Vasiliki Keramari | Chemistry | Research Excellence Award

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Vasiliki Keramari | Chemistry | Research Excellence Award

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Greece

Vasiliki Keramari is an Environmental and Chemical Engineer and a Ph.D. candidate in Analytical Chemistry whose work bridges advanced chemical analysis, environmental engineering, and sustainable materials research. Her expertise spans heavy metal detection, nanomaterials, and environmental monitoring, supported by a growing publication record and extensive teaching experience. As a Chemistry Lecturer at Aegean College, affiliated with the University of Essex, she teaches Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Ecotoxicology, contributing to the development of future scientists through rigorous, research-informed instruction. She also serves as an instructor at IEK Omiros and IEK Akmi in Thessaloniki, delivering courses in Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Environmental Protection, Laboratory Safety, and Health and Safety, reflecting her broad scientific background and commitment to academic excellence. Her earlier role as a Quality Control and Data Analyst at Amarla Retail SA further strengthened her skills in chemical data evaluation, quality assurance, and process documentation, enhancing her ability to translate scientific principles into practical industrial applications. Throughout her academic and professional path, she has demonstrated strong competence in interdisciplinary collaboration, working effectively with scientists, engineers, and industry professionals toward environmentally responsible and technologically innovative solutions. Her research interests focus on developing reliable analytical methods, investigating advanced materials for environmental applications, and promoting sustainable approaches to pollution control. She also holds certifications in environmental and occupational safety standards, underscoring her dedication to responsible scientific practice. Overall, her combined experience in teaching, research, and industry positions her as a dynamic and forward-thinking scientist committed to advancing analytical chemistry and environmental sustainability through education, applied research, and technical expertise.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Keramari, V., Karastogianni, S., & Girousi, S. (2023). New prospects in the electroanalysis of heavy metal ions (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu): Development and application of novel electrode surfaces. Methods and Protocols, 6(4), 60.

Keramari, V., Papadimou, S. G., Golia, E. E., & Girousi, S. (2024). Bismuth film along with dsDNA-modified electrode surfaces as promising (bio)sensors in the analysis of heavy metals in soils. Biosensors, 14(6), 310.

Girousi, S., Keramari, V., Paraschi, I., Karastogianni, S., & Golia, E. E. (2025). Development of a carbon paste electrode modified with saffron-conjugated silver nanoparticles for the simultaneous determination of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Cl in soils and plants. Chemosensors, 13(3), 91.

Keramari, V., & Girousi, S. (2025). Manganese nanoparticles for heavy metal detection vs. noble and base metal nanoparticles: Prospects, limitations, and applications in electroanalysis.

George Hanna | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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George Hanna | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Medical University of South Carolina | United States

Dr. George Steven Hanna is a Research Assistant Professor whose work lies at the intersection of environmental health, natural products chemistry, and biomedical sciences. He earned his B.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in 2014 and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on Natural Products Chemistry from the Medical University of South Carolina. With a strong foundation in marine biology, Dr. Hanna has developed a career-long interest in understanding how environmental exposures—particularly those related to water quality, pollutants, and microbial dynamics—influence human health and disease. His multidisciplinary research approach integrates environmental studies, epidemiology, ecology, bioinformatics, toxicology, metabolomics, and pharmacology, using the chemistry of nature to inform biological mechanisms and drive therapeutic discovery. He has cultivated collaborations with key organizations including NOAA, NIST, South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources, and the College of Charleston, in addition to engaging community-based groups such as Charleston Waterkeepers. Through these partnerships, he has helped develop a five-year biobank of  citizen-science water samples, providing a valuable resource for evaluating bacterial pollutants, chemical contaminants, and sewage indicators in local waterways. Dr. Hanna’s research not only advances drug discovery and toxicological studies but also directly informs public health policy and water treatment strategies. Committed to team science, community engagement, and addressing health disparities, he seeks to bridge environmental and biomedical sciences to improve human health outcomes while fostering sustainable solutions that benefit both communities and ecosystems.

profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  • Hanna, G. S., Findlay, V. J., Turner, D. P., & Hamann, M. T. (2024). Quantitative NMR analysis of marine macroalgae for AGE inhibition by methylglyoxal scavenging. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72(39), 21905–21911.

  • Hanna, G. S., Benjamin, M. M., Choo, Y. M., De, R., Schinazi, R. F., Nielson, S. E., Hevel, J. M., & Hamann, M. T. (2024). Informatics and computational approaches for the discovery and optimization of natural product-inspired inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 2′-O-methyltransferase. Journal of Natural Products, 87(2), 217–227.

  • Valente, I. V. B., Garcia, D., Abbott, A., Spruill, L., Siegel, J., Forcucci, J., Hanna, G., Mukherjee, R., Hamann, M., Hilliard, E., Lockett, M., Cole, D. J., & Klauber-DeMore, N. (2024). The anti-proliferative effects of a frankincense extract in a window of opportunity phase Ia clinical trial for patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 204(3), 521–530.

