Matias Aguirre | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Matias Aguirre | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Associate Researcher | CONICET | Argentina

Dr. Matías Ezequiel Aguirre, Associate Researcher and Professor at CONICET and the National University of Mar del Plata, is an accomplished physical and materials chemist specializing in photoinduced processes, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and hybrid photocatalytic systems for sustainable energy applications. His research career began at the National University of Mar del Plata, where he earned his Ph.D. in 2015 and was later honored with the I-APS G. Cilento Award for outstanding contributions to photochemistry. Dr. Aguirre made a landmark contribution to the field of visible-light CO₂ photoreduction, resulting in a publication exceeding 500 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in photocatalytic carbon conversion. Dr. Aguirre’s current work focuses on developing photoactive MOF-based biocatalysts and hybrid semiconductor systems that combine biological and synthetic components to drive CO₂ reduction, NADH regeneration, and solar energy conversion through artificial photosynthesis-inspired mechanisms. He has pioneered the integration of enzymes within MOFs, achieving efficient electron transfer and catalytic stability under mild conditions, as highlighted in recent publications in ChemCatChem and Chemistry – A European Journal. His studies on Cu₂O/TiO₂ heterostructures, MIL-125-NH₂ composites, and magnetic ZIF-8 supports have advanced the understanding of charge-transfer dynamics and photocorrosion mitigation in semiconductor materials. Beyond fundamental research, Dr. Aguirre has applied his expertise to medicinal cannabis analytics, serving as Technical Manager of the High-Level Technological Service (STAN) for HPLC and GC–MS-based cannabinoid quantification, bridging the gap between materials chemistry and bioanalytical applications. He has co-directed numerous funded research projects, mentored graduate students, and published 17 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. His work has received 765 citations from 744 documents with an h-index of 8 (Scopus), reflecting both scientific quality and influence. Through his interdisciplinary approach uniting photocatalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, and renewable energy materials. Dr. Aguirre continues to contribute significantly to sustainable chemical innovation and environmental remediation.

Profiles : Scopus | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Aguirre, M. E., Slaboch, M. V., González, P. J., Ramírez, C. L., & Di Iorio, Y. (2025). Visible-light-driven CO₂ photoreduction assisted by reduced methyl viologen using MIL-125-NH₂ as a light harvester and scaffold for FDH immobilization. ChemCatChem, 17(0), e01120.

Albani, C. M., Fuentes, G., Ramírez, C. L., Pensel, P. E., Gatti, F., Albanese, A., Nutter, D., Aguirre, M. E., Di Iorio, Y. D., & Elissondo, M. C. (2024). Anthelmintic effect of cannabidiol against Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9(35).

Moliné, M. de la P., Aguirre, M. E., Domínguez, E., Moran Giardini, P., Fernández, N. J., Damiani, N., Churio, M. S., & Gende, L. B. (2024). Ascorbyl/ascorbate ratio as a marker of oxidative stress in larvae (Apis mellifera) exposed to Paenibacillus larvae. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 269, 110896.

Aguirre, M. E., Ramírez, C. L., & Di Iorio, Y. (2023). Stable and reusable Fe₃O₄/ZIF-8 composite for encapsulation of FDH enzyme in mild conditions applicable to CO₂ reduction. Chemistry – A European Journal, 29(1), e202301113.

Aguirre, M. E., Orallo, D. E., Suárez, P. A., & Ramírez, C. L. (2023). Galenic formulations of Cannabis sativa: Comparison of the chemical properties of extracts obtained by simple protocols using lipidic vehicles. Natural Product Research, 37(28), 1–6.

Zeynep Pehlivan Köksal | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zeynep Pehlivan Köksal | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University | Turkey

Zeynep Pehlivan Köksal is a dedicated nurse‐scholar currently serving as a Research Assistant (PhD) in the Department of Nursing at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. A native of Trabzon, Turkey, she earned her undergraduate degree from Karadeniz Technical University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, graduating. Soon after, she embarked on her clinical journey working as a staff nurse at Private Imperial Hospital in Trabzon and then at Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital. In 2020, she transitioned into academia, joining Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University as a research assistant, a role she has since built on with doctoral responsibilities beginning. Dr. Pehlivan Köksal has a strong and growing scholarly profile. Her international publications include research on symptoms in cancer patients such as constipation and taste changes and their impact on quality of life, published in Supportive Care in Cancer, as well as qualitative work on nursing students’ experiences in intensive care settings. On the national front, she has authored multiple articles addressing topics such as social support, stress, sleep quality, patient comfort, symptom management, and nursing education. Her work bridges clinical practice and research, often taking the symptom burden of patients undergoing chemotherapy or hemodialysis as her focal point. Beyond journal articles, she has an extensive record of conference presentations, contributing to discourse in oncology nursing, integrative therapies, and evidence-based nursing practices across Turkey. Throughout her career, Zeynep has demonstrated both clinical empathy and scientific rigor, positioning her as a promising researcher committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing nursing science.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Akbal Demirci, Y., Aşik Özdemir, V., Pehlivan Köksal, Z., Genç Köse, B., & Pekmezci, H. (2025). Experiences and perceptions of Turkish nursing students during their first clinical placement in intensive care units: A qualitative study. Nursing in Critical Care.

  • Pehlivan Köksal, Z., Nural, N., & Kesen, O. (2025). The effect of oral cryotherapy on taste alteration, appetite level, risk of malnutrition and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Oncology Nursing.

