Xolile Fuku | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Xolile Fuku | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

University of South Africa | South Africa

Prof. Xolile Godfrey Fuku is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). With a distinguished academic and research background in electrochemistry, nanotechnology, and sustainable energy systems, Prof. Fuku has positioned himself as a leading figure in green energy and environmental technologies. His work focuses on electrochemical sensors, hydrogen fuel cells, battery materials, CO₂ conversion, and integrated water monitoring systems aligning closely with global sustainability and climate change goals. Prof. Fuku holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of the Western Cape, where his doctoral research developed a quantum dots genosensor for breast cancer biomarkers under the supervision of Prof. Emmanuel Iwuoha. He also holds an MSc in Chemistry and has expanded his expertise through business qualifications, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and an ongoing MBA from Wits Business School. Over the years, Prof. Fuku has demonstrated excellence in research leadership and capacity development. He manages a multidisciplinary research team at iNanoWS and has supervised several MSc and PhD students in the fields of renewable energy, nanotechnology, and material science. His research outputs include over 60 peer-reviewed publications, multiple international book chapters, and numerous conference presentations. As of 2025, his work has garnered 2,532 citations with an H-index of 19, according to Google Scholar. His efforts have been supported by prestigious grants from organizations such as the National Research Foundation (NRF), CSIR, Water Research Commission (WRC), and international bodies including the Chinese Foreign Talent Program. He is also affiliated with prominent scientific societies such as SACNASP, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the African Academy of Sciences. Prof. Fuku continues to contribute significantly to advancing Africa’s leadership in clean and sustainable technologies through research, mentorship, and innovation.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Nompetsheni, I., Hlongwa, N. W., Palaniyandy, N., & Fuku, X. (2025). CQD–TiO₂ composite as a potential crypto-electrode modifier for high-performance aptasensing with ultra-low detection limits. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 1–22.

  • Zia Ul Haq, M., Singh, B., Fuku, X., Barhoum, A., & Tian, F. (2025). A systematic review of the use of electronic nose and tongue technologies for detecting food contaminants. Chemosensors, 13, 262.

  • Phosha, N. N., Fuku, X. G., Tijing, L., & Motsa, M. M. (2025). Exploring the application of solar irradiation in driving a standalone membrane distillation unit. Applied Thermal Engineering, 127169.

  • Gazu, N. T., Morrin, A., Fuku, X., Mamba, B. B., & Feleni, U. (2025). Recent technologies for the determination of SARS‐CoV‐2 in wastewater. ChemistrySelect, 10.

  • Palaniyandy, N., Sekhosana, K., Lakshmi, D., Fuku, X., & Sundar, D. K. S. (2025). Advancement of Pt and Pd-based catalysis for green, sustainable energy and biomedical applications. Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 100446.

  • Karuga, J., Fuku, X., Nkambule, T., Mamba, B., & Kebede, M. A. (2024). Advances in mitigating oxygen evolution, phase transformation, and voltage fading in Li/Mn-rich cathode materials via cationic doping and surface modification. Journal of Energy Storage, 98, 113144.

  • Norvivor, F. A., Azizi, S., Fuku, X., Atibu, E. K., Idris, A. O., Sibali, L., & Maaza, M. (2024). Ecological and human health risk of heavy metals in Nubui River: A case of rural remote communities. Frontiers in Water, 6, 1397853.

 

Eric Holland | Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Eric Holland | Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center | United States

