Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tizita Endale Elcho  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Soil Science. She is a seasoned researcher specializing in the fields of land degradation, soil quality, and soil erosion, boasting over a decade of expertise in conducting thorough research, crafting insightful analyses, and publishing findings in reputable academic journals. Moreover, she brings more than six years of valuable experience in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and postgraduate students, guiding them through the complexities of their theses.

During her tenure from 2014 to 2017, she assumed the role of laboratory coordinator at the College of Agriculture Science, Arba Minch University. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, facilitating lecture demonstrations, and managing monitoring and evaluation processes.

Her proactive nature allows her to excel independently, showcasing a remarkable ability to stay motivated and meet deadlines even in demanding situations. With a practical mindset and a logical approach to problem-solving, she demonstrates a strong capability to perform efficiently, ensuring successful outcomes even under significant pressure.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a Doctor of Bioscience Engineering (PhD) degree from KU Leuven and Ghent University in Belgium, earned between 2018 and 2023. Her doctoral research focused on assessing the soil degradation status and processes of agricultural fields across an elevation gradient in the Southern Ethiopian Rift, culminating in her PhD thesis.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her Master of Science (MSc) in Soil Science at Haramaya University in Ethiopia from 2012 to 2014, graduating with a commendable CGPA of 3.64 out of 4.00. Her commitment to academic excellence was evident during her undergraduate years at Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Natural Resource Management from 2006 to 2008, graduating with distinction and achieving a CGPA of 3.46 out of 4.00.

Employment History

She served as a Soil and Water Conservation Expert at the Gamo Gofa Zone Agriculture and Rural Development Office in Arba Minch from 2008 to 2010. In this role, she played a crucial part in scheduling and conducting training sessions for local communities, particularly farmers, on the implementation of soil and water conservation practices. Additionally, she supervised developmental agents across various Kebeles within the Arba Minch district agriculture and rural development office, ensuring the effective dissemination of knowledge and practices. Her responsibilities extended to mobilizing communities to embrace innovative technologies such as water harvesting, watershed management, and integrated soil fertility management, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Lecturer and laboratory coordinator at the College of Agricultural Sciences, Arba Minch  University, Arba Minch (2014 – 2023)

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Conduct basic and applied research with several teams on soil-related issues.
  • Advise both undergraduate and postgraduate students on their final-year research.
  • Train developmental agents and natural resources management experts with the collaboration of Mercy Corps.
  • Lecture several courses such as Fundamental Soil Science, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Land Degradation and Rehabilitation, Integrated Watershed Management, Research Methodology, Biodiversity Conservation, and Environmental Impact Assessment.
  • Organize and facilitate research symposiums at the university level.
  • Coordinate all laboratory activities of the college.
  • Prepare laboratory guidelines for the relevant bodies of the colleges including departments.
  • Prepare activities and financial plans as well as reports for the college laboratory office.
  • Arranging laboratory equipment and supplies, guide and follow up technical assistance in laboratory activities.
📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Wenfu Peng -Vegetation dynamic monitoring- Best Researcher Award

Wenfu Peng -Vegetation dynamic monitoring

Prof Dr. Wenfu Peng  distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Vegetation dynamic monitoring. In 2002, he embarked on a postgraduate journey, undertaking Master’s studies at the College of Resources and Environment at Sichuan Normal University. Building on this foundation, he pursued a Doctorate, completing his PhD from the State Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Geological Environmental Protection at Chengdu University of Technology in 2009. Throughout his academic trajectory, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing his understanding of geography and related disciplines.

Eduvation

He began his educational journey in 1985, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from the Department of Geography at Sichuan Normal University, where he dedicated himself to the study of geographic principles and phenomena. After a brief hiatus, from 1992 to 1995, he continued his academic pursuits at Southwest University (formerly Southwest Normal University), further expanding his knowledge in the field.
Professional Profiles:

 

Academic Positions:

Since July 2005, he has held the esteemed position of Professor at the School of Geography and Resource Science at Sichuan Normal University, where he has made significant contributions to academia. His expertise encompasses a range of teaching activities, primarily focusing on postgraduate courses such as “Understanding and Analysis of Remote Sensing Image Science.” Additionally, he imparts his knowledge to undergraduate students through courses like “GIS Spatial Analysis,” “GIS Principles,” “Territorial Planning,” and other related subjects. Throughout his tenure, he has been dedicated to fostering a comprehensive understanding of geographical and spatial sciences among his students, leaving an indelible mark on the academic landscape.

