Prof. Xiao-Wu Lei | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Jining University | China

Dr. Xiao-Wu Lei is a distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Jining University, China. Born on January 8, 1984, in PingYao, Shanxi Province, Dr. Lei has built a strong academic and research foundation in the field of inorganic functional materials. With a vibrant passion for cutting-edge research and an impressive portfolio of high-impact publications, he is recognized as a leading scientist in the synthesis and application of novel hybrid materials, intermetallic compounds, and photoluminescent systems.

Professional profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

• Exceptional Publication Record
  Dr. Xiao-Wu Lei has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Advanced Science, Chemical Science, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Advanced Optical Materials, and Chemical Engineering Journal. His research spans over 20 high-profile papers within the last 5 years, signifying a high level of sustained productivity and relevance.

• Research Focus on Cutting-edge Materials
  His work focuses on polar intermetallics, metal chalcogenometalates, hybrid metal halides, and metal–organic frameworks. These areas are central to advances in photocatalysis, scintillation, solar energy, and optoelectronic devices, making his research extremely pertinent to current global technological needs.

• Expertise and Versatility
  Dr. Lei demonstrates mastery over both experimental and computational techniques—ranging from solid-state synthesis and solvothermal methods to X-ray crystallography and electronic structure calculations. His skillset includes the use of complex software like WIEN2K, CASTEP, and SHELXTL.

• Strong International Impact
  He has multiple collaborative publications with global visibility, often co-authoring with internationally recognized scholars. His recent works in fluorescence sensing, X-ray scintillators, and lead-free perovskites are aligned with green and sustainable material development, highlighting both scientific depth and environmental relevance.

🎓 Education

Dr. Lei received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Jilin University (2000–2004), one of China’s most prestigious institutions. He pursued his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (2004–2010), under the guidance of Prof. Jiang-Gao Mao, an editor of Journal of Solid State Chemistry. His academic background provided him with a robust foundation in solid-state synthesis and materials characterization.

👨‍🏫 Experience

Since August 2010, Dr. Lei has served as an Associate Professor at Jining University, where he has contributed extensively to both teaching and research. With over a decade of academic service, he has supervised student research projects and led numerous experimental investigations in functional materials. His technical skills include advanced characterization techniques (XRD, IR, UV-Vis, TGA, SC-XRD), and computational modeling (WIEN2K, CASTEP, etc.), making him a multifaceted researcher.

🔍 Research Interests On Materials

Dr. Lei’s research revolves around inorganic functional materials, with a focus on:

• Polar intermetallics and Zintl phases for thermoelectric and superconducting applications.

• Metal chalcogenometalates with properties suited for photocatalysis, magnetism, and optics.

• Hybrid metal halides for solar cells and X-ray scintillators.

•  Further interests: microporous materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and luminescent materials. His work blends theoretical modeling and experimental synthesis, contributing to next-generation optoelectronic technologies.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Dr. Lei is a strong nominee for the Research Excellence Award for Emerging Scientists at Jining University due to his exceptional contributions in developing advanced luminescent and hybrid materials. His research is regularly published in top-tier international journals, including Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Science, Chemical Science, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, demonstrating both innovation and international relevance. 🏅📈

📚 Publications

1. Hybrid metal halide family with color-time-dual-resolved phosphorescence for multiplexed information security applications

• Authors: Liu, Yuhang; Yan, Tianyu; Dong, Menghan; … Kong, Xiangwen; Lei, Xiaowu

• Year: 2025

• Citations: 3

2. Zero-dimensional cadmium halide with broad band yellow light emission for white light-emitting diodes

• Authors: Lin, Na; Hu, Zhao Yang; Zhang, Xinyue; … Jing, Zhihong; Chen, Zhiwei

• Year: 2025

• Citations: 0

3. Synthesis and stability of one-dimensional red-emitting manganese-based Organic–inorganic halide

• Authors: Wang, Danyang; Wang, Shanxiao; Tian, Chaoyang; … Lei, Xiaowu; Yu, Fang

• Year: 2025

• Citations: 1

4. In Situ Halide Vacancy Tuning of Low-Dimensional Lead Perovskites to Realize Multiple Adjustable Luminescence Performance

• Authors: Sun, Chen; Jing, Changqing; Li, Dongyang; … Fei, Honghan; Lei, Xiaowu

• Year: 2025

• Citations: 0

5. Synchronously Improved Multiple Afterglow and Phosphorescence Efficiencies in 0D Hybrid Zinc Halides With Ultrahigh Anti-Water Stabilities

• Authors: Zhao, Jianqiang; Wang, Danyang; Yan, Tianyu; … Yan, Dongpeng; Lei, Xiaowu

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 17

6. Zero-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid zinc halide with stable broadband blue light emissions

• Authors: Zhang, Jie; Ma, Yu Xin; Wu, Ming; … He, Yuanchun; Lei, Xiaowu

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 0

7. Zero-dimensional cuprous halide scintillator with ultra-high anti-water stability for X-ray imaging

• Authors: Lv, Jingning; Lin, Na; Zhang, Jiayi; … Lei, Xiaowu; Chen, Zhiwei

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 1

8. Zero-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid indium halide perovskite with broadband yellow light emission

• Authors: Wang, Qi; Jiang, Wei; Xuan, Pengyao; … Yue, Chengyang; Kong, Xiangwen

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 0

9. Near-unity broadband emissive hybrid manganese bromides as highly-efficient radiation scintillators

• Authors: Gong, Zhongliang; Zhang, Jie; Deng, Xiangyuan; … He, Yuanchun; Lei, Xiaowu

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 8

10. One-Dimensional Red Light-Emissive Organic Manganese(II) Halides as X-Ray Scintillators

• Authors: Yu, Fang; Zhang, Huiru; Gao, Wenwen; … Kong, Xiangwen; Yue, Chengyang

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 3

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Xiao-Wu Lei exemplifies academic excellence and innovative research. His interdisciplinary work in inorganic chemistry and material sciences, combined with a consistent publication record in top journals, positions him as a valuable contributor to global scientific advancement. With profound expertise in hybrid materials and luminescent technologies, he is an outstanding candidate for the Research Award Nomination by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jining University.