Dr. Eric Charles Holland is a globally esteemed physician-scientist whose groundbreaking contributions have significantly advanced the field of neuro-oncology. Currently serving as Professor in the Division of Human Biology and Senior Vice President & Director at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA, Dr. Holland has dedicated his career to integrating molecular biology with clinical neurosurgery to develop innovative therapies for brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma. Dr. Holland earned his BS in Chemistry from Miami University, followed by a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago, and an MD from Stanford University. He pursued postdoctoral training in both HIV gene expression in Paul Berg’s lab at Stanford and glioma modeling in Harold Varmus’s lab at the NIH both Nobel laureates. He completed neurosurgical training at UCLA, laying the groundwork for a career at the intersection of science and clinical practice. He has held academic and clinical appointments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University, and the University of Washington. Notably, he served as Director of the Brain Tumor Center at MSKCC and the Alvord Brain Tumor Center in Seattle, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to brain cancer treatment. He also plays a leadership role in Seattle Translational Tumor Research (STTR). A prolific researcher, Dr. Holland has authored 297 scientific publications, garnering over 37,000 citations, and holds an h-index of 95, reflecting the high impact and sustained relevance of his work. His research has advanced understanding of glioma genetics, tumor microenvironments, and translational therapies. He is also recognized for his contributions to science policy and international collaborations, including efforts to expand cancer care in China. Dr. Holland is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Farber Award, Bressler Scholars Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from Uppsala University.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Kumar, S., Jiang, J., Donald-Paladino, M. S., Chen, J., Gutierrez, A., Federation, A. J., Szulzewsky, F., Holland, E. C., Ferguson, F. M., & Nabet, B. (2025, June 24). Development of PROTACs for targeted degradation of oncogenic TRK fusions [Preprint]. bioRxiv.

Cimino, P. J., Keiser, D. J., Parrish, A. G., Holland, E. C., & Szulzewsky, F. (2025, April 9). C-terminal fusion partner activity contributes to the oncogenic functions of YAP1::TFE3 [Preprint]. bioRxiv.

Zheng, Y., Henikoff, J., Henikoff, S., Ahmad, K., Kugel, S., Szulzewsky, F., Holland, E., Russell, Z. R., Paranal, R. N., Xu, Y., et al. (2025, February 14). RNA Polymerase II at histone genes predicts outcome in human cancer. Science, 379(6673), eads2169.

Arora, S., Holland, E., Vardharajan, S., Taylor, M., Sahm, F., Mack, S. C., Sievers, P., Korshunov, A., Nuechterlein, N., Jensen, M., et al. (2024, October 22). Integrated transcriptomic landscape of medulloblastoma and ependymoma reveals novel tumor subtype-specific biology [Preprint]. bioRxiv.

Szulzewsky, F., Thirimanne, H. N., & Holland, E. C. (2024, March 18). Meningioma: Current updates on genetics, classification, and mouse modeling. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 129(1), Article 10579.

Henikoff, S., Henikoff, J. G., Paranal, R. M., Greene, J. E., Zheng, Y., Russell, Z. R., Szulzewsky, F., Kugel, S., Holland, E. C., & Ahmad, K. (2024, March 3). RNA Polymerase II hypertranscription in cancer FFPE samples [Preprint]. bioRxiv.

Henikoff, S., Henikoff, J. G., Ahmad, K., Paranal, R. M., Janssens, D. H., Russell, Z. R., Szulzewsky, F., Kugel, S., & Holland, E. C. (2023, September 22). Epigenomic analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples by CUT&Tag. Nature Communications, 14, Article 5977.

Songli Yuan | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Songli Yuan | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dr. Songli Yuan is an Associate Researcher at the Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, specializing in the molecular biology of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes, particularly soybean. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Bioscience from Huazhong Agricultural University and continued at the same institution for her Ph.D. in the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology. During her doctoral studies, she also trained at the State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gaining additional experience in plant gene research. Dr. Yuan’s research primarily focuses on understanding the molecular physiology of legume-rhizobium symbiosis, including host-microbe specificity, signaling pathways, and functional gene discovery related to nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Her expertise spans microbiology, molecular biology, microbial biotechnology, signal transduction, and plant biochemistry. She has authored 43 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, including Plant Physiology, Journal of Experimental Botany, Frontiers in Plant Science, and Scientific Reports. Her work has been cited 1,272 times by 1,124 documents, reflecting her impact in the field of plant-microbe interactions. She holds an h-index of 18 (Scopus), demonstrating consistent scholarly influence and contribution. Dr. Yuan’s research is instrumental in breeding high-efficiency soybean cultivars and improving biological nitrogen fixation, aligning with sustainable agricultural goals. Her deep commitment to advancing symbiotic nitrogen-fixation biology positions her as a leading researcher in agricultural biotechnology and plant molecular physiology.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Jin, F., Ke, D., Lu, L., Hu, Q., Zhang, C., Li, C., Liang, W., Yuan, S., & Chen, H. (2025). Suppression of nodule formation by RNAi knock-down of Bax inhibitor-1a in Lotus japonicus. Genes, 16(1), 58.