Research Overview:

Throughout the years, he has actively engaged in a multitude of research projects, showcasing his commitment to advancing knowledge in various domains. From 2014 to 2017, he spearheaded the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project titled “Maintenance Mechanism of Land Ecological Security in Chengdu Plain based on LUCC Disturbance” (Project No. 41371125), delving into the intricate dynamics of land use and ecological security. Subsequently, from 2018 to 2020, he directed his efforts towards the Humanities and Social Science Planning Project of the Ministry of Education (Project No. 17YJA850007), contributing valuable insights to the intersection of social sciences and education.

In the earlier years, his involvement in key projects at Sichuan Normal University included the 2013-2015 Key Cultivation Project, “Ecological Security Research of Chengdu Plain Based on LUCC” (Project No. 13ZDL03), and the 2014-2015 Sichuan Provincial Department of Education Project, “Research on Ecotourism Development Model of West Sichuan Plateau Based on GIS” (Project No. LYC13-11). His diverse expertise also extended to national initiatives, such as the National Science and Technology Major Project’s special topic on “Water Pollution Control and Treatment” (Project No. 2009ZX07106-004-01-02), specifically focusing on the spatial and temporal distribution of water resources and salinity in the Bosten Lake Basin. Additionally, his contributions were integral to the National Science and Technology Support Program’s topic on “Research on Rural Housing Planning, Design, and Construction Standards” (Project No. 2008BAJ08B09-5), concentrating on the formulation of standards for village and township rural community planning. His extensive involvement in these projects reflects his dedication to advancing scientific understanding and addressing critical issues in various fields.

Awards

In recognition of his notable contributions to the field, he was honored with the third prize of the Sichuan Science and Technology Progress Award in 2011 for his exemplary project titled “Research on Urban Land Use Change and Its Ecological Environment Effect Based on RS & GIS.” Beyond his research endeavors, he actively engages in social contributions by serving as a review expert for various international journals, demonstrating his commitment to advancing scholarly discourse and maintaining rigorous standards within the academic community.

Moreover, he has assumed significant roles in shaping academic and scientific landscapes. His responsibilities include serving as an evaluation expert for the Degree Center of the Ministry of Education, China, contributing to the assessment of educational standards. Additionally, he has lent his expertise as a science and technology plan evaluation expert for the Provincial Department of Science and Technology in Sichuan Province, playing a pivotal role in evaluating and shaping regional scientific initiatives. Further showcasing his multifaceted involvement, he serves as a technical expert for territorial ecological restoration support at the Provincial Department of Natural Resources, Sichuan Province, underscoring his commitment to environmental sustainability and ecological well-being. Through these diverse roles, he continues to make a meaningful impact in academia, research, and the broader scientific community.

Publication

1.Quantifying urban expansion and its driving forces in Chengdu, western China  – 2023                                                                  Wang, G.Peng, W.Zhang, L., …Shi, J.Wang, L.

2. Quantifying the impacts of natural and human factors on changes in NPP using an optimal parameters-based geographical detector -2023

3.Vegetation EVI changes and response to natural factors and human activities based on geographically and temporally weighted regression-2023

4. Assessment of Land Ecological Security from 2000 to 2020 in the Chengdu Plain Region of China                                    Zhang, L.Peng, W.Zhang, J. – 2023

5. Estimate of population density and diagnosis of main factors of spatial heterogeneity in the metropolitan scale,     western China  Wang, G.Peng, W.Zhang, L. -2023

6. Spatiotemporal variations and driving mechanisms of vegetation coverage in the Wumeng Mountainous Area, China