Sahar Chebaane | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sahar Chebaane | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award

PhD student | Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon | Portugal

Strengths for the Award

Ms. Sahar Chebaane’s work in marine ecology, specifically on non-indigenous marine species (NIS), demonstrates significant contributions to marine bioinvasion monitoring and management. Her extensive research across multiple regions, such as the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Gulf, is particularly valuable given the global challenge of invasive species in marine environments. Leading projects like the first MarineGEO site in Tunisia and developing innovative tools such as the Remote Video Foraging System (RVFS) shows her capacity for innovation and leadership. With 17 publications in indexed journals and active participation in international collaborations, her work is impactful and policy-relevant.

🌊 Short Bio

Ms. Sahar Chebaane is a dedicated marine ecologist and PhD student at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, focusing on marine bioinvasions in coastal ecosystems. With expertise in non-indigenous species (NIS), she has contributed to several high-impact publications and ongoing international collaborations. Sahar is currently a research visitor at KAUST, working on projects in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. She also leads the first MarineGEO site in the southern Mediterranean, focusing on biosecurity and marine conservation efforts.

👤 Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Sahar holds a dual master’s degree in Biodiversity and Marine Sciences, coupled with an international PhD from the University of Lisbon. Her academic journey is marked by strong interdisciplinary expertise, which she applies in both marine ecology and biosecurity frameworks. Her current PhD research extends her deep understanding of NIS and their impact on local ecosystems.

💼 Experience

Sahar has played a pivotal role in 8 completed research projects and is actively engaged in updating species lists of ascidians and NIS in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. She also leads consultancy projects related to biodiversity monitoring and NIS management, applying cutting-edge tools like the Remote Video Foraging System (RVFS). As the Principal Investigator for the MarineGEO site in Tunisia, she drives sustainable management practices and oversees field deployments of the SERC protocol.

🔬 Research Interest

Her research centers on the impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS), particularly in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Red Sea regions. She is interested in how NIS interact with local marine ecosystems, developing innovative methods for risk assessments and biosecurity. Her work also focuses on ecological interactions, which inform conservation strategies and policies to manage invasive species more effectively.

🏆 Awards

Sahar has been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Marine Scientist Awards for her groundbreaking work in marine ecology and bioinvasions. Her contributions to NIS research and marine conservation have earned her recognition in various international platforms.

📚 Publications

  1. A Preliminary Inventory of Alien and Cryptogenic Species in Monastir Bay, Tunisia (2019) – Published in Mediterranean Marine Science, cited by 26 articles. Read here.
    Prompt: Spatial distribution and pathways of invasive species in Tunisia.
  2. From Plates to Baits: Using a Remote Video Foraging System to Study NIS Dynamics (2022) – Published in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, cited by 12 articles. Read here.
    Prompt: Innovation in studying non-indigenous species with RVFS.
  3. The First Record of Brown Macroalga Rugulopteryx Okamurae in Madeira Island (2022) – Published by REABIC, cited by 11 articles. Read here.
    Prompt: First sightings of invasive macroalgae in the Madeira Archipelago.
  4. A New Signal of Tropicalization in the Northeast Atlantic: Spread of Spotfin Burrfish (2021) – Published in Diversity, cited by 8 articles. Read here.
    Prompt: Expansion of tropical fish in the Northeast Atlantic.
  5. New Record of Invasive Amphipod Caprella Scaura in Tunisia (2018) – Published in Journal of the Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment, cited by 8 articles. Read here.
    Prompt: First reported sighting of an invasive amphipod species in North Africa.

📝 Conclusion

Sahar Chebaane is a prominent figure in marine ecology, specializing in bioinvasions and non-indigenous species management. Her multidisciplinary approach and innovative methods, such as using the RVFS for NIS dynamics, have made significant contributions to both academic research and practical conservation efforts. Her leadership in the MarineGEO project and ongoing collaborations reflect her commitment to marine conservation and sustainable management practices across global regions.

Dharmendra Singh | Marine Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dharmendra Singh | Marine Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral research associate | University of Illinois Urbana Champaign | United States

Best Researcher Award 🏆

Based on Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Singh extensive research background, publication record, and numerous awards, he is a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award“. Below is an analysis of his strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion regarding his suitability for this award:

