Manuel Toledo Padrón | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Manuel Toledo Padrón | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

University of Cordoba | Spain

Manuel is a young and internationally recognized researcher specializing in odour emissions from organic waste and wastewater treatment. His scientific career began in 2015 with a competitive F.P.I. pre-doctoral contract at the University of Córdoba, where he launched a pioneering research line on odour impact assessment in waste management. During his doctoral studies, he published six JCR-indexed papers, presented at multiple international congresses, and undertook two research stays abroad, advancing knowledge on sulphur compound behaviour in air-sampling materials. His work represented a significant step forward in odour quantification and minimisation, essential for sustainable waste treatment. In 2018, he continued as a postdoctoral researcher at Córdoba, contributing to odour mitigation strategies in co-composting plants, with three additional JCR publications. A subsequent postdoctoral stay at Ghent University focused on biofiltration of volatile organic compounds and novel analytical methods for water odorant detection, resulting in two high-impact articles. Since 2021, Manuel has been a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral researcher at the University of Valladolid and a member of the Institute of Sustainable Processes (ISP), focusing on odour prevention in sewage networks and treatment plants. He has participated in national and international projects, research contracts with companies, and teaching innovation initiatives, while supervising degree, master’s, and doctoral theses. With 21 scientific publications, 16 conference participations, editorial roles, and prestigious awards—including the extraordinary thesis prize and the Abbás Ibn Firnás award—Manuel has established himself as a leading researcher. His medium- and long-term goals center on advancing sustainable odour and GHG mitigation strategies for environmental protection and industrial application.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Odour prevention strategies in wastewater treatment and composting plants: A review  – Journal of Environmental Management, 2025.

  • Activated sludge process versus rotating biological contactors in WWTPs: Evaluating the influence of operation and sludge bacterial content on their odor impact  – Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2022.

  • Optimization of activated sludge recycling and oxidized ammonium recycling as odour control strategies in wastewater treatment plants  – Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2022.

  • Enhanced removal of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds in biofilters and biotrickling filters: A review on the use of surfactants and the addition of hydrophilic compounds  – Chemosphere, 2021.

  • Study of the Tagus River and Entrepeñas reservoir ecosystem around the Trillo nuclear power plant using chemometric analysis: Influence on water, sediments, algae and fish  – Chemosphere, 2021.

  • Biofiltration of butyric acid: Monitoring odor abatement and microbial communities – Environmental Research, 2020.

  • Co-composting of chicken manure, alperujo, olive leaves/pruning and cereal straw at full-scale: Compost quality assessment and odour emission  – Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2020.

 

Maja Kiba-Janiak | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr Maja Kiba-Janiak | Social Sciences |Research Excellence Award 🏆

associate professor, director of Executive MBA programme at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Poland🎓

Maja Kiba-Janiak DSc, is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in management and quality sciences. Currently serving as the Director of the Executive MBA program at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, she has a rich background in logistics and supply chain management. With extensive international experience, Dr. Kiba-Janiak has significantly contributed to the field through teaching, research, and professional consulting.

Professional Profile 

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 📚

Dr. Kiba-Janiak earned her Master’s degree in Marketing and Management from the Technical University of Zielona Góra (1998) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics Systems Design from the University of Economy in Poznan (1999). She completed her PhD in Economy at Wroclaw University of Economy (2005) and achieved her DSc in Social Sciences with a focus on management and quality sciences in 2019.

Work Experience 🏛️

Dr. Kiba-Janiak’s career includes notable roles such as Director of the Executive MBA program at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business since 2020 and Associate Professor at the same institution since 2019. Previously, she served as Rector of the Higher School of Business in Gorzow Wlkp., where she was responsible for academic and strategic development. Her career also encompasses roles in various institutions, including as Assistant Professor, Dean, and Marketing Manager.

Skills 🛠️

Dr. Kiba-Janiak’s expertise includes logistics management, supply chain management, city logistics, and sustainable transport. Her skills extend to educational program development, strategic planning, and international collaboration. She is also proficient in advanced logistics systems and ERP software.

🎓 Teaching 

Dr. Kiba-Janiak has extensive teaching experience across various institutions. She has taught courses in production and service management, supply chain management, and city logistics at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her international teaching includes lectures and workshops on logistics and supply chain management in countries such as Australia, Slovakia, and Turkey.

🏆 Awards & Honors:

Dr. Kiba-Janiak has received numerous awards for her contributions to academia, including:

  • 2022: Minister’s Award for significant achievements in scientific activities
  • 2022-2015: Multiple Rector Awards for outstanding academic teaching
  • 2003: 1st Prize in the competition for schoolmaster of the year
  • 2000: 1st Prize for the best article at the International Symposium for Young Research Workers and Students

🌍  Memberships:

 

Dr. Kiba-Janiak is an active member of several professional organizations:

  • Member of the National Logistics Association (since 2023)
  • Former member of APICS (2016-2019)

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Kiba-Janiak’s research primarily focuses on sustainable city logistics, last-mile delivery, and supply chain management. Her current projects include advancing zero-emission urban logistics and systemic expansion of circular ecosystems, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and other prestigious funding bodies.

 

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