Sanjay Kumar Katiyar | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Katiyar | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

CGIAR- AfricaRice | Côte d’Ivoire

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Katiyar is an accomplished geneticist and global agricultural research leader with over three decades of expertise in crop breeding, genetics, and agricultural innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and completed postdoctoral research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Currently serving as Program Leader for Genetic Diversity & Improvement at CGIAR-AfricaRice, Director of the CGIAR Global Rice Breeding Platform (AfricaRice, IRRI, and CIAT), and Co-Lead of CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow—Accelerated Breeding, he provides strategic and scientific leadership across global breeding initiatives. Dr. Katiyar’s career spans leading roles in CGIAR centers (IRRI, CIMMYT, AfricaRice), multinational seed industries (ADVANTA, BIOSEEDS), and public research institutions (IGKV). His research focuses on accelerated and predictive breeding, genomic selection, gene editing, and data-driven crop improvement for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. He has secured over $50 million in competitive research grants. Recognized for his leadership and capacity building, Dr. Katiyar has trained over 1,000 scientists and supervised 80 postgraduate researchers, contributing significantly to global food security and the modernization of plant breeding programs across Asia and Africa.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Juma, R. U., Bartholomé, J., Thathapalli Prakash, P., Hussain, W., Platten, J. D., Katiyar, S. K., … (2021). Identification of an elite core panel as a key breeding resource to accelerate the rate of genetic improvement for irrigated rice. Rice.

Nguyen, V. H., Morantte, R. I. Z., Lopena, V., Verdeprado, H., Murori, R., Katiyar, S. K., … (2023). Multi-environment genomic selection in rice elite breeding lines. Rice.

Subbaiyan, G. K., Waters, D. L. E., Katiyar, S. K., Sadananda, A. R., Vaddadi, S., … (2012). Genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms in elite indica rice inbreds discovered by whole‐genome sequencing. Plant Biotechnology Journa.

Katiyar, S. K., Tan, Y., Huang, B., Chandel, G., Xu, Y., Zhang, Y., Xie, Z., & Bennett, J. (2001). Molecular mapping of gene Gm-6 (t) which confers resistance against four biotypes of Asian rice gall midge in China. Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

Kottapalli, P., Gaur, P. M., Katiyar, S. K., Crouch, J. H., Buhariwalla, H. K., Pande, S., … (2009). Mapping and validation of QTLs for resistance to an Indian isolate of Ascochyta blight pathogen in chickpea. Euphytica,

Leila Ma’mani | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Leila Ma’mani | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

ABRII | Iran

Dr. Leila Ma’mani is a distinguished Assistant Professor at the Department of Nanotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII). She obtained her B.Sc. from Bu-Ali Sina University, M.Sc. from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Tarbiat Modares University. She completed postdoctoral research in nanomaterials and nano-drug delivery at the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. At ABRII, she has served as Head of the Department of Nanotechnology and Secretary of the Nanotechnology Committee of Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture. Dr. Ma’mani has supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Sc. students and continues to guide emerging researchers in the field. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of nanoporous and organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite delivery systems, targeted and slow release of bioactive compounds, nano-pesticides, nutrient nanocarriers, enzyme and RNA stabilization, and magnetic nanomaterials. She has authored many high-impact publications, book chapters, and patents, with an h-index of 28 and 2272 citations and 76 Documentation. Her innovative contributions to agricultural nanotechnology have advanced sustainable, biocompatible solutions for controlled-release systems and green agricultural technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Eigharlou, M., Javidpoor, S., Mohammadi, A., Khelghatibana, F., Nami, Y., Ma’mani, L., & Sadeghi, A. (2024). Evaluation of herbicidal potential of siderophores produced by Amycolatopsis lurida strain 407. Scientific Reports.

Parnian, J., Ma’mani, L., Bakhtiari, M. R., & Safavi, M. (2024). Inhibition of EGFR1 in triple negative breast cancer cells using siRNA loaded with Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. BioNanoScience.

