Lemekezani Chilora | Agriculture economics | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Lemekezani Chilora | Agriculture economics | Young Scientist Award

Research Analayst,  MwAPATA Institute Malawi

Lemekezani K. Chilora is an accomplished Agricultural and Resource Economist with expertise in research, data analysis, and project management. He holds an MSc in Agriculture and Applied Economics and a BSc in Agricultural Economics from LUANAR. Currently a Research Analyst II at MwAPATA Institute, he conducts research, trains research assistants, develops data collection tools, and authors manuscripts and policy briefs. He has consulted for IITA, AGCOM, IFPRI, and other organizations. Previously, he worked as a lecturer at MUBAS and a monitoring and evaluation officer at CISANET. His research focuses on agricultural policy, food security, and rural development.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

PhD (Agriculture and Resource Economics) – LUANAR (2026, Ongoing). MSc (Agriculture and Applied Economics) – LUANAR (2020). BSc (Agricultural Economics) – LUANAR (2016)

💼 Experience

MwAPATA Institute (2020 – Present) – Research Analyst II: Leads data collection, analysis, research, and policy development. CISANET (2020) – Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (Intern): Supported project implementation, strategic planning, and communications. Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (2019-2020) – Lecturer: Taught research, business planning, and community development. Japanese Tobacco International (2016-2017) – Graduate Trainee: Focused on tobacco production, forestry management, and research.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Principal Investigator (2023-2025): Research on input subsidies and food accessibility, funded by AERC ($30,000). STAAARS+ Fellow (Cornell University & PRCI): Research on gender differences in sustainable agriculture adoption. Principal Investigator (MSc Thesis, AERC Grant – $2,500): Research on child nutrition determinants in Malawi. Principal Investigator (IFPRI Grant – $3,000): Research on child nutrition under the Bunda Grants Scheme.

🔬 Research Focus

Lemekezani’s research focuses on agricultural policy, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic sustainability. His studies explore the effectiveness of input subsidies, gender disparities in agricultural intensification, and child nutrition determinants. He applies data-driven methodologies to assess policy impacts and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving food systems and rural economies in Malawi and beyond.

🔹 Conclusion

Mr. Chilora’s strong academic background, diverse professional experience, and involvement in significant research projects position him as a promising candidate for a Young Scientist Award. To enhance his eligibility, focusing on publishing his research findings in peer-reviewed journals, seeking international research collaborations, and taking on leadership roles in professional organizations would be beneficial. These steps would strengthen his profile and align with the typical criteria considered for such awards.

Publication 

  • Exploring Adoption Effects of Subsidies and Soil Fertility Management in Malawi (2021) – M Khonje, C Nyondo, L Chilora, J Mangisoni, WJ Burke, J Ricker-Gilbert – Citation: 15

  • Trends in Tobacco Production and Prices in Malawi (2021) – A Wineman, L Chilora, TS Jayne – Citation: 9

  • Challenges and Opportunities for Small-Scale Aquaculture Development in Malawi (2021) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, Z Nyirenda, D Salonga, A Wineman, M Muyanga – Citation: 9

  • The Economic Cost-benefit Analysis of Black Soldier Fly as an Alternative Animal and Fish Feed Ingredient in Malawi (2023) – MG Munthali, C Lemekezani, G Mike, B William J, B Eric, K Jeremiah, … – Citation: 8

  • Lessons Learnt: Promises, Achievements, Shortcomings and Pitfalls of Inputs Subsidy Programs in Malawi (2021) – C Nyondo, M Khonje, J Mangisoni, WJ Burke, J Ricker-Gilbert, LK Chilora – Citation: 5*

  • Determinants of Children’s Nutritional Status in Malawi (2020) – LK Chilora, J Duchoslav – Citation: 2

  • Productivity and Profitability of Small-Scale Aquaculture in Malawi (2024) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, A Wineman, B Nankwenya, L Chiwaula, … – Citation: 1

  • Characteristics of the Small-Scale Aquaculture Sector in Malawi (2023) – MG Munthali, L Chilora, Z Nyirenda, D Saonga, A Wineman, M Muyanga – Citation: 1

  • Does the Choice of Tilapia Species in Smallholder Farms Impact Household Income and Dietary Diversity in Malawi? (2025) – LK Chilora, M Munthali, A Wineman, MG Khonje – Citation: N/A