Dr. Panagiotis Regkouzas | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Technical University of Crete | Greece

Dr. Panagiotis Regkouzas is a passionate environmental engineer from Chania, Greece, born on November 21, 1991. With a robust academic and professional foundation, he is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Crete. His career is defined by his dedication to sustainable development, specializing in biochar production, wastewater treatment, and the circular economy. Through national and international collaborations, Panagiotis contributes to innovative environmental engineering solutions that promote resource recovery and sustainable agriculture.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

• Strong Academic Background:

  • PhD in Environmental Engineering with a specialization in biochar production, environmental applications, and wastewater treatment.

  • Dual master’s degrees with focused theses on biochar and wastewater reuse, directly supporting the sustainability and circular economy sectors.

• Research Productivity & Impact:

  • Author/co-author of several peer-reviewed articles in reputed international journals such as Chemosphere, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, and Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery.

  • Published cutting-edge work on nanobiochar, graphene oxide biochars, and CNT-doped composites, showing innovation and depth in environmental nanotechnology.

• Active Participation in High-Profile Projects:

  • Involved in European Union-funded projects like Horizon 2020 (PRIMA) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, indicating his role in top-tier international collaborations.

  • Project themes align with global environmental priorities such as circular economy, green technologies, and nature-based solutions.

• Extensive Conference Participation & Visibility:

  • Regular presenter at international conferences (EGU, IEES, IWA, EURECA-PRO), reflecting academic leadership and scientific communication strength.

  • Frequent contributions in sessions on circular economy, wastewater valorization, and biochar technologies, underlining topic consistency and relevance.

🎓 Education

Panagiotis began his academic journey with a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Crete (2009–2015), where he explored biochar applications for pollutant adsorption. He then pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment (2015–2017), focusing on valorizing municipal solid waste. His PhD (2017–2024) further delved into advanced biochar materials and their applications in removing emerging contaminants from water. Currently, he continues his research as a postdoctoral scholar in Circular Economy at the same institution.

🧪 Experience

With over 7 years of research and teaching experience at the Technical University of Crete, Panagiotis has worked on diverse projects ranging from biochar production and nanomaterials to wastewater treatment technologies. His roles include university research and teaching assistant, as well as laboratory assistant in courses on water treatment and environmental engineering. In 2024, he expanded his international experience as an Engineering Research Scientist at APS-Ekoinnowacje in Poland, emphasizing sustainable waste management and environmental innovation.

🔬 Research Interests On Materials

Panagiotis’s research interests lie in environmental sustainability with a sharp focus on circular economy principles. He is particularly interested in:

• Biochar production from waste biomass

• Adsorption of emerging micro-contaminants

• Development of nanocomposite biochars

• Wastewater and sludge treatment

• Nature-based solutions like constructed wetlands
  His work bridges the gap between environmental engineering and practical, sustainable applications for agriculture and water systems.

🏆 Awards & Nominations

1. Title: Adsorption of selected organic micro-pollutants on sewage sludge biochar
Authors: P. Regkouzas, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2019
Citations: 158

2. Title: Ni (II) adsorption on biochars produced from different types of biomass
Authors: R.N. Mourgela, P. Regkouzas, F.M. Pellera, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2020
Citations: 14

3. Title: Biochar production from waste biomass: Characterization and evaluation for agronomic and environmental applications
Authors: F.M. Pellera, P. Regkouzas, I. Manolikaki, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2021
Citations: 12

4. Title: Production and characterization of graphene oxide-engineered biochars and application for organic micro-pollutant adsorption from aqueous solutions
Authors: P. Regkouzas, L. Sygellou, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2023
Citations: 10

5. Title: Effect of compost and compost-derived biochar on the growth of lettuce irrigated with water and treated wastewater
Authors: P. Regkouzas, N. Katie, K. Bontiotis, A. Stefanakis
Year: 2025
Citations: Not listed

6. Title: Assessing Biochar and Compost from the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste on Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth of Lettuce in a Pot Experiment
Authors: P. Regkouzas, I. Manolikaki, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2025
Citations: Not listed

7. Title: Effect of compost and compost-derived biochar on lettuce growth in a water and wastewater irrigated pot experiment
Authors: P. Regkouzas, N. Katie, K. Bontiotis, A. Stefanakis
Year: 2025
Citations: Not listed

8. Title: The role of biochar in a circular economy: from agriculture to water and wastewater treatment applications
Authors: P. Regkouzas, I. Asimakoulas, E. Athanasiadou, E. Koukouraki, …
Year: 2024
Citations: Not listed

9. Title: Production of advanced adsorptive materials based on biochar
Author: P. Regkouzas
Year: 2024
Citations: Not listed

10. Title: Global Challenges for a Sustainable Society: EURECA-PRO
Authors: P. Regkouzas, E. Diamadopoulos
Year: 2023
Citations: Not listed

✅ Conclusion

Panagiotis Regkouzas exemplifies the spirit of environmental innovation and sustainable engineering. With a solid foundation in education, a breadth of interdisciplinary experience, and a forward-looking research portfolio, he is a valuable asset to the scientific community and an outstanding nominee for this award. His work paves the way for greener technologies in water treatment, agriculture, and waste valorization, making impactful contributions both locally and globally 🌎🌿.