Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yun Zhang | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yun Zhang | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yun Zhang  , Environmental Chemistry , Faculty at  Lanzhou University , China

Dr. Yun Zhang is an Associate Professor at Lanzhou University, China, with extensive expertise in environmental chemistry and nanomaterials. She earned her Ph.D. from Lanzhou University and the University of Vienna, specializing in porous chelating adsorbents and ionic liquids. Dr. Zhang has held academic positions at Lanzhou University and conducted postdoctoral research at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research bridges environmental science and materials chemistry, focusing on the development of advanced nanostructures for pollutant detection and removal. Dr. Zhang has led several national and provincial research projects on catalysts and adsorbents for environmental remediation. Her contributions are recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship. She is also an active peer reviewer for leading journals such as Chemosphere and Journal of Hazardous Materials. Her innovative work on SERS-based pollutant detection and polymer-nanoparticle composites continues to impact sustainable environmental solutions.

Professional Profile : 

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Yun Zhang’s academic journey, marked by international collaboration, advanced research on nanostructured materials for environmental remediation, and successful leadership in funded projects, makes her a highly suitable candidate for a “Best Researcher Award.” Her work is innovative, globally relevant, and reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence and contribution to both fundamental and applied science. She exemplifies the qualities of a researcher who translates high-impact science into real-world environmental solutions. Dr. Yun Zhang fulfills the criteria expected of a “Best Researcher Award” recipient. Her research record demonstrates scientific innovation, international recognition, and societal relevance. Based on her proven capabilities, scholarly achievements, and impactful contributions to environmental chemistry and nanotechnology, she is strongly recommended as a deserving nominee for the “Best Researcher Award”.

🎓Education:

Dr. Yun Zhang completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry (2008–2011) through a joint program between Lanzhou University and the University of Vienna, where she focused on porous chelating adsorbents and ionic liquids for environmental applications. Prior to that, she earned her Master’s degree in Environmental Chemistry (2005–2008) from Lanzhou University, with research centered on atmospheric particles, PAHs, and analytical methods like GC-MS. Her undergraduate training in Environmental Science (2001–2005), also from Lanzhou University, laid a solid foundation in environmental monitoring and pollution analysis. The interdisciplinary nature of her academic training—spanning inorganic chemistry, environmental science, and polymer technology—has equipped her with a comprehensive approach to tackling modern environmental challenges through material innovation and chemical analysis.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Yun Zhang currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Lanzhou University, a role she has held since December 2019. She began her academic career as a Lecturer in the Institute of Polymer Science & Engineering at the same university from 2010 to 2016. From 2016 to 2018, she expanded her international research experience during a postdoctoral fellowship in Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, where she developed expertise in nanostructured materials for pollutant sensing and degradation. Returning to Lanzhou University, she resumed teaching and research as a Lecturer (2018–2019) before her promotion. Dr. Zhang’s career reflects a dynamic blend of teaching, mentoring, and high-impact research across material science, environmental remediation, and nanotechnology. Her interdisciplinary experience has enabled her to lead cutting-edge research projects and mentor emerging scholars in environmental chemistry.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Yun Zhang has received several prestigious awards recognizing her academic excellence and international research contributions. In 2015, she was selected for the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Project (2016–2018), supporting her research tenure at Georgia Tech. She earned the Bao Gang Education Scholarship in 2011, acknowledging her outstanding academic record. That same year, she also received the Scholarship Award for Excellent Doctoral Student, highlighting her impactful contributions during her Ph.D. studies. Earlier, in 2010, she was honored with a joint doctoral scholarship by the CSC (China Scholarship Council) and FWF (Austrian Science Fund), which facilitated her research at the University of Vienna. These accolades reflect not only her commitment to scientific excellence but also her capacity to contribute meaningfully to global research collaborations. Dr. Zhang’s recognition at national and international levels demonstrates her status as a leading figure in environmental chemistry and materials science.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Yun Zhang’s research integrates environmental chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology to develop advanced solutions for pollution control. She specializes in the precise synthesis of noble metal nanostructures such as Ag nanocubes and Ag@Pt-Rh core-frame nanocrystals, which are employed in sensitive detection and catalytic degradation of organic pollutants using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Her work also explores polymer-nanoparticle composite adsorbents for the extraction of heavy metals, as well as the application of ionic liquids (ILs) in micro-pollutant removal. A distinctive feature of her research is the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, which enables controlled nanomaterial design for environmental applications. Her interdisciplinary projects are supported by competitive grants, emphasizing applied innovations for antibiotic degradation, mercury detection, and bimetallic catalysis. Through the integration of chemistry and environmental science, Dr. Zhang addresses pressing ecological challenges while advancing fundamental research in nanomaterials.

