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.

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim | Smart Irrigation Management | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim | Smart Irrigation Management | Best Researcher Award

Researcher/Private Consultant, Mediterranean Agronomic institute of Bari, Italy

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim is an Egyptian researcher, consultant, and educator focusing on agricultural water management and climate change. With a Ph.D. in Irrigation Modernization from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Ahmed has a strong background in innovative irrigation systems, automation, and IoT applications. His work has spanned various global projects, including technical assistance, youth networking, and training courses. As a member of the MedYWat network, Ahmed has advocated for youth involvement in water issues. His research on improving furrow irrigation, developing smart gated pipe systems, and enhancing irrigation efficiency aligns with global needs for sustainable water use. Through his work, Ahmed strives to bridge the gap between technology and traditional irrigation practices for the betterment of agriculture and water conservation.

Profile

Education

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim holds a Ph.D. in Irrigation Modernization from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, where he focused on improving furrow irrigation systems. He also earned a Master’s degree in Land and Water Resources Management from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM), specializing in irrigated agriculture, water management, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Ahmed pursued research studies at the University of California Davis, focusing on agricultural water distribution systems and hydraulic analysis using innovative technology like drones and IoT devices. He holds a diploma in Laser Applications in Meteorology and Agriculture from Cairo University and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from Cairo University. Ahmed’s academic foundation emphasizes advanced water management, irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Experience

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim has gained significant professional experience as a researcher and consultant in agricultural water management. Currently working at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Ahmed provides technical assistance, project coordination, and consultancy in regional water management projects. He is also involved in teaching courses on solar energy for irrigation and on-farm irrigation systems. Previously, Ahmed worked as a Ph.D. researcher focusing on furrow irrigation and smart irrigation systems. In 2017, he served as a Technical Officer in the Low-Emission Capacity Building Project for UNDP, working on climate change mitigation strategies and managing training activities. Earlier in his career, Ahmed worked in metal analysis, quality assurance, and project management in irrigation design for Green Hills International and EMAAR’s Uptown Cairo project. His extensive experience spans project coordination, education, IoT in agriculture, and climate change adaptation.

Awards and Honors

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim has received numerous honors recognizing his outstanding academic and professional achievements. He was ranked first in the CIHEAM M.Sc. program (2014-2015) for his excellent academic performance. Ahmed was also ranked second in the Agriculture Engineering department at Cairo University in 2010. These accolades highlight his commitment to excellence in both his studies and research. His professional journey has been equally distinguished, as he has contributed significantly to advancing agricultural water management practices, with a focus on addressing climate change and water scarcity. In addition, Ahmed has been recognized as a valuable member of the MedYWat network, where he plays a key role in advocating for youth involvement in water issues and facilitating international collaborations. His participation in international workshops and conferences, such as those organized by the Centre for Mediterranean Integration, further demonstrates his leadership in the field of sustainable water management.

Research Focus

Ahmed Ali Ayoub Abdelmoneim’s research focuses on sustainable water management, irrigation modernization, and the application of IoT and automation in agriculture. His doctoral work at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari centered on enhancing furrow irrigation systems through automation and smart technologies, including self-compensating gated pipes. By integrating innovative technologies like drones, sensors, and IoT devices, Ahmed aims to improve irrigation efficiency, water distribution uniformity, and reduce environmental impacts. His research extends to the comparative assessment of irrigation management practices and the development of low-cost precision irrigation solutions for arid regions. Ahmed’s work on climate change adaptation, water scarcity, and food security underpins his broader commitment to addressing global water challenges. His studies on the water footprint of crops and performance evaluation of smart irrigation systems contribute to ongoing efforts to create more sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.

Publications (with emojis):

  1. Forecasting Blue and Green Water Footprint of Wheat 🌾📊
  2. Advancements in Remote Sensing for Evapotranspiration Estimation 🌍🌱
  3. Towards Affordable Precision Irrigation: Experimental Comparison 💧🌿
  4. OptGate: Tool for Gated Pipe System Performance 🚰🔧
  5. IoT for Soil Moisture Tensiometer Automation 📡🌾
  6. IoT for Double Ring Infiltrometer Automation 🤖💧