Irina Pilvere | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Irina Pilvere | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies | Latvia

Professor Irina Pilvere of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies is a distinguished researcher in agricultural economics, rural development, and the bioeconomy, with a strong international research presence supported by 101 Scopus-indexed publications, 240 citations from 196 Scopus documents, and an h-index of 8 (Scopus). Her overall scientific output includes 342 publications, among them eight monographs and more than 230 internationally reviewed papers, reflecting her broad scholarly influence across the agricultural and environmental sciences. She has made substantial contributions to 25 international and 99 national research projects, advancing research in sustainable agriculture, land-use efficiency, renewable energy policy, food system resilience, and the EU Common Agricultural Policy. Her recent collaborative research with Aina Muska and Aleksejs Nipers on assessing agricultural green competitiveness across EU Member States introduces a comprehensive Green Competitiveness Index based on environmental indicators aligned with European Green Deal targets, strengthening sustainability evaluation frameworks and supporting evidence-based policymaking. Prof. Irina Pilvere’s broader research achievements include developing economic and sectoral modelling tools such as the LASAM model; conducting sustainability assessments; performing policy evaluations; and producing forward-looking projections for livestock, dairy, and crop sectors. Her publications appear in high-impact journals and leading international conference proceedings, including Agriculture, Environmental Sciences Europe, and Emerging Science Journal. Her scholarly work is widely cited and recognised for shaping agricultural policy discourse, enhancing rural development strategies, and supporting innovation pathways in the European bioeconomy. Through extensive collaborations and research leadership, she continues to contribute meaningfully to advancing sustainable, resilient, and competitive agricultural systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

  1. Grinberga-Zalite, G., Pilvere, I., Muska, A., & Kruzmetra, Z. (2021). Resilience of meat supply chains during and after COVID-19 crisis. Emerging Science Journal, 5(1), 57–66.

  2. Pilvere, I., Nipers, A., & Pilvere, A. (2022). Evaluation of the European Green Deal policy in the context of agricultural support payments in Latvia. Agriculture, 12(12), Article 2028.

  3. Rubins, M., & Pilvere, I. (2017). Development of renewable energy policy in Latvia. Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings, 17.

  4. Nipers, A., Pilvere, I., Valdovska, A., & Proskina, L. (2016). Assessment of key aspects of technologies and cow farming for milk production in Latvia. Engineering for Rural Development, 15, 175–181.

  5. Pilvere, I., Nipers, A., Krievina, A., Upite, I., & Kotovs, D. (2022). LASAM model: An important tool in the decision support system for policymakers and farmers. Agriculture, 12(5), Article 705.

Sang-Eun Oh | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Sang-Eun Oh | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Kangwon National University | South Korea

Prof. Dr. Sang-Eun Oh is a leading environmental engineer and biotechnologist at the Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, South Korea, where he serves as Professor and Director of the Environmental Research Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Gwang-Ju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in 2002, following M.S. and B.S. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Chung-Nam National University. Dr. Sang-Eun Oh gained international research experience as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Pennsylvania State University, USA, before joining Kangwon National University in 2006. His research focuses on microbial fuel cells, bioenergy production, wastewater treatment, eco-toxicological monitoring using sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms, and sustainable environmental biotechnology. Over his career, he has led more than 27 completed and three ongoing national and international projects, including pioneering work in microbial electrochemical systems, livestock waste treatment, and hydroponic cultivation technologies. Dr. Sang-Eun Oh has authored 182 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Biodegradation, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Chemosphere, and Sustainability, and holds 26 patents for innovative environmental technologies. He has collaborated with global leaders including Bruce E. Logan’s laboratory at Penn State University, advancing bioenergy generation, green hydrogen production, and microbial bio electrochemical systems. His outstanding contributions have earned him prestigious awards including the Minister of Environment Award, Best Environmental Technology Award, and multiple Best Paper Awards. Recognized for his scientific rigor, innovation, and leadership in clean technology and sustainable environmental solutions, Dr. Sang-Eun Oh exemplifies excellence and is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Min, B., Kim, J. R., Oh, S. E., Regan, J. M., & Logan, B. E. (2005). Electricity generation from swine wastewater using microbial fuel cells. Water Research, 39(20), 4961–4968.

  2. Rahimnejad, M., Adhami, A., Darvari, S., Zirepour, A., & Oh, S. E. (2015). Microbial fuel cell as new technology for bioelectricity generation: A review. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 54(3), 745–756.

  3. Oh, S. E., Min, B., & Logan, B. E. (2004). Cathode performance as a factor in electricity generation in microbial fuel cells. Environmental Science & Technology, 38(18), 4900–4904.

  4. Kim, J. R., Cheng, S., Oh, S. E., & Logan, B. E. (2007). Power generation using different cation, anion, and ultrafiltration membranes in microbial fuel cells. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(3), 1004–1009.

  5. Oh, S. E., & Logan, B. E. (2005). Hydrogen and electricity production from a food processing wastewater using fermentation and microbial fuel cell technologies. Water Research, 39(19), 4673–4682.

  6. Logan, B. E., Oh, S. E., Kim, I. S., & Van Ginkel, S. (2002). Biological hydrogen production measured in batch anaerobic respirometers. Environmental Science & Technology, 36(11), 2530–2535.

  7. Oh, S. E., & Logan, B. E. (2006). Proton exchange membrane and electrode surface areas as factors that affect power generation in microbial fuel cells. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 70(2), 162–169.

  8. Oh, S. E., Van Ginkel, S., & Logan, B. E. (2003). The relative effectiveness of pH control and heat treatment for enhancing biohydrogen gas production. Environmental Science & Technology, 37(22), 5186–5190.