Jemuel Doctolero | Aquatic Plant Science | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Jemuel