Dr. Hengpeng Li - Environmental Science - Best Researcher Award

Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences - China

Author Profile

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Dr. Li Hengpeng began his academic journey with a deep interest in environmental science and engineering. his foundational education laid the groundwork for his future contributions in integrated watershed management and land-environment interactions. committed to interdisciplinary excellence, he refined his focus on hydrology, water quality, and sustainable ecological strategies early in his academic career. during this period, his curiosity extended to emerging fields such as power electronics, where he explored its intersection with environmental monitoring systems and automation of ecological observations.

🏛️ Professional endeavors

Currently serving as a research professor, dr. li hengpeng holds dual directorial roles: at the watershed resources and eco-environment research laboratory within the nanjing institute of geography and limnology, chinese academy of sciences (cas), and at the tianmu lake basin ecological observation and research station. under his leadership, these institutes have made substantial contributions to the development of watershed ecological security mechanisms. with extensive field experience, he has seamlessly integrated innovative technologies, including power electronics systems for real-time environmental data collection and analysis, into the operational frameworks of these research stations.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Dr. Li’s primary research domains include land-cover change and environmental impacts, hydrological and water quality modeling, and watershed planning and management. he has published over 100 academic papers in prestigious journals, cementing his reputation as a leader in watershed science. one of his most groundbreaking efforts is the market-based trading Environmental Science trial for water environmental capacity, framing it as an ecosystem service product. this novel concept not only innovates environmental governance but also utilizes concepts from power electronics in smart monitoring systems to regulate and quantify ecological service exchanges in real-time.

🌍 Impact and influence

The societal relevance and environmental impact of dr. li’s work are significant. his models and strategies have influenced the legislative protection of lake and reservoir environments across china. selected as a leading talent under the jiangsu provincial "333 high-level talent cultivation project", he has shaped national policy through science-backed recommendations. his projects were highlighted as model cases in two key national initiatives: the ndrс’s “value realization mechanism of ecological products” and the mee’s “green development in Environmental Science ecological civilization demonstration projects.” his efforts have led to improved watershed governance, demonstrating a strong intersection between science, policy, and environmental ethics.

📚 Academic cites

With over 100 academic papers published, dr. li hengpeng has built an influential academic presence in the fields of environmental science, hydrology, and sustainability planning. his work is frequently cited in international journals addressing ecosystem service valuation, hydrological dynamics, and land-use planning. many of his publications serve as reference points for Environmental Science interdisciplinary studies combining geographical information systems (gis), remote sensing, and environmental modeling—enhanced further by his integration of power electronics in eco-sensing and adaptive environmental control frameworks.

🌱 Legacy and future contributions

Dr. Li's innovative approach to ecosystem service commercialization and watershed management has established a new paradigm in eco-environmental governance. awarded the 2024 jiangsu may 1st labor medal, his legacy continues to inspire young researchers in china and beyond. moving forward, his focus remains on refining integrated ecological models and enhancing data-driven environmental decision-making systems. future projects aim to elevate smart watershed governance by embedding ai-driven tools and expanding the use of automation through intelligent systems and power electronics for precision monitoring and resource optimization.

Notable Publications

Title: Variability in N₂O emission controls among different ponds within a hilly watershed
Author(s): Shuyi Xie, Tianyu Xia, Hengpeng Li, Yongjuan Chen, Wangshou Zhang
Journal: Water Research
Title: Breaking the Boundary between Permanent Capital Farmland and Arable Land in China: Understanding State and Drivers of Permanent Capital Farmland Non-Grain Production in a Rapid Urbanizing County
Author(s): Yunjie Shi, Hengpeng Li, Jianwei Geng, Wangshou Zhang, Yuyang Shao
Journal: Land
Title: Historical development, impact mechanism and future trends of nitrogen footprint in Wuxi City, China
Author(s): Chuanhe Xiong, Hengpeng Li, Hongxiang Fan, Akida Askar
Journal: Science of the Total Environment
Title: Wetland Destruction in a Headwater River Leads to Disturbing Decline of In-stream Nitrogen Removal
Author(s): Wangshou Zhang, Hengpeng Li, Dawei Xu, Tianyu Xia
Journal: Environmental Science and Technology
Title: Review of Researches on Nitrogen Removal Effects of Denitrifying Woodchip Bioreactor from Agricultural Non-point Source Wastewater
Author(s): Jiaping Pang, Hengpeng Li, Jun Li, Shuai Zang
Journal: Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment

🌟 Early academic pursuits

Chiara Garau’s academic journey began with a passion for urban planning and architecture. she earned dual degrees, graduating with 110/110 summa cum laude, first in architectural engineering (december 2003) and later in communication science (february 2013), from the university of cagliari, italy. driven by a thirst for knowledge, she furthered her studies by obtaining a phd in land engineering and urban planning in 2008, coupled with a ii-level master’s degree in business intelligence (2005). her early academic foundation laid the groundwork for her distinguished career in urban and regional planning.

💼 Professional endeavors

Garau’s career flourished as she became an associate professor at the university of cagliari’s department of civil and environmental engineering and architecture (dicaar). she gained national recognition in june 2021, obtaining the qualification as a full professor in urban and regional planning (icar/20). over the years, she held various prestigious fellowships and roles, including scientific and technical adviser for observatory smart cities of rome and serving on the scientific committee of the young academics aesop. garau has also delivered lectures internationally, from the netherlands to south africa, ireland, and beyond, emphasizing her global academic influence.

📊 Contributions and research focus

Garau’s research interests revolve around sustainable urban development, smart cities, and spatial planning. she played a key role in coordinating phd courses on “smart and sustainable cities,” which influenced urban planning curriculums in italy. her work spans innovative Urban and regional planning smart mobility strategies and urban sustainability, with a significant focus on european cohesion policies and regional development. she also contributed to projects like benchmarking urban mobility and evaluating proglacial lakes' future in collaboration with international institutions.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

Garau has received numerous accolades for her outstanding work in urban planning. she won the best paper award at the iccsa 2015 for her study on smart urban mobility in italian cities. her expertise was further recognized by the european commission in 2019 when she was selected as the only italian jury member for the prestigious regostars awards. her participation in the “science tour 2016: city of the future” program in Urban and regional planning germany, selected by the german federal ministry of education and research, is another testament to her international recognition.

🌍 Impact and influence

Garau’s impact extends beyond academia into the realm of policy and urban development. she was recognized by the european commission for her contributions to regional and urban policy and regularly collaborates with international bodies to shape smart city initiatives. her work has Urban and regional planning influenced urban mobility, sustainability, and spatial development strategies across europe and beyond. her role in global conferences such as the nobel x conference in urbanism, alongside notable scholars, underscores her influence in the global academic community.

📚 Legacy and future contributions

as a forward-thinking academic, garau continues to shape the future of urban planning. her work on smart cities, regional development, and sustainable urban design paves the way for future generations of scholars and practitioners. she remains a prominent figure in the academic and urban planning worlds, with numerous publications and collaborative projects to her name. garau’s involvement with global institutions, such as trinity college dublin and the university of malta, ensures her research and teachings will continue to inspire and impact urban policy worldwide.