Achieford Mhondera | Climate Solutions | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Achieford Mhondera | Climate Solutions | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Achieford Mhondera | University of Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe

Achieford Mhondera is a Ph.D. candidate in Climate Change Communication at the University of Zimbabwe, serving as a Junior Lecturer in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Culture, and as the Deputy Head of the Climate Action Directorate at the Africa Network of Youth Policy Experts. He is an experienced communication strategist and passionate climate justice advocate with a strong background in environmental communication, policy engagement, and youth-led climate activism. His work centers on amplifying voices from the Global South and advancing meaningful climate action through strategic communication and advocacy. At the University of Zimbabwe, he teaches courses in communication, research methods, and corpus linguistics, combining academic rigor with real-world engagement. He has been recognized for his innovative research and commitment to bridging policy and practice across Africa. As a guest columnist for leading publications such as Newsday, The Herald, and China Daily, he contributes to public discourse on climate change and sustainability. His scholarly output includes several book chapters, journal articles, and conference presentations focusing on climate communication and ecological civilization. Certified in climate diplomacy, governance, and negotiation, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to global climate dialogues. A proud alumnus of Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication, he is also the founder of the Climate Research and Advocacy Trust and an active member of international networks promoting biodiversity, food sovereignty, and environmental justice across Africa and beyond.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Zoological Survey of India | India

C. Shiva Shankar is a dedicated Senior Research Fellow at the Zoological Survey of India, specializing in taxonomy, molecular systematics, and ecology of aquatic beetles, fishes, and freshwater crabs. He has significantly contributed to biodiversity documentation through the discovery of new species and first records in India. His doctoral research on aquatic beetles of the Eastern Ghats has generated more than 500 DNA barcodes, marking the first molecular systematic study of aquatic beetles in the country. He has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and a co-authored book on threatened fauna. His expertise spans DNA barcoding, water quality analysis, GIS and GPS field surveys, and museum specimen curation. With extensive fieldwork across Indian ecosystems, he has collected and identified over 95 species of aquatic beetles, including rare and endemic taxa. He has successfully submitted over 600 DNA sequences to NCBI, strengthening global biodiversity databases. Beyond research, he actively participates in national conferences, workshops, and biodiversity initiatives, enhancing collaborative conservation efforts. Recognized for his hard work, leadership skills, and self-motivation, he is committed to advancing aquatic biodiversity science. His career vision is to contribute to global research excellence while promoting sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

“First record of Scoliopsis spinosa d’Orchymont, 1919 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from India”

“Molecular Characterization of Rare Predaceous Aquatic Beetle Methles indicus Regimbart, 1899 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Eastern Ghats, India”

“Freshwater decapods (Crustacea: Decapoda) of Palair Reservoir, Telangana, India”

“Notes on Ptilomera agriodes (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae) from Eastern Ghats, India”

Atar Singh Pipal | Climate Solutions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Atar Singh Pipal | Climate Solutions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Atar Singh Pipal | Devic Earth, Technology Research Park, IIT, hyderabad | India

Dr. Atar Singh Pipal is a leading Air Quality Scientist specializing in atmospheric chemistry, aerosol particle analysis, and air pollution mitigation. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Savitribai Phule Pune University, he brings over a decade of research experience across premier institutions including IITM Pune, PRL Ahmedabad, and international collaborations in Taiwan. He has authored over 40 high-impact publications , contributed to cutting-edge work on particulate matter characterization, health risk assessment, and CO₂ reduction technologies, and remains actively involved in international scientific forums and editorial boards.

Academic Profile 

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Education

Dr. Atar Singh Pipal holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in Atmospheric Chemistry from Savitribai Phule Pune University, awarded in 2016. His doctoral work focused on analyzing the chemical composition and morphological characteristics of particulate matter in urban environments. He also earned an M.Phil. in Chemistry from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra, in 2009, where he studied water-soluble cations in PM10. His earlier education includes an M.Sc. in Chemistry and a B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry, both from the same university, graduating with distinction.

Experience

Dr. Pipal has accumulated over 10 years of research experience across prominent institutions. He is currently an Air Quality Scientist at Devic Earth, associated with IIT Hyderabad. Previously, he worked as a Project Scientist-II at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. He has also held postdoctoral fellowships in India and Taiwan and served as a lecturer in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, contributing significantly to research, field studies, and environmental monitoring.

Research Interests

His research interests span atmospheric aerosols, air pollution, aerosol morphology, black carbon, secondary pollutants, and climate-relevant emissions. He is also involved in air quality monitoring, source apportionment, and the development of low-cost sensor technologies for urban air quality management.

Awards

Dr. Pipal has received multiple accolades, including the International Young Scientist Award (2020), CSIR and SERB travel grants, and recognition from global conferences in the USA, Japan, and Europe. He is a member of leading scientific societies such as RSC, AGU, and AAAR and contributes to several editorial boards and scientific journals.

Publications

Carbonaceous aerosols and pollutants over Delhi urban environment: Temporal evolution, source apportionment and radiative forcing

Authors: DS Bisht, UC Dumka, DG Kaskaoutis, AS Pipal, et al.
Journal: Science of the Total Environment (2015)

Characterization and morphological analysis of airborne PM2.5 and PM10 in Agra

Authors: AS Pipal, A Kulshrestha, A Taneja
Journal: Atmospheric Environment,  (2011)

Variability in atmospheric particulates and meteorological effects on their mass concentrations over Delhi, India

Authors: S Tiwari, DS Bisht, AK Srivastava, AS Pipal, et al.
Journal: Atmospheric Research, (2014)

Study of surface morphology, elemental composition and origin of atmospheric aerosols over Agra

Authors: AS Pipal, R Jan, PG Satsangi, S Tiwari, A Taneja
Journal: Aerosol and Air Quality Research, (2014)

Intra-urban variability of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and its relationship with optical properties of aerosols over Delhi

Authors: S Tiwari, PK Hopke, AS Pipal, et al.
Journal: Atmospheric Research (2015)

Characteristics of trace metals in PM2.5 and PM10 and health risk assessment in indoor environments in India

Authors: PG Satsangi, S Yadav, AS Pipal, N Kumbhar
Journal: Atmospheric Environment (2014)

Conclusion

Dr. Atar Singh Pipal stands out as a dedicated and accomplished researcher in atmospheric and environmental sciences, with a strong academic foundation, diverse international experience, and impactful research contributions. His work bridges scientific investigation with real-world environmental solutions, particularly in the areas of air quality and climate mitigation. Through his active participation in global collaborations, editorial roles, and professional societies, he continues to advance the understanding of air pollution and its broader implications. His profile reflects a strong commitment to scientific excellence and societal relevance.