Main Reason for the Award

Since 2012, Dr. Guido Grause has participated in the peer review process for 23 papers submitted to the Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JMCWM), providing insightful and precise review comments. His significant contributions include numerous constructive suggestions that enhance the scientific content of the manuscripts.

Dr. Grause’s feedback, grounded in deep expertise in chemistry, has been particularly valuable in helping authors deepen their analyses and improve technical accuracy. He has conducted re-reviews for over half of the papers he has handled, including manuscripts requiring two or three rounds of revisions. Additionally, his remarkable responsiveness—often completing reviews within a few days—is highly appreciated by both authors and associate editors.

His thoroughness, expertise, and promptness make Dr. Grause a highly deserving recipient of the JMCWM Leading Reviewers Award (LREED-Reviewers 2025).

・Review Record for JMCWM
　Total peer reviews conducted: 23 manuscripts. (as of August 2025)

• Award Recipient’s Resume

  Education

  • 1993: Chemical Engineer / Technical Chemistry, Technical College Berlin, Germany
  • 2000: Graduate Chemist / Diplom Chemiker, Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Germany
  • 2003: Ph.D., Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Germany

  Work Experience

  • 2013–2022: Associate Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Japan
  • 2022–2024: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK
  • Present: Associate Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Japan
• Selected Publications

  • Grause G, Sutton J, Dove AP, Mitchell NA, Wood J (2024) Crystallization of Bis(2-hydroxyethylene) Terephthalate as a Part of a Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling Concept for Poly(ethylene terephthalate). Crystal Growth and Design 24:7306-7321.
  • Grause G, Kuniyasu Y, Chien MF, Inoue C (2022) Separation of microplastic from soil by centrifugation and its application to agricultural soil. Chemosphere 288:132654.
  • Grause G, Chien MF, Inoue C (2020) Changes during the weathering of polyolefins. Polymer Degradation and Stability 181:109364.
  • Grause G, Hirahashi S, Toyoda H, Kameda T, Yoshioka T (2017) Solubility parameters for determining optimal solvents for separating PVC from PVC-coated PET fibers. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 19:612–622.

Main Reason for the Award

Dr. Hwidong D. Kim has demonstrated outstanding dedication and expertise as a reviewer for the Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JMCWM). From 2013 to 2025, he reviewed 30 manuscripts, providing exceptionally thorough and insightful evaluations that greatly enhanced their scientific quality.

A notable portion of his reviews focused on metal recovery and hydrometallurgical processes, where his deep knowledge of metal leaching, stabilization, and recycling significantly improved the technical accuracy and relevance of the papers. Drawing on his broad background in landfill engineering, leachate management, and recycling system analysis, Dr. Kim provides balanced and constructive comments that bridge fundamental chemical processes with practical environmental applications.

He is also recognized for his remarkable responsiveness and commitment, completing all reviews on time and readily accepting re-reviews when needed. His professionalism, analytical depth, and sustained support for high-quality peer review make him a truly deserving recipient of the JMCWM Leading Reviewers Award (LREED-Reviewers 2025).

・Review Record for JMCWM
　Total peer reviews conducted: 30 manuscripts. (as of August 2025)

• Award Recipient’s Resume

  Education

  • 1993: B.S., Biological Engineering, Inha University, Inchon, South Korea
  • 1997: M.S., Biological Engineering, Inha University, Inchon, South Korea
  • 2005: Ph.D., Environmental Engineering and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

  Work Experience

  • Present: Professor, Environmental Science & Engineering, Gannon University, USA
• Selected Publications

  • Kim HD, Baek CR, Jang YC (2024) Advancing glass recycling and environmental applications with porous glass: a mini-review. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 26:2620–2633.
  • Kim HD, Homan M (2020) Evaluation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water originating from Lake Erie. Journal of Great Lakes Research 46: 1321-1330.
  • Xu RS, Gale A, Kim HD, Lott R, Laux S, Townsend T (2020) Boron as a contaminant at construction and demolition debris landfills. Waste Management 109:85–93.
  • Zhang J, Kim HD, Dubey B, Townsend T (2017) Arsenic leaching and speciation in C&D debris landfills and the relationship with gypsum drywall content. Waste Management 59:324–329.
  • Wu J, Kim HD (2017) Impacts of road salts on leaching behavior of lead-contaminated soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials 324:291–297.