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Research Experience: Dr. Singh has a robust background in environmental sciences, with a focus on air pollution, climate change, and human health. His research experience spans across multiple continents and prestigious institutions, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and several other notable institutions in India, Japan, Singapore, and France.
  2. High-impact Research Publications: Dr. Singh has a strong publication record, with articles published in highly regarded peer-reviewed international journals. His works have been featured in journals like Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Environmental Science & Technology, and the Journal of Hazardous Materials, showcasing his contributions to the scientific community. His h-index of 15 and i10-index of 17 indicate the significant impact of his research.
  3. Awards and Recognition: He has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) fellowship, and the Editor’s Award for outstanding reviewer. These awards demonstrate his research excellence, innovation, and recognition by the global scientific community.
  4. Interdisciplinary Research Approach: Dr. Singh’s research incorporates both experimental and modeling approaches to understanding atmospheric processes, making his work comprehensive and impactful. He utilizes advanced tools such as the Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-chem) to model atmospheric processes, bridging gaps between theory and practical application.
  5. Contribution to Environmental Policy and Public Health: His research on source apportionment and risk assessment of toxic air pollutants has significant implications for environmental policy and public health. His work is instrumental in evaluating the effectiveness of air pollution control strategies, which is highly relevant in today’s context of climate change and environmental health challenges.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Focus on Collaborative Grants: While Dr. Singh has been awarded several individual fellowships, there is potential for growth in securing large-scale collaborative grants. Leading or co-leading multi-institutional projects could further elevate his profile as a research leader.
  2. Expansion of Research Networks: Dr. Singh’s professional experience shows a strong connection with institutions in specific regions. Expanding his research collaborations to include more institutions in North America, Europe, and other regions could broaden his research impact and increase interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
  3. Broader Dissemination of Research Findings: While his work is published in scientific journals, engaging in more science communication activities, such as writing for popular science outlets or participating in policy forums, could help in translating his findings to a broader audience, including policymakers and the general public.

Conclusion

Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Singh is a highly accomplished researcher whose work on air pollution, climate change, and environmental health makes him a compelling candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” His strong publication record, diverse research experience, and numerous recognitions underscore his potential for continued contribution to scientific knowledge and policy-making. Addressing the areas for improvement could further solidify his standing as a leading figure in his field. Overall, his achievements, skills, and dedication to research excellence align well with the criteria for this award.

📜 Short Bio

Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Singh is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), USA. With a rich academic and research background, Dr. Singh has served as a Marie Curie Fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. His research is focused on atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and air pollution, making significant contributions to understanding environmental health impacts. His work includes conducting both field measurements and laboratory experiments, utilizing advanced modeling tools to simulate atmospheric processes. Dr. Singh has collaborated globally, working in esteemed research institutions in India, France, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. 📊🌎

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Singh holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, India (2016). He also earned his M.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, India, and an M.Sc. from CSJMU Kanpur, India. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. from DDU, Gorakhpur, India. These qualifications have provided him with a strong foundation in environmental science and technology, enabling his in-depth exploration of atmospheric chemistry and environmental safety. 🎓📘

🧑‍🔬 Experience

Dr. Singh has an extensive professional career in atmospheric sciences and environmental engineering. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), USA (since April 2022). Prior to this, he was a Principal Project Scientist at IIT Delhi, India (2020–2021), and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at CNRS/IRCELyon, France (2018–2020). He has also held postdoctoral research positions at institutions like IMT Lille Douai, France, NUS, Singapore, and Chubu University, Japan. Dr. Singh’s experience reflects his global expertise and his dedication to advancing the field of atmospheric science. 🌐🧪

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Singh’s research revolves around understanding the interactions between air pollution, climate change, and human health. He specializes in field measurements and laboratory experiments to quantify atmospheric pollutants and their precursors. His expertise includes advanced modeling using tools like the Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-chem). His research interests cover diverse areas such as measurements and modeling of chemical species, climate change and health effects, ecotoxicology, environmental safety, source apportionment, and risk assessment for toxic air pollutants. 🌿🌍

🏆 Awards

Dr. Singh has received numerous awards and honors, including the Seal of Excellence in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral-European Fellowship (MSCA PF-2021), and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship (JSPS). He was also awarded the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA)-COFUND Beatriu de Pinós by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research program and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Individual-European Fellowship (2018) by the European Commission. He has been honored with the Editor’s Award for outstanding reviewer from the journal “Atmospheric Environment” and the Dean’s Cash Award from IIT Kanpur for publishing in high-impact journals. 🥇📜

📚 Publications

Dr. Singh’s research is published in several peer-reviewed international journals. His notable publications include:

  1. Singh, D. K*., Sanyal, S., and Wuebbles, D. J. (2024). “Understanding the role of contrails and contrail cirrus in climate change: a global perspective,” Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 24, 9219–9262. Link to Article.
    Cited by: Articles exploring climate impact and aviation-related contrail studies.
  2. Singh DK*, Kawamura K*, Yanase A, Barrie L. (2024). “γ-Lactones in Canadian high arctic aerosols: Tracers for the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids,” Atmospheric Environment, 337, 120782. Link to Article.
    Cited by: Research on Arctic aerosols and chemical transformation processes.
  3. Singh DK*, Kawamura K*, Yanase A, Fu Pingqing, Barrie L, Kasukabe H. (2021). “Photochemical processing of inorganic and organic species in Canadian high Arctic aerosols,” ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 5, 10, 2865–2877.
    Cited by: Articles on photochemical reactions in polar regions and their environmental implications.
  4. Ram K*, Thakur RC, Singh DK, Kawamura K, et al. (2021). “Why airborne transmission hasn’t been conclusive in case of COVID-19?” Science of the Total Environment. Link to Article.
    Cited by: Studies discussing transmission modes of infectious diseases.
  5. Jha R, Adhikari Binod*, Singh DK. (2020). “Comparative study of aerosol optical properties at different tourist places of Nepal,” Bibechana.
    Cited by: Papers focusing on aerosol characteristics in South Asia.