Ghulam Zakir-Hassan | Natural Resources Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ghulam Zakir-Hassan | Natural Resources Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Irrigation Research Institute | Pakistan

Author Profiles

Scopus

Orcid ID

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ghulam Zakir-Hassan demonstrated exceptional academic excellence from the beginning of his educational journey. Securing first position in his B.Sc. Agricultural Engineering at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad with an impressive 83% and two gold medals, he established himself as a high achiever. His consistent record of first-class distinctions, from matriculation to higher secondary education, reflects a solid academic foundation. Building on this success, he pursued a Master of Engineering in Irrigation Engineering and Management at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, graduating with distinction under a Royal Netherlands Government scholarship. His academic pursuit culminated in a Ph.D. in Hydrology from Charles Sturt University, Australia (2024), focusing on sustainable groundwater management through managed aquifer recharge in Punjab, Pakistan.

Professional Endeavors

With over three decades of professional experience (1993–present), Dr. Zakir-Hassan has worked extensively in water resources planning, management, and sustainable development. His expertise spans groundwater development, managed aquifer recharge, rainwater harvesting, climate change adaptation, geotechnical investigations, canal lining, seepage management, sediment analysis, and water policy governance. He has collaborated with national and international institutions, contributing to project planning, capacity building, and technical training. His roles in both academic and professional domains highlight his ability to integrate scientific research with practical applications.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Zakir-Hassan’s research has primarily centered on groundwater sustainability, irrigation efficiency, climate change impacts, and aquifer recharge mechanisms. He has presented research at prestigious international conferences across China, Australia, Nepal, Iran, India, Indonesia, and the UAE. His papers on groundwater modeling, governance, regulation, and floodwater storage have provided frameworks for sustainable aquifer management in regions facing water scarcity. He has also contributed significantly to capacity building through technical workshops, training sessions, and academic writing development programs.

Impact and Influence

His influence extends beyond research into shaping policies and practices in groundwater management. He has been actively engaged in raising awareness and empowering communities about water conservation and climate resilience. As a registered professional engineer and life member of various engineering and water management associations worldwide, Dr. Zakir-Hassan has contributed to global dialogues on water sustainability. His leadership roles at Charles Sturt University, such as Vice President of the Postgraduate Student Association and committee memberships, further showcase his influence in academic governance and student development.

Academic Citations

Dr. Zakir-Hassan’s work has been recognized in international academic circles through publications, conference proceedings, and institutional repositories. His participation in high-impact conferences and contributions to journals underscore his academic presence. His membership in global professional networks like IAH, IWRA, ICID, and NGWA ensures that his research continues to reach wider academic and policy-making audiences.

Legacy and Future Contributions

The legacy of Dr. Zakir-Hassan lies in his pioneering work on groundwater modeling and sustainable management in the Indus Basin and Punjab region. His academic rigor, combined with professional experience, has laid the foundation for future research on water governance and climate adaptation. Looking ahead, his expertise positions him as a key contributor to global water security challenges, particularly in developing countries facing acute water stress. His ongoing involvement in professional organizations and academic collaborations suggests that his influence will continue to grow, inspiring future generations of hydrologists and engineers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Ghulam Zakir-Hassan exemplifies the qualities of a scholar, professional, and leader in the field of water resources and hydrology. His early academic brilliance, long-standing professional dedication, impactful research contributions, and international influence underscore his suitability for recognition such as the Best Researcher Award. With a career spanning over 30 years and research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges of our time, his legacy and future contributions are set to leave a lasting impact on both academia and society.

Notable Publications

“Integrating Groundwater Modelling for Optimized Managed Aquifer Recharge Strategies

  • Author: Ghulam Zakir-Hassan; Jehangir F. Punthakey; Catherine Allan; Lee Baumgartner
  • Journal: Water
  • Year: 2025

"Assessing the potential of underground storage of flood water

  • Author: Ghulam Zakir-Hassan; Jehangir F Punthakey; Ghulam Shabir; Faiz Raza Hassan‏
  • Journal: Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering
  • Year: 2024

"Modelling climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for managing groundwater resources in Southern Punjab

  • Author: Abdul Raheem; Muhammad Saifullah; Jehangir F. Punthakey; Ghulam Zakir-Hassan; Irfan Ahmad Baig
  • Journal: Gulbali Institute Report
  • Year: 2024

"Groundwater governance in Pakistan

  • Author: Ghulam Zakir-Hassan; Catherine Allan; Jehangir F. Punthakey; Lee Baumgartner; Mahmood Ahmad
  • Journal: Water policy in Pakistan
  • Year: 2023

"Hill Torrents’ management options in Koh-e-Suleman Range Pakistan - community perspective

