Past winners
Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge
2026 winners
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Thilini D K Mudiyanselage
Professor, Department of Polymer Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
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.
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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.
2025 winners
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Pooja Singh
Assistant Professor, Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management of Symbiosis International, Deemed University, India
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. -
Mokgadi Hlongwane
Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
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.
2024 winners
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Altantuya Ochirkhuyago
Researcher in environmental chemistry, Mongolian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
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.
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María Alejandra Flórez-Restrepo
Researcher, BIOPOLIMER Research Group, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
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 winners
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Mohammedweli Mohamed
Program Manager, Somali Social Entrepreneurs Fund
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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.
2022 winners
2020 winners
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Clifford Okoth Owino
CEO and co-founder, Chemolex
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Diana Carolina Parada Quinayá
Professor, Department of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology
2019 winners
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Ramia Al Bakain
Professor of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Jordan
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.
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Ankur Patwardhan
Head of the Biodiversity Department, Maharashtra Education Society’s Abasaheb Garware College
2018 winners
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Prajwal Rabhindari
President, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology (RIBB)
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Alessio Adamiano
Researcher, Italian National Research Council (CNR)
2017 winners
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Chioma Blaise Chikere
Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt
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Denis Pires de Lima
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
