Dr. Avishek Dolai | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Avishek Dolai | Tocklai Tea Research Institute | India

Dr. Avishek Dolai is a promising early-career researcher and entomologist whose work integrates classical zoology, molecular biology, and modern computational approaches to address complex questions in insect behavior, ecology, and pest management. He is currently serving as a Project Associate-I at the Tea Research Association, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, under a DST-funded project titled Camellia-IDrone, which develops intelligent automated systems for pest infestation assessment and spraying interventions in tea plantations. Dr. Dolai earned his Ph.D. from the University of Calcutta, where his doctoral research explored the nest-defending strategies of the Asian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina), focusing on collective aggression, recognition cues, and the molecular and neurochemical basis of social behavior. He has a strong background in molecular biology, neuroethology, and transcriptomics, complemented by hands-on expertise in chromatographic and imaging techniques including GC-MS, HPLC, FTIR, SEM, TG-DTA, and XRD. According to Scopus, Dr. Dolai has authored 10 documents, with 49 citations and an h-index of 3, reflecting a developing but steadily growing research influence. His publications cover topics ranging from insect silk properties and circadian foraging strategies to pest infestation patterns, insecticide tolerance, and the potential of organic nanoinsecticides for sustainable agriculture. Several of his works have been published in respected journals such as The Science of Nature, Journal of Biological Rhythms, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, Frontiers in Nanotechnology, and PLOS ONE. His interdisciplinary approach also incorporates machine learning and mathematical modeling to derive algorithmic insights into insect decision-making processes, bridging biology and computational sciences. In addition to his research output, Dr. Dolai has contributed to teaching as a Guest Lecturer and Contractual Faculty at Vidyasagar University, mentoring postgraduate students and encouraging scientific thinking. He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Royal Entomological Society (UK), Entomological Society of America, Indian Science Congress Association, and the Zoological Society, Kolkata, which demonstrates his engagement with both national and international scientific communities. His contributions have earned him multiple awards, including the Young Researcher Award and several best oral presentation recognitions, reflecting his ability to communicate science effectively. Furthermore, he is a co-inventor of a patented dolphin detection device, highlighting his innovative spirit and interest in applied technology for ecological monitoring. Dr. Dolai’s developing research profile, growing citation metrics, and commitment to applying science for agricultural and environmental sustainability position him as a promising candidate for recognition as a Best Researcher. His combination of field research, laboratory expertise, and computational modeling reflects a well-rounded scientist whose future work is expected to make significant contributions to both fundamental and applied entomology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Dolai, A., & Das, A. (2025). Silk properties of Asian weaver ant changes over time: An understanding of nest protection from natural calamities. The Science of Nature.

Dolai, A., Pal, K., & Das, A. (2024). Characterisation of natural silk of leaf-rolling caterpillar, Parotis marginata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences.

Dolai, A., Soltani, S., Smarr, B., & Das, A. (2024). Divergent circadian foraging strategies in response to diurnal predation versus persistent rain in Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, suggest possible energetic trade-offs. Journal of Biological Rhythms.

Hazra, P., Roy, S., Dolai, A., Mukherjee, A., & Das, A. (2024). Diversity of foliar gall insects and its associated host plants from the eastern Himalayan foothills, India. National Academy Science Letters.

Mandal, S., Dolai, A., Mandal, K. C., & Das, A. (2024). Infestation patterns of a major wood boring pest, Psiloptera fastuosa (Buprestidae: Coleoptera) in Tasar, Terminalia arjuna (Myrtales: Combretaceae) plantation. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.

Dr. Kun Zhang | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kun Zhang | Institute of Wenzhou Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Kun Zhang is an emerging leader in materials science and energy storage research, currently serving as the Vice President of Suzhou MatSource AI Technology Co., Ltd., where he integrates advanced computational approaches with materials discovery and industrial application. He recently completed his postdoctoral research at Zhejiang University, following a Ph.D. from Qingdao University with a focus on advanced energy storage materials and their underlying mechanisms. Dr. Zhang’s research explores the intersection of materials simulation, theoretical modeling, and experimental validation, emphasizing the design of next-generation electrode materials, solid-state electrolytes, and nanoscale interface engineering for batteries and supercapacitors. His scientific output is impressive for a researcher at his career stage, with an estimated 45+ documents indexed in Scopus, over 800 citations, and an h-index of approximately 14, reflecting both productivity and meaningful impact across the materials science community. His work is well represented in internationally recognized journals such as Journal of Power Sources, Chemical Engineering Journal, Advanced Functional Materials, Energy Storage Materials, and Electrochimica Acta. Dr. Zhang is widely cited for his studies on the structural evolution of electrode materials under cycling conditions, computational predictions for high-performance energy devices, and the development of novel nanostructured materials to improve ion transport and cycling stability. He has collaborated with leading global researchers and actively participates in interdisciplinary projects that bridge fundamental materials theory with industrial applications, helping accelerate the commercialization of new technologies for energy sustainability. In addition to his publications, Dr. Zhang has contributed to patents in the field of electrode design and artificial intelligence-driven materials screening, highlighting his commitment to practical innovation. His combination of computational expertise and experimental insight allows him to propose new solutions to long-standing challenges in energy storage, including capacity fading, thermal stability, and cost-effective manufacturing of high-performance materials. Dr. Zhang’s achievements extend beyond research, as he also mentors junior scientists and engineers, fostering talent development in the field of clean energy technologies. His work continues to receive attention from peers, as reflected in the steady growth of his citations and collaboration network, underscoring his potential to shape the future of energy materials research. With a balanced portfolio of fundamental and applied research, a growing body of impactful publications, and leadership roles bridging academia and industry, Dr. Zhang exemplifies the qualities of an innovative researcher whose contributions are driving progress toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Zheng, S., Wang, Y., Luo, B., Zhang, K., Sun, L., Bao, Z., Duan, G., Chen, D., Hu, H., Huang, J., et al. (2025). Compacting surface charge layers for efficient charge transfer toward stable Zn anodes. Energy & Environmental Science.

Duan, G., Zhang, K., Wang, Y., Sun, L., Luo, B., Zheng, S., Bao, Z., Zhou, M., Hu, H., Chen, D., et al. (2025, September). Nucleation-driven volcano effect via interface synergy for stable Zn-ion batteries. Energy Storage Materials. Li, H., Jia, R.,

Chen, W., Wei, C., Ji, Q., Long, X., Wang, B., Zhang, K., Feng, J., Tan, L. (2025, September 13). Bio‐based separator engineering toward better metal anodes in rechargeable batteries: Progress and perspectives. Advanced Functional Materials.

Gong, L., Zhou, M., Zhang, K., Wang, Y., Sun, L., Duan, G., Luo, B., Zheng, S., Bao, Z., Huang, J., et al. (2025, May). Achieving long-term stable Zn anodes via adding traces of bioenergy carrying molecules to the electrolyte. Chemical Engineering Journal.

Li, L., Zhang, K., Ma, B., Yang, C., Wei, C., Li, X., Tian, X., Tan, L., Feng, J. (2025, April). An eco-friendly and biodegradable chitosan fiber-based separator with ion transport modulation towards highly reversible Zn metal anodes. Journal of Energy Storage.

Zhou, M., Zhang, K., Gong, L., Sun, L., Duan, G., Lu, Y., Bao, Z., Zheng, S., Luo, B., Huang, J., et al. (2025, April). The synergistic effect induced by “Z-bond” between cations and anions achieving a highly reversible zinc anode. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science.