Neda Kaydi | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Neda Kaydi | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medicine Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Dr. Neda Kaydi is an accomplished environmental health researcher with a PhD in Environmental Health Engineering. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to solving environmental challenges that directly affect human health, particularly in urban and industrial areas like Ahvaz, Iran. Over the years, she has developed a robust research portfolio encompassing wastewater treatment, biological sludge reduction, air pollution monitoring, and exposure risk assessments. Her academic rigor is matched by her practical contributions to society through various local environmental health projects. She is especially focused on community-centric research, investigating public health concerns associated with industrial pollutants, airborne toxins, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her published works reflect both technical depth and interdisciplinary scope, with numerous peer-reviewed articles exploring topics ranging from electrocoagulation processes to bioaerosol distribution in landfill areas. Dr. Kaydi’s practical and academic experiences together position her as a leader in the environmental health domain, making her an excellent candidate for awards recognizing excellence in scientific research. With her growing record of scholarly and applied achievements, Dr. Kaydi exemplifies how targeted scientific inquiry can drive meaningful improvements in public health and environmental sustainability.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Neda Kaydi has built a strong academic foundation in Environmental Health Engineering through a series of progressive academic qualifications. She began her education with an Associate Degree in Environmental Health Engineering from Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, achieving a GPA of 16. She then pursued her undergraduate degree in the same field and institution, graduating with an improved GPA of 17, reflecting her growing academic maturity. Following her undergraduate studies, she enrolled in a Master’s program in Environmental Engineering (Water and Wastewater) at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch in Khuzestan Province, where she excelled with a GPA of 19.36. Her Master’s thesis, which explored heat-alkaline treatment of biomass for sludge reduction in activated sludge systems, received a near-perfect score of 19.80. Currently, she is a PhD student in Environmental Health Engineering at Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, having commenced her doctoral research in 2021. Her academic trajectory showcases her consistent dedication to environmental sciences and engineering, particularly in practical applications related to wastewater treatment and environmental pollution control. Each stage of her education has added valuable technical and research competencies to her profile.

Professional Experience

Dr. Kaydi’s professional experience is closely aligned with her academic background and research interests. Since June 2010, she has served as a Master of Environmental Health Engineering at Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This long-term position has enabled her to actively engage in academic instruction, applied research, and environmental monitoring initiatives. Through this role, she has contributed to several high-impact public health and environmental projects that target critical local issues, including air pollution, waste segregation behavior, and COVID-19-related environmental assessments. Her university affiliation has also given her access to collaborative research opportunities, laboratory work, and community-based interventions. In addition to academic responsibilities, Dr. Kaydi has led and contributed to field-based investigations, pilot-scale experiments in wastewater treatment, and risk assessments related to industrial pollution. Her experience bridges theoretical research and practical problem-solving, particularly within urban and semi-industrial communities in Iran. Her work environment has allowed her to mentor students, coordinate projects with municipal stakeholders, and implement scientific methodologies to address real-world environmental challenges. Collectively, these professional experiences reflect her active role in shaping a healthier environment through science-based solutions and community engagement.

Research Interest

Dr. Neda Kaydi’s research interests lie at the intersection of environmental health engineering and public health protection. Her core focus areas include advanced wastewater treatment technologies, biological sludge minimization, air quality monitoring, and human exposure assessment to toxic pollutants such as BTEX and PAHs. She is particularly passionate about applying engineering solutions to mitigate the environmental risks associated with urbanization and industrial growth. A major strand of her work involves investigating the effectiveness of heat-alkaline and thermal-chemical treatments in minimizing sludge production, which aligns with global efforts to make wastewater treatment more sustainable. Additionally, she has shown keen interest in biomonitoring and environmental toxicology, conducting research that evaluates health risks linked to ambient air pollution in vulnerable populations, including children and frontline workers. Her multidisciplinary approach enables her to explore the chemical, microbiological, and epidemiological aspects of environmental hazards. She is also interested in exploring emerging pollutants, bioaerosol dynamics, and the use of GIS-based zoning in pollution mapping. Dr. Kaydi’s research consistently bridges the gap between scientific discovery and societal relevance, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based interventions and policy implications aimed at enhancing environmental health outcomes.

