Huali Sun | HR Business Partnering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Huali Sun | HR Business Partnering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Huali Sun, Shanghai University, China

Professor Huali Sun is a distinguished academic and PhD Supervisor at the School of Management, Shanghai University. With over a decade of contribution to operations research, logistics, and decision sciences, he brings significant interdisciplinary expertise. Dr. Sun earned his PhD in Control Theory and Control Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and enhanced his academic profile as a senior visiting scholar at the University of Missouri, USA, in 2014. Recognized for his excellence in teaching and service, he received accolades including “Outstanding Party Member” (2016) and “Excellent Full-time Tutor” (2021, 2022). His leadership in numerous national and provincial projects, robust publication record with over 80 SCI/SSCI papers, and influence on policy consultation reflect his commitment to impactful research. Prof. Sun is also an author and editor, contributing textbooks and national-level management cases, bridging theory and practice for future business and policy leaders.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. 🌍 Significant Research Output

    • Over 80 publications in top-tier SCI/SSCI journals and Class A Chinese journals (e.g., International Journal of Production Economics, Transportation Research Part E, Systems Engineering Theory and Practice).

    • Demonstrates academic excellence and consistent contributions to fields like operations research, logistics, and decision sciences.

  2. 📊 Proven Project Leadership

    • Led 3 National Natural Science Foundation projects and participated in numerous provincial and ministerial-level projects.

    • Recognized for securing competitive funding from major agencies, reflecting strong research capability and national relevance.

  3. 🎯 Real-World Impact

    • Authored 10+ decision-making reports used by central and municipal departments.

    • Received 1 instruction from national leaders and 4 from provincial leaders, proving direct policy-level influence.

  4. 🎓 Exceptional Mentorship

    • Supervised 80+ postgraduate students, many of whom earned prestigious awards like National Scholarships and “Outstanding Graduate” honors.

    • Strong mentorship pipeline supports sustainability of research excellence.

  5. 📚 Academic Contributions Beyond Papers

    • Authored 1 monograph, co-edited 1 textbook, and wrote national-level management cases, contributing to both academic knowledge and teaching pedagogy.

    • Cases selected for the 9th National Hundred Excellent Management Cases and the 2025 China International Case Library, indicating high educational and applied value.

  6. 🌐 International Exposure

    • Experience as a senior visiting scholar at the University of Missouri (USA) in 2014 demonstrates global academic engagement.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  1. 🌐 Strengthen International Collaboration

    • While international exposure exists, increasing joint publications and global co-authorships could enhance international recognition and cross-border impact.

  2. 📢 Broaden Outreach and Visibility

    • Engaging in science communication, speaking at international forums, and participating in global academic networks could improve public engagement and global academic influence.

  3. 💡 Emerging Tech Integration

    • Incorporating AI, big data, or digital transformation into future research in logistics and management could align with cutting-edge global trends and funding priorities.

🎓 Education:

Huali Sun completed his PhD in Control Theory and Control Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of China’s premier research institutions. His academic training equipped him with strong analytical and systems-thinking capabilities, foundational to his later research in logistics, operations research, and decision-making models. In 2014, he expanded his international perspective as a senior visiting scholar at the University of Missouri, USA, where he engaged with global academic standards and collaborative research methodologies. His educational background, deeply rooted in systems engineering and control, allows him to tackle complex problems in transportation, logistics, and production systems. Over the years, Prof. Sun has continued his academic evolution, integrating his engineering background with social sciences and management, becoming a multidisciplinary leader in research and higher education.

🧑‍🏫 Experience:

Prof. Huali Sun has served as a Professor and PhD Supervisor at the School of Management, Shanghai University, mentoring over 80 postgraduate students, many of whom received national and municipal honors. His experience includes hosting and participating in more than 10 national and provincial-level projects, with funding from prestigious bodies such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. He has published in top-tier journals and authored influential decision-making reports adopted by central and provincial governments, even receiving instructions from national leaders. He also contributes to curriculum development through textbooks and national management case writing. His leadership spans across academic administration, case writing, applied research, and student development, making him a multi-faceted academic deeply engaged in research, education, and societal service.

