Author: Research Chemistry Awards

🎓 Academic Background

Prof. Dr. Georgios Salachas is a distinguished Professor of Applied Plant Physiology and Nutrition at the Department of Agriculture, University of Patras, Greece. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Agricultural University of Athens and later completed his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology at the Department of Biology, University of Patras. His academic journey laid the foundation for his expertise in plant nutrition, stress physiology, and sustainable agriculture.

🏛 Academic Leadership & Contributions

Over the years, Prof. Salachas has played a crucial role in shaping agricultural research and education. He has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Patras, where he contributed to the advancement of agricultural technologies and plant science education. Additionally, he has held administrative positions such as Vice-Rector of the former Technological Institute of Western Greece and Director of the Postgraduate Program on Production Technologies and Nutritional Value of Plant Products. Beyond academia, he has been actively involved in national and regional agricultural policies, serving as a member of the Agri-Food Partnership of the Region of Western Greece Council and the National Research and Innovation Council of Greece. His leadership in these organizations has significantly contributed to agricultural advancements and policy development in Greece.

🔬 Research & Scientific Contributions

Prof. Salachas has made remarkable contributions to plant physiology and sustainable agriculture through his research. He has been a principal investigator or a key member in 17 research programs, focusing on innovative solutions in plant nutrition, stress tolerance, and sustainable food production. His scientific impact is evident through his 40 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and 35 research presentations at national and international conferences. His work has contributed significantly to understanding plant metabolic responses to environmental stress and optimizing nutrient use efficiency in crops.

🌿 Key Research Interests

His research spans across multiple cutting-edge agricultural fields, including:

Plant Nutrition & Fertilization – Developing efficient nutrient management strategies for enhanced crop productivity.

Plant Stress & Metabolism – Investigating how plants respond to environmental stressors at both primary and secondary metabolic levels.

Nutritional Quality of Fruits & Vegetables – Enhancing the nutritional value and bioactive compound accumulation in agricultural products.

Aromatic & Medicinal Plants – Exploring bioactive compounds and their potential applications in medicine and food science.

Long-term Preservation of Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Studying lipid oxidation processes to extend the shelf life of extra virgin olive oil.

Aeroponics, Hydroponics & Aquaponics – Developing soilless farming technologies to ensure sustainable and resource-efficient food production.

Notable Publications📄

📄Soil Washing with Humic Acid: A toxicity constraintment technique for a successful soil remediation

Authors: Marios Drosos, Maria Antonopoulou, Ioanna Efthimiou, Li Xiong, Meng Li, Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Georgios Salahas, Vlastos Dimitris, Antonio Scopa, Alessandro Piccolo

Journal: EGU25

Year: 2025

📄Long-Term Preservation Evaluation of Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Lipid Hydroperoxides and Malondialdehyde Toxicological Concern Levels

Authors: Christos D Georgiou, Evangelos Giannakopoulos, George Salahas, Electra Kalaitzopoulou, Athina Varemmenou, Effimia Michail, Marianna Skipitari, Polyxeni Papadea

Journal: ACS Food Science & Technology

Year: 2024

📄Effects of heavy metal ions on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) growth in Cd, Pb and Zn contaminated soils using zeolite

Authors: Vasilios Sotiriou, Georgios Michas, Li Xiong, Marios Drosos, Dimitiros Vlachostergios, Maria Papadaki, Giouli Mihalakakou, Anastasia Kargiotidou, Miltiadis Tziouvalekas, Georgios Salachas, Evangelos Giannakopoulos

Journal: Soil Science and Environment

Year: 2023

📄Enhancing bioactive compounds accumulation in red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants by managing N nutrition. The identification of the ‘critical’ zone as a cultivation technique

Authors: Georgios Salachas, Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Dimitra Hela, Angelos Papasavvas, Dimitrios Savvas, Ioannis Deligiannakis

Journal: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Year: 2022

📄Internet of things (IoT) and agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in smart farming: A comprehensive review

Authors: Achilles D Boursianis, Maria S Papadopoulou, Panagiotis Diamantoulakis, Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi, Pantelis Barouchas, George Salahas, George Karagiannidis, Shaohua Wan, Sotirios K Goudos

