Makarand Ghangrekar | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Makarand Ghangrekar | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

National Institute of Technology Puducherry, India

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Makarand Ghangrekar’s academic foundation in civil and environmental engineering has been both distinguished and impactful. He earned his B.E. in Civil Engineering (with Distinction) from the Government College of Engineering, Karad, Maharashtra, in 1989. With a growing interest in environmental sustainability, he pursued a M.Tech. in Environmental Engineering from VNIT (then Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering), Nagpur, completing it in 1992. His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in January 1998, marking the beginning of a lifelong dedication to water and wastewater management research.

🧑‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

With over 33 years of research experience, Prof. Ghangrekar has served in pivotal academic and research roles. He is currently affiliated with the National Institute of Technology Puducherry, where he continues to mentor students, guide doctoral research, and lead innovations in environmental engineering. Notably, he was the first Indian researcher to initiate studies in microbial fuel cells (MFCs)—a cutting-edge domain in bioelectrochemistry focusing on simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Ghangrekar has made foundational contributions in environmental biotechnology and sustainable water treatment. His work on Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactors includes advancements in their design, operation, and maintenance, as well as in granulation and startup techniques. He has also been instrumental in developing low-cost sewage treatment methods using high-rate anaerobic technologies, such as anaerobic filters and baffled reactors. His research portfolio extends to microbial fuel cells, bio-energy recovery, desalination, and reuse of treated wastewater, all contributing significantly to decentralized and sustainable sanitation systems.

🌏 Impact and Influence

Prof. Ghangrekar’s impact transcends academic boundaries. As a pioneer in bioelectrochemical systems in India, he has shaped national dialogue on wastewater reuse, energy recovery, and cost-effective water treatment. His expertise has influenced public policy, industrial practices, and academic curricula. By integrating engineering with ecological and socio-economic considerations, he has fostered interdisciplinary approaches to solving real-world environmental challenges.

📊 Academic Citations and Recognition

Though specific citation data is not included here, Prof. Ghangrekar’s pioneering status and three-decade-long contributions suggest a significant academic footprint. His early adoption and promotion of microbial fuel cell research in India, alongside publications and collaborations, have positioned him as a highly respected figure in environmental and civil engineering communities.

🛠️ Technical Skills and Research Expertise

Prof. Ghangrekar is equipped with an exceptional array of technical competencies:

  • Design and operation of UASB and anaerobic treatment systems

  • Microbial fuel cell technology for electricity generation from waste

  • Wastewater desalination techniques

  • Integration of anaerobic-aerobic package systems for decentralized sewage treatment

  • Systems for treated wastewater reuse and public water supply optimization

His practical research has resulted in real-world applications, especially in low-income or rural areas where resource-efficient treatment systems are essential.

👨‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship

Throughout his academic tenure, Prof. Ghangrekar has been a guiding force for students, researchers, and young professionals. His mentorship has been critical in producing new leaders in environmental engineering. He is known for blending rigorous theoretical instruction with hands-on experimentation, especially in designing bio-treatment systems and evaluating their socio-technical impact.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

As an innovator, educator, and policy influencer, Prof. Makarand Ghangrekar leaves a lasting legacy in India’s environmental engineering landscape. His commitment to sustainable wastewater treatment, bioenergy recovery, and reuse technologies continues to inspire the next generation of scientists. Looking forward, his research is poised to contribute to smart city infrastructure, eco-sanitation models, and carbon-neutral wastewater systems, ensuring cleaner, energy-efficient, and resilient urban and rural water management for the future.

📖Notable Publications

Performance evaluation of hybrid electrochemical oxidation and ultraviolet light-based persulfate process for the abatement of sodium dodecyl sulfate from wastewater
Authors: A. Ahmad, M. Priyadarshini, M.M. Ghangrekar, R.Y. Surampalli
Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Year: 2025

3D g‑C₃N₄/WS₂/Agarose Aerogel Photocatalyst for Near-Complete Degradation of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in Batch and Continuous Flow Modes
Authors: M.V.L. Gnanaguru, D. Dey, M.M. Ghangrekar, R.K. Sen, S. Chowdhury
Journal: ACS ES&T Engineering
Year: 2025

Catalysing holistic wastewater treatment, electricity generation, and emerging contaminant removal in a pre-pilot Fenton-microbial fuel cell
Authors: A. Dhanda, L.P. Thulluru, R. Raj, B.K. Dubey, M.M. Ghangrekar
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Year: 2025

Improving algae-assisted bioelectrochemical system with the integration of advanced cell disruption process for lipid recovery: A mini-review
Authors: A. Tripathi, S. Das, M.M. Ghangrekar, B.K. Dubey
Journal: [No source information available]
Year: 2025

Sulfonated titanium nanotubes-modified clayware membranes for enhanced performance and cost-effective microbial fuel cell applications
Authors: A. Dhanda, L.P. Thulluru, S. Chowdhury, B.K. Dubey, M.M. Ghangrekar
Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Year: 2025

Tao Yang | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Tao Yang | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

