Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi | Solar Radiation Prediction | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi | Solar Radiation Prediction | Best Researcher Award

University faculty member, Ardakan University, Iran

Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Water Sciences and Engineering at Ardakan University, Yazd, Iran. With a Ph.D. in Water Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, she has a distinguished academic and research background in hydrology, environmental pollution, and irrigation systems. Her work bridges theoretical research and practical applications in arid regions, focusing on scouring, water and soil pollution, deficit irrigation, and sediment transport. Dr. Soltani has served as a reviewer for over 30 prestigious journals and sits on the editorial board of PLOS ONE and Ecological Risk and Security Research. She was awarded the Best Researcher at Ardakan University in 2017 and Yazd Province in 2018. Her contributions span impactful research projects funded by the Iran National Science Foundation and educational leadership through over a decade of university-level teaching. Her growing citations reflect her relevance in environmental and hydrological science.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi holds a Ph.D. in Water Engineering (2013) from Isfahan University of Technology, where she graduated with an “Excellent” GPA. Her doctoral thesis focused on “Use of Jets as a Pier-Scour Countermeasure,” a significant contribution to hydraulic engineering. She also conducted research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2010 as part of an international collaboration. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned an M.Sc. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering (2007) from the same university, with a thesis on the combined impact of deficit irrigation and salinity on canola crops. Her undergraduate education culminated in a B.Sc. in Irrigation Engineering (2005), again from IUT, where she graduated with honors. Her academic path is marked by early excellence, including admission to the M.Sc. program without examination and consistently high GPAs. This strong foundation has fueled her ongoing contributions to hydrological science and agricultural water management.

Experience

Dr. Soltani has amassed extensive academic and research experience since 2008. She currently serves as Associate Professor at Ardakan University, where she has taught a variety of hydrological, irrigation, and soil science subjects across more than a decade. She has also lectured at Yazd University and Mehregan University, teaching critical subjects like fluid mechanics, irrigation system design, and crop evapotranspiration. Her research engagements include being a visiting scholar at NTU Singapore and leading national projects funded by Iran’s INSF, focusing on wastewater treatment, soil salinity, atmospheric dust, and ecological risk assessments. Dr. Soltani has also supervised numerous graduate students and has provided editorial oversight for prominent journals like PLOS ONE. She was named Best Lecturer in 2017 and 2022 at Ardakan University and was awarded Best Researcher by Yazd Province in 2018. Her portfolio illustrates a commitment to both scientific advancement and pedagogical excellence.

Research Focus

Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi’s research centers on water resource sustainability in arid and semi-arid environments. Her work spans a diverse range of topics including hydraulic scouring, water and soil pollution, deficit irrigation strategies, evapotranspiration modeling, sediment transport, and wastewater treatment using modified adsorbents. She investigates both geogenic and anthropogenic impacts on environmental quality, particularly the role of heavy metals in urban and agricultural settings. Her studies often use soft computing, GIS analysis, and experimental setups to generate models for risk assessment and pollution mitigation. Recently, her projects have addressed the ecological risks of mining dust and the effects of treated wastewater on plant growth. Her research not only advances hydrological science but also informs practical policies for environmental conservation and agricultural resilience. Supported by multiple grants from the Iran National Science Foundation, her innovative work contributes significantly to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Geogenic and anthropogenic sources identification and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the urban soil of Yazd, central Iran
    Authors: S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, M. Ghasemi, B. Ghanbarian
    Journal: PLOS ONE, 16(11): e0260418, 2021.
    Citations: 49
    Summary: This study identified the sources and assessed the ecological risk of heavy metals in Yazd’s urban soil. Using multivariate analysis and pollution indices, it differentiated between natural and human-induced contamination. The findings highlighted serious ecological risks, informing urban soil management strategies.
  2. Pollution, human health risk assessment and spatial distribution of toxic metals in urban soil of Yazd City, Iran
    Authors: S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, M. Ghasemi, M. Gheysouri
    Journal: Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(9), pp.3469–3484, 2021.
    Citations: 41
    Summary: This paper provides an in-depth assessment of human health risks from metal contamination in urban soils, employing GIS and statistical methods. The study concludes that children are at higher risk and emphasizes the need for strict environmental monitoring.
  3. Effects of partial rootzone drying on yield, yield components, and irrigation water use efficiency of canola (Brassica napus L.)
    Authors: S.F. Mousavi, S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, B. Mostafazadeh-Fard
    Journal: Paddy and Water Environment, Vol. 8, pp.157–163, 2010.
    Citations: 39
    Summary: The study explores how partial root zone drying can enhance water use efficiency without significantly reducing canola yield. It presents sustainable irrigation techniques for water-scarce regions.

