Waseem Shoukat | Chemistry and Materials Science | Editorial Board Member

Dr. Waseem Shoukat | Chemistry and Materials Science | Editorial Board Member

Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University | Pakistan

Dr. Waseem Shoukat is an emerging and increasingly recognized researcher in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and bioinformatics, with a rapidly expanding contribution to the development of thiosemicarbazone-based therapeutic candidates and advanced functional materials. His research portfolio reflects a strong integration of synthetic chemistry, spectroscopic characterization, molecular docking, biological screening, and nanomaterials engineering, enabling the discovery of compounds with significant antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potential. His notable work on thiosemicarbazones, particularly the WS-1 and WS-2 ligands, has demonstrated exceptional binding affinities toward alpha-glucosidase, highlighting their promise as lead molecules for future pharmaceutical development. He has published in reputable international journals such as Journal of Molecular Structure, RSC Advances, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, and Natural Product Communications, contributing findings related to MOF-based drug delivery systems, electrochemical behavior of modified nanostructures, graphene oxide functionalization, coordination polymer electrocatalysis, and plant stress mitigation strategies. His interdisciplinary collaborations extend into areas of environmental microbiology, hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms, natural dyeing applications, and aquaculture-related sustainability research. According to Google Scholar, he has produced a growing body of scholarly output with 71 citations, an h-index of 4, and an i10-index of 3, demonstrating steady research impact. His computational expertise includes the use of Molegro, Schrödinger Suite, PyRx, and Discovery Studio, supporting predictive modeling and structure–activity relationship analysis. Through his diverse publications, analytical capabilities, and innovative research approaches, Waseem Shoukat continues to contribute meaningfully to advances in medicinal chemistry, materials science, environmental biotechnology, and emerging functional materials.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

• Haidri, I., Qasim, M., Shahid, M., Farooq, M. M., Abbas, M. Q., Fatima, R., & Ullah, Q. (2024). Enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities and soil microbial biomass of tomato plants against the stress of sodium dodecyl sulfate by the application of bamboo biochar. Remittances Review, 9(2), 1609–1633.

• Shoukat, W., Hussain, M., Ali, A., Shafiq, N., Chughtai, A. H., Shakoor, B., … (2025). Design, synthesis, characterization and biological screening of novel thiosemicarbazones and their derivatives with potent antibacterial and antidiabetic activities. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1320, 139614.

• Qayyum, I., Rehman, F. U., Zahra, M., Batool, K., Shoukat, W., Arshad, S., & Zada, Z. (2023). Progressive innovations in advanced functional materials for emerging bio-electronics, drug sensing and healthcare. Journal of Drug & Alcohol Research, 12(5).

• Ain, Q., Nazli, Z. H., Aslam, M., Zafar, I., Afridi, H. I., Unar, A., Jamshaid, M., … (2024). Multifunctional analysis of banana leaves extracts for dyeing properties of pima cotton fabric using different mordants. Natural Product Communications, 19(2), 1934578X241231463.

• Ishfaq, M., Lateef, D., Ashraf, Z., Sajjad, M., Owais, M., Shoukat, W., Mohsin, M., … (2025). Zirconium-based MOFs as pH-responsive drug delivery systems: Encapsulation and release profiles of ciprofloxacin. RSC Advances, 15(33), 26647–26659.

Ameneh Amani | Chemistry and Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Ameneh Amani | Chemistry and Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Bu-Ali Sina University | Iran

Dr. Ameneh Amani, an accomplished Iranian analytical chemist at Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran, specializes in electrochemistry, electrosynthesis, and electroanalysis, with a strong emphasis on green electrochemical methods, ionic liquids, and electrochemical oxidation mechanisms. Her research explores the electrosynthesis of organic compounds, electropolymerization, and electrochemical characterization of medicinal plant extracts for assessing antioxidant and biological activity. Dr. Ameneh Amani has authored and co-authored 36 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, accumulating 453 citations across 345 citing documents, and maintaining an h-index of 12. Her publications appear in prestigious journals such as Electrochimica Acta, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Scientific Reports, New Journal of Chemistry, Tetrahedron, and Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society. Her notable works include pioneering research on phosphonium-based ionic liquids in chemical processes, symmetric and highly conjugated benzofuran synthesis, and thermodynamic and kinetic investigations of aminophenol oxidation. Through these studies, she has advanced innovative, sustainable, and mechanism-driven electrochemical methodologies. Dr. Ameneh Amani’s contributions extend beyond research publications. She has presented extensively at national and international chemistry conferences, including the Iranian Seminars of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Congresses, and Biennial Electrochemistry Conferences, earning recognition for her insights into electrochemical oxidation mechanisms and herb–drug interaction studies.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Khazalpour, S., Yarie, M., Kianpour, E., Amani, A., Asadabadi, S., Seyf, J. Y., et al. (2020). Applications of phosphonium-based ionic liquids in chemical processes. Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society, 17(8), 1775–1917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-020-01874-3

  2. Nematollahi, D., Amani, A., & Tammari, E. (2007). Electrosynthesis of symmetric and highly conjugated benzofuran via a unique ECECCC electrochemical mechanism: Evidence for predominance of electrochemical oxidation versus chemical oxidation. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 72(10), 3646–3651. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo070161r

  3. Beiginejad, H., Amani, A., Nematollahi, D., & Khazalpour, S. (2015). Thermodynamic study of the electrochemical oxidation of some aminophenol derivatives: Experimental and theoretical investigation. Electrochimica Acta, 154, 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.12.014

