Kadriye Elif Maçin | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Dr. Kadriye Elif Maçin | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Dr. Kadriye Elif Maçin is an active environmental engineering researcher whose scholarly contributions focus on solid waste management, life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, zero-waste strategies, and the development of sustainable and circular systems for institutions and urban environments. She has produced impactful research spanning international journals, national publications, book chapters, and numerous conference proceedings. Her work advances techno-economic evaluation of digestate management, MFA-LCA frameworks for zero-waste institutions, campus decarbonization models, circular bioeconomy applications, and comprehensive waste characterization studies. Through extensive analyses of food waste, construction and demolition waste, municipal waste logistics, hospital waste, and biogas enhancement strategies, she contributes evidence-based insights supporting efficient waste minimization and resource recovery. Her publications also address sustainability performance metrics in universities, transportation-related GHG emissions, and environmental impacts of energy and industrial processes. Additionally, her research has been disseminated through more than twenty international symposiums and conferences, where she has presented findings on decarbonization strategies, life cycle impacts of waste-to-energy systems, campus sustainability, zero-waste education, and solid waste systems under changing environmental conditions. Overall, her body of work strengthens scientific understanding of circular economy approaches and supports practical pathways toward sustainable waste management.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Macin, K. E., & Özbayram, E. G. (2025). Assessing the water footprint of tea: Implications on Türkiye's freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic Research.

Macin, K. E., Özcan, F. K., Acuner-Turet, E., & Kose-Mutlu, B. (2025). Carbon footprint and decarbonization of university buildings: Operational and embodied emissions at Istanbul Technical University. Building and Environment.

Macin, K. E. (2025). Türkiye’nin karbonsuzlaşma politikaları kapsamında Düzce ili katı atık yönetiminin yaşam döngüsü değerlendirmesi. Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi.

Macin, K. E. (2025). Malzeme ve madde akış analizi ile illerin katı atık yönetiminin döngüselliğinin incelenmesi: Düzce ili örneği. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi.

Musluoğlu, A., Dereli, R. K., Arıkan, O. A., Guven, H., & Macin, K. E. (2025). Techno-economic assessment of digestate management for full-scale continuous dry anaerobic digestion plant. Bioresource Technology.

Macin, K. E., Arıkan, O. A., & Damgaard, A. (2024). An MFA–LCA framework for goal-oriented waste management studies: ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ strategies for institutions. Waste Management and Research.

Macin, K. E. (2024). Circular food waste management in Türkiye to stay within planetary boundaries. E3S Web of Conferences.

Macin, K. E., Arıkan, O. A., Altınbaş, M., & Damgaard, A. (2024). Decarbonizing university campuses: A business model for food waste management at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) Ayazağa Campus, Turkey. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy.

Macin, K. E., Özçelik, K., Güven, H., & Arıkan, O. A. (2024). Waste characterization and recycling potential in a university campus: ITU Ayazağa Campus zero waste management practices. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management.

Macin, K. E. (2018). Kentsel dönüşüm sürecinde İstanbul’da inşaat ve yıkıntı (İY) atıkları yönetimi. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi.

Dhaarna | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Dhaarna | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

CEPT University | India

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

From a young age, Dr. Dhaarna’s educational path reflected both depth and diversity. She began her academic journey at St. Francis Senior Secondary School, Hathras, and continued her secondary education at Delhi Public School, Aligarh, before moving to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for her Senior Secondary schooling. She pursued a Bachelor's in Architecture from ZHCET, AMU, where she also served as the Cultural Secretary. Her curiosity for planning led her to CEPT University, Ahmedabad, for a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, where she was elected Academic Secretary and awarded a GATE scholarship. She then earned her Ph.D. from IIT Roorkee, focusing on Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus planning for the Bundelkhand region, supported by MHRD and the Newton Bhabha Scholarship.

🏛️ Professional Endeavors

Dr. Dhaarna is currently an Assistant Professor at CEPT University, where she teaches urban planning studios and engages students in foundational and developmental planning frameworks. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at NICMAR University, Pune, where she not only taught a wide array of sustainability and planning subjects but also spearheaded the setup of the B-Arch program and led cultural initiatives. Her early career included critical field roles at Urban Management Centre, working on the Government of India’s NAMASTE program, and HCL Foundation’s Project Samuday, focusing on rural WASH and GIS-based development. She also held research roles at IIT Roorkee and interned with Hathras Municipality and Incubis Consultants.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Dhaarna’s core research centers around the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, urban heat islands, policy planning, systems thinking, GIS applications, and sustainable urban-rural development. She uses an interdisciplinary approach to address complex spatial and environmental challenges. Her publications span high-impact journals such as Elsevier’s Information Sciences (Q1), Springer-Nature, Blue-Green Systems (Q1), and Environmental Research, Engineering and Management (Q3). Additionally, she has contributed to several Springer-Nature book chapters on environmental governance and system-based research methodology.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Dhaarna's excellence has been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships. She received the Best Teaching Practices Award at NICMAR University in 2024 and was conferred Individual Honorary Membership by IUCEE in 2025. Her innovative teaching earned her certification from the International Society for Engineering Pedagogy, Austria. During her Ph.D., she won the Best Research Poster Award at IIT Roorkee’s Research Day and was selected for the prestigious Newton Bhabha Ph.D. Placement Programme hosted at the University of the West of England, UK.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through her teaching, Dr. Dhaarna has influenced future architects and planners to embrace sustainability, equity, and systems-based thinking. Her interdisciplinary lens—blending architecture, policy, and regional planning—has empowered students and researchers alike to address real-world challenges. Her contributions to WASH programs, climate resilience, and urban policy have impacted both grassroots communities and academic spheres.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a deep-rooted passion for sustainability, planning, and social equity, Dr. Dhaarna is poised to continue shaping India’s environmental and planning discourse. Her legacy lies not only in academic excellence but also in nurturing creative, ethical, and inclusive minds. Looking ahead, she envisions contributing to global environmental governance, expanding the frontiers of WEF Nexus research, and integrating storytelling and science to foster wider public understanding.

