Ferenc Ács | Human biometeorology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferenc Ács | Human biometeorology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferenc Ács, University Eötvös Loránd, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Hungary

Ferenc Ács, born on December 28, 1955, in Novi Sad, Serbia, is a distinguished meteorologist specializing in atmospheric sciences. He earned his BSc in Physics from the University of Novi Sad in 1979 and his MSc in Meteorology from the University of Belgrade in 1989. After serving as a research associate in Austria and Germany, he joined Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Hungary in 1994. Dr. Ács obtained his habilitation degree in 2008 with a focus on soil-plant-atmosphere interactions. His research spans heat and water transport, evapotranspiration, and climate classification. Since 2016, he has concentrated on human biometeorology, developing clothing thermal resistance models. Retired since 2021, he remains a lecturer at ELTE, contributing significantly to the field.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Ferenc Ács completed his BSc in Physics at the University of Novi Sad in 1979, where he built a strong foundation in atmospheric physics. In 1989, he pursued an MSc in Meteorology at the University of Belgrade, focusing on the development of a multi-layer vegetation model for atmospheric studies. His MSc thesis explored the relationship between transpiration and vegetation’s physical and biological properties. His academic pursuits continued at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), where he obtained his habilitation degree in 2008. His thesis on the interaction processes within the soil-plant-atmosphere system showcased his expertise in environmental modeling.

Experience 🧑‍🔬

Dr. Ferenc Ács has an extensive career in meteorology. From 1992 to 1994, he served as a scholarship holder and research associate in Vienna, Austria, and Braunschweig, Germany. In 1994, he joined ELTE’s Department of Meteorology, contributing as a researcher and lecturer. His focus included soil and water transport processes, convective precipitation, and boundary layer dynamics. After obtaining his habilitation degree in 2008, Dr. Ács expanded his expertise into human biometeorology, specifically researching clothing thermal resistance and human thermal comfort. Despite his retirement in 2021, he continues his collaboration with ELTE as a lecturer, enriching the field of atmospheric sciences.

Research Focus 🔎

Dr. Ferenc Ács’s research primarily covers atmospheric and environmental science. His initial studies addressed heat and water transport in soil, evapotranspiration processes, and convective precipitation. He also investigated planetary boundary layer dynamics, lightning frequency, and climate classification. Since 2016, he has shifted his focus to human biometeorology, concentrating on the development of clothing thermal resistance models to assess the impact of climate and weather on human thermal comfort. His multidisciplinary approach combines physical and biological modeling, contributing significantly to understanding human-environment interactions.

 

Publication Top Notes

  • Human thermal bioclimate of the Swiss-Austrian alpine region based on estimates of the clothing thermal resistance model (2025) – 📖 DOI: 10.1007/s00704-025-05433-y

  • Hogyan optimalizálható a lakások fűtése és hűtése egyszerű lépésekkel? (2024) –  📖 DOI: 10.31852/EMF.36.2024.073.077

  • Comparison of human thermal loads on foggy and cloudless mornings (2024) –  📖 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4085090/v1

  • On the Human Thermal Load in Fog (2024) –  📖 DOI: 10.3390/meteorology3010004

  • Individual local human thermal climates in the Hungarian lowland: Estimations by a simple clothing resistance‐operative temperature model (2023) – 📖 DOI: 10.1002/joc.7910

  • New statistical deterministic method for estimating human thermal load and sensation — application in the Carpathian region (2023) – 📖 DOI: 10.1007/s00704-022-04297-w

  • A 2021-es balatoni strandszezon hosszának becslése meteorológiai és humánmeteorológiai információk alapján (2022) –  📖 DOI: 10.31852/EMF.34.2022.078.083

  • Projected changes in Feddema climate characteristics in the Larger Carpathian Region by the end of the 21st century (2022)  📖 DOI: 10.1002/joc.7558

  • Clothing resistance and potential evapotranspiration as thermal climate indicators—The example of the Carpathian region (2021) –  📖 DOI: 10.1002/joc.7008

  • Human thermal climate of the Carpathian Basin (2021) – 📖 DOI: 10.1002/joc.6816

  • Larger Carpathian region climate according to Köppen, Feddema and the Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System methods (2021) –  📖 DOI: 10.1002/joc.6859

  • Carpathian Basin climate according to Köppen and a clothing resistance scheme (2020) –  📖 DOI: 10.1007/s00704-020-03199-z

  • A túrázás humánmeteorológiai szempontból: 2. rész: gyakorlati alkalmazások (2018) –  📖 DOI: 10.31852/EMF.30.2018.022.027

  • Climate and climate change in the Austrian–Swiss region of the European Alps during the twentieth century according to Feddema (2018) -📖 DOI: 10.1007/s00704-017-2230-6

conclusion

Dr. Ferenc Ács is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His impactful work in climate classification, biometeorology, and atmospheric interactions demonstrates his significant influence in the field.