Main Reason for the Award

Dr. Sylwia Oleszek has provided precise and insightful peer-review comments by thoroughly examining the literature cited by authors and their referenced prior research across a wide range of manuscripts. She skillfully separates general comments from specific ones, using general comments to identify research gaps and novelty, and specific comments to provide detailed, evidence-based suggestions. When necessary, she introduces and recommends relevant literature, supporting authors in improving the quality and impact of their manuscripts.

Since 2019, Dr. Oleszek has reviewed 26 papers for the Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JMCWM), meticulously reviewing revised manuscripts upon request. She consistently meets deadlines, never exceeding 30 days, and responds promptly to review requests. Her thorough, balanced, and timely approach exemplifies the qualities of a leading reviewer, making her a highly deserving recipient of the JMCWM Leading Reviewers Award (LREED-Reviewers 2025).

・Review Record for JMCWM
　Total peer reviews conducted: 26 manuscripts. (as of August 2025)

• Award Recipient’s Resume

  Education

  • 2005: Ph.D., Environmental Chemistry, Tohoku University, Japan

  Work Experience

  • 2005–2006: Researcher, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd, China
  • 2007–2009: JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Tohoku University, Japan
  • 2009–2016: Research Associate, Tohoku University, Japan
  • 2016–2019: Assistant Professor, Kagoshima University, Japan
  • 2019–2022: Senior Researcher, Kyoto University, Japan
  • 2022–2024: Assistant Professor, Kyoto University, Japan
  • Present: Associate Professor, Waseda University, Japan
• Selected Publications

  • Ditlhakanyane BC, Ultra VU, Mokgoshi SM, Taupedi SB, Oleszek S (2025) Quantification of microplastics in Coptodon rendalli and surface waters of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana: The first baseline evidence. Environmental Technology 46:3599–3609.
  • Oleszek S, Shiota K, Chen M, Takaoka M (2022) Effective separation and recovery of manganese and potassium from biomass ash by solvent extraction. ACS Omega 7:20155–20164.
  • Oleszek S, Kumagai S, Grabda M, Shiota K, Yoshioka T, Takaoka M (2021) Mitigation of bromine-containing products during pyrolysis of polycarbonate-based tetrabromobisphenol A in the presence of copper(I) oxide. Journal of Hazardous Materials 409:124972.
  • Oleszek S, Grabda M, Shibata E, Nakamura T (2013) Fate of lead oxide during thermal treatment with tetrabromobisphenol A. Journal of Hazardous Materials 261:163–171.

Main Reason for the Award

Prof. Tsukasa Sato has been a dedicated and reliable reviewer for the Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JMCWM), demonstrating meticulous attention to experimental details and maintaining objectivity in environmental engineering evaluations. His feedback is balanced and constructive, combining scientific accuracy with educational insight for authors.

Prof. Sato provides both general comments on novelty and applicability and specific, detailed suggestions on methodologies, particularly in the areas of plastic recycling, polymer adsorption, and environmental materials. He frequently cites relevant literature to strengthen the scientific rigor of manuscripts and highlights the relevance of polymer recycling processes to material reuse systems. Since 2020, he has reviewed eight papers for the journal, consistently delivering accurate, insightful, and timely evaluations. His deep understanding of thermoplastic recycling and adsorption mechanisms makes his reviews particularly valuable for advancing research in circular materials and environmental engineering.

His professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to appropriate peer review make him a deserving recipient of the JMCWM Leading Reviewers Award (LREED-Reviewers 2025).

