Spomenka Kobe | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Distinguished Scientist Award

Prof. Dr. Spomenka Kobe | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Distinguished Scientist Award

The Jožef Stefan Institute | Slovenia

Prof. Dr. Spomenka Kobe is a distinguished materials scientist and one of Europe’s leading experts in nanostructured materials, magnetic materials, and sustainable alloy design. Her pioneering research has advanced the scientific understanding and technological innovation in rare-earth magnet technology, nanostructured thin films, and magnetic materials recycling. She played a pivotal role in establishing rare-earth magnet research in Slovenia, leading major national and European research programs on critical raw materials and sustainable magnet production. Her Scopus-indexed research portfolio includes 169 publications, which have collectively received 2,350 citations from 1,949 documents, reflecting an h-index of 22. Her work spans critical areas of magnetism, solid-state physics, thin-film engineering, and microstructural analysis, significantly influencing global research directions in advanced materials science. Prof. Dr. Spomenka Kobe’s scientific leadership is exemplified through her coordination of the FP7 European Project ROMEO (Replacement and Original Magnet Engineering Option) and the International Associated Laboratory PACS2 (Push-Pull AlloyS and Complex Compounds) in collaboration with CNRS, France. She has also been a principal investigator on numerous EU and national R&D projects and an active contributor to international academic and industrial innovation networks. Her applied research achievements include seven patents (four European patents), three innovations, and multiple technology transfers to industrial production, showcasing her ability to translate advanced materials research into practical applications. She has authored several book chapters, delivered numerous invited lectures, and contributed to major international conferences on magnetic and nanostructured materials.

Profiles: Scopus | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

• Schieren, L., Semsari Parapari, S., Tomše, T., Žužek, K., Šturm, S., Kobe, S., & Burkhardt, C. (2025). Evaluating citric acid as a selective leaching agent to extract Nd₂Fe₁₄B matrix phase from end-of-life magnets. Journal of Rare Earths, 43(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jre.2025.04.020

• Grau, L., Moreno López, R., Kubelka, P., Burkhardt, F., Tomše, T., Kobe, S., & Burkhardt, C. (2024). Effects of thermal demagnetization in air on the microstructure and organic contamination of NdFeB magnets. Materials, 17(22), 5528. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225528

• Tomše, T., Burkhardt, F., Krasniqi, L., Ivekovič, A., Kocjan, A., Kobe, S., Podmiljšak, B., Burkhardt, C., Šturm, S., & Žužek Rožman, K. (2024, September). An alternative sintering strategy for anisotropic Nd–Fe–B magnet based on recycled content. International Materials Science and Engineering Congress (MSE 2024).

• Grau, L., Fleissner, P., Kobe, S., & Burkhardt, C. (2024). Processability and separability of commercial anti-corrosion coatings produced by in situ hydrogen-processing of magnetic scrap (HPMS) recycling of NdFeB. Materials, 17(11), 2487. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112487

• Tomše, T., Podmiljšak, B., Scherf, L. M., Kessler, R., Kobe, S., Kocjan, A., Šturm, S., & Žužek Rožman, K. (2024). Unravelling the intricacies of micro-nonuniform heating in field-assisted sintering of multiphase metallic microstructures. Journal of Materials Processing Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2024.118405

Bulbul Jan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Bulbul Jan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi | Pakistan

Dr. Bulbul Jan is an accomplished researcher and mathematician specializing in mathematical modeling, space weather, ionospheric dynamics, climate change impacts, atmospheric and environmental modeling, and stratospheric ozone depletion. With 34 peer-reviewed publications, including 17 indexed in SCI, ESCI, and Scopus, his work has garnered over 198 citations, reflecting significant influence in his field (h-index: 9, i10-index: 9). His research focuses on understanding the nonlinear behavior of the ionosphere and its interactions with terrestrial climate systems, employing probabilistic and nonlinear modeling techniques to analyze atmospheric variability, solar-terrestrial interactions, and extreme climatic events. Dr. Jan has contributed to studies on stratospheric ozone fluctuations, the impact of space weather on atmospheric chemistry, and climate-driven environmental changes, providing critical insights for early warning systems and risk mitigation strategies. He has applied mathematical and geospatial modeling approaches to assess environmental hazards, such as landslides, rainfall extremes, and urban disease transmission, exemplified by his work on dengue prevalence in Lahore, Pakistan. His collaborative research involves national and international scholars, integrating multidisciplinary approaches to address pressing environmental and atmospheric challenges. Through his innovative research, Dr. Bulbul Jan has advanced the understanding of the complex interactions between space weather, atmospheric processes, and climate variability, supporting the development of resilient environmental strategies and technological safeguards. His contributions reflect a commitment to bridging theoretical modeling with practical applications, fostering scientific innovation, and enhancing predictive capabilities for climate resilience and sustainable environmental management.

