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.

Meng Duan | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Meng Duan | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Engineer, Water Resources Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Meng Duan is a dedicated engineer and researcher in the field of agricultural water resource management, currently working at the Water Resources Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. He earned his Ph.D. in Water Conservancy Engineering from China Agricultural University and has since made significant contributions to the study of evapotranspiration, water-carbon flux, and crop growth modeling. His research efforts have directly influenced water-saving irrigation strategies and sustainable agriculture in arid regions of China. With funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and collaborations with top institutions, Duan’s work bridges scientific innovation and field application. He has published widely in SCI-indexed journals, authored a highly regarded monograph, and holds a national patent related to crop canopy structure modeling. Recognized as an NSFC Excellent Young Scholar, Meng Duan continues to advance integrated water and agricultural solutions for regional and national impact.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Meng Duan received his doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Water Conservancy Engineering from China Agricultural University, one of China’s premier agricultural and environmental research institutions. His doctoral studies focused on integrated water resource management and crop modeling, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. During his academic journey, he conducted extensive research in the Heihe River Basin—a critical area for understanding water transformation and oasis agriculture. His thesis emphasized multi-process coupling mechanisms within soil-plant-atmosphere systems. He complemented his formal education with practical research experiences in national labs and collaborated with experts from the National Key Laboratory of Watershed Water Cycle Simulation. His strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for his future roles in applied water resource engineering, interdisciplinary modeling, and sustainable irrigation systems. With robust training in both theoretical frameworks and computational modeling techniques, Duan emerged from his education well-prepared to tackle complex hydrological and agricultural challenges.

Professional Experience 

Meng Duan currently serves as an Engineer at the Water Resources Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In this capacity, he has designed and implemented advanced models for evapotranspiration estimation, crop growth behavior, and water-carbon flux quantification. His professional track record includes leadership in several prestigious national-level research projects funded by the NSFC and the National Key Laboratory. Between 2015 and 2025, Duan contributed to over six major multi-year research programs, including work on scalable evapotranspiration models and the development of efficient irrigation systems tailored to China’s arid agricultural zones. Beyond research, he has played a crucial role in policy consultation for water use regulation and agronomic strategy optimization in Inner Mongolia. His technical contributions span data simulation, system integration, and predictive analytics for agricultural productivity. Through collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams and institutions, Duan has gained a reputation as a practical and visionary water resource engineer.

Research Focus 

Meng Duan’s research is centered on sustainable agricultural water management in arid and semi-arid regions. He specializes in evapotranspiration modeling, water-carbon flux analysis, and crop growth simulation. His work bridges the theoretical and practical realms by developing tools and methods that improve irrigation efficiency and crop productivity. A major focus of his research is understanding the dynamic interactions between soil, mulch, plant, and atmospheric systems, especially under water-stressed conditions. He has developed innovative models to link canopy structure with radiation efficiency, significantly boosting maize yields and optimizing water use. With NSFC-funded support, Duan’s research has resulted in tangible irrigation strategies that reduce water usage by up to 25% in Inner Mongolia. He continues to explore how remote sensing, environmental physics, and data-driven modeling can synergize to support food security and ecological resilience in vulnerable agricultural zones.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Meng Duan, Baozhong Zhang. (2025).
    Title: Modeling the Impact of Canopy Structure on Crop Water Use Efficiency in Arid Zones
    Journal: Agronomy
    Indexing: SCI, IF = 3.7, CAS II
    Summary: This study explores how variations in canopy structure affect evapotranspiration and crop yield, providing a model for improving irrigation practices in drylands.

Conclusion:

 Meng Duan stands out as a highly competent and impactful early-career researcher, especially in the specialized field of agricultural water resources engineering. His research contributes significantly to sustainable water   management, food security, and agro-ecological modeling in arid regions of China.