Muyaka Kamamba | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Muyaka Kamamba | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Muyaka Kamamba, Blue and Green Water Guardians, Zambia

Muyaka Kamamba is a dynamic environmental scientist and engineer passionate about advancing integrated water resources management (IWRM). Currently serving as Executive Director of Blue and Green Water Guardian, he has led impactful projects blending forestry, hydrology, and geospatial sciences. With a BSc in Forestry from Copperbelt University and an MSc in IWRM from the University of Zambia, Muyaka integrates cutting-edge GIS/RS technologies into climate and water systems research. He has collaborated with global institutions like FAO and G20, and contributed to sustainability assessments, small dam safety studies, and forest-water nexus modeling. His work bridges science and community resilience, making him a committed force in environmental governance and sustainable development.

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Suitability Summary for Muyaka Kamamba – Research for Best Researcher Award

Muyaka Kamamba stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to his extensive expertise and impactful contributions in the field of integrated water resources management, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Holding advanced degrees in forestry and integrated water resource management, complemented by specialization in GIS and remote sensing, Muyaka effectively combines scientific rigor with practical applications. His leadership as Executive Director at Blue and Green Water Guardian underscores his commitment to environmental stewardship and applied research.

His research portfolio highlights the critical forest–water–climate nexus in Zambia’s major river basins, employing cutting-edge geospatial technologies and hydrological modeling to address pressing environmental challenges such as water availability, climate resilience, and deforestation. Muyaka’s engagement in key projects — including collaborations with FAO-UNZA and participation in internationally recognized programs — demonstrates a capacity to bridge science with policy and community impact, making his work both relevant and transformative.

🎓 Education

Muyaka Kamamba holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the Copperbelt University, Zambia. He further pursued his Master of Science in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), from the University of Zambia. Additionally, he obtained a Diploma in Agronomy from the International Centre for Agriculture, enriching his expertise in soil science and crop management. This interdisciplinary academic background enables him to approach environmental challenges through a comprehensive lens, balancing ecological, hydrological, and agricultural aspects. His academic training has provided a strong foundation for his applied research, which spans forest-water-climate dynamics, irrigation engineering, and smallholder sustainability. He has also participated in numerous international training sessions and research programs, including G20-sponsored remote sensing sessions and summer schools on water sustainability, demonstrating his commitment to continual learning and global knowledge exchange in environmental science.

💼 Professional Experience

Muyaka Kamamba brings a rich blend of practical, research, and leadership experience in environmental science. As Executive Director of Blue and Green Water Guardian, he spearheads initiatives targeting water-forest conservation and sustainable agriculture. His professional journey includes consultancy roles in irrigation engineering, project management, and sales support, with a strong scientific research component. From 2022 to 2024, he served as a Research Fellow under ORTARCHI-UNZA, investigating forest–water dynamics in the Kafue Basin. He has collaborated with FAO, contributing to the Zambezi Headwaters study using geospatial technologies and local community engagement. In 2023, he joined the SEED Summer School as a Research Student, analyzing dam sustainability under experts from Italy and Zambia. He is also affiliated with the IWRM Centre and is a member of international scientific networks. His professional footprint illustrates a seamless integration of fieldwork, modeling, and participatory development.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Muyaka Kamamba has earned growing recognition in the field of environmental science. He serves on the Editorial Board of the International Soil Scientist Awards and the Environmental Scientist Awards, where his expertise in geospatial and hydrological modeling is valued. Though early in his publication and citation journey, his impactful contributions to interdisciplinary research in forest–water–climate linkages have positioned him as a promising candidate for prestigious recognitions like the Best Researcher Award and Young Scientist Award. His involvement in global initiatives, including G20-sponsored remote sensing training and FAO-supported hydrological assessments, underscores his commitment to high-quality, internationally relevant research. Through his leadership at Blue and Green Water Guardian, he has amplified community-level water and forestry management efforts, earning accolades within Zambia’s environmental science circles. His reputation continues to grow through active participation in global academic platforms such as ResearchGate, IAHR, and the Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy.

