Ayesha Zulfiqar | Conservation | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Ayesha Zulfiqar | Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | University of Jhang | Pakistan

Ms. Ayesha Zulfiqar, Lecturer at the Department of Zoology, University of Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan, is an emerging scholar and conservationist with expertise in wildlife ecology, conservation biology, and zoological sciences. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Forestry with a specialization in Wildlife and Protected Areas at Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China (2021–2025), after completing an M.Phil. in Zoology from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (2020) and a BS (Hons.) Zoology from Government College University Faisalabad (2018). Her professional experience includes lecturing at the University of Jhang since 2021, serving as Alumni Liaison Officer at Northeast Forestry University, and prior teaching at Chenab College Jhang. Her research interests span the conservation of endangered species such as cranes, Indian pangolin, flare-horned markhor, houbara bustard, and grey wolf, with emphasis on landscape ecology, habitat assessment, and community-based awareness for sustainable biodiversity protection. She possesses advanced research skills in ecological modeling, R-based data analysis, GIS mapping, and non-invasive field techniques, particularly fecal sampling of elusive species. Ms. Zulfiqar has successfully led multiple national and international research projects funded by organizations including the Pakistan Science Foundation, International Crane Foundation, and IDEA WILD, and she has published extensively in peer-reviewed, indexed journals such as Biology, North-Western Journal of Zoology, Pakistan Journal of Zoology, and Brazilian Journal of Biology, along with contributing refereed conference papers and Elsevier book chapters. Recognized for her academic excellence and leadership, she has received numerous honors including the CSC Scholarship for Ph.D., Outstanding Volunteer Award (NEFU, 2024), Social Practice Award (2024), and research grants exceeding PKR 4.9 million. With her strong academic foundation, research productivity, and international collaborations, Ms. Ayesha Zulfiqar is well-positioned to make significant contributions to global wildlife conservation and biodiversity management, while mentoring future scientists and advancing Pakistan’s role in ecological research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Zulfiqar, A., Sun, X., Wu, Q., Rehman, A., Khan, N., & Khan, M. N. (2025). Comparative analysis of perceived threat threshold from various drivers to cranes along Indus Flyway, Punjab, Pakistan. Biology, 14(9), 1275.

  2. Zulfiqar, A., Wenyou, D., Sikandar, A., Ahmad, N., Wu, Q., Mahmood, T., Eza, N. U., Rehman, A., Zhang, H., & Sun, X. (2025). Migratory cranes’ ecology and habitat use in District Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 21(2).

  3. Ahmad, T., Razzaq, A., Shahzadi, H., Rehman, F. U., Li, B., Ullah, S., Saqib, O., … & Zulfiqar, A. (2024). Nidification and breeding success of Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) in District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 56(4), 1819. Citations: 3

  4. Abid, I., Zulfiqar, A., Ahmad, T., Sikandar, A., Hussain, S., & Raza, T. (2024). Assessment of cyclical spreading and ecological extortions to the avian species in District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. Lahore Garrison University Journal of Life Sciences, 8(1), 134–151.

  5. Nazir, R., Ahmad, T., Gondal, M. A., Razzaq, A., Zulfiqar, A., Li, B., Dinislam, K., … & Shehzad, M. (2024). Evaluation of changes in ecosystem services due to the conflict between local community and red fox. Pakistan Journal of Zoology.

Luisa Massaccesi | Recovery of degraded soils | Best Researcher Award

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🌟Dr. Luisa Massaccesi, Recovery of degraded soils, Best Researcher Award🏆

 Doctorate at CNR-ISAFOM, Italy

Professional Profiles:

Bio Summary:

Luisa Massaccesi, an Italian researcher specializing in soil science and environmental microbiology. I hold a Ph.D. in Environmental Sustainability and have been actively involved in various research projects, contributing significantly to the understanding of soil-plant interactions, microbial communities, and the impact of agricultural practices on soil health.

Education:

Ph.D. in Environmental Sustainability

University of Perugia, Italy

Thesis Title: “Metals Mobility in Soil-Plant System”

Master’s in Defense of Agro-Food and Environmental Resources

University of Perugia, Italy

Bachelor’s in Sciences and Technologies of Cultivations

University of Perugia, Italy

Research Focus:

Luisa Massaccesi, research has primarily focused on the following areas:

Soil-Plant Interactions: Studied the dynamics of metals in soil-plant systems, with a focus on heavy metal mobility and accumulation in different soil types.

Microbial Ecology: Investigated the microbial communities in various environments, including soil, and their responses to different agricultural practices, antibiotic resistance, and environmental stressors.

Biochar Applications: Explored the use of biochar produced from woody materials as a soil amendment for fertility recovery, as well as its potential in mitigating heavy metal and aromatic hydrocarbon contamination.

Altitudinal and Vegetation Impact: Explored how altitude and vegetation affect soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, and basal respiration in forest soils.

Professional Journey:

Current Position: Researcher (III level) at the National Research Council (CNR) – Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Systems of the Mediterranean (ISAFOM), Perugia.

Previous Positions: Assegnista di Ricerca (Research Fellow) at the University of Tuscia, and Borsista (Fellow) at the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche.

International Experience: Trained at The Manchester University (UK) on the role of radical exudates in plant response to drought and climate warming.

Honors & Awards:

Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (ASN): Obtained qualification as an associate professor in Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Genetics, and Pedology.

Affiliations: Member of the Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS), International Humic Substances Society (IHSS), and Italian Society of Pedology (SIPE).

Publications Top Noted & Contributions:

Authored 42 ‘peer-reviewed’ publications in indexed scientific journals with an H-index of 19.

Reviewed manuscripts for reputable journals such as Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Geoderma, PLOS ONE, and more.

Title: Co-treatment of fruit and vegetable waste in sludge digesters. An analysis of the relationship among bio-methane generation, process stability and digestate phytotoxicity

Authors: F Di Maria, A Sordi, G Cirulli, G Gigliotti, L Massaccesi, M Cucina

Journal: Waste Management

Volume: 34, Issue: 9

Pages: 1603-1608

Year: 2014

Citations: 118

Title: Long-term distribution, mobility and plant availability of compost-derived heavy metals in a landfill covering soil

Authors: D Businelli, L Massaccesi, D Said-Pullicino, G Gigliotti

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume: 407, Issue: 4

Pages: 1426-1435

Year: 2009

Citations: 115

Title: Rhizosphere effect of three plant species of environment under periglacial conditions (Majella Massif, central Italy)

Authors: L Massaccesi, GMN Benucci, G Gigliotti, S Cocco, G Corti, A Agnelli

Journal: Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Volume: 89

Pages: 184-195

Year: 2015

Citations: 78

Title: Chemical characterisation of percolate and digestate during the hybrid solid anaerobic digestion batch process

Authors: L Massaccesi, A Sordi, C Micale, M Cucina, C Zadra, F Di Maria

Journal: Process Biochemistry

Volume: 48, Issue: 9

Pages: 1361-1367

Year: 2013

Citations: 78

Title: Gas emissions during olive mill waste composting under static pile conditions

Authors: L Nasini, G De Luca, A Ricci, F Ortolani, A Caselli, L Massaccesi, L Regni

Journal: International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation

Volume: 107

Pages: 70-76

Author Metrics:

Total Citations: 1000

H-index: 19

Research Timeline:

2015-2018: Researcher at the University of Perugia, focusing on soil-plant interactions in different pedoclimatic environments.

2013-2015: Assegnista di Ricerca at the University of Perugia, studying organic carbon sequestration in olive-cultivated soils.

2010-2012: Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Perugia, contributing to projects on integrated environmental enhancement of organic residues.

2007-2009: Doctoral research on heavy metal pollution in soil-plant systems, including a research period at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.