Journal: Internet of Things

Year: 2022

Assist. Prof. Dr. Evangelos Giannakopoulos – Biochemistry – Best Researcher Award

Published on 28/03/202501/04/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Assist. Prof. Dr. Evangelos Giannakopoulos – Biochemistry – Best Researcher Award

University of Patras, Greece

Author Profiles

🎓 Academic Background

Assist. Prof. Dr. Evangelos Giannakopoulos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Patras, Greece. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Physical-Chemistry, Natural Materials, and Molecular Mechanisms from the University of Ioannina, Greece. His academic journey has been dedicated to exploring fundamental physicochemical processes and their impact on agriculture and environmental sustainability.

🔬 Research Interests & Expertise

Dr. Giannakopoulos’s research focuses on multiple disciplines within agricultural chemistry and environmental science. He investigates physicochemical processes at the particle-water interface in natural ecosystems, along with free radical mechanisms in environmental reactions. His work also extends to the study of soil organic matter (humic substances) and its influence on soil health and crop productivity. Additionally, he examines antioxidant capacity in plants and plant extracts, plant abiotic stress, and the role of aromatic and pharmaceutical plants in agriculture. His research also covers the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables, the fate and transport of heavy metals in the vadose zone, and environmental electrochemistry. He has further explored applications of atmospheric cold plasma in agriculture, sustainable waste management, and agricultural composting.

📚 Scientific Contributions

Dr. Giannakopoulos has significantly contributed to scientific research, authoring 32 research papers published in international peer-reviewed journals and presenting 26 studies at national and international conferences. His research has helped advance sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in environmental catalysis, aeroponic and hydroponic cultivation systems, and biotechnology-based waste management solutions.

🔬 Research Projects & Collaborations

Dr. Giannakopoulos has played a crucial role in several co-funded research projects focused on environmental sustainability and innovative agricultural techniques. His projects have explored environmental catalysis to improve agricultural processes, aeroponic and hydroponic cultivation methods for optimized plant growth, and earthworm biotechnology as an eco-friendly approach to agricultural waste management. These collaborations have strengthened his contributions to the field of sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

📖 Teaching & Academic Contributions

As an educator, Dr. Giannakopoulos is committed to teaching and mentoring students in agricultural sciences. He teaches various courses, including Physics-Agrometeorology, Agricultural Physical-Chemistry, Agricultural Experimentation, Systems Simulation & Modeling of Agrobiosystems, Composting & Soil Organic Matter, and Crop Growth Simulation. Through his lectures and research guidance, he continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and agricultural experts.

🌍 Impact & Future Contributions

Dr. Giannakopoulos’s work is instrumental in bridging the gap between environmental chemistry and sustainable agriculture. His research continues to shape eco-friendly agricultural solutions, improving soil health, plant resilience, and waste management practices. With his interdisciplinary expertise, he remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Notable Publications📄

📄Green roofs as a nature-based solution for improving urban sustainability: Progress and perspectives

Authors: Giouli Mihalakakou, Manolis Souliotis, Maria Papadaki, Penelope Menounou, Panayotis Dimopoulos, Dionysia Kolokotsa, John A Paravantis, Aris Tsangrassoulis, Giorgos Panaras, Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Spiros Papaefthimiou

Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Year: 2023

📄Influence of Pb (II) on the radical properties of humic substances and model compounds

Authors: E Giannakopoulos, KC Christoforidis, A Tsipis, M Jerzykiewicz, Y Deligiannakis

Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry A

Year: 2005

📄Adsorption and Radical Stabilization of Humic-Acid Analogues and Pb2+ on Restricted Phyllomorphous Clay

Authors: Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Panagiota Stathi, Kostas Dimos, Dimitris Gournis, Yiannis Sanakis, Yiannis Deligiannakis

Journal: Langmuir

Year: 2006

📄A humic-acid-like polycondensate produced with no use of catalyst

Authors: Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Marios Drosos, Yiannis Deligiannakis

Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Year: 2009

📄Removal of mercury (II) and lead (II) from aqueous media by using a green adsorbent: kinetics, thermodynamic, and mechanism studies

