Dalel Daâssi | Waste Management | Research Excellence Award

Ms. Dalel Daâssi | Waste Management | Research Excellence Award 

Sfax, Tunisia | Centre Biotechnologie de Sfax | Tunisia

Ms. Dalel Daâssi is a distinguished researcher at the Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, Tunisia, specializing in environmental biotechnology, sustainable waste valorization, and bioprocess engineering. Her research focuses on the development of innovative mycelium-based biocomposites and the use of fungal consortia for the bioremediation of organic pollutants and metal uptake from wastewater, integrating fundamental science with practical agro-environmental applications. She has authored 21 publications, which have garnered 843 citations, reflecting her scholarly influence with an h-index of 14. Ms. Daâssi’s work advances understanding of biodegradation processes, the physico-mechanical and thermal properties of biocomposites, and plant-microbe interactions, offering eco-friendly solutions for waste management and sustainable agriculture. She has established extensive national and international collaborations, promoting multidisciplinary approaches to biotechnology challenges. Her research not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also delivers tangible societal benefits by supporting environmentally sustainable technologies, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting circular bioeconomy initiatives. Through her innovative contributions and collaborative efforts, Ms. Daâssi continues to play a vital role in advancing global environmental biotechnology and fostering sustainable development.

Profiles: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Daâssi, D., Rodríguez-Couto, S., Nasri, M., & Mechichi, T. (2014). Biodegradation of textile dyes by immobilized laccase from Coriolopsis gallica into Ca-alginate beads. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 90, 71–78. Cited by: 283

2. Daâssi, D., Prieto, A., Zouari-Mechichi, H., Martínez, M. J., Nasri, M., & Mechichi, T. (2016). Degradation of bisphenol A by different fungal laccases and identification of its degradation products. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 110, 181–188. Cited by: 147

3. Jellouli, K., Bougatef, A., Daâssi, D., Balti, R., Barkia, A., & Nasri, M. (2009). New alkaline trypsin from the intestine of grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) with high activity at low temperature: Purification and characterisation. Food Chemistry, 116(3), 644–650. Cited by: 110

4. Daâssi, D., Mechichi, T., Nasri, M., & Rodriguez-Couto, S. (2013). Decolorization of the metal textile dye Lanaset Grey G by immobilized white-rot fungi. Journal of Environmental Management, 129, 324–332. Cited by: 87

5. Daâssi, D., Zouari-Mechichi, H., Prieto, A., Martínez, M. J., Nasri, M., & Mechichi, T. (2013). Purification and biochemical characterization of a new alkali-stable laccase from Trametes sp. isolated in Tunisia: Role of the enzyme in olive mill waste water treatment. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 29(11), 2145–2155. Cited by: 62

Ms. Dalel Daâssi has made significant contributions to environmental biotechnology through her pioneering research on fungal bioremediation and sustainable biocomposites. Her work on utilizing fungal consortia for the treatment of organic and metallic pollutants in wastewater, as well as developing mycelium-based biocomposites from agro-wastes, advances eco-friendly solutions that benefit both industry and society by promoting sustainable waste valorization and reducing environmental impact.

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.

Xiaoliang Li | Micro Plastic | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xiaoliang Li | Micro Plastic | Best Researcher Award

Associate Chief Physician at The Third People’s of Zhuhai, China

Dr. Xiaoliang Li is an accomplished physician-scientist whose career bridges clinical excellence, research innovation, and academic leadership. Serving as Associate Chief Physician at Zhuhai Third People’s Hospital and Deputy Director of the Clinical Translation Center, he has developed a reputation for advancing preventive medicine and occupational health through rigorous clinical practice, impactful research, and knowledge dissemination. His professional affiliations, leadership roles in national and provincial health committees, and contributions as an editorial reviewer for leading international journals highlight his recognition as a trusted expert. With a strong foundation in preventive medicine and ongoing doctoral research in public health and preventive medicine, Dr. Li continues to integrate clinical expertise with cutting-edge scientific inquiry to address pressing health challenges.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Li’s educational journey demonstrates his consistent commitment to excellence and innovation in medicine and public health. He began his academic career with a Bachelor of Science in Preventive Medicine from Hebei University, where he developed a solid foundation in disease prevention, epidemiology, and occupational health. Building on this, he pursued a Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Health at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, which allowed him to deepen his expertise in environmental risk factors, workplace hazards, and their long-term health implications. His academic trajectory advanced further with his admission as a Ph.D. candidate in Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where he is investigating novel approaches to environmental and occupational health risks with an emphasis on translational medicine. This combination of progressive academic training has equipped him with the knowledge and research capacity to make sustained contributions to both theoretical and applied aspects of preventive medicine.

