Omer Dad | Zoology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Omer Dad | Zoology | Best Academic Researcher Award 

Dr. Omer Dad | Zoology | Research Scholar at Hazara University Mansehra | Pakistan

Dr. Omer Dad is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in Zoology, currently serving as a Research Scholar at Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan. His academic journey reflects a strong commitment to biological sciences, beginning with a BSc in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from the University of Malakand, followed by an M.Sc. in Zoology from Hazara University, and an M.Phil. in Zoology from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal. He further advanced his research expertise with a Ph.D. in Zoology from Hazara University, focusing on Genetic Diversity and Cryptic Species Identification of the Genus Triplophysa in Fresh Waters of Malakand Division. Throughout his academic and professional career, Dr. Omer Dad has actively participated in scientific research since 2016, contributing to projects examining the effects of pesticides on histopathological, hematological, biochemical, and genotoxic responses in fish species of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His technical proficiency encompasses DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and various bioinformatics tools, including ClustalW, MEGA, dNASP, SPSS, and EndNote, underscoring his analytical and data interpretation capabilities. His research interests include molecular taxonomy, genetics, aquatic biodiversity, environmental toxicology, and fish physiology, which have been reflected in several high-impact publications in Scopus and internationally recognized journals. Dr. Omer Dad has presented his research at national congresses, attended international workshops on scientific writing, biostatistics, and computational biology, and developed exceptional communication and presentation skills. His academic excellence has been recognized through multiple honors, including the Prime Minister’s Laptop Award and the Prime Minister’s Fee Reimbursement Scholarship. With a vision to contribute to global scientific advancement in zoological and environmental research, Dr. Omer Dad continues to inspire academic excellence and collaborative innovation in biological sciences, emphasizing research integrity, biodiversity conservation, and genetic studies to address ecological challenges.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Attaullah, M., Ullah, U., Ilahi, I., Ahmad, N., Rahman, F. U., Ullah, J., & Dad, O. (2021). Taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 82, e243774. (Cited by 12)

  2. Wali, K., Iqbal, M., & Dad, O. (2020). Have we forgotten the threat posed by fascioliasis? A potential threat to public health. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 49(4), 814. (Cited by 10)

  3. Dad, O., et al. (2019). Prevalence of malaria and status of Plasmodium spp. in Dir Lower, Pakistan. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 15(2), 83–87. (Cited by 4)

  4. Dad, O., Khan, M. F., Rasool, A., Akhtar, N., & Attaullah, M. (2023). Genetic diversity and cryptic species identification of genus Triplophysa from River Swat in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 2023(1), 8600951. (Cited by 2)

  5. Ullah, H., Arbab, S., Liu, C., Du, Q., Khan, S. A., Khan, S., Dad, O., Tian, Y., & Li, K. (2025). Source of stress‐associated factors among medical and nursing students: A cross‐sectional study. Journal of Nursing Management, 2025(1), 9928649. (Cited by 1)

  6. Ullah, S., Noreen, S., Khan, M. F., Khalid, N., Dad, O., & Ali, M. (2023). Phenotypic analysis and growth performance of Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock and their hybrid at Jaba Mansehra, Pakistan. Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: B. Life and Environmental Sciences. (Cited by 1)

  7. Dad, O., Umar, M. N., Khan, M. F. F., & Rome, S. (2023). Design and synthesis of oxadiazole derivatives based on 2-mercaptobenzimidazole. International Journal of Novel Research and Development, 8(2). (Cited by 1)

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

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:

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

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