Sarah Freeman | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Sarah Freeman | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sarah Freeman at Emory University | United States

Dr. Sarah Slocum Freeman, PhD, BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine (since September 2024) and a Doctoral Board Certified Behavior Analyst (#1-13-14435, certified since 2013) with extensive expertise in autism intervention, severe behavior, and professional training. She has been affiliated with the Marcus Autism Center since 2018, serving as a clinician in the Complex Behavior Support Program, Program Manager of the Transition Program since 2022, and more recently as Postdoctoral Resident Training Coordinator and Provider Mentorship Director in 2025. Her prior academic appointments include Practicum Coordinator and Visiting Assistant Professor at Rollins College (2015โ€“2018) and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University (2018โ€“2024). She previously held leadership roles at the University of Florida as Associate Clinical Director of the Behavior Analysis Research Clinic (2013โ€“2015). Dr. Freeman earned her B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2010, an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2013, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2016, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rollins College (2015โ€“2016). She has advanced numerous training and administrative programs at Marcus Autism Center, including serving as Program Manager of the Masterโ€™s and Ph.D. Program in Applied Behavior Analysis with the University of Georgia (2022โ€“2025), chairing the Severe Behavior Department Research Mentorship Program (2019โ€“2022), co-directing the Applied Behavior Analysis Postdoctoral Training Program (2021โ€“2023), and leading the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee (2025โ€“present). A dedicated advocate for professional standards, she has served as Treasurer of the Association for Behavior Analysis International Challenging Behavior Special Interest Group since 2021 and held leadership roles in the Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis, including President in 2023. She has also contributed to state licensure efforts through committee work since 2019. Dr. Freeman is a frequent reviewer for major journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (since 2013), Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities (since 2019), and Education and Treatmen

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Slocum, S. K., & Tiger, J. H. (2010, May). Developing an assessment of sensitivity to and preference for forward and backward chaining strategies. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX.

Scheitauer, M. C., Tiger, J. H., Mevers, J. L., & Slocum, S. K. (2011, May). Assessing preference for choice-making opportunities with college students. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Barlow, K., Tiger, J. H., Slocum, S. K., & Miller, S. J. (2011, May). Comparing mand-training efficiency with selection-based and topography-based communication systems. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Scheitauer, M. C., Tiger, J. H., & Slocum, S. K. (2011, May). Descriptive and experimental evaluations of procedural fidelity failures of parents implementing differential reinforcement of alternative behavior in the treatment of problem behavior. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Slocum, S. K., Miller, S. J., & Tiger, J. H. (2012, May). An evaluation of the blocking procedure to teach conditional discriminations to a child with autism. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Seattle, WA.

Slocum, S. K., Zeug, N. M., Baker, C., Peters, K. P., Wunderlich, K. L., & Vollmer, T. V. (2013, May). A functional analysis of mild punishers for vocal stereotypy. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Minneapolis, MN.

Slocum, S. K., Vollmer, T. R., Whitehouse, C. W., Peters, K. P., Phillips, C. L., Radonavich, K., & Lewis, M. H. (2014, May). Developing a novel treatment for rigid inflexible behavior. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL.

Jinyin Lei | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Jinyinย Lei | Environmental Effects | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Jinyin Lei at Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment | China

Mr. Lei Jinyin is a Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. He specializes in soil and water conservation, salinity control, and the efficient utilization of agricultural water resources. With a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control from Northwest A&F University, Mr. Lei has conducted impactful studies on dryland farming, soil fertility, irrigation regimes, and viticulture in the Helan Mountain region. His leadership in national and regional research projects highlights his commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring food security, and improving ecological resilience in arid regions.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education

Mr. Lei earned his doctorate in Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control from Northwest A&F University, following a bachelorโ€™s degree in the same field from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. His academic background equipped him with strong expertise in land degradation, water management, and sustainable agriculture.

Experience

He has advanced his career at the Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, where he has served as Assistant Researcher, Associate Researcher, and now Researcher. He also broadened his perspective through a visiting research position at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, which strengthened his international collaboration and expertise in agricultural resource management.

