completed his Senior Secondary education at Sri Viswasanthi College, Vuyyuru, achieving an impressive 95.3%.

Professional Experience 💼

Pega Apprenticeship (June 2024 – Feb 2025, Remote): Gaining hands-on experience in Pega BPM and CRM platforms, application development, system architecture, and automation tools.

Web Development Internship (May – June 2024, Oneable Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad – Virtual): Worked on modern web technologies, backend services, and React-based UI enhancements, integrating Appwrite and Firebase.

Research Interests 🌍

His research primarily revolves around machine learning, computer vision, IoT applications, and automation. Notable projects include the Bird Repeller Using OpenCV, which leverages AI-based object detection to mitigate crop damage, and a Hybrid Learning Application for Rural Education, aiming to bridge educational gaps in underserved regions. His work integrates deep learning, OpenCV, Raspberry Pi, and automation tools to develop impactful technological solutions.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Winner, IIC Innovation Competition (2022): Presented an IoT-based Bird Repellent System to mitigate crop damage.

Academic Excellence: Achieved 5th rank in the 1st semester and 2nd rank in the 3rd semester of his B.Tech program.

Multiple Professional Certifications: Earned prestigious certifications in PEGA (CSA & SSA), Machine Learning, Business & Text Mining (NPTEL), and AI for Everyone (Coursera).

Top Noted Publications 📚

ICDSA – MNIT Jaipur (July 2024): Presented a research paper on “Bridging Educational Gaps in Rural Landscapes with a Hybrid Learning Application.”

ICECMSN – Evolutionary Computing & Mobile Sustainable Networks (Nov 2024): Published a journal titled “Bird Repeller Using OpenCV”, demonstrating AI-driven solutions for agricultural automation.

Project Contributions: Developed a low-code application for pre-owned vehicle purchases using PEGA, integrating OTP-based authentication, automated workflows, and Razorpay payment systems.

Conclusion

Upendra Meesala is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his academic achievements, research contributions, and technical expertise. However, to maximize his chances, he should focus on publishing in reputed journals, expanding his research scope, and seeking collaborations in advanced AI applications.