Faran Vahedian | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Faran Vahedian | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Research Engineer, EA Engineering, Science, Technology, United States

Dr. Faran Vahedian is an environmental engineer and hydrogeologist with over 10 years of experience in environmental engineering, specializing in groundwater and vadose zone systems. She completed her Ph.D. at the Colorado School of Mines, focusing on the fate and transport of PFAS in AFFF-impacted media. Her research has been funded by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), addressing pressing environmental concerns. Dr. Vahedian is skilled in laboratory analysis, data processing, and numerical modeling, using tools like MODFLOW, FEFLOW, and HYDRUS. She has developed innovative techniques for detecting PFAS tracers using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS-QTRAP). With experience in both academic and field-based research, Dr. Vahedian has contributed to multiple publications and presentations in environmental remediation, groundwater contamination, and sustainable water management strategies. Her work is known for its technical depth, collaboration, and practical applications in environmental engineering.

Profile

Education 

Dr. Faran Vahedian earned her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2024, where she conducted advanced research on PFAS contamination in vadose zones, funded by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). She holds a Master’s in Water Engineering from the University of Guelph, Canada (2021), focusing on water quality and sustainable water management. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran (2014), where she first gained foundational knowledge in environmental and civil engineering. Dr. Vahedian’s academic journey has equipped her with specialized skills in laboratory analysis, groundwater modeling, and environmental systems, allowing her to contribute significantly to research on PFAS contamination and remediation strategies.

Experience 

Dr. Vahedian has a diverse and extensive background in environmental engineering and hydrogeology. From 2021 to 2024, she worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Colorado School of Mines, leading a SERDP-funded project on the fate and transport of PFAS in vadose zones. She conducted lab experiments, numerical modeling, and collaborated with HYDRUS developers to refine models for groundwater systems. Prior to that, from 2016 to 2021, she worked as a Hydrogeologist, conducting field characterization, groundwater quality assessments, and developing Python-based tools for groundwater data analysis. Her experience extends to Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Engineer (2014-2016), where she optimized water treatment systems, conducted water sampling, and ensured compliance with environmental regulations. Dr. Vahedian’s practical skills in hydrological modeling, GIS analysis, and environmental risk assessments complement her research expertise, particularly in sustainable water management and environmental remediation projects.

Research Focus 

Dr. Vahedian’s research focuses on the environmental fate and transport of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), particularly in the context of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contamination. Her work seeks to understand the mechanisms behind PFAS contamination in vadose zones and groundwater, exploring air-water interfacial partitioning and solid-phase sorption processes. She has applied numerical modeling and laboratory experiments to simulate PFAS movement and develop remediation strategies. Additionally, Dr. Vahedian has worked on groundwater flow modeling and sustainable water management, with particular emphasis on modeling hydraulic cross-connections in bedrock aquifer systems and evaluating the impact of fertilizers on groundwater quality. Her research aims to improve understanding of subsurface contamination, develop tools for environmental monitoring, and enhance strategies for the remediation of contaminated water systems. She collaborates closely with model developers and researchers to refine tools and models for groundwater contamination analysis.

Publications

  • Vahedian, F., Silva, J. A., Šimůnek, J., & McCray, J. E. Influence of kinetic air-water interfacial partitioning on unsaturated transport of PFAS in sandy soils. The Science of the Total Environment 🧪💧
  • Vahedian, F., Silva, J. A., Šimůnek, J., & McCray, J. E. (2024). Influence of Tension-Driven Flow on the Transport of AFFF in Unsaturated Media. ACS ES&T Water 🌊🔬
  • Vahedian F; Silva, J.A.K.; Ross, Ian; McCray, J.E. Assessing the Influence of AFFF-impacted media on Sorption Behavior of PFASs. Water Research 🔍💦
  • Vahedian F; Quinn, P., Merritt, Levison, J., Parker, B. Simulating Open Borehole Hydraulic Cross-Connection in A Multi-Layered Bedrock Aquifer System. JOH 🏞️🧭

Yousif Elmosaad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yousif Elmosaad | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Head of Public Health Department, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Yousif Elmosaad is a dedicated public health expert with extensive experience in academia and healthcare. He has contributed to the design of several public health study programs and has served in various leadership roles across academic institutions in Saudi Arabia and Sudan. His work spans community health, environmental health, and public health leadership, with numerous publications in international journals. 🌍📚

Publication profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Elmosaad holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of Malaya-Gezira University (2016), a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Malaya (2002), a Master of Science in Public Health and Environmental Health from the University of Khartoum (1998), and a Bachelor of Public Health and Environmental Health from the University of Khartoum (1993). 🎓🌿

Experience

Dr. Elmosaad has held pivotal roles at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, including serving as Coordinator of the Public Health Program and being a member of several committees focused on academic accreditation, quality assurance, and public health curriculum review. His leadership also extends to Qassim University and the Ministry of Health in Sudan, where he managed preventive medicine and vector control programs. 🏫👨‍⚕️

Research Focus

Dr. Elmosaad’s research interests include public health education, community health, environmental health, and health policy. He is particularly focused on enhancing the quality of public health systems and improving community health practices in Saudi Arabia and beyond. 🌱📊

Awards and Honors

Dr. Elmosaad has been an active member of advisory and scientific committees, contributing to several prestigious conferences in Saudi Arabia. He has received recognition for his work in public health education, especially his involvement in designing public health programs and health education study plans. 🏆🎖️

Publications

Dr. Elmosaad has authored multiple research articles in renowned journals. His recent studies have focused on vaccination awareness in Sudan, teachers’ influence on school environments, and preoperative patient blood management in Saudi Arabia. His publications have gained international citations, showcasing his impact in the field of public health. 📑🌐

Community Awareness and Perception Regarding Vaccination against COVID-19, Concerns about Side Effects in Gezira State, Sudan (Biomedicine, 2024), cited by several studies on vaccination efforts in developing regions. Read here

Teachers’ Perceptions of Their Influence on Student Practices to Enhance the School Environment: A Cross-Sectional Study in Governmental General Education Schools in Al-Ahsa Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Cureus, 2024), frequently cited in educational health research.

