Meng Duan | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

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 Basinβ€”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 ExperienceΒ 

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 FocusΒ 

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:

Β 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 waterΒ  Β management, food security, and agro-ecological modeling in arid regions of China.

Saibo She | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr Saibo She | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher AwardΒ 

Ph.D Student, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Saibo She is a dedicated researcher specializing in electromagnetic non-destructive testing and sensor design. Currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Manchester, UK, he previously earned his bachelor’s degree from Hunan University, China. With a strong foundation in electrical engineering, Saibo has actively contributed to various innovative research projects, focusing on defect detection and material evaluation. He is passionate about applying artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic methodologies. Beyond academia, Saibo has demonstrated leadership in multiple competitions, reflecting his commitment to innovation and collaboration. His work has led to numerous publications and patents, marking him as a rising star in his field.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience: Saibo has been involved in numerous significant research programs, focusing on advanced topics in non-destructive testing and electromagnetic evaluation. His work is supported by prestigious funding, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
  2. Innovative Contributions: He has made substantial contributions to the field, as evidenced by multiple patents and published papers in reputable journals like the IEEE Sensors Journal and IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. His research on eddy current sensors demonstrates a blend of innovation and practical application.
  3. Strong Publication Record: Saibo has co-authored several papers with impactful findings, showcasing his ability to engage in high-quality research and contribute to scientific knowledge. His work on defect detection and materials evaluation reflects a commitment to advancing the field.
  4. Awards and Scholarships: His accolades, including the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Graduate Fellowship Award and various scholarships, highlight his academic excellence and recognition by peers and institutions.
  5. Leadership Experience: His role as a group leader in several competitions suggests strong leadership and teamwork skills, which are crucial for collaborative research environments.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Impact: While his research is innovative, exploring avenues to increase the practical impact of his work in industrial applications could enhance his profile. Engaging with industry partners for real-world testing and implementation could broaden his research’s reach.
  2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Saibo could benefit from engaging with researchers from different fields to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, which can lead to new perspectives and innovative solutions to complex problems.
  3. Communication Skills: While his publication record is strong, focusing on enhancing presentation and outreach skills could help him communicate his research findings more effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Education

Saibo She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Manchester, UK, from September 2022 to June 2026. He previously obtained his bachelor’s degree from Hunan University, China, where he studied from September 2019 to June 2022. His education has provided him with a solid foundation in electrical engineering and materials science, equipping him with the knowledge and skills needed for advanced research. At both institutions, Saibo excelled academically, receiving several scholarships and awards that recognized his outstanding performance. His studies have been complemented by hands-on research experiences, enabling him to apply theoretical concepts to practical challenges in non-destructive testing and sensor technology. Saibo’s educational journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a strong desire to contribute to advancements in his field.

ExperienceΒ 

Saibo She has extensive research experience, starting in July 2019, where he has been involved in multiple significant projects. His work includes analyzing mechanical stress wave mechanisms in silicon carbide power electronic devices and exploring damage mechanisms using nonlinear electromagnetic acoustic emission methods. He has contributed to research funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and participated in projects related to non-destructive testing techniques. Saibo’s main responsibilities include the simulation and analysis of electromagnetic fields, the design and evaluation of electromagnetic sensors, and hardware circuit design. He has also constructed experimental platforms for testing and validation purposes. His involvement in these projects showcases his technical expertise and ability to tackle complex engineering problems, making him a valuable asset in the field of non-destructive evaluation.

Awards and HonorsΒ 

Saibo She has received numerous awards and honors throughout his academic career. In March 2023, he was awarded the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Graduate Fellowship Award. He is a recipient of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and University of Manchester Joint Scholarship, covering the period from 2022 to 2026. During his time at Hunan University, he received several accolades, including the Graduate Student National Scholarship for two consecutive years (2020-2021 and 2019-2020) and the Academic First-Class Scholarship. Additionally, he was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student for the 2019-2020 academic year. His achievements in competitions include the Central China Second Prize in the China Sensor Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and multiple awards in electronic design competitions. These recognitions underscore his dedication to research excellence and innovation in engineering.

Research Focus

Saibo She’s research focuses on the design of eddy current array sensors and the evaluation of ferromagnetic materials, particularly through the study of hysteresis loops and Barkhausen magnetic noise. He is keenly interested in defect diagnosis and identification utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms, aiming to enhance the capabilities of non-destructive testing techniques. His work addresses challenges in materials science and engineering, particularly in improving the reliability and efficiency of sensor technologies. By integrating machine learning approaches into traditional testing methods, Saibo seeks to push the boundaries of current evaluation techniques. His research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also has practical implications for industries requiring advanced non-destructive testing solutions. Saibo’s commitment to innovation and his technical expertise position him as a leading researcher in the field, with the potential to significantly advance the understanding and application of electromagnetic testing methods.

Publication Top Notes

  • Flexible Differential Butterfly-Shape Eddy Current Array Sensor for Defect Detection of Screw Thread πŸ“„
  • Flexible Floral Eddy Current Probe for Detecting Flaws in Metal Plate πŸ“„
  • Optimal Design of Remote Field Eddy Current Testing Probe for Ferromagnetic Pipeline Inspection πŸ“„
  • An Innovative Eddy Current Sensor with E-Core Ferrite Resistant to Lift-Off and Tilt Effects πŸ“„
  • Inspection of Defects Depth for Stainless-Steel Sheets Using Four-Coil Excitation Sensor and Deep Learning πŸ“„
  • Evaluation of Defects Depth for Metal Sheets Using Four-Coil Excitation Array Eddy Current Sensor and Improved ResNet18 Network πŸ“„
  • Thickness Measurement and Surface-Defect Detection for Metal Plate Using Pulsed Eddy Current Testing and Optimized Res2Net Network πŸ“„
  • Simultaneous Measurements of Metal Plate Thickness and Defect Depth Using Low Frequency Sweeping Eddy Current Testing πŸ“„
  • Size-Distinguishing Miniature Electromagnetic Tomography Sensor for Small Object Detection πŸ“„
  • Diffusion Velocity of Eddy Current in Metallic Plates Using Point-Tracing Method πŸ“„
  • Temperature Monitoring of Vehicle Brake Drum Based on Dual Light Fusion and Deep Learning πŸ“„

Conclusion

Saibo She is an excellent candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to his impressive research accomplishments, innovative contributions, and strong leadership capabilities. By addressing the areas for improvement, such as expanding the practical impact of his research and enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations, he can further strengthen his profile. His trajectory indicates a promising future in research and innovation, making him a worthy recipient of this award.