Najafzadeh Nansa, M., Jokarshoorijeh, F., Tavakoli Hasanaklou, N., Ghorbanloo, M., Hosseni, R., & Ma’mani, L. (2024). Nanoformulation: An efficient approach to natural insect repellent formulations. Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology.

Ardali, T. R., Soleimanpour, L., Ma’mani, L., & Chorom, M. (2024). Opportunities and future perspective of nanofertilizers and controlled release nanofertilizers in agriculture. Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology.

Shemshaki, N. S., Sharifi, K., Khodaparast, S. A., Mamani, L., & Mousanejad, S. (2024). The efficiency of mineral compounds for the control of strawberry blossom blight caused by Botrytis cinerea. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Yu Hu | Plant Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yu Hu | Plant Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Hanjiang Normal University | China

Professor Yu Hu is a distinguished researcher at Hanjiang Normal University, specializing in green chemistry and phytochemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, under the mentorship of Professor Hou Zhenshan in 2010. With over 15 years of academic and research experience, Dr. Hu has made significant contributions to the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts, particularly for water pollution treatment. Her pioneering work on the phytogenic synthesis of iron nanoparticles using pomegranate leaf extract has demonstrated efficient degradation of toxic dyes such as malachite green, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional remediation methods.  Dr. Hu has authored a forthcoming book with China Science and Technology Press and holds three published patents with one under process. She has also led funded projects under the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China. Her ongoing research integrates nanomaterials, plant biochemistry, and environmental catalysis to promote sustainable development. Through her innovative contributions and academic excellence, Dr. Yu Hu continues to advance green nanotechnology and environmental protection.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hu, Y., Zhou, F., Zhang, N., Pan, X., Li, S., Zhang, D., Li, L., & Zhang, L. (2024). Green synthesis of iron (II, III)-polyphenol nanoparticles and their adsorption of malachite green. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Materials Science Education.

Hu, Y., Zhou, S., Pan, X., Zhou, F., Sun, Y., Liu, M., Zhang, D., & Zhang, L. (2022). Fe nanoparticles synthesized by pomegranate leaves for treatment of malachite green. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Materials Science Education.

He, C., Hu, Y., Lou, S., Liu, X., Zhang, W., & Zhang, L. (2020). Synthesis of segregative, reusable, and high-efficiency spherical chitosan/zirconium macro-biocomposite for removal of aqueous As(V). Separation Science and Technology.

Hu, Y., Yu, Y., Zhao, X., Yang, H., Feng, B., Li, H., Qiao, Y., Hua, L., Pan, Z., & Hou, Z. (2010). Catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds by functionalized ionic liquids-stabilized nickel nanoparticles in aqueous phase: The influence of anions. Science China Chemistry.

Hu, Y., Yu, Y., Hou, Z., Yang, H., Feng, B., Li, H., Qiao, Y., Wang, X., Hua, L., Pan, Z., & Hou, Z. (2010). Ionic liquid immobilized nickel(0) nanoparticles as stable and highly efficient catalysts for selective hydrogenation in the aqueous phase. Chemistry – An Asian Journal

Md Arif Sakil | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Md Arif Sakil | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Bangladesh Agricultural University | Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Arif Sakil is an accomplished Bangladeshi scientist and academic currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Saitama University, Japan (2019–2022), and is presently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Meiji University, Japan. His research focuses on plant stress biology, molecular mechanisms of autophagy, nanobiotechnology, and genome editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas for improving plant resilience. Over his academic career, Dr. Sakil has published more than 30 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters in reputed journals including Plant and Cell Physiology, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. His outstanding scientific contributions have earned him multiple honors, including the prestigious President Gold Medal Award from Bangladesh Agricultural University (2023) and the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. Dr. Sakil’s work on autophagy and plant stress mechanisms bridges fundamental biology with agricultural innovation. With a strong passion for sustainable agriculture and food security, he continues to pursue advanced biotechnological research that contributes to global agricultural resilience and scientific advancement.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Roy, A. R., Jahan, I., Mou, S. J., Hasin, M. F., Angon, P. B., Sultana, R., Mazumder, B., & Sakil, M. A. (2025). Function of biochar: Alleviation of heat stress in plants and improvement of soil microbial communities. Phyton, Advance online publication.

