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 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.

Fang Guo | Hydrological and Water Resources Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Fang Guo | Hydrological and Water Resources Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Fang Guo , Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China

🧑‍🔬 Fang Guo is a distinguished researcher and PhD advisor at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. With a deep-seated expertise in karst hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry, she has dedicated her career to advancing the understanding of groundwater-surface water interactions, karst hyporheic zones, and eco-hydrological processes. Her research also extends to the restoration of wetland water environments and the preservation of carbonate rock cultural relics. A recipient of the prestigious “Young Karst Researcher” prize by the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) in 2010, Fang Guo has led numerous nationally funded projects, making significant strides in the field. She has published 65 influential papers in top-tier journals like the Journal of Hydrology. Her contributions to karst geology and environmental sciences continue to resonate globally, establishing her as a leading figure in her domain. 🌍📚

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  • Expertise and Experience: Fang Guo has a deep and extensive background in karst hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry, which is highly specialized and significant for environmental and geological research. Her long-term engagement in these fields underscores her commitment and depth of knowledge.
  • Research Impact: She has made substantial contributions to understanding groundwater-surface water interactions, karst eco-hydrological processes, and wetland water environment restoration. These areas are critical for sustainable water management and environmental conservation, adding value to global ecological efforts.
  • Recognition: Being awarded the “Young Karst Researcher” prize by the IAH Commission on Karst Hydrogeology in 2010 highlights her early recognition as a promising researcher in her field.
  • Leadership in Research Projects: Leading four National Natural Science Foundation of China projects and key projects under other major national programs showcases her ability to secure funding and manage large-scale, impactful research endeavors.
  • Publication Record: With 65 papers published in reputable academic journals, including high-impact journals like the Journal of Hydrology, her research has contributed significantly to the scientific community.
  • Awards: Receiving the second-class Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Award and a first-class China Geological Survey Achievement Award further solidifies her status as a respected researcher in her field.

Areas for Improvement

  • Diversity in Research Topics: While her expertise in karst hydrogeology and related fields is undeniable, expanding her research to include broader geological or environmental topics could enhance her versatility as a researcher and open up new collaborative opportunities.
  • International Collaboration: Although she has international recognition, increasing her collaborations with global research institutions or participating in international research initiatives could further elevate her profile and impact.
  • Lead Authorship: While she has authored many papers, being a first author in more high-impact publications would strengthen her position as a leader in her field.

Education 

🎓 Fang Guo’s academic journey is marked by a solid foundation in geosciences, specializing in karst hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Geology, where she developed a keen interest in groundwater-surface water interactions and karst systems. Driven by her passion for research, she completed her master’s degree in Hydrogeology, focusing on the intricate processes of karst environments. Her commitment to advancing knowledge in this field led her to pursue a PhD, during which she conducted groundbreaking research on karst hyporheic zones and eco-hydrological processes. Under the guidance of esteemed mentors and through rigorous research, Fang Guo honed her expertise, contributing to the understanding of karst systems’ complexities. Her educational background has been instrumental in shaping her career as a leading researcher, allowing her to make significant contributions to karst geology and environmental sciences. 🌱🔬

 Experience 

💼 Fang Guo has accumulated extensive experience in the field of karst hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. She has been a researcher and PhD advisor at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, where she has led and participated in numerous high-impact research projects. Her work has primarily focused on groundwater-surface water interactions, karst hyporheic zones, and eco-hydrological processes, with a strong emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainable water management. Fang Guo has successfully led four projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and key projects under the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation, the National “11th Five-Year” Science and Technology Support Program, and several National Key R&D Program topics. Her experience also extends to publishing extensively in top-tier journals, mentoring graduate students, and collaborating with international research teams, further solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in her field. 🌊🔍

Awards and Honors

🏆 Fang Guo’s contributions to karst hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. In 2010, she was awarded the “Young Karst Researcher” prize by the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Commission on Karst Hydrogeology, acknowledging her early promise and significant contributions to the field. Her research has also earned her a second-class Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Award, where she was the third author, and a first-class China Geological Survey Achievement Award, where she contributed as the seventh author. These accolades reflect her dedication to advancing the understanding of karst systems and her impact on environmental sciences. Fang Guo’s awards underscore her role as a leading figure in karst geology, highlighting her innovative research and commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges. 🥇🌍

Research Focus

🔬 Fang Guo’s research is centered on understanding and preserving karst environments, with a primary focus on karst hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, and eco-hydrological processes. Her work has significantly advanced the knowledge of groundwater-surface water interactions, karst hyporheic zones, and the ecological dynamics within karst systems. She has also been actively involved in monitoring and managing karst groundwater, contributing to the restoration of wetland water environments and the conservation of carbonate rock cultural relics. Fang Guo’s research extends to exploring the weathering and destruction mechanisms of these relics, aiming to preserve these vital cultural and natural resources. Her studies are not only crucial for environmental sustainability but also for understanding the complex interactions within karst ecosystems. Through her work, she continues to contribute valuable insights that inform both scientific understanding and practical conservation efforts. 🌿💧

Publication Top Notes

🌊 Jiang, G.H., Guo, F.*, Wei, L.Q., Li, W.Y. Characterizing the transitory groundwater-surface water interaction and its environmental consequence of a riverside karst pool. Science of The Total Environment, 2023, 902: 166532.

🦠 Guo F., Jiang G.H., Liu F. Plankton distribution patterns and the indicative significance of diverse cave wetlands in subtropical karst basin. Front. Environ. Sci., 2022, 10:970485. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.970485.

🧪 Guo F., Jiang G.H., Liu F. Biological sulfate reduction in an epigene karst aquifer and its impact on cave environment. Journal of Hydrology, 2021, 602,126804.

🌱 Guo F., Jiang G.H. Hydro-ecological processes of hyporheic zone in a karst spring-fed pool: Effects of groundwater decline and river backflow. Journal of Hydrology, 2020, 587:124987

Conclusion

Fang Guo is a highly accomplished and recognized researcher in the field of karst hydrogeology, with a strong track record of impactful research, leadership in major projects, and contributions to environmental science. Her achievements and recognition make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. While there is room for further growth in international collaboration and expanding her research scope, her current strengths make her well-suited for this prestigious award.