Dr. Valentina Prikhodko | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko is a leading researcher at the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Pushchino, Russia. With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, she has made significant contributions to soil science, geoscience, and Holocene climate research. Her expertise lies in soil chemistry, organic matter evolution, and the impact of anthropogenic activities on landscapes. Prof. Prikhodko has authored over 240 scientific publications, including 3 monographs and 82 refereed journal articles, and has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Prize for Best Publication in J. Eurasian Soil Science (2013).

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🎓 Education

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko earned her PhD in Soil Science from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1979, specializing in soil chemistry, evolution, and organic matter. She later attained a Doctor of Science (Dr. Sc.) in Soil Science from the same institution in 2004, further solidifying her expertise in soil formation and environmental impact assessment. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Soil Science from Lomonosov Moscow State University between 1968 and 1978, where she developed a strong foundation in geoscience and soil analysis. Her extensive education has been instrumental in shaping her distinguished career in soil research and geoarchaeology.

🧑‍🏫 Experience

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko has had a distinguished career in soil science research, spanning over four decades. Since 2004, she has been serving as a Leading Researcher at the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, where she focuses on soil chemistry, climate reconstruction, and heavy metal contamination. Before this, she worked as a Senior Researcher (1992–2004) and Researcher (1980–1992) at the same institute, contributing to groundbreaking studies on soil evolution and geoscience. Her early career began as a Minor Researcher (1978–1983), laying the foundation for her extensive expertise. Additionally, she was a Visiting Scientist at the University of California, Davis, USA (1999–2000), where she conducted research under a prestigious Fulbright Award, expanding her international collaborations in soil science and environmental studies.

🔬 Research Interests

Soil Science & Geoscience – Evolution, chemistry, and organic matter in soils

Holocene Climate & Anthropogenic Impact – Soil evolution and climate reconstruction

Geoarchaeological Archives – Analysis of ancient soils for historical landscape studies

Heavy Metal Pollution – Assessing contamination in industrial areas, including China

GIS & Mapping Technologies – Spatial analysis of archaeological sites and soil properties

🏆 Awards & Grants

Prize for Best Publication in J. Eurasian Soil Science (2013)

Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (1997)

Fulbright Award – University of California, Davis (1999–2000)

Grants from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (1995, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020)

Grant RFBR-CSIC, Spain (2009–2010)

Japan-Russia Joint Project № 09-05-92106 (2009–2010)

📚 Selected Publications

1️⃣ Complex Study of Settlements Dating from the Paleolithic to Medieval Period in the Ural Mountains on the Border of Europe and Asia
📖 Geosciences, 2025
👥 Contributors: Valentina Prikhodko, Nikita Savelev, Viacheslav Kotov, Sergey Nikolaev, Evgeny Ruslanov, Михаил Румянцев, Elena Manakhova

2️⃣ Reconstruction of Climate and Landscapes of the Medieval Period on the Basis of Palynological Study of Paleosols Buried under Kurgans and Dendrochronological Data from Altai (South of Western Siberia)
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2020
👥 Contributors: M. V. Mikharevich, V. S. Myglan, V. E. Prikhodko

3️⃣ Reconstruction of the Climate of the Medieval Epoch Based on Soil and Geochemical Studies of Kurgans of the Srostki Culture in the South of Western Siberia
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2020
👥 Contributors: V. E. Prikhodko, Yu. A. Azarenko, M. R. Shayakhmetov, A. A. Tishkin, V. V. Gorbunov, E. G. Pivovarova

4️⃣ Synlithogenic Evolution of Floodplain Soils in Valleys of Small Rivers in the Trans-Ural Steppe
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2019
👥 Contributors: I. V. Ivanov, V. E. Prikhodko, I. V. Zamotaev, D. V. Manakhov, E. Yu. Novenko, P. I. Kalinin, L. M. Markova, A. L. Plaksina

5️⃣ Vegetation and Climate Reconstruction Based on Pollen and Microbial Records Derived from Burial Mounds Soil in Tuva Republic, Central Asia
📖 Quaternary International, 2019
👥 Contributors: Tatiana Blyakharchuk, Valentina Prikhodko, Marina Kilunovskaya, Hong-Chun Li