Publication Top Notes:

1. A Specific Time Lag Regulation of Soil Moisture Across Layers on Soil Salinization in the Northeast Tibetan Plateau Agroecosystem

2. Differential Quantitative Analysis of Carbon Emission Efficiency of Gansu Manufacturing Industry in 2030

3. Multi-Scenario Land Use/Cover Change and Its Impact on Carbon Storage Based on the Coupled GMOP-PLUS-InVEST Model in the Hexi Corridor, Chin

4. Hydrothermal Conditions in Deep Soil Layer Regulate the Interannual Change in Gross Primary Productivity in the Qilian Mountains Area, China

5. Syntheses, Plasmonic Properties, and Catalytic Applications of Ag–Rh Core-Frame Nanocubes and Rh Nanoboxes with Highly Porous Walls

6. Thiazole Orange-Modified Carbon Dots for Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection of G-Quadruplex and Double-Stranded DNA

7. Enriching Silver Nanocrystals with a Second Noble Metal

8. Observing the Overgrowth of a Second Metal on Silver Cubic Seeds in Solution by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

9. Pt–Ag Cubic Nanocages with Wall Thickness Less Than 2 nm and Their Enhanced Catalytic Activity Toward Oxygen Reduction

10. Fabrication of Magnetic Alginate Beads with Uniform Dispersion of CoFe₂O₄ by the Polydopamine Surface Functionalization for Organic Pollutants Removal

11. Facile One-Pot Assembly of Adhesive Phenol/Fe³⁺/PEI Complexes for Preparing Magnetic Hybrid Microcapsules

 

 

Dr. Karim Al Souki | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Karim Al Souki | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Karim Al Souki , Environmental Chemistry , Jan Evangelista Purkyne University , Czech Republic

Dr. Karim Al Souki is a postdoctoral researcher and assistant professor at the Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyne University (UJEP), Czechia. With a Ph.D. in Earth and Universe Sciences from Lille 1 University, France, his academic journey reflects a strong foundation in plant biology and environmental sciences. Dr. Al Souki’s research spans phytoremediation, bioremediation, biochar utilization, and climate change mitigation through sustainable phytotechnology. He is a key contributor to international projects funded by NATO, Erasmus+, and Interreg, focusing on ecosystem restoration, water management, and environmental biotechnology. As an educator, he has taught courses across Europe on subjects such as environmental biotechnology, phytotechnology, and bio-economy. Dr. Al Souki’s interdisciplinary approach blends ecological theory with applied environmental solutions, making significant contributions to marginal land restoration and water pollution mitigation. His work promotes sustainability, ecological awareness, and environmental resilience through innovation and education.

Professional Profile : 

Orcid

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

With a Ph.D. in Earth and Universe Sciences from Lille 1 University (France), and two Master’s degrees in Phyto-ecology and Plant Biology from Lebanese University, Dr. Karim Al Souki demonstrates a solid and multidisciplinary academic foundation. Dr. Karim Al Souki  leads and contributes to cutting-edge projects on phytoremediation, biochar technology, and environmental biotechnology—directly addressing climate change, pollution mitigation, and sustainable soil management. His research covers analytical techniques (FTIR, TGA, stable isotopes, DNA extraction), linking practical fieldwork with lab-based precision, ensuring both academic rigor and societal relevance. His role as project supervisor in initiatives like IDEAL and NATO-SPS illustrates leadership in shaping future environmental policies and technologies. Dr. Karim Al Souki is an ideal candidate for the “Best Researcher Award”, given his consistent, interdisciplinary contributions to environmental sciences. His research directly supports global sustainability goals through practical, innovative, and scalable solutions. Furthermore, his educational outreach, cross-border collaborations, and commitment to solving real-world ecological problems distinguish him as a researcher of international repute. This award would recognize and further empower his impactful scientific journey.

