Barun Das | Properties and Performance | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Barun Das | JIS Institute of Advanced Studies and Research | India

Dr. Barun Das, Ph.D., is a distinguished research expert in Materials and Nano-science with over 16 years of experience spanning academia and industrial R&D. He is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, JIS Institute of Advanced Studies & Research (JISIASR), Kolkata, where he teaches and supervises research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition, he has held several visiting faculty positions, including at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Howrah, and Scottish Church College, Kolkata, where he contributed to teaching and mentoring students in chemistry and materials science. Prior to his academic roles, Dr. Das served as an R&D Scientist III at Macdermid Alpha Electronic Solutions (MAES), Bangalore, where he led projects focused on the development of graphene-based materials and other advanced materials. His work encompassed high-volume manufacturing processes for graphene and related nanomaterials, structure-property-co-relationship studies, and the exploration of product development opportunities within the industrial framework. Dr. Das has also been actively involved in research mentoring, guiding master’s and doctoral students in relevant areas of nanomaterials and materials chemistry. He completed his Ph.D. in Solid State and Structural Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, under the supervision of Prof. C.N.R. Rao, with his thesis investigating graphene, noble metal nanoparticles, and related nanomaterials. He also earned his M.Sc. in Chemistry from the same institution, focusing on graphene and nanocrystalline Au-Ag films, and his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Dr. Das has been recognized with numerous awards, including selection for the JSPS-DST Asia Academic Seminar in Yokohama, Japan (2009), an excellent grade for his M.Sc. project (2nd rank holder), the Best Poster Award at the JNC Research Conference on Chemistry of Materials (2008), and the IASc-INSA-NASI Summer Research Fellowship (2024). His research has been widely published, with 14 papers that have collectively garnered over 2,100 citations and an h-index of 12 on Google Scholar, reflecting his significant impact in the field. Dr. Das’ expertise spans the synthesis and characterization of graphene, noble metal nanoparticles, polymer matrix composites, and nanostructured materials, alongside extensive experience in analytical techniques such as PXRD, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, FESEM, XPS, ICP, AFM, and TGA-DSC. His career reflects a rare blend of industrial application, innovative research, and academic mentorship, positioning him as a leading figure in materials and nanoscience research.

Profile:  Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Das, B., Prasad, K. E., Ramamurty, U., & Rao, C. N. R. (2009). Nano-indentation studies on polymer matrix composites reinforced by few-layer graphene. Nanotechnology, 20(12), 125705.

Prasad, K. E., Das, B., Maitra, U., Ramamurty, U., & Rao, C. N. R. (2009). Extraordinary synergy in the mechanical properties of polymer matrix composites reinforced with 2 nanocarbons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(32), 13186–13189.

Das, B., Voggu, R., Rout, C. S., & Rao, C. N. R. (2008). Changes in the electronic structure and properties of graphene induced by molecular charge-transfer. Chemical Communications, 5155–5157.

Voggu, R., Das, B., Rout, C. S., & Rao, C. N. R. (2008). Effects of charge transfer interaction of graphene with electron donor and acceptor molecules examined using Raman spectroscopy and cognate techniques. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 20(47), 472204.

Rao, C. N. R., Subrahmanyam, K. S., Matte, H. S. S. R., Abdulhakeem, B., et al. (2010). A study of the synthetic methods and properties of graphenes. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 11(5), 054502.

Choudhury, D., Das, B., Sarma, D. D., & Rao, C. N. R. (2010). XPS evidence for molecular charge-transfer doping of graphene. Chemical Physics Letters, 497(1–3), 66–69.

Barun Das, P. C. N. R., Choudhury, B., Gomothi, A., Manna, A. K., & Pati, S. K. (2011). Interaction of inorganic nanoparticles with graphene. ChemPhysChem, 12(5), 937–943.

Williams Chibueze Munonye | Environmental Effects | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Williams Chibueze Munonye | Linköping University | Sweden

