Elizabeth Middleton | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Elizabeth Middleton | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD, USA | United States

Dr. Elizabeth M. Middleton is a distinguished research scientist and senior research consultant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), with decades of leadership in carbon dynamics, photobiology, and vegetation remote sensing, including spectroscopy and fluorescence-based satellite observation. Over her extensive career at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) , she made pioneering contributions to global-scale ecosystem monitoring and Earth observation missions. She served in several key roles, including Project Manager of the Eastern Regional Remote Sensing Applications Center, Principal Investigator for major projects such as the Boreal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) in Canada and NASA’s Carbon Cycle Science Program, and Deputy Project Manager for the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA). As EO-1 Mission Scientist for NASA’s Earth Observer-1 satellite and GSFC Lead Scientist for the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) concept, she was instrumental in advancing satellite technologies for monitoring ecosystem productivity. Her research has significantly enhanced understanding of light use efficiency, vegetation fluorescence, and biosphere-atmosphere interactions. Dr. Middleton has also contributed as a member of the European Space Agency’s Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) advisory group and as co-investigator in joint NASA/ESA field campaigns. An active member of several professional societies including ESA, AIBS, IEEE, and AGU, she has served as guest editor for multiple leading journals in remote sensing and as a reviewer and panelist for numerous scientific programs. Recognized through numerous NASA awards—including the Exceptional Service Medal and the Nordberg Award for Outstanding Earth Science—her career embodies scientific excellence and sustained contributions to advancing ecological and atmospheric research through remote sensing innovation.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P. E. K., Harding, D. J., Ranson, K. J., Wynne, R., Thomas, V., & Middleton, E. M. (2022). Evaluating approaches relating ecosystem productivity with DESIS spectral information. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVI-1/W1-2021, 31–37.

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P. K., Landis, D. R., & Middleton, E. M. (2019). Developing a common globally applicable method for optical remote sensing of ecosystem light use efficiency. Remote Sensing of Environment, 230, 111190.

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P., Vargas, S. A., Sackett, S., Unger, S., May, J., Tweedie, C., Joiner, J., Yoshida, Y., & Middleton, E. (2022). Leaf-level chlorophyll fluorescence and reflectance spectra of high latitude plants. Environmental Research Communications, 4(3), 035001.

Joiner, J., Yoshida, Y., Anderson, M., Holmes, T., Hain, C., Reichle, R., Koster, R., Middleton, E., & Zeng, F. (2018). Global relationships between satellite-derived solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), traditional vegetation indices (NDVI and NDII), evapotranspiration (ET), and soil moisture anomalies. Remote Sensing of Environment, 219, 339–352

Nichol, C. J., Drolet, G., Porcar-Castell, A., Maclellan, C., Wade, T., Sabater, N., Middleton, E. M., MacLellan, C., Levula, J., Mammarella, I., Vesala, T., & Atherton, J. A. (2019). Diurnal and seasonal solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence in a boreal Scots pine canopy. Remote Sensing, 11(3), 273.

Sabater, N., Vicent, J., Alonso, L., Verrelst, J., Middleton, E. M., Atherton, J., Porcar-Castell, A., & Moreno, J. (2018). Compensation of oxygen transmittance effects for proximal sensing retrieval of canopy-leaving sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. Remote Sensing, 10(10), 1551.

VIKTOR DOLIN | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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VIKTOR DOLIN | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. VIKTOR DOLIN, State Institution “The Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of NAS of Ukraine”, Italy

Prof. Viktor Dolin is a distinguished Ukrainian geochemist and environmental safety expert, currently affiliated with the Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the University of Pisa. Born on January 21, 1964, in Kyiv, he has over four decades of academic, research, and scientific leadership experience. Prof. Dolin has held roles ranging from engineer to research director, with a prolific contribution to environmental geochemistry, radioecology, and nuclear safety. His involvement with international institutions such as the IAEA, JRC, and MSCA demonstrates his global impact on environmental remediation and radioactive waste safety. He has delivered lectures at leading European universities and is Editor-in-Chief of Geochemistry of Technogenesis. A recipient of the National Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, Prof. Dolin’s legacy spans over 300 publications, patents, and monographs, cementing his status as a key figure in geochemical and nuclear environmental safety research.