  • Pehlivan Köksal, Z., & Nural, N. (2025). The effect of taste alteration on malnutrition and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer.

  • Pehlivan Köksal, Z., & Nural, N. (2024, December 1). Ayaktan kemoterapi alan hastaların yaşam kalitesi ve etkileyen faktörler: Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel çalışma [Quality of life and affecting factors in outpatients receiving chemotherapy: Descriptive and cross‑sectional study]. Ordu Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Çalışmaları Dergisi.

  • Pehlivan Köksal, Z., & Aşik Özdemir, V. (2024, April 29). Hopelessness in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment in the COVID‑19 pandemic: A descriptive and cross‑sectional study. Samsun Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi.

Natthawan Prasongthum | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Natthawan Prasongthum | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award

Khon Kaen University, Thailand

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Natthawan Prasongthum has a strong academic background in petrochemistry and chemistry. She graduated with First Class Honors in Chemistry (B.Sc.) from Ubonratchathani University, Thailand. She then completed her M.S. in Petrochemistry and Polymer Science (GPA 3.67) and earned a Ph.D. in Petrochemistry with a perfect GPA of 4.00 from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. Her early academic focus laid the groundwork for her later specialization in carbon materials and clean energy solutions.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Prasongthum is currently a Lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, where she teaches Battery Science and New Energy to undergraduate students. Prior to this, she was a dedicated Researcher at the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), where she focused on renewable energy, CO2 capture, carbon materials, and catalyst development. Her international experience includes serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Regina, Canada, where she contributed to cutting-edge research on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Prasongthum’s research is centered on advancing technologies in carbon capture and utilization (CCU), focusing on CO2 conversion and storage through innovative catalytic processes. She specializes in synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts, zeolites, and carbon-based materials for environmental and energy-related applications. Her work extends into the development of carbon materials for energy storage devices like supercapacitors and batteries, as well as sustainable fuel production methods.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With a mission to contribute to global clean energy transitions, Prof. Prasongthum is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change through carbon-neutral solutions. Her interdisciplinary expertise in material science, catalysis, and renewable energy technologies is helping shape more sustainable and circular energy systems, aligning with global net-zero carbon goals.

📚 Academic Contributions

Prof. Prasongthum has authored multiple research reports, scientific publications, and proposals related to CO2 utilization and energy storage materials. She has also been actively involved in mentoring undergraduate students, interns, and volunteers, helping to foster the next generation of researchers in the field of clean energy and advanced materials.

🧪 Technical Skills

Her technical skillset includes the design and synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts, development of carbon materials, CO2 capture and utilization technologies (CCUS), renewable energy systems, and energy storage materials. Additionally, she is proficient in data analysis, research proposal writing, and project management in R&D settings.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Currently, as a Lecturer at Khon Kaen University, Prof. Prasongthum teaches core subjects related to Battery Science and New Energy. She brings a wealth of research knowledge to the classroom, blending theoretical concepts with hands-on insights from her industry and academic research background.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Prasongthum’s future vision is to continue advancing sustainable technologies for carbon capture and energy storage. She aims to lead research projects that will pave the way for innovative CCUS technologies, novel carbon-based materials, and eco-friendly energy solutions, contributing to Thailand’s and the global community’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

📖Notable Publications

Hydrothermal synthesis of calcium methoxide nano-catalyst for palm oil based biolubricant production
Authors: L. Attanatho, A. Suemanotham, Y. Thanmongkhon, S. Kaewmala, N. Prasongthum
Journal: Molecular Catalysis
Year: 2025

High-Porosity Hydrochar From Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Via Single-Step Hydrolytic Agent-Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization
Authors: W. Sisuthog, N. Prasongthum, P. Natewong, P. Reubroycharoen
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology
Year: 2024

Fibrous Platelet Carbon Nanofibers-Silica Fiber Composite Supports for a Co-based Catalyst in the Steam Reforming of Acetic Acid
Authors: P. Natewong, N. Prasongthum, P. Reubroycharoen
Journal: Applied Catalysis A
Year: 2018

Investigation of Ni/SiO2 Fiber Catalysts Prepared by Different Methods on Hydrogen Production from Ethanol Steam Reforming
Authors: S. Mhadmhan, P. Natewong, N. Prasongthum, C. Samart, P. Reubroycharoen
Journal: Catalysts
Year: 2018

Solvent Regeneration of a CO2-Loaded BEA-AMP Bi-blend Amine Solvent with the aid of a Solid Brønsted Ce(SO4)2/ZrO2 Super-Acid Catalyst
Authors: N. Prasongthum, P. Natewong, P. Reubroycharoen, R. Idem
Journal: Energy Fuels
Year: 2018

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) over Ni/MgO Catalyst from CH4/CO2 and its Application for CO2 Absorption in BEA-AMP Bi-solvent Blend
Authors: P. Natewong, N. Prasongthum, P. Reubroycharoen, R. Idem
Journal: CleanEnergy
Year: 2019

Evaluating the CO2 Capture Performance using a BEA-AMP Bi-blend Amine Solvent with Novel High-Performing Absorber and Desorber Catalysts in a Bench-Scale CO2 Capture Pilot Plant
Authors: P. Natewong, N. Prasongthum, P. Reubroycharoen, R. Idem
Journal: Energy Fuels
Year: 2019