Publications

📄  Water Security Modeling in Low-Income Regions in India: A System Dynamics Approach
Authors: Dhaarna, Anil Kashyap
Journal: Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Year: July 2025

📄 Matrix representation of the graph model for conflict resolution based on intuitionistic preferences with applications to trans-regional water resource conflicts in the Lancang–Mekong River Basin
Authors: Dayong Wang, Xiaoying Lai, Dhaarna, Xiaowei Wen, Yejun Xu
Journal: Information Sciences
Year: February 2025

📄 A Systematic Review and Trend Analysis of Urban Heat Island
Author: Dhaarna
Journal: NICMAR Journal of Construction Management
Year: 2025

📄 A Descriptive Analysis of Human-Environment Interactions in the Suburban Area of Pune City
Author: Dhaarna
Journal: Environmental Research, Engineering and Management
Year: October 2024

📄 Water, Energy and Food Nexus for Sustainable Development of the Bundelkhand Region
 Authors: Dhaarna, Varuvel Devadas
Book: Sustainable Future Cities
Year: March 2023

Taeyeol Jung | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Prof Dr. Taeyeol Jung | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Kyungpook National University | South Korea

Author profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Taeyeol Jung embarked on his academic journey at Kyungpook National University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1987. His academic prowess and passion for landscape architecture led him to Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he obtained both his Master of Arts in 1998 and his Ph.D. in 2001. These formative years laid the foundation for his distinguished career in landscape architecture, particularly in the fields of Korean traditional landscape design and urban regeneration.

🌍 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Jung’s professional career spans several decades, marked by significant contributions to both academia and industry. After completing his Ph.D., he gained valuable experience working with Tokyo Landscape Architects, INC. in Japan from 1990 to 2002. He then moved to Seoul, Korea, where he continued his professional journey with Soul Landscape Co., Ltd., from 2003 to 2012. His extensive industry experience enriched his academic role when he joined Kyungpook National University as a professor in 2012, where he has been a key figure in landscape architecture education and research.

🏞️ Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Jung's research is deeply rooted in landscape planning and design, with a strong emphasis on Korean traditional landscape design and restoration. His work also extends to urban regeneration and ground landscape planning and design, where he utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as deep learning and machine learning to analyze and interpret landscape perceptions and urban environments. His research outputs include studies on tourists’ emotional experiences, restorative perceptions of urban streets, and the aesthetic characteristics of historical landscapes like Mount Tai.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Jung's expertise and contributions to the field have earned him recognition in both academic and professional circles. His work on urban streets and landscape aesthetics, often employing innovative methodologies such as Google Street View and deep learning, has been widely published and respected. His role as a professor at Kyungpook National University further solidifies his standing as a leading expert in landscape architecture, particularly in the areas of urban regeneration and traditional landscape restoration.

🌟 Impact and Influence

Dr. Jung's impact on the field of landscape architecture is profound. His integration of traditional Korean landscape principles with modern urban design has influenced both academic research and practical applications. His work not only enhances the aesthetic and functional aspects of landscapes but also addresses the psychological well-being of urban residents. By bridging traditional and contemporary approaches, Dr. Jung has significantly contributed to the evolving discourse on sustainable and restorative urban environments.

🌿 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Jung’s legacy is one of innovation, tradition, and dedication to enhancing the human experience through landscape architecture. His ongoing research and teaching continue to inspire a new generation of landscape architects who will carry forward his commitment to sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and psychologically restorative environments. As urban landscapes face new challenges, Dr. Jung's contributions will remain a guiding force in shaping the future of cities and their green spaces.

