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Awards

Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge

2026

Milemo Lusambya

Let's Be Transformed (MAGUFINA), Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi

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Milemo Lusambya

Let's Be Transformed (MAGUFINA), Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi

Malawi

Milemo Lusambya leads Let’s Be Transformed (MAGUFINA), established in 2017 serving Dzaleka Refugee Camp’s 56,000 residents. MAGUFINA implemented agriculture programs training 120 women, increasing food security by 30% and establishing four gardens producing 2,400kg vegetables annually. We achieved 85% program completion rates compared to 45% camp average through participatory design. MAGUFINA partners with UNHCR Malawi for policy support, Ministry of Natural Resources for compliance, and Malawi University of Science and Technology for technical validation.

Thilini D K Mudiyanselage

Professor, Department of Polymer Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

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Thilini D K Mudiyanselage

Professor, Department of Polymer Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Dr. Thilini Mudiyanselage is a Professor in the Department of Polymer Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and a polymer chemist by training and practice. She earned an Honors degree in Chemistry, which laid a strong foundation in molecular science and led her to pursue a PhD, where she was introduced to the world of polymers and their potential to address pressing sustainability and climate challenges. Her research focuses on bio-based polymers, waste-derived materials, and functional hydrogels for water treatment, agriculture, and nutrient-use efficiency.

2025

Mokgadi Hlongwane

Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

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Mokgadi Hlongwane

Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

South Africa

Mokgadi is a self-professed environmental activist with a PhD in Chemistry. She completed her BTech and MTech degrees in Chemistry, both with cum laude, showcasing her dedication and academic excellence. Her research focuses on sustainable strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on medicinal plants.

Currently, she is developing rhizobia isolates as bioinoculants to alleviate drought and salt stress in Lessertia frutescens, a multipurpose medicinal plant native to South Africa. Her approach emphasizes sustainability, transdisciplinary collaboration, and women empowerment.

Pooja Singh

Assistant Professor, Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management of Symbiosis International, Deemed University, India

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Pooja Singh

Assistant Professor, Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management of Symbiosis International, Deemed University, India

India

Dr. Pooja Singh is currently associated with Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management (SCWRM) of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune India, as an Assistant Professor. She is CSIR-NET-JRF qualified, has 4 patents filed and over 30 research publications and book chapters to her name. She was the recipient of the DST-WOS-B grant (2017-2020) and was associated with Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS) as a DST Woman Scientist.

After her post-graduation from Delhi University in Biomedical Science, she completed her Ph.D. from the Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR), Chandigarh, and has been working in the field of bioremediation and environmental biotechnology for over 9 years post her doctoral work. Her specific area of expertise includes studies on microbial biosurfactants and biochar for various environmental and commercial applications. Her current research interest also includes the sustainable management of natural waste biomass for value generation and circular economy. She has been selected for participation in the Grand challenges India and BIRAC WomenLift Health’s inaugural Women Leadership in STEM (WLS) cohort, a leadership development programme for 2024-25.
Along with her team, comprising of Dr. Ruchi Mishra from Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research, Pune, Dr. Yamini Sudha from Shiv Nadar University, Noida, Mr. Ayush Agnihotri from PALLU and Dr. Bhavna Ambudkar from Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune, she is keen to develop an ecofriendly sanitary napkin using low cost and natural raw materials. The prototype developed will not only be completely biodegradable but also aid in sustainable waste management in alignment with circular economic model of growth.

2024

Altantuya Ochirkhuyago

Researcher in environmental chemistry, Mongolian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology

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Altantuya Ochirkhuyago

Researcher in environmental chemistry, Mongolian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology

Mongolia

Altantuya Ochirkhuyag is a distinguished Environmental Chemist whose academic journey has been marked by notable achievements and contributions to the field. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Environmental Chemistry from the esteemed National University of Mongolia in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Driven by a passion for environmental science, she furthered her education by pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Szeged in Hungary, culminating in her successful completion of the program in 2021.

She now holds a position as a researcher at the prestigious Mongolian Academy of Sciences, specifically within the esteemed Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology. Her research focuses on the synthesis of advanced materials derived from natural minerals and waste materials, with a particular emphasis on their application in addressing environmental challenges. Through her work, Altantuya Ochirkhuyag exemplifies a commitment to advancing sustainable practices in chemistry and leveraging innovative solutions to mitigate environmental issues.

María Alejandra Flórez-Restrepo

Researcher, BIOPOLIMER Research Group, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

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María Alejandra Flórez-Restrepo

Researcher, BIOPOLIMER Research Group, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

Colombia

María Alejandra Flórez-Restrepo is a researcher in the BIOPOLIMER Research Group at Universidad de Antioquia. Since its founding, the group has developed research proposals and undergraduate and postgraduate projects on the applications of ligninolytic fungi isolated in Colombia, through two research lines: the assessment of the ligninolytic potential of various basidiomycete fungi species for biotechnological applications, and the assessment of Colombian fungi’s potential for developing bioprocesses and metabolites for biotechnological, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications.

2023

Maria Wilvenna Añora

Co-founder, AtoANI

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Maria Wilvenna Añora

Co-founder, AtoANI

Philippines

Maria Wilvenna Añora is the co-founder of AtoANI and AtoANI BioPack which seek to provide solutions in the agriculture industry. Currently connected with the University of San Carlos, Maria teaches in the areas of business analytics and operations management along with creating some courses for Pluralsight. With a Chemical Engineering and MBA Degree, Maria has corporate experience working for companies such as Lufthansa Technik Philippines and Procter and Gamble Philippines in the areas of Strategy, Digitalization, Innovation, Finance, Material Management, Quality Assurance, and Project Management. She also has previous freelance consulting experience in the areas of strategy and digital transformation strategies.

Mohammedweli Mohamed

Program Manager, Somali Social Entrepreneurs Fund

2019

Ankur Patwardhan

Head of the Biodiversity Department, Maharashtra Education Society’s Abasaheb Garware College

Ramia Al Bakain

Professor of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Jordan

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Ramia Al Bakain

Professor of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Jordan

Jordan

Ramia Al Bakain holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Sorbonne Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Paris, France. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Jordan, Amman.

Her research focuses on the application of analytical chemistry to develop innovative methods in water, agriculture, and food security. She also works on green techniques for wastewater treatment and sustainable approaches to preserving natural resources. Ramia maintains extensive international research collaborations with institutions in the USA, France, Italy, Austria, Lebanon, Germany, Slovakia, and the UK.

She leads numerous international scientific projects and supervises interdisciplinary teams of graduate students working on water-food-agriculture security challenges in the MENA region. In addition, she is a member in the editorial board of Journal Sustainable Chemistry One World- Elsevier and Science & Technology Nexus Journal.

Ramia has received several prestigious international honors and awards, including: Elsevier Foundation-ISC3 Green & Sustainable Chemistry Award, L’Ordre national du Mérite – President of the French Republic, the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science and the MIT-Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Award.

2018

Alessio Adamiano

Researcher, Italian National Research Council (CNR)

Prajwal Rabhindari

President, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology (RIBB)

2017

Chioma Blaise Chikere

Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt

Denis Pires de Lima

Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

2016

Suzana Yusup

Professional Engineer (BEM), Charted Engineer and Charted Scientist (ICHEM), Sunway University

Yunsang Kim

Associate Professor in Sustainable Bioproducts, Mississippi State University


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