Quan Shen | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quan Shen | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quan Shen | Soil -Associate Professor at School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, China

Dr. Shen Quan is a distinguished academic in the field of civil engineering, with a remarkable career dedicated to research and education. His work spans multiple disciplines, including ecological restoration, new materials, and intelligent construction. With a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering, he has established himself as a leading figure in the field. His extensive academic journey and contribution to the scientific community highlight his dedication to addressing real-world challenges through innovative research. In addition to his academic achievements, he holds leadership positions and has played a vital role in shaping the future of civil engineering through his teaching and mentoring of graduate students.

Profile

Scopus

Education:

Dr. Shen’s academic journey began with his undergraduate studies in civil engineering at Changsha University. Following his bachelor’s degree, he pursued a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering at Nanchang Hangkong University. Driven by a passion for advancing his knowledge and expertise, Dr. Shen completed his PhD in Engineering at Central South University, where he further honed his skills in the civil engineering domain. His research at the doctoral level focused on dynamic characteristics of materials and the stability of civil infrastructure, laying the groundwork for his future research endeavors. Additionally, his pursuit of knowledge led him to undertake a postdoctoral fellowship at Guangxi University, under the mentorship of Professor Mei Guoxiong, a renowned expert in the field. Dr. Shen’s academic qualifications provide a solid foundation for his ongoing contributions to the field.

Experience:

Throughout his career, Dr. Shen has been actively involved in various academic and professional roles. He is currently a lecturer and a master’s supervisor at Hunan University of Technology, where he teaches and guides students in the areas of civil engineering. His leadership skills extend beyond the classroom, as he has held several key positions at the university, including Deputy Director of the Transportation and Tunnels Department and Secretary of the Party Branch. These roles have allowed Dr. Shen to shape university policy and ensure the success of civil engineering programs. His experience as a visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia further enriched his career, exposing him to international research networks and providing opportunities for collaboration with experts from around the world.

Research Interests:

Dr. Shen’s research spans a range of critical topics in civil engineering, with a particular focus on ecological restoration, intelligent construction, and new materials. His work in ecological restoration is aimed at understanding how plant roots influence soil behavior, which has significant implications for infrastructure and environmental sustainability. He also investigates the dynamic properties of soil and its interaction with various construction materials, contributing valuable insights into material science and geotechnical engineering. In addition to his research on ecological restoration, Dr. Shen is also dedicated to advancing intelligent construction technologies, exploring how innovations in materials and construction techniques can improve infrastructure resilience and sustainability. His work is particularly relevant in the context of rapid urbanization and the growing demand for environmentally conscious construction solutions.

Awards:

Dr. Shen’s dedication to his field has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. In 2023, he was awarded the School-level Civilized Family Award, acknowledging his professional and personal contributions. His research has been recognized with the Third Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (2022), as well as a similar accolade in Hunan Province in the field of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering (2021). His consistent excellence in service was also recognized by the Communist Party, as he was honored as an Outstanding Communist Party Member for three consecutive years. His leadership and contributions to academia were further recognized through awards such as the “High-speed Railway Technology” Excellent Paper Award and the Second Prize at the Hunan Province Graduate Innovation Forum Paper Competition. These accolades reflect his leadership and innovative contributions to both research and education.

Publications:

Dr. Shen’s contributions to the field are documented in various high-impact journal articles that highlight his research in civil engineering and environmental sustainability. Some of his notable publications include:

