Saad A. Aljlil | Water and Wastewater Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Prof. Saad A. Aljlil | Water and Wastewater Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Chief researcher | King Abdullaziz City for Science and Technology | Saudi Arabia

Prof. Saad A. Aljlil’s research is deeply rooted in sustainability and environmental innovation, focusing on advanced technologies for water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery. His extensive experience at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) includes managing multidisciplinary projects in membrane technology, renewable energy integration, and environmental remediation. Dr. Aljlil has led and contributed to numerous funded projects on polymer and ceramic membrane development, hybrid ion exchange-nanofiltration systems, and adsorption technologies for removing heavy metals and dyes from wastewater. His work on solar desalination, greywater treatment, and lithium extraction from desalination brines demonstrates his commitment to addressing global water and energy challenges through green technologies. He has developed patented innovations in desalination and wastewater purification, particularly focusing on adsorbent synthesis from natural and waste materials to promote circular economy practices. His collaboration with national and international research centers has resulted in high-impact publications and novel applications such as smart water networks, ceramic membrane distillation, and AI-assisted sustainable filtration systems. As Editor-in-Chief of Applied Water Science and a board member in energy and water sustainability programs, he has contributed significantly to advancing environmental policy and technological foresight. His research interests also extend to nanotechnology applications, including the study of nanoplastics' environmental impacts and the integration of metal-organic frameworks in water purification. Through his visionary approach and applied research leadership, Dr. Aljlil has strengthened Saudi Arabia’s role in global sustainability initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative, emphasizing eco-innovation, renewable resource utilization, and efficient water management systems. His work exemplifies the fusion of scientific excellence with environmental stewardship, creating pathways for sustainable water and energy solutions in future smart cities.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications:

  • Synthesis, cytotoxicity, molecular docking, DFT analysis and ADMET studies of imidazo[1,2-b][1,2,4]triazine based pyrimidine derivatives as PI3Kα selective inhibitors. Journal of Molecular Structure.

  • Antibiotic removal from wastewater via ceramic membrane distillation: Toward clean water and antimicrobial resistance mitigation aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology.

  • Biomass-engineered rGO coupled with ytterbium doped cobalt pyrovanadate: A sustainable electrode material for supercapacitor and OER activity. Diamond and Related Materials.

  • Upcycling waste plastics into rGO-Yb@NiFe₂O₄ hybrid electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors and hydrogen evolution. Diamond and Related Materials.

Nelson Rubens Nascimento Del’Antonio | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Nelson Rubens Nascimento Del’Antonio | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Federal Institute of Education | Brazil

Prof. Dr. Nelson Rubens Nascimento Del’Antonio’s research focuses on environmental engineering with emphasis on water treatment, effluent management, and pulp and paper industry sustainability. His studies contribute significantly to improving industrial wastewater quality through the application of activated carbon and sequencing batch reactors in treating kraft pulp mill effluents. Nelson’s work explores the reduction of chronic toxicity and estrogenicity in pulp mill discharges, promoting environmentally safer industrial practices. His investigations into the influence of process variables—such as acid leaching of wood chips and maintenance shutdowns—highlight the relationship between production efficiency and environmental performance. Through multiple collaborations with experts like Cláudio Mudadu Silva and Jorge Luiz Colodette, Nelson integrates applied chemistry, hydrology, and industrial ecology to enhance effluent biodegradability and optimize pulp bleaching processes. His scholarly output in leading journals such as Chemosphere, Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal, and International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology demonstrates technical depth and practical impact in environmental sustainability. In addition to his research, Nelson’s professional experience includes teaching and technical leadership roles in environmental regulation, hydrological management, and industrial sanitation, providing him a holistic understanding of environmental systems and policy frameworks. His academic trajectory reflects a continuous commitment to developing eco-efficient technologies and advancing environmental quality standards within the forest-based and manufacturing sectors. Nelson Rubens Nascimento Del’Antonio has achieved substantial recognition through his multidisciplinary approach, integrating science, engineering, and environmental management to contribute toward sustainable industrial development and improved water resource protection.

Profile: ORCID
Featured Publications

Del’Antonio, N. R. N., Amaral, J. P., & Silva, C. M. (2025). Effect of adding powdered activated carbon in sequencing batch activated sludge reactors for treating pulp mill effluents. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.

Del’Antonio, N. R. N., Mounteer, A. H., da Silva, P. R., Monteiro, K. A., Furley, T. H., & Silva, C. M. (2025). Reduction of chronic toxicity and estrogenicity in kraft pulp mill effluents through the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in sequencing batch activated sludge reactors (SBR). Chemosphere.

Del’Antonio, N. R. N., Silva, C. M., de Oliveira, K. D., Nascimento, B. A., & Amaral, J. P. F. (2025). Evaluation of the potential use of powdered activated carbon in the treatment of effluents from bleached kraft pulp mills. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal.