  • Agricultural Diversification Strategies and Rural Household Food Security and Income in Malawi (2025) – A Gondwe, LK Chilora, L Chiwaula, J Goeb – Citation: N/A

  • What Promotes Gender Equity in Land Rental Markets? Evidence from Malawi (2024) – H Phiri, M Maggie G., M Malata, L Chilora, M Kennedy, M Muyanga – Citation: N/A

  • Drivers of Agricultural Growth in Malawi (2024) – A Gondwe, LK Chilora, L Chiwaula, WJ Burke – Citation: N/A

  • Pre-disaster Preparedness and Post-disaster Response Measures in the District Councils of Southern Malawi (2024) – A Gondwe, B Nankwenya, LK Chilora, J Goeb – Citation: N/A

 

Xin Bao | Agricultural Disaster Monitoring | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xin Bao | Agricultural Disaster Monitoring | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Candidate, Southwest Jiaotong University China

Xin Bao is a Ph.D. candidate in Surveying and Mapping Science and Technology at Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China. Her research focuses on vegetation growth monitoring, soil moisture retrieval, and the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for environmental monitoring. Xin has published extensively in high-impact journals and presented her work at national and international conferences. She holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Surveying and Mapping from Guilin University of Technology and Shangqiu Normal University. Xin is also involved in patent development related to SAR and remote sensing technologies.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Xin Bao completed her Ph.D. in Surveying and Mapping Science and Technology at Southwest Jiaotong University in 2021. Before that, she earned an M.S. in Engineering from Guilin University of Technology and a B.S. in Engineering from Shangqiu Normal University. Throughout her academic journey, Xin focused on remote sensing, SAR imagery, and environmental monitoring, contributing valuable insights into vegetation monitoring and soil moisture analysis. She has collaborated with renowned professors like Rui Zhang and Guoqing Zhou on several impactful research projects.

💼 Experience

Xin Bao has worked on numerous research projects, including soil moisture inversion methods in cold and arid regions and the dynamic evolution of glaciers and glacial lakes in Tibet. She has collaborated with international research teams, published papers in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at various academic conferences. Her research has focused on improving SAR-based methods for monitoring vegetation growth and soil moisture, contributing significantly to the remote sensing field. Xin is also a peer reviewer for several esteemed journals in her area.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Xin Bao has received numerous academic awards, including the Doctoral Academic Excellence Scholarship (2021-2023), Yang Hua Rising Star Scholarship (2021), and the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award (2021). She has been recognized for her excellence in mathematical modeling, winning first prize in the Graduate Mathematical Modeling Competition in 2019. Xin also received the National Encouragement Scholarship in 2018, showcasing her exceptional academic and research achievements.

🔬 Research Focus

Xin Bao’s research focuses on vegetation growth monitoring, soil moisture retrieval, and the application of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in environmental monitoring. Her work includes developing novel algorithms for soil moisture inversion in arid and cold regions and analyzing glacial dynamics in Tibet using SAR and optical imagery. She is also investigating advanced methods for integrating real-scene visualization with urban imagery. Xin aims to improve environmental monitoring and disaster prevention strategies through her innovative research.

Conclusion

Xin Bao’s strong academic foundation, combined with his research excellence in SAR-based monitoring systems and soil moisture retrieval, makes him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His ongoing work on time-series SAR data and its applications in geosciences demonstrates his potential for future innovations. With continued focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and greater engagement with the global scientific community, Xin Bao is poised to make further substantial contributions to remote sensing and environmental research.

Publication Top Notes

Shujing Qin | Agricultural Meteorology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Shujing Qin | Agricultural Meteorology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr at Wuhan University China

Dr. Shu-Jing Qin is an accomplished Associate Research Fellow at Wuhan University’s State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management. With a Ph.D. from China Agricultural University and a joint Ph.D. from Australia’s CSIRO Land and Water, his expertise spans agricultural hydrometeorology, hydro-climatology, and land surface modeling. Dr. Qin has led numerous research projects, securing substantial funding and publishing prolifically in esteemed journals. Recognized with prestigious awards, including the Yangtze River Science and Technology Award, he continues to make significant contributions to understanding water-carbon coupling and climate change resilience in agriculture.

profile:

Scopus

Orcid

Scholar

🎓Academic Qualifications

Ph.D. (2014-2020) China Agricultural University, China. Joint Ph.D. (2018-2019) Australia CSIRO Land and Water

📅Employment History

  • Associate Research Fellow (2024-now)
  • Assistant Research Fellow (2020-2024)

🤝Professional Affiliations

Committee member of Changjing Technology and Economic Society. American Geophysical Union. Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering. Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society.