Conclusion

Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi demonstrates excellent qualifications for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the fields of hydrology, soil and water pollution, deficit irrigation, and environmental sustainability. Her scholarly impact, national recognition, interdisciplinary approach, and consistent academic service make her a strong and deserving candidate. With increased international collaboration and a focus on translational research or innovation, her profile could rise even further on the global stage.

Congxi Fang | Atmospheric Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Congxi Fang | Atmospheric Science | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Researcher, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Dr. Congxi Fang is an Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He specializes in paleoclimatology, dendroclimatology, and climate-induced disasters in high mountain regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Fang has led and contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed studies, including publications in Nature Communications and PNAS. His research focuses on the historical and future dynamics of meteorological and geological disasters, particularly in the Asian monsoon region. Dr. Fang’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of the ENSO-monsoon relationship and its impact on extreme weather events. He collaborates with institutions like the Institute of Earth Environment and Xi’an Jiaotong University, contributing to the reconstruction of climate records spanning millennia. Dr. Fang’s dedication to climate science positions him as a leading figure in his field.

Profiles

Scopus

Orcid

Education

Dr. Congxi Fang earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he specialized in paleoclimatology and dendroclimatology. His doctoral research focused on reconstructing historical climate patterns using tree-ring data and other proxies, providing insights into the Asian monsoon system’s variability over centuries. During his academic tenure, Dr. Fang developed expertise in analyzing paleoclimate records, contributing to a deeper understanding of climate dynamics in high-altitude regions. His educational background laid the foundation for his current research endeavors, which involve interdisciplinary approaches to studying climate change and its associated hazards. Dr. Fang’s commitment to academic excellence is evident in his extensive publication record and ongoing collaborations with leading research institutions.

Experience

Dr. Congxi Fang serves as an Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In this role, he leads research projects focusing on historical meteorological disaster analysis, future disaster prediction, and the evolution of meteorological and geological disasters in high mountain regions of Asia. Dr. Fang has completed three major research projects and has published 37 SCI-indexed papers. His work involves reconstructing past climate events to understand current trends and predict future scenarios, particularly concerning the Asian monsoon and ENSO phenomena. Dr. Fang collaborates with institutions such as the Institute of Earth Environment and Xi’an Jiaotong University, contributing to multidisciplinary studies that inform disaster risk management and climate policy. His experience encompasses fieldwork, data analysis, and modeling, making him a valuable asset in the field of climate science.

Research Focus

Dr. Congxi Fang’s research centers on climate changes, paleoclimatology, and meteorological disasters, with a particular emphasis on high mountain regions in Asia. He investigates the historical patterns of climate variability, utilizing tree-ring data and other proxies to reconstruct past climate events. Dr. Fang’s work sheds light on the ENSO-monsoon relationship and its influence on extreme weather occurrences, such as heavy rainfall and droughts. His studies aim to understand the long-term evolution of meteorological and geological disasters, providing insights into future disaster prediction and risk assessment. By collaborating with various research institutions, Dr. Fang contributes to multidisciplinary approaches that enhance the understanding of climate dynamics and inform strategies for disaster mitigation and climate adaptation.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Climate Change in Southeast Tibet and Its Potential Impacts on Cryospheric Disasters
    Atmosphere, 2025-05-05
    DOI: 10.3390/atmos16050547
    Summary: This study examines the effects of climate change in Southeast Tibet, focusing on its implications for cryospheric disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods. The research highlights the increasing risks associated with warming temperatures and melting glaciers in the region.