Research Skills

Dr. Kaydi possesses a wide array of research skills that reinforce her capabilities as a leading environmental health scholar. She is proficient in experimental design and implementation, especially within the scope of wastewater treatment technologies. Her technical competencies include pilot-scale system setup, biological sludge monitoring, and the application of heat-alkaline treatments. She is also skilled in the use of various laboratory techniques for chemical and microbiological analysis. Additionally, she demonstrates strong data collection and statistical analysis capabilities, often employing these in epidemiological studies and environmental risk assessments. She is experienced in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial pollution analysis and has contributed to multiple air quality monitoring projects using advanced sensor-based systems. Furthermore, Dr. Kaydi is adept at biomarker analysis for exposure studies and has employed biomarkers such as trans-myconic acid and 1-hydroxypyrene in her work on BTEX and PAH exposure. Her academic writing and publication skills are evident from her contributions to international journals. Collectively, her research skills enable her to work across diverse environmental health domains, from laboratory research to field assessments, community surveys, and advanced data interpretation.

Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors have not been explicitly mentioned in the provided details, Dr. Neda Kaydi’s academic and research trajectory clearly reflects the caliber of a deserving researcher who is highly eligible for recognition through scientific awards. Her Master’s thesis earned a near-perfect score of 19.80, indicating exceptional scholarly merit. Her selection and retention as a long-term environmental health engineering faculty member at Ahwaz Jundishapur University also reflect institutional recognition of her expertise and dedication. The inclusion of her work in multiple respected environmental science journals, including the Asian Journal of Chemistry, Archives of Hygiene Sciences, and Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, serves as a testament to her academic recognition and peer-reviewed excellence. Her contribution to more than a dozen impactful environmental health projects, many addressing urgent public health challenges in industrial regions, further showcases the societal impact of her work. As such, her research outputs, academic contributions, and community-centered environmental studies collectively position her as a strong candidate for research-based honors and awards at national and international levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Neda Kaydi stands out as a dedicated, skilled, and impactful researcher in the field of Environmental Health Engineering. Her academic background is solid, with progressive degrees and outstanding performance at each stage. She complements her educational achievements with more than a decade of practical and academic experience, contributing meaningfully to environmental health through research, project execution, and publication. Her work addresses both global environmental issues and local public health concerns, making her research socially relevant and scientifically rigorous. From studying sludge reduction in wastewater treatment to monitoring air quality and exposure risks in industrial zones, Dr. Kaydi’s contributions are multifaceted and innovative. Her skills in experimental design, data analysis, biomonitoring, and GIS mapping equip her to tackle complex environmental problems with a holistic approach. Though formal awards may not yet have been cataloged, her scholarly contributions, community impact, and institutional leadership merit high recognition. She exemplifies the role of a modern environmental health scientist—one who is both a researcher and a changemaker. Therefore, she is a fitting nominee for the Best Researcher Award, given her credentials, experience, and dedication to improving environmental health outcomes through scientific excellence.

Publications Top Notes

  1. The burden of metabolic risk factors in North Africa and the Middle East, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study
    Journal: EClinicalMedicine, 2023
    Authors: Malekpour MR, Abbasi-Kangevari M, Ghamari SH, Khanali J, Heidari-Foroozan M, Moghaddam SS, Azangou-Khyavy M, Rezazadeh-Khadem S, Rezaei N, Shobeiri P, et al.

  2. Metabolic risk factors attributed burden in Iran at national and subnational levels, 1990 to 2019
    Journal: Frontiers in Public Health, 2023
    Authors: Moradi S, Parsaei A, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Aryannejad A, Azadnajafabad S, Rezaei N, Mashinchi B, Esfahani Z, Shobeiri P, et al.

  3. Effect of air pollution on disease burden, mortality, and life expectancy in North Africa and the Middle East: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
    Journal: The Lancet Planetary Health, 2023
    Authors: Abbasi-Kangevari M, Malekpour MR, Masinaei M, Moghaddam SS, Ghamari SH, Abbasi-Kangevari Z, Rezaei N, Mokdad AH, Naghavi M, et al.

  4. Distribution trend of BTEX compounds in ambient air of urban solid waste landfill sites and surrounded environment: A case study on Ahvaz, Southwest of Iran
    Journal: Eurasian Chemical Communications, 2022
    Authors: Kaydi N, Mahmoudi P, Jaafarzadeh N, Mirzaee SA, Samaei MR, Hardani M

  5. Air Pollution History and Projection in the Most Polluted City in the World
    Preprint: 2022
    Authors: Kaydi N, Maraghi E, Shenavar B, Bahrami Z, Azarian A, Rostami S, Ashrafi MJ, Karimi S, Jaafarzadeh Haghighifard N, Khafaie MA

  6. Estimates, trends, and drivers of the global burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to PM₂.₅ air pollution, 1990–2019: an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
    Journal: The Lancet Planetary Health, 2022
    Authors: GBD 2019 Diabetes and Air Pollution Collaborators

  7. Assessment of incremental lifetime cancer risks of ambient air PM₁₀-bound PAHs in oil-rich cities of Iran
    Journal: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 2021
    Authors: Goudarzi G, Baboli Z, Moslemnia M, Tobekhak M, Birgani YT, Neisi A, Ghanemi K, Babaei AA, Hashemzadeh B, Angali KA, et al.

