Weidong Wen | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Weidong Wen | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Anhui University | China

Dr. Weidong Wen is an emerging materials scientist whose research focuses on electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia, plasma-assisted nanoarray catalyst fabrication, and in-situ electrochemical spectroscopy. His work addresses a globally significant scientific challenge: developing sustainable, energy-efficient pathways for ammonia synthesis while contributing to nitrate pollution mitigation. Dr. Wen has established a strong research track record at an early career stage, with multiple publications in high-impact journals such as Advanced Functional Materials and Angewandte Chemie International Edition, where he has served as both first and contributing author. His studies on metastable copper phases, electrolyte microenvironment modulation, and atomically dispersed active sites have expanded fundamental understanding of catalytic mechanisms and enabled the design of high-performance electrocatalysts for selective ammonia production. Collectively, his publications have garnered strong visibility in the materials and electrochemistry communities, reflecting the relevance and novelty of his contributions. Dr. Wen’s academic training includes rigorous research experience across institutions in China and Germany, where he collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and contributed to joint Ph.D. research efforts in solid-state physics and materials engineering. These collaborations have strengthened his expertise in advanced characterization techniques and provided an international dimension to his scientific development. His work has also resulted in impactful insights with potential societal benefits, including pathways to cleaner fertilizer production, reduction of industrial energy consumption, and environmental remediation through nitrate conversion technologies. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Wen has earned multiple institutional scholarships in recognition of his academic excellence, research productivity, and commitment to scientific advancement. With a growing publication record, strong methodological skills, and a clear focus on addressing environmentally relevant challenges, Dr. Wen is positioned to make sustained and influential contributions to materials science, catalysis, and sustainable chemical engineering. His trajectory reflects a promising future as a researcher capable of driving innovations with both scientific and societal relevance.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  1. Wen, W., Yan, P., Sun, W., Zhou, Y., & Yu, X.-Y. (2023). Metastable phase Cu with optimized local electronic state for efficient electrocatalytic production of ammonia from nitrate. Advanced Functional Materials, 33, 2212236.
  2. Wen, W., Fang, S., Zhou, Y., Zhao, Y., Li, P., & Yu, X.-Y. (2024). Modulating the electrolyte microenvironment in electrical double layer for boosting electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63, e202408382.
  3. Wang, Y., Zhang, W., Wen, W., Yu, X., Du, Y., Ni, K., Zhu, Y., & Zhu, M. (2023). Atomically dispersed unsaturated Cu-N3 sites on high-curvature hierarchically porous carbon nanotube for synergistic enhanced nitrate electroreduction to ammonia. Advanced Functional Materials, 33, 2302651.

Yasmin Shabeer | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Yasmin Shabeer | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

University of Waterloo, Canada

Yasmin Shabeer is a highly motivated Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Electrochemical Engineering and Battery Systems, currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fowler. She holds a B.Tech in Rubber and Plastics Technology from Anna University, India, and has gained extensive research experience in high-energy-density aluminum-air batteries, lithium-ion thermal modeling, metal-air battery comparative studies, and corrosion analysis of Al6061 electrodes. Her research focuses on integrating experimental electrochemical techniques, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), distribution of relaxation time (DRT) analysis, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), with advanced data-driven approaches including machine learning models for predicting polarization behavior, corrosion current density, and impedance parameters, alongside life cycle assessment (LCA) for environmental sustainability. She has contributed to the design, prototyping, and optimization of battery systems through systematic experimental studies, collaboration with industry partners like AlumaPower and Stellantis, and applied modeling using MATLAB, COMSOL, Python, and simulation software for design-of-experiments (DoE). Yasmin has authored five peer-reviewed publications with 111 citations and an h-index of 4, reflecting the impact of her work on the field of sustainable energy storage. She has been recognized with awards including the Bhattacharyya Award, Mitacs Graduate Fellowship, Devani Charities Graduate Award, and International Master’s Award of Excellence, highlighting her academic excellence, innovation, and leadership potential. Beyond research, she has served as a teaching assistant, laboratory manager, Mitacs mentor, and graduate student leader, demonstrating her commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement. With expertise spanning electrochemical systems, material characterization, battery optimization, AI-assisted modeling, and sustainability analysis, Yasmin combines scientific rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical innovation, positioning her as a promising future leader in clean energy technology, electrochemical research, and sustainable battery solutions.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Mevawalla, A., Shabeer, Y., Tran, M. K., Panchal, S., Fowler, M., & Fraser, R. (2022). Thermal modelling utilizing multiple experimentally measurable parameters. Batteries, 8(10), 147

  2. Madani, S. S., Shabeer, Y., Allard, F., Fowler, M., Ziebert, C., Wang, Z., & Panchal, S. (2025). A comprehensive review on lithium-ion battery lifetime prediction and aging mechanism analysis. Batteries, 11(4), 127.

