Naikun Shen | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Naikun Shen | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Guangxi Minzu University, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

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  • ORICD Profile

    🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

    Dr. Naikun Shen’s academic journey began with a deep curiosity about the microbial world and its hidden potential. He pursued his doctoral degree in microbiology, laying a strong foundation in microbial ecology and biochemical processes. During his early academic years, he demonstrated a keen interest in sustainable biotechnologies, particularly the use of microorganisms in environmental remediation and resource recovery. His scientific acumen and commitment to eco-innovation were evident even in his formative years, setting the stage for a lifelong pursuit of environmentally friendly research solutions.

    👨‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

    Dr. Shen currently serves as a Professor and Department Head at Guangxi Minzu University, where he is also a respected master’s supervisor. Over the years, he has developed a specialized niche in the development and utilization of microbial resources, spearheading research programs that convert waste into valuable bio-products. His professional career is marked by strategic leadership and scientific rigor. With over seven major provincial and ministerial-level projects under his leadership, Dr. Shen has successfully translated research from the lab into real-world applications. In addition, he has contributed to two consultancy and industry collaborations, demonstrating the real-world viability of his innovations. His work often bridges academia and applied science, especially in green chemistry and bio-conversion technologies.

    🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

    Dr. Shen’s research is centered on the biodegradation of waste resources, particularly shrimp and crab shells and feathers. By constructing unique microbial communities and leveraging enzyme-based methods, his team efficiently breaks down these wastes into amino acids, lactate calcium, and chitin—critical inputs for various industrial and agricultural applications. What sets his work apart is the completely environmentally friendly approach: the degradation process relies solely on microbial strains or enzymes, without producing secondary pollution. This has positioned his work as a model for sustainable waste valorization in the context of circular economy and green manufacturing. Moreover, Dr. Shen’s research on transforming chitin into chitin oligosaccharides and shell oligosaccharides has opened new avenues in biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental protection. His commitment to practical, clean, and scalable solutions has helped push the boundaries of microbial resource utilization.

    🏆 Accolades and Recognition

    Dr. Shen’s exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. He is a recipient of the Second Prize of the Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award (4/9)—a prestigious recognition that reflects the regional and national significance of his work. In addition to accolades, Dr. Shen holds 12 published or in-process Chinese patents, demonstrating the novelty and commercial potential of his innovations. His publication record includes over 100 academic papers, of which 28 are indexed in SCI journals, underscoring both the depth and global reach of his research.

    🌏 Impact and Influence

    Dr. Shen’s work has made a profound impact on multiple fronts:

    • Environmental sustainability: His research contributes significantly to waste reduction and resource recovery.

    • Green chemistry: His microbial methodologies serve as models for low-impact industrial processes.

    • Academic advancement: His research outputs and mentorship continue to nurture the next generation of scientists.

    While he does not currently hold formal editorial or collaborative positions, his published work has influenced the scientific community through high citation value and practical utility.

    🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

    Dr. Naikun Shen’s legacy lies in his pioneering approach to microbial biotechnology for environmental applications. As the global scientific community turns increasingly toward sustainable solutions, his work will remain relevant and impactful. Looking ahead, Dr. Shen aims to expand his research into biomedical applications of chitin derivatives, enhance industry-university partnerships, and contribute further to policy-oriented innovations in green technology. His vision includes developing globally scalable microbial systems for biodegradable waste management, thus helping nations meet climate and sustainability goals.

    📖Notable Publications

    Enhanced chitinase production by Bacillus paralicheniformis GXMU-J23.1: Optimization, genomic insights, and chitin degradation mechanism
    Authors: Xie, J.; Zhang, L.; Yang, K.; Zhang, H.; Jiang, M.; Liao, S.; Yang, D.; Shen, N.
    Journal: Bioresource Technology
    Year: 2025

    Halobacillus rhizosphaerae sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium with protease activities isolated from the rhizosphere soil of the mangrove Acanthus ebracteatus
    Authors: Yin, D.; Xie, J.; Liu, R.; Song, C.; Liang, Y.; Huang, H.; Huang, Y.; Long, R.; Shen, N.; Yan, B. et al.
    Journal: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology
    Year: 2025

    A Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Unveils the Mechanisms of Response in Feather Degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-7
    Authors: Song, C.; Liu, R.; Yin, D.; Xie, C.; Liang, Y.; Yang, D.; Jiang, M.; Zhang, H.; Shen, N.
    Journal: Microorganisms
    Year: 2024

    A new strain of Rhodococcus indonesiensis T22.7.1<sup>T</sup> and its functional potential for deacetylation of chitin and chitooligsaccharides
    Authors: Xie, J.; Yin, D.; Ou, J.; Lu, B.; Liao, S.; Yang, D.; Zhang, H.; Shen, N.
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2024

    Antimicrobial mechanisms and antifungal activity of compounds generated by banana rhizosphere Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2 against fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
    Authors: Lu, J.; Huang, Y.; Liu, R.; Liang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Shen, N.; Yang, D.; Jiang, M.
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2024

Stamatina Vouyiouka | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stamatina Vouyiouka | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

National Technical University of Athens, Greece

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stamatina Vouyiouka began her academic journey in Chemical Engineering at the prestigious National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), where she earned both her Diploma Degree and her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Technology in 2004. Her doctoral research, supervised by Professor Emeritus C.D. Papaspyrides, focused on polyamides solid state polymerization and post-polymerization processes, in collaboration with the Experimental Station of Dupont Textiles & Interiors Inc. in Delaware, USA. This international academic-industrial collaboration laid the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach in polymer science.