Appraisal of Awareness of Medical Staff about Preoperative Patient Blood Management in Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Study (Italian Journal of Medicine, 2023), cited by research on medical staff practices in surgical care.

Seohee Yang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Seohee Yang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher, Myongji university, South Korea

Seohee H. Yang is a dedicated Postdoctoral Researcher at the East Asia Future Environment Institute, specializing in atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling. Her research focuses on improving aerosol optical properties and climate impact assessments, with significant contributions to understanding the effects of organic aerosols on regional climate patterns. 🏆

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Seohee H. Yang’s work on developing a brown carbon scheme for the Atmospheric Chemistry-Climate Integrated Model (ACCM) is highly innovative and relevant. This work addresses critical gaps in understanding aerosol optical properties and their impact on climate, which is vital for improving climate models.
  2. Strong Academic Background: With a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Energy, Yang has a solid educational foundation. Her dissertation on the climate effect of light absorption by organic aerosols demonstrates deep expertise in atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling.
  3. Notable Achievements: Yang has received multiple awards, including the Outstanding Paper Presentation Award and recognition at the European Geosciences Union (EGU). These accolades reflect the high quality and impact of her research.
  4. Relevant Publications: Yang has published impactful research in reputable journals like Atmosphere and Atmospheric Environment. Her work is both current and significant in the field of atmospheric science.
  5. Diverse Research Experience: Her involvement in various projects, including climate and air quality modeling, shows a breadth of experience and application of her research in different contexts.
  6. Advanced Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages such as IDL, Fortran, and Python enhances her research capabilities, particularly in data processing and modeling.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Publication Diversity: While Yang has published in reputable journals, increasing the number of publications in high-impact journals and expanding into interdisciplinary journals could further enhance her research visibility.
  2. Collaborative Efforts: Although her individual contributions are significant, increasing collaboration with other researchers or institutions could provide new perspectives and strengthen her research outcomes.
  3. Broader Impact: To further strengthen her candidacy, Yang could emphasize the practical applications of her research in policy-making or real-world environmental strategies.
  4. Outreach and Communication: Increasing efforts in communicating research findings to broader audiences through popular science articles or public talks could enhance the impact of her work beyond the academic community.

 

Education

Seohee earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Energy from Myongji University, South Korea, in February 2024, under the supervision of Minjoong J. Kim. Her dissertation investigated the climate effects of light absorption by organic aerosols over East Asia. She completed her B.S. in Environmental Engineering and Energy from the same institution in 2017, with additional language studies at East China Normal University. 🎓

Experience

Since March 2024, Seohee has been working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the East Asia Future Environment Institute, focusing on aerosol-climate interactions and advanced modeling techniques. Her previous experience includes various research projects on air quality and climate modeling, where she developed detailed air quality models and studied the impacts of brown carbon. 🌍

Research Focus

Seohee’s research revolves around developing a brown carbon scheme for atmospheric models, investigating nonlinear climate changes due to aerosol properties, and enhancing predictive capabilities for air quality changes using machine learning. Her work includes studying aerosol direct radiative forcing and exploring the interactions between aerosols and the climate system. 🔬

Awards and Honors

Seohee has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to atmospheric science, receiving the Outstanding Paper Presentation Award at the Korean Meteorological Society fall conference in 2021. She was also among the top 20% at the Oral Outstanding Student and PhD Candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award contest at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2022 and won the Outstanding Research Award at Myongji University Graduate School in February 2024. 🏅

Publication Top Notes

Yang, S.H.; Jeong, J.I.; Park, R.J.; Kim, M.J. Impact of Meteorological Changes on Particulate Matter and Aerosol Optical Depth in Seoul during the Months of June over Recent Decades. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 1282. DOI: 10.3390/atmos11121282

Yang, S.H.; Park, R.J.; Lee, S.; Jo, D.S.; Kim, M.J. Impact of changes in refractive indices of secondary organic aerosols on precipitation over China during 1980–2019. Atmospheric Environment 2023, 299, 119644. DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.119644

Yang, S.H.; Park, R.J.; Lee, S.; Jo, D.S.; Kim, M.J. Evaluation of Optical properties of Integrated Climate–Atmospheric Chemistry Model through Brown Carbon simulation in East Asia. (In preparation for Geoscientific Model Development (GMD) journal)

Yang, S.H.; Park, R.J.; Lee, S.; Jo, D.S.; Kim, M.J. Long-term Impacts of Direct Radiative Effects of Brown Carbon on Climate Change in East Asia. (In preparation)

Conclusion

Seohee H. Yang is a strong candidate for the “Best Research Award” due to her innovative research, solid academic background, notable achievements, and relevant technical skills. Her work on brown carbon and its effects on climate change is both timely and impactful. Addressing areas such as publication diversity and broader impact could further bolster her profile. Overall, her contributions to atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling make her a deserving candidate for the award.