🌍 Research Skills On Environmental Science

Muyaka Kamamba exhibits advanced research skills in hydrology, forestry, GIS, and climate adaptation. He specializes in using remote sensing tools and hydrological models to study the impacts of land-use changes on water cycles. His work addresses complex systems like the forest–water–climate nexus, integrating biophysical data, local field observations, and policy dimensions. Skilled in software such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and SWAT+, he is adept at basin-scale simulations and sustainability risk assessments. His research explores alternative energy to wood biomass, sustainable financing models for water infrastructure, and dam resilience. He also conducts socio-hydrological studies that emphasize stakeholder engagement and local knowledge integration. Through collaborations with academic institutions and international bodies like FAO and UNZA, he has honed a multidisciplinary approach, making him a critical thinker and systems-level analyst. His capacity to deliver actionable insights from data to policy makes him a valuable contributor to sustainable development and environmental science.

📖 Publication Top Notes

Forest-Water Nexus: An Evapotranspiration Assessment of the Kafue River Sub-Basin Using Remote Sensing
  • Authors: Muyaka Kamamba, Henry Zimba, Henry Sichingubula, Imasiku Nyambe
  • Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

Niannian Fan | Hydrology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Niannian Fan | Hydrology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Niannian Fan, Sichuan University, China

Dr. Niannian Fan is an Associate Researcher at the National Key Laboratory of Mountain River Protection and Governance, Sichuan University. With a Ph.D. in Hydraulic Engineering from Tsinghua University and a B.Eng. in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering from Sichuan University, he specializes in river morphodynamics, hydrological processes, and fluvial geomorphology. His research explores sediment transport, river capture, and geomorphic evolution on millennial timescales. Dr. Fan has published extensively in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications and Geophysical Research Letters. His work has been recognized with several national awards and invitations to speak at prominent academic conferences. He also serves as principal investigator on major research projects funded by the NSFC and regional institutions. A forward-thinking hydrologist, Dr. Fan integrates geoscientific data and modeling to unravel the intricate relationships between climate, tectonics, and river systems in China and beyond.

Professional Profile

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Suitability Assessment for Research for Best Researcher Award: Niannian Fan

Niannian Fan stands out as a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award owing to a strong and consistent record of impactful research, leadership in scientific projects, and recognized academic excellence. With a Ph.D. in Hydraulic Engineering from the prestigious Tsinghua University, Fan has dedicated over a decade to advancing the field of river dynamics, sediment transport, and geomorphology, particularly focusing on mountain river systems and fluvial evolution.

Fan’s academic journey reflects progressive research responsibility, currently holding the position of Associate Researcher at the National Key Laboratory of Mountain River Protection and Governance, Sichuan University. This role, combined with previous experience as an Assistant Researcher and international exposure as a Visiting Scholar at renowned institutions like the University of British Columbia and University of Central Florida, underlines a solid foundation in both independent and collaborative research environments.

🎓 Education

Dr. Niannian Fan holds a Ph.D. in Hydraulic Engineering from Tsinghua University (2009–2014), where he developed his expertise in sediment transport and river dynamics. Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate studies in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering at Sichuan University (2005–2009). His educational journey reflects a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology. Through rigorous coursework, advanced research, and laboratory experiments, he cultivated analytical skills crucial for investigating complex riverine systems. His doctoral research focused on interactions among flow, sediment, and bed morphology—critical for understanding hydrological evolution and fluvial processes. These academic credentials have laid the groundwork for his cutting-edge investigations in hydrological science and mountain river systems, influencing flood management, paleohydrology, and environmental protection efforts. This blend of top-tier education and focused hydrological study sets Dr. Fan apart as a leading scholar in the hydrology domain.