👩‍🔬 Professional Development and Research Career

Following her Ph.D., Dr. Vouyiouka expanded her research expertise through postdoctoral work (2005–2009) in both CIBA Specialty Chemicals, Germany, and the Laboratory of Polymer Technology at NTUA. In 2009, she was elected Lecturer at NTUA’s School of Chemical Engineering and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Professor in 2014, and to Associate Professor in 2019. She now leads the PolymeReEng group, a vibrant research team focused on innovative and sustainable polymer engineering solutions, reflecting the growing interdisciplinary nature of applied polymer technology.

🔬 Research Contributions and Focus

Dr. Vouyiouka’s research covers a wide range of sustainable polymer processes, targeting environmentally responsible pathways for polymerization, modification, and high-quality recycling of plastics. She has led pioneering work on enzymatic polymerization, solid-state polymerization (SSP), and in situ encapsulation polymerization, particularly for polyamides, polyesters, and bio-based or biodegradable polymers. Her innovative research also spans advanced applications such as controlled release, self-healing materials, and micro/nanoparticle design, contributing significantly to green chemistry and material science.

🌱 Sustainability and Circular Economy Contributions

A core pillar of Dr. Vouyiouka’s research is her contribution to the circular economy through sustainable management of polymeric materials. She explores material eco-design, focusing on biodegradable polymers, recyclable vitrimer systems, halogen-free flame retardants, and natural antioxidants. Furthermore, she investigates advanced recycling strategies such as remelting-restabilization, chain extension, and solid-state polymerization, all aimed at improving the performance and value of recycled plastics.

🤝 Research Collaborations and Projects

With a strong reputation for interdisciplinary teamwork, Dr. Vouyiouka has co-authored and participated in 18 National and European R&D programs, collaborating with multinational academic and industrial partners. Her research outcomes have translated into real-world applications and advanced understanding across academia and industry, underlining her impact on polymer technology development in Europe and beyond.

📝 Scientific Output and Editorial Work

Dr. Vouyiouka’s scholarly contributions include over 60 publications in internationally recognized journals, 5 book chapters, and 2 World Organization patents. She has presented more than 140 conference papers, including 97 at international venues. She co-edited the authoritative book “Solid State Polymerization” (Wiley, 2009) and served as Guest Editor of the MDPI journal Materials, for the Special Issue on Advances in Polycondensates Polymerization Processes, showcasing her thought leadership in the field.

👩‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship Excellence

Deeply committed to education, Dr. Vouyiouka teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in Polymer Engineering at NTUA. She has supervised or co-supervised over 75 Diploma, MSc, and Ph.D. theses, including Erasmus+ international research projects. Her students have gone on to receive numerous awards, and she has been formally recognized for her role in guiding outstanding theses at all academic levels, reinforcing her position as a mentor of the next generation of polymer engineers.

🌟 Vision and Future Directions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stamatina Vouyiouka continues to pave the way for sustainable innovation in polymer science and engineering, aiming to address environmental challenges through eco-friendly technologies, recyclable materials, and advanced functional polymers. Her work bridges fundamental science and industrial application, ensuring a meaningful contribution to both academic excellence and societal progress. As the leader of the expanding PolymeReEng group, she remains at the forefront of applied polymer research, dedicated to shaping a greener future through scientific innovation.

📖Notable Publications

Solid state polymerization
Authors: S.N. Vouyiouka, E.K. Karakatsani, C.D. Papaspyrides
Journal: Progress in Polymer Science
Year: 2005

A review on enzymatic polymerization to produce polycondensation polymers: The case of aliphatic polyesters, polyamides and polyesteramides
Authors: A. Douka, S. Vouyiouka, L.M. Papaspyridi, C.D. Papaspyrides
Journal: Progress in Polymer Science
Year: 2018

Solid state polymerization
Authors: C.D. Papaspyrides, S.N. Vouyiouka
Journal: Wiley
Year: 2009

Accelerated ageing and hydrolytic stabilization of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) under humidity and temperature conditioning
Authors: A. Porfyris, S. Vasilakos, C. Zotiadis, C. Papaspyrides, K. Moser, et al.
Journal: Polymer Testing
Year: 2018

Encapsulation of Oregano (Origanum onites L.) Essential Oil in β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD): Synthesis and Characterization of the Inclusion Complexes
Authors: M. Kotronia, E. Kavetsou, S. Loupassaki, S. Kikionis, S. Vouyiouka, A. Detsi
Journal: Bioengineering
Year: 2017