  2. Recent Centennial Drought on the Tibetan Plateau is Outstanding Within the Past 3500 Years
    Nature Communications, 2025-02-03
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56687-z
    Summary: This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of drought patterns on the Tibetan Plateau, revealing that recent droughts are among the most severe in the past 3500 years. The findings suggest a link between these extreme events and anthropogenic climate change.Nature

  3. Historical Soil Moisture Variability in High‐Latitude Humid Regions: Insights From a Paleoclimate Data‐Model Comparison
    Earth’s Future, 2024-05
    DOI: 10.1029/2023EF004017
    Summary: This research combines paleoclimate data and modeling to investigate historical soil moisture variability in high-latitude humid regions, providing insights into past hydrological changes and their relevance to current climate trends.

  4. Enhanced Variability and Declining Trend of Soil Moisture Since the 1880s on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau
    Water Resources Research, 2023-03
    DOI: 10.1029/2022WR033953
    Summary: The study analyzes soil moisture records from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, identifying a significant decline and increased variability since the 1880s, which has implications for regional water resources and ecosystem stability.

  5. How is the El Niño–Southern Oscillation Signal Recorded by Tree‐Ring Oxygen Isotopes in Southeastern China?
    International Journal of Climatology, 2022-10
    DOI: 10.1002/joc.7601
    Summary: This paper explores the relationship between ENSO events and tree-ring oxygen isotope records in southeastern China, demonstrating the potential of dendroclimatology in reconstructing historical climate variability.

  6. Evolution of the Dry-Wet Variations Since 1834 CE in the Lüliang Mountains, North China and Its Relationship with the Asian Summer Monsoon
    Ecological Indicators, 2021
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107089
    Summary: The study reconstructs historical dry-wet variations in the Lüliang Mountains and examines their connection to the Asian summer monsoon, providing insights into regional climate dynamics over the past two centuries.

  7. Why Does Extreme Rainfall Occur in Central China During the Summer of 2020 After a Weak El Niño?
    Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 2021-12
    DOI: 10.1007/s00376-021-1009-y
    Summary: This paper investigates the causes of extreme rainfall in Central China during the summer of 2020, analyzing the interplay between ENSO events and regional atmospheric conditions.

  8. A 210-Year Tree-Ring δ¹⁸O Record in North China and Its Relationship with Large-Scale Circulations
    Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology, 2020
    DOI: 10.1080/16000889.2020.1770509
    Summary: The research presents a 210-year tree-ring oxygen isotope record from North China, linking it to large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and enhancing the understanding of historical climate variability.

  9. An Asian Summer Monsoon-Related Relative Humidity Record from Tree-Ring Δ¹⁸O in Gansu Province, North China
    Atmosphere, 2020
    DOI: 10.3390/atmos11090984
    Summary: This study reconstructs relative humidity variations associated with the Asian summer monsoon using tree-ring oxygen isotope data from Gansu Province, offering insights into past monsoon dynamics.

  10. Delayed Warming in Northeast China: Insights from an Annual Temperature Reconstruction Based on Tree-Ring δ¹⁸O
    Science of the Total Environment, 2020
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141432
    Summary: The paper reconstructs annual temperature variations in Northeast China using tree-ring oxygen isotope data, revealing a delayed warming trend compared to global averages.

Conclusion

Dr. Congxi Fang is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His prolific publication record, rigorous climate reconstructions, and contributions to understanding paleoclimate–monsoon dynamics in high-risk Asian regions exemplify scholarly excellence. Although his profile would benefit from expanded leadership visibility and formal professional affiliations, his scientific impact, thematic relevance, and quality of research clearly justify strong consideration for this award.