🎓Education:

Dr. Al Souki pursued his academic studies in biology and environmental sciences. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in General Biology (2008–2010), followed by a Master 1 in Plant Biology and Environment (2010–2011), and a Master 2 in Phyto-ecology, Resources, and Security Applications (2011–2012), all from Lebanese University, Lebanon. He then completed his Ph.D. in Earth and Universe Sciences at LGCgE, ISA-Lille, Lille 1 University of Sciences and Technologies, France (2014–2017). His academic foundation combines ecological sciences, environmental applications, and molecular understanding of plant-soil interactions. This educational pathway equipped him with the necessary tools to integrate ecological theory with practical environmental solutions. His training in Europe and the Middle East enabled him to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective and work in cross-cultural academic and research environments. His education has laid the groundwork for his specialization in environmental biotechnology, phytoremediation, and biochar applications.

🏢Work Experience:

Since October 2018, Dr. Karim Al Souki has been serving as a Post-doctoral researcher and Assistant Professor at UJEP, Czechia, where he teaches and conducts advanced research in environmental sciences. His prior experience includes teaching roles at ESME Sudria (France) and private institutions in Lille, where he lectured in phytoecology, molecular biology, and environmental science. He has supervised and contributed to numerous EU- and NATO-funded projects related to phytotechnology, biochar, soil-plant interactions, and wastewater treatment. His pedagogical contributions span multiple European universities and platforms, such as Erasmus, COIL, and ISA-Lille. He has taught subjects including Bioremediation, Bio-economy, Environmental Biotechnology, and Climate Change. Dr. Al Souki’s interdisciplinary teaching and research experience enable him to link theoretical knowledge with field-based applications, fostering student engagement and scientific problem-solving skills relevant to contemporary ecological challenges.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Karim Al Souki has been recognized for his impactful research and cross-border educational initiatives. He is the Principal Investigator or Supervisor on several prestigious projects funded by international agencies such as NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, Interreg (IDEAL project), and Erasmus+, highlighting his leadership in environmental science and sustainability education. He received the UJEP Internal Grant Agency funding multiple times (2021–2023), supporting his innovative work on biochar and Miscanthus x giganteus in soil restoration. He was awarded the Usti nad Labem region grant for young researchers for his study on quinoa in polluted soils. His consistent success in securing competitive research grants attests to the scientific merit and societal relevance of his projects. These accolades recognize his commitment to ecosystem services, educational outreach, and environmental restoration, and affirm his role as a rising figure in applied environmental sciences and international academic collaboration.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Al Souki’s research centers on phytotechnology, bioremediation, biochar characterization, and ecosystem service enhancement in marginal and contaminated soils. He specializes in using Miscanthus x giganteus and quinoa to rehabilitate former military lands and toxic-element-polluted environments. His research integrates stable isotope analysis, DNA-based microbial community profiling, and plant physiological assessments to explore rhizospheric interactions, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. His work on biochar, especially its physico-chemical and ecotoxicological properties, supports sustainable agricultural and water reuse practices. His active projects include NATO-funded studies on climate change mitigation and EU-supported educational modules for water sustainability in the Elbe/Labe basin. His interdisciplinary approach links environmental microbiology, plant ecophysiology, and green chemistry, targeting real-world environmental problems with practical, nature-based solutions. His goal is to bridge science and education to improve soil health, water quality, and resilience against climate change.

Publication Top Notes:

1. An overview of potentially toxic element pollution in soil around lead–zinc mining areas

2. A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and health risks associated with the potential utilization of chars produced from tires, electro-waste plastics and biomass

3. Characterizations of ash derived from the crops’ waste biomass for soil improvement and assisted phytoremediation

4. A 6-year review status on soil pollution in coal mining areas from Europe

5. Extracted rapeseed meal biochar combined with digestate as a soil amendment: Effect on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) biomass yield and concentration of bioavailable element fraction in the soil

6. Miscanthus x giganteus stress tolerance and phytoremediation capacities in highly diesel contaminated soils

7. The influence of diesel contaminated soil on Miscanthus x giganteus biomass thermal utilization and pyrolysis products composition

8. Evaluation of Miscanthus × giganteus Tolerance to Trace Element Stress: Field Experiment with Soils Possessing Gradient Cd, Pb, and Zn Concentrations

9. Efficient Wastewater Treatment and Removal of Bisphenol A and Diclofenac in Mesocosm Flow Constructed Wetlands Using Granulated Cork as Emerged Substrate

10. Utilization of Biochar for Eliminating Residual Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater Used in Agricultural Irrigation: Application to Ryegrass