Authors: Mohammad Javad Amiri, Mohammad Arshadi, Evangelos Giannakopoulos, Ioannis K Kalavrouziotis

Journal: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste

Year: 2018

Ms. Eman Bakr – Inorganic Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Published on 28/03/202528/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Ms. Eman Bakr – Inorganic Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Alexandria University, Egypt

Author Profile

🎓 Academic Journey

Eman Bakr is currently a postgraduate student in Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. She began her master’s studies in October 2021 and has successfully completed her Pre-Master’s program with a CGPA of 3.363. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Science from Alexandria University (2015 – 2019), majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Physics. She graduated with a Very Good grade (CGPA: 3.13). Her graduation project on Green Chemistry was recognized with an Excellent grade, showcasing her deep understanding and commitment to sustainable scientific practices.

🧪 Professional Experience

Eman is currently working as a Medical Analysis Chemist at Tolip Laboratories since October 2022. Her role involves conducting medical tests and chemical analyses, ensuring accurate and reliable results in laboratory diagnostics. She also contributed to academia as an Assistant in Chemistry Laboratories at the Faculty of Education, Alexandria University (2022 – 2023). Her responsibilities included guiding students in practical chemistry sessions and ensuring they gained hands-on experience in laboratory techniques. Prior to that, she worked as a Medical Analysis Chemist at El Eman Lab – Future Lab from August 2020 to March 2021, where she gained valuable experience in clinical laboratory procedures and diagnostic analysis.

📚 Specialized Courses

Eman has pursued additional training to enhance her expertise in specialized fields. She completed a course in Assisted Reproductive Technology at the Alexandria Regional Centre for Women’s Health & Development in March 2019. Additionally, she undertook a course on Introduction to Programming Science at the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University (January 2019), which provided her with fundamental knowledge in computational applications.

🔬 Research & Laboratory Training

To strengthen her practical skills, Eman participated in several training programs in renowned research institutions and laboratories. In July 2019, she trained at the City for Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), where she gained hands-on experience in scientific research techniques. Additionally, she completed laboratory training at the Central Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University during her third year of college. She further honed her skills at El Yosr Medical Lab between March and April 2019, gaining exposure to advanced medical testing and laboratory techniques.

💻 Technical & Computer Skills

With a solid foundation in digital tools, Eman is proficient in various software applications essential for scientific and professional work. She has excellent skills in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, along with very good proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Her background in programming science further enhances her technical capabilities.

Notable Publications📝

📝Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II)-isothiocyanato complexes of s-triazine based ligand with promising cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties; synthesis, X-ray structure, and theoretical studies

Authors: Eman A. Bakr, Morsy A. Abu-Youssef, Prof. Dr. Assem Barakat, Matti Haukka, Rajendhraprasad Tatikonda, Ayman El-Faham, Saied M. Soliman, Amal Yousri

Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure

Year: 2025

Prof. galal nawwar – organic synthesis – Sustainable Chemistry Pioneer Award

Published on 27/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Prof. galal nawwar – organic synthesis – Sustainable Chemistry Pioneer Award

national research center, Egypt

Author Profiles

🎓 Academic Background

Prof. Galal Nawwar has a strong academic foundation in Organic Chemistry, which has significantly contributed to his expertise in the field. He obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University in October 1983, following his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from the same institution in December 1980. His journey in chemistry began with a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Cairo University in June 1974.

💼 Professional Experience

With decades of experience, Prof. Nawwar has played a pivotal role in chemical research and green chemistry innovations. Currently, he is a Professor at the Green Chemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Cairo, Egypt, a position he has held since December 1995. Prior to this, he held various esteemed positions, including Head of the Special Unit for the production of local technology and additives. He also served as the Head of the Chemical Industries Research Division from February 2006 to February 2012 and as the Deputy of the Chemical Industries Research Division from November 2005 to January 2006. His expertise in pesticide chemistry led him to become the Head of the Pesticides Chemistry Department at NRC from May 2005 to November 2005.

Earlier in his career, he gained extensive research experience, serving as an Assistant Professor at NRC from August 1989 to November 1995, a Researcher from September 1984 to July 1989, and a Research Assistant from December 1980 to September 1983. His journey began as an Assistant Researcher at NRC in August 1977. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and scientific expertise, making significant contributions to chemical research and sustainable solutions.

