Dhekra Ben Amara | Circular Economy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dhekra Ben Amara | Circular Economy | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Qingdao Hengxing University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Dhekra Ben Amara is an accomplished Associate Professor at Qingdao Hengxing University of Science and Technology, China, and a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Henan University, with expertise in Agricultural and Environmental Economics. She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and Management from Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; an M.Sc. in Economy of Agriculture, Agri-food, and Environment; and an Engineering degree in Agricultural and Agri-food Economics and Management from the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, in addition to a Diploma in Biology–Geology Engineering Studies from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis. Dr. Ben Amara’s academic journey reflects her deep commitment to sustainability science, eco-innovation, and green growth. Her research focuses on the intersections of climate change, circular economy, environmental policy, and green finance, using advanced econometric modeling to identify pathways for sustainable development. She has published extensively in leading journals, including Journal of Cleaner Production, Sustainable Development, Environment, Development and Sustainability, and Journal of Environmental Management. Beyond research, she has contributed to international projects such as the China–Tunisia collaboration on biomass valorization and bio-circular economy models. Her professional achievements include serving as a Reviewing Editor with Springer Nature Reviewer Communities and receiving multiple honors, such as the Best Researcher Award in Environmental Science and the Outstanding Graduate Award from Northeast Forestry University. Demonstrating strong academic influence and research productivity, Dr. Ben Amara has achieved 246 citations, 12 indexed documents, and an h-index of 8.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Ben Amara, D., & Chen, H. (2020). A mediation–moderation model of environmental and eco-innovation orientation for sustainable business growth. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(14), 16916–16928.

2. Ben Amara, D., & Chen, H. (2022). Driving factors for eco-innovation orientation: Meeting sustainable growth in Tunisian agribusiness. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 18(2), 713–732.

3. Ben Amara, D., & Qiao, J. (2023). From economic growth to inclusive green growth: How do carbon emissions, eco-innovation, and international collaboration develop economic growth and tackle climate change? Journal of Cleaner Production, 425, 138986.

4. Ben Amara, D., & Chen, H. (2020). Investigating the effect of multidimensional network capability and eco-innovation orientation for sustainable performance. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 22(6), 1297–1309. 0

5. Ben Amara, D., & Chen, H. (2021). The impact of participative decision-making on eco-innovation capability: The mediating role of motivational eco-innovation factors. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23(5), 6966–6986.

Hailu Shiferaw Desta | Greening Impacts | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hailu Shiferaw Desta | Greening Impacts | Best Researcher Award

Hailu Shiferaw Desta | Water and Land Resource Center | Ethiopia

Dr. Hailu Shiferaw Desta is an accomplished Ecosystem Specialist at the Water and Land Resource Center, Addis Ababa University, recognized for his expertise in environment and natural resource management. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography specializing in Environment and Natural Resource Management from Addis Ababa University, an M.Sc. in Environment focusing on GIS and Remote Sensing from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, an M.Sc. in Biology with a focus on Plant Ecology, and a B.Sc. in Biology from Addis Ababa University. With extensive experience in academia and applied research, he has played leading roles in national and international projects such as the R4D Woody Weeds, Payment for Ecosystem Services, Landscape Restoration, Basin Development and Transformation (BRIGHT), and Green Transition initiatives. His collaborations with global institutions including the World Resources Institute, International Institute of Sustainable Development, and CABI International have advanced the use of geospatial technologies, nature-based solutions, and sustainable land management practices across Ethiopia. Dr. Hailu’s research focuses on land use dynamics, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, and invasive species management, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and environmental governance. He has authored more than thirty publications in prestigious journals such as Nature-Based Solutions, Scientific Reports, Science of The Total Environment, and Ecological Indicators, with his findings influencing restoration strategies and conservation policies. A dedicated mentor and trainer, he has conducted numerous capacity-building programs in GIS, spatial analysis, and environmental planning for professionals and institutions. His work integrates science, innovation, and community engagement to enhance ecosystem resilience and promote sustainable development. With 1,811 citations, an h-index of 18, and an i10-index of 21, Dr. Hailu Shiferaw Desta stands as a leading scholar and practitioner in environmental research and sustainability.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

1. Linders, T. E. W., Schaffner, U., Eschen, R., Abebe, A., Choge, S. K., Nigatu, L., et al. (2019). Direct and indirect effects of invasive species: Biodiversity loss is a major mechanism by which an invasive tree affects ecosystem functioning. Journal of Ecology, 107(6), 2660–2672.

2. Shiferaw, H., Teketay, D., Nemomissa, S., & Assefa, F. (2004). Some biological characteristics that foster the invasion of Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC at Middle Awash Rift Valley Area, north-eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Arid Environments, 58(2), 135–154.

3. Shiferaw, H., Bewket, W., Alamirew, T., Zeleke, G., Teketay, D., Bekele, K., et al. (2019). Implications of land use/land cover dynamics and Prosopis invasion on ecosystem service values in Afar Region, Ethiopia. Science of the Total Environment, 675, 354–366.

4. Shiferaw, H., Bewket, W., & Eckert, S. (2019). Performances of machine learning algorithms for mapping fractional cover of an invasive plant species in a dryland ecosystem. Ecology and Evolution, 9, 2562–2574.