Experience

Dr. Li’s professional career is distinguished by a dual focus on clinical practice and research translation. At Zhuhai Third People’s Hospital, he holds the position of Associate Chief Physician, where he integrates evidence-based medicine with patient care in complex occupational and environmental health cases. His leadership extends to serving as Deputy Director of the Clinical Translation Center, a role that emphasizes his capacity to bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical applications. His expertise has been further recognized through appointments to multiple influential committees, including the Medical Ergonomics Committee of the Chinese Ergonomics Society, the Occupational Health and Engineering Evaluation Committee of the Guangdong Occupational Health Association, and the Guangdong Biomedical Engineering Society. In addition, he contributes to policy and practice as an expert in the Guangdong Prisoner Medical Evaluation Expert Database and as a health science popularization expert for the Zhuhai Municipal Health Bureau. Through these roles, he has helped shape policies, standards, and practices that promote both occupational safety and public health.

Research Focus

Dr. Li’s research contributions are at the intersection of occupational health, environmental exposures, and translational medicine. He has been actively engaged in national and regional research grants, serving as both principal investigator and co-investigator. His work under the National Natural Science Foundation of China explores the role of circular RNAs, particularly circCATE, in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway during bronchial epithelial carcinogenesis in COPD induced by B(a)P exposure. This research provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms linking environmental pollutants to chronic respiratory diseases. As principal investigator, he has led innovative projects funded by the Zhuhai Science and Technology Bureau, focusing on the role of marine, gut, and skin microbiomes in dermatophytosis among coastal populations. Additionally, his funded projects include occupational hazard characterization in new energy vehicle battery production and studies on pyrethroid exposure related to oxidative stress and male reproductive health. Collectively, these projects reflect his broad yet integrated research focus on the health impacts of environmental and occupational exposures, advancing knowledge that informs prevention, diagnosis, and clinical intervention.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Microplastics in the Lung Tissues Associated with Blood Test Index
Authors: Shuguang Wang, Wenfeng Lu, Qingdong Cao, Changli Tu, Chenghui Zhong, Lan Qiu, Saifeng Li, Han Zhang, Meiqi Lan, Liqiu Qiu, Xiaoliang Li, et al.
Journal: Toxics
Summary: Study reveals microplastics present in human lung tissues, correlating with blood test indicators, highlighting significant health implications from environmental exposure.

Title: Association of Shift-Work, Daytime Napping, and Nighttime Sleep with Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Caused Mortality in Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort Study
Authors: Xiaoliang Li et al.
Journal: Annals of Medicine
Summary: Large cohort study demonstrates associations between shift-work, sleep patterns, and elevated cancer incidence and mortality, emphasizing occupational and lifestyle health risks.

Title: Association of Body Mass Index with Chromosome Damage Levels and Lung Cancer Risk among Males
Authors: Xiaoliang Li et al.
Journal: Scientific Reports
Summary: Research links higher body mass index with increased chromosome damage and lung cancer risk, underscoring biological mechanisms of obesity-related carcinogenesis.

Title: The Interaction of APEX1 Variant with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Increasing Chromosome Damage and Lung Cancer Risk among Male Chinese
Authors: Xiaoliang Li et al.
Journal: Molecular Carcinogenesis
Summary: Study identifies synergistic effects of APEX1 genetic variant and environmental hydrocarbon exposure, heightening chromosome damage and lung cancer susceptibility in males.

Conclusion

Dr. Xiaoliang Li exemplifies the integration of clinical expertise, research innovation, and academic leadership. His career is marked by substantial contributions to preventive medicine, occupational health, and environmental health, with a strong record of high-impact publications, funded projects, and intellectual property. As an educator, mentor, and reviewer for prestigious journals, he continues to influence scientific discourse and policy development. His leadership in national committees and public health initiatives underscores his dedication to improving population health and workplace safety. With his unique combination of clinical practice, translational research, and academic engagement, Dr. Li stands as a highly deserving candidate for this award, reflecting a career dedicated to advancing medical science and public well-being.