Zaid Thanawala | Sustainability | Excellence in Scientific Innovation Award

Mr. Zaid Thanawala | Sustainability | Excellence in Scientific Innovation Award

Mr. Zaid Thanawala | Sustainability – Senior Sustainability Scientist at Amazon, United States

Zaid Thanawala is a renowned sustainability scientist with a proven track record in innovative solutions aimed at decarbonization and energy efficiency. He is currently serving as a Senior Sustainability Scientist at Amazon, where he leads the development of AI-powered tools for life cycle assessments (LCAs) and decarbonization models. His work is not only limited to technological advancements but also extends to strategic initiatives that help large corporations meet their sustainability targets. With expertise in sustainable systems, energy technologies, and chemical engineering, Zaid has played an instrumental role in integrating sustainability into business operations, contributing to global efforts towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.

Profile:

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Education:


Zaid Thanawala’s academic journey reflects his commitment to sustainability and scientific innovation. He holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Systems from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he achieved a perfect CGPA of 4/4, securing a full scholarship. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Technologies at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, with a CGPA of 3.67/4 and a part scholarship. Zaid also earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Thadomal Shahani Engineering College in Mumbai, India, where he graduated with a CGPA of 7.3/10. His rigorous academic background laid the foundation for his pioneering work in sustainability science and innovation.

Experience:


Zaid Thanawala’s professional experience spans across leading corporations and institutions, where he has significantly impacted sustainability strategies. At Amazon, he leads several initiatives, including the development of automated life cycle assessment tools and forecasting models for renewable energy needs, saving valuable resources and optimizing sustainability efforts. Previously, Zaid worked as a Sustainability Data Analyst at Salesforce, where he managed the company’s carbon footprint reporting and helped procure renewable energy to meet the company’s public commitments. He also held the position of Sustainability Engineer at Owens-Illinois, where he contributed to the development of a life cycle assessment tool for glass manufacturing and played a key role in the company’s decarbonization efforts. His experience across diverse industries has given him a unique ability to innovate and lead sustainability initiatives at scale.

Research Interests:


Zaid Thanawala’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainable systems, renewable energy, and data-driven environmental solutions. He is particularly focused on the development of advanced life cycle assessment (LCA) tools and predictive models for decarbonization, with an emphasis on automating these processes to increase efficiency and reduce resource consumption. His research extends to the integration of artificial intelligence in sustainability, where he applies machine learning algorithms to enhance forecasting accuracy for energy needs and carbon emissions. Zaid is also interested in the application of circular economy principles in product life cycles, specifically the recycling and reuse of materials like lithium-ion batteries, which are key to reducing environmental impacts in electronics and energy storage systems.

Awards:


Zaid Thanawala’s work has been widely recognized for its innovation and impact on the sustainability field. While he has not received specific individual awards, his leadership in creating and implementing sustainability strategies has contributed to the recognition of the companies he works for, including Amazon and Salesforce. His work on AI-powered LCA tools and forecasting models for renewable energy procurement has been instrumental in achieving significant corporate sustainability milestones. Zaid’s ability to lead high-impact sustainability initiatives has positioned him as a thought leader and innovator in the field.

Publications:

  1. β€œA Thin-Film Silicon/Silicon Hetero-Junction Hybrid Solar Cell for Photoelectrochemical Water-Reduction Applications” β˜€οΈ (2016) – Published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, cited by 24 articles.
  2. β€œMeasure of Primary Data as a Quality Indicator in Life Cycle Assessments” πŸ“Š (2025) – Published in International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research.
  3. β€œThe Application of AI for Solving Critical Challenges within LCAs” πŸ€– (2025) – Published in International Journal on Science and Technology.
  4. β€œImportance of Product Carbon Footprints in Sustainable Procurement” 🌍 (2024) – Published in International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation.
  5. β€œUnderstanding the Potential for Renewable Energy in Supply Chain Decarbonization” πŸ”‹ (2024) – Published in International Journal of Social Science Exceptional Research.
  6. β€œEnabling Sustainable Product Development through the Use of AI and Life Cycle Assessment” πŸ”„ (2024) – Published in International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering.
  7. β€œThe Importance of Including Water Footprints in Life Cycle Assessments” πŸ’§ (2023) – Published in International Scientific Journal of Engineering and Management.

Conclusion:


Zaid Thanawala exemplifies the qualities of an innovative sustainability scientist, consistently driving technological advancements that contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. His expertise in life cycle assessments, renewable energy forecasting, and decarbonization strategies has had a measurable impact on major global companies, helping them meet their sustainability targets. Zaid’s ability to blend cutting-edge technology with real-world applications in sustainability makes him an outstanding candidate for the β€œExcellence in Scientific Innovation Award.” His research and contributions continue to inspire progress in the fields of sustainable systems and renewable energy, offering promising solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

 

Keyvan Soltani | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Keyvan Soltani | Environment | Best Researcher Award 

Researcher | Laval university | Iran

Short Biography:

Keyvan Soltani, born on July 1, 1990, is a distinguished researcher specializing in climate change, water resources management, and environmental impact assessment. With a robust background in remote sensing and machine learning, Soltani has contributed significantly to advancements in predicting and managing water-related phenomena. His academic journey, marked by exceptional performance and international research experience, highlights his dedication to addressing critical environmental challenges.