Jahan, I., Angon, P. B., Mou, S. J., Zannat, M., Antu, U. B., Alam, M. M., Sweety, A. A., Islam, M. S., & Sakil, M. A. (2025). The potential of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies to mitigate biotic stress in plants. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.

Sarkar, R., Khatun, M. K., Sultana, M. A., Mustary, S., Rahman, M., Akter, T., Mortuza, M. G., Hannan, M. A., Sakil, M. A., & Haque, M. R. (2024). Effects of soaking duration on nutritional composition and total phenolic content of some selected lentil varieties of Bangladesh. Probe – Plant & Animal Sciences.

Sakil, M. A., Mukae, K., Bao, J., Sadhu, A., Roni, M. S., Inoue-Aono, Y., & Moriyasu, Y. (2023). Autophagy promotes cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide in Physcomitrium patens. Plant and Cell Physiology.

Mukae, K., Sakil, M. A., Kotake, T., Inoue-Aono, Y., & Moriyasu, Y. (2023). Autophagy accelerates cell death after desiccation and hydration stress in Physcomitrium. Environmental and Experimental Botany.

Milena Hristozova | Radio Ecology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Milena Hristozova | Radio Ecology | Women Researcher Award

Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “Nikola Poushkarov” | Bulgaria

Dr. Milena Hristova Hristozova is a Bulgarian scientist specializing in radiobiology, radioecology, and environmental protection. She earned her Ph.D. in 2014 from the Military Medical Academy, Sofia, with research focused on radiobiological and radioecological studies of the flora and fauna of Livingston Island, Antarctica. She also holds master’s degrees from the University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski” and the University of Veliko Tarnovo “St. St. Cyril and Methodius.” Dr. Hristozova currently serves at the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnology and Plant Protection “Nikola Poushkarov,” Sofia, where she works in the Laboratory of Radioecology and Radioisotope Research. Her work involves the assessment of environmental contamination by radionuclides and radioecological monitoring of soil, water, and food systems. Previously, she worked for over 15 years at the Military Medical Academy, contributing to research on radiation protection and low-dose exposure effects. She has also participated in research expeditions to Antarctica and international collaborations with institutions in Japan, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Dr. Hristozova has published over 35 scientific papers and conference proceedings, with an h-index of 1, more than 23 citations, and over 7 documented research outputs across scientific databases. Her research interests include low-dose radiation effects, environmental radioactivity, and Antarctic ecosystems. She continues to advance sustainable approaches to radiological safety and environmental protection.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Hristozova, M., Botev, I., Kalchev, R., & Naidenow, W. (2004). Composition and temporal changes of zooplankton in high mountain lakes in the Rila Mountains (Southwestern Bulgaria). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica.

Kalchev, R., Botev, I., & Hristozova, M. (2004). Ecological relations and temporal changes in the pelagial of the high mountain lakes in the Rila Mountains (Bulgaria). Journal of Limnology.

Alyakov, M., Petrunov, P., Kindekov, I., Donchev, R., Jelev, J., & Hristozova, M. (2006). Possibilities for treatment of the radiation injuries through helping of the post-irradiation repair. Military Medicine.

Kindekov, I., Vassilieva, V., Alyakov, M., Nikolova, P., Petrunov, P., Jelev, J., Donchev, R., & Hristozova, M. (2006). Bio-stimulators can enhance the radioresistance of the organism (experimental study). In Public Health and Health Care in Greece and Bulgaria.

Pejchal, J., Vasilieva, V., Hristozova, M., et al. (2011). Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay/CBMN cytome assay in human lymphocytes after in vitro irradiation and its use in biodosimetry. Military Medical Science Letters (Vojenské Zdravotnické Listy).