Yuan, S., Ke, D., Liu, B., Zhang, M., Li, X., Chen, H., Zhang, C., Huang, Y., Sun, S., Shen, J., Yang, S., Zhou, S., Leng, P., Guan, Y., & Zhou, X. (2023). The Bax inhibitor GmBI-1α interacts with a Nod factor receptor and plays a dual role in the legume-rhizobia symbiosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, 74(18), 5820–5839.

Wu, P., Feng, Y., Zou, Z., Cao, Y., & Yuan, S. (2021). Critical role of cysteine-266 of SIE3 in regulating the ubiquitination and degradation of SIP1 transcription factor in Lotus japonicus. Planta, 253, 126.

Feng, Y., Wu, P., Fu, W., Peng, L., Zhu, H., Cao, Y., Zhou, X., Hong, Z., Zhang, Z., & Yuan, S. (2020). The Lotus japonicus ubiquitin ligase SIE3 interacts with the transcription factor SIP1 and forms a homodimer. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 795.

Yuan, S., Zhu, H., Gou, H., Fu, W., Liu, L., Chen, T., Ke, D., Kang, H., Xie, Q., Hong, Z., & Zhang, Z. (2012). A ubiquitin ligase of symbiosis receptor kinase involved in nodule organogenesis. Plant Physiology, 160(1), 106–117.

 

Si Mengting | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Si Mengting | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Yangtze University | China

Dr. Mengting Si is an Associate Professor at the School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, China. She earned her Ph.D. and M.S. from the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and her B.Sc. in Automotive Engineering from Jilin University. Her research focuses primarily on carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and soot formation during fossil fuel combustion, particularly leveraging hyperspectral imaging and optical diagnostic techniques. Dr. Si has a strong research track record, having authored 31 publications indexed in Scopus, which have collectively received 396 citations across 357 documents, reflecting an h-index of 11. She has secured multiple prestigious research grants, including two as Principal Investigator from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and one from the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion. Her work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Combustion and Flame, Renewable Energy, and Applied Optics. In addition to her publications, she has contributed to several national-level collaborative research projects and holds one Chinese patent. Dr. Si’s research has also been presented at leading academic conferences, including the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference and the Annual Conference of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics. Her contributions to combustion diagnostics and emissions control have earned her multiple awards, including the 1st Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress in Petroleum and Chemical Automation and the 3rd Prize of Natural Science of Hubei Province. Dr. Si continues to advance cleaner combustion technologies and sustainable energy research.

Profiles : Scopus | Research Gate

Featured Publications

  • Si, M., Liu, J., Zhang, Y., Liu, B., Luo, Z., & Cheng, Q. (2024). Effect of co-combustion of coal with biomass on the morphology of soot. Renewable Energy, 226, 120374.

  • Si, M., Liu, J., Chang, K., Zhang, Y., Luo, Z., & Cheng, Q. (2024). Evolution of physicochemical characteristics of soot in a single coal combustion flame. Combustion and Flame, 260, 113243.

  • Si, M., Cheng, Q., Yuan, L., Zhang, Y., & Luo, Z. (2022). Study on the combustion behavior of single coal particle using a thermal-imaging technique. Combustion and Flame, 242, 112178.

  • Si, M., Cheng, Q., Yuan, L., Luo, Z., Xu, Z., & Zhao, H. (2022). Physical and chemical characterization of two kinds of coal-derived soot. Combustion and Flame, 238, 111759.