🔬 Research Focus:

Prof. Huali Sun’s research lies at the intersection of operations research, logistics optimization, and sustainable decision-making. He specializes in robust and multi-period modeling, focusing on emergency logistics, CO₂ emission efficiency, and location-routing under uncertainty. His work often balances economic and environmental goals, particularly in perishable goods supply chains and transportation systems. Prof. Sun is a thought leader in risk-resilient systems, developing frameworks that guide governments and industries in disaster response and infrastructure planning. Additionally, his research integrates quantitative modeling with policy impact, as evidenced by his widely adopted consultation reports. His commitment to interdisciplinary and application-driven research has contributed significantly to the theory and practice of management science, particularly in the Chinese context of rapid urban and industrial transformation.

📚 Publication Top Notes: 

  1. 📦 A robust and multi-period model for an emergency logistics network considering the risk of disruptions – RAIRO Operations Research, 2025

  2. 🌱 Analysis of transportation CO₂ emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China – Maritime Policy and Management, 2024

  3. 🚧 Robust optimization of joint road restoration and emergency location-routing – System Engineering Theory and Practice, 2023

  4. 🔄 Trade-offs between economic and environmental goals of production-inventory-routing problem for multiple perishable products – Computers and Industrial Engineering, 2023

🧾 Conclusion:

Prof. Huali Sun is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His academic excellence, national research leadership, societal impact through policy consultation, and deep mentorship record distinguish him as a researcher with broad influence and sustainable impact. His work directly serves both academic advancement and real-world problem-solving, particularly in logistics, operations, and public systems.

Zhen Zhang | Sustainable HR Practices | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Dr. Zhen Zhang | Sustainable HR Practices | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Zhen Zhang | Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Prof. Zhen Zhang is a distinguished researcher and academic leader in the field of energy electrocatalysis. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and later served as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Researcher there. Currently, he is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Northwestern Polytechnical University in China. Recognized for his excellence, he has received several prestigious honors, including the Shaanxi Province High-Level Talent award and the Aoxiang Overseas Scholar designation. With over 50 SCI-indexed publications, 5,500+ citations, and an H-index of 38, Prof. Zhang has made substantial contributions to electrochemical energy technologies. He has led more than 16 research projects, including national and industrial-level programs. His editorial engagements and international collaborations underscore his influence in the global research community. He is particularly known for developing confined electrocatalytic materials with applications in fuel cells, CO₂ reduction, and water splitting systems.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. High Impact Research Output

    • Over 50 SCI-indexed publications, including JACS (2), Advanced Materials (3), Angewandte Chemie, Nature Communications, and ACS Nano.

    • 14 ESI Highly Cited Papers with over 5,500 citations and an H-index of 38, showcasing significant influence in the field of electrochemistry and materials science.

  2. Innovative Contributions in Energy Electrocatalysis

    • Pioneered confined electrocatalytic systems, including conductive zeolite supports, nanoconfined bimetallic structures, and atomic-scale active zones.

    • His work directly addresses pressing global challenges in CO₂ reduction, hydrogen evolution, and battery performance, offering solutions with real-world energy applications.

  3. Leadership and Project Management

    • Leads 16 major research projects, including national and industry-funded projects (one with 30 million RMB funding).

    • Strong administrative leadership in establishing international research platforms, including the Waterloo Centre for Electrochemical Energy and CLS collaboration.

  4. International Collaborations and Networks

    • Maintains deep research ties with world-leading scientists such as Prof. Zhongwei Chen, Prof. Linda Nazar, and labs like Argonne National Laboratory, Washington University, and McMaster University.

    • Promotes cutting-edge joint work in in-situ TEM/synchrotron spectroscopy and CO₂ electroreduction systems.

  5. Editorial and Scientific Community Roles

    • Serves as editorial board member or session chair in 6 reputable journals/conferences, enhancing academic leadership.

  6. Recognized Honors and Fellowships

    • Multiple prestigious national/international awards, including the Advanced Materials Award, Mitacs Accelerate, and Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Books and Monographs

    • No books or monographs listed. Authoring scholarly books could further broaden his academic footprint and impact.