  • Author: Ghulam Zakir-Hassan; Muhammad Shahzad Abdul Rahim; Adnan Hassan; Jamshaid Farid; Matloob Ahmad
  • Journal: Global Journal of Research in Agriculture & Life Sciences
  • Year: 2023

 

Sara Barati | Environment | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sara Barati | Environment | Women Researcher Award

Semnan University | Brazil

Author Profiles

Scopus 

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sara Barati began her academic journey in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arak, Iran, where she obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her early research was rooted in environmental applications, particularly focusing on the modeling of CO₂ capture in porous media using MATLAB. This strong foundation in computational modeling provided her with essential skills in transport phenomena and process simulation. She further pursued her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Semnan, Iran, where her doctoral research centered on nanocomposites synthesis and the development of advanced proton exchange membranes for fuel cells, coupled with COMSOL Multiphysics simulations.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Barati’s professional career reflects a seamless integration of computational modeling, experimental fabrication, and interdisciplinary research. She has worked as a Research Assistant at multiple prestigious universities, including Amir Kabir University, Tehran University, and currently at USP University in Brazil. Her roles involved battery modeling, experimental cell assembly, and the design of innovative energy systems. She has also contributed as a course lecturer, offering advanced training in COMSOL Multiphysics, covering domains from electrochemical systems and membrane separation to biomedical simulations and renewable energy applications.

Contributions and Research Focus

Her research contributions span a wide range of energy and material systems, with a primary focus on next-generation batteries (Li-ion, Na-ion, Li-S), fuel cells, nanocomposites, and multiphysics simulations. She has authored impactful articles on battery modeling, sensitivity analysis using Python and machine learning approaches, and optimization of electrochemical performance. Beyond batteries, her projects have addressed fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, CO₂ absorption, membrane design, and microchannel transport phenomena. This broad scope underscores her interdisciplinary expertise and ability to connect materials, chemical processes, and energy systems.

Impact and Influence

Through her work, Dr. Barati has advanced understanding in both the theoretical modeling and practical development of sustainable energy technologies. Her innovative modeling strategies, particularly using COMSOL, Python, and PyBaMM, have provided valuable insights into the commercialization challenges of Li-S batteries and the performance optimization of Na-ion and Li-ion systems. Additionally, her training programs have empowered students and researchers globally to apply multiphysics modeling tools across diverse engineering problems, amplifying her influence as both a researcher and mentor.

Academic Citations

Dr. Barati has published over 10 peer-reviewed articles in reputed international journals, contributing significantly to the scientific discourse in electrochemistry, nanomaterials, and computational modeling. Her publications, indexed on Google Scholar, have been cited by researchers worldwide, reflecting the growing impact of her research in advancing cleaner energy technologies and computational methods in chemical engineering.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Barati is poised to make further strides in the development of sustainable energy solutions. Her expertise in coupling data-driven methods with computational modeling positions her at the forefront of future innovations in battery technology and renewable energy systems. With her strong academic and professional background, she is likely to continue bridging gaps between experimental research, advanced simulations, and industrial applications, thereby contributing to the global shift toward sustainable energy.

Conclusion

Dr. Sara Barati exemplifies the qualities of an accomplished woman researcher, with a career marked by dedication to scientific excellence, interdisciplinary innovation, and knowledge dissemination. Her journey-from early academic pursuits in Iran to international research collaborations—demonstrates her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to solving global energy challenges. With her growing research footprint and mentorship, she stands as a strong candidate for recognition through the Women Researcher Award.

Notable Publications

“Separating carbon dioxide from natural gas by a hollow fiber membrane contactor with various absorbents: Numerical investigation of membrane wettability

  • Author: H Rahnema, A Etminan, S Barati, K Pope
  • Journal: Separation and Purification Technology
  • Year: 2025

"‏Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer and Turbulent Fluid Flow for Transverse Vortex Generators with Nanoparticles

  • Author: S Barati, A Etminan, K Pope
  • Journal: Heat Transfer Research
  • Year: 2024

"Air Pollution Control: A Review of the most Important Methods

  • Author: S Barati, M Soleymani
  • Journal: Iranian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • Year: 2023

"Preparation, characterization and proton transport of new porous nanocomposite membranes based on polybenzimidazole, lignin and TiO2 nanoparticles for high

  • Author: S Barati, M Mehdipourghazi, M Abdollahi, K Hooshyari, B Khoshandam
  • Journal: International Journal of Energy Research
  • Year: 2021

"Poly (benzimidazole)/poly (vinylphosphonic acid) blend membranes with enhanced performance for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

  • Author: Z Taherkhani, M Abdollahi, A Sharif, S Barati
  • Journal: Solid State Ionics
  • Year: 2021