  8. Identification of Filamentous Microorganisms Causing Filamentous Bulking and Factors Affecting Their Growth in a Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant
    Journal: Chemical Methodologies, 2020
    Authors: Neisi A, Kayedi N, Mahmoudi P

  9. Effect of Thermal-Alkaline Treatment in Minimization of Excess Biological Sludge Production in the Wastewater Treatment
    Journal: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 2017
    Authors: Takdastan A, Mohammadi MJ, Kayedi N, Mahmoudi P, Hassani AH, Sekhavtjv MS

  10. Study of Excess Sludge Reduction in Conventional Activated Sludge Process by Heating Returned Sludge
    Journal: Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2013
    Authors: Mahmoudi P, Takdastan A, Alavi N, Mosavi AAJ, Kaydi N

 

 

Tatiana Marrufo | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tatiana Marrufo | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

University Fernando Pessoa/Instituto Nacional de Saúde of Mozambique, Mozambique

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo is a leading public health expert from Mozambique, with over a decade of experience in environmental health, epidemiology, and the intersection of climate change and public health. Holding a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Health from Fernando Pessoa University in Portugal and a Master’s in Public Health from the Science and Technology Higher Education Institute in Mozambique, Dr. Marrufo has made remarkable contributions to health system resilience and climate adaptation. Her work at the National Institute of Health (INS) includes leading the Climate, Environment and Health Platform, directing strategic programs on environmental and occupational health, and coordinating Mozambique’s first National Adaptation Plan for Health. She played a pivotal role in the development of early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria and cholera. Dr. Marrufo has been recognized for her efforts to integrate climate services with public health policy, and her research outputs include high-impact publications on disease modeling, vulnerability assessments, and COVID-19. Her leadership, interdisciplinary skills, and commitment to evidence-based policy-making position her as a key figure in African public health innovation. With her global engagements, she continues to bridge research, policy, and practice, working to safeguard communities from the impacts of environmental change.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo possesses an impressive academic foundation in medicine, public health, and environmental health. She began her journey in the health sciences at Eduardo Mondlane University, where she obtained her degree in Medical Sciences in 2008. This solid grounding in clinical medicine enabled her to understand the practical realities of patient care in Mozambique. Motivated by a broader interest in public health, she pursued a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) at the Science and Technology Higher Education Institute (ISCTEM), completing it in August 2021. Her MPH studies deepened her understanding of health systems, epidemiology, and disease prevention strategies. Dr. Marrufo’s academic pursuits culminated in a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Health from Fernando Pessoa University in Portugal, which she completed in September 2022. Her doctoral research focused on the interrelation between environmental conditions and public health outcomes, particularly within the context of climate-sensitive diseases. Her educational pathway reflects a consistent evolution from clinical knowledge to complex public health challenges influenced by environmental and climate dynamics. Through her interdisciplinary academic training, Dr. Marrufo has developed a unique perspective that integrates ecological, medical, and public health insights—essential for addressing the multifaceted health challenges posed by climate change in Mozambique and beyond.

Professional Experience

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo has cultivated a distinguished professional career focused on public health and environmental resilience. Since 2015, she has worked at Mozambique’s National Institute of Health (INS), where she has held several high-level roles. From 2016 onward, she led the Climate, Environment and Health Platform of the National Health Observatory, a pioneering initiative assessing climate change impacts on diseases such as malaria and diarrhea. Between 2019 and July 2024, she served as Head of the Central Office of the Technical Secretariat, contributing to national health policy formulation. She currently coordinates the Strategic Program on Environmental Health, which includes Occupational Health, focusing on mitigating environmental risks and enhancing community health responses. Dr. Marrufo has overseen vital initiatives such as the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (2019) and the Climate Environment and Health Research Agenda (2022–2031). She also led research on the health impacts of cyclones and has contributed to strengthening health systems’ resilience. Early in her career, she worked at the Centro de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Etnobotânica and held an academic role at ISCTEM, teaching pharmacology. Through these positions, Dr. Marrufo has consistently demonstrated leadership, vision, and a commitment to integrating scientific evidence into national health strategies.