Mr. Williams Chibueze Munonye is a sustainability scientist, systems thinker, and critical policy analyst whose interdisciplinary work bridges industrial engineering, environmental science, circular economy, and socio-technical transitions. Based in Sweden, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Science for Sustainable Development at Linköping University (2023–2025), with current research on assessing cookstove emissions in Lagos using low-cost sensors and spatial-environmental analysis to design sustainable interventions. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering, specialized in Chemical, Petroleum, and Environmental Engineering, from IRGIB Africa University, Benin (2017–2021). Williams’ expertise lies in combining geospatial analysis, climate risk financing, and participatory policy design, linking practical insights from conflict-affected Nigerian regions with advanced European academic frameworks. His work spans low-carbon development, energy transition, smart infrastructure, community energy systems, and regenerative economic paradigms, consistently prioritizing actionable solutions over theoretical inquiry. With a methodology grounded in field-based research, technical precision, and policy relevance, he transforms complex sustainability challenges into strategies for resilient cities and communities. Beyond academia, Williams contributes to applied projects aimed at systemic change, including frameworks for sustainable development, participatory governance, and circular economy applications. His ability to integrate scientific evidence, community perspectives, and policy insights highlights his rare blend of analytical rigor and visionary leadership. Active in international academic and professional networks, he engages in collaborative research, publications, and policy briefs, advancing discourses on environmental governance, circular economy, and energy transition. His early contributions have already attracted recognition, with 11 citations across 4 publications, reflecting the growing influence of his work. Williams’ unique approach—merging technological innovation, geospatial intelligence, and urban sustainability—positions him as a thought leader capable of navigating complex sustainability landscapes and designing transformative pathways for inclusive and climate-resilient societies.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Munonye, W. C., Ajonye, G. O., Ahonsi, S. O., Munonye, D. I., Akinloye, O. A., & Chigozie, I. O. (2025). Governing circular intelligence: How AI-driven policy tools can accelerate the circular economy transition. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption.

Munonye, W. C., Ajonye, G. O., Ahonsi, S. O., Munonye, D. I., Chigozie, I. O., & Akinloye, O. A. (2025). Advancing circularity in battery systems for renewable energy: Technologies, barriers, and future directions. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research.

Munonye, W. C. (2025). Integrating circular economy principles in business strategies: A policy-driven approach. Circular Economy and Sustainability.

Munonye, W. C., & Munonye, D. I. (2025). Banking on circularity: Can financial institutions become the engines of a regenerative economy? Frontiers in Environmental Economics.

Munonye, W. C. (2025). Towards circular economy metrics: A systematic review. Circular Economy and Sustainability.

Munonye, W. C., & Ajonye, G. O. (2025). Energy-driven circular design in the built environment: Rethinking architecture and infrastructure. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities.

Munonye, W. C. (2025). Circular economy meets smart energy grids: Designing systems for resource optimization and carbon reduction. Frontiers in Sustainability.

Munonye, W. C., & Ajonye, G. O. (2024). Redesigning urban infrastructure for circularity: The role of smart cities in reducing waste. Journal of Environmental Science Studies, 7(2), 1468.

Munonye, W. C., & Ajonye, G. O. (2024). The role of urban design in facilitating a circular economy: From linear to regenerative cities. Journal of Environmental Science Studies, 7(2), 1479.

Xingyao Xiao | Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xingyao Xiao | Stanford University | United States

Dr. Xingyao  Xiao is an emerging scholar in quantitative methodology, specializing in Bayesian modeling, psychometrics, and the integration of artificial intelligence into educational research. She is completing her Ph.D. in Social Research Methodologies at the University of California, Berkeley (2020–2025), where she has maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA, building expertise in Bayesian longitudinal and latent variable modeling, growth mixture modeling, multidimensional item response theory (mIRT), and many-facet Rasch modeling (MFRM). Beginning in July 2025, she will serve as a Postdoctoral Scholar with the LEVANTE Project at Stanford University, working with Professors Ben Domingue and Nilam Ram on developmental change, measurement invariance, and advanced psychometric approaches, as part of an international collaboration supported by the Jacobs Foundation. Her prior experiences include serving as Lead Researcher for the Influence Score Chat Project with The Munathara Initiative, where she developed AI-powered metrics to analyze public discourse, and as a Graduate Student Researcher at the BEAR Center at UC Berkeley, where she contributed to innovations in AI integration for scoring and measurement invariance detection. She has also consulted with the Chinese Academy of Sciences on advanced statistical modeling and held research positions at Boston College, the University of Minnesota, and in collaborative educational projects such as the California Computer Science Project. An experienced instructor, Xiao has taught graduate-level courses in hierarchical modeling and quantitative research methods at Berkeley and served as a teaching assistant in statistics at Boston College and the University of Minnesota. Her work has been recognized with fellowships and awards, including a $30,000 Dissertation Completion Fellowship and the Psychometric Society Travel Award. In addition, she contributes to the academic community as an Editorial Board Member of Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives and as a reviewer for major conferences and journals.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications 

Su, B., Xiao, X., Cheng, Y., Liu, C., & Yang, C. (2025). Trajectories of depressive symptom among college students in China during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Association with suicidal ideation and insomnia symptoms. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior.

