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.

Xinyi Zhao | Biology and Life Sciences | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Xinyi Zhao | Biology and Life Sciences | Young Scientist Award

Current PhD student, Technological University, Ireland

Zhao Xinyi is a PhD candidate in Food Science at Technological University of Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland. With a background in Materials Science and Engineering from Zhengzhou University, China, Xinyi has cultivated a strong foundation in nanotechnology, biomedical research, and food safety. Throughout their academic career, they have focused on innovative detection methods for bacterial pathogens, with a particular emphasis on gold nanoparticles. Xinyi has actively contributed to various international conferences and collaborated on high-impact publications. Their work continues to push boundaries in both research and practical applications, making them a prominent figure in their field. Additionally, Xinyi has gained valuable work experience in industry, having held multiple roles at Zhengzhou Tianyi Co., Ltd, where they worked as a mold designer, sales manager, and translator. Fluent in Chinese and English, Xinyi is well-positioned for global scientific collaboration and advancement.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Xinyi Zhao holds a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Zhengzhou University, China, where they built a solid foundation in materials science, focusing on nanomaterials and polymer-based systems. They are currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Food Science at Technological University of Dublin, Ireland, expected to complete in 2025. Their academic work bridges the fields of food science and nanotechnology, investigating innovative detection methods for pathogens and other contaminants. As part of their research, Xinyi has worked with advanced tools like UV-vis, atomic force microscopes, and electrochemical biosensors, alongside gaining expertise in computational tools such as MATLAB, C programming, and various data analysis software. Their educational journey has included a blend of hands-on lab work, theoretical learning, and academic collaboration, preparing them for impactful contributions in both academia and industry. Xinyi’s research focus lies in enhancing detection systems and applying nanotechnology in food safety and biomedical applications.

Experience

Xinyi Zhao has developed a diverse and multi-disciplinary professional background. As a PhD candidate at Technological University of Dublin, Xinyi serves as a Lab Demonstrator, where they assist in educating undergraduate students and providing guidance on complex lab experiments in food science and biotechnology. Additionally, Xinyi has gained significant industrial experience, working for six years at Zhengzhou Tianyi Co., Ltd in various roles, including mold designer, sales manager, and translator. These positions allowed Xinyi to develop a practical understanding of engineering processes and client interactions, while also contributing to the company’s growth and product development. Xinyi’s work across both academic and industrial sectors has provided a broad range of skills, from hands-on laboratory techniques to project management and team collaboration. This blend of experience in both research and industry equips Xinyi to solve real-world problems and bring scientific innovations into practical applications.

Research Focus

Xinyi Zhao’s current research focuses on developing novel detection technologies for bacterial pathogens using gold nanoparticles. This work has significant applications in food safety, where rapid and accurate pathogen detection is crucial. Xinyi’s research leverages cutting-edge nanomaterials to create highly sensitive and efficient biosensors, providing advancements in diagnostics. The use of gold nanoparticles is particularly exciting due to their unique properties, which allow them to interact with biological markers and offer real-time detection. Previous research by Xinyi at Zhengzhou University explored the aggregation behavior of conjugated polymers, which deepened their understanding of polymeric materials and their potential applications in biomedical devices. Additionally, Xinyi is exploring the synergistic effects of curcumin and piperine-loaded nanogels for targeted cancer treatment, demonstrating a strong commitment to both food safety and healthcare applications. Their interdisciplinary research exemplifies a holistic approach to solving pressing challenges in health and food industries.

Publication Top Notes

  • Enhanced Anticancer Response of Curcumin- and Piperine-Loaded Lignin-g-p (NIPAM-co-DMAEMA) Gold Nanogels against U-251 MG Glioblastoma Multiforme 🧬
  • A Stochastic Distribution System Planning Method Considering Regulation Services and Energy Storage Degradation 🔋
  • Design and Development of Magnetic Iron Core Gold Nanoparticle-Based Fluorescent Multiplex Assay to Detect Salmonella 🦠
  • Hydrogel on a Smart Nanomaterial Interface to Carry Therapeutics for Digitalized Glioma Treatment 💊
  • Limits of Detection of Mycotoxins by Laminar Flow Strips: A Review 📚
  • Review of Detection Limits for Various Techniques for Bacterial Detection in Food Samples 🥗
  • Limits of Detection Analysis of Advanced Technologies for Bacterial Detection in Food Samples: Review & Future Perspective 🔍
  • Synergistic Anticancer Response of Curcumin and Piperine Loaded Lignin-gp (NIPAM-co-DMAEMA) Gold Nanogels Against Glioblastoma Multiforme 🧪