Mulala Simatele | Environmental Science | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Engineering Scientist

Prof. Mulala Simatele | Environmental Science
| Best Research Article Award

Prof. Mulala Simatele | University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Prof. Mulala Simatele is a distinguished British-Zambian geographer and Full Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in environmental management and sustainability science. With over three decades of academic and professional experience, he has made transformative contributions to climate change adaptation, natural resource management, and sustainable development policy in Africa and beyond. His work integrates research, teaching, and consultancy, with expertise spanning mining, water resources, food security, biodiversity, waste management, and environmental rehabilitation. Professor Simatele has provided technical guidance to global organizations, governments, and international development agencies, contributing to impactful policy and institutional strategies. A thought leader in environmental systems and sustainability transitions, he continues to mentor future scholars while leading pioneering projects on climate resilience and sustainable resource governance.

Professional Profile 

Scopus

ORCID

Suitability for the Best Research Article Award

Prof. Mulala Simatele research demonstrates exceptional scholarly depth, interdisciplinary rigor, and global relevance, making him a strong contender for the Best Research Article Award. His publications address urgent sustainability challenges, advancing theoretical understanding while offering practical policy frameworks for climate adaptation, environmental rehabilitation, and resource governance. Through impactful collaborations with organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, and DFID, his research has shaped environmental strategies across Africa, South America, and Europe. His work stands out for its integration of human-environment dynamics, critical policy analysis, and innovative approaches to sustainable development. Professor Simatele’s ability to link academic insight with real-world application ensures his scholarship has far-reaching academic, societal, and environmental impact, embodying excellence and leadership in research and knowledge dissemination.

Education 

Prof. Mulala Simatele holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from the University of Sussex, where his research examined the socio-economic and environmental dynamics of urban agriculture in Lusaka. He earned a Master of Science in Development Geography and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Human and Economic Geography from the University of Gothenburg, focusing on migration, urbanization, and structural reforms. His undergraduate studies at the University of Zambia in Education and Teacher Training provided a strong foundation in pedagogy, research, and community development. His multidisciplinary academic background combines environmental science, development geography, and education, positioning him as a global expert on environmental policy and sustainability. This strong educational foundation underpins his expertise in climate change, natural resource management, and environmental governance.

Work Experience 

Prof. Mulala Simatele has extensive academic, research, and consultancy experience across Africa, Europe, and South America. At the University of the Witwatersrand, he leads the MSc Programme in Environmental Science and supervises postgraduate research at master’s and doctoral levels. He previously served as Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of St Andrews, developing sustainable development programs and advancing interdisciplinary environmental studies. His career includes technical advisory roles with governments and international organizations, contributing to environmental policy, climate change adaptation, and resource management strategies. He has delivered high-impact projects for the World Bank, FAO, DFID, and other agencies, demonstrating leadership in program design, policy analysis, and impact evaluation. Professor Simatele’s career reflects exceptional dedication to advancing environmental education, sustainability science, and global development.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Mulala Simatele has received recognition for his leadership in environmental research, sustainable development, and international collaboration. He has served as a technical advisor to the Scottish Government on climate resilience and low-carbon transitions and has been appointed to advisory and steering committees of major international organizations. His expertise has been sought by global agencies including the World Bank, FAO, and IDRC for his contributions to climate adaptation, policy development, and natural resource governance. Professor Simatele’s academic achievements are marked by impactful publications, invited talks, and contributions to major sustainability initiatives. His mentorship of emerging researchers and leadership in environmental science have earned him international respect, cementing his status as a thought leader and advocate for science-driven environmental solutions.

Research Focus 

Prof. Mulala Simatele research focuses on sustainability science, climate adaptation, and environmental management systems, emphasizing integrated approaches to resource governance and policy innovation. His work examines human-environment interactions across diverse contexts, with a strong emphasis on sustainable mining, biodiversity conservation, waste management, climate-smart agriculture, and water resource governance. He specializes in developing community-based natural resource management models and institutional responses to environmental change, fostering resilience and low-carbon transitions. His research also explores urban and rural environmental systems, environmental rehabilitation, and social-ecological dynamics, generating knowledge that bridges science and policy. Through international collaborations, he advances research that informs climate strategies, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental justice, making significant contributions to addressing global sustainability challenges and promoting equitable, evidence-based environmental decision-making.

Publication Top Notes

  • Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms to Urbanisation and Land Use Change in Selected Residential Areas of Lusaka Urban District.

  •  Year: 2025

  • Adapting to climate change: Women’s livelihood strategies in uMkhanyakude District Municipality.

  •  Year: 2025

  • Enhancing water management in South Africa: the need for efficiency in monitoring and evaluation programmes .

  • Year: 2025

  • Examining multifaceted constraints to just transitioning agenda in Africa: integrating sustainable social and economic perspectives into policy framework .