Xue, M., Liu, Y., Xiao, X., & Wilson, M. (2025). Automatic prompt engineering for automatic scoring. Journal of Educational Measurement.

Xiao, X., Rabe-Hesketh, S., & Skrondal, A. (2025). Bayesian identification and estimation of growth mixture models. Psychometrika.

Ma, J., Shen, Z., Wang, N., Xiao, X., & Zhang, J. (2024). Developmental differences in children’s adaptation to vehicle distance and speed in street-crossing decision-making. Journal of Safety Research.

Xiao, X., Xue, M., & Cheng, Y. (2023). Bayesian partial credit model and its applications in science education. In Advances in Applications of Rasch Measurement in Science Education (pp. XX–XX).

Zhang, J., Liu, F., Chen, Z., Yu, Z., Xiao, X., Shi, L., & Guo, Z. (2023). A multi-level analysis on the causes of train-pedestrian collisions in Southwest China 2011–2020. Accident Analysis & Prevention.

Xiao, X., Cheng, Y., & Kim, J.-M. (2021). Movie title keywords: A text mining and exploratory factor analysis of popular movies in the United States and China. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 14(2), 68.

Hua Ni | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hua Ni | Kashi University | China

Dr. Hua Ni  is a Lecturer at the School of Life and Geographic Sciences, Kashgar University, specializing in cell biology and molecular mechanisms of disease. She earned her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Nankai University (2020–2024), following an M.Sc. in Cell Biology from Nanjing Normal University (2013–2016) and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Shihezi University (2009–2013). Since joining Kashgar University in 2016 and advancing to Lecturer in 2019, Dr. Ni has been actively engaged in both teaching and research. Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on cellular regulation, infectious diseases, and tissue homeostasis. She has contributed as a participant to major National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects, including studies on the cannabinoid signaling system in sheep intramuscular fat formation (2026–2029) and on the molecular regulation of Streptococcus suis virulence (2021–2024). In addition, she serves as Principal Investigator of a Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Youth Fund project exploring the role of glycocalyx in inflammatory bowel disease (2026–2028). Dr. Ni has published several impactful papers in leading international journals, with notable contributions such as uncovering the role of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating phagocytosis (Journal of Genetics and Genomics, 2023), demonstrating the pathogenic effects of htpsA gene inactivation in Streptococcus suis (Virulence, 2020), and identifying dynamic ciliary changes essential for corneal homeostasis (Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2024). She has also advanced understanding of pulmonary fibrosis by revealing CYLD/HDAC6 signaling pathways that regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and ciliary homeostasis (Cell Death & Disease, 2024). Recognized as both sole first author and co-first author on several publications, Dr. Ni’s research highlights her growing influence in cell biology and disease mechanisms. Her academic journey reflects consistent dedication to advancing biomedical science, contributing to regional research development, and preparing the next generation of life scientists through her teaching and mentorship.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications 

Ni, H., Chen, M., Dong, D., Zhou, Y., Cao, Y., Ge, R., Luo, X., Wang, Y., Dong, X., Zhou, J., et al. (2024). CYLD/HDAC6 signaling regulates the interplay between epithelial–mesenchymal transition and ciliary homeostasis during pulmonary fibrosis. Cell Death & Disease, 15, 69572.

Ni, H., Li, L., Hu, D., Yang, M., Wang, D., Ma, H., Bu, W., Yang, J., Zhu, L.-E., Zhai, D., et al. (2024). Dynamic changes of endothelial and stromal cilia are required for the maintenance of corneal homeostasis. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 239(5), 31215.

Yu, F., Yang, S., Ni, H., Heng, D., Wu, X., Yang, M., Zhang, X., Cao, Y., Pei, Y., An, D., et al. (2023). O-GlcNAcylation regulates centrosome behavior and cell polarity to reduce pulmonary fibrosis and maintain the epithelial phenotype. Advanced Science, 10(12), 3545.

Ni, H., Li, M., Wang, Q., Wang, J., Liu, X., Zheng, F., Hu, D., Yu, X., Han, Y., Zhang, Q., et al. (2020). Inactivation of the htpsA gene affects capsule development and pathogenicity of Streptococcus suis. Virulence, 11(1), 1792080.

Ni, H., Fan, W., Li, C., Wu, Q., Hou, H., Hu, D., Zheng, F., Zhu, X., Wang, C., Cao, X., et al. (2018). Streptococcus suis DivIVA protein is a substrate of Ser/Thr kinase STK and involved in cell division regulation. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 8, 85.