Ruibin Hu | Plant Microbiology | Young Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruibin Hu | Plant Microbiology | Young Researcher Award

Xianghu laboratory | China

Dr. Ruibin Hu is an Associate Research Fellow at Xianghu Laboratory (Zhejiang Provincial Laboratory of Agriculture), Hangzhou, China. He earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, followed by postdoctoral research at the Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen. His research focuses on the controllable fabrication of nanomaterials and the development of novel, highly sensitive biosensors for the detection of biomarkers and pathogens. Dr. Hu has published 16 SCI-indexed research articles in reputable journals such as Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Nano Research, Analytica Chimica Acta, and Computers in Biology and Medicine. He has an h-index of 6, with over 137 citations and 13 documented research outputs across various databases. His innovative NIR-II nanobead-based COVID-19 test kit achieved 100-fold higher sensitivity than conventional assays and has been successfully commercialized, generating over 10 million CNY in revenue. Dr. Hu has also been granted one national invention patent and has another under review. His contributions have been recognized with a Bronze Award at the First Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in China. Dedicated to advancing nanotechnology-driven diagnostics, Dr. Hu continues to pioneer intelligent detection platforms for applications in personalized medicine, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Hu, R., (2025). Porous Na-doped g-C₃N₄ via supramolecular self-assembly for enhanced photocatalytic antibiotic removal and bacterial inactivation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science.

Chanjoo Park | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chanjoo Park | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

National Institute of Forest Science | South Korea

Dr. Chanjoo Park is a postdoctoral research associate in the Forest Industrial Materials Division of the National Institute of Forest Science (South Korea) since February 2024, where he leads the development of forest-resource-derived essential oils, their quality & safety evaluation, antimicrobial screening and an industrial-scale distillation facility. Previously, from October 2021 to December 2023 he served as Research Professor in the College of Forest & Environmental Sciences at Kangwon National University, coordinating international forestry training programmes and teaching scientific writing. He earned his PhD (Agriculture) from the University of Tasmania (Australia) in December 2021, studying commercial production of Kunzea ambigua essential oil; his M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition) was awarded at Pusan National University (Korea) in 2015, and his B.Sc. was completed at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul. Dr. Park’s research emphasizes sustainable extraction and valorisation of aromatic forestry biomass, optimisation of essential-oil yield and bioactive constituent profiling, antimicrobial and functional-food applications, and standardisation according to international fragrance and oil-quality standards. He has published on topics of essential oils from forest waste and native forestry species in South Korea including Kunzea ambigua, Pinaceae and Cupressaceae oils. His work contributes to industrial bio-valorisation of forest by-products and sustainable green chemistry of aromatic compounds.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Park, C., Woo, H., & Park, M.-J. (2023). Development of Pinaceae and Cupressaceae essential oils from forest waste in South Korea. Plants.

Park, C., Garland, S. M., & Close, D. C. (2022). The effect of the height of coppicing and harvest season on the yield and quality of the essential oil of Kunzea ambigua. Plants.

Park, C., & Woo, H. (2022). Development of native essential oils from forestry resources in South Korea. Life.

Park, C., Garland, S. M., & Close, D. C. (2022). Yield and profile of essential oil of Kunzea ambigua: Prediction using solvent extraction and effects of distillation time. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants.

Yang Liu | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Yang Liu | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Sichuan Agriculture University | China

Liu Yang is a professor at Sichuan Agricultural University (SCAU), where she serves as Deputy Director of the Carbon Sequestration Research Centre within the College of Forestry. She holds a doctoral degree and has established a strong research agenda focusing on ecosystem ecology, soil biology, biogeochemistry, vegetation restoration and climate-change impacts in forest and grassland systems. Since joining the faculty at SCAU, she has led multiple national and provincial research programmes on alpine treeline litter-decomposition, soil microbial enzyme dynamics under warming, and ecological restoration of degraded terrain. Her work on forest-floor litter chemistry and soil microbial community responses has appeared in leading journals, and her record includes more than 114 peer-reviewed articles, over 1755 citations and an h-index of approximately 24. She has been honoured with provincial-level awards for technological progress and holds several utility-model patents addressing field-based warming simulation and nutrient-addition experiments. Committed to advancing the science and application of ecosystem restoration in southwestern China, she engages in international collaboration, graduate education and policy-relevant science. Her research contributes to understanding how forest and grassland ecosystems respond to global change and how restoration strategies can enhance resilience and carbon sequestration.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, Q., Chen, Y., Xu, L., Cui, X., Xu, H., Wang, L., You, C., Tian, X., He, X., & Liu, Y. (2025). Loss of plant functional group mediates microbial community assembly in litter decomposition of alpine fir forest. Global Ecology and Conservation.

