Nana Oumarou Baba | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Nana Oumarou Baba | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Young Researcher Award

Higher school of Mines and Energy Resources Transformation, University Of Bertoua | Cameroon

Mr. Nana Oumarou Baba is an emerging researcher and Teaching Assistant at the Advanced School of Mines, Processing and Energy Resources, Cameroon, and a doctoral candidate in Hydrogeology at the University of Maroua. He holds a Master’s degree in Geological and Mining Engineering and an Engineering Diploma in Geomatics and Geological Mapping from the University of Ngaoundéré. His research focuses on the characterization and sustainable management of Pan-African basement aquifers in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon, integrating remote sensing, GIS, and Kriging-based modeling to map groundwater potential, identify recharge zones, and understand aquifer dynamics. Mr. Nana Oumarou Baba has published influential papers in Discover Water, Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics, and the European Scientific Journal, which have collectively advanced scientific understanding of groundwater flow systems in semi-arid regions. His work demonstrates the integration of geospatial analysis, field data, and hydrological modeling to support sustainable water governance and rural development. Beyond academia, he collaborates with development organizations such as AFR100 and CBLT on projects addressing land restoration, water resource management, and ecosystem conservation. As Secretary General of the Association of Mining Engineers of Cameroon (ASSIMIC), he promotes academic excellence and professional collaboration among young scientists. Mr. Baba’s innovative approach, academic rigor, and commitment to environmental sustainability reflect his potential to make lasting contributions to hydrogeological science and sustainable natural resource management in Africa.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

• Baba, N. O., Mboudou Guillaume, E., & Firmin, B. A. (2025). 2D and 2.5D modeling of the piezometric surface of the Pan-African basement aquifers in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon using the Kriging method. Discover Water. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00269-z

• Baba, N. O., Mboudou Guillaume, E., Fang, K. E., Kepnamou Amadou, D., Mouctar, M., & Gabriel, M. (2024). Geomatics applied to update the geological map of the Benoue Upstream Watershed (BUW). Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.12691/jgg-12-4-2

• Baba, O. N., Mboudou Guillaume, E., Kepnamou Amadou, D., & Gabriel, M. (2024). Cartographie des fractures productives en eau souterraine dans le bassin versant de la Bénoué : apport de la géomatique. European Scientific Journal, 20(33), 265–278. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2024.v20n33p265

Daya Shanker | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Daya Shanker | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | India

Prof. Daya Shanker is a highly respected academic and researcher in the field of Engineering Seismology, currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Earthquake Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has developed an exceptional record of teaching, research, and consultancy, with expertise covering earthquake seismology, seismic hazard and risk assessment, earthquake prediction, landslide hazard zonation, tsunami damage assessment, and advanced geophysical studies. His commitment to science is reflected in his guidance of numerous doctoral and postgraduate scholars, many of whom have gone on to make their own significant contributions. He has delivered invited lectures across multiple continents, chaired scientific sessions at leading conferences, and served in advisory and leadership roles for professional organizations and editorial boards. His scientific work has been cited widely, and his insights have influenced seismic hazard policy, disaster management frameworks, and engineering practices at both national and international levels.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education

Prof. Shanker’s academic foundation began with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (Hons), earned with distinction, followed by a Master’s in Geophysics, where he specialized in the theoretical and practical aspects of seismology. His scholarly journey culminated in a Doctorate in Geophysics (Seismology) from Banaras Hindu University, where he undertook advanced research on seismic wave behavior, fault mechanics, and earthquake precursor modeling. Alongside his degrees, he earned numerous academic fellowships and scholarships, including national merit distinctions and international research awards. These formative years not only equipped him with technical mastery in the earth sciences but also exposed him to collaborative research environments, enabling him to integrate multidisciplinary approaches in his later work.

