Hamid Balali – Water Management – Best Sustainable Development Project Award

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Hamid Balali - Water Management - Best Sustainable Development Project Award

New Mexico State University - United States

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

🎓 ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Hamid Balali holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics with a focus on Policies and Development from Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. His doctoral research involved modeling the impacts of pricing and agricultural policies on groundwater resource conservation and balance, utilizing GAMS. He also completed a Sabbatical at Bologna University, where he explored linear and nonlinear dynamic programming of groundwater. Balali earned his MSc in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics from Tarbiat Modares University, with research on labor economics and agricultural investment impacts.

📝 RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

Balali’s research spans a range of topics in water economics, including the spatial analysis of water stress, groundwater market development, and resilience of water-community systems against climate change. His work integrates system dynamics and socio-ecological frameworks to address complex environmental and economic challenges. Notable publications include studies on groundwater sustainability, resilience assessment, and the impacts of economic sanctions on energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

🌍 SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH PAPERS

His published work includes influential papers such as “Economic Sanctions, Energy Consumption, and CO2 Emissions: A System Dynamics Model,” and “Fallowing Strategy and Its Impact on Surface Water and Groundwater Withdrawal.” These studies are crucial in understanding the intersection of environmental policy, economic sanctions, and resource management.

📚 CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS

Balali has actively participated in conferences, presenting papers on topics such as groundwater sustainability and socio-ecological systems. His contributions to conferences underscore his commitment to advancing knowledge in water resource management and environmental economics.

🔬 ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

Balali’s ongoing research projects include exploring resilience concepts for social-ecological systems and developing frameworks for groundwater governance. These projects reflect his dedication to addressing the evolving challenges in water resource management and environmental sustainability.

🌐 INTERNATIONAL IMPACT

His research has had a significant international impact, with studies submitted and published in renowned journals such as "Groundwater for Sustainable Development" and "Water." Balali’s work is instrumental in shaping global discussions on water resource management and agricultural economics.

🏆 PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Balali’s expertise and contributions have been recognized in the field of agricultural economics and water resources. His research has received acclaim for its innovative approach and practical implications in managing groundwater resources and addressing environmental challenges.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Importance of good groundwater governance in economic development: The case of western Iran
Authors: T.S. Foroushani, H. Balali, R. Movahedi, I.J. Stamenkovska, H. Azadi
Year: 2023
Journal: Groundwater for Sustainable Development

The impact of water-pricing policies on water productivity: Evidence of agriculture sector in Iran
Authors: O. Zamani, H. Azadi, S.A. Mortazavi, S.M. Moghaddam, L. Jurik
Year: 2021
Journal: Agricultural Water Management

Applying a system dynamics approach for modeling groundwater dynamics to depletion under different economical and climate change scenarios
Authors: H. Balali, D. Viaggi
Year: 2015
Journal: Water (Switzerland)

Groundwater balance and conservation under different water pricing and agricultural policy scenarios: A case study of the Hamadan-Bahar plain
Authors: H. Balali, S. Khalilian, D. Viaggi, F. Bartolini, M. Ahmadian
Year: 2011
Journal: Ecological Economics

David Gwapedza – Water Resources Management – Best Researcher Award

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David Gwapedza - Water Resources Management - Best Researcher Award

Institute for Water Research - South Africa

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

DAVID GWAPEDZA, Ph.D.

David Gwapedza is a renowned expert in hydrological modeling, sediment transport modeling, and natural resource management, with extensive experience in African countries. He has demonstrated strong capabilities in providing intellectual leadership in collaborative research processes involving multiple partners in UKRI and WRC projects. David's strategic thinking allows him to conceptualize complex issues, write grant proposals, and lead impactful research projects.

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

David earned his Ph.D. in Hydrology from Rhodes University, South Africa, where he developed and evaluated the sediment yield model (WQSED) for catchment management in African regions. His research concentrated on hydrological modeling, erosion and sediment modeling, and catchment management. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Hydrology from Rhodes University and a BSS (Honours) degree in Geography and Population Studies from Lupane State University in Zimbabwe.

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Currently, David is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Rhodes University, where he drafts manuscripts, presents findings at international conferences, and conducts independent research. He is also a Project Leader and Principal Researcher at the Water Research Commission, where he conceptualizes projects, facilitates collaboration with research partners, and supervises students. His work involves applying hydrological models, leading stakeholder engagement initiatives, and writing scientific publications.

David has also served as a Research Scientist for the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), where he developed online courses, facilitated stakeholder engagement workshops, and provided hydrological modeling support for project partners. His experience includes a PhD exchange program at Technische Universität Braunschweig, where he worked on hydrological modeling using the PANTA RHEI Model.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PROJECT LEADERSHIP

David has a proven track record in stakeholder engagement and project leadership. He has supported stakeholder engagement for the UKRI-ARUA water project in Rwanda and Uganda, facilitated workshops with the Western Cape Government-LandCare, and collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund. His role as a Project Leader at the Water Research Commission involves supervising students, preparing budgets, and managing project implementation.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

David's excellence in research has been recognized through various awards and scholarships. Notably, he received the Rhodes University research scholarship and the Berkeley scholarship for the BGW workshop. He has also been awarded for the best poster at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, and received a scholarship from Santa Barbara University, California.

