Niloofar Akbariansaravi | Circular Economy | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Niloofar Akbariansaravi | Circular Economy | Best Academic Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher | University of British Columbia | Canada

Dr. Niloofar Akbariansaravi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Sessional Lecturer at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan, specializing in Applied Operations Research, Business Analytics, and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. She holds dual PhDs in Mechanical Engineering from UBC and Industrial Engineering from the University of Tehran, complemented by a master’s in Industrial Engineering and a bachelor’s degree from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Her professional experience spans academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, including leadership roles in collaborative sustainability projects with bioenergy, bioplastic, and sawmilling sectors, and the founding of SustainPro Solutions Inc., a UBC spin-off promoting circular economy analytics. Dr. Akbariansaravi’s research focuses on developing data-driven Decision Support Systems (DSS), multi-criteria optimization frameworks, and techno-economic sustainability models to support environmentally responsible manufacturing and supply chain practices. She has authored multiple refereed journal articles, book chapters, and international conference papers, earning recognition through awards such as the Best Student Paper at the IISE Conference and competitive research fellowships from UBC, MITACS, and Lab-to-Market Canada. As an educator and mentor, she has guided numerous graduate students and contributed to interdisciplinary teaching in analytics and sustainability. Her professional affiliations and achievements include serving as a journal reviewer, conference chair, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification holder, and active member of leading research networks advancing sustainable industrial systems worldwide.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Rabbani, M., Oladzad-Abbasabady, N., & Akbarian-Saravi, N. (2022). Ambulance routing in disaster response considering variable patient condition: NSGA-II and MOPSO algorithms. Journal of Industrial & Management Optimization, 18(2), 148.

2. Rabbani, M., Saravi, N. A., Farrokhi-Asl, H., Lim, S. F. W. T., & Tahaei, Z. (2018). Developing a sustainable supply chain optimization model for switchgrass-based bioenergy production: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 200, 827–843.

3. Akbarian-Saravi, N., Mobini, M., & Rabbani, M. (2020). Development of a comprehensive decision support tool for strategic and tactical planning of a sustainable bioethanol supply chain: Real case study, discussions and policy implications. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118871.

4. Rabbani, M., Mokarrari, K. R., & Akbarian-Saravi, N. (2021). A multi-objective location inventory routing problem with pricing decisions in a sustainable waste management system. Sustainable Cities and Society, 75, 103319.

5. Rabbani, M., Momen, S., Akbarian-Saravi, N., Farrokhi-Asl, H., & Ghelichi, Z. (2020). Optimal design for sustainable bioethanol supply chain considering the bioethanol production strategies: A case study. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 134, 106720.

Ohidul Alam | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ohidul Alam | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Post-doc Research fellow, Jiangsu University, China

Dr. Ohidul Alam is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, China. With a deep-rooted commitment to environmental sustainability, he has dedicated his academic and professional life to research in hazardous waste treatment, microplastic pollution, heavy metal remediation, and sustainable energy technologies. Dr. Alam’s work emphasizes low-cost, scalable environmental solutions tailored to both urban and coastal contexts in developing regions. His extensive experience across Bangladesh and China has contributed to a robust academic output and practical environmental advancements.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Alam’s academic journey began with a BSc (Hons.) in Environmental Science from the University of Chittagong, followed by an MS in the same field. He later pursued a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering at Tongji University, Shanghai, supported by the prestigious Chinese Government Scholarships. His Ph.D., earned from East China University of Science and Technology, focused on developing adsorbents from crustacean shells for the treatment and stabilization of heavy metals in wastewater and solid waste. Each degree added a layer of expertise in environmental science, waste treatment, and life cycle assessment, forming the foundation of his interdisciplinary research approach.

💼 Experience

Dr. Alam’s diverse career spans academia, research, consultancy, and development sectors. He is currently engaged in post-doctoral research on microplastics and hazardous waste management. His previous roles include serving as an Environmental Officer for the Sustainable Enterprise Project under IDF Bangladesh, a Manager at Aurora Consultant Ltd., and a Consultant at DM WATCH, where he worked on climate change and disaster risk projects. Earlier in his career, he contributed as a Research Assistant and Data Enumerator in several environment and livelihood-based projects funded by IUCN, USAID, and GIZ, further enhancing his field and policy-level expertise.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Alam’s research interests span critical areas of environmental sustainability, including hazardous and medical waste management, heavy metals and microplastics detection, coastal pollution, wastewater treatment technologies, and environmental materials development. He also has a keen interest in life cycle assessment (LCA), green supply chains, and sustainable urban environmental solutions. His current research integrates advanced characterization techniques like ICP-MS, XRF, and SEM-EDS, with real-world environmental challenges, focusing on the nexus between pollution control and public health.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Alam has received multiple international scholarships and accolades for his academic excellence and research. These include the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), Marine Scholarship of China (MSC), Tongji University President’s Award (2nd Prize), Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship, and ECUST Comprehensive Scholarship (1st Prize). He also secured the Best Paper Award at the 2017 International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability in China. These honors recognize his commitment to impactful research and global environmental leadership.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Alam O, Zheng X, Du D, et al. (2024)
Title: A critical review on advances in remediation of toxic heavy metals contaminated solids by chemical processes
Summary: Reviews latest chemical methods for remediating heavy metal-contaminated solids, focusing on sustainable, low-cost strategies.

Alam O, Hossain M. (2013)
Title: A comparative study on the differences between public and private healthcare entities in healthcare waste management in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Summary: Compares waste handling in public vs. private healthcare facilities, highlighting inefficiencies and regulatory gaps.

Alam O, Hossain MM. (2012)
Title: A comparison between public and private approaches of waste management in the healthcare industry of Chittagong City Corporation
Summary: Analyzes differences in medical waste generation, segregation, and disposal, offering policy suggestions for urban healthcare systems.

Hossain M, Alam O. (2012)
Title: A Comparison between Public and Private Approaches of Waste Management in the Healthcare Industry of Chittagong City Corporation
Summary: Similar themes on healthcare waste management strategies in public vs. private sectors.

Alam O, Mona IN, Mohinuzzaman M, Maliyath R, et al. (2023)
Title: A comprehensive study of existing solid waste management system and its impacts on the environment in a coastal city of Bangladesh
Summary: Investigates municipal solid waste management in a coastal city, assessing environmental risks and policy implications.

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Ohidul Alam is a forward-thinking environmental researcher with a multidimensional skillset encompassing academic research, technical consultation, and project leadership. His dedication to solving environmental problems through innovative and low-cost technologies has made tangible impacts in both academia and policy. With a rich portfolio of international collaborations, impactful publications, and prestigious recognitions, Dr. Alam continues to contribute meaningfully to global environmental sustainability and public health. He stands as a deserving candidate for any environmental science award nomination recognizing excellence, innovation, and dedication in research and practice.