Dr. Pankaj Chauhan | Climate change | Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Pankaj Chauhan | Climate change – Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, India

Dr. Pankaj Chauhan is an accomplished environmental scientist with over two decades of experience in the fields of glaciology, hydrology, climate science, and geospatial technologies. Currently serving as Scientist-C and Assistant Professor at a premier Himalayan research institute, his work focuses on the Himalayan region’s environmental resilience. Dr. Chauhan integrates advanced tools such as machine learning, IoT, and remote sensing to understand complex natural systems and their responses to climate change. His research is instrumental in informing disaster risk reduction, sustainable water resource management, and climate adaptation strategies in ecologically fragile regions.

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Orcid | Scopus

Education:

Dr. Chauhan’s academic background is a unique blend of geosciences and information technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Hydrology, awarded for his hydro-geomorphological study of the Tons watershed. He earned dual M.Sc. degrees in Geo-informatics and Information Technology, along with a Master’s in Geography and a Postgraduate Diploma in Software Engineering. This interdisciplinary education has been foundational in enabling his contributions to environmental modeling, geospatial analysis, and climate resilience research.

Experience:

Dr. Chauhan has held multiple academic and research positions, progressing from GIS Analyst at the Survey of India to Junior and Senior Research Fellow at the Forest Survey of India. He later served as Technical Officer and Postdoctoral Fellow before becoming Scientist-B and now Scientist-C. He has contributed significantly to national and international projects related to Himalayan hydrology and disaster prediction. He is also a government advisor on floodplain management and a member of multiple expert and technical evaluation committees. His mentorship includes supervision of over 25 students and facilitation of 20+ training programs.

Research Interests:

Dr. Chauhan’s research spans glaciology, hydrometeorology, climate variability, natural hazard modeling, and watershed management. He applies geospatial techniques and artificial intelligence to study glacial meltwater, streamflow forecasting, sediment transport, and environmental degradation. His work is deeply rooted in the Himalayan context, but its implications extend to broader mountain and climate-sensitive regions worldwide. He emphasizes integrative approaches that bridge traditional earth sciences with modern computational methods.

Awards:

Dr. Chauhan’s scientific excellence has been recognized through several prestigious fellowships and awards:

📘 In 2025, Dr. Chauhan co-authored a pioneering study titled Geospatial and AHP based identification of potential zones for groundwater recharge in Haridwar District of India, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, applying advanced geospatial tools and the AHP model to map recharge zones crucial for sustainable water planning.

🌊 A notable publication from 2024 in Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, Forecast future disasters using hydro-meteorological datasets in the Yamuna River Basin, employed Markov Chain and LSTM models to predict disaster patterns, marking a significant fusion of hydrology with machine learning.

💧 Also in 2024, he contributed to Identification of groundwater recharge potential zones in Advances in Space Research, a critical work integrating multi-criteria decision analysis and geospatial tools to assess recharge areas in Uttarakhand’s vulnerable districts.

🧪 In 2024, his collaborative research titled Evaluation of Surface Water Quality in the Betwa River Basin appeared in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, offering insights into water quality through multivariate analysis and WQI models, supporting informed river basin management.

🌧️ His 2023 publication, A Climatic Surprise – Slope Instability Triggered by Heavy Rain, in the Journal of the Geological Society of India, presented a case study on rainfall-induced landslides, emphasizing the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan terrain to climatic shifts.

🦷 Broadening his interdisciplinary impact, in 2023 Dr. Chauhan co-authored Enhanced osseointegration of drug-eluting nanotubular dental implants in Bioactive Materials, demonstrating bioengineering applications of nanotech, which garnered interest beyond environmental sciences.

❄️ Finally, in 2023, he contributed to Supraglacial geomorphology of Companion Glacier in Frontiers in Earth Science, detailing glacier surface evolution in the Central Himalaya — vital for glaciological studies and climate change monitoring.

Publications:

Here are seven selected, high-impact publications by Dr. Chauhan:

🔬 2024 – Forecast future disasters using hydro-meteorological datasets, Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences – Cited by: 12
🌊 2023 – Discharge and sediment flux from glacierized basins, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment – Cited by: 17
❄️ 2023 – Streamflow prediction in a hilly catchment using deep learning, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences – Cited by: 21
💧 2024 – Surface water quality assessment using multivariate statistics, Environmental Science and Pollution Research – Cited by: 9
📉 2025 – Groundwater recharge zones using geospatial models, Advances in Space Research – Cited by: 7
🌦️ 2021 – Forest evapotranspiration and extreme rainfall, Environmental Research Letters – Cited by: 38
📡 2022 – Watershed vulnerability analysis using remote sensing, Geocarto International – Cited by: 25

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Pankaj Chauhan is a model candidate for the Outstanding Scientist Award. His interdisciplinary approach, innovative use of technology in earth sciences, and policy-relevant research make him a leader in his field. With a strong publication record, international collaborations, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, he exemplifies excellence in research and service. Honoring him with this award would not only recognize his past contributions but also support his ongoing efforts toward climate resilience and environmental sustainability in the Himalayan region and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Saloua El Euch Khay | Durable materials | Women Researcher Award

Professor at National Engineering School of Tunis, Tunisia.