 

Nashwa Yousif | Renewable Energy | Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nashwa Yousif | Renewable Energy | Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nashwa Yousif, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt

Dr. Nashwa Mohamed Mahmoud Yousif is an Assistant Professor of Material Sciences at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, specializing in energy storage and renewable energy research. With over 18 years of academic and research experience, she has contributed extensively to advanced electrochemical analysis, nanomaterials development, and polymer/metal oxide composites for sustainable energy applications. Currently based at the Electrochemical Lab of the Solid State and Accelerators Department at the National Center for Radiation Research & Technology (NCRRT), her contributions span academic supervision, collaborative research, and high-impact journal publications.

Professional Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education

Dr. Yousif’s academic journey is rooted in physics and material science. She steadily progressed through academic ranks, beginning as a physics researcher in 2007. Her advanced studies led her to specialize in solid-state physics and energy materials, which has underpinned her extensive work on electrochemical energy storage systems and nanocomposites.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Yousif has steadily grown her academic career within the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. She began as a physics researcher (2007–2012), before being promoted to assistant lecturer (2012–2016), and lecturer (2016–2022). In 2022, she assumed the role of Assistant Professor in Material Sciences at the NCRRT. Throughout this time, she has been deeply involved in both laboratory research and the mentorship of graduate students, significantly influencing Egypt’s scientific landscape in the fields of renewable energy and electrochemical materials.

🔬 Research Interests

Her core research interests include the development of cathode materials for multivalent ion batteries, synthesis of polymer/metal oxide nanocomposites, and conversion of plastic waste into carbon nanomaterials for energy storage. She focuses on scalable, eco-friendly approaches to sustainable energy solutions, particularly in enhancing battery technology and supercapacitor performance.

📚 Publications Top Notes

🔬 Title: Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Perovskite-Type Nd₁−ₓCaₓMnO₃ Nanocomposites for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

📅 Published: May 2025
📘 Journal: Journal of Electronic Materials
👥 Contributors: Soraya Abdelhaleem, M. S. Shalaby, H. M. Hashem, Nashwa M. Yousif

Summary:
This research explores the synthesis of Nd₁−ₓCaₓMnO₃ perovskite-type nanocomposites using a facile route and their application as electrode materials in supercapacitors. The study reveals how calcium doping impacts the crystal structure and electrochemical behavior, resulting in enhanced specific capacitance and charge-discharge performance. The nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrochemical stability, making them promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices.

🔬 Title: Plastic Waste‐Derived Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Mo₂C, MoO₃, or MoO₃/Mo₂C as Effective Nanocomposite Materials for Supercapacitor Applications

📅 Published: May 2025
📘 Journal: ChemistrySelect
👥 Contributors: Ahmed E. Awadallah, Ateyya A. Aboul‐Enein, Nashwa M. Yousif, Mostafa A. Azab, Ahmed M. Haggar

Summary:
This environmentally focused study converts plastic waste into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and further functionalizes them with Mo₂C, MoO₃, and a hybrid MoO₃/Mo₂C composite. The resulting materials exhibit exceptional electrochemical properties, including high conductivity and capacitance. The work provides a dual solution for plastic waste management and supercapacitor enhancement, highlighting the potential of green nanotechnology.

🔬 Title: Impact of Carbon Nanotubes on Superconducting Properties and Ferromagnetism of Indium-Doped Bi-2212 Superconductors: Critical Current Density Enhancement

📅 Published: January 2025
📘 Journal: Physica B: Condensed Matter
👥 Contributors: Soraya Abdelhaleem, Manale Noun, Nashwa M. Yousif, Mustafa Saeed Shalaby

Summary:
This article examines how the inclusion of carbon nanotubes influences the superconducting behavior of indium-doped Bi-2212 ceramics. The findings indicate enhanced critical current density and a marked effect on the magnetic and ferromagnetic properties. The research provides insight into the interplay between nanostructures and superconducting materials, opening avenues for high-efficiency superconductors in electronics.

🔬 Title: Electrochemical Performance of Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes Based on EVA/PANI@CNT Nano-Composite

📅 Published: December 2024
📘 Journal: Russian Journal of Electrochemistry
👥 Contributors: Nashwa M. Yousif, Mohamed R. Balboul

Summary:
This study introduces a novel flexible electrode made from a composite of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyaniline (PANI), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The material displays impressive capacitance retention and flexibility, ideal for wearable energy storage devices. It marks a significant advancement in flexible supercapacitor technology through a cost-effective and scalable approach.

🔬 Title: γ‐Irradiation Hardness Investigations of (PANI)₁−ₓ(Bi₂Te₃)ₓ Composites for Thermistor Applications

📅 Published: February 10, 2023
📘 Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
👥 Contributors: Mustafa Saeed Shalaby, Soraya Abdelhaleem, Eman O. Taha, Nashwa M. Yousif

Summary:
The paper investigates the impact of γ-irradiation on polyaniline/Bi₂Te₃ composites, assessing their structural stability and electrical response. The results demonstrate that controlled irradiation improves the thermistor behavior of the composite, making it suitable for temperature-sensing applications in radiation-exposed environments. This work contributes to the design of robust, radiation-resistant sensors.

🧭 Conclusion

Dr. Nashwa M. Yousif exemplifies the modern researcher’s commitment to both innovation and sustainability. Her work bridges academic research and practical solutions, tackling some of the world’s most urgent energy challenges. Through her publications, graduate supervision, and national projects, she continues to lead with scientific integrity and a forward-looking vision. Her contributions make her a strong contender for recognition in national and international award platforms, especially in categories honoring women in science and sustainability innovation.