Hanin Othman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Hanin Othman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Hanin Othman | The Pennsylvania State University | United States

Dr. Hanin Othman is an accomplished Architect, Researcher, and Designer whose work bridges sustainable architecture, environmental sensing, and computational design. Currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture (Sustainability) at The Pennsylvania State University (USA), she explores innovative intersections between indoor environmental quality monitoring, IoT-based sensor technologies, robotics, and climate-responsive design. Her research advances the integration of low-cost, data-driven sensing systems for health-equitable and energy-efficient built environments, while also engaging in digital fabrication and robotic material processes that merge craft with computational design. She serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Artist & Maker in Residence at Penn State’s College of Engineering, where she leads interdisciplinary workshops on Arduino-based environmental monitoring and IoT applications in architecture. Dr. Othman’s academic career spans over a decade, including extensive teaching and studio leadership at The Hashemite University (Jordan), where she taught across design studios, architectural theory, heritage conservation, and environmental systems. Her research contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the ICDS Rising Researcher Award, Fox Scholar Award, Artists and Makers in Residence Fellowship, and Sustainability Graduate Student Award Nomination at Penn State. She also received the Best Master Thesis Published Paper Award from the University of Jordan  and the Best Graduation Project Award from The Hashemite University . Her scholarly output demonstrates her growing global recognition, with 45 citations across 45 documents and an h-index of 1, reflecting emerging influence in the fields of smart building systems, urban thermal comfort modeling, and IoT-driven architectural innovation. Through her interdisciplinary and human-centered approach, Dr. Othman continues to contribute to shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and health-conscious built environment aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Othman, H., Sieves, G., Guimarães, T., & Azari, R. (2025). A calibration chamber framework for low-cost indoor air quality sensor validation. Building and Environment, 283, 113856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113856

Othman, H., Azari, R., & Guimarães, T. (2024). Low-cost IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring. Technology | Architecture + Design, 8(2), 2405403. https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2024.2405403

Othman, H., Sieves, G., Guimarães, T., & Azari, R. (2024, November 13). Development of a calibration chamber to evaluate the performance of a low-cost IAQ sensing device. In SIGraDi 2024 – Biodigital Intelligent Systems Conference.

Othman, H. (2023). Exploring low-cost sensors for indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring. In C+++: Computation, Culture, and Context – Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Arab Society for Computation in Architecture, Art and Design (ASCAAD).

Imam, C. A., Othman, H. A. S., & Çapunaman, Ö. B. (2023). Robotic plaster carving: Formalizing subtractive detailing of plaster surfaces for construction and crafts. In Proceedings of the 41st International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) (Vol. 1, pp. 397–406). https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2023.1.397

Achieford Mhondera | Climate Solutions | Best Researcher Award

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

Bounmy Keohavong | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bounmy Keohavong | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bounmy Keohavong | Souphanouvong University | Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Dr. Bounmy Keohavong is a lecturer and Head of the Research Governance Office at Souphanouvong University, Lao PDR. He earned his Ph.D. in Agriculture from Kangwon National University, Korea, in 2013. His research specializes in poultry nutrition, feed evaluation, metabolizable energy, and the use of functional fatty acids in monogastric animal diets. He has participated in several international research collaborations and presented widely at academic forums. His work contributes to advancing sustainable and science-driven livestock feeding practices in Southeast Asia.

Academic Profile 

ORCID | GoogleScholar

Education

Dr. Bounmy Keohavong holds a doctoral degree in Agriculture, which he earned in 2013 from Kangwon National University in South Korea. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in agricultural science, with specialized focus areas that span animal nutrition, feed science, and livestock management. His international academic exposure has enabled him to adopt modern scientific approaches and integrate them into the context of Southeast Asian agricultural practices. Dr. Keohavong’s education was marked by both theoretical rigor and practical engagement, equipping him with the skills necessary for interdisciplinary research in animal science, sustainable agriculture, and resource optimization in livestock production.

Experience

Dr. Keohavong serves as the Head of the Research Governance Office at Souphanouvong University in Lao PDR, where he is also a senior lecturer and active researcher within the Faculty of Agriculture and Forest Resources. Over the years, he has taken on leadership roles that span academic instruction, research development, and institutional governance. His involvement in both national and international projects demonstrates his ability to bridge academic research with development initiatives, particularly in improving livestock practices and agricultural sustainability. Additionally, his editorial roles in reputable international journals reflect his engagement with the broader scientific community and his commitment to maintaining scholarly standards in agricultural science and interdisciplinary research.

Research Interests

Dr. Keohavong’s research primarily centers on poultry nutrition, with key interests in feed evaluation methods, determination of metabolizable energy, and the application of functional fatty acids in monogastric animal diets. His scientific contributions aim to optimize animal feeding strategies through evidence-based approaches, focusing on sustainable and cost-effective nutrition in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems. He also explores integrated approaches that incorporate local knowledge and scientific innovation, particularly in the areas of soil management, food safety, and water quality. His recent publications cover topics like pellet processing in feed efficiency, deep-sea water effects on animal growth, and the fusion of traditional and modern agricultural practices, reflecting his interdisciplinary and application-driven approach to research.

Awards

Although specific awards were not detailed in the original content, Dr. Keohavong’s scholarly contributions and academic leadership roles strongly suggest a career marked by institutional and international recognition. His appointment as a member of multiple editorial boards, including the PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (Thailand), Bulletin of Animal Science (Indonesia), and journals associated with the National University of Laos and Busan University of Foreign Studies, highlights the academic community’s trust in his expertise. Furthermore, his consultancy roles with projects funded by organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), particularly in the context of food safety and SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) protocols, further reflect his professional standing and recognition in the fields of agricultural development and international cooperation.

Publications

Effects of Drinking Diluted Deep Sea Water on Growth Performance and Immune Response in Broiler Chickens

Journal: PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research
Year: 2018

Challenging established narratives on soil erosion and shifting cultivation in Laos

Journal: Natural Resources Forum
Year: 2012

Comparison of Aviary, Barn and Conventional Cage Raising of Chickens on Laying Performance and Egg Quality

Journal: Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
Year: 2014

Impact of genetically modified food knowledge, environmental, and food safety concerns on purchase intention of genetically modified food in mediating role of perceived risk: An empirical study in Thailand

Journal: World Food Policy
Year: 2020

Conclusion

The Environmental Science Excellence Award is more than a recognition—it is a global call to action for those advancing knowledge, driving innovation, and creating tangible solutions for our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. By celebrating leaders in sustainability and research, this award aims to inspire future breakthroughs and empower individuals and institutions dedicated to a greener, more resilient world. We invite passionate environmental scientists, change-makers, and forward-thinking researchers to apply and be part of this prestigious recognition shaping the future of environmental stewardship.