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 : 

Orcid

Scopus  

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

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoubida TALEB | Green Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoubida TALEB | Green Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoubida TALEB , Green Chemistry , Djillali Liabes University, Algeria

Dr. Zoubida Taleb is a dedicated researcher and academic in the Department of Chemistry at Djillali Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. Affiliated with the Laboratory of Materials & Catalysis (LMC), she has significantly contributed to the fields of analytical chemistry, water quality, catalysis, and polymer chemistry. With a passion for environmental sustainability, her research primarily focuses on wastewater treatment using natural and cost-effective materials. Dr. Taleb earned her doctorate in Applied Physics/Chemistry in 2015 and her habilitation in 2021. She has collaborated on numerous international projects and authored several peer-reviewed publications that address pressing global environmental challenges. She actively shares her work via platforms like ORCID, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Known for her dedication to scientific advancement and community impact, Dr. Taleb continues to lead projects that bridge fundamental chemistry with environmental applications.

Professional Profile : 

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus 

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Taleb’s scientific contributions center around analytical chemistry, wastewater treatment, natural adsorbents, polymer chemistry, and catalysis—all of which are crucial subfields of environmental chemistry. A significant part of her recent research targets removal of pollutants (e.g., phenolic compounds, Diuron, heavy metals) from olive oil mill wastewater, used vegetable oils, and industrial effluents. This aligns directly with global efforts toward sustainable water treatment.  Dr. Taleb has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of environmentally friendly chemical technologies and has collaborated internationally. She bridges chemistry, environmental engineering, and materials science, showcasing interdisciplinary impact—a hallmark of outstanding environmental chemists. Dr. Zoubida Taleb demonstrates exceptional alignment with the objectives of the “Environmental Chemistry Award”. Her research directly addresses global environmental challenges such as water pollution, green remediation techniques, and resource recovery using sustainable, low-cost methods. Her scholarly output, practical impact, and dedication to environmental solutions make her a strong and deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.

🎓Education:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s academic journey began with a Baccalaureate in Natural and Life Sciences (1998) in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. She then pursued her passion for chemistry by obtaining a Higher Education Diploma in Chemistry (2003) from Djillali Liabes University. Building upon this foundation, she earned a Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry (2009) from Ahmed Ben Bella, Es-Senia University in Oran. Her pursuit of higher research led her back to Djillali Liabes University, where she was awarded a Doctorate in Applied Physics/Chemistry (2015). Demonstrating academic excellence and research leadership, she achieved the Habilitation (2021), the highest university qualification in Algeria. This extensive and focused educational background has equipped Dr. Taleb with robust expertise in chemical sciences, particularly in polymers, catalysis, and environmental applications.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb has over 15 years of academic and research experience in the field of chemistry. She currently serves as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Djillali Liabes University, where she is also a core member of the Laboratory of Materials & Catalysis (LMC). Her responsibilities include supervising graduate research, conducting innovative projects, and teaching chemistry-related subjects. Dr. Taleb has actively collaborated with national and international researchers, contributing to projects in environmental remediation, adsorption processes, and sustainable materials. She has co-authored numerous high-impact articles and presented her research at various international forums. Her experience spans practical lab work, analytical instrumentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as wastewater treatment, polymer chemistry, and surface catalysis. She also mentors students and promotes scientific awareness and innovation within the academic community.

🏅Awards: 

While specific awards are not listed in the provided data, Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s career is marked by significant academic accomplishments and recognition through her research contributions. Earning the Habilitation degree in 2021 reflects her expertise and capacity to supervise doctoral research—an honor reserved for highly accomplished scholars in Algeria. Her active participation in high-impact publications, including international collaborations with European scientists, underlines her global academic reputation. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Chem Engineering, Environmental Analytical Chemistry, and Waste Management & Research, often addressing critical environmental issues through green chemistry. Furthermore, her role in multiple projects on wastewater treatment and the valorization of natural materials highlights her commitment to sustainability and innovation. Continued invitations to co-author with globally renowned researchers are testament to her respected position in the field.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s research integrates chemistry with environmental sustainability, focusing on analytical chemistry, wastewater treatment, natural adsorbents, polymer chemistry, and catalysis. She explores low-cost, efficient techniques such as adsorption and catalytic degradation using Algerian clays, montmorillonite, and activated carbon to remove pollutants from industrial effluents. Her studies address real-world problems like the purification of used vegetable oils, olive mill wastewater treatment, and removal of phenolic compounds and pesticides from water. By emphasizing kinetic modeling and physicochemical characterization, she evaluates the efficiency and mechanisms of adsorption and catalysis. Her interdisciplinary work often combines chemical engineering, material science, and environmental science, promoting sustainable solutions. Collaborations with researchers from Spain, Italy, and France have broadened her impact, making her a key contributor in advancing eco-friendly remediation technologies.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Lead and cadmium removal by adsorption process using hydroxyapatite porous materials

Authors: A. Ramdani, A. Kadeche, M. Adjdir, Z. Taleb, D. Ikhou, S. Taleb, A. Deratani

Citations: 48

2. Mechanism study of metal ion adsorption on porous hydroxyapatite: experiments and modeling

Authors: A. Ramdani, Z. Taleb, A. Guendouzi, A. Kadeche, H. Herbache, A. Mostefai, …

Citations: 13

3. Removal of o-Cresol from aqueous solution using Algerian Na-Clay as adsorbent

Authors: H. Herbache, A. Ramdani, A. Maghni, Z. Taleb, S. Taleb, E. Morallon, …

Citations: 10

4. Electrochemical and In Situ FTIR Study of o-Cresol on Platinum Electrode in Acid Medium

Authors: Z. Taleb, F. Montilla, C. Quijada, E. Morallon, S. Taleb

Citations: 10

5. Physicochemical and microbiological characterisation of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) from the region of Sidi Bel Abbes (Western Algeria)

Authors: S. Djeziri, Z. Taleb, M. Djellouli, S. Taleb

Citations: 7

6. Catalytic degradation of O‐cresol using H₂O₂ onto Algerian Clay‐Na

Authors: H. Herbache, A. Ramdani, Z. Taleb, R. Ruiz‐Rosas, S. Taleb, E. Morallón, …

Citations: 7

7. Discoloration of contaminated water by an industrial dye: Methylene Blue, by two Algerian bentonites, thermally activated

Authors: I. Feddal, Z. Taleb, A. Ramdani, H. Herbache, S. Taleb

Citations: 7

8. Variation of used vegetable oils’ composition upon treatment with Algerian clays

Authors: A. Serouri, Z. Taleb, A. Mannu, S. Garroni, N. Senes, S. Taleb, S. Brini, …

Citations: 6

9.Temperature and pH influence on Diuron adsorption by Algerian Mont-Na Clay

Authors: S. Tlemsani, Z. Taleb, L. Piraúlt-Roy, S. Taleb

Citations: 5

10. Recycling of used vegetable oils by powder adsorption

Authors: A. Mannu, M.E. Di Pietro, G.L. Petretto, Z. Taleb, A. Serouri, S. Taleb, …

Citations: 5