Sahar Heidari | Landscape Ecology| Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sahar Heidari | Landscape Ecology| Women Researcher Award

Researcher, Iranian Forest and Rangeland Research Institute, Iran

Sahar Heidari Masteali is a distinguished environmental engineer and researcher specializing in natural resources and environmental evaluation. Born in 1987, she earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Natural Resources Engineering from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and University of Tehran, Iran. With a passion for environmental sustainability, Sahar has contributed significantly to research in landscape evaluation, water quality, and biodiversity. She has authored numerous scientific articles published in prestigious journals and participated in various research projects. Sahar is recognized for her expertise in software tools such as ArcGIS, SPSS, and R. She is also an active member of the National Elite Foundation and a winner of multiple awards, including the Shahid Tehrani Moghadam Award in 2023.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

PhD: Natural Resources Engineering – Environmental Evaluation, University of Tehran, Iran (2022). Master’s: Natural Resources Engineering – Environmental Evaluation, University of Tehran, Iran (2014). Bachelor’s: Environmental Natural Resources Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran (2009) Sahar achieved outstanding academic success, ranking first in national exams for both Master’s and PhD admissions. Her thesis work has focused on environmental modeling and landscape evaluation, contributing to her expertise in environmental sustainability.

💼 Experience

Sahar’s experience includes key research roles in various environmental projects. She has worked on ecological vulnerability assessments, environmental degradation models, and biodiversity studies. She collaborated with the University of Tehran and other research institutes on projects focused on forest management, ecological restoration, and the effects of tourism on ecosystems. Sahar’s proficiency with GIS, statistical analysis, and modeling software has enabled her to contribute to impactful projects in environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Shahid Tehrani Moghadam Award (2023) from the National Elite Foundation. Master’s Entrance Exam Rank 1. PhD Specialized Exam Rank 1. Winner of various academic honors, including a research excellence award in 2015 and funding for numerous research projects. Member of the National Elite Foundation Sahar’s academic excellence and contributions to environmental research have earned her recognition, including prestigious national awards and honors in the field of environmental sciences.

🔬 Research Focus

Sahar’s research interests lie in environmental evaluation, modeling the effects of landscape corridors on water quality, and biodiversity in natural forests. She has studied the impact of forest connectivity on river water quality and has developed models for assessing ecological vulnerability. Sahar also explores the intersection of biotic and abiotic factors in forest ecosystems, applying machine learning for biodiversity assessments. Her work aims to improve sustainable land use practices and ecological conservation, focusing on landscapes in the Caspian Sea Basin and northern Iran.

Conclusion

Sahar Heidari Masteali is a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award due to her significant contributions to environmental research and her leadership in sustainable solutions. With her continued growth in international collaboration and research visibility, she is poised to make an even more profound impact in her field. The award would not only recognize her exceptional achievements but also encourage the further development of her valuable contributions to environmental sciences.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: Estimation of tree heights in an uneven-aged, mixed forest in northern Iran using artificial intelligence and empirical models
    Authors: M Bayat, P Bettinger, S Heidari, A Henareh Khalyani, M Jourgholami, …
    Journal: Forests
    Volume & Issue: 11 (3), 324
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Ten-year estimation of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) volume increment in natural forests: a comparison of an artificial neural networks model, multiple linear regression, and empirical models
    Authors: M Bayat, P Bettinger, M Hassani, S Heidari
    Journal: Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research
    Volume & Issue: 94 (4), 598-609
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: A combination of biotic and abiotic factors and diversity determine productivity in natural deciduous forests
    Authors: M Bayat, P Bettinger, S Heidari, SK Hamidi, A Jaafari
    Journal: Forests
    Volume & Issue: 12 (11), 1450
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: Assessing biotic and abiotic effects on biodiversity index using machine learning
    Authors: M Bayat, H Burkhart, M Namiranian, SK Hamidi, S Heidari, M Hassani
    Journal: Forests
    Volume & Issue: 12 (4), 461
    Year: 2021
  • Title: Evaluation and comparison of biodiversity indexes of tree species in Hyrcanian forests (case study: Kheyroud, Ramsar and Neka forests)
    Authors: S Heidari Masteali
    Journal: Journal of Plant Research (Iranian Journal of Biology)
    Volume & Issue: 34 (2), 315-326
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: Modeling tree growth responses to climate change: a case study in natural deciduous mountain forests
    Authors: M Bayat, T Knoke, S Heidari, SK Hamidi, H Burkhart, A Jaafari
    Journal: Forests
    Volume & Issue: 13 (11), 1816
    Year: 2022

 