 

Santona Khatun | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Santona Khatun | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Dr. Santona Khatun is a passionate environmental scientist with a focus on biogeochemistry. Currently a Junior Lecturer at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, Dr. Khatun’s research delves into the dynamics of methane and carbon-nitrogen interactions within aquatic ecosystems. With a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Science from the University of Yamanashi, Japan, she has contributed extensively to our understanding of methane production in freshwater lakes. Her work spans continents, including significant projects in Japan, Bangladesh, and Switzerland, making her a key figure in environmental and biogeochemical studies.

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Research Experience: Dr. Santona Khatun has significant interdisciplinary research experience, particularly in biogeochemistry, environmental science, and microbial ecology. Her projects range from investigating methane dynamics in lakes to studying the biogeochemical impact of methane seeps in the Arctic. This breadth of experience positions her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
  2. High-Impact Publications: Dr. Khatun has multiple publications in reputable journals, including ongoing research that addresses critical environmental issues such as methane emissions and global climate change. Her work has contributed valuable insights into the complex interactions between microbial communities and their ecosystems.
  3. Awards and Grants: She has received several prestigious awards and grants, including a postdoctoral fellowship in Geoscience and funding from the University of Lausanne. These recognitions underscore the quality and impact of her research.
  4. Supervisory Experience: Dr. Khatun has experience in supervising Ph.D. and Bachelor’s students, indicating her leadership in research and commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists.
  5. International Collaborations: Her work in various countries (Switzerland, Japan, Bangladesh) and participation in international conferences highlight her ability to collaborate globally and contribute to the international scientific community.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Focused Research Output: While Dr. Khatun’s research is diverse, focusing on a specific niche within her interdisciplinary field could strengthen her application. Concentrated efforts on producing high-impact publications in a specialized area might enhance her recognition.
  2. Increased Networking and Collaboration: Expanding her network by collaborating with more diverse institutions and researchers outside her current affiliations could broaden the impact of her work and lead to more joint publications and projects.
  3. Visibility and Outreach: Increasing her visibility through public science communication, participating in more international forums, and engaging in outreach activities could further establish her as a thought leader in her field.

 

🎓 Education:

Dr. Khatun earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Science in Nature, Biotic, and Social Environmental Engineering from the University of Yamanashi, Japan, in 2020, under the supervision of Dr. Tomoya Iwata. She also holds an M.S. in Interdisciplinary Science in Sustainable Society Studies (2016) from the same university. Before her time in Japan, she completed an M.S. in Environmental Science (2012) and a B.S. Honours (2011) in Soil, Water, and Environment from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she was mentored by Dr. AHM Mustafizur Rahman and Dr. SM Imamul Haq, respectively.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Khatun has a diverse professional background. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Lausanne’s Geopolies (Lakes group) in Switzerland, where she has been working since September 2022. Prior to this, she served as a Project Advisor at the Environment and Social Development Organization (March-September 2022) and a Research Associate at the University of Dhaka (November 2020-March 2022). Her experience reflects a strong commitment to understanding and addressing environmental challenges across different geographical regions.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Khatun’s research focuses on biogeochemistry, specifically the biogeochemical cycling of methane and carbon-nitrogen dynamics in freshwater ecosystems. Her work includes groundbreaking studies on the spatio-temporal variability of microbial communities and the factors influencing methane production in lakes. She is particularly interested in the aerobic production of methane by phytoplankton and its implications for global climate change. Her research has significant implications for understanding environmental changes in both natural and managed ecosystems.

🏅 Awards and Honours:

Dr. Khatun’s work has earned her several prestigious awards and grants. She received a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in Geoscience from the University of Lausanne in 2022. In the same year, she was also granted the Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) Grant under the COST Action CA21112 in Norway and Sweden. Her academic excellence was recognized earlier with a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees, along with multiple awards for outstanding research presentations at various international conferences.

📚 Publications (Top Notes):

“High-resolution metalimnetic methane dynamics in a temperate lake.” Limnology and Oceanography Letters (2024) | Link to Journal | Cited by: TBD

“Spatio-temporal variability of microbial communities reveals the carbon-nitrogen dynamics in lake ecosystems.” Microbes (2024) | Link to Journal | Cited by: TBD

“Long-range transport of littoral methane explains the metalimnetic methane peak in a large lake.” Limnology and Oceanography, 3(34), 73-97 (2024) | Link to Journal | Cited by: 15

“Aerobic methane production by eukaryotic green algae in freshwater ecosystems.” (In Progress for Publication) | Link to Journal | Cited by: TBD

“Detection of Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A and Bisphenol S in Bangladeshi Thermal Paper Receipts.” Environmental Science Processes, 20(1), 1 (2022) | Link to Journal | Cited by: 10

“Linking stoichiometric organic carbon-nitrogen relationships to planktonic cyanobacteria and subsurface methane maximum in deep freshwater lakes.” Water, 12, 402 (2020) | Link to Journal | Cited by: 25

“Aerobic methane production by planktonic microbes in lakes.” Science of the Total Environment, 696, 133916 (2019) | Link to Journal | Cited by: 35

Conclusion

Dr. Santona Khatun is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her extensive research in environmental science, coupled with her strong publication record and international experience, makes her a strong contender. With focused efforts on increasing her research output in a specialized niche and expanding her professional network, she can further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her field.