  • Si, M., Cheng, Q., Yuan, L., Luo, Z., Yan, W., & Zhou, H. (2021). Study on combustion behavior and soot formation of single coal particle using hyper-spectral imaging technique. Combustion and Flame, 233, 111568.

 

Mihaela Georieva | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihaela Georieva | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Technical University of Sofia | Bulgaria

Dr. Mihaela Georgieva is an accomplished Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Sofia (TU-Sofia), Bulgaria. With over 18 years of research experience in the fields of electroless and electrochemical metallization, corrosion protection, and nanocomposite materials, she has established herself as a leading scientist in applied electrochemistry. Dr. Georgieva began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, specializing in Electrochemistry and Corrosion Protection. She earned her PhD in Physical Chemistry from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with a dissertation on the electroless deposition of copper composite coatings on polymer substrates. Her scientific output includes 31 peer-reviewed publications, co-authorship of 2 patents, and participation in 13 research projects, three of which she has led as a principal investigator. Her work has received 122 citations across 77 documents, and she holds an h-index of 7 (Scopus), reflecting the impact and visibility of her research in the scientific community. Dr. Georgieva is actively involved in national and European research collaborations and has presented her findings at numerous international conferences. She has also contributed as a reviewer for more than 10 academic journals. Her dedication to both teaching and research continues to inspire innovation in materials science and electrochemistry.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Petrova, S., Lazarova, D., Georgieva, M., Petrova, M., Dobrev, D., & Ditchev, D. (2025). Metallization of 3D-printed PET and PETG samples with different filling densities of the inner layers. Materials, 18(14), 3401.

  • Petrova, M., Lazarova, D., Dobrev, D., Georgieva, M., & Petrova, S. (2025). Development of an environmentally friendly pre-treatment for electroless metallisation of glasses. Transactions of the IMF, 103(1), 1–8.

  • Georgieva, M., Lazarova, D., Petrova, M., & Dobreva, E. (2023). Selection of a suitable environmentally friendly (non-toxic) etching solution in the electroless metallisation of ABS polymers. Transactions of the IMF, 101(6), 321–329.

  • Georgieva, M., Lazarova, D., Petrova, M., Tzaneva, B., & Dobreva, E. (2023). Modification of the surface of ABS polymer by swelling operation and its influence on some properties of electroless deposited metal coatings. Transactions of the IMF, 101(1), 18–26.

  • Georgieva, M. G. (2022). Study of a system for creating a statistical model of the electroless plating of Cu-Ni-P alloys. Transactions of the IMF, 100(6), 345–351.

 

Dongdong Xie | Food Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Dongdong Xie | Food Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Henan University of Technology | China

Dr. Xie Dongdong is an accomplished researcher and educator in the field of food science and technology, currently serving at Henan University of Technology. He holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, following his Bachelor’s degree from Henan Normal University. Dr. Xie’s research focuses primarily on the interrelationship between microbial fermentation and food quality, with particular emphasis on yeast metabolism under stress, oxidative stress, and the role of active substances in improving yeast physiological status. His innovative use of yeast as a model for cell aging and stress response has contributed significantly to both fundamental and applied food science. He has successfully led multiple research projects funded at provincial and institutional levels, including studies on sugar source regulation in dough fermentation, mitochondrial function in yeast, and improvement of dough quality through microbial modulation. Dr. Xie has published 28 peer-reviewed papers, primarily in high-impact journals such as the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, International Journal of Food Science and Technology, and Food Science and Technology International. His research has been cited 138 times by 122 documents, and he currently holds an h-index of 8 (Scopus). In addition to his research, Dr. Xie is a dedicated teacher, offering courses in Food and Nutrition Science, Physiology of Nutrition, and Food Inspection Technology, contributing to the academic development of future food scientists. With his growing international recognition and commitment to research excellence, Dr. Xie continues to make impactful contributions to food fermentation and nutritional science.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Xie, D., Zheng, J., Sun, Y., Li, X., & Ren, S. (2024). Effects of Ca²⁺ signal on the activities of key enzymes and expression of related genes in yeast ethanol metabolism and mitochondrial function during high sugar fermentation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

  • Xie, D., Sun, Y., Li, X., Zheng, J., & Ren, S. (2024). Study on the effect of calcium signal participating in the antioxidant mechanism of yeast under high sugar environment. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

  • Xie, D., Lei, Y., & Sun, Y. (2022). Effect of glucose levels on carbon flow rate, antioxidant status and enzyme activity of yeast during fermentation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 102(12), 5333–5347.