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Nawwar’s research focuses on two key areas:

Organic Synthesis is at the core of his work, where he has contributed to the development of innovative and sustainable chemical compounds. His expertise in organic chemistry has led to the creation of new chemical formulations that enhance industrial applications and environmental sustainability.

Waste Recycling is another major area of interest, where he has explored eco-friendly solutions for repurposing waste materials. His research has played a crucial role in developing sustainable chemical processes that minimize environmental impact and promote green chemistry initiatives.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Prof. Galal Nawwar has received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry. His innovative work has been acknowledged on both national and international platforms. In 2018, he was honored with the Golden Medal at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to scientific advancements. The following year, in 2017, he received the Golden Medal from the International Organization of Intellectual Properties, further cementing his status as a leading innovator in chemistry. His commitment to scientific progress was also recognized in 2016, when he was awarded the Scientific Innovation Prize by the National Research Center. Earlier in his career, he received the Scientific Encouragement Award from the National Research Center in 1994, acknowledging his remarkable achievements and potential in the field of organic chemistry.

Notable Publications📝

📝Microcrystalline cellulose acetate incorporating cyanoacetyl moiety

- Author: Hoda Sabry Othman, Alaa E. Elsayed, G. A. M. Nawwar
- Journal: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
- Year: 2024

📝Novel synthesis of a new class of substituted S-glycosylisothiourea derivatives and their conversion to 5-amino-1,2,4-triazoles

- Author: Mamdouh A. Abu-Zaied, Galal A. Nawwar, Galal H. Elgemeie
- Journal: Synthetic Communications
- Year: 2024

📝Antibacterial Azo Dyes Containing Sulfa Drug Moieties and Their Colour Assessment on Printing Polyester Fabric

- Author: Khlood S. Abdel Zaher, Elkhabiry Shaban, Galal A. M. Nawwar
- Journal: ChemistrySelect
- Year: 2023

📝Utility of Zinc (Lignin/Silica/Fatty Acids) Complex Derived From Rice Straw as Antioxidant and Activator in Rubber Composites

- Author: Khlood S. Abdel Zaher, Salwa H. El‐Sabbagh, Fathy M. Abdelrazek, Galal A. M. Nawwar
- Journal: Polymer Engineering & Science
- Year: 2019

📝Development of bio-based polymeric hydrogel: Green, sustainable and low-cost plant fertilizer packaging material

- Author: Ibrahim S., Nawwar G.A.M., Sultan M.
- Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
- Year: 2016

Mr. Chengbo Gu – Stereochemistry – Best Researcher Award

Published on 27/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Mr. Chengbo Gu – Stereochemistry – Best Researcher Award

Northeast Forestry University, China

Author Profiles

🎓 Education Background

Mr. Chengbo Gu holds a Ph.D. and has an extensive academic background in pesticides and phytomedicine. He pursued his postdoctoral fellowship from August 2008 to May 2011 at ZHEJIANG Hisun Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, specializing in phytomedicine research. Prior to that, he earned his Ph.D. in Pesticide Sciences from China Agricultural University, Beijing (September 2003 – June 2006). His Master of Science (M.S.) in Pesticides was completed at Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China (September 2000 – June 2003). He laid his foundational knowledge with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agronomy from the same university (September 1995 – June 1999).

👨‍🏫 Professional Title & Research Interests

Currently serving as a Professor, Mr. Chengbo Gu specializes in Medicinal Plants and Phytomedicines as well as Pesticide Detection Technologies and Safety Evaluation. His research contributes significantly to agricultural safety and pharmaceutical advancements.

🏢 Working Experience

Since July 2006, Mr. Chengbo Gu has been actively working at the Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. His role involves extensive research and innovation in plant ecology, pesticide applications, and phytomedicine advancements.