  • Krisanits, B. A., Woods, P., Nogueira, L. M., Woolfork, D. D., Lloyd, C. E., Baldwin, A., Frye, C. C., Peterson, K. D., Cosh, S. D., Guo, Q. J., Spruill, L. S., Lilly, M. B., Helke, K., Li, H., Hanna, G. S., Hamann, M. T., Thomas, C., Ahmed, M., Gooz, M. B., Findlay, V. J., & Turner, D. P. (2022). Non-enzymatic glycoxidation linked with nutrition enhances the tumorigenic capacity of prostate cancer epithelia through AGE mediated activation of RAGE in cancer associated fibroblasts. Translational Oncology, 17, 101350.

  • Mayasari, D., Murti, Y. B., Pratiwi, S. U. T., Sudarsono, S., Hanna, G., & Hamann, M. T. (2022). TLC-based fingerprinting analysis of the geographical variation of Melastoma malabathricum in inland and archipelago regions: A rapid and easy-to-use tool for field metabolomics studies. Journal of Natural Products, 85(1), 292–300.

Inimfon Udoetok | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Inimfon Udoetok | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr Inimfon Udoetok, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Dr. Inimfon Udoetok is an esteemed chemist with over a decade of experience in R&D, specializing in the design and modification of renewable and degradable biopolymers. His research spans adsorption-based applications, agriculture, food preservation, healthcare, oil spill remediation, and direct lithium extraction technology. Dr. Udoetok has made groundbreaking contributions to sustainable materials and environmental remediation. His work has been recognized through numerous awards, and he actively collaborates with industry and academia to develop innovative solutions for global challenges. In addition to his academic and industrial achievements, he has published high-impact research articles that advance biopolymer science, environmental chemistry, and lithium extraction technologies.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry – University of Saskatchewan (2018) 🏅🔬
  • M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry – University of Port Harcourt (2006) 🏆⚛️
  • Certificate in Applied Project Management – Saskatchewan Polytechnic (2020) 📊📈

Dr. Udoetok’s educational journey has been marked by academic excellence and a commitment to applied research. His Ph.D. research at the University of Saskatchewan focused on developing biopolymer-based materials for environmental remediation and sustainable applications. His Master’s research at the University of Port Harcourt emphasized industrial chemistry innovations, laying the foundation for his expertise in renewable materials. In addition, he completed Project Management certification, enhancing his ability to lead large-scale research projects and industrial collaborations.

Experience

  • Laboratory Manager – Arizona Lithium ⚡🔬
  • Lithium Extraction Chemist Manager – Arizona Lithium 🔍🔋
  • Senior Process Development Specialist – Prairie Lithium 🏭💡
  • Adjunct Professor – University of Regina 🎓📚
  • Sessional Lecturer – University of Saskatchewan 🏫📖

Dr. Udoetok’s career bridges industry, academia, and cutting-edge research. He has played a key role in the development of lithium extraction technologies, working with Arizona Lithium and Prairie Lithium. As a respected academic, he has mentored students and contributed to research as an Adjunct Professor and Sessional Lecturer. His expertise in laboratory management, materials science, and sustainable chemistry has made him a leader in renewable and degradable biopolymer applications.

Awards and Honors

  • University of Saskatchewan GSA Innovations Research Award 🏆🔬
  • Best Student Poster – Surface Canada Conference 📜🎖
  • Second Best Poster – 26th Canadian Materials Science Conference 🏅📊
  • Saskatchewan Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship Award 🎓🌍
  • Dr. Kenneth Johansson Scholarship Award 🏆📖
  • University of Saskatchewan Graduate Teaching Fellowship Scholarship 📚🎓

Dr. Udoetok’s contributions to research and innovation have been widely recognized through prestigious awards. His work in surface chemistry, material science, and biopolymer development has earned top honors at international conferences. He has also been awarded multiple scholarships and fellowships for his outstanding research, teaching, and innovation.

Research Focus

Dr. Inimfon Udoetok’s research focuses on renewable and degradable biopolymers for applications in adsorption-based technologies, environmental remediation, agriculture, food preservation, and healthcare. His work has led to breakthroughs in oil spill remediation materials and lithium extraction technologies, addressing global challenges in sustainability and clean energy.

His research explores:

  • Chitosan biocomposites for water purification 💧🌍
  • Hydrolyzed cellulose for hydrogen generation ⚛️🔋
  • Granulated lithium-ion sieves for battery materials 🔬🔄
  • Hybrid biopolymer-based adsorbents for wastewater treatment 🏭🚰

By integrating polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and green engineering, Dr. Udoetok’s work advances sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental applications.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Chitosan Biocomposites with Variable Cross-Linking and Copper-Doping for Enhanced Phosphate Removal” (2024) 📊🔬
  2. “Evaluation of a Granular Cu-Modified Chitosan Biocomposite for Sustainable Sulfate Removal from Aqueous Media: A Batch and Fixed-Bed Column Study” (2024) 📈💧
  3. “Hydrolyzed Forms of Cellulose and Its Metal Composites for Hydrogen Generation: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation” (2024) ⚛️🔍
  4. “Granulation of Lithium-Ion Sieves Using Biopolymers: A Review” (2024) 🔋📖
  5. “Hybrid Zipper-Like Chitosan-Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Ferric Adsorbents for Tunable Anion Adsorption” (2023) 🌱🔬
  6. “Design of Sustainable Biomaterial Composite Adsorbents for Point-of-Use Removal of Lead Ions from Water” (2022) 🚰🧪