Krzysztof Podwysocki | Environmental Analysis | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Krzysztof Podwysocki | Environmental Analysis | Young Scientist Award 

Krzysztof Podwysocki | State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre | Lithuania 

Dr. Krzysztof Podwysocki is a dedicated researcher at the Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Hydrobionts, State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania. He is a biologist whose work focuses on invasion ecology and crustacean biology, with particular expertise in the behavioral and physiological mechanisms underlying species invasions. He earned his doctoral degree in biology from the University of Lodz in Poland, where his research explored the invasion potential of genetically distinct populations of the amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus. His academic journey has been defined by an integrative approach that combines experimental ecology, morphology, and biogeography to understand species interactions and the ecological success of invasive organisms. Dr. Podwysocki’s research has made important contributions to the understanding of invasion mechanisms in aquatic ecosystems. His studies have shown how population-level variation shapes dispersal patterns, feeding behavior, and environmental adaptability in invasive amphipods. By revealing how genetic differences influence invasion potential and hybridization outcomes, his work supports the development of predictive models that can anticipate the spread of invasive species. His experimental work has connected physiological and morphological traits, such as exoskeleton strength and mouthpart structure, to ecological performance and competitive dominance. With a growing research portfolio, Dr. Podwysocki has authored several publications indexed in international databases such as Scopus and SCI, where he holds 12 citations across 9 documents with an h-index of 2. His scholarly contributions reflect a strong focus on advancing ecological understanding and improving predictive frameworks for managing invasive species.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | Linked In 

Featured Publications : 

Podwysocki, K., Desiderato, A., Szczerkowska-Majchrzak, E., Jermacz, Ł., Kobak, J., Bącela-Spychalska, K., & Rewicz, T. (2025, November). Population-dependent dispersal potential of freshwater invasive amphipods: A case study of Dikerogammarus villosus. Animal Behaviour.

Jermacz, Ł., Podwysocki, K., Desiderato, A., Bącela‐Spychalska, K., Rewicz, T., Szczerkowska‐Majchrzak, E., Augustyniak, M., Gjoni, V., & Kobak, J. (2025, September). The same species, not the same invader: Metabolic responses of genetically distinct invasive populations of Dikerogammarus villosus and their intraspecific hybrid to environmental stresses. Journal of Animal Ecology.

Podwysocki, K., Bącela-Spychalska, K., Desiderato, A., Rewicz, T., & Copilaş-Ciocianu, D. (2025, May). Environment, intraspecific lineages and geographic range jointly shape the high morphological variability of Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (Crustacea, Amphipoda): A successful aquatic invader across Europe. Hydrobiologia.

Podwysocki, K., Szczerkowska‐Majchrzak, E., Jermacz, Ł., Kobak, J., Bącela‐Spychalska, K., Rewicz, T., & Desiderato, A. (2025, March). Predation or omnivory—Two different feeding patterns displayed by two intraspecific groups of the invasive Ponto–Caspian amphipod—Dikerogammarus villosus. Freshwater Biology.

Podwysocki, K., Pabis, K., Palero, F., Błażewicz, M., & Serigstad, B. (2024, April). Low abundance and high patchiness of decapod fauna sampled with van Veen grab on the West African continental margin (Gulf of Guinea, Ghana). Oceanologia.

Rachana Lunawat | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Rachana Lunawat | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award 

Rachana Lunawat | Kingston University | United Kingdom 

Ms. Rachana Lunawat is an emerging scholar and finance professional with a strong academic foundation and practical experience in financial control, reporting, and sustainability-driven investment analysis. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance with Distinction from Kingston University, London, and a Master of Commerce from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Her academic and professional journey reflects a blend of analytical expertise and sustainability-oriented research. Having worked across the UK and India, Rachana has contributed to financial control, reconciliations, and audit preparedness in both public and private sectors, demonstrating her capability in enhancing reporting accuracy and operational efficiency. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and corporate financial performance. She co-authored a peer-reviewed article titled “Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Factors into the Investment Returns of American Companies,” published in MDPI’s international journal Sustainability. The study, indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science, employs panel data regression models using Bloomberg and Refinitiv datasets to assess how ESG engagement influences market valuation and long-term financial outcomes. This publication underscores her commitment to bridging sustainable finance and empirical financial analysis, offering insights that inform corporate strategy and responsible investment practices. Beyond research, Rachana has been actively involved in industry-oriented financial analysis projects, including portfolio optimization and ESG-financial performance evaluation of S&P 500 firms. These projects reflect her ability to translate academic concepts into data-driven decision-making relevant to global markets. Her collaborations with scholars from the University of St Andrews and Aston Business School have further enriched her interdisciplinary perspective on corporate sustainability and financial performance dynamics.

Profiles : ORCID | Linked In

Featured Publication : 

Lunawat, R. M., Elmarzouky, M., & Shohaieb, D. (2025). Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the investment returns of American companies. Sustainability, 17(19), 8522.

Adel Alshammari | Sustainability Strategies | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Adel Alshammari | Sustainability Strategies | Best Scholar Award

Professor at University of Hafr Albatin | Saudi Arabia 

Prof. Dr. Adel AlShammari is a distinguished Saudi academic and researcher specializing in Educational Administration, with a focus on higher education leadership, governance, and institutional excellence. He serves as a Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, where he has also held several senior academic and administrative positions, including Vice-Rector for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dean of Library Affairs, and Head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hafr Al-Batin University – Educational and Psychological Sciences and the Executive Director of the Saudi Association for Education and Psychology (GESTEN) at the university. According to Google Scholar metrics, he has 22 citations, an h-index of 3, and an i10-index of 0, reflecting his growing impact in academic and professional circles. Prof. Al-Shammari holds advanced academic qualifications in education, including a doctorate in Educational Administration from Yarmouk University in Jordan, a master’s degree in Curriculum Development, and earlier degrees in education and Islamic studies. His career demonstrates a strong blend of academic leadership, administrative expertise, and scholarly contribution. Over the years, he has been actively involved in various university councils and committees, overseeing scientific, academic, and strategic development initiatives, as well as institutional accreditation processes. Recognized as a peer reviewer for several leading Saudi and regional universities, Prof. Al-Shammari continues to contribute to the academic community through his editorial work, scholarly research, and leadership roles. His commitment to advancing education and promoting institutional excellence underscores his influence as a key figure in the field of educational administration in Saudi Arabia.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | Linked In 

Featured Publications : 

Alshammari, A. (2017). The university administration challenges in emerging Saudi universities and ways of confrontation it. Journal of the College of Education in Educational Sciences, 41(2), 61–117.

Alshammari, A. (2024). Strategic planning and institutional excellence in educational institutions: Reality, correlation, and impact. Management Research and Practice, 16(2), 16.

Alshammari, A. (2018). Reality of Saudi universities governance and their role in achieving the Kingdom Vision 2030. Journal of Educational Sciences, 30(3), 369–397.

Alharbi, A. M., Alshammari, A. A., & Naqvi, H. A. (2022). The gap between the perceptions and expectations of quality of services delivered to the participants at the scientific conferences using the University of Hafr Al-Batin as a model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 909489.

Alshammari, A. A., & Alshammari, N. H. M. (2024). Job burnout among female teachers in Saudi primary schools. MIER Journal of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices, 383–409.