  • Xie, D., Li, X., Sun, Y., & Ren, S. (2023). Effect of different producing methods on physicochemical and fermentation properties of refrigerated dough. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 119, 105268.

  • Xie, D., Lei, Y., & Li, X. (2023). Effect of sucrose levels on dynamic rheology properties of dough during fermentation process. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(3), 1326–1335.

 

Laila Jaragh-Alhadad | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assist. Prof. Dr. Laila Jaragh-Alhadad | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Kuwait University | Kuwait

Dr. Laila Jaragh-Alhadad is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Kuwait University, with extensive expertise in clinical bio-analytical chemistry and anticancer drug discovery. She earned her Ph.D. from Cleveland State University, USA, focusing on the in-vitro evaluation of HSP27 inhibitors through the HER2 pathway for ovarian cancer therapy. Prior to that, she received her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Kuwait University, specializing in petroleum chemistry. Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad’s research centers on the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of novel anticancer agents that target key cancer-related proteins such as HSP27, HER2, and tubulin. Her work integrates both in silico and in vitro approaches to design dual-targeted therapies that aim to overcome drug resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy in female cancers. She is also a pioneer in developing nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems using low-density lipoprotein (LDL), liposomes, and cholesterol conjugates to improve drug specificity and reduce systemic toxicity. She has led several competitive research grants supported by Kuwait University’s Research Sector, including projects on dual HSP27-HER2 inhibitors, triazole derivatives, and novel SIRT2 inhibitors. Her research output includes over 23 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus, with 303 total citations across 275 documents, and an H-index of 12, reflecting the scientific impact and relevance of her work in molecular oncology and nanotechnology-based therapeutics. In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad has received numerous honors, including Best Research Awards at international conferences in Oxford, the USA , and the International Chemistry Research Awards. She is also a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award from Kuwait University. Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad serves as a national and international editor for the Kuwait Journal of Science and Nanotechnology. She holds memberships in several professional organizations, including the Kuwait Chemical Society and the American Institute of Professional Studies.

Profiles : Scopus | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Saleh, M. M., El-Moselhy, T., El-Bastawissy, E., Ibrahim, M. A. A., Sayed, S. R. M., Hegazy, M.-E. F., Efferth, T., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., & Sidhom, P. A. (2023). The mystery of titan hunter: Rationalized striking of the MAPK pathway via newly synthesized 6‐Indolylpyridone‐3‐Carbonitrile derivatives. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 259, 115675.

Elkamhawy, A., Jaragh-Alhadad, L., Mekheimer, R. A., Abdullah, O., Abd-Elmonem, M., Moustafa, M. S., Abdel-Hameed, A., Mohamed, T. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2023). Visible-light-assisted base-catalyzed, one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized cinnolines. Green Processing and Synthesis, 12, 20230121.

Zaky, O. S., Hisham, M., Abd-Elmonem, M., Yahia, R., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., Mekheimer, R. A., Abuo-Rahma, G. E. A., Moustafa, M. S., Ebied, M. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2025). A novel one-pot microwave-assisted green synthesis of pyridinyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine hybrids as potent antimicrobial agents. BMC Chemistry, 19, 200.

Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A. (2025). Nano LDL drug delivery systems of triazole derivatives: Synthesis, characterization, anticancer evaluation and in silico investigation targeting HER2 and β-tubulin proteins. Andrology, 14(1), Article 1000351.

Zaky, O. S., Hisham, M., Abd Elmonem, M., Yahia, R., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., Mekheimer, R. A., Abuo Rahma, G. E. A., Moustafa, M. S., Ebied, M. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2025). A novel one-pot microwave-assisted green synthesis of pyridinyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine hybrids as potent antimicrobial agents. BMC Chemistry, 19, 200.

John Reynolds | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. John Reynolds | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | United States

Dr. John G. Reynolds, PhD is a Senior Science Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Explosives Programs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where he supports the Energetic Materials Center and the Forensics Science Center. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Reynolds is a recognized authority in nuclear weapons safety, energetic materials, and chemical weapons countermeasures. His subject matter expertise spans non-shock initiated reactions, thermal aging of energetic components, improvised explosives, and detection technologies. Dr. Reynolds earned his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Stanford University, following a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and an A.A. in Chemical Technology from Merritt College. He conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard and Caltech before entering industry at Chevron Research Company. Since joining LLNL, he has led major national security programs, including NEXESS and the Integrated Data Collection and Analysis Program, coordinating multi-laboratory collaborations across the DOE and DoD. He has authored over 250 publications and patents, with more than 4,257 citations on Google Scholar and 3,233 citations on Scopus. His h-index is 33 on both platforms, reflecting a sustained and impactful research career. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the ACS Petroleum Chemistry Lifetime Achievement Award, multiple R&D 100 Awards, and the DOE Excellence Award. He also founded the LLNL OPCW verification laboratory, contributing to global chemical weapons monitoring. Dr. Reynolds’ work has significantly influenced homeland security, chemical detection, and explosives safety worldwide.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google scholar 

Featured Publications

  • Gash, A. E., Anderson, N. F., Montgomery, J. L., Hsu, P. C., Coffee, K. R., Guillen, G. J., Hernandez, P. A., Clarke, S. M., Zaka, F., & Reynolds, J. G. (2025). Properties of different LLM-105 preparations. Journal of Energetic Materials, 1–21.

  • Hoffman, D. M., Robertson, E. L., Zaka, F., DeHope, A. J., Harwood, V. L., Panasci-Nott, A. F., McClelland, M. A., & Reynolds, J. G. (2025). Development of parameters for the particle size distribution of TATB. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 50(1), e70007.

  • Moore, J. S., Morrison, K. D., Burnham, A. K., Racoveanu, A., Reynolds, J. G., & Coffee, K. R. (2024). TATB thermal decomposition: An improved kinetic model for explosive safety analysis. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 49(2), e202300237.

  • Morrison, K. D., Moore, J. S., Coffee, K. R., Koroglu, B., Burnham, A. K., & Reynolds, J. G. (2024). TATB thermal decomposition: Expanding the molecular profile with cryo-focused pyrolysis GC-MS. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 49(2), e202300268.

  • Burnham, A. K., Coffee, K. R., Klunder, G. L., Panasci-Nott, A. F., & Reynolds, J. G. (2024). Towards a heat- and mass-balanced kinetic model of TATB decomposition. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 49(2), e202300121.

Weisheng Liu | Inorganic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Weisheng Liu | Inorganic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Lanzhou University | China

Dr. Weisheng Liu is a distinguished professor of chemistry at Lanzhou University, China, with over three decades of academic, research, and leadership experience in the field of lanthanide coordination chemistry. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Lanzhou University and his B.S. from Shandong University. Dr. Liu has served in multiple prominent academic leadership roles, including Dean of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Director of the Academic Affairs Office, and currently, Director of the Green Materials Research and Development Center at Lanzhou University. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of lanthanide complexes and functional materials. He has pioneered work on supramolecular nanoreactors, photoluminescent MOFs, and room-temperature phosphorescent materials. His scholarly output includes over 388 scientific publications, many in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, JACS, Angewandte Chemie, and Chemical Engineering Journal. His work has received international recognition, reflected in 14,286 citations across 11,929 documents and a Scopus h-index of 63, highlighting both his productivity and the significant impact of his research. Dr. Liu has been honored with multiple First Prizes for Excellence in Science and Technology from the Gansu Provincial Government and the Ministry of Education, China. With his strong academic record, international collaborations, and influential research contributions, Dr. Liu stands as a leading figure in coordination chemistry and materials science in China and globally.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Li, J., Kou, M., Zhou, S., Dong, F., Huang, X., Tang, X., Tang, Y., & Liu, W. (2025). Regulation of lanthanide supramolecular nanoreactors via a bimetallic cluster cutting strategy to boost aza-Darzens reactions. Nature Communications, 16, 2169.

