Naseem Akhtar | Environmental Health | Editorial Board Member

Dr. Naseem Akhtar | Environmental Health | Editorial Board Member

Postdoctoral Fellow | Universiti Sains Malaysia | Malaysia

Naseem Akhtar is a dedicated PhD researcher in the School of Industrial Technology at the Department of Environmental Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, whose scholarly work advances critical understanding of hydrology, hydrogeology, and environmental science with particular attention to water quality, groundwater dynamics, and pollution assessment in vulnerable landscapes. His research portfolio reflects a strong commitment to addressing the complex interactions among natural processes, anthropogenic pressures, and hydrogeochemical transformations that influence freshwater sustainability. Through influential publications in reputable international journals, he has contributed to major domains such as water quality index refinement using decision-support methodologies, multivariate analysis of heavy metals in groundwater systems, hydrogeochemical characterization for drinking and irrigation suitability, and the identification of pollution hotspots within rapidly urbanizing watersheds. His collaborative engagements span multidisciplinary teams across environmental technology, analytical chemistry, public health, and sustainable agriculture, demonstrating a capacity to integrate scientific rigour with applied relevance. He has co-authored impactful studies that inform groundwater management strategies, highlight the risks associated with heavy metal contamination, and propose improved frameworks for monitoring and decision-making in water-stressed regions. His contributions also extend to cross-sectoral research involving sustainability modelling and early disease detection programs, underscoring the broader societal relevance of his work. With an expanding citation record and a growing body of scholarly outputs, he continues to shape contemporary discourse on environmental resilience, resource management, and hydrological sustainability. His research trajectory positions him as an emerging scholar committed to producing evidence-based solutions that address global water challenges and support long-term environmental stewardship. He has 1253 citations from 21 documents with an h-index of 7.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Akhtar, N., Ishak, M. I. S., Bhawani, S. A., & Umar, K. (2021). Various natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for water quality degradation: A review.

2. Akhtar, N., Ishak, M. I. S., Ahmad, M. I., Umar, K., Md Yusuff, M. S., Anees, M. T., … (2021). Modification of the water quality index (WQI) process for simple calculation using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method: A review.

3. Akhtar, N., Syakir, M. I., Rai, S. P., Saini, R., Pant, N., Anees, M. T., Qadir, A., & Khan, U. (2020). Multivariate investigation of heavy metals in groundwater for irrigation and drinking in Garautha Tehsil, Jhansi District, India.

4. Ahmed, S., Akhtar, N., Rahman, A., Mondal, N. C., Khurshid, S., Sarah, S., … (2022). Evaluating groundwater pollution with emphasis on heavy metal hotspots in an urbanized alluvium watershed of Yamuna River, northern India.

5. Akhtar, N., Syakir, M. I., Anees, M. T., Qadir, A., & Yusuff, M. S. (n.d.). Characteristics and assessment of groundwater.

Zaira Ahmad | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zaira Ahmad | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor | Lahore College for Women University | Pakistan

Dr. Zahra Molazem is a distinguished academic and healthcare researcher currently serving as an Associate Professor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. She earned her Ph.D. in Nursing Education from the same institution, where she also completed her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Nursing. Dr. Molazem’s research primarily focuses on patient-centered care, digital health innovations, psychosocial support, and nursing education reform, with a special emphasis on cardiovascular and oncology patient management. Her scholarly contributions include notable 2025 studies such as the evaluation of smartphone-based self-help interventions for patients with acute coronary syndrome and the clinical application of Citrus aurantium aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. She has also published influential qualitative research on caregiving burdens, patient handoffs, and family-centered care models, widely recognized for advancing evidence-based practice and holistic healthcare. Dr. Molazem has received several institutional awards for research excellence and innovation in nursing education and has actively participated in national and international conferences promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. Beyond her research, she serves on editorial boards and peer-review panels for several reputable scientific journals in nursing and clinical health sciences, contributing to the global dissemination of best practices in patient care and digital health integration. Through her academic leadership and commitment to compassionate, evidence-driven practice, Dr. Zahra Molazem continues to shape the evolving landscape of modern healthcare education and clinical research. She has 121 citations from 11 documents with an h-index of 4.