  • Title: Comparison between graph theory connectivity indices and landscape connectivity metrics for modeling river water quality in the southern Caspian sea basin
    Authors: Sahar Heidari, Pete Bettinger, Mahmoud Bayat, Bahman Jabbarian
    Journal: Journal of Environmental Management
    Volume & Issue: 328
    Year: 2023

 

  • Title: Projection matrix models: a suitable approach for predicting sustainable growth in uneven-aged and mixed Hyrcanian forests
    Authors: A Salehnasab, HE Burkhart, M Bayat, B Khaleghi, S Heidari, …
    Journal: Sustainability
    Volume & Issue: 14 (11), 6777
    Year: 2022

 

  • Title: Investigating the spatial distribution of parks and urban green space areas in Khomein using landscape approach and Sentinel-2 satellite images
    Authors: M Bagheri, A Ansari, A Kazemi, M Bayat, S Heidari Masteali
    Journal: Scientific-Research Quarterly of Geographical Data (SEPEHR)
    Volume & Issue: 30 (118), 203-216
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: Effects of different concentrations of nitrate and ammonium in medium on growth of the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda
    Authors: S Heidari, O Farhadian, NM Soofiani
    Journal: Journal of Fisheries
    Volume & Issue: 64 (1)
    Year: 2011

 

  • Title: Recreation potential assessment at Tamarix forest reserves: A method based on multicriteria evaluation approach and landscape metrics
    Authors: M Bayat, P Bettinger, SH Masteali, SK Hamidi, HU Masood Awan, …
    Journal: Forests
    Volume & Issue: 14 (4), 705
    Year: 2023

 

  • Title: Ten-year estimation of Fagus orientalis Lipsky increment using artificial neural networks model and multiple linear regression Ramsar forests
    Authors: M Bayat, M Hassani, S Heidari
    Journal: Forest Research and Development
    Volume & Issue: 6 (3), 381-394
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Investigating structure monitoring indicators for wooden species of Northern forests of Iran
    Authors: S Babaie, M Bayat, M Namiranian, S Heidari Masteali
    Journal: Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
    Volume & Issue: 25 (2), 65-80
    Year: 2018

 

 

 

 

Addiel Perez | Conservation and Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Addiel Perez | Conservation and Management | Best Researcher Award

Belize-Mexico Program Manager, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Belize

Dr. Addiel U. Perez is a Belizean interdisciplinary scientist with over 20 years of experience in socio-ecological research, education, conservation, and fisheries management. His work primarily focuses on Belize and southern Mexico, particularly on coastal communities. He has worked extensively on projects like the recreational-sport fishing of Belize and bonefish migration patterns. Dr. Perez has established strong collaborations with scientists, business owners, fishers, guides, co-managers, NGOs, and governmental departments across Belize, Mexico, and the wider region. His contributions include interdisciplinary studies aimed at improving conservation strategies and sustainable management of fisheries and protected areas. He is dedicated to advancing socio-ecological approaches to conservation with a focus on community engagement and stakeholder collaboration.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Perez holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Sustainable Development with an emphasis on Biodiversity Conservation from El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (2019). He also earned a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Rural Development with a specialization in Management and Conservation of Natural Resources (2012) from the same institution. His Bachelor’s degree in Biology was completed at the University of Belize (2005). His academic background is bolstered by advanced seminars in ecology, conservation genetics, statistical methods, and coastal ecosystem management. He has two theses that explore fish migration and recreational fishing in Belize. His interdisciplinary education combines natural and social sciences, providing a broad foundation for his research and conservation work in the region.

💼 Experience

Dr. Perez is currently the Belize-Mexico Program Manager at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, where he manages socio-ecological research and develops strategic plans for fisheries and conservation management. He has worked with stakeholders across 28 coastal communities in Belize and Mexico, focusing on flats fisheries and the health of coastal habitats. He previously served as a researcher at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, where he investigated the connectivity of bonefish migration between Mexico and Belize. He has also held roles such as Standards Development Officer at the Belize Tourism Board, Research Assistant at ECOSUR, and Manager/Biologist at the Belize Fisheries Department. His diverse career has involved interdisciplinary methods, community engagement, and strategic planning for sustainable resource management.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Perez has received several prestigious honors and awards throughout his career. These include recognition from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, where he has led key strategic initiatives. He also contributed to the development of a regional strategic plan for flats fishery conservation in Belize and Mexico. His work on socio-environmental assessments has been critical in shaping policy decisions in both countries. Notable achievements include presenting his research at regional conferences and leading groundbreaking studies on bonefish migration. He has been instrumental in founding the Belize Flats Fishery Association, furthering efforts for improved conservation and management practices in the region.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Perez’s research focuses on socio-ecological studies related to fisheries conservation, particularly the migration of bonefish (Albula spp.) between the Caribbean Sea and tropical estuaries. His work blends biological, ecological, social, and economic approaches to understand and improve fisheries management in Belize and Mexico. Key areas of his research include fishery system assessments, stakeholder engagement, and the development of strategic conservation plans. His interdisciplinary approach integrates natural and social sciences to enhance coastal community resilience, sustainable fisheries practices, and the preservation of marine ecosystems. Dr. Perez’s work aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders for better conservation outcomes in the region’s fishery sectors.