Experience

Prof. Shanker’s professional career began with prestigious research fellowships in seismology before progressing into academia, where he held successive positions from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and ultimately Professor. His teaching portfolio spans undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering seismology, seismotectonics, geophysics, earthquake disaster studies, and solid mechanics. He has played a pivotal role in curriculum design, examination systems, and research evaluation. As a mentor, he has supervised multiple Ph.D. theses and over two dozen M.Tech dissertations on topics ranging from probabilistic seismic hazard assessment to tsunami hazard modeling. Beyond academia, he has served as a consultant for seismic safety evaluations, microzonation studies, and geotechnical investigations. His administrative contributions include roles as Coordinator for International Relations, member of faculty recruitment panels, school management positions, and organizer of scientific events. His active participation in both scientific and community-based initiatives demonstrates his versatility as a leader and educator.

Research Interest

Prof. Shanker’s research interests are broad yet interconnected, centering on understanding seismic phenomena and mitigating earthquake risks. His work encompasses engineering seismology, seismotectonic modeling, marine geophysics, tsunami hazard forecasting, and earthquake-induced landslide analysis. He has advanced methods for ground motion prediction, statistical seismology, and earthquake microzonation, integrating geophysical, geotechnical, and geological data to produce highly detailed hazard maps. His studies on induced seismicity and earthquake control strategies have offered valuable insights for infrastructure safety and resource exploration. Additionally, his interest in applied geophysics has led to innovative applications in tunneling, civil engineering, and coastal resilience planning. His multidisciplinary approach ensures that his research findings are relevant to both scientific advancement and real-world engineering solutions.

Awards

Prof. Shanker’s achievements have been recognized with numerous honors from national and international bodies. He has received best paper awards from leading professional societies, international travel grants for presenting research at global conferences, and visiting scientist fellowships from prestigious institutions. His early academic performance was distinguished by multiple scholarships, including national merit awards and government-sponsored research fellowships. These recognitions reflect his sustained excellence in research, scholarly writing, and contributions to the advancement of earthquake science. His awards also highlight his role in building cross-border collaborations that have enriched seismic hazard research worldwide.

Publications

Prof. Shanker has authored and co-authored more than 220 publications in high-impact journals, conference proceedings, and edited volumes. His work has been widely cited by researchers in seismology, geophysics, and disaster risk reduction. Selected publications include:

1. Artificial Neural Network for Tsunami Forecasting
Journal/Conference: National Symposium on Natural Hazard & Build Better for Risk Mitigation and 8th Annual Convention on Advances in Earthquake Science (AES-2024)
Published on: 2024

2. Enhancing Coastal Resilience: Modelling for Tsunami Protections Heights in the Indian Ocean
Journal/Conference: International Conference on Society, Environment and Sustainable Development: Emerging Issues and Achievements
Published on: 2024

3. Estimating Tsunami Magnitude (Mt) in the Indo-Pacific Region using Machine Learning
Journal/Conference: 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE)
Published on: 2024

4. Estimation of Tsunami Hazard in the Indo-Pacific Region
Journal/Conference: 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE)
Published on: 2024

5. Forecast of Tsunamigenic Earthquakes in the Indo-Pacific Region using Artificial Neural Networks
Journal/Conference: 13th International Statistical Seismology (StatSei13) Workshop
Published on: 2024

6. Plant Based Biosorbents for Oil Removal from Wastewater
Journal/Conference: International Conference on Society, Environment and Sustainable Development: Emerging Issues and Achievements
Published on: 2024

7. Present Seismicity Scenario and Earthquake Statistics of Northeast India Himalaya and Vicinity
Journal/Conference: 34th Conference on Mathematical Geophysics (Mathematical Geophysics for Sustainable Development)
Published on: 2024

Conclusion

Prof. Daya Shanker’s career reflects a rare combination of deep scientific expertise, innovative research capability, and unwavering commitment to public safety in the face of natural hazards. His contributions have not only expanded the scientific understanding of earthquakes and related phenomena but also shaped practical measures for risk reduction and disaster resilience. His mentorship has nurtured a new generation of earthquake engineers and seismologists, ensuring that his legacy continues through their work. With an extensive record of publications, leadership roles in international collaborations, and impactful field studies, he stands as an exemplary figure in earthquake science and a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.