Publications

1. Khawar, M. B., Abbasi, M. H., Hussain, S., Riaz, M., Rafiq, M., Mehmood, R., et al. (2021). Psychological impacts of COVID-19 and satisfaction from online classes: Disturbance in daily routine and prevalence of depression, stress, and anxiety among students of Pakistan.

2. Fahim, S., Nisar, N., Ahmad, Z., Asghar, Z., Said, A., Atif, S., Ghani, N., Qureshi, N., et al. (2019). Managing paper and pulp industry by-product waste utilizing sludge as a bio-fertilizer.

3. Nisar, N., Mehmood, S., Nisar, H., Jamil, S., Ahmad, Z., Ghani, N., Oladipo, A. A., et al. (2018). Brassicaceae family oil methyl esters blended with ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel (ULSD): Comparison of fuel properties with fuel standards.

4. Abbasi, A. M., David, K., Idnan, M., Ahmad, Z., & Qureshi, R. (2018). Effect of time-lapse administration of Panadol (Paracetamol) on spleen and kidney functions of adult albino mice. RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Sciences.

5. Khawar, T. M. B., Fatima, N., Abbasi, M. H., Sheikh, N., & Amaan, A. N. (Year not specified). Role and molecular mechanisms of lysosomes and cathepsins in neuropathology and aging: New insights.

Adrianna Piasek | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Adrianna Piasek | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award

Research Lead | Warsaw University of Technology | Poland

Dr. Adrianna Maria Piasek is a Research Lead at EcoBean and an industrial PhD candidate at the Warsaw University of Technology, where she also earned her BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology. Her research focuses on sustainable biotechnology, particularly the valorization of spent coffee grounds and microalgae-based production of bioactive compounds for cosmetic and biomedical applications. Dr. Piasek’s scientific contributions bridge biotechnology, chemistry, and process engineering, emphasizing green extraction methods, antioxidant recovery, and 3D skin model development. She has authored and co-authored seven peer-reviewed publications in journals indexed by Scopus and Web of Science, including Current Medicinal Chemistry, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and Waste and Biomass Valorization. In addition to her publications, she co-authored a book chapter on the medicinal potential of anandamide and contributed to a patent application on comprehensive coffee waste processing. Dr. Piasek’s innovative research has earned her conference presentation awards and recognition within the sustainable bioprocessing community. She has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the Polish Academy of Sciences, strengthening international partnerships in biotechnology and materials research. A member of the Groupe Polyphenols since 2025, Dr. Piasek is also actively involved in mentoring young scientists and promoting circular economy principles through industrial R&D. Her ongoing work continues to advance the interface of biotechnology and health sciences, contributing to the development of environmentally responsible innovations for industrial and medical use. She has 23 citations from 7 documents with an h-index of 4.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Piasek, A. M., Bardadyn, P., Trojan, Z., Jelonek, K., Wysocki, Ł., Kobiela, T., & Sobiepanek, A. (2025). Research on spent coffee grounds: From oil extraction to its potential application in cosmetics. Waste and Biomass Valorization.

2. Adewale, O. O., Wińska, P., Piasek, A., & Cieśla, J. (2024). The potential of plant polysaccharides and chemotherapeutic drug combinations in the suppression of breast cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

3. Wysocki, Ł., Adamczuk, P., Bardadyn, P., Gabor, A., Jelonek, K., Kudelska, M., Kukuć, M., Piasek, A., Pietras, M., Słomka, M., et al. (2024). Development of lactic acid production from coffee grounds hydrolysate by fermentation with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.

4. Piasek, A. M. (2022). Aptamer-based advances in skin cancer research. Current Medicinal Chemistry.

5. Piasek, A. M. (2021). Zastosowanie metabolitów pozyskanych z mikroalg w biomedycynie, a w szczególności w diagnostyce i terapii chorób nowotworowych. In Zagadnienia aktualnie poruszane przez młodych naukowców (Vol. 19). Wydawnictwo Naukowe Tygiel.