  4. Sabounchei, S. J., Shahriary, P., Salehzadeh, S., Gholiee, Y., Nematollahi, D., et al. (2015). Pd(II) and Pd(IV) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl) hydantoin: Synthesis, physicochemical, theoretical, and pharmacological investigation. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 135, 1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.07.048

  5. Nematollahi, D., & Amani, A. (2011). Electrochemical synthesis of the new substituted phenylpiperazines. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 651(1), 72–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2010.11.029

 

Jihye Kim | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jihye Kim | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Colorado School of Mines | United States

Dr. Jihye Kim is an accomplished Assistant Professor at the George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines. With a strong background in extractive metallurgy, resource recovery, and critical materials extraction, Dr. Kim has made significant contributions to sustainable materials processing. Her research focuses on innovative hydrometallurgical techniques, mineral carbonation for carbon sequestration, and chemical modeling of electrolyte systems. Dr. Kim is dedicated to fostering a stimulating learning environment that encourages students to explore, discover, and think critically beyond the classroom.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Outstanding Research Contributions

    • Dr. Jihye Kim has an extensive publication record, including high-impact journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters.
    • Her research focuses on critical topics such as extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, carbon capture, and rare earth element recovery, all of which have significant industrial and environmental implications.
  • Strong Funding and Grant Success

    • She has successfully secured multiple high-value research grants, including funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
    • Active involvement as a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI in multimillion-dollar research projects.
  • Awards and Recognitions

    • Recipient of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship ($160,000) and multiple academic scholarships and fellowships, demonstrating academic excellence and research impact.
    • Earned the Students Discovery Award (2021) at the University of Toronto, recognizing her research achievements.
  • Industrial and International Research Experience

    • Hands-on experience through engineering internships with Barrick Gold Corporation and National Metallurgical Laboratory, India.
    • Strong international collaborations with institutions in South Korea, Canada, and the USA.
  • Educational and Mentorship Contributions

    • Engaged in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at the Colorado School of Mines.
    • Experience as a teaching assistant at University of Toronto and Seoul National University, shaping the next generation of metallurgical engineers.

Education 🎓

Dr. Kim earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto (2017-2021), where she worked on sustainable valorization of steelmaking slag under the guidance of Professor Gisele Azimi. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained a Master of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering (2014-2016) and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Resources Engineering (2011-2014) from Seoul National University.

Experience 🌟

Dr. Kim’s academic and professional journey reflects her expertise in metallurgical and materials engineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Colorado School of Mines, where she leads cutting-edge research projects and teaches courses on chemical processing, transport phenomena, and hydrometallurgical processing. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, focusing on resource-efficient hydrometallurgical recovery of platinum group metals and rare earth elements. Her teaching experience includes serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto and Seoul National University. She also gained industry experience as an Engineering Intern at Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada) and the National Metallurgical Laboratory (India).

Research Interests On Materials 🔬

Dr. Kim’s research centers on sustainable resource recovery, extractive metallurgy, and carbon capture technologies. She specializes in hydrometallurgical processing, mineral carbonation for CO2 sequestration, critical materials extraction from secondary resources, and electrolyte system modeling. Her work aims to develop environmentally friendly and economically viable methods for metal recovery and waste valorization.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Dr. Kim has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (2017-2021), the Students Discovery Award (2021), and multiple fellowships from the University of Toronto. She was also awarded the Brain Korea 21 Plus Scholarship, Academic-Industrial Scholarship from Hyundai Resources Development, and several merit-based scholarships from Seoul National University. Her outstanding academic achievements were recognized with Graduation with Honors (Cum Laude) from Seoul National University in 2014.

Publications 📚

Dr. Kim has published extensively in top-tier journals, contributing valuable insights into metallurgical and materials engineering. Some of her notable publications include:

  • The CO2 sequestration by supercritical carbonation of electric arc furnace slag

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 42
  • An innovative process for extracting scandium from nickeliferous laterite ore: Carbothermic reduction followed by NaOH cracking

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 22
  • Recovery of scandium and neodymium from blast furnace slag using acid baking–water leaching

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 20
  • Valorization of electric arc furnace slag via carbothermic reduction followed by acid baking–water leaching

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 19
  • Technospheric mining of niobium and titanium from electric arc furnace slag

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 16
  • Matrix complexity effect on platinum group metals analysis using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

    • Authors: J Kim, J Anawati, G Azimi
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 16
  • Effect of sulfuric acid baking and caustic digestion on enhancing the recovery of rare earth elements from a refractory ore

    • Authors: R Kim, H Cho, J Jeong, J Kim, S Lee, KW Chung, HS Yoon, CJ Kim
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 15
  • Selective precipitation of titanium, magnesium, and aluminum from the steelmaking slag leach liquor

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 13
  • Mineral carbonation of iron and steel by-products: State-of-the-art techniques and economic, environmental, and health implications

    • Authors: S Wang, J Kim, T Qin
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 12
  • Recent advancements in hydrometallurgy: solubility and separation

    • Authors: KN Han, R Kim, J Kim
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 10

Conclusion 🎯

Dr. Jihye Kim is a dedicated researcher and educator committed to advancing metallurgical and materials engineering. Her work in extractive metallurgy, critical materials recovery, and sustainable processing methods contributes to the global effort toward environmentally responsible resource management. Through her innovative research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Kim continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of materials engineering.