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Prof. Viktor Dolin’s academic journey began with a Master of Science in Chemistry from Kyiv National Shevchenko University in 1985. He pursued his doctoral studies in Geochemistry, earning a Ph.D. in 1996. His scholarly excellence and contributions led to his appointment as an Associate Professor in State Technogenic Safety in 2000. In 2005, he obtained his Doctor of Sciences (Habilitation) in Geological Sciences with a specialization in Environmental Safety. Further advancing his academic standing, he was conferred the title of Professor in Environmental Safety in 2013. His multidisciplinary educational foundation, combining chemistry, geosciences, and environmental protection, has shaped his expertise in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and radioactive waste management. This solid educational background has enabled him to contribute extensively to academia, policy, and international research on environmental and nuclear safety. His dual affiliation with institutions in Ukraine and Italy underlines his global academic reach and reputation.

💼 Experience

Prof. Viktor Dolin’s career spans over 40 years, beginning as an Engineer-Research Scientist (1982–1990) before progressing through various research roles. Between 1990–1996, he was a Fellow Researcher, followed by appointments as Senior Research Officer (1996–2003) and Chief Research Officer (2003–2004). He served as Head of the Biogeochemistry Department at the Institute of Environmental Geochemistry from 2004–2018. Since 2018, he has been the Research Director at the same institute. His academic roles include professorships at Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, the Open International University of Human Development “Ukraine,” and guest lectureships at the University of Parma and the University of Pisa. Internationally, he has served the IAEA as a consultant and expert in radiation safety. His leadership extends to chairing national committees and editing scholarly journals. His professional trajectory reflects profound expertise in geochemistry, environmental safety, and international scientific cooperation.

🏆 Honors and Awards

Prof. Viktor Dolin was honored with the National Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology in 2006, one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions for significant contributions to scientific advancement. His accolades also include distinguished roles in international and national committees, including Head of the NCRP of Ukraine’s Committee for Integrated Safety Analysis of Radioactive Waste and Chief Scientific Investigator for IAEA projects. He is Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Geochemistry of Technogenesis, and has received multiple international research grants from the European Commission (JRC), MSCA4Ukraine, ERASMUS, and the EU’s PREDIS project. These recognitions are a testament to his global impact on environmental remediation, nuclear waste safety, and scientific education. His consistent contributions have also positioned him as a valued expert for the IAEA and other environmental regulatory bodies. His legacy is marked by leadership, innovation, and dedication to scientific and environmental excellence.

🔬 Research Focus

Prof. Dolin’s research interests span a wide spectrum of geochemical and environmental disciplines. He specializes in Biogeochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, and Isotope Geochemistry, focusing on the environmental impacts of radioactive substances. His expertise extends to Hydrogeochemistry, Hydrochemistry, and Environmental Toxicology, with a strong emphasis on Environmental Safety and Nuclear Security. A significant part of his work is devoted to Radioecology, Phytoremediation, and Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management, where he explores mechanisms of tritium migration, radionuclide accumulation in ecosystems, and innovative cleanup strategies. Through his involvement in international research collaborations with the IAEA, EU, and JRC, Prof. Dolin contributes to cutting-edge research on radiation remediation, technogenesis, and integrated safety systems. His commitment to solving complex environmental challenges has had a profound influence on policy, safety regulations, and practical applications in post-nuclear accident contexts, particularly in Ukraine and internationally.

📚 Publications

  1. 📘 Regional evaluation of mining-related metals contamination and risks in Ukraine and Georgia

  2. 📘 Distribution of Carbon Isotopes in Forest Ecosystem within Chornobyl Exclusion Zone

  3. 📗 Phytoremediation potential of semi-natural wetlands in tritium-contaminated zones

  4. 📗 Accumulation of tritium in concrete nuclear facility structures

  5. 📘 Biogeochemistry of radioactive contamination: Lessons from Chornobyl

  6. 📙 Environmental geochemistry and hydrochemistry of post-accident landscapes

  7. 📗 Isotopic analysis of radionuclide migration in groundwater systems

  8. 📕 Innovative remediation technologies for technogenically affected territories

  9. 📘 Radiation risk assessment of spent nuclear fuel repositories in Ukraine

  10. 📙 Environmental toxicology and radiological impact in ecosystems

  11. 📗 Radioecological studies of natural and artificial radionuclides in wetlands

  12. 📕 Hydrogeochemical safety of radioactive waste storage facilities

  13. 📘 Methodologies for sanitary and environmental engineering education

  14. 📗 Modeling of radionuclide behavior in hydrological networks

  15. 📙 Assessment of radiation risks for human health in post-accident zones