  2. Patent Commercialization & Tech Transfer

    • While 4 patents have been granted, details on commercialization or industrial implementation are not elaborated. Demonstrating real-world adoption could further strengthen his innovation profile.

  3. Broader Public Outreach

    • While scientific outreach is strong within academia, enhancing presence in science communication platforms or public policy arenas could amplify his societal impact.

🎓 Education:

Prof. Zhen Zhang received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he also completed postdoctoral research and worked as a Senior Researcher. During his time in Canada, he earned multiple prestigious academic awards, including the Mitacs Accelerate Award, Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad. He was also awarded the University of Waterloo President’s Graduate Scholarship and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology Nanofellowship. These recognitions reflect his consistent academic excellence and research acumen during his doctoral and postdoctoral training. His solid educational foundation in electrochemical energy systems laid the groundwork for his future work in electrocatalysis and advanced materials, shaping a trajectory that combines theoretical knowledge, experimental expertise, and technological innovation in clean energy research.

💼 Experience:

Prof. Zhang has cultivated over a decade of research and leadership experience in energy materials and electrochemical systems. After completing his Ph.D. and serving in key research roles at the University of Waterloo, he returned to China to join Northwestern Polytechnical University. As a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, he currently leads a high-impact research group and oversees numerous funded projects at the national and industrial levels. His industry collaboration includes a major 30-million-RMB project in fuel cell power technology. Prof. Zhang has also played a founding role in international platforms, such as the Waterloo Centre for Electrochemical Energy and the joint innovation lab with the Canadian Light Source. He maintains long-term collaborations with global experts like Prof. Zhongwei Chen and Prof. Linda Nazar. His appointments across editorial boards and research organizations reflect his leadership and his role in advancing electrochemical technologies worldwide.

🔬 Research Focus:

Prof. Zhen Zhang specializes in energy electrocatalytic materials and device integration, focusing on the catalytic conversion of small molecules such as CO₂, O₂, and H₂. His research advances fundamental understanding and technological innovations in CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR), oxygen evolution/reduction (OER/ORR), and hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions (HER/HOR). Key contributions include the development of confined electrocatalytic systems—such as atomically confined active centers, nanoconfined bimetallic structures, and dynamically tunable conductive zeolite supports—which resolve long-standing challenges in catalyst selectivity, stability, and activity. His multidisciplinary approach combines materials science, nanotechnology, and in situ characterization to create scalable solutions for clean energy conversion and storage, including water electrolysis, metal-air batteries, and fuel cells. Through strategic partnerships with international labs and synchrotron facilities, Prof. Zhang enables advanced structural and spectroscopic analysis of electrocatalysts under realistic operating conditions.

📚 Top Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📘 Microporous framework membranes for precise molecule/ion separations – Chem. Soc. Rev., 2021

  2. ⚡ Constructing multifunctional solid electrolyte interface via in-situ polymerization – Nat. Commun., 2021

  3. 🌿 Quasi-Covalently Coupled Ni–Cu Atomic Pair for CO₂ Electroreduction – JACS, 2022

  4. 🔬 Ultrafine amorphous Nb₂O₅–x nanocluster for Li–S performance – ACS Nano, 2020

  5. ⚙️ Co nanoparticles in hollow carbon tubes for Zn-air batteries – Nano Energy, 2020

  6. 🔧 Binary metal chalcogenide for lithium–sulfur batteries – Adv. Energy Mater., 2019

  7. 🌍 Tailored porous carbon materials for CO₂ capture – J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019

  8. ❄️ Solvation shell regulation for zinc-ion batteries – Adv. Mater., 2022

  9. 🧪 Zn–Ag–O Catalyst for Selective CO₂ Electroreduction – JACS, 2021

  10. 🌀 Sn-Bi bimetallic interface for CO₂ electroreduction – Nat. Commun., 2022

🧾 Conclusion:

Prof. Zhen Zhang stands out as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with a well-documented record of high-impact research, groundbreaking innovations, strong international collaborations, and recognized leadership in the field of energy electrocatalysis. His work addresses global energy challenges through a scientific lens, making him a pivotal contributor to clean energy technologies.

🏆 Verdict: Highly Recommended for the Best Researcher Award