Professional Development

Mr. Lei has continuously enhanced his professional development through leadership in major research projects and collaborations. As principal investigator, he has studied soil organic carbon sequestration under changing hydrothermal conditions. He also directs projects focused on wine grape cultivation in the Helan Mountain region and contributes to studies on intercropping systems for maize and soybeans. His international research experience further expanded his outlook and collaborations. Through his project leadership, publications, and applied demonstrations, he has built expertise that integrates theory with practice, strengthening sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation while addressing the challenges of arid and semi-arid farming systems.D

Research Interestsย 

Mr. Leiโ€™s research centers on soil and water conservation, efficient water use in agriculture, and strategies for salinity control in arid regions. He investigates soil organic carbon sequestration, tillage methods, soil fertility, and crop productivity in water-limited environments. His studies include irrigation management for wine grapes in the Helan Mountain region, aimed at enhancing both yield and quality. He also works on intercropping techniques to improve land use efficiency and resilience. By integrating ecological knowledge with applied agricultural practices, his research contributes to sustainable farming models that support food production while protecting fragile environments in dryland areas.

Awards and Recognitionsย 

Mr. Lei has authored influential works, including a monograph on land degradation and control in the Loess Plateau and several first-authored research papers on soil fertility, tillage, and irrigation. Although formal awards are not listed, his recognition is reflected through his leadership of key funded projects, impactful publications, and practical contributions to sustainable agriculture in Ningxia and beyond. His career progression from early-stage researcher to senior researcher, combined with international academic experience, demonstrates his dedication and scholarly impact. In conclusion, Mr. Leiโ€™s achievements highlight his research leadership, valuable scientific contributions, and commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural development.

Top Noted Publicationsย 

Title: Research on Land Degradation and Control in the Wind-Sand Area of the Northern Loess Plateau
Year: 2012

Title: Effects of Tillage Measures on Soil Aggregates and Crop Yield in Hilly Land of Southern Ningxia Mountains
Year: 2020

Title: Effects of Tillage Measures on Soil Nutrient Distribution and Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency in Sloping Farmland
Year: 2020

Title: Effects of Irrigation Regimes on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Wine Grapes in the Eastern Foothills of Helan Mountain
Year: 2021

Conclusion

Mr. Lei Jinyinโ€™s career reflects steady growth from early-stage researcher to senior expert, marked by strong leadership in key projects, influential publications, and international collaboration. His contributions to soil and water conservation, irrigation management, and sustainable farming systems have provided both scientific insights and practical solutions for agriculture in arid regions. Although formal honors are not listed, his recognition lies in the lasting impact of his research, his role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices, and his commitment to ecological resilience. Overall, he stands out as a dedicated scholar contributing meaningfully to agricultural and environmental development.

Melvin Samuel | Environmental | Environmental Innovation Award

Melvin Samuel | Environmental | Environmental Innovation Award

Dr. Melvin Samuel, Marquette University, United States.

Publication profile

Orcid
Scopus
Googlescholr

Education and Experience

  • Doctor of Philosophy โ€“ Ph.D.ย ๐ŸŽ“
    Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Indiaย โ€“ย Environmental Science and Engineering, Biotechnologyย (2013-2016)
  • Master of Science by Research โ€“ M.S. by Researchย ๐ŸŽ“
    Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Indiaย โ€“ย Environmental Science and Engineering, Biotechnologyย (2010-2013)
  • Bachelor of Technology โ€“ B.Techย ๐ŸŽ“
    Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences, Indiaย โ€“ย Biotechnologyย (2006-2010)
  • Senior Research Analystย ๐Ÿ“Š
    Marquette University, USAย (2022-present)
  • Research Associateย ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ
    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USAย (2018-2022)
  • Science and Policy Advisory Committee Memberย ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
    Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.ย (2018-2022)
  • Project Assistantย ๐Ÿ”ฌ
    Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Indiaย (2018)
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellowย ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ
    Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Indiaย (2016-2018)

Suitability For The Award

Dr. Melvin Samuel is highly suitable for the Environmental Innovation Award, given his remarkable contributions to environmental science, particularly in developing groundbreaking solutions for water purification and contaminant degradation. His research has focused primarily on the mitigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a persistent environmental and public health concern, showcasing his commitment to creating innovative methods for pollution control and water treatment.

Professional Developmentย 

Awards and Honorsย 

  • Patent: United States Provisional Patent for antibacterial and anti-biofilm hygiene coatings for water systemsย ๐Ÿ…
  • Patent: GO/Cu3(BTC)2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic propertiesย ๐Ÿ…
  • Patent: Metal-organic framework composite for removing environmental contaminantsย ๐Ÿ…
  • Certification: Biosafety/Biosecurity & Risk Management valid until 2026ย ๐ŸŽ–๏ธ
  • Certification: Data Security and Privacy, Chemical Hygiene, and Microbiology Lab Safetyย ๐Ÿ”

