Yuqing Han | Plant Cold Stress | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Cryogenicist

Dr. Yuqing Han | Plant Cold Stress | Best Academic Researcher Award

Postdoctoral | Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dr. Yuqing Han is a distinguished postdoctoral researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, specializing in plant molecular biology and abiotic stress physiology with a particular focus on cold tolerance in melon (Cucumis melo). Her research has significantly advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing plant adaptation to low-temperature stress, identifying four key genes that enhance melon’s resistance and revealing a transcriptional regulatory module crucial for cold response. With expertise in molecular interaction analysis, gene function verification, and transcriptomic profiling, she has contributed to two major research projects and two industry collaborations aimed at developing stress-resilient horticultural crops. Dr. Han has published eight papers in high-impact international journals such as Plant Physiology, The Plant Journal, and Environmental and Experimental Botany, which collectively highlight her scientific rigor and innovative approach to crop improvement. Her work not only expands the theoretical framework of plant stress biology but also provides practical genetic resources for melon breeding, offering solutions for sustainable agriculture amid global climate challenges. Demonstrating growing international recognition, her research record includes 136 citations, 8 documents, and an h-index of 5, reflecting her academic excellence and impactful contributions to the global scientific community.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

1. Xu, D., Han, Y., Zhang, Y., Khan, A., Dong, L., Shao, L., Liang, A., Liu, T., & Qi, H. (2025). CmTGA8–CmAPX1/CmGSTU25 regulatory model involved in trehalose-induced cold tolerance in oriental melon seedlings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 220, 109432.

Dr. Yuqing Han’s research advances global agricultural resilience by uncovering molecular mechanisms that enhance crop tolerance to cold stress, supporting sustainable food production under climate change. Her discoveries in stress-responsive gene regulation provide vital insights for developing hardier horticultural varieties, driving innovation in plant biotechnology and sustainable farming practices worldwide.

Niloofar Akbariansaravi | Circular Economy | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Cryogenicist

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.