  3. Shabeer, Y., Madani, S. S., Panchal, S., Mousavi, M., & Fowler, M. (2025). Different metal–air batteries as range extenders for the electric vehicle market: A comparative study. Batteries, 11(1), 35.

  4. Madani, S. S., Allard, F., Shabeer, Y., Fowler, M., Panchal, S., & Ziebert, C. (2025). Exploring the aging dynamics of lithium-ion batteries for enhanced lifespan understanding. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2968(1), 01201.

  5. Shabeer, Y., Madani, S. S., Panchal, S., & Fowler, M. (2025). Performance optimization of high energy density aluminum–air batteries: Effects of operational parameters and electrolyte composition. Future Batteries, 100082.

Yasmin Shabeer’s work advances the development of high-performance, sustainable energy storage systems by integrating experimental electrochemistry, machine learning, and life cycle assessment. Her research directly contributes to cleaner energy technologies, efficient battery design for electric vehicles, and environmentally responsible industrial applications, driving innovation in both science and industry.

Vijyendra Kumar | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vijyendra Kumar | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Raipur Institute Of Technology Raipur, India

Dr. Vijyendra Kumar is a distinguished researcher and academic leader in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, currently serving as HOD & Associate Professor at RIT Raipur, with extensive experience in wastewater treatment, heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, process intensification, and sustainable environmental technologies. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from NIT Raipur in 2019, focusing on the application and reuse of heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for industrial and synthetic wastewater treatment under the guidance of Dr. P. Ghosh. Dr. Kumar also holds an M.Tech in Environmental Chemical Engineering (CPI 8.64) and a B.E. in Chemical Engineering (CPI 7.41) from RITEE, Raipur. His professional journey spans over a decade and includes roles as Postdoctoral Research Associate at IIT Guwahati, Temporary Faculty at NIT Raipur, Project Engineer at PLIPL Raipur, Senior and Junior Research Fellow at NIT Raipur, and Assistant Professor at RITEE Raipur, where he has contributed significantly to research, teaching, mentorship, and departmental leadership. Dr. Kumar’s research interests focus on advanced oxidation processes, wastewater remediation, catalyst development, green energy materials, and sustainable chemical processes, supported by strong research skills in gas chromatography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET analysis, CHNS analysis, TOC analysis, and photochemical reactor operations. He has authored over 50 publications with 1,451 citations and an h-index of 22, including articles in high-impact Scopus and SCI-indexed journals, and 12 book chapters with renowned publishers such as Elsevier and De Gruyter. He has actively participated in national and international conferences, faculty development programs, and professional communities, holding memberships

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Kumar, V., Mohapatra, T., Dharmadhikari, S., & Ghosh, P. (2020). A review paper on heterogeneous Fenton catalyst: Types of preparation, modification techniques, factors affecting the synthesis, characterization, and application in the … Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 15(1), 1–34.

  2. Vijyendra Kumar, P. G., Pandey, N., & Dharmadhikari, S. (2019). Degradation of mixed dye via heterogeneous Fenton process: Studies of calcination, toxicity evaluation and kinetics. Water Environment Research, 91(24), 1–12.

  3. Mohapatra, T., Kumar, V., Sharma, M., & Ghosh, P. (2021). Hybrid Fenton oxidation processes with packed bed or fluidized bed reactor for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater: A review. Environmental Engineering Science, 38(6), 443–457.

  4. Suraj, P. G., Vijyendra Kumar, P., & Thakur, C. K. (2019). Taguchi optimization of COD removal by heterogeneous Fenton process using copper ferro spinel catalyst in a fixed bed reactor: RTD, kinetic and thermodynamic study. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7(6), 103488.

  5. Sahu, G., & Kumar, V. (2021). The toxic effect of fluoride and arsenic on behaviour and morphology of catfish (Clarias batrachus). Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 20(1), 371–375.