Ali Zolfaghari | Soil-Plant Relations | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Ali Zolfaghari | Soil-Plant Relations | Editorial Board Member

Associate Professor at Semnan University | Iran

Dr. AliAsghar Zolfaghari is an Iranian soil physicist and Associate Professor at Semnan University, widely recognized for his influential contributions in Digital Soil Mapping for Spatial Prediction of Soil Properties, Prediction of Soil Hydraulic Properties Using Pedotransfer Functions, Effect of Climate Change on Soil Erosion and Vegetation Cover, Climate Change and Projection of Reference Evapotranspiration, Spatial and Temporal Variability of Reference Evapotranspiration, Bias Correction of Climatic Variables Using Machine Learning Methods, Machine Learning Approaches for Crop Yield Prediction Using Remote Sensing and Climatic Variables, Estimation of Soil Moisture Using SAR Data for Crop Yield Prediction, Spatial Variability of Soil Physical and Hydraulic Properties, Scaling of Infiltration, Determination of Soil Hydraulic Properties Under Field Conditions, and Prediction of Soil Properties Using Easily Available Variables Such as Soil Colour. His research portfolio spans numerous impactful publications, including major works such as Using Quantile Mapping and Random Forest for Bias-Correction of High-Resolution Reanalysis Data and CMIP6 Climate Projections, Machine Learning Method to Estimate Evapotranspiration, Enhancing Fire Susceptibility Mapping Through Machine Learning and Geospatial Analysis, Infection Severity of Arceuthobium oxycedri in Protected Mountain Ecosystems, Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting and Mapping Soil Available Water, Estimation of Vegetation Changes Across Climatic Gradients, Predicting Soil Properties Using Fast and Inexpensive Colour Sensor Data, Evaluation of Mathematical Models for Particle Size Distribution Prediction, Spatial Prediction of Soil Particle Size Distribution in Arid Lands, Sensitivity Analysis of Reference Evapotranspiration in Humid Climate, Mapping Soil Organic Carbon Using MIR Spectroscopy and Environmental Covariates, Observation and Simulation of Water Movement in Water-Repellent Soils, Prediction of Soil Macronutrients Using Fractal Parameters and Artificial Intelligence, Impact of Biochar on Soil Water Repellency, Assessing Performance of Decision Tree and Neural Network Models in Mapping Soil Properties, and Symbiosis of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi With Drought-Stressed Plant Species. Dr. Zolfaghari leads major national projects on flood-prone area mapping, disaster risk assessment, digital soil mapping integration with hydrological models, satellite-based soil property estimation, and climate-related hazard analysis. He supervises PhD and MSc research in soil physics, environmental modeling, evapotranspiration, satellite-based soil assessment, hydrological modeling, and digital soil mapping. With deep expertise in R, Python, GIS, Google Earth Engine, MATLAB, and environmental modeling platforms, he is also an academic leader serving in roles such as department dean, research deputy, laboratory manager, and consultant for agricultural enterprises. His scholarly and professional accomplishments, combined with numerous awards for teaching and research excellence, position him as one of the leading experts advancing soil physics, environmental modeling, and climate-informed land management in arid and semiarid regions.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications : 

 (2025). Ensemble machine learning for predicting soil hydraulic properties in semi-arid regions. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment.

(2025). Identification of flash flood-prone areas in arid and semi-arid regions using optical and radar imagery (Case study: Semnan province). Water and Soil Management and Modeling.

(2025). Daily reference evapotranspiration prediction in Iran: A machine learning approach with ERA5-land data. Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies.

Monica Alvarez Manso | Soil-Plant Relations | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso | Soil-Plant Relations | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Student At Universiad De Leon | Spain

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso is a dedicated researcher and professional in the fields of energy engineering, renewable resources, and sustainability. Her career bridges academia, applied research, and large-scale industrial projects, making her a dynamic contributor to advancing clean technologies. She has developed expertise in the design, implementation, and management of green hydrogen production, biomethane plants, and renewable energy systems, while also addressing water resource management and industrial energy efficiency. Her trajectory demonstrates a rare combination of technical knowledge, innovation, and institutional leadership, ensuring her contributions reach both scientific and societal levels. She is also recognized for fostering innovation through intellectual property, including simulation software for hydrogen systems and novel engineering techniques. Her leadership within professional organizations highlights her ability to influence policy and guide strategic initiatives in the energy and mining sectors. Altogether, her profile reflects a blend of scientific excellence, innovation, and commitment to sustainability.

