Shufeng Pang | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Shufeng Pang | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Beijing Institute of Technology, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Shufeng Pang began his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Nanjing University (1998–2000), where he conducted spectroscopic studies on Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film structures. His early work laid the foundation for a multidisciplinary research career combining surface science, colloidal chemistry, and environmental studies.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., he pursued postdoctoral research at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2001–2003), focusing on structural investigations of colloidal systems. He then expanded his research internationally as a Research Associate at the Tokyo University of Science, Japan (2003–2005), working on surface modification and self-assembly behavior of gold nanoparticles. Since 2005, he has been serving as an Associate Professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, where his recent research centers on the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosols.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Pang has made notable contributions in nanoparticle synthesis, interfacial modification, and atmospheric aerosol chemistry. He developed asymmetric surface-modified gold nanoparticles through interfacial techniques and explored their aggregation and ordered assembly. His studies on aerosol systems revealed critical insights into the hygroscopicity of inorganic/organic salts, intraparticle chemical processes, and gas-particle interactions. One of his most significant findings was the discovery of a humidification-induced phase transition in mixed aerosols containing polyhydroxy organic acids and inorganic salts, which offered a mechanistic explanation for component redistribution in atmospheric particles.

🧠 Research Projects and Collaborations

As Principal Investigator, Prof. Pang has led three NSFC-funded research projects. Project No. 20603002 focused on the synthesis and self-assembly of Janus nanoparticles. Project No. 21373026 explored the in-situ observation of new particle formation and aerosol growth using FTIR spectroscopy. Project No. 91644101 investigated the burst and growth of new particles as influenced by ambient relative humidity through FTIR techniques. He collaborates with Prof. Yunhong Zhang in conducting advanced spectroscopic studies on aerosols.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Pang’s work has important implications for understanding urban air pollution and atmospheric chemistry. His investigation into copper-catalyzed SO₂ oxidation by NO₂ within aerosols and the resulting sulfate formation has contributed to the field of environmental science. His studies aid in pollution modeling, aerosol transformation mechanisms, and the evaluation of climate-related aerosol effects.

📚 Academic Citations and Recognition

Although specific citation counts were not detailed, Prof. Pang’s research—particularly in aerosol spectroscopy and nanomaterials—has gained significant traction in the scientific community, especially among those focused on air quality, environmental chemistry, and nanoparticle behavior.

🛠️ Technical Skills

He possesses strong technical expertise in FTIR spectroscopy, colloidal and interfacial chemistry, Langmuir-Blodgett film techniques, gold nanoparticle synthesis, and the structural characterization of aerosols. His proficiency in in-situ analysis makes him a leader in observing real-time chemical processes in atmospheric systems.

👨‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship

At Beijing Institute of Technology, Prof. Pang has consistently merged research with education, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in physical chemistry, spectroscopy, and atmospheric research. His practical guidance and academic supervision have contributed to the development of many young scientists.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Pang aims to continue advancing the understanding of aerosol dynamics and their impact on climate and air quality. His future research will likely emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to atmospheric chemistry and nanoscience, making vital contributions to environmental policy, sustainable development, and academic innovation. His career reflects a dedication to both fundamental research and applied science, positioning him as a distinguished figure in modern physical and environmental chemistry.

📖Notable Publications

Sulfate formation through copper-catalyzed SO2 oxidation by NO2 at aerosol surfaces

  • Authors: P. Liu, Y. Liu, Q. Huang, Y. Zhang, M. Ge

  • Journal: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

  • Year: 2025

Hydrogel network formation triggers atypical hygroscopic behavior in atmospheric aerosols

  • Authors: F. Dong, Q. Huang, S. Pang, Y. Zhang

  • Journal: Science of the Total Environment

  • Year: 2024

The interplay between aqueous replacement reaction and the phase state of internally mixed organic/ammonium aerosols

  • Authors: H. Yang, F. Dong, L. Xia, S. Pang, Y. Zhang

  • Journal: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

  • Year: 2024

Rethinking urban haze formation: Atmospheric sulfite conversion rate scales with aerosol surface area, not volume