💼 Professional Experience 

Since 2018, Dr. Niannian Fan has served as an Associate Researcher at the National Key Laboratory of Mountain River Protection and Governance, Sichuan University, leading innovative studies on river evolution and sediment dynamics. He began his professional academic career as an Assistant Researcher (2014–2018) at the same institution. Dr. Fan has also enriched his global perspective through visiting scholar positions at the University of British Columbia (2016–2017) and the University of Central Florida (2014), where he collaborated on river geomorphology and flow modeling projects. Over the years, he has taken on significant responsibilities, including leading government-funded research projects and mentoring junior researchers. His professional portfolio emphasizes interdisciplinary research and real-world hydrological applications, such as ancient dammed lakes’ impact on prehistoric human settlement and tectonic-driven river reorganization. Dr. Fan’s academic leadership, coupled with a rich fieldwork and modeling background, continues to shape hydrological understanding in complex mountain terrains.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Niannian Fan’s pioneering work in hydrology and river geomorphology has earned him multiple accolades. Notably, he received the 2021 Excellent Young Scholar Award – Good Future Program from Sichuan University, recognizing his outstanding contributions to river evolution studies. His collaborative research on Pleistocene river capture earned distinction at Sichuan University (2019), and his academic insights have been featured in national conferences such as the Hydraulics History Lecture Series (2025) and the National Conference on Geomorphology (2019, 2020). These recognitions underscore his reputation as an authority in long-term river evolution, sediment dynamics, and tectonic-hydrological interactions. His presentations, focusing on river captures and landscape response over orbital to tectonic timescales, reflect a deep understanding of both regional and global fluvial systems. Through his awards and talks, Dr. Fan has significantly influenced hydrological and geomorphological discourse, demonstrating leadership and innovation in water resource research.

🌍 Research Skills On Hydrology

Dr. Niannian Fan brings a diverse skill set to hydrological science, encompassing sediment transport modeling, fluvial geomorphology, river capture analysis, and geoarchaeological fieldwork. He specializes in studying the interactions between flow, sediment, and particle sizes during bedload transport. His work integrates advanced modeling techniques, field data collection, and historical geomorphic reconstructions to understand long-term river system evolution. Dr. Fan’s research also explores tectonic and climatic influences on river courses using sediment provenance analysis and morphometric indices. His skills extend to multidisciplinary collaborations—linking hydrology, archaeology, and geomorphology to interpret human-river interactions in prehistoric times. With a sharp focus on complex mountainous river basins, he adeptly employs GIS, remote sensing, and isotope geochemistry tools. These capabilities enable him to unravel the intricate processes that shape river dynamics over millennia. His research acumen has propelled breakthroughs in understanding ancient flood events and their implications for present-day river management.

📖 Publication Top Notes

1. Geoarchaeological evidence of an ancient landslide dam (13–4.7 ka) and consequent outburst flood on the Minjiang River near Wenchuan, China

  • Journal: CATENA

  • Year: 2024

  • Authors: Niannian Fan, Xingguo Yang, Michael J. Storozum, Xuefeng Cheng, Lan Li, Weiming Liu, Zhipeng Lin, Xingnian Liu
2. From Desiccation to Re‐Integration of the Yellow River Since the Last Glaciation

  • Journal: Geophysical Research Letters

  • Year: 2023

  • Authors: Yuqi Zhao, Niannian Fan, Junsheng Nie, Jordan T. Abell, Yu An, Zhangdong Jin, Chengshan Wang, Jiafu Zhang, Xingnian Liu, Ruihua Nie

3. Interplay of Turbulent Flow and Various Sized Particles in Sediment Transport

  • Type: Preprint (ESSOAr)

  • Year: 2020

  • Authors: Niannian Fan, Marwan A. Hassan, Qiang Zhong, Ruihua Nie, Conor Mcdowell, Xingnian Liu

4. Bed load transport for a mixture of particle sizes: Downstream sorting rather than anomalous diffusion

  • Journal: Journal of Hydrology

  • Year: 2017

  • Authors: Niannian Fan, Yushu Xie, Ruihua Nie