Notable Publications📝

📝6PPD-quinone degradation by unactivated peroxymonosulfate via direct oxidation and enhanced generation of 1O2

Authors: Haibin Yu, Nannan Wu, Zhenzhen Liu, Huiyu Zhao, Shanshan Di, Zhiwei Wang, Chengbo Gu, Xinquan Wang, Peipei Qi

Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

Year: 2025

📝Study on the Enantioselective Separation, Dissipation, and Residue of Chiral Fenpropathrin in Vegetables by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS)

Authors: Linnan Wang, Xinquan Wang, Hongyu Liu, Zhiwei Wang, Peipei Qi, Huiyu Zhao, Zhenzhen Liu, Chengbo Gu, Shanshan Di

Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Year: 2024

📝Fusarium solani G6, a novel vitexin-producing endophytic fungus: characterization, yield improvement and osteoblastic proliferation activity

Authors: Pei-jia Tang, Zhi-hui Zhang, Li-li Niu, Cheng-bo Gu, Wen-yi Zheng, Hai-chao Cui, Xiao-han Yuan

Journal: Biotechnology Letters

Year: 2021

📝Characterization, culture medium optimization and antioxidant activity of an endophytic vitexin-producing fungus Dichotomopilus funicola Y3 from pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Authors: C.B. Gu, H. Ma, W.J. Ning, L.L. Niu, H.Y. Han, X.H. Yuan, Y.J. Fu

Journal: Journal of Applied Microbiology

Year: 2018

Dr. Ziaurrehman Tanoli – Drug repurposing – Best Researcher Award

Published on 26/03/202526/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Dr. Ziaurrehman Tanoli – Drug repurposing – Best Researcher Award

University of Helsinki, Finland

Author Profiles

🎓Educational Background

Dr. Tanoli completed his MS leading to PhD in Machine Learning at PIEAS and holds a Bachelor’s in Computer and Information Sciences from the same institution. In 2022, he was awarded the title of Docent in Pharmaceutical Chemistry by the University of Helsinki.

🏢Work Experience

Dr. Tanoli has an extensive academic background, with experience in several prestigious institutions. Currently, he holds a position as a Senior Researcher at FIMM, and has previously served as an Associate Professor at the University of Helsinki. His prior roles include postdoctoral positions at FIMM, University of Helsinki, and the University of Sannio, Italy. He has also served as an Assistant Professor at COMSATS University Islamabad in Pakistan.

🏆Achievements

Dr. Ziaurrehman Tanoli has established himself as an exceptional scientist, completing his PhD at the age of 27. His research has been widely recognized, with one of his most significant accomplishments being the publication of an article as the first author in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (Impact Factor: 122). He co-organized the IDG-DREAM challenge, which was featured in Nature Communications in 2021. Dr. Tanoli also made notable strides in research challenges, such as winning the CTD2Pancancer Drug Activity Dream Challenge (CRM, 2022) and the CTD2Pancancer Chemosensitivity Dream Challenge (publication pending). His grant funding achievements include securing the AoF Project Funding (2022–2026) for €0.58M to support his project on drug repurposing and receiving a Young Researchers Grant (2023) from the Aaltonen Foundation for €37K. Furthermore, he has been awarded the MSCA SE EU Mobility Grant for €29K for the years 2025-2028.

🔬Research Expertise

Dr. Tanoli specializes in AI-driven drug discovery, focusing on a variety of areas such as attention-based models, large language models, and generative AI for software development. His expertise extends to target-based drug discovery and repurposing, where he developed methods for predicting drug-target interactions across 7 protein superfamilies. He has also made significant contributions to phenotypic drug discovery, including multi-omics-based drug response prediction and synergistic drug combination identification. Dr. Tanoli has published 27 articles in the last five years, with 13 of them as corresponding or first author. His work has also expanded into the development of drug repurposing pipelines and drug safety analysis models.

💡Research Grants & Projects

Throughout his career, Dr. Tanoli has secured numerous research grants and project funding for innovative drug discovery solutions. His projects span topics such as drug repurposing, AI models for drug discovery, and multi-omics analysis. The AoF Project (2022-2026) received €0.58M, and his other prestigious projects include the REMEDI4ALL EU Project (2022-2027) and EOSC-Life EU Project (2019-2023).

👩‍🏫Teaching & Supervision

With over 300 contact hours of teaching, Dr. Tanoli has actively contributed to educational development. He has taught various topics related to pharmaceutical chemistry, machine learning, and bioinformatics. His dedication to mentorship is also evident through his supervision of 3 PhD students, 4 research assistants, 2 software developers, and 1 postdoc.

Notable Publications📝

📝Computational drug repurposing: approaches, evaluation of in silico resources and case studies

- Authors: Ziaurrehman Tanoli, Adrià Fernández-Torras, Umut Onur Özcan, Aleksandr Kushnir, Kristen Michelle Nader, Yojana Gadiya, Laura Fiorenza, Aleksandr Ianevski, Markus Vähä-Koskela, Mitro Miihkinen et al.
- Journal: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
- Year: 2025

📝Validation guidelines for drug-target prediction methods

- Authors: Ziaurrehman Tanoli, Aron Schulman, Tero Aittokallio
- Journal: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery
- Year: 2025

📝Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Drug Repurposing—Challenges and Perspectives

- Authors: Ezequiel Anokian, Judith Bernett, Adrian Freeman, Markus List, Lucía Prieto Santamaría, Ziaurrehman Tanoli, Sarah Bonnin
- Journal: Drug Repurposing
- Year: 2024

📝PGxDB: An interactive web-platform for pharmacogenomics research

- Authors: Trinh Trung Duong Nguyen, Ziaurrehman Tanoli, Saad Hassan, Umut Özcan, Jimmy Caroli, Albert Kooistra, David Gloriam, Alexander Hauser
- Journal: Nucleic Acids Research
- Year: 2024

📝Attention-based approach to predict drug–target interactions across seven target superfamilies

- Authors: Aron Schulman, Juho Rousu, Tero Aittokallio, Ziaurrehman Tanoli, Xin Gao
- Journal: Bioinformatics
- Year: 2024

Mr. Shun Xing Zheng – Organic Coatings – Best Researcher Award

Published on 26/03/202526/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Mr. Shun Xing Zheng – Organic Coatings – Best Researcher Award

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China

Author Profiles

🎓Academic Background

Mr. Shun Xing Zheng holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemistry from Shandong University. Since 1995, he has been dedicated to teaching organic coatings and conducting research on organic-inorganic hybrid materials at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

🔬Research Focus

His research interests center around organic-inorganic hybrid materials, with a particular emphasis on organic coatings and their applications. Zheng has explored complex mixture systems and worked extensively on their rheology, aiming to improve coating formulations. His work focuses on developing methods that make these materials more efficient, sustainable, and easier to study.

💡Key Contributions and Achievements

Authorship of Textbooks

Zheng has authored three textbooks on organic coatings and finishing. These books address the teachable and learnable aspects of the field, helping to improve the understanding of coating technologies for both students and professionals.

Coatings Rheology Research

He has made significant contributions to the field of coatings rheology, providing detailed researchable methods for working with the complex mixture systems in organic coatings. This research aids in understanding how coatings behave under different conditions.

Critical Gelation Point (CGP) Discovery

One of Zheng’s most notable discoveries is the Critical Gelation Point (CGP) of SiO2 sols. He found that SiO2 sols below the CGP, when mixed with appropriate polymers, can create VOC-compliant hybrid coatings. This approach allows for the development of hybrid materials with extremely low organic solvent content, contributing to sustainable material development and reducing environmental impact.

Notable Publications📝

📝Issues of polymer used in coating, coating rheology and hybrid coatings

- Authors: Shun Xing Zheng
- Journal: Polymer Bulletin
- Year: 2025

📝 Correlations of rheological methods to coatings’ performance

- Authors: Shun Xing Zheng, Hua Shan Chen
- Journal: Progress in Organic Coatings
- Year: 2023

📝Influence of curing temperature on SiO₂/resole hybrid coating films

- Authors: Shun Xing Zheng
- Journal: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology
- Year: 2022

📝Principles of organic coatings and finishing (Book)

- Authors: Shun Xing Zheng
- Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
- Year: 2020

📝Discovery of VOC-compliant TEOS sol and its application to SiO₂/novolac hybrid coatings

- Authors: Zheng, S.; Shen, C.; Alunbate, M.; Deng, J.; Wang, L.; Han, Z.; Tang, H.
- Journal: Progress in Organic Coatings
- Year: 2013

