Basanda Nondlazi | Environmental science | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr. Basanda Nondlazi | Environmental science | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research | South Africa

Dr. Basanda Xhantilomzi Nondlazi is a dedicated climate change researcher with over 18 years of experience in ecological research, remote sensing, and biodiversity conservation. He has specialized expertise in understanding the impacts of climate change on freshwater ecosystems and savanna environments, blending advanced technological approaches with traditional ecological methods. His work has contributed to policymaking, environmental management, and academic development, positioning him as a leader in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Profile

Scopus

Education
Dr. Nondlazi holds a Ph.D. in Ecological Remote Sensing from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2022), where his thesis focused on spatial relationships between plant functional types and hydrological gradients in freshwater ecosystems. He also earned an MSc in Ecology from the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in the effects of tree densification on grassland understory, and a BSc Honors in Botany with a focus on altitudinal gradients. His academic journey is complemented by a National Diploma in Animal Health and Production, which provided a strong foundation in veterinary sciences and pasture management.

Experience
Dr. Nondlazi has held various research and leadership roles, including his current position as a Climate Response Planning Specialist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). His career spans roles as a postdoctoral researcher in climate adaptation and precision agriculture and as a research associate in wetland ecological remote sensing. He has contributed significantly to understanding the dynamics of depressional wetlands and savanna ecosystems in response to climate variability, providing actionable insights for environmental legislation and sustainable management.

Research Interest
Dr. Nondlazi’s research interests center on ecological remote sensing, climate change adaptation, and sustainable environmental management. He is passionate about using cutting-edge tools like UAVs, machine learning, and geographic information systems to address pressing ecological challenges. His work on wetland conservation, bush encroachment mitigation, and biodiversity protection demonstrates his commitment to creating resilient ecosystems in the face of global climate change.

Awards
Dr. Nondlazi received the Golden Key Excellence Award during his MSc studies, recognizing his outstanding academic and research contributions. His innovative approaches to ecological challenges have garnered respect and recognition from peers and institutions, reflecting his dedication to excellence in climate change research.

Publications

  1. “Spatial Variability of Edaphic Factors in Depressional Wetlands: A Remote Sensing Approach” (2023, Journal of Wetland Ecology), cited by 15 articles.
  2. “Impacts of Tree Densification on Grassland Understory” (2021, African Journal of Ecology), cited by 23 articles.
  3. “Altitudinal Gradients and Grass-Specific Leaf Area” (2019, Plant Ecology and Diversity), cited by 12 articles.
  4. “Advances in Remote Sensing for Wetland Monitoring” (2022, Remote Sensing in Ecology), cited by 18 articles.
  5. “Bush Encroachment: Quantitative and Trait-Based Approaches” (2020, Ecological Applications), cited by 21 articles.
  6. “Wetland Buffer Zones and Climate Resilience” (2023, Journal of Environmental Management), cited by 9 articles.

Conclusion
Dr. Nondlazi exemplifies the integration of research, policy, and technology in addressing climate change challenges. His work not only advances academic understanding but also offers practical solutions for sustainable environmental management. As a leader in his field, he continues to inspire collaborations and innovations that support global climate resilience efforts.

Nagham Sayour | Environmental Economics | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr.Nagham Sayour | Environmental Economics | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor Zayed University United Arab Emirates

Nagham Sayour is an esteemed Associate Professor in the Department of Finance and Economics at Zayed University, United Arab Emirates. She has a robust academic background in economics and financial economics, with significant contributions to her field through research and teaching. Her work primarily focuses on economic development, labor economics, and the intersection of environmental and economic policies.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Nagham holds a Ph.D. in Economics from McGill University, completed in 2016. She earned her M.A. in Financial Economics from the American University of Beirut (AUB) in 2009, and a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science (High Distinction) from AUB in 2006.

Experience 👩‍🏫

Currently an Associate Professor at Zayed University since 2023, Nagham was previously an Assistant Professor at the same institution from 2020 to 2023. Before this, she served as an Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University from 2016 to 2019. Nagham also has extensive teaching experience at McGill University, where she taught various economics courses from 2010 to 2017.

Research Interests 🔬

Nagham’s research interests span economic development, labor economics, and the economic impacts of environmental policies. She explores the effects of social movements on educational outcomes, the economic implications of wars on the environment, and the relationship between environmental awareness and corporate reputation.

Awards 🏆

Nagham has received numerous accolades, including a significant grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation worth USD $248,325 for 2023-2024, and the Research Incentive Fund (RIF) Grant worth AED 115,800 for 2022-2023. She is also a Fellow at the UK Higher Education Academy and the Global Labour Organization.

Publications 📄

  1. “Home Affordability Crisis and Delayed Fertility: Evidence from the USA” (2024) with Irakli Japaridze, forthcoming in Population Research and Policy Review.
  2. “Environmental Awareness and Firm Creation” (2024) with K. Peren Arin, Alessandro De Iudicibus, and Nicola Spagnolo, Journal of Economic Studies, 51(9), 137-147.
  3. “Youth Voting Behavior and Institutional Change in the Post-Arab Spring” (2023) with Ali Fakih and Mohammad Hammoud, Economic and Political Studies, 1-27.
  4. “COVID-19, firm closure and Job Losses in the MENA Region: A Propensity Score Matching Approach” (2023) with Ali Fakih and Rihab Baltaji, forthcoming in Development Policy Review, 41(6), e12722.
  5. “Adaptation to climate change and emissions: halo effect or complacency?” (2022) with Salpie Djoundourian and Walid Marrouch, Energy Journal 43(4), 215-230.
  6. “Dying from Envy: The Role of Inequality” (2021) with Irakli Japaridze, Health Economics 30(6), 1374-1392.
  7. “After-School Care, Childcare Arrangements and Child Development” (2020) with Ailin He, Journal of Human Capital 14(4), 617-652.
  8. “Hedonic Housing Prices and Environmental Quality in Lebanon” (2020) with Walid Marrouch, International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis 14(5), 953-968.
  9. “Information Asymmetry and Dividend Policy around the Sarbanes-Oxley Act” (2020) with Mostafa Harakeh and Ghida Matar, Journal of Economic Studies.
  10. “The Impact of Maternal Care on Child Development: Evidence from Sibling Spillover Effects of a Parental Leave Reform” (2019), Labour Economics, 58, 167-186.
  11. “Experimental Evidence on the Relation between Personality Traits and Preferences” (2019) with Jim-Engle Warnick and Sonia Laszlo, Bulletin of Economic Research 72(3), 288-317.
  12. “The Effects of a Change in the Point System on Immigration. Evidence from the 2001 Quebec Reform” (2016) with Matthieu Chemin, Journal of Population Economics, 29(4), 1217-1247.