  1. Shen Q., Zhang C.L., Zhang Y.D., et al. (2025). Experimental Study of Influence of Plant Roots on Dynamic Characteristics of Clay, Applied Sciences 🌍📑. [DOI:10.3390/app15020495]
  2. Yuan Y., Yan Y., Shen Q.*, Wang Z. (2024). Numerical Analysis of Internal Force Distribution in Combining Supporting Structures for Expansive Soil High Slope along Railway, Buildings 🏗️📚. [DOI:10.3390/buildings14103081]
  3. Shen Q., Zhang C.L., Zhang Y.D., et al. (2023). Deformation and Stability Analysis of a Semi Excavated and Semi Filled Slope in the Southern Region, International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management 📊🔧.
  4. Shen Q., Zhang Y.D., Xie J., et al. (2024). Study on the Moisture and Thermal Characteristics of Vegetated Expansive Soil Slopes, KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 🌱🔬. [DOI:10.1007/s12205-024-1400-1]
  5. Shen Q., Zhang Y.D., Xie J., et al. (2020). A new prediction method for the occurrence of landslides based on the time history of tilting of the slope surface, Landslides 🌍⚠️. [DOI:10.1007/s10346-019-01135-5]

Conclusion:

Dr. Shen Quan is a highly accomplished academic and researcher with a comprehensive background in civil engineering. His commitment to addressing real-world challenges through his research, combined with his dedication to educating future engineers, makes him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Dr. Shen’s achievements in ecological restoration, intelligent construction, and materials science have positioned him as a leader in his field. His numerous awards, extensive research contributions, and international collaborations highlight his significant impact on both academia and industry. As he continues to develop new insights and drive innovation, Dr. Shen remains a highly influential figure in civil engineering and environmental sustainability. His potential for future advancements in the field remains immense, making him an invaluable asset to both his institution and the broader scientific community.

 

Trevan Flynn | Digital soil mapping | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Trevan Flynn | Digital soil mapping | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | University of Sydney | Australia

Short Bio 🌍

Trevan Flynn is a seasoned researcher and lecturer specializing in geostatistics and soil science. Based in Aspen, Colorado, Trevan collaborates with academics globally—from the USA to Pakistan—producing reliable soil and environmental data for land-use management. Utilizing advanced digital soil mapping techniques and Google Earth Engine in R, he supervises graduate students and contributes to a free database of soil information.

Profile

ORCID

Education 🎓

Trevan’s academic journey began at Stellenbosch University, where he earned his BSc in Soil Science and Horticulture with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2015. He pursued an MSc in Soil Science at the same institution, which was upgraded to a PhD in 2017. His dissertation focused on “Digital Soil Mapping Techniques Across Multiple Landscape Scales in South Africa.” Following his PhD, Trevan completed multiple postdoctoral fellowships, including Ecosystem Modeling at the Biological Centre CAS and Dynamic Soil Carbon Modeling at the Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences. He is currently a researcher at the University of the Free State, studying mineral and water resources in South Africa under Dr. Martin Clark.

Experience 💼

Trevan Flynn’s professional experience is extensive and varied. He is the Director of Rafikisol Soil Mapping for Africa, making soil spatial information accessible to African nations. As a Geospatial Analyst at Phyla Regeneration Systems, he develops spatial models for natural resources and consults on soil organic carbon improvements. Trevan also lectures at the Zambia Institute of Agriculture, teaching soil and crop sciences, sustainable agriculture, and smallholder farming. Additionally, he provides consultancy services through Phyla Ntaka Soil Health Advisory Services, specializing in hyper-local spatial models using Mid-Infrared spectroscopy. His earlier roles include being a Junior Lecturer at Stellenbosch University and a Geospatial Analyst at SASSCAL.

Research Interests 🔬

Trevan’s research interests are centered on digital soil mapping, geostatistics, and the use of advanced modeling techniques in environmental and soil science. He is passionate about developing reliable soil information for land-use management and improving hydrological models in arid regions. His work often involves coding in R and utilizing Google Earth Engine for large-scale environmental data analysis.

Awards 🏆

Trevan Flynn has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2022, he received the Best Paper Award from the South African Journal of Plant and Soil for his manuscript on high-resolution digital soil mapping. He was also awarded the National Research Foundation Innovation Bursary from 2017 to 2020, the Stellenbosch Merit Bursary from 2013 to 2019, and the Stellenbosch Travel Grant in 2017. In 2015, he received the Perold Medal, the Soil Science Society Silver Medal, and the Hortgro Science Prize for his academic excellence.

Publications 📚