🏆Major Awards

Yangtze River Science and Technology Award for Scientific and Technological Advancement, First Prize, 2023. Scientific and Technological Progress in Hubei Province, Third Prize, 2022. Outstanding graduates of Beijing, 2020. Outstanding graduates of Shandong province, 2014

🌐Professional Contributions

Consultancy in agricultural hydrometeorology, hydro-climatology, land surface modeling, climate change, and water-carbon coupling. Project initiation and management (managed over ¥1,500,000 of research activities in recent five years).Published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal papers, including 1 ESI-Hot paper and 4 ESI-Higher cited papers. Published more than 20 patents and software copyrights.

💼Managed Research Funding

2023-2025, National Natural Science Foundation of China, PI.2021-2025, National Key Research and Development Program of China (Sub-project), PI.2021-2022, Postdoctoral Research Foundation of China, PI.2021-2022, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, PI.2023-2024, Hubei Water Resources and Hydropower Research Institute commissioned project, PI.2023-2024, the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources, PI.”Western Light”-Key Laboratory Cooperative Research Cross-Team Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Co-PI.

Publication:📝

  • Partitioning of available energy in canopy and soil surface in croplands with different irrigation methods
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 288
    • Pages: 108475
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Yangzhen Fan, Sien Li, Lei Cheng, Lu Zhang, Haiyang Xi, Rangjian Qiu, Pan Liu
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Short–term global solar radiation forecasting based on an improved method for sunshine duration prediction and public weather forecasts
    • Journal: Applied Energy
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 343
    • Pages: 121205
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Zhihe Liu, Rangjian Qiu, Yufeng Luo, Jingwei Wu, Baozhong Zhang, Lifeng Wu, Evgenios Agathokleous
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Partitioning evapotranspiration in partially mulched interplanted cropland by improving the Shuttleworth-Wallace model
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 276
    • Pages: 108040
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Sien Li, Lei Cheng, Lu Zhang, Rangjian Qiu, Pan Liu, Haiyang Xi
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • A method for estimating surface albedo and its components for partial plastic mulched croplands
    • Journal: Journal of Hydrometeorology
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 24(6)
    • Pages: 1069-1086
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Sien Li, Kun Yang, Lu Zhang, Lei Cheng, Pan Liu, Dunxian She
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Spatio-temporal variation in surface water in Punjab, Pakistan from 1985 to 2020 using machine-learning methods with time-series remote sensing data and driving factors
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 280
    • Pages: 108228
    • Contributors: Aqil Tariq, Shujing Qin
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Can the drip irrigation under film mulch reduce crop evapotranspiration and save water under the sufficient irrigation condition?
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Year: 2016
    • Volume: 177
    • Pages: 128-137
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Sien Li, Shihong Kang, Tao Du, Liping Tong, Rong Ding
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Transpiration of female and male parents of seed maize in northwest China
    • Journal: Agricultural Water Management
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 213
    • Pages: 397-409
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Sien Li, Shihong Kang, Tao Du, Liping Tong, Rong Ding, Yu Wang, Hailong Guo
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • Can plastic mulch save water at night in irrigated croplands?
    • Journal: Journal of Hydrology
    • Year: 2018
    • Volume: 564
    • Pages: 667-681
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Sien Li, Kun Yang, Kai Hu
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

 

  • How Does Plastic Mulch and Drip Irrigation Jointly Influence the Regional Climate in Arid Areas?
    • Conference: AGU: Frontiers in Hydrology. Monitoring and Modeling Plant Water Availability in Drylands for Sustainable Management under Climate Change, Puerto Rico, 2022
    • Contributors: Shujing Qin, Hui Zhang, Lei Cheng, Lu Zhang
    • DOI: Not provided in the text

Fisayo Fagbemi | Climate change |Excellence in Research

 Mr. Fisayo Fagbemi | Climate change | Excellence in Research

Passionate and energetic economist with strong research and analytical skills, specializing in public policy formulation. Experienced in using statistical and economic models to analyze data, with a focus on institutional quality and financial development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Adept at writing research proposals, contributing to grant applications, and conducting policy advisory consulting. Proven track record in academic publishing and active participation in international research collaborations. Proficient in various data analysis tools, with excellent communication skills in English and Yoruba, and a valid driving license. Committed to impactful research and advancing economic development.