TEACHING AND MENTORING

David is committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of hydrologists. He supervises postgraduate students, lectures on hydrology courses, and develops tailored lectures and workshops. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of practical application and stakeholder engagement in water resource management.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO GIS AND REMOTE SENSING

David's expertise extends to GIS and remote sensing. He has worked as a GIS Intern, where he monitored and evaluated water supply systems, mapped aquifers and water points, and provided GIS information to stakeholders. His technical skills in using GIS software to identify water sources and digitize maps have been instrumental in various research and consultancy projects.

Through his extensive research, leadership, and stakeholder engagement, David Gwapedza continues to make significant contributions to hydrological modeling, catchment management, and natural resource management in Africa. His work not only advances scientific knowledge but also addresses critical water resource challenges in the region.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Modelling storm event-based sediment yield and assessing its heavy metal loading: case of Lake Victoria's Inner Murchison Bay catchment in Uganda 2024

Assessing soil erosion risk in a peri-urban catchment of the Lake Victoria basin 2023 (1)

Equity-based allocation criteria for water deficit periods: A case study in South Africa 2023 (2)

Regionalising MUSLE factors for application to a data-scarce catchment 2018 (19)

Prediction of sediment yield of the Inxu River catchment (South Africa) using the MUSLE 2021 (39)

Luo Yong – Civil Engineering – Best Researcher Award

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Luo Yong - Civil Engineering - Best Researcher Award

Guangzhou University - China

AUTHOR PROFILE

Scopus

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Luo Yong's academic journey showcases a strong foundation in geological engineering and resource exploration engineering, culminating in his current pursuit of a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia. His research interests have evolved from studying geological processes to focusing on enhancing the durability of bamboo fiber reinforced concrete.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

With extensive experience as a teacher at Fujian Forestry Vocational and Technical College, Luo Yong has led and participated in various research projects focused on bamboo fiber reinforced concrete and asphalt. His work involves applying natural fibers to enhance the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, particularly for applications in civil engineering infrastructure such as electrically heated bridge decks.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Luo Yong's research focuses on leveraging the "100 billion bamboo industry" in Nanping to develop innovative solutions for civil engineering challenges. By applying bamboo fibers to concrete and asphalt, he aims to improve their mechanical properties, durability, and electrical conductivity. His work also involves finite element analysis to optimize the design of electrically heated bridge decks and simulate dynamic energy output for optimal performance.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Through his research on bamboo fiber reinforced concrete and asphalt, Luo Yong seeks to address critical issues in civil engineering infrastructure, such as enhancing the durability of bridge decks and improving pavement performance. His findings have the potential to contribute to more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions, impacting the field of civil engineering positively.

ACADEMIC CITES

Luo Yong's research has been recognized and published in reputable journals, including MATERIALI IN TEHNOLOGIJE, Vegetos, and Construction and Building Materials. These publications highlight his contributions to advancing knowledge in the field of civil engineering, particularly in the application of natural fibers to enhance concrete and asphalt performance.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

As Luo Yong continues his research in civil engineering, his work holds promise for shaping the future of infrastructure materials and design. By developing innovative solutions using bamboo fibers, he aims to contribute to the sustainability, durability, and performance of civil engineering infrastructure, leaving a lasting legacy in the field.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

The structural and performance characterization of bamboo fibers treated with calcium hydroxide solution 2024

Finite element simulation and falling ball impact model for cement concrete pavement considering void under slab 2024

Best Water Resources Management Project Award

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Introduction: Dive into excellence in water resources management! The Best Water Resources Management Project Award recognizes leaders who have implemented transformative projects ensuring sustainable water usage. Join us in honoring those shaping the future of water resource management.

About the Award: The Best Water Resources Management Project Award acknowledges outstanding projects that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and sustainability in water resources management. This award celebrates initiatives that contribute significantly to the conservation and efficient utilization of water resources.

Eligibility: Open to individuals, organizations, and institutions actively involved in water resources management projects. Applicants must showcase a commitment to sustainable water practices and the positive impact of their projects on communities.

Age Limits: No age limits - this award welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations at any stage of their career or project.

Qualifications: Applicants should possess expertise in water resources management and demonstrate a significant positive impact on water conservation, quality, or availability.

Publications: While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to submit publications or case studies that highlight the success and impact of their water resources management projects.

Requirements: Submission materials should include a comprehensive biography, an abstract outlining key project details, and supporting files showcasing the effectiveness and sustainability of the water resources management project.

Evaluation Criteria: Entries will be evaluated based on the innovation, sustainability, and positive impact of the water resources management project on the environment and communities.

Submission Guidelines: Refer to the detailed submission guidelines on our website to ensure your application aligns with the award criteria and provides a thorough overview of your water resources management project.

Recognition: Winners will receive the prestigious Best Water Resources Management Project Award, along with recognition in industry publications and opportunities for collaboration and networking.

Community Impact: Applicants should demonstrate a tangible positive impact on the community through their water resources management projects, improving water access, quality, or conservation.