Professional Profile 

Education

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso has pursued a strong academic path in engineering and sustainability, beginning with her qualification as a Technical Mining Engineer, which provided a solid foundation in applied sciences and industrial systems. She expanded her expertise by obtaining a master’s degree in Occupational Risk Prevention, demonstrating her commitment to safety and sustainability in industrial operations. She is currently advancing her academic career as a PhD candidate at the University of León, focusing on research in hydrogen technologies, bioenergy, and renewable systems. Her academic formation has been enriched through continuous participation in applied research projects and professional development programs, allowing her to integrate advanced concepts of energy engineering with practical solutions. This blend of technical engineering, occupational safety, and doctoral research gives her a comprehensive perspective that bridges industry needs with academic innovation, strengthening her capacity to lead interdisciplinary projects and contribute to the energy transition.

Professional Experience

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso has built an extensive professional career leading and coordinating complex technological projects in energy, mining, and sustainability. She has directed the design and implementation of hydrogen production plants, biogas and biomethane facilities, and large-scale energy infrastructures across diverse international contexts. Her expertise includes technical supervision of combined cycle power plants, substation reforms, and the integration of innovative systems such as free cooling for industrial optimization. Beyond infrastructure, she has contributed to renewable energy projects in Africa and Europe, designing systems for solar electrification, sustainable water pumping, and drinking water supply. She also serves in leadership roles within professional institutions, including as Vice-Dean of the Official College of Mining Engineers and as a board member in organizations dedicated to urban renewal and knowledge transfer. Her career demonstrates excellence in applying engineering expertise to sustainable energy transitions, industrial modernization, and international project management.

Research Interests

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso research interests lie at the intersection of renewable energy, sustainable engineering, and climate change mitigation. She is particularly focused on hydrogen technologies, covering the production, storage, and transport of green hydrogen, with an emphasis on integrating electrolysis and advanced purification systems. She is equally engaged in bioenergy, specifically the development of biogas plants, biomethane upgrading, and circular economy approaches that valorize byproducts like digestates. In addition, she explores advanced energy systems such as smart grids, industrial energy efficiency, and energy storage technologies that enhance sustainability and reliability. Her work also extends to water resource management, where she seeks innovative solutions for purification, pumping, and sustainable supply systems. A central theme throughout her research is the reduction of carbon emissions and the design of integrated strategies for sustainable industrial transformation. These interests reflect a holistic approach, connecting renewable energies with broader societal and environmental challenges.

Research Skills

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso brings strong skills in multidisciplinary research, combining technical engineering expertise with project management and innovation. She is adept at designing hydrogen and bioenergy plants, applying advanced modeling, simulation, and validation techniques. Her registered intellectual property, including HYDROGREENSIM, highlights her ability to translate research into practical technological tools. She has significant experience in proposal development and management for competitive funding programs, including European frameworks such as Horizon 2020, LIFE, and Innovation Fund, demonstrating her competence in securing and executing complex research initiatives. Her skills extend to the integration of renewable energy systems, application of circular economy principles, and implementation of industrial efficiency measures. Additionally, her international project coordination reflects cross-cultural communication and leadership capabilities. With strong analytical and problem-solving skills, she bridges theoretical research with applied industrial solutions, ensuring that her work contributes to both scientific advancement and practical sustainability outcomes.

Awards and Honors

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso has earned recognition through her leadership roles, contributions to innovation, and impact on sustainable energy solutions. She has been entrusted with significant institutional responsibilities, including her position as Vice-Dean of the Official College of Technical Mining Engineers and Mining and Energy Graduates, which acknowledges her professional credibility and leadership within the sector. Her appointment to boards of organizations dedicated to urban renewal and scientific collaboration further highlights her role as a trusted decision-maker and innovator. She has also distinguished herself through intellectual property achievements, with registered inventions and software tools that enhance the application of renewable hydrogen and advanced water purification. These accomplishments reflect not only her technical expertise but also her commitment to creating tangible benefits for industry and society. Collectively, her honors and recognition demonstrate a career of excellence, innovation, and leadership in advancing sustainable engineering solutions.

Publications Top Noted

Title: Classification Framework for Hydrological Resources for Sustainable Hydrogen Production with a Predictive Algorithm for Optimization
Year: 2025

Title: Estudio de viabilidad de una instalación de energía eléctrica combinada con un proceso de termólisis
Year: 2002

Conclusion

Mrs. Monica Alvarez Manso presents a strong case for the Best Researcher Award, given her significant contributions to hydrogen technologies, bioenergy, renewable energy integration, and sustainable water resource management. Her blend of technical expertise, innovation, and leadership in international energy projects reflects excellence in research with real-world applications. With further emphasis on academic publication output and research networking, her profile has the potential to become even more globally impactful, making her a highly suitable candidate for this award.