Saint Bickolard Mabicka Iwangou | Marine Pollution | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Saint Bickolard Mabicka Iwangou | Marine Pollution | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | IRAF/CENAREST | Gabon

Dr. Mabicka Iwangou S. B. is a distinguished researcher specializing in wood sciences and mangrove ecosystems. With a foundation in biology and advanced training in wood science, Dr. Iwangou’s career has been dedicated to understanding the anatomical, chemical, and ecological characteristics of wood, particularly within the context of mangrove ecosystems. Their work has significantly contributed to insights on pollution effects, bioaccumulation of heavy metals, and sustainable management of mangroves. As a researcher, educator, and consultant, Dr. Iwangou continues to champion environmental conservation and sustainable forestry.

Profile

Scholar

Education

Dr. Iwangou’s academic journey began with a Baccalauréat Série D in 2007 from Lycée et Collège ADIWA in Gabon, followed by a Licence in General Biology and Earth Sciences in 2012 from the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Gabon. In 2015, Dr. Iwangou earned a Master’s in Wood Sciences from the École Normale des Eaux et Forêts, Gabon, culminating in a Doctorate in Wood and Fiber Sciences from the Université de Lorraine, France, in 2020. This robust educational background has provided a multidisciplinary foundation to explore wood anatomy, pollution effects, and sustainable environmental practices.

Professional Experience

Dr. Iwangou has a wealth of experience in academia and consultancy. They have delivered lectures in wood anatomy, wood chemistry, soil chemistry, bioremediation, and ecotoxicology. Dr. Iwangou has actively participated in international conferences, including presenting at the 8th GDR Bois Journées in 2020 (where they received laureate recognition), and speaking on topics like mangrove conservation and plant health’s role in climate change. As a consultant for NGOs like Les Amis de la Lowé and Plurméa, Dr. Iwangou has contributed to mangrove preservation and restoration projects, leveraging their expertise to train others on adaptive mechanisms of mangroves in fragile environments.

Research Interests

Dr. Iwangou’s research focuses on the intersection of wood anatomy, mangrove ecology, and environmental sustainability. Key interests include:

  • Anatomical and chemical variability of wood tissues in mangroves.
  • The impact of pollution, such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons, on mangrove ecosystems.
  • The role of mangroves in mitigating climate change effects.
  • Industrial applications of wood based on tissue properties.
    This interdisciplinary approach aims to foster sustainable practices in forestry and environmental management.

Awards

Dr. Iwangou’s achievements include being a laureate at the 8th GDR Bois Journées in 2020. They have also received recognition for their contributions to research on mangrove ecosystems and their advocacy for environmental conservation. Dr. Iwangou’s impactful work continues to influence academic and policy frameworks surrounding wood sciences and mangrove preservation.

Publications

Dr. Iwangou has contributed significantly to academic literature, including the following key publications:

Chemical reactivity and supramolecular susceptibility of hardwood celluloses towards succinic anhydride

    • Authors: R. Safou-Tchiama, T.A. Barhé, P. Soulounganga, S.N. Obame, S.B.M. Iwangou, et al.
    • Publication Year: 2017
    • Citations: 2

Evaluation of anatomical and physical properties of Khaya nthotheca (Welw.) C. DC. from forests of different altitudes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    • Authors: M.N. Kalendi, R. Safou-Tchiama, P. Soulounganga, I.S.B. Mabicka, et al.
    • Publication Year: 2016
    • Citations: 2

Anatomical variability of the trunk wood and root tissues of Rhizophora racemosa (G. Mey) and Avicennia nitida (Jacq.) and bio-accumulation of heavy metals in …

    • Authors: R. Safou-Tchiama, P. Soulounganga, S. Ikogou, N.K. Mathe, C. Ndoutoume
    • Publication Year: 2016
    • Citations: 2

Investigation of the Anatomical Variability of the Trunk and Root Tissues of Rhizophora racemosa (G. Mey) and Avicennia germinans (Linné): A Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and …

    • Authors: S.B.M. Iwangou, P. Soulounganga, A. Besserer, R.S. Tchiama, C. Ndoutoume, et al.
    • Publication Year: 2020
    • Citations: 1

Investigation of the Anatomical Variability of the Trunk and Root Tissues of Rhizophora racemose (G. Mey) and Avicennia germinans (Linné): A Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals …

    • Authors: S. Bickolard, P. Soulounganga, A. Besserer, R.S. Tchiama, C. Ndoutoume, et al.
    • Publication Year: 2020
    • Citations: Not specified.

Skills and Competencies

Dr. Iwangou possesses extensive expertise in microscopic and macroscopic wood analysis, pollution impact assessments, and industrial applications of wood tissues. Proficient in GC-MS, Fiji software, and statistical tools like R, they are also experienced in ecological restoration practices and bio-indicators of pollution.

Conclusion

Dr. Mabicka Iwangou S. B. exemplifies a commitment to advancing wood sciences and mangrove ecology. Through interdisciplinary research, academic contributions, and environmental advocacy, their work has bridged science and practice to address pressing ecological challenges. Dr. Iwangou’s career stands as a testament to the critical role of research in fostering sustainable environmental solutions.

Viviana Gamboa Sojo | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Viviana Gamboa Sojo | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | University of Costa Rica | Costa Rica

Viviana Gamboa Sojo, a dedicated geologist from Costa Rica, has pursued a distinguished academic and research career with a focus on marine geology, climate change, and paleoceanography. Her work, particularly in high-latitude environments, delves into sedimentology and micropaleontology, aiming to understand environmental shifts over time.

Profile

Orcid

Strengths for the Award 🏆

Viviana has a solid foundation in geology, with a Bachelor’s, Licenciatura, Master’s, and a Ph.D. Her advanced studies in Earth Sciences from prestigious universities in Costa Rica and Italy demonstrate her commitment and expertise.

She has a proven track record in marine geology, paleoclimatology, and paleoceanography, with specific focus on high-latitude climate change during the Quaternary period. Her work on foraminiferal assemblages and sedimentology to interpret paleoceanographic shifts is both relevant and impactful in understanding past environmental conditions.

Viviana’s research has been recognized and supported by numerous prestigious grants and awards, including multi-year project funding from INQUA, awards from the Cushman Foundation, and participation in international research projects, such as the INQUA MARE initiative.

She has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in well-regarded journals, which reflects her active engagement with the scientific community. Her collaborations span several countries, including Italy and Norway, underscoring her strong network and influence in her field.

Viviana’s role as a professor and researcher at the Universidad de Costa Rica highlights her dedication to educating and mentoring the next generation of scientists. This, combined with her research, enhances her overall contribution to her field.

Education 🎓

  • 2021: Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
  • 2017: M.Sc. in Geological Sciences and Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • 2014: Licentiate in Geology, University of Costa Rica.
  • 2011: Bachelor in Geology, University of Costa Rica.

Experience 👩‍🏫

Viviana has extensive teaching and research experience, beginning as a professor and researcher at the Central American School of Geology, University of Costa Rica. Her career includes involvement in projects exploring paleontological and environmental changes in continental and marine ecosystems, further enriched by her participation in international scientific expeditions and workshops.

Research Interests 🔬

Viviana’s research interests center on marine geology, climate change impacts during the Quaternary period, paleoceanography, and micropaleontology. Her studies use sedimentology and benthic foraminifera to trace past environmental shifts, with a keen focus on Arctic ecosystems and how these regions respond to climate variations.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

Viviana’s contributions have earned her several honors, including:

  • 2019: INQUA Grant for the INQUA MARE project.
  • 2018: Joseph A. Cushman Award from the Cushman Foundation for her work on the Barents Sea paleoclimate.
  • 2015: Academic excellence from the University of Costa Rica, recognizing her outstanding academic performance.

Publications 📑

Deciphering Paleoceanographic Shifts Inferred from the Foraminiferal Record of the Western Svalbard Slope (Bellsund Drift) over the Past Century

  • Authors: Viviana M. Gamboa Sojo, Caterina Morigi, Leonardo Langone, Renata G. Lucchi
  • Year: 2024
  • DOI: 10.3390/jmse12040559

Environmental Changes in Krossfjorden, Svalbard, since 1950: Benthic Foraminiferal and Stable Isotope Evidence

Multiproxy Investigation of the Last 2,000 Years BP Marine Paleoenvironmental Record along the Western Spitsbergen Margin

  • Authors: Fiorenza Torricella, Viviana Maria Gamboa Sojo, Karen Gariboldi, Nessim Douss, Maria Elena Musco, Chiara Caricchi, Renata Giulia Lucchi, Katia Carbonara, Caterina Morigi
  • Year: 2022
  • DOI: 10.1080/15230430.2022.2123859

Living and Dead Foraminiferal Assemblages of the Last Decades from Kveithola Trough: Taphonomic Processes and Ecological Highlights

  • Authors: Viviana Maria Gamboa-Sojo, Katrine Husum, Francesca Caridi, Renata G. Lucchi, Manuel Bensi, Vedrana Kovačević, Anna Sabbatini, Leonardo Langone, Aleksander Tadeusz Dominiczak, Patricia Povea et al.
  • Year: 2021
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.marmicro.2021.102014

Benthic Foraminiferal Fauna from Anoxic Sediments in the Kveithola Trough, Northwest Barents Sea (Arctic Region)

Conclusion 🌎

Viviana Gamboa Sojo demonstrates all the qualities of a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award“. Her expertise, dedication, and accomplishments reflect her status as a researcher with significant contributions to the field of Earth Sciences, particularly in understanding climate change through geological and paleoceanographic research. With continued efforts in outreach and broader publication, her influence and recognition in the scientific community will likely continue to grow.