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

• Scopus
• ORCID
• Google Scholar

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.