Publications 📖

  • 📖 Changes in Wuhan’s Carbon Stocks and Their Spatial Distributions in 2050 under Multiple Projection Scenarios
    Authors: Yujie Zhang, Xiaoyu Wang, Lei Zhang, Hongbin Xu, Taeyeol Jung, Lei Xiao
    Journal: Sustainability
    Year: 2024
  • 📖 Analysing the causes of tourists’ emotional experience related to tourist attractions from a binary emotions perspective utilising machine learning models
    Authors: Yin, X., Jung, T.
    Journal: Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research
    Year: 2024
  • 📖 ‘Thousand Years of Charm’: Exploring the Aesthetic Characteristics of the Mount Tai Landscape from the Cross-Textual Perspective
    Authors: Yu, Y., Liu, B., Ma, L., Han, X., Jung, T.
    Journal: Land
    Year: 2023
  • 📖 Analysis of spatial perception and the influencing factors of attractions in Southwest China’s ethnic minority areas: The case of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
    Authors: Yin, X., Han, X., Jung, T.
    Journal: PLoS ONE
    Year: 2023
  • 📖 Restorative perception of urban streets: Interpretation using deep learning and MGWR models
    Authors: Han, X., Wang, L., He, J., Jung, T.
    Journal: Frontiers in Public Health
    Year: 2023

 

 

 

Md Naimur Rahman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Mr. Md Naimur Rahman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology | Bangladesh

Author profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Mr. Md Naimur Rahman's academic journey began with a strong foundation in science at The Millennium Stars School and College, Rangpur, followed by Notre Dame College, Dhaka, where he excelled in his Higher Secondary and Secondary School Certificate examinations. His passion for urban planning emerged during his Bachelor's and ongoing Master's studies at Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), where he achieved top honors with a remarkable CGPA of 3.91.

Professional Endeavors

Mr. Rahman's professional career has seen significant growth. Starting as an intern at Sheltech Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd., he swiftly transitioned to an Assistant Urban Planner, contributing actively from March 2023 to January 2024. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer at RUET's Department of Urban & Regional Planning, a role that underscores his dedication to both academia and practical urban development.

Contributions and Research Focus

His research contributions focus on critical urban issues, including housing satisfaction assessments, land use dynamics impacting temperature variations, and the environmental impacts of urban expansion on carbon emissions. His studies, such as those examining urban residential satisfaction and sustainability indicators, are pivotal in shaping sustainable urban development strategies in Bangladesh.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Mr. Rahman has garnered multiple scholarships and awards, including prestigious recognitions from the H.S.C, S.S.C, and J.S.C Board scholarships, underscoring his consistent academic excellence and commitment to urban planning research.

Impact and Influence

Through his professional engagements and academic pursuits, Mr. Rahman has made a tangible impact on urban planning practices in Bangladesh. His research outputs contribute to informed decision-making and policy formulation aimed at sustainable urban development.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Mr. Rahman aims to further expand his research portfolio in urban and regional planning, addressing emerging challenges such as climate resilience, urban mobility, and equitable urban development. His future contributions are poised to influence urban policy and practice, shaping sustainable cities for future generations.

 

Notable Publications

Assessing the impact of urban expansion on carbon emission 2024

Analyzing the Pattern of Land Use Land Cover Change and its Impact on Land Surface Temperature: A Remote Sensing Approach in Mymensingh, Bangladesh 2020 (27)

An Assessment on the Housing Satisfaction of Padma Residential Area, Rajshahi 2020 (4)

Assessing Satisfaction Level of Urban Residential Area: A Comparative Study Based on Resident’s Perception in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh 2019 (11)

 

 

 

 

Jingrong Zhu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Assist Prof Dr. Jingrong Zhu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Yanbian University | China

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Jingrong Zhu embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Engineering from Yanbian University. She pursued her Master's and Ph.D. in Ecological Landscape Architecture and Global Smart Cities, respectively, from Seoul National University, delving into interdisciplinary domains.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Zhu's professional career has seen him take on various roles, including serving as an Assistant Professor at Yanbian University and Hyupsung University. She also worked as a researcher at Seoul National University's Institute of Agricultural and Life Sciences, contributing significantly to research and academia.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Zhu's research spans Ecological Landscape Architecture, Environmental Impact Assessment, Global Smart Cities, and Sustainable Environmental Protection New Materials. Her publications in peer-reviewed journals highlight her expertise in topics such as micro-grid systems, erosion flooding inundation mapping, and soil organic carbon prediction.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Zhu's contributions have garnered recognition, including receiving the First Prize in Scientific Research Achievements from the Quality Culture Professional Committee of the China Association for Cultural Information. She has also been honored with the International Forum on Air Pollution and Climate Change Response Contribution Award by the Korea National Climate Environment Committee.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Zhu's research projects, publications, and involvement in government-funded initiatives reflect her significant impact in environmental and urban studies. Her work contributes to advancing knowledge in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and urban planning, influencing policies and practices in these fields.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Zhu's legacy lies in her multidisciplinary approach to addressing pressing environmental challenges. Her future contributions are anticipated to further advance understanding and practices in ecological landscape architecture, smart cities development, and sustainable environmental protection, leaving a lasting impact on academia and society.

Notable Publications

VIS-NIR spectroscopy and environmental factors coupled with PLSR models to predict soil organic carbon and nitrogen 2024

High spatiotemporal-resolution mapping for a seasonal erosion flooding inundation using time-series Landsat and MODIS images 2024

Characterization of Two Main Forest Cover Loss Transitions in North Korea from 1990 to 2020 2023 (1)