Assoc. Prof. Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene | Aquatic ecology | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria

🌍 Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene, an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria, is a distinguished scholar with dual PhDs in Water Resources Science and Zoology. With over 15 years of teaching and research experience, he has mentored 50+ students globally. 🌊 His pioneering research in aquatic ecology led to the first macroinvertebrate biotic index in West Africa. 🌱 Dr. Edegbene serves as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Global Health and Health Security and co-leads Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction at the Global Young Academy. 📚 A prolific author, his work advances freshwater ecosystem monitoring.

Professional Profile:

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Suitability for the Best Scholar Award:

Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene stands out as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Scholar Award due to his outstanding contributions to environmental science, particularly in the areas of aquatic ecology, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. His dual PhDs in Water Resources Science and Zoology provide a strong interdisciplinary foundation, allowing him to address complex environmental challenges with innovative solutions. Dr. Edegbene’s research has had a profound global impact, exemplified by his development of the first macroinvertebrate biotic index in West Africa, a groundbreaking tool for monitoring the health of freshwater ecosystems in the region. This achievement underscores his leadership and transformative role in advancing environmental science in West Africa.

Education & Experience

🎓 Education:

PhD in Water Resources Science 🏞️
PhD in Zoology 🐾
Bachelor’s & Master’s in Biological Sciences 🧬

💼 Experience:

Associate Professor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria 🏢
Deputy Director, Institute of Global Health and Health Security 🏥
Co-lead, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Young Academy 🌏
15+ years of teaching and research experience 📚
Mentor to 50+ postgraduate students globally 🌐

Professional Development

🚀 Dr. Edegbene is a leader in biodiversity conservation, climate change, and aquatic ecology. 🌊 He has developed innovative biotic indices for freshwater ecosystem biomonitoring, transforming environmental science in West Africa. As a reviewer for 50+ international journals and editorial board member for Discover Sustainability and Frontiers in Environmental Science, he contributes significantly to global academia. 📖 His collaborations span six continents, highlighting his international impact. 🌍 Dr. Edegbene has spearheaded high-impact projects, such as developing tools for biomonitoring wadeable riverine systems and studying Lassa fever in Nigeria. 💡 His expertise integrates science diplomacy and sustainability.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Edegbene’s research focuses on applied aquatic ecology, freshwater biodiversity, and climate change. 🌿 He developed the first macroinvertebrate multimetric index in West Africa and introduced macroinvertebrate trait-based biomonitoring in Africa. 🌊 His work advances water governance, ecological health, and socio-ecology in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 🌏 His interdisciplinary approach bridges public health and environmental sciences, including the study of emerging diseases like Lassa fever. 🦠 As a global collaborator, Dr. Edegbene fosters innovations that address critical environmental and health challenges, ensuring resilience and sustainability in diverse ecosystems. 💧

Awards & Honors

🏅 Fellow, African Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
🌟 Member, Global Young Academy (GYA)
🌍 Member, Society for Freshwater Science (SFS)
📖 Editorial Board Member, Discover Sustainability (Springer)
🔍 Guest Editor, Frontiers in Environmental Science & Ecology and Evolution
📜 Over 40 peer-reviewed publications indexed in SCI & Scopus

Publication Top Notes:

📄 Anthropogenic impact on water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate associated changes in a southern Nigeria stream
- Cited by: 126
📄 Identifying and classifying macroinvertebrate indicator signature traits and ecological preferences along urban pollution gradient in the Niger Delta
- Cited by: 52
📄 Developing and applying a macroinvertebrate‐based multimetric index for urban rivers in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
- Cited by: 51
📄 Exploring the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate signature traits and ecological preferences and their responses to urban and agricultural pollution in selected rivers
- Cited by: 46
📄 Effect of anthropogenicity on the composition and diversity of aquatic insects of a municipal river in North Central Nigeria
- Cited by: 43

Dr. Majid Esmaeili | Membrane Separation Technology | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Iran

Majid Esmaeili is a prominent researcher and consultant specializing in membrane technology for industrial applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Razi, where his research focused on facilitated transport membranes. Currently a full-time researcher at the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), he leads initiatives in membrane technology development. With a robust professional background including roles at the National Petrochemical Company and Iranian Offshore Oil Company, Majid has garnered recognition as a top researcher and effective project manager. His contributions span publications, project leadership, and consultancy in engineering design firms, underscoring his expertise in advancing membrane technology and industrial processes.