  • Miao, X., Zhang, P., Wang, B., Bai, X., & Liu, W. (2024). Bidirectional heterojunctions photocatalyst engineered with separated dual reduction sites for hydrogen evolution. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and Energy, 357, 124268.

  • Zhang, P., Xie, W., Miao, X., Lin, Z., Yang, Y., Liu, W., & Liu, W. (2024). Phase control and energy-trapping management for high quality X-ray afterglow imaging. Chemical Engineering Journal, 502, 158157.

  • Yang, Y., Zhang, P., Miao, X., Lin, Z., Li, S., & Liu, W. (2024). Color‐tunable emission via site‐selective occupation of Eu²⁺ activators in silicate phosphors. Laser & Photonics Reviews, 18(4), 2400982.

  • Lin, Z., Zhang, P., Song, F., Yang, Y., Miao, X., & Liu, W. (2024). Employing racemization strategies to simultaneously enhance the quantum yield, lifetime, and water stability of room-temperature phosphorescent materials. Chemical Science, 15, 8052–8061.

 

Abolfazl Olyaei | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abolfazl Olyaei | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Imam Khomeini International University | Iran

Dr. Abolfazl Olyaei is an associate professor at Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin. He earned his B.Sc. in Pure Chemistry from Tabriz University and completed his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry at Tehran University under Professor Mohammad Raouf Darvich. He continued his studies at Tehran University, receiving a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, supervised by Professor Mehdi Ghandi. Dr. Olyaei’s research focuses on organic synthesis, particularly the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, multicomponent reactions, green chemistry, catalysis, organocatalysis, and the application of materials and organomaterials across various scientific fields. Over the years, he has contributed extensively to scientific literature, authoring numerous research and review articles in reputable journals, highlighting his expertise and impact in organic and heterocyclic chemistry. He has authored 89 research documents with 908 citations recorded by Scopus and an h-index of 17, while Google Scholar reports over 1091 citations and an h-index of 19. His work integrates modern synthetic methods with environmentally friendly approaches, contributing to advancements in catalysis and material science. Dr. Olyaei’s academic dedication and prolific publication record make him a prominent figure in the field of organic chemistry in Iran and internationally.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google scholar 

Featured Publications

Sajjadi, S. B., Olyaei, A., & Shalbafan, M. (2025). Novel naphtho[2,3-b]furan-2,4,9(3H)-trione derivatives as potent ERα inhibitors: Design, regioselective synthesis, HMBC-NMR characterization, in silico molecular docking and ADME studies. BMC Chemistry, 19(1), 253.

Shalbafan, M., Sadeghpour, M., & Olyaei, A. (2025). Study on the interaction of Olmesartan with human serum albumin (HSA) by spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques. Chemical Review and Letters, 8(3), 509–516.

Olyaei, A., Zanjanchi, F., Farzogi, M., & Sadeghpour, M. (2025). Comparative study of electronic structure and photophysical properties of some new Lawsone dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells by DFT and TD-DFT. Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 19(2), 336–347.

Olyaei, A., Sadeghpour, M., & Sajjadi, S. B. (2025). A review on synthesis of furonaphthoquinones through Lawsone derivatives annulation reactions and their biological properties. RSC Advances, 15(5), 3515–3546.

Kayyal, M., Olyaei, A., Pourshamsian, K., & Sadeghpour, M. (2025). Molecular docking and prediction of ADME/drug-likeness properties of some benzochromenopyrimidine derivatives as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Chemical Review and Letters, 8(2), 300–308.