  • Year: 2025

  • Impact of capacity building through learning, training, and coaching on agricultural innovation .

  • Year: 2025

  • Spatial assessment of climate change, water resource management, adaptation and governance in South Africa .

  • Year: 2025

  • The Effect of Compost and Moringa Leaf Extract Biostimulant on the Phytoremediation of Gold Mine Tailing Storage Facilities in South Africa Using Chrysopogon Zizanioides (L.) Roberty .

  • Year: 2025

Conclusion

Prof. Mulala Simatele distinguished academic career, global consultancy roles, and transformative research in climate change adaptation, natural resource governance, and sustainability science make him highly suitable for the Research for Best Research Article Award. His research offers practical policy relevance, deep scientific insight, and measurable community impact. By amplifying his work’s visibility and integrating measurable impact metrics, he could further solidify his position as a thought leader in environmental research.

Hongbo Teng | Green Technology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Engineering Scientist

Dr. Hongbo Teng | Green Technology
| Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hongbo Teng | China University of Mining and Technology | China

Dr.Teng Hongbo is a doctoral student in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering at the China University of Mining and Technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from the same institution and entered a direct-entry doctoral program. His research focuses on unconventional natural gas exploration within coal-bearing strata and geological technologies supporting carbon neutrality. As a core member of his research team, he has contributed to two major projects on deep coalbed methane exploration. He has co-authored publications in Processes, Rock and Soil Mechanics, and the Journal of Xi’an University of Architecture & Technology, reflecting his growing impact in energy and geological research.

Professional Profile 

ORCID

Suitability for the Best Researcher Award

Dr.Teng Hongbo, a doctoral student at the China University of Mining and Technology, demonstrates exceptional potential and dedication in geological engineering research. His work on the exploration and development of unconventional natural gas in coal-bearing strata directly supports national energy security and carbon neutrality goals. As a core contributor to projects on deep coalbed methane accumulation and CO₂ flooding storage, he has applied advanced pore structure characterization techniques to reduce exploration risks and improve resource development strategies. With publications in SCI, EI, and core Chinese journals, alongside active industry collaboration with Yanchang Petroleum, Teng has already achieved notable academic impact with 62 citations. His innovative contributions and strong research outcomes make him highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award.

Education 

Dr.Teng Hongbo demonstrates strong suitability for education and advanced research in Geological Resources and Engineering. With a solid foundation in Geological Engineering from China University of Mining and Technology, he has progressed directly into a doctoral program, showcasing academic excellence and commitment. His research addresses critical global challenges, focusing on unconventional natural gas development and carbon-neutral geological technologies. By contributing to key projects on deep coalbed methane exploration, co-authoring SCI and EI papers, and applying innovative pore structure characterization techniques, he has significantly advanced both theory and practice in the field. His work not only reduces exploration risks but also provides vital scientific support for sustainable energy strategies, marking him as an outstanding candidate for higher academic recognition.

Awards and Honors

Dr.Teng Hongbo demonstrates exceptional promise as a young researcher in geological engineering, specializing in unconventional natural gas exploration and carbon-neutral geological technologies. Currently pursuing a direct-entry doctorate at the China University of Mining and Technology, he has significantly contributed to two major projects on deep coalbed methane exploration. His innovative application of multi-scale pore structure characterization has provided new insights into reservoir properties, reducing exploration risks and supporting efficient development strategies. With publications in SCI, EI, and Chinese core journals, a citation record of 62, and active collaboration with Yanchang Petroleum, his research bridges academic excellence and industrial application. His impactful work and dedication to advancing sustainable energy exploration make him highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award.

Research Focus 

Dr.Teng Hongbo’s research primarily centers on the exploration and development of unconventional natural gas within coal-bearing strata, with a strong emphasis on deep coalbed methane (CBM) resources. His work integrates geological engineering, reservoir characterization, and fluid dynamics to address key challenges in efficient and sustainable resource extraction. A major focus is the multi-scale analysis of pore structures in deep coal reservoirs, which helps identify controlling factors of productivity and optimize development strategies. Additionally, he investigates multi-phase and multi-component seepage processes and the mechanisms of CO₂ flooding for CBM recovery, aligning with carbon neutrality goals. His research contributes both theoretical insights and practical approaches to reducing exploration risks and enhancing clean energy utilization.

Publication Top Notes

  • Key Controlling Factors of Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoir Characteristics in Yan’an Block, Ordos Basin: Based on Multi-Scale Pore Structure Characterization and Fluid Mobility Research
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr.Teng Hongbo has made remarkable progress as an early-career researcher, with strong potential for leadership in the fields of unconventional natural gas exploration and carbon-neutral geological technology. His research has already reduced exploration risks and provided vital support for sustainable energy strategies. While further international visibility and independent outputs will enhance his profile, his current contributions position him as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, showcasing both scientific excellence and real-world impact.