🏅Conclusion

Dr. Addiel U. Perez is an exemplary researcher whose interdisciplinary approach has had a profound impact on fisheries and environmental management in Belize and Mexico. His extensive publication record, coupled with his practical contributions to conservation efforts and stakeholder engagement, make him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Dr. Perez’s ability to bridge the gap between science, policy, and local communities sets him apart as a leader in the field of socio-ecological research. With continued efforts to expand his research’s reach and impact, Dr. Perez has the potential to further elevate the quality of coastal ecosystem management on an international scale.

Publication Top Notes

  • Evaluation of the Flats Fishery to Formulate and Propose a Regional Strategic Plan to Improve Fisheries and Protected-Area Conservation and Management in the Yucatan Peninsula of Belize and Mexico
    Fisheries Management and Ecology
    Published: December 11, 2024
    DOI: 10.1111/fme.12774
    Contributors: Addiel U. Perez; Aaron Adams

 

  • Stakeholder Engagement as a Core Component of Recreational Marine Fisheries Research, Education, and Conservation
    Fisheries
    Published: August 27, 2024
    DOI: 10.1002/fsh.11166
    Contributors: Aaron J. Adams; Ross Boucek; Justin P. Lewis; Steven M. Lombardo; Addiel U. Perez; JoEllen K. Wilson; Jacob W. Brownscombe; Lucas P. Griffin

 

  • Understanding Pharmaceutical Exposure and the Potential for Effects in Marine Biota: A Survey of Bonefish (Albula vulpes) Across the Caribbean Basin
    Chemosphere
    Published: February 2024
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140949
    Contributors: N.A. Castillo; W.R. James; R.O. Santos; R. Rezek; D. Cerveny; R.E. Boucek; A.J. Adams; T. Goldberg; L. Campbell; A.U. Perez et al.

 

  • Gill Microbiomes Accurately Predict the Geographic Origin of Bonefish (Albula vulpes) When Combined with Machine Learning Models
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: August 17, 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-023-01462-6
    Contributors: Lewis J. Campbell; Nicholas A. Castillo; Christopher D. Dunn; Shimana M. Bose; Addiel U. Perez; Juan J. Schmitter-Soto; Sahar Mejri; Ross E. Boucek; Rolando Santos Corujo; Aaron J. Adams et al.

 

  • Cascading Effects of Climate Change on Recreational Marine Flats Fishes and Fisheries
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: February 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01333-6
    Contributors: Andy Danylchuk; Lucas P. Griffin; Robert Ahrens; Mike Allen; Ross Boucek; Jacob Brownscombe; Grace A. Casselberry; Sascha Clark Danylchuk; Alex Filous; Tony Goldberg et al.

 

  • Correction to: Cascading Effects of Climate Change on Recreational Marine Flats Fishes and Fisheries
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: February 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01349-y
    Contributors: Andy Danylchuk; Lucas P. Griffin; Robert Ahrens; Mike Allen; Ross Boucek; Jacob Brownscombe; Grace A. Casselberry; Sascha Clark Danylchuk; Alex Filous; Tony Goldberg et al.

 

  • Correction to: Viruses of Atlantic Bonefish (Albula vulpes) in Florida and the Caribbean Show Geographic Patterns Consistent with Population Declines
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: February 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01342-5
    Contributors: Lewis J. Campbell; Nicholas A. Castillo; Christopher D. Dunn; Addiel Perez; Juan J. Schmitter-Soto; Sahar C. Mejri; Ross E. Boucek; Rolando Santos Corujo; Aaron J. Adams; Jennifer S. Rehage et al.

 

  • The First Examination of the Movements of Flats Fishes to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in Cuba
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: February 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01343-4
    Contributors: Fabián Pina-Amargós; Tamara Figueredo-Martin; Addiel Pérez; Yunier Olivera-Espinosa; Aaron Adams

 

  • Viruses of Atlantic Bonefish (Albula vulpes) in Florida and the Caribbean Show Geographic Patterns Consistent with Population Declines
    Environmental Biology of Fishes
    Published: February 2023
    DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01306-9
    Contributors: Lewis J. Campbell; Nicholas A. Castillo; Christopher D. Dunn; Addiel Perez; Juan J. Schmitter-Soto; Sahar C. Mejri; Ross E. Boucek; Rolando Santos Corujo; Aaron J. Adams; Jennifer S. Rehage et al.