University of Science and Technology Beijing, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Tao Yang embarked on his academic journey at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), where he pursued a doctoral degree at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy from 2012 to 2018. His early research laid a strong foundation in materials science and electrochemistry, setting the stage for his future contributions to sustainable energy and carbon neutrality.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

After completing his doctorate, Prof. Yang continued at USTB as a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Materials Science and Engineering (2018-2021). During this period, he expanded his expertise in electrocatalysis and nanogenerator technologies. He then advanced to an associate professor role at the Collaborative Innovation Center of Steel Technology (2018-2021), further enhancing his research impact. Since July 2021, he has served as a full professor at the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at USTB, leading groundbreaking research initiatives in sustainable energy solutions.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Yang's research spans multiple critical areas in electrochemistry and energy science, including:

Electrocatalysis & Hydrogen Production: Developing advanced materials for water splitting to generate hydrogen efficiently.

Carbon Dioxide Reduction & Utilization: Innovating techniques to convert CO₂ into valuable chemical fuels, addressing climate change challenges.

Piezoelectricity & Nanogenerators: Exploring self-powered energy harvesting technologies for renewable energy applications.

Electromagnetic Wave Absorption: Investigating materials that mitigate electromagnetic interference, contributing to advanced communication and defense technologies.

📊 Impact and Influence

With over 60 SCI/EI-indexed papers as the first or corresponding author, Prof. Yang has established himself as a prolific researcher. His work has amassed 3,500 citations on Google Scholar, achieving an h-index of 36. Notably, 8 of his papers have been featured as journal covers, and 7 have been recognized as ESI Highly Cited Papers, underscoring the significance of his research in the scientific community.

🏆 Academic Recognitions

Prof. Yang's remarkable contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including:

Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program

Beijing Outstanding Talent – Young Backbone Individual

Inclusion in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists (2022-2024) These prestigious honors highlight his sustained excellence and influence in the field of carbon neutrality and energy conversion.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Prof. Yang possesses a deep expertise in advanced material characterization and electrochemical techniques, including: Electrocatalysis testing and analysis, Nanomaterial synthesis and modification, Advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, Computational modeling for material behavior predictions His technical prowess enables him to push the boundaries of innovation in clean energy technologies.

🎓 Teaching and Mentorship

As a professor and doctoral supervisor at USTB, Prof. Yang plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of researchers. He actively mentors Ph.D. and master's students, guiding them in cutting-edge research on sustainable energy solutions. His commitment to academic excellence ensures that his students receive top-tier education and research training.

🌏 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Prof. Yang aims to: Expand research on scalable hydrogen production technologies, Develop novel catalysts for efficient CO₂ conversion, Advance self-powered nanogenerator applications, Contribute to global efforts in achieving carbon neutrality His work continues to drive scientific innovation and practical solutions for a more sustainable future, making him a leading figure in electrochemical energy research.

📖Notable Publications

1. Gut dysbiosis is linked to hypertension
Authors: T Yang, MM Santisteban, V Rodriguez, E Li, N Ahmari, JM Carvajal, ...
Journal: Hypertension
Year: 2015

2. Multicomponent intermetallic nanoparticles and superb mechanical behaviors of complex alloys
Authors: T Yang, YL Zhao, Y Tong, ZB Jiao, J Wei, JX Cai, XD Han, D Chen, A Hu, ...
Journal: Science
Year: 2018

3. DSC: Scheduling parallel tasks on an unbounded number of processors
Authors: T Yang, A Gerasoulis
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems
Year: 1994

4. Heterogeneous precipitation behavior and stacking-fault-mediated deformation in a CoCrNi-based medium-entropy alloy
Authors: YL Zhao, T Yang, Y Tong, J Wang, JH Luan, ZB Jiao, D Chen, Y Yang, ...
Journal: Acta Materialia
Year: 2017

5. A comparison of clustering heuristics for scheduling directed acyclic graphs on multiprocessors
Authors: A Gerasoulis, T Yang
Journal: Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing
Year: 1992

6. The gut microbiota and the brain–gut–kidney axis in hypertension and chronic kidney disease
Authors: T Yang, EM Richards, CJ Pepine, MK Raizada
Journal: Nature Reviews Nephrology
Year: 2018

7. Hypertension-linked pathophysiological alterations in the gut
Authors: MM Santisteban, Y Qi, J Zubcevic, S Kim, T Yang, V Shenoy, ...
Journal: Circulation Research
Year: 2017

Qiang Qu | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Qiang Qu | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Pfizer Research and Development, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🏛️ Early Academic Pursuits

Qiang Qu embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in biochemistry, earning a B.S. from Nankai University in 1995. He further honed his expertise by obtaining a Master’s degree in Genetics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics in 1998. His academic training provided him with a solid understanding of molecular biology, protein analysis, and genetic mechanisms—knowledge that would later fuel his career in biopharmaceutical research and clinical assay development.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

