Shizhen Zhao | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shizhen Zhao | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

👨‍🎓 Early Academic and Research Foundations

Dr. Shizhen Zhao has pursued a career deeply rooted in environmental geochemistry and pollutant dynamics. From the early stages of his academic training, he has been engaged in the study of organic pollutants, combining field-based investigations with advanced numerical simulations to understand their transport, transformation, and long-term impact on ecosystems.

🧪 Professional Endeavors and Research Projects

Currently serving at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Zhao leads multiple high-impact environmental research initiatives. A central focus of his current work is the International Science and Technology Cooperation Project titled:
“Historical evolution of the aquatic environment in the CKDu region of Sri Lanka: Sedimentation of an ancient impoundment lake.”
This project addresses the agricultural water environment in Sri Lanka, specifically examining its links with the chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu)—a significant public health crisis. The project is conducted through China-Sri Lanka bilateral cooperation and aims to reconstruct historical water environment changes using sediment geochemistry and assess their spatiotemporal correlation with CKDu.

🌱 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Zhao’s research stands out in its integration of geochemical tools (e.g., ICP-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, HPLC) with epidemiological data and historical sediment analysis from ancient water tanks (AWTs). His team applies external observation methods, soil and air pollutant analysis, and field sampling techniques, aiming to uncover the origins, behavior, and human health risks of organic contaminants in vulnerable regions. This work represents a pioneering fusion of environmental forensics, historical ecology, and public health research.

🌍 International Cooperation and Collaboration

With over three years of active collaboration with Sri Lankan institutions and nearly 20 academic exchange visits, Dr. Zhao has built strong international ties. His research team also works closely with scholars from Hong Kong, sharing a decade-long history of cooperative projects and joint publications. These collaborations ensure multidisciplinary expertise, complementary methodologies, and smooth project execution.

🧾 Recognitions and Achievements

Dr. Zhao’s excellence has been recognized by several prestigious awards and talent programs, including:

  • Youth Innovation Promotion Association Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Tu Guangchi Young Scholar B Talent Program

  • Pearl River Talent—Overseas Young Talent Introduction Plan, Guangdong Province

He has also published 5 papers as first/corresponding author in the top-tier journal Environmental Science & Technology, with 2 selected as supplementary cover features—a rare distinction.

📊 Academic Output and Impact

Dr. Zhao has published over 22 SCI-indexed papers, many in high-impact journals. His research contributes significantly to understanding pollutant source attribution, environmental risks, and geochemical reconstruction of aquatic systems in Southeast Asia. His field investigations, especially in CKDu-endemic zones, are backed by rich epidemiological datasets and extensive regional insights.

🛠️ Technical and Field Capabilities

Equipped with advanced instruments and field tools, Dr. Zhao’s laboratory supports:

  • Sediment coring and borehole sampling

  • Chemical characterization of soils and surface sediments

  • Pollutant analysis using ICP-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS
    These resources, combined with strong logistical coordination, enable comprehensive field-to-lab research pipelines.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Shizhen Zhao is a rising leader in the fields of environmental geochemistry, sedimentology, and transboundary water health research. Through cutting-edge science and sustained international cooperation, he is paving the way for new understandings of how environmental degradation intersects with human disease. His work not only deepens the knowledge of CKDu but also lays a robust scientific foundation for future environmental health policies and remediation strategies in affected regions.