Li, C., Liu, L., Wu, Z., Wang, W., Wang, S., He, X., Cui, X., Xiao, J., & Liu, Y. (2025). Millipede (Spirobolus walker) prefers feeding on a high-quality litter from a companion species when combined with Masson pine litter. Pedobiologia.

Lei, L., Zeng, J., Liu, Q., Luo, L., Ma, Z., Chen, Y., & Liu, Y. (2024). Effects of soil fauna on the home-field advantage of litter total phenol and condensed tannin decomposition. Forests.

Wang, L., Zhou, Y., Chen, Y., Xu, Z., Zhang, J., & Liu, Y. (2023). Home-field advantage and ability alter labile and recalcitrant litter carbon decomposition in an alpine forest ecotone. Plant and Soil.

Wu, A., You, C., Yin, R., Xu, Z., Zhang, L., Liu, Y., Li, H., Wang, L., Xu, L., Xu, H., et al. (2023). Forest gaps slow the humification process of fir (Abies faxoniana Rehder & E.H. Wilson) twig litter during eight years of decomposition in an alpine forest. Forests.

Ayomide Olubaju | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ayomide Olubaju | Remote sensing | Best Researcher Award

Abiola Ajimobi Technical University | Nigeria

Olubaju Ayomide Emmanuel is a dedicated and innovative researcher specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, with growing recognition for his contributions to geospatial science. He holds an M.Tech. in Surveying and Geoinformatics (Remote Sensing) and a B.Tech. in the same discipline from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Currently serving as an Assistant Lecturer at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, he combines teaching and research to advance environmental monitoring and sustainable urban planning. His research interests encompass environmental degradation, climate change impact assessment, urban informatics, multi-sensor remote sensing, forest species monitoring, and machine learning applications in geospatial analysis. Olubaju has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications focusing on urbanization, forest ecology, and mining-induced land degradation, accumulating 3 documents, 4 citations, and an h-index of 2. He has participated in national and international conferences, workshops, and collaborative projects addressing climate resilience and spatial data science. A member of professional societies including ISPRS, IAENG, and the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, Olubaju’s academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary research and data-driven solutions for sustainable environmental management. His goal is to pursue a Ph.D. to deepen his expertise and contribute to innovative geospatial applications in global environmental research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Akinbiola, S., Akinsola, J. E. T., Ajagbe, S. A., Salami, A., Olubaju, A., Awotoye, O., & Awoleye, O. M. (2025). Artificial intelligence technique for prediction of carbon stocks and uncertainty estimates in tropical forests. SN Computer Science.

Akinbiola, S., Salami, A. T., Olubaju, A. E., & Awotoye, O. O. (2025). Assessing the impact of environmental variables on the distribution of keystone tree species in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest complex using MaxEnt modelling techniques. SSRN Electronic Journal.

Ibukun, J. A., Olubaju, A. E., Thomas, S. F., Sodipo, E. O., Akinbiola, S. A., Oyetunji, S. O., Shitu, K., Kucher, D. E., & Tariq, A. (2025). Modeling mining-induced land degradation in Itagunmodi: A multi-temporal machine learning approach with random forest and gradient boosting. Trees, Forests and People, 21, 100926.

Ibukun, J. A., Olubaju, A. E., Thomas, S. F., Sodipo, E. O., Akinbiola, S. A., Rebouh, N. Y., Said, Y., & Tariq, A. (2025). Assessing vegetation degradation and thermal effects of artisanal small-scale mining using remote sensing time series data. Land Degradation & Development.

Akinbiola, S., Salami, A. T., Olubaju, A. E., & Awotoye, O. O. (2024). Assessing the impact of environmental variables on the distribution of keystone tree species in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest complex using MaxEnt modelling techniques. SSRN Electronic Journal.