With over 14 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Qiang Qu has played pivotal roles in assay development, clinical research, and regulatory strategy. His career began at Pfizer in 2010 as a Senior Scientist in BioMedicine Design-PDM, where he focused on bioanalytical assay development for pharmacokinetics (PK) and immunogenicity assessments. In 2016, he joined EMD Serono as an Associate Director and Lab Head, where he managed a team of scientists, overseeing assay development for large molecule therapeutics. By 2020, he returned to Pfizer as the Biologics & Immunogenicity Clinical Assay Lead, a role in which he continues to make significant contributions to the development and regulatory approval of biologics.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Qiang Qu's research expertise spans PK, anti-drug antibody (ADA), and neutralizing antibody (NAb) assay development, particularly in clinical phases. He has led the development, validation, and transfer of bioanalytical assays using state-of-the-art technologies such as ELISA, MSD, Gyros, and Octet platforms. His contributions have been instrumental in ensuring the robustness, reliability, and regulatory compliance of assays used in drug development.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through his leadership roles, Qiang Qu has had a direct influence on clinical assay strategies, shaping the scientific direction of bioanalytical projects. His collaborations with CROs (Contract Research Organizations) and regulatory bodies have ensured the successful transfer and validation of critical assays supporting IND/BLA/NDA submissions. He has also mentored and managed teams, fostering the next generation of scientists in assay development.

📚 Academic Citations & Industry Recognition

His work in biologics and immunogenicity assays has been widely recognized within the scientific community. His contributions have been cited in regulatory filings, scientific reports, and industry presentations, strengthening the scientific foundation for immunogenicity risk assessment and bioanalytical methodologies in pharmaceutical research.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Qiang Qu possesses extensive technical expertise in:

  • Bioanalytical assay development (PK, ADA, and NAb)
  • Method validation and assay transfer under GLP/GCLP compliance
  • Technology platforms: ELISA, MSD, Gyros, Octet, and automation tools
  • Regulatory compliance and dossier preparation for clinical and regulatory submissions
  • CRO management, troubleshooting, and scientific oversight

🎓 Teaching & Mentorship Experience

Throughout his career, Qiang Qu has played a significant role in mentoring junior scientists and contractors, guiding them through assay development and regulatory expectations. His leadership at EMD Serono and Pfizer involved training and supervising 6-8 direct reports, helping them build expertise in bioanalytical methodologies. His mentorship extends beyond the lab, as he frequently participates in scientific discussions, internal knowledge-sharing sessions, and industry conferences.

🔥 Legacy and Future Contributions

Qiang Qu's contributions to bioanalytical sciences and immunogenicity assay development have already left a lasting impact on the field of biologics drug development. His expertise in method validation, regulatory submissions, and clinical strategy continues to shape the future of biopharmaceutical research. Moving forward, he is poised to further enhance assay innovation, improve immunogenicity risk assessment, and contribute to emerging technologies in biologics. His legacy is one of scientific excellence, leadership, and mentorship, ensuring that his influence extends well beyond his immediate projects.

Bo Song | Quantum Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Bo Song | Quantum Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🌱 Early Academic Pursuits

Bo Song began his academic journey with a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics, which he earned in 2003 from the Institute of Physics and Chemistry at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). His doctoral research laid the foundation for his deep interest in quantum mechanics and its applications in interdisciplinary sciences.

💼 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., Bo Song advanced his expertise through postdoctoral research at renowned institutions such as Peking University (China), the University of Regensburg, and the Technical University Dresden in Germany. From 2008 to 2016, he served as a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, CAS, before joining the University of Shanghai Science and Technology in 2016, where he continues to contribute to cutting-edge research.

🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

Bo Song’s groundbreaking work demonstrates quantum coherence in K+ ions confined in biological channels, providing an innovative perspective on high-flux ion transport with ultralow energy consumption. His interdisciplinary research spans neuroscience, chemistry, and physics, focusing on the quantum effects of THz photon-neuron coupling. These insights have substantial implications for understanding biological systems and advancing quantum biology.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 4,000 citations across 83 peer-reviewed publications, Bo Song has significantly influenced the fields of quantum biology and analytical chemistry. His collaboration with esteemed scientists, including Nobel Laureate Anthony J. Leggett, underscores the global recognition and relevance of his work.

📚 Academic Citations

Bo Song’s research has achieved remarkable visibility, with his contributions being widely cited in both experimental and theoretical studies. His citation index is accessible via ORCID (0000-0001-5600-106X), affirming his stature in the academic community.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Bo Song is proficient in advanced experimental and computational techniques essential for exploring quantum biological systems. His expertise includes quantum mechanics, THz spectroscopy, and neuron coupling analyses, which he has utilized to unravel complex biological phenomena.

🎓 Teaching Experience

Throughout his career, Bo Song has actively engaged in mentoring students and young researchers, fostering the next generation of scientists. His ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications has made him a respected educator.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Bo Song’s research is pioneering a new frontier in understanding biological processes through the lens of quantum mechanics. His work promises to inspire future breakthroughs in analytical chemistry and neuroscience. He remains committed to mentoring budding scientists and advancing the field of quantum biology, ensuring a lasting legacy in academia.

📖Notable Publications