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

Featured Publications

Guangwen Zheng | Environmental science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guangwen Zheng | Environmental science | Best Researcher Award

Shaanxi University of Science and Technology | China

Prof. Guangwen Zheng, born in September 1980, is a highly regarded academic and a committed member of the Communist Party of China. Currently serving as an Associate Professor and Master Supervisor at the School of Economics and Management, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, he is well-known for his interdisciplinary research at the intersection of economics, green finance, and logistics. With extensive national and international collaborations, he exemplifies leadership, mentorship, and innovation in his field.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Zheng Guangwen is a distinguished researcher and academician with a solid record of impactful contributions in the fields of economics, management, logistics, green finance, and sustainability. His work exhibits a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrating environmental sustainability with financial and economic development, which aligns well with current global priorities such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Robust Academic Output: Dr. Zheng has authored numerous high-quality academic papers published in reputable SSCI and SCI journals with respectable impact factors, including some highly cited and ESI High Cited works. His research addresses cutting-edge topics like AI’s influence on logistics, fintech’s role in green finance, and sustainable economic growth.

  • Active Research Leadership: He currently supervises master’s students and leads multiple significant research projects funded by government ministries and enterprises, indicating trust in his leadership and expertise.

  • International Exposure and Collaboration: His visiting scholarship at Georgia Institute of Technology and international journal reviews reflect his global academic engagement and recognition.

🎓 Education

Prof. Zheng earned his Ph.D. in Economics and Finance from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2015. He further enriched his academic experience as a visiting scholar at Georgia Institute of Technology Business School (2012–2013). His academic foundation is both deep and global, providing a strong base for his multifaceted research contributions.

🧪 Experience

Zheng Guangwen began his academic career in 2016 as a Lecturer and later advanced to Associate Professor in 2022 at the School of Economics and Management, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. He also supervises master’s students and has served as a project lead on multiple government and enterprise-funded research initiatives. His role extends into academic journals and national competitions, making him a well-rounded scholar and educator.

🔬 Research Interests On Environmental science

Prof. Zheng’s primary research areas include green finance, sustainable development, fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. His work explores how technology and finance intersect to promote environmental performance and economic resilience. His research often integrates empirical modeling with policy analysis to address real-world challenges, especially in developing economies.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Zheng has received several accolades for his outstanding contributions:

  •  Third Prize, Humanities and Social Sciences Research, Shaanxi Province (2017, 2021, 2025)

  •  Shaanxi Logistics Outstanding Contribution Award (2018)

  •  First Prize, National E-commerce “Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship” Challenge Cup (2024)

  •  First Prize & Excellent Instructor, “Charoen Pokphand Cup” Market Survey Competition (2025)

These achievements underscore his impactful work in academia and societal development.

📚 Publications

1. “Achieving the objectives of the 2030 sustainable development goals agenda: Causalities between economic growth, environmental sustainability, financial development, and renewable energy consumption”

  • Authors: Guang-Wen Zheng, Muntasir Murshed, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Md Shabbir Alam, Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente, Haider Mahmood

  • Year: 2023

  • DOI: 10.1002/sd.2411

2. “Unveiling the Role of Green Logistics Management in Improving SMEs’ Sustainability Performance: Do Circular Economy Practices and Supply Chain Traceability Matter?”

  • Authors: Bo Zhou, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Guang-Wen Zheng, Mohammad Masukujjaman

  • Year: 2023

  • DOI: 10.3390/systems11040198

3. “Bi-dimensional values and attitudes toward online fast food-buying intention during the COVID-19 pandemic: An application of VAB model”

  • Authors: Chen Yan, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Qianli Dong, Muhammad Hamayun, Guang-Wen Zheng, Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim

  • Year: 2022

  • DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.894765

4. “The effect of Fintech adoption on green finance and environmental performance of banking institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of green innovation”

5. “A Two-Staged SEM-Artificial Neural Network Approach to Analyze the Impact of FinTech Adoption on the Sustainability Performance of Banking Firms: The Mediating Effect of Green Finance and Innovation”

  • Authors: Chen Yan, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Li Yong, Qianli Dong, Guang-Wen Zheng, Md Nafizur Rahman

  • Year: 2022

  • DOI: 10.3390/systems10050148

6. “Do Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Green Finance Dimensions Determine Environmental Performance? An Empirical Study on Bangladeshi Banking Institutions”

7. “The Antecedents of Willingness to Adopt and Pay for the IoT in the Agricultural Industry: An Application of the UTAUT 2 Theory”

  • Authors: Yan Shi, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Guangwen Zheng, Muhammad Hamayun, Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim

  • Year: 2022

  • DOI: 10.3390/su14116640

8. “Organic Foods Purchase Behavior among Generation Y of Bangladesh: The Moderation Effect of Trust and Price Consciousness”

  • Authors: Guang-Wen Zheng, Nazma Akter, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Mohammad Masukujjaman

  • Year: 2021

  • DOI: 10.3390/foods10102278

9. “Green Finance Development in Bangladesh: The Role of Private Commercial Banks (PCBs)”

  • Authors: Guang-Wen Zheng, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Nazneen Fatema, Syed Shah Alam

  • Year: 2021

  • DOI: 10.3390/su13020795

🔚 Conclusion

Prof. Zheng Guangwen stands as a beacon of academic excellence, seamlessly blending rigorous research, impactful teaching, and policy-relevant insights. His deep commitment to sustainability, digital transformation, and societal impact has positioned him as a thought leader in economics and logistics. With numerous awards, prestigious publications, and national-level contributions, he is a deserving candidate for any prestigious academic honor.