Author Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Education

Majid Esmaeili pursued his education in chemical engineering, beginning with a Bachelor of Science at Sahand University of Technology, where he focused on evaluating heavy oil viscosity for his thesis. He then moved on to complete a Master of Science at Razi University, specializing in the preparation and characterization of asymmetric and composite membranes for oxygen separation at low pressures. His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. from the University of Razi, where he researched facilitated transport membranes for ethylene-ethane separation. Under the guidance of Professor Seyed Siavash Madaeni, his studies equipped him with a deep understanding of membrane technology, emphasizing its applications in industrial processes.

Research Focus

Majid Esmaeili’s research interests are centered on advancing membrane technology across various industrial applications. His work predominantly focuses on membrane manufacturing for the oil and gas industries, where he designs and optimizes membrane separation processes. His expertise extends to hydrocarbon recovery, air separation, ultrafiltration for wastewater treatment, and the recovery and reuse of flue gases. This broad scope reflects his commitment to enhancing efficiency and sustainability in industrial operations through innovative membrane solutions.

Professional Journey

Throughout his career, Majid Esmaeili has held pivotal roles in research and industrial settings, showcasing a robust professional journey. Currently, as a full-time researcher at the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), he leads initiatives in membrane technology development. His consultancy roles with Pala Farayend Rastin and Atieh Sanaat Sharif involve engineering design, further contributing to his versatile expertise. Past experiences at the National Petrochemical Company (NPC-RT) and Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) provided him with hands-on experience in membrane production and process optimization, highlighting his practical contributions to the field.

Honors & Awards

Majid Esmaeili’s contributions to membrane technology and industrial research have earned him notable recognition throughout his career. His designation as the Top Researcher at RIPI in 2022 underscores his significant impact in advancing membrane technology. Additionally, his role as an Effective Project Manager for the design of a coke production plant at BORC in 2021 exemplifies his leadership and project management skills. His authored book on Membrane Fouling and Regeneration Methods being lauded as a Praiseworthy Book at the Oil Book Ceremony further underscores his scholarly contributions and industry relevance.

Publications Noted & Contributions

Majid Esmaeili has made substantial contributions to the field through his publications and research projects. His work includes numerous peer-reviewed articles focusing on membrane technology and gas separation processes. These publications not only contribute to the academic discourse but also inform industry practices, driving advancements in membrane technology applications across diverse sectors.

“Fouling reduction and retention increment of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes embedded by amine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes”
- Published in the Journal of Membrane Science, this study explores the enhancement of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes using amine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes to reduce fouling and increase retention properties.
“Development of a novel high flux and fouling-resistant thin film composite nanofiltration membrane by embedding reduced graphene oxide/TiO2”
- Featured in Separation and Purification Technology, this research introduces a high-flux, fouling-resistant thin film composite nanofiltration membrane incorporating reduced graphene oxide/TiO2, highlighting advancements in membrane design.
“Selective transport of mercury as HgCl42− through a bulk liquid membrane using K+-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 as carrier”
- Published in Separation and Purification Technology, this study investigates the selective transport of mercury ions through a bulk liquid membrane, showcasing applications of K+-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 as a carrier.
“Box-Behnken design as a systematic approach to inspect correlation between synthesis conditions and desalination performance of TFC RO membranes”
- In Desalination, this research employs Box-Behnken design to systematically analyze the synthesis conditions and desalination performance of thin film composite reverse osmosis membranes, contributing to optimization strategies in membrane manufacturing.
“Synergistic effect of carboxylated-MWCNTs on the performance of acrylic acid UV-grafted polyamide nanofiltration membranes”
- Published in Reactive and Functional Polymers, this study explores the synergistic enhancement of polyamide nanofiltration membranes through the incorporation of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes, focusing on improved performance via UV-grafting with acrylic acid.

Research Timeline

Majid Esmaeili’s research journey spans from his undergraduate studies to his current role at RIPI, illustrating a continuous dedication to advancing membrane technology. His timeline reflects a progression from foundational academic research to impactful industrial applications, underscoring his commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of membrane technology.