📖Notable Publications

Aqueous secondary formation substantially contributes to hydrophilic organophosphate esters in aerosols
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2025
Citations: 1

Polycyclic aromatics in the Chang’E 5 lunar soils
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Legacy and currently-used pesticides in sedimentary archives: Anthropogenic footprint in the Pearl River Estuary
Journal: Science of the Total Environment
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Quantification of micro- and nano-plastics in atmospheric fine particles by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with chromatographic peak reconstruction
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Heavy metals in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Source apportionment and associated health risks
Journal: Environmental Research
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

The Intrinsic Link between Optical Properties and Toxicity of Extractable Organic Matter in Combustion Particles: Mediated by Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
Journal: Environment and Health
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Gonzalo Garcia Delgado | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Gonzalo Garcia Delgado | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Universidade Estadual de Campinas , Brazil

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Gonzalo Garcia Delgado began his academic journey with a strong foundation in chemistry and molecular biology. Currently a final-year PhD student at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil, Gonzalo’s academic path has been marked by a keen interest in the molecular underpinnings of biological processes. His early pursuits were driven by a passion for biochemistry and enzymology, which later evolved into a deep specialization in structural biology and analytical techniques.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Gonzalo has contributed significantly to interdisciplinary research at some of Brazil’s leading scientific institutions. His active collaborations with the Butantan Institute in São Paulo and universities in Bahia underscore his commitment to tackling real-world biomedical challenges. His roles have ranged from conducting sample preparation and advanced metabolomic analysis to engaging in high-impact research on bacterial infections and metabolic disorders. In these settings, he has worked under renowned researchers like Dr. Rui Curi and Prof. Dr. Melissa Hanzen Pinna Valentim.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

His research spans a dynamic array of projects, including the functional and structural studies of virulence factors such as the pilus retraction protein PilT from Xylella fastidiosa, and the proteomic characterization of biofilms from Leptospira interrogans. Gonzalo has also explored the biochemical interaction between metalloenzymes and redox proteins, as well as the oxidation mechanisms of salinomycin biosynthesis. These contributions reflect a sharp focus on protein structure-function relationships, microbial pathogenicity, and metabolic dysfunctions associated with diabetes.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Gonzalo’s collaborative work has not only advanced scientific understanding but also contributed to the development of translational strategies aimed at addressing metabolic and infectious diseases. His studies have shed light on sex-specific pathogenesis in type 2 diabetes and offered novel insights into bacterial resistance mechanisms. His work exemplifies a blend of academic rigor and social relevance, positioning him as a rising figure in the analytical chemistry and biomedical research landscape.

📊 Academic Citations and Publication Record

Despite being early in his career, Gonzalo has already achieved 81 total citations, an h-index of 1, and an i10-index of 1, alongside three publications in indexed journals. This citation record reflects growing recognition of his scholarly impact and his potential for further contributions to the field of analytical chemistry and biochemistry.

🧪 Technical Skills

Gonzalo brings a robust arsenal of technical competencies to his research. He is proficient in NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, proteomics, and metabolomic analysis. These analytical techniques underpin much of his work in protein structure elucidation and cellular metabolism, enabling precise molecular characterization essential for both basic and applied research.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Alongside his research, Gonzalo has actively engaged in teaching undergraduate courses in Chemistry and Biochemistry. His role as an educator has helped him inspire future scientists and solidify his understanding of complex biochemical systems through mentorship and instruction.

🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Gonzalo aims to further explore the molecular mechanisms driving infectious diseases and metabolic disorders, with a vision of contributing to the development of therapeutics and diagnostic tools. He aspires to bridge academic inquiry with societal benefit, continuing to advance the frontiers of enzymology, structural biology, and metabolomics.

🏆 Award Nomination and Declaration

Gonzalo Garcia Delgado has nominated himself for the Best Researcher Award category of the International Analytical Chemistry Awards. He attests to the integrity and completeness of the information provided in his application and acknowledges his commitment to upholding the values of scientific transparency and excellence.

📖Notable Publications

Applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Protein Conformational Changes and Intermolecular Contacts
  • Authors: Fábio Henrique dos Santos Rodrigues, Gonzalo Garcia Delgado, Thyerre Santana da Costa, Ljubica Tasic

  • Journal: BBA Advances

  • Year: 2023

2. Characterization of the Flavin-dependent Monooxygenase SalC
  • Authors: Gonzalo Garcia Delgado, Luciana Gonzaga de Oliveira

  • Publication Type: Conference Abstract (SciMeetings]