Biochar Utilization Professors and Supervisors

Mohd Ariff Ahmad NazriView profile

Senior Lecturer

Louisiana State University of AlexandriaUnited States

Dr. Mohd Ariff Ahmad Nazri is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia (UTHM) in Batu Pahat, Johor. He leads an active research laboratory focused on hydrological and environmental engineering challenges. Research Interests: His work spans: Water Resources Engineering with emphasis on tropical hydrology Groundwater dynamics including exploration, contamination, and treatment Water quality assessment using chemical and biological indicators Environmental monitoring techniques for Malaysian watersheds Sustainable water solutions like rainwater harvesting and green infrastructure Thematic analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2018-2024) reveals dominant research threads: 58% focus on groundwater characterization/remediation using geophysical and isotopic methods, 27% address surface water quality assessment through chemical/biological monitoring, and 15% develop sustainable water technologies like bioadsorbents and green roofs. His studies consistently feature Malaysian case studies with strong field-data components. Dr. Nazri's lab employs advanced techniques including: Electrical Resistivity Imaging for aquifer mapping Isotope measurements for water interaction studies Carbonization processes for water treatment materials Hydrological modeling and statistical trend analysis

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Beszédes SándorView profile

Associate Professor

University of SzegedHungary

Dr. Beszédes Sándor is an Associate Professor at the University of Szeged Faculty of Engineering, where he has been working since 2015. Previously, he served as an assistant lecturer (2008-2015) and technical assistant (2002-2008) at the same institution. He earned his PhD in Environmental Sciences from the University of Szeged (2014) and completed his habilitation in Environmental Sciences in 2024. His academic journey includes degrees in Food Engineering (BSc, 2002), Teacher of Engineering (BSc, 2004), and Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering (MSc, 2006). Dr. Beszédes has held several administrative positions at the Faculty of Engineering, including Deputy Dean for External and Internal Relations (2024-), Deputy Dean for Scientific Affairs (2020-2021), and Dean's Commissioner responsible for scientific affairs (2018-2020). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Analecta Technica Szegedinensia (2018-2022) and as Regional Associate Editor for several engineering journals. His research focuses on microwave-enhanced sludge conditioning, the relationship between dielectric properties and biodegradability, microwave-assisted extraction of bioactive components from food industry by-products, and analysis of biomass pre-treatments for biofuel production. His work bridges environmental engineering, food technology, and renewable energy, with particular emphasis on waste-to-resource conversion technologies. Dr. Beszédes has secured multiple research grants as principal investigator and co-investigator, including the current NKFIH/OTKA FK146344 project on monitoring wastewater treatment efficiency based on dielectric behavior (2024-2027). His research demonstrates consistent focus on applying dielectric measurement techniques to optimize wastewater treatment processes and food industry by-product valorization. Among his notable scientific awards are: MTA Bolyai János Research Scholarship (2021-2024, 2015-2018) Young Teacher of the Year Award in Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2019) Outstanding Talent Mentor Award (2018) New National Excellence Program Scholarship (2018) National Excellence Award, Doctoral Candidate Category (2015) Dr. Beszédes actively supervises student research, with current thesis topics focusing on microwave sludge conditioning efficiency analysis, moisture removal from biological materials, energy utilization possibilities of plant-based biomass, and efficiency analysis of thermal treatments for food industry wastewater sludge. He has also conducted research abroad, including at the University of Oulu (2009/2010) through a CIMO Scholarship.

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Christian Bock HyengView profile

Assistant Professor

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityUnited States

Christian Bock Hyeng serves as an Assistant Professor in the College of Built Environment at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, specializing in civil engineering and sustainable construction practices with significant contributions to STEM education research. Education Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, Russian People's Friendship University (2006): Research on stress/strain in concrete thin shell construction with perforation using variation differential method M.S. in Civil Engineering, Russian Peoples' Friendship University (2002) B.S. in Civil Engineering, Russian Peoples' Friendship University (2000) Research Focus Dr. Bock Hyeng's work bridges sustainable construction materials and educational psychology, with dual expertise in biochar-based cement alternatives and STEM student motivation. His materials research pioneers agricultural waste utilization in concrete, directly addressing environmental sustainability in construction. Simultaneously, his educational studies examine resilience factors in undergraduate STEM education during crises, contributing significantly to pedagogical frameworks for challenging environments. Both research strands align with UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable cities and quality education. Publication Trends His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a strategic interdisciplinary approach, merging civil engineering innovation with educational psychology. The biochar-cement research demonstrates technical rigor in sustainable materials development, while the 2024 STEM motivation study provides actionable insights for educational resilience, showing how construction engineering expertise informs educational methodology and vice versa. Professional Engagement Active in professional service since 2012 with documented contributions in 2012-2013 and 2015, Dr. Bock Hyeng teaches core built environment courses including Construction Materials, Environmental Control Systems, and Foundations Soil Mechanics. His teaching portfolio reflects integrated expertise across structural systems, sustainable materials, and construction documentation.

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Fulai LiuView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Fulai Liu is Professor and group leader of Crop Stress Physiology at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on enhancing crop yield, quality, and resource use efficiency under abiotic stresses in climate change scenarios, with expertise in plant adaptation mechanisms to drought, heat, salinity, and elevated CO 2 . His educational background includes: B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences from Beijing Agricultural University (1988-1992) M.Sc. from Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany (1998-2000) Ph.D. from The Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University (2001-2004) Diploma in educational studies (2007-2008) Leadership certificate from University of Copenhagen (2019) Liu's research centers on crop stress physiology and agricultural resource management. He investigates hydraulic/chemical signaling in stomatal regulation, biochar-mediated nutrient dynamics, stress priming mechanisms, and multi-generational CO 2 effects. His work integrates physiology, agronomy, and soil science to develop deficit irrigation strategies and climate-resilient cropping systems, with emphasis on physiological mechanisms rather than genetic modification. His 2025 publications reveal strong focus on biochar-water-nutrient interactions under stress, elevated CO 2 effects on ion homeostasis, and multi-stress adaptation across crops including cotton, maize, and tomato. Key trends include ABA signaling modulation, phosphorus bioavailability enhancement, and nanoplastics' impact on stress responses. Scientific recognition includes: DAAD Fellowship (1998-2000) KVL Ph.D. Stipend (2001-2004) As Principal Investigator for 30+ national/international projects totaling >40 million DKK, Liu has led initiatives including EU SAFIR on food safety, Villum Foundation research on wheat sustainability, and EU H2020 Smart Protein. He serves on PhD committees globally (China, Pakistan, Australia, Norway) and coordinates PLEN's PhD program since 2021, mentoring students through Sino-Danish Centre programs. His grant portfolio spans climate-resilient agriculture, water management, and soil amendment technologies. Liu leads the Crop Stress Physiology group, utilizing climate-controlled growth chambers, semi-field greenhouses, and instrumented field trials to simulate multi-stress conditions. The group collaborates internationally on projects like Bac4Crop (bacterial products for climate resilience) and RECOPE (phosphorus use efficiency), maintaining strong ties with Chinese, African, and European institutions through the Sino-Danish Centre.

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