Research Interests

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo’s research interests lie at the intersection of climate science, public health, and epidemiology. Her work is particularly focused on understanding how environmental and climatic factors influence the prevalence and distribution of infectious diseases in Mozambique. She is deeply engaged in researching the impacts of extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones—on diseases like malaria, cholera, and diarrhea, which remain significant public health challenges in the region. Additionally, Dr. Marrufo is interested in health system resilience, particularly how to design and implement early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases. Her involvement in the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment and the development of Mozambique’s Health National Adaptation Plan reflects her dedication to long-term public health planning in the face of climate change. She also explores occupational health, nutrition, and the integration of environmental surveillance into public health systems. Through her research, Dr. Marrufo aims to inform policy and strengthen adaptive capacity in low-resource settings. Her publications address spatial and temporal disease modeling, socio-demographic risk factors during pandemics, and evidence-based approaches to climate-health linkages. These interests position her as a multidisciplinary researcher with a unique perspective on global health, sustainability, and resilience.

Research Skills

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo possesses a diverse array of research skills that enable her to tackle complex public health challenges related to climate and environmental change. Trained in applied epidemiology at Emory University and in mathematical modeling at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Italy, she brings a quantitative edge to her research. Her technical capabilities include triangulating environmental, climate, and health data, which she honed during training with the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory. She is proficient in using statistical tools such as STATA, SPSS, and Epi-Info for data analysis and is skilled in developing and interpreting regression models to assess disease-environment relationships. Dr. Marrufo is adept at vulnerability assessments, impact evaluations, and geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis, which she applies to forecast disease outbreaks and inform early warning systems. Additionally, she has substantial experience in qualitative research methods, mixed-methods studies, and public health systems analysis. Her coordination of the National Health Research Agenda and her leadership in various national adaptation assessments showcase her abilities in project design, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. These research competencies, combined with her interdisciplinary academic background, empower her to deliver innovative and actionable insights in the field of environmental and public health.

Awards and Honors

While Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo’s curriculum vitae does not list specific formal awards, her distinguished career and recognition at both national and international levels reflect her status as a leading expert in public health and climate-health intersections in Mozambique. Her selection for advanced training at esteemed institutions like Emory University, FIOCRUZ in Brazil, and the ICTP in Italy attests to her academic excellence and global research relevance. Furthermore, she has been consistently invited to speak at high-profile international conferences and symposiums, such as COP26, the International Conference on Climate Services, and the IANPHI Annual Meeting, demonstrating her thought leadership and recognition among international peers. Her leadership roles within the National Institute of Health—particularly as the Head of the Technical Secretariat and Coordinator of national environmental health programs—represent significant institutional trust in her expertise. The pioneering initiatives she has led, including Mozambique’s first Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment and the Climate Environment and Health Research Agenda, are landmark achievements. Through these accomplishments, Dr. Marrufo has received informal but impactful honors: influence over national policy, academic recognition, and a leadership position within the scientific and health governance communities—making her a strong contender for high-level research accolades.

Conclusion

Dr. Tatiana Jorge Marrufo exemplifies the qualities of a forward-thinking, impactful, and committed public health researcher. Her unique ability to integrate environmental science, public health, and epidemiological modeling makes her work both locally relevant and globally significant. Through her strategic roles at the National Institute of Health and her involvement in national and international research collaborations, Dr. Marrufo has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also driven policy development and public health action. Her contributions to the development of Mozambique’s Health National Adaptation Plan and the Climate and Health Research Agenda reflect her visionary leadership in climate-resilient health systems. Despite not having a long list of formal awards, her influence and recognition through speaking engagements, research leadership, and institutional trust are undeniable testaments to her professional excellence. Her multidisciplinary skills, from data analysis to stakeholder engagement, position her as a catalyst for change in climate-health integration. With her continued dedication and strategic insight, Dr. Marrufo is exceptionally well-suited for the Best Researcher Award. As the world grapples with the health implications of climate change, her work stands as a model of innovation, resilience, and scientific rigor in the Global South.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: Integration and use of climate data by the national health system in Mozambique

  • Authors: J. Pinto, Judite; N. Cossa, Nelson; M. Ferrari, Mara; T.J. Marrufo, Tatiana J.; A.P. Cardoso, Ana Paula

  • Year: 2025