Profile

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Based on the provided information about Keyvan Soltani, here’s an assessment of his suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award:

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse and Relevant Research Interests: Keyvan Soltani’s research focuses on critical and timely issues such as climate change, water resources management, and environmental impact assessment. His expertise spans advanced areas like remote sensing, machine learning, and rainfall runoff modeling, reflecting a broad and relevant research portfolio.
  2. Impressive Publication Record: Soltani has a strong publication record with several high-impact journal articles, including those in well-regarded journals like Theoretical and Applied Climatology and Journal of Hydrology. His work on forecasting and mapping using remote sensing and machine learning is particularly notable.
  3. Strong Academic Performance: He has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, including being the top student in his master’s program and ranking 19th in a highly competitive national entrance exam. This academic excellence underscores his dedication and capability in his field.
  4. International Research Experience: Soltani’s experience working as a research assistant at prestigious institutions in Canada and his involvement in international research teams highlight his ability to collaborate globally and bring diverse perspectives to his work.
  5. Innovative Patents: His pursuit of patents related to energy generation and water management solutions shows a commitment to translating research into practical applications, a quality that enhances his profile as a researcher.
  6. Professional Memberships and Contributions: His roles as a reviewer for scientific journals and his participation in conferences indicate active engagement with the research community, contributing to the advancement of his field.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Publication Impact: While Soltani has a solid publication record, further increasing the number of publications in high-impact journals could enhance his visibility and influence in the field. A focus on high-impact factors and emerging trends in his research areas could be beneficial.
  2. Language Proficiency: His IELTS scores suggest that there might be room for improvement in English proficiency, particularly in listening and speaking. Strengthening these skills could improve his communication of complex research findings and expand his professional opportunities.
  3. Broader Outreach: Increasing engagement in high-profile conferences, workshops, and public lectures could help Soltani gain more recognition for his work and establish himself as a leading figure in his field.
  4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Although his research spans multiple relevant areas, further interdisciplinary collaboration could enhance the scope and impact of his work, particularly in integrating different scientific domains and practical applications.

Education:

Keyvan Soltani completed his Bachelor’s degree in Watershed Management from Razi University in 2013, graduating as the second top student in his class. He pursued his Master’s degree in Nature Engineering at the University of Tehran, where he was recognized as the top student. His thesis focused on evaluating surface evaporation methods, achieving a perfect score of 20/20.

Experience:

Soltani has held notable research positions at several prestigious institutions. He has been a Research Assistant at Razi University since March 2016, and has also contributed to research at Laval University and the University of Ottawa. His roles have involved significant work in climate modeling, water management, and environmental assessments.

Research Interests:

His research interests encompass climate change impacts, water resources management, environmental impact assessments, and advanced modeling techniques. Soltani is particularly focused on utilizing remote sensing and machine learning to enhance predictions related to rainfall runoff, flood susceptibility, and groundwater anomalies.

Awards:

Soltani’s academic achievements include being a top student in both his Bachelor’s and Master’s programs and ranking 19th out of approximately 10,000 candidates in the National Master’s entrance exam. His innovative contributions to water management and environmental research have been widely recognized.

Publications:

Bonakdari, H., Zaji, A. H., Soltani, K., Gharabaghi, B. (2020). Improving the accuracy of a remotely-sensed flood warning system using a multi-objective pre-processing method for signal defects detection and elimination. Comptes Rendus. GΓ©oscience, 352(1), 73-86. Link
Cited by: 28 articles

Soltani, K., Amiri, A., Zeynoddin, M., Ebtehaj, I., Gharabaghi, B., Bonakdari, H. (2021). Forecasting monthly fluctuations of lake surface areas using remote sensing techniques and novel machine learning methods. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 143(1), 713-735. Link
Cited by: 30 articles

Soltani, K., Ebtehaj, I., Amiri, A., Azari, A., Gharabaghi, B., Bonakdari, H. (2021). Mapping the spatial and temporal variability of flood susceptibility using remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index and the forecasted changes in the future. Sci. Total Environ, 770, 145288. Link
Cited by: 25 articles

Ebtehaj, I., Soltani, K., Amiri, A., Faramarzi, M., Madramootoo, C. A., Bonakdari, H. (2021). Prognostication of Shortwave Radiation Using an Improved No-Tuned Fast Machine Learning. Sustainability, 13(14), 8009. Link
Cited by: 12 articles

Soltani, K., Azari, A., Zeynoddin, M., Amiri, A., Ebtehaj, I., Ouarda, T. B., Gharabaghi, B., Bonakdari, H. (2021). Lake Surface Area Forecasting Using Integrated Satellite-SARIMA-Long-Short-Term Memory Model. Soft Computing. Link
Cited by: 10 articles

Soltani, K., Azari, A. (2022). Forecasting Groundwater Anomaly in the Future Using Satellite Information and Machine Learning. Journal of Hydrology, 128052. Link
Cited by: 8 articles

Soltani, K., & Azari, A. (2023). Terrestrial water storage anomaly estimating using machine learning techniques and satellite-based data (a case study of Lake Urmia Basin). Irrigation and Drainage. Link
Cited by: 5 articles

Amiri, A., Soltani, K., Ebtehaj, I., Bonakdari, H. (2023). A novel machine learning tool for current and future flood susceptibility mapping by integrating remote sensing and geographic information systems. Journal of Hydrology. Link
Cited by: 3 articles

Conclusion

Keyvan Soltani exhibits many qualities that make him a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His outstanding academic performance, robust publication record, and international research experience highlight his significant contributions to his field. Addressing areas such as enhancing publication impact, improving language proficiency, and increasing interdisciplinary collaboration could further strengthen his candidacy. Overall, Soltani’s innovative research and dedication position him as a commendable nominee for this prestigious award.

 

FahadAL Dhabaan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

FahadAL Dhabaan | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. FahadAL Dhabaan, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia.