Hiroto Yamamoto | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hiroto Yamamoto | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D Student at Department of Natural Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo | Japan

Mr. Hiroto Yamamoto is a dedicated marine scientist currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan. His academic journey reflects a strong commitment to the advancement of fisheries science and marine technology. He earned his Master’s degree in Fishery Science from the Graduate School of Kindai University, where he developed a deep interest in the intersection of aquatic biology, fishery management, and technological innovation in marine research. As a researcher, Mr. Yamamoto focuses on exploring advanced methodologies for understanding and conserving marine megafauna, particularly through the integration of modern imaging techniques and quantitative analysis. His publication “Estimating Whale Shark, Rhincodon typus, Length Using Multi-Stereo-Image Measurement” highlights his contribution to the field of marine biology and his expertise in applying digital and imaging technologies to enhance accuracy in aquatic species assessment. His work demonstrates how innovative image-based approaches can provide non-invasive, reliable, and scalable solutions for monitoring large marine organisms, which are often challenging to study in natural habitats. By combining field-based observation with computational modeling, he aims to contribute toward sustainable ocean resource management and the broader goals of marine biodiversity conservation. Based at the University of Tokyo’s Kashiwa Campus in Chiba, Hiroto Yamamoto continues to expand his research portfolio through interdisciplinary collaborations and cutting-edge techniques in marine ecosystem analysis. His forward-looking research vision reflects a deep passion for understanding the dynamics of ocean life and advancing the scientific foundation for global marine sustainability.

Profile : ORCID

Featured Publications

Yamamoto, H., Sasaki, A., Kanna, T., Mitsunaga, Y., & Torisawa, S. (2025, October 10). Estimating whale shark (Rhincodon typus) length using multi-stereo-image measurement. Fishes, 10(10), 513.

Fabricio Leandro Damasceno | Ecology | Best Scholar Award

Mr. Fabricio Leandro Damasceno | Ecology | Best Scholar Award

PhD at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro | Brazil

Mr. Fabricio Leandro Damasceno is an emerging environmental scholar and PhD student at the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, specializing in ecology, environmental geoscience, and geochemistry. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in geological and environmental sciences, with advanced training in the application of geotechnologies for ecological monitoring and environmental analysis. Professionally, he has contributed to multiple research initiatives addressing marine and coastal ecosystem health, particularly in southeastern Brazil, focusing on Guanabara, Sepetiba, and Ilha Grande Bays. His research interests center on ecological quality assessment, environmental pollution, biogeochemical processes, and the use of living benthic foraminifera as bioindicators for ecosystem evaluation. Equipped with strong research skills in geochemical analysis, biomonitoring, isotopic modeling, and ecological data interpretation, he effectively integrates field observations with laboratory-based methods to provide holistic environmental insights. Damasceno’s works published in high-impact journals such as Environmental Pollution, Chemosphere, and Marine Environmental Research demonstrate his innovative approach to environmental diagnostics. He has been recognized for his scholarly contributions and collaboration in advancing ecological assessment frameworks in Brazil. Overall, his research and academic achievements reflect a deep commitment to sustainable coastal management and the development of reliable tools for environmental decision-making.

Profile : Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

Nunes, M., Martins, M. V. A., Frontalini, F., Bouchet, V. M. P., Francescangeli, F., & Damasceno, F. L. (2023). Inferring the ecological quality status based on living benthic foraminiferal indices in transitional areas of the Guanabara Bay (SE Brazil). Environmental Pollution, 320, 121003.

Damasceno, F. L., Martins, M. V. A., Frontalini, F., Pawlowski, J., Cermakova, K., & others. (2024). Assessment of the ecological quality status of the Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil): When metabarcoding meets morphology on foraminifera. Marine Environmental Research, 195, 106340.

Damasceno, F. L., Martins, M. V. A., Senez-Mello, T. M., Santos, L. G. C., & others. (2024). Potential ecological risk by metals in Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil): Exporting metals to the oceanic region. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 141, 104934.

Senez-Mello, T. M., Martins, M. V. A., de Lima Ferreira, P. A., Figueira, R., & Damasceno, F. L. (2024). Assessment of anthropogenic pollution in Guanabara Bay (SE Brazil) through biogeochemical data and stable isotope mixing models. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(22), 32972–32997.

Ferreira, F. L. D., & da Silva, T. P. (2019). Avaliação morfotectônica com base em assimetria de bacias de drenagem em um setor da depressão topográfica do Rio Pomba (Palma/MG–RJ). Revista Multidisciplinar Mundo Livre (UFF-Campos), 5(2).

Prince Owusu | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Prince Owusu | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Ghana

Mr. Prince Owusu is an emerging ecologist and natural resources scholar from Ghana with a strong academic and professional background in environmental governance, sustainability, and forest management. He earned a BSc in Natural Resources Management (Silviculture and Forest Management option) in 2023 and an MPhil in Natural Resources and Environmental Governance in 2025, both from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Professionally, he has worked with leading organizations including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), UNESCO, the Forestry Commission of Ghana, CIAT in partnership with Mondelez, and the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance under the European Forest Institute. His research interests span ecological economics, environmental governance, climate change, ecosystem services, rural livelihoods, and landscape restoration, with special attention to socio-economic dimensions of conservation. He possesses advanced research skills in data collection, SPSS and R-based statistical analysis, GIS applications, and technical report writing. Owusu has published in reputable outlets such as Journal of Sustainable Forestry (Taylor & Francis), Scientific African (Elsevier), and Journal of Sustainability Science (Springer). His academic excellence has been recognized through multiple awards including Best Thesis Presenter at KNUST and the Aspire Leaders Program Award (Harvard Business School). With proven leadership, outreach, and research capacity, he is poised to make significant contributions to ecology and sustainable development globally.

Profile : ORCID

Featured Publications

Owusu, P., Asare, B. W., Aikins, B., Dogbe, P. Y., & Asaah, D. W. (2025, December). Willingness to pay for urban heat island mitigation through increased tree coverage: A contingent valuation study in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. City and Environment Interactions, 18, 100242.