  • Authors: L. Li, P. Liu, Q. Huang, Y. Zhang, M. Ge

  • Journal: One Earth

  • Year: 2024

Compositional evolution for mixed aerosols containing gluconic acid and typical nitrate and the effect of multiply factors on hygroscopicity

  • Authors: Y. Zhu, S. Pang, Y. Zhang

  • Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences

  • Year: 2024

Single Droplet Tweezer Revealing the Reaction Mechanism of Mn(II)-Catalyzed SO2 Oxidation

  • Authors: X. Cao, Y. Liu, Q. Huang, Y. Zhang, M. Ge

  • Journal: Environmental Science and Technology

  • Year: 2024

Pengfei Li | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award -1929

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Prof. Pengfei Li | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Pengfei Li’s journey in scientific research has been deeply rooted in environmental physics and remote sensing. His passion for atmospheric studies and hyperspectral technologies developed during his formative academic years, where he excelled in blending physical science with environmental applications. His academic path ultimately led him to become a key researcher at the prestigious State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics under the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

🧑‍💼 Professional Endeavors

Currently, as a Research Fellow, Prof. Li is a leading figure in satellite-based atmospheric monitoring. His role includes spearheading research on weak gas emissions detection, a crucial area for tackling global issues like climate change and environmental pollution. His leadership in the lab is marked by interdisciplinary integration, where hyperspectral satellite technology, data assimilation, atmospheric modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI) converge to address modern environmental challenges.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Li’s research is at the intersection of hyperspectral remote sensing and AI-driven environmental monitoring. His team is developing next-generation techniques for satellite-based detection of weak gas emissions, aimed at pushing the detection limits in extreme environments. This work also involves defining payload specifications for future hyperspectral satellites. The outcomes of his research hold significant relevance for addressing atmospheric pollution, climate change, and homeland security threats, providing critical insights into satellite system design and operational strategies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 50 SCI-indexed publications, including 20+ first-author or corresponding-author papers in leading journals such as PNAS and One Earth, Prof. Li has made a global impact. His research has informed both the academic community and policymakers, particularly in the realms of climate change mitigation, environmental monitoring, and satellite payload engineering. His work is frequently showcased at international conferences like the United Nations Climate Change Conference, AMS Annual Meeting, and the Goldschmidt Conference, where he has delivered numerous invited talks.

🏆 Honors and Leadership Roles

Prof. Li was selected for the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences “Hundred Talents Program” (Category B), recognizing his innovative research and leadership potential. Beyond research, he plays a pivotal role as a review expert for China’s National Key R&D Program and serves on scientific committees, including as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology and Application Professional Committee under the China Association for Remote Sensing Applications.

📚 Academic Citations

Prof. Li’s publications are highly cited within the fields of environmental monitoring, satellite remote sensing, and atmospheric sciences, reflecting the value and influence of his contributions on an international scale. His research continues to shape the discourse around climate resilience, pollution tracking, and advanced remote sensing methods.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes:  Hyperspectral satellite data processing, Atmospheric modeling and data assimilation, AI and machine learning for environmental monitoring, Payload design and specification for next-generation satellites, Quantitative remote sensing and geospatial analysis.

👨‍🏫 Teaching & Mentoring

In addition to research, Prof. Li is actively involved in mentoring graduate students and early-career scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in hyperspectral remote sensing. His guidance has produced a growing cadre of young scientists contributing to China’s leadership in satellite-based environmental science.

🚀 Vision and Future Contributions

Prof. Li’s future goals include expanding the applications of hyperspectral technologies to global-scale monitoring of greenhouse gases and pollutants, developing real-time AI-driven detection frameworks, and enhancing China’s position in next-gen satellite missions. His work is set to continue making a transformative impact on how we monitor and respond to environmental and security-related atmospheric events.