Del’Antonio, N. R. N., Fioreze, M., Caliari, M., Amaral, J. P., & Silva, C. M. (2023). Effects of programmed maintenance shutdowns on effluent quality of a bleached kraft pulp mill. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal.

Cao Ying – Industrial wastewater treatment – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Cao Ying - Industrial wastewater treatment - Best Researcher Award

Zhengzhou University - China

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

🧬 SUMMARY

CAO YING is an emerging environmental scientist and geochemist, currently serving as a Lecturer at the School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University. With a solid academic foundation and a passion for addressing ecological and geochemical challenges, her work has contributed to understanding and mitigating heavy metal pollution through microbial and geochemical approaches. Her research spans environmental science, earth sciences, and pollution remediation, with involvement in several national-level scientific projects. Her publications and project roles illustrate an interdisciplinary approach, combining fundamental science with real-world applications in ecological protection, sustainable development, and the remediation of contaminated mining sites.

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

CAO YING began her academic journey in 2011 at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), majoring in Geology. Her curiosity for Earth's systems led her to pursue a Master’s in Geology at the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology. During this period, she developed a strong interest in environmental geochemistry, setting the stage for advanced interdisciplinary research. Her early participation in fieldwork and academic conferences enriched her practical and theoretical understanding. Her academic achievements and awards, such as the Outstanding Graduate honor in 2018, underscored her strong scholarly foundation and dedication to scientific excellence.

🏞️ PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Following her master's studies, CAO YING joined the Second Geological Brigade under the Henan Nonferrous Metals Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau, where she applied her skills to real-world environmental assessments. Between 2018 and 2020, she contributed to projects on ecological protection and restoration across Henan Province. In 2020, she began her PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering at the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), focusing on advanced pollution remediation techniques. As of September 2024, she transitioned to a lecturer role at Zhengzhou University, where she integrates research, teaching, and policy-relevant environmental science to drive innovation and sustainability.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

Her research primarily addresses the microbial geochemical mechanisms of pollution remediation in non-ferrous metal mining areas. She has played key roles in national R&D plans and NSF-funded projects, focusing on bioremediation technologies and Fenton-based catalytic systems. Through innovative use of waste materials and chemical processes, she explores sustainable solutions for heavy metal and organic pollutant degradation. Her papers detail advanced degradation pathways of toxic substances such as BPA and salicylhydroxamic acid. CAO YING’s work aims to bridge the gap between environmental chemistry and practical engineering applications in contaminated soil and water remediation.

🏅 ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

CAO YING’s excellence has been consistently recognized through prestigious awards. These include the Henan Nonferrous Metals Geology Bureau Science and Technology Special Award (2020) and multiple honors from China University of Geosciences, such as the Third Prize in the Science and Technology Paper Report Conference (2017) and Outstanding Graduate recognition (2018). She also served as an Outstanding Volunteer during the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Science and Technology Innovation Achievements Tour in 2019. These accolades highlight both her scientific contributions and commitment to community engagement in promoting science and sustainability.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Her work impacts both scientific research and environmental policy. By contributing to provincial standards like the “Supervision Specification for Ecological Protection and Restoration,” she has helped shape best practices in ecological conservation. Her active participation in field-based projects and collaboration with government bodies ensures that her research translates into tangible improvements in environmental management. Moreover, her interdisciplinary approach has fostered collaboration across microbiology, geology, and environmental engineering, positioning her as a young thought leader in remediation science and sustainability efforts within China’s mining-impacted regions.

PUBLICATION

Degradation of aniline via microbial treated post Fe(II) or Co(II)/PMS advanced oxidation processes

Authors: Junjie Zhu, Jun Yao, Ying Cao, Wancheng Pang, Jianli Liu, and others (total six authors)
Journal: Separation and Purification Technology
Publication Date: November 2024 (appeared online ahead of print, cited as 2025) ablesci.com

Combined modified montmorillonite and microbial consortium enhanced the remediation effect of As and Cd‑contaminated soil in a smelting area

Authors: Chenchen Zhao, Jun Yao, Tatjana Šolević Knudsen, Wenkai Hu, Ying Cao (total five authors)
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume/Article: Volume 501: Article 145329
Publication Date: March 2025

🔮 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Looking ahead, CAO YING aims to expand the frontiers of environmental geochemistry by exploring smart biotechnological interventions for site-specific pollution challenges. As a lecturer, she also seeks to mentor the next generation of environmental scientists, promoting innovation and ecological responsibility. Her ongoing projects, including a major National Natural Science Foundation key initiative, will likely lead to breakthroughs in multi-pollutant remediation. Through continued publication, collaboration, and education, she is committed to leaving a legacy defined by sustainable development, scientific rigor, and actionable environmental change in both regional and global contexts.