Profile

Scopus

Scholar

Career Objective➢ 📊

Passionate and energetic economist with excellent research and analytical prowess. Well-informed researcher adept at analyzing data using statistical and economic models. Quick learner with a strong desire for gathering information to formulate effective public policy.

Education🎓

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

  • M.Sc. Economics
    Dissertation: “Natural Resources, Institutional Quality, and Financial Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries (2005 – 2014)”
    2015 – 2017

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Economics; Second Class (Upper Division)
    2008 – 2013

Professional Qualification🏅

Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered)

  • Proficiency Certificate in Management (Graduate Member)
    March 2015

Work Experience💼

Research Fellowship (Remote) University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran October 2023 – Present. Research Fellow Economic Policy Analysis Centre (EPAC), Ibadan, Nigeria March 2022 – June 2023. Writing research proposals Contributing to grant writing in economic development and social sciences Capacity development in data analysis and public policy design Engaging in research, policy advisory consulting, and operations on public policy issues. Research Fellow European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS), Liège, Belgium 2020 – 2021. Administrative and Research Assistant Dr. J.O. Ajibike, Department of Banking and Finance, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Nigeria 2017 – 2018 Data gathering and analysis. Research Assistant Dr. A.A. Adegboye, Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria 2016 – 2017. Data gathering and analysis. Assistant Lecturer & Administrative Assistant Niger State College of Education, Minna 2014 – 2015

Awards and Honors🏆

Recognition for publishing three (3) open access articles with Elsevier (2019–2021). Ondo State Annual (Sessional) Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence (2011/2012). Ondo State Annual (Sessional) Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence (2009/2010)

Seminars and Training Attended🌟

Workshop on Proposal Writing Department of Economics, OAU, Ile-Ife January 2016 “Writing Internally Consistent Academic Proposal” by Prof. Olarewaju Olaniyan. “Academic Writing Skills” by Prof. I. O. Olurinola

Voluntary Activities/Leadership Experience

Research Article Reviewer for multiple journals including Journal of Capital Market Studies (Emerald Journal, UK), Sage Open (Sage Journal), Africa Review Journal (Taylor and Francis Journal), Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences (Emerald Journal, UK), and Issues in Business Management and Economics (Journal, Malaysia). Presiding Officer (INEC Ad hoc Staff) for Niger East Senatorial Bye-Election, Tundu Wada South (014), Minna (2014). President, MDGs Development Knowledge Facilitators (DKF) Training (2014 – 2015)

Skills & Qualities💻

Proficient in research and computer skills (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Stata, SPSS & Eviews). Excellent communication skills in English and Yoruba. Ability to work individually and in teams towards achieving organizational goals. Valid driving license

Publications Top Notes 📝

    • Climate change vulnerability-foreign direct investment linkage: Why climate change preparedness matters in Sub-Saharan Africa
      • Year: 2024
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Oke, D.F.
      • Source: Research in Economics, 78(1), pp. 52–60
    • Trade–Finance Nexus: The Centrality of the Quality of Institutions in Sub-Saharan African Leading Economies
      • Year: 2024
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Fajingbesi, A., Nzeribe, G.E.
      • Source: Foreign Trade Review, 59(1), pp. 7–25
    • Carbon emissions and food production: why climate change is a threat to Nigeria’s food security
      • Year: 2024
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Oke, D.F., Akinyele, O.D., Bello, K.M.
      • Source: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences
    • Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: Does Process Innovation Matter?
      • Year: 2024
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Ajibike, J.O.
    • Life Expectancy: Exploring Climate Change-Human Longevity Nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa
      • Year: 2024
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Nzeribe, G.E., Osinubi, T.T.
      • Source: Economic Growth and Development in the Tropics, pp. 16–29
    • THE MODERATING ROLE OF GOVERNANCE IN THE GLOBALISATION-LIFE EXPECTANCY NEXUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
      • Year: 2023
      • Authors: Osinubi, T., Ajide, F., Fagbemi, F.
      • Source: Economics and Culture, 20(2), pp. 46–63
    • The role of governance in girl-child education: Insights on the odds against Nigerian women in leadership
      • Year: 2023
      • Authors: Fagbemi, F., Oke, D.F., Akinyele, O.D.
      • Source: Sexuality, Gender and Policy, 6(4), pp. 217–241