📖Notable Publications

The effectiveness of solar radiation management using fine sea spray across multiple climatic regions
Authors: Z Song, S Yu, P Li, N Yao, L Chen, Y Sun, B Jiang, D Rosenfeld
Journal: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Year: 2025

Photostationary state assumption seriously underestimates NOx emissions near large point sources at 10 to 60 m pixel resolution
Authors: L Chen, Z Song, N Yao, H Xi, J Li, P Gao, Y Chen, H Su, Y Sun, B Jiang, …
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2025

Multi-task deep learning for quantifying methane emissions from 2-D plume imagery with Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Authors: Q Xu, X Gu, P Li, X Gu
Journal: International Journal of Remote Sensing
Year: 2024

Less anthropogenic aerosol indirect effects are a potential cause for Northeast Pacific warm blob events
Authors: N Yao, Z Song, L Chen, Y Sun, B Jiang, P Li, J Chen, S Yu
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2024

Different contributions of meteorological conditions and emission reductions to the ozone pollution during Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdowns in winter and spring
Authors: X Dou, M Li, Y Jiang, Z Song, P Li, S Yu
Journal: Atmospheric Pollution Research
Year: 2024

Ram Mohan Pathak | Plasma Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ram Mohan Pathak | Plasma Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Ram Mohan Pathak's academic journey began with a B.Tech. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Dr. K.N. Modi Institute of Engineering and Technology, affiliated with Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Technical University, where he graduated with honors. He further pursued an M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad, achieving an impressive 8.7/10 CGPA. His master's minor project was conducted at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India, reflecting his early inclination toward cutting-edge research.

🏆 Professional Endeavors

Currently, a Ph.D. Scholar at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, Ram has been deeply engaged in experimental, engineering, and simulation research. His work explores advanced plasma technologies with applications in energy sustainability and combustion systems. Additionally, he has served as a Teaching Assistant and Senior Research Fellow, contributing to laboratory setup and student mentorship at both IIT Dhanbad and IISc Bangalore.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Ram’s Ph.D. dissertation, set for colloquium in November 2024, focuses on:

Enhanced rotation effects on electrical, optical, and chemical properties of rotating gliding arc nitrogen plasma.

Plasma-assisted combustion for biogas applications in engines.

Influence of transitional and turbulent flow regimes on plasma characteristics.

Impact of carrier gases and flow regimes on hydrocarbon (methane & toluene) reformation/destruction.

His research is highly interdisciplinary, blending chemical engineering, plasma physics, and combustion science for sustainable energy solutions.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Ram’s research in plasma-assisted combustion and sustainable technologies has the potential to revolutionize clean energy production and pollution control strategies. His investigations into plasma flow regimes and hydrocarbon breakdown mechanisms contribute to advancements in alternative energy systems and environment-friendly combustion techniques.

📚 Academic Citations & Recognition

Ram has received the MHRD GATE Scholarship for both his M.Tech. (2017-2019) and Ph.D. (2019-2024) studies, awarded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. His academic excellence and research contributions are recognized nationally through this prestigious funding.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Ram is proficient in:
✅ Plasma Engineering & Diagnostics
✅ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) & Simulation
✅ Design of Experiments & Factorial Analysis
✅ Chemical Kinetics & Reaction Engineering
✅ Instrumentation for Plasma and Combustion Systems

🎓 Teaching Experience

As a Teaching Assistant, Ram has:

  • Conducted laboratory training for B.Tech. students at IIT Dhanbad.
  • Trained project assistants at IISc Bangalore in experimental techniques and plasma technology applications.
  • Taught Factorial Design of Experiments, enhancing student proficiency in research methodology and data analysis.

🔥 Legacy and Future Contributions

Ram Mohan Pathak’s research legacy lies in developing sustainable plasma-based solutions for energy generation and pollutant mitigation. Moving forward, he aims to:

  • Enhance the application of plasma-assisted combustion for renewable energy integration.
  • Advance hydrocarbon destruction techniques for environmental sustainability.
  • Contribute to industrial applications of plasma technologies in energy and chemical sectors.