Dr. Zhonghua Liu | Petroleum engineering | Best Researcher Award

Chongqing university of science and technology, China

Dr. Zhonghua Liu is an Associate Professor at the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Chongqing University of Science & Technology in China. With over a decade of experience in petroleum engineering, his work has primarily focused on shale gas development and reservoir characterization. Dr. Liu has also gained valuable international experience as a visiting scholar at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He has made substantial contributions to the understanding of gas recovery and multiphase flow in porous media, positioning him as a notable researcher in the field.

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Education🎓

Dr. Liu earned his Ph.D. in Oil & Gas Field Development Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2022. Prior to this, he completed his M.S. in Oil & Gas Field Development Engineering at Chengdu University of Technology in 2012 and his B.S. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Yangtze University in 2005. His academic journey laid a solid foundation for his research in petroleum and natural gas engineering, particularly in shale gas reservoir management.

Experience🧑‍🔬

Dr. Liu has a diverse professional background that spans academia and industry. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Chongqing University of Science & Technology, a role he assumed in December 2022. Prior to this, he held a lecturer position at the same institution from 2012 to 2022 and served as a visiting scholar at Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2021. His industry experience includes his early role as an oil testing technician at Jilin Oilfield Company, where he developed practical insights into oil testing and reservoir management.

Research Interests🔬

Shale Gas Development

Dr. Liu’s primary research focuses on advancing shale gas development, where he investigates methods to optimize extraction processes and enhance gas yield. His work in this area contributes to increasing the efficiency and sustainability of shale gas production, addressing both technical and environmental challenges.

Core Pore Structure Characterization

Dr. Liu conducts detailed studies on the pore structure of shale formations to better understand how gas is stored and flows within these reservoirs. By characterizing core pore structures, he aims to refine models that predict gas behavior in unconventional reservoirs, which is crucial for effective extraction and management.

Geological Carbon Sequestration

In addition to gas extraction, Dr. Liu is engaged in research on geological carbon sequestration. His studies in this area are focused on the potential for storing CO₂ in depleted or active shale gas reservoirs, a process that can mitigate carbon emissions while enhancing gas recovery. This dual-purpose approach aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Enhancing Gas Recovery Methods

Dr. Liu is actively working on developing innovative methods for enhancing gas recovery from shale reservoirs. His research explores advanced techniques that improve the efficiency of gas extraction, including hydraulic fracturing optimization and multiphase flow analysis. These efforts are aimed at maximizing resource utilization and minimizing operational costs.

Multiphase Flow in Porous Media

A significant part of Dr. Liu’s research is dedicated to understanding multiphase flow within porous media. By studying how gas, water, and other fluids interact within shale formations, he seeks to create predictive models that improve our understanding of flow dynamics in complex geological structures. This research is essential for enhancing both extraction and storage strategies in shale gas reservoirs.

Honors and Awards🏆

Dr. Liu has been recognized for his contributions to the petroleum industry with several awards. Notably, he received the Second Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress from the China Petroleum and Chemical Automation Application Association in 2022 for his work on fractured horizontal wells in deep offshore shale gas reservoirs. This award highlights his innovative approach to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of gas extraction processes.

Publications Top Notes📚

Liu, Z., Ding, Z., Yang, H., et al. "Lab-Scale Investigation of Slickwater Impact on Methane Desorption on Longmaxi Gas Shale." Chemical Engineering and Technology, 2023. Link

Liu, Z., Xie, Y., Yang, H., et al. "Interaction between slick water and gas shale and its impact on methane desorption." Petroleum Science and Technology, 2023. Link

Liu, Z., Wang, J., Bai, B.J., et al. "Impact of clay stabilizer on the methane desorption kinetics of Longmaxi Shale." Petroleum Science, 2022. Link

Liu, Z., Bai, B.J., Wang, Y.L. "Experimental Study of Defoamer Effect on Methane Desorption." Springer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 2022. Link