Prof. Dr. Saloua El Euch Khay is a distinguished academic at the National Engineering School of Tunis, Tunisia, specializing in civil engineering with a particular focus on durable materials. Her contributions to the field are notable for their innovative approaches to concrete technology and materials recycling. With a robust background in research and teaching, she has significantly influenced the academic landscape in her domain, fostering the next generation of engineers through her mentorship and hands-on guidance in various projects. Her commitment to sustainability and engineering excellence has earned her recognition both nationally and internationally.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Prof. Dr. Saloua El Euch Khay’s educational journey is marked by a series of prestigious qualifications. In 2018, she achieved her Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) in Civil Engineering, affirming her capacity to supervise doctoral research. This followed her impressive 2010 doctoral thesis, where she earned a very honorable mention for her work on fatigue phenomena and shrinkage in compacted sand concrete for roadway applications. Her academic foundation includes a national engineering degree from ENIT, where she graduated at the top of her class in 1994. She also holds an aggregation in technological disciplines, further reinforcing her expertise and commitment to civil engineering.

Experience

Prof. Dr. El Euch Khay has extensive teaching experience at ENIT, where she has served as a Maître de Conférences since 2020, sharing her knowledge in courses covering structures, roads, and synthesis projects. She has been pivotal in supervising numerous final-year projects and master’s theses, guiding students through complex research topics related to materials and structural engineering. Her previous role as Maître-Assistant from 2015 to 2020 allowed her to deepen her engagement with students and contribute significantly to innovative research projects, further solidifying her role as a leader in academia. Her prior experience as a technologist has also enriched her practical understanding of engineering applications, allowing her to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world practice.

Research Interest

Prof. Dr. El Euch Khay’s research interests primarily revolve around the durability of construction materials, specifically in the realm of concrete technology. She focuses on the recycling of materials and the development of sustainable concrete mixtures that minimize environmental impact. Her work explores the formulation and modeling of concrete using various materials, including recycled asphalt pavement and other by-products. This research not only addresses industry challenges but also contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable construction practices. Her projects often involve collaboration with students and industry stakeholders, fostering innovation in the engineering field.

Awards

Prof. Dr. El Euch Khay has received several accolades recognizing her contributions to civil engineering and education. Her commitment to research excellence has led to awards and commendations for her innovative work in sustainable materials and concrete technology. These honors reflect her dedication to advancing the field and her impact on students and peers alike. She is often invited to present her findings at international conferences, further showcasing her expertise and the relevance of her work in today’s engineering landscape.

Publications

Prof. Dr. El Euch Khay has an extensive list of publications, with numerous articles featured in international journals that underline her research’s significance. Key publications include:

S. El Euch Khay, A. Loulizi, Z. Zayen & G. Nammouchi. Experimental and predictive study of self-compacting concrete containing reclaimed asphalt pavement, European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 2024. DOI: 10.1080/19648189.2024.2357672 (Impact Factor: 2.2)

A. Bousleh & S. El Euch Khay. Shrinkage performance and modelling of concretes incorporating crushed limestone sand with a high content of fillers for pavement slabs, European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 2023. DOI: 10.1080/19648189.2023.2276128 (Impact Factor: 2.2)

H. Zbidi, S. El Euch Khay. New Selection Process for Retaining Walls Based on Life Cycle Assessment and Economic Concerns, International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa, 2023, Vol. 66, pp 29-44. DOI: 10.4028/p-OVz45X (Impact Factor: 0.9)

H. Zbidi, S. El Euch Khay. Environmental Impact of a Reinforced Geosynthetic Retaining Wall Made of Modular Vegetated Concrete Blocks, International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Technology (IJSET), Vol.19, pp. 33-41, 2023. Link

W. Ben Achour, S. El Euch Khay, K. Miled & J. Neji. Experimental study of the mechanical behaviour of brick waste concrete and analytical prediction of its elastic modulus as a three composite material, International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa, 2021. DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/JERA.57.125 (Impact Factor: 0.9)

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Saloua El Euch Khay is a highly qualified candidate for the “Women Researcher Award.” Her academic achievements, research contributions, and dedication to mentorship showcase her as a role model in the engineering community, particularly for aspiring female researchers. By enhancing her outreach, expanding collaborations, and targeting higher-impact publications, she can further increase her influence in the field. Recognizing her efforts through this award will not only honor her achievements but also inspire future generations of women in science and engineering.