Publications

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธย Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and high-temperature wear performance of additive manufactured IN718ย – Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2024, cited by 0.
  • ๐Ÿ’งย Enhanced perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) degradation by electrochemical activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) during electrooxidation for water treatmentย – Science of the Total Environment, 2024, cited by 3.
  • ๐ŸŒŠย A comprehensive review of the challenges and opportunities in microalgae-based wastewater treatment for eliminating organic, inorganic, and emerging pollutantsย – Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 2024, cited by 2.
  • ๐ŸŒฑย Green energy breakthroughs: Harnessing nano-catalysts and enzymatic catalysts for bioenergy generationย – Industrial Crops and Products, 2024, cited by 1.
  • ๐ŸŒฟย Ammonia production from microalgal biosystem: Present scenario, cultivation systems, production technologies, and way forwardย – Fuel, 2024, cited by 0.
  • โš›๏ธย Advancement in integrated ammonia synthesis, and its techno-economic analysis, emission index, and contribution to the hydrogen 2.0 economyย – Fuel, 2024, cited by 3.
  • ๐ŸŒย Production and utilization of green ammonia for decarbonizing the energy sector with a discrete focus on Sustainable Development Goals and environmental impact and technical hurdlesย – Fuel, 2024, cited by 20.
  • ๐Ÿ“ย Graphene materials in pollution trace detection and environmental improvementย – Environmental Research, 2024, cited by 6.

Jiacong Li | Decarbonization | Best Researcher Award

Jiacong Li | Decarbonization | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Jiacong Li , Tsinghua University, China

๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ”ฌPublication Profile

Orcidย 

Suitability For The Award

Jiacong Li is a dedicated Ph.D. student at Tsinghua University, specializing in environmental science and engineering. His research focuses on energy system decarbonization, particularly through the application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. His innovative approach and significant contributions position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Education and Experience:

๐ŸŽ“ย Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering
Tsinghua University, ongoing

๐ŸŽ“ย Bachelor of Engineering
Tsinghua University

๐ŸŽ“ย Bachelor of Philosophy
Tsinghua University

๐Ÿ› ย Research Focus:
Energy system decarbonization, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)

๐Ÿ“Šย Published in Applied Energy:
Assessing flexible carbon capture power plants’ synergies with renewable energy

Professional Development

๐Ÿš€ย Jiacong Li has actively contributed to cutting-edge research on the decarbonization of power systems, focusing on the flexible operation of carbon capture and storage technologies. His current projects explore the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar with carbon capture systems to enhance power system flexibility.ย ๐Ÿ’กย Jiacong is involved in collaborations with theย Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Instituteย and theย Ordos-Tsinghua Innovative & Collaborative Research Program, advancing carbon neutrality goals. His ongoing work on decarbonizing the coal-to-methanol industry showcases his dedication to developing sustainable energy solutions for the future.ย ๐ŸŒฑ

Research Focus

๐Ÿ”ฌย Jiacong Liโ€™s research is centered on decarbonizing energy systems through flexible carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. His work explores the synergy between CCS power plants and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, focusing on large-scale power systems.ย ๐Ÿ”‹ย His research aims to optimize the flexibility of CCS operations, ensuring that energy generation remains efficient while reducing carbon emissions.ย ๐ŸŒย By examining the economic and environmental benefits, Jiacong’s studies provide insights into how CCS can be deployed in the near term, offering a pathway toward a carbon-neutral future.ย ๐ŸŒฑ

Awards and Honorsย ๐Ÿ†โœจ

๐Ÿ…ย Best Researcher Award Nomineeย โ€“ 2024

๐ŸŽ–ย Research Publication in Applied Energyย โ€“ 2025

๐ŸŒŸย Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Institute Cross-discipline Program

๐ŸŒŸย Ordos-Tsinghua Collaborative Research in Carbon Neutrality

Publicationsย ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ“

๐Ÿ“„ย Assessing the synergies of flexibly-operated carbon capture power plants with variable renewable energy in large-scale power systemsย โ€“ย Applied Energyย (2025)
Cited by: N/A

๐Ÿ“„ย Combined solar power and storage as cost-competitive and grid-compatible supply for Chinaโ€™s future carbon-neutral electricity systemย โ€“ย Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesย (2021)
Cited by: N/A

Conclusion

Jiacong Liโ€™s academic achievements, robust research contributions, and innovative approach to energy decarbonization align well with the criteria for the Best Researcher Award. His ongoing efforts to advance CCUS technologies and his ability to publish impactful research highlight his potential to make significant contributions to the field of environmental science and engineering. Recognizing his work with this award would not only honor his achievements but also encourage further innovation in sustainable energy solutions.