・Review Record for JMCWM
　Total peer reviews conducted: 8 manuscripts. (as of August 2025)

• Award Recipient’s Resume

  Education

  • 1990: B.S., Faculty of Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology
  • 1997: Ph.D., Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology

  Work Experience

  • 1997: Research Associate, Department of Materials Engineering, Tsuruoka National College of Technology (now National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College), Japan
  • 2003: Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Engineering, Tsuruoka National College of Technology, Japan
  • 2007: Associate Professor, Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College, Japan
  • 1999–2000: Visiting Researcher, University of Massachusetts, USA
  • 2020–Present: Professor, Department of Creative Engineering, Course of Chemistry and Biology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College, Japan
• Selected Publications

  • Igarashi M, Endo K, Sato T, Takahashi S, Shishido M (2025) Development of VR interface with thermal feedback for fingertip grasping motions. Studies in Science and Technology 14:25–30.
  • Hasegawa R, Ito S, Sato T, Shishido M (2022) Moisturizing effect of the skin by metasilicate derived from rice hull. Journal of the Institute of Industrial Applications Engineers 10:84–89.
  • Sato T, Shishido M (2020) Mechanical and structural properties for recycled thermoplastics from waste fishing ropes. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 22:1682–1689.
  • Sato T, Shishido M (2019) Thermoplastic composites recycled from fishing rope fiber. Journal of the Institute of Industrial Applications Engineers 7:118–121.
  • Sato T, Abe S, Ito S, Abe T (2019) Silk fibroin fiber for selective palladium adsorption: Kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic properties. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 7:102958.

Main Reason for the Award

Dr. Namil Um has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JMCWM) with exceptional diligence and expertise. Between 2021 and 2024, he reviewed seven manuscripts, providing comprehensive and constructive feedback that significantly enhanced their scientific quality. His comments are characterized by clear reasoning, balanced judgment, and valuable suggestions that bridge laboratory-scale recycling technologies with policy and management implications.

Drawing on his extensive experience in waste management, recycling, and hydrometallurgy at the National Institute of Environmental Research (South Korea), Dr. Um offers interdisciplinary insight that enhances both technical depth and societal relevance. He is also recognized for his prompt and responsible review responses, often completing assignments ahead of schedule and accepting re-reviews when needed. His sustained contribution, professionalism, and commitment to advancing high-quality scholarship make him an exemplary recipient of the JMCWM Leading Reviewers Award (LREED-Reviewers 2025).

・Review Record for JMCWM
　Total peer reviews conducted: 7 manuscripts. (as of August 2025)

• Award Recipient’s Resume

  Education

  • 2003: B.S., Inha University, Mineral & Energy Resources Engineering
  • 2005: M.S., Inha University, Mineral & Energy Resources Engineering
  • 2012: Ph.D., Kyoto University, Energy Science and Technology

  Work Experience

  • 2013 – Present: Senior Researcher, National Institute of Environmental Research, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Republic of Korea
• Selected Publications

  • Um N, Jeon TW (2021) Pretreatment method for the utilization of the coal ash landfilled in ash ponds. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 153:192–204.
  • Shin SK, Um N, Kim YJ, Cho NH, Jeon TW (2020) New policy framework with plastic waste control plan for effective plastic waste management. Sustainability 12:6049.
  • Um N (2019) Effect of Cl removal in MSWI bottom ash via carbonation with CO₂ and decomposition kinetics of Friedel’s salt. Materials Transactions 60:837–844.
  • Um N, Kang YY, Kim KH, Shin SK, Lee Y (2018) Strategic environmental assessment for effective waste management in Korea: A review of the new policy framework. Waste Management 82:129–138.
  • Um N, Hirato T (2016) A hydrometallurgical method of energy saving type for separation of rare earth elements from rare earth polishing powder wastes with middle fraction of ceria. Journal of Rare Earths 34:536–542.