Dr. Uttam Pokharel – Coordination Chemistry – Chemistry Education Award

Published on 26/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Dr. Uttam Pokharel – Coordination Chemistry – Chemistry Education Award

University of Houston Clear Lake, United States

Author Profiles

🎓 Educational Background

Dr. Uttam Pokharel has pursued an extensive academic journey in chemistry, specializing in organic and organometallic chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (2007 – 2012), where he conducted significant research in synthetic organic chemistry. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Organic Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal (1996 – 1998). To further enhance his research expertise, he undertook a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (2012 – 2015), focusing on organometallic catalysis and reaction mechanisms.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Pokharel has been honored with multiple awards for his excellence in teaching and research. In 2023, he received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence at Nicholls State University, a prestigious recognition of his dedication to education. He was also honored with the Academic Award for Teaching Excellence from the College of Science and Technology at Nicholls State University in 2020. His contributions to research were acknowledged with the Patent Investigator Award from Louisiana State University in 2019. Additionally, he was an Outstanding Faculty Nominee to the Faculty Senate at Nicholls State University in 2018, and earlier in his career, he received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Kentucky in 2012.

🎓Teaching Experience

Dr. Pokharel has an extensive teaching background, with experience at multiple prestigious institutions.

University of Houston – Clear Lake (2024 – Present)

As an Associate Professor, he teaches a wide range of chemistry courses, including Organic Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry Lab, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, and Graduate Research courses.

Nicholls State University (2015 – 2024)

Dr. Pokharel served as an Associate Professor (2021–2024), Assistant Professor (2016–2021), and Visiting Assistant Professor (2015–2016). He taught various chemistry courses, such as General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry for Nursing, and Research Problems in Chemistry, among others.

University of Kentucky (2007 – 2012)

He began his teaching career as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, where he gained valuable experience instructing undergraduate students.

💰 Grants and Research Funding

Dr. Pokharel has been actively involved in securing research grants to advance his studies in organic and organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and ligand design. He has submitted a proposal to the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF) for research on Copper(II)-Mediated Oxidation of Nitrogen Heterocycles aimed at improving petroleum refining processes. He has also received a Faculty Research Support Fund from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (2025), amounting to $5,998, for studying ligand-centered redox reactions in ruthenium(II) complexes.

In addition, he secured $5,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents (2023–2024) under the Supervised Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for research on α-Ferrocenyl Ketones for Anion Sensing. His efforts to improve laboratory facilities led to a $12,660 grant from Nicholls State University Tech Fee (2022) for acquiring a Gas Chromatogram for Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Other notable grants include a $4,900 Research Council grant (2020–2021) at Nicholls State University for work on Redox-driven Single Molecular Rotors from Ferrocene-linked Tetradentate Ligands, and a $21,600 grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents (2017–2018) for research on Organometallic Polyacenes for Opto-electronic Applications.

Notable Publications📝

📝Structural Rearrangement in Cyclic Cu(II) Pyridyltriazole Complexes: Oxidation of Dabco to Oxalate and CO2 Conversion to Carbonate

Authors: Uttam R. Pokharel, Frank R. Fronczek, Andrew W. Maverick

Journal: Molecules

Year: 2025

📝Lactonization of α-Ferrocenyl Ketocarboxylic Acids via Nucleophilic Attack of Carbonyl Oxygen

Authors: Uttam R. Pokharel, Brennan J. Curole, Autumn M. Andras, Brandon P. LeBlanc, Frank R. Fronczek

Journal: Crystals

Year: 2024

📝Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,1′-bis{[4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]methyl}ferrocene, and its complexation with CuI

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications

Year: 2020

📝Metallosupramolecular helices constructed from nickel(II) and multidentate “click” triazole ligands

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Polyhedron

Year: 2020

📝Synthesis and crystal structures of 2-(ferrocenylcarbonyl)benzoic acid and 3-ferrocenylphthalide

Authors: Uttam Pokharel

Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications

Year: 2020

Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain – Solution Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Published on 25/03/202525/03/2025 by Research Chemistry Awards

Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain – Solution Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Comilla University, Bangladesh

Author Profile