📖Notable Publications

Tar Formation in Gasification Systems: A Holistic Review of Remediation Approaches and Removal Methods

Authors: A. Jayanarasimhan, R. M. Pathak, A. M. Shivapuji, L. Rao

Journal: ACS Omega

Year: 2024

Chemical Kinetics Simulation of Hydrogen Generation in Rotating Gliding Arc Plasma

Authors: R. M. Pathak, J. Ananthanarasimhan, L. Rao

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science

Year: 2022

A Novel Lumped Parameter Approach Toward Understanding Rotating Gliding Arc

Authors: R. M. Pathak, S. Nandi, L. Rao

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science

Year: 2024

Enhanced Hydrogen Production Through Enhanced Rotation in Bi-Reforming of Methane Using Rotating Gliding Arc Plasma Under Different Operating Conditions: Experimental and …

Authors: R. M. Pathak, L. Rao

Journal: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS)

Year: 2024

The Influence of Vortex Formation on the Electrical Characteristics of Argon Plasma in a Rotating Gliding Arc Discharge

Authors: R. M. Pathak, L. Rao

Journal: Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Year: 2024

Investigating Flow-Induced Changes in Coaxial Cylindrical Dielectric Barrier Discharge Using Equivalent Circuit Modelling and Chemical Workbench Simulations

Authors: R. M. Pathak, J. Ananthanarasimhan, S. Nandi, C. R. Das, L. Rao

Journal: Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing

Year: 2025

Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sicong Ma, born in March 1992, began his academic journey with a strong foundation in applied chemistry at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing), where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 2013. He continued at the same institution for a Master's degree in Chemistry, working under the guidance of Professor Zhen Zhao until 2016. His academic path led him to Fudan University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 2019 under Professor Zhi-Pan Liu. Here, he developed his expertise in theoretical and computational chemistry, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to catalysis and machine learning.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., He joined Fudan University as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing his work with Professor Zhi-Pan Liu until 2021. In August 2021, he joined the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry as an Assistant Researcher. Recently promoted to Associate Professor, He has led several projects funded by prestigious institutions, including the National Natural Science Excellent Youth Fund, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the China Postdoctoral Fund.

🔍 Contributions and Research Focus

His research interests span a unique blend of machine learning and catalysis. His expertise extends across both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, with a particular focus on: Machine Learning and Heterogeneous Catalysis: He has conducted research on syngas-to-olefins conversions on OX-ZEO catalysts, propane hydrogenation, and similar transformations, Machine Learning and Homogeneous Catalysis: His work includes studies on the carbonylation of olefins and the development of a metal-phosphine ligand catalyst database, Zeolite Chemistry: He is also active in studying the mechanisms of zeolite formation and their applications in catalysis, contributing significantly to zeolite-related database construction.

📈 Impact and Influence

He has made substantial contributions to the field, publishing more than 20 papers in renowned journals such as Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications, and ACS Catalysis. Notably, he has served as first or corresponding author on 15 of these publications, solidifying his role as a leader in his field. His work has garnered attention and citations, reflecting his influence within theoretical and computational chemistry.

📚 Academic Achievements and Honors

Recognized for his academic excellence, He has received numerous awards and honors. He was honored with the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award from Fudan University in 2019, recognized as an Academic Star of Fudan University the same year, and awarded a Shanghai Super Postdoctoral Fellowship. Recently, he was inducted as a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes advanced machine learning algorithms for catalysis, computational modeling in chemistry, and extensive knowledge of catalysis mechanisms in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. His computational skills and programming knowledge enable him to create and manage large databases, crucial for his projects on zeolite and catalyst-related data.

📖 Teaching and Mentoring Experience

While focused primarily on research, He has also contributed to the academic community by mentoring postdocs and junior researchers in his lab. His guidance fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that emerging researchers develop the skills necessary to advance in computational chemistry and catalysis.

🌐 Legacy and Future Contributions

His ongoing work promises to deepen the integration of machine learning in catalysis, with potential implications for sustainable energy solutions and efficient industrial chemical processes. As a young innovator and leader in his field, he is set to make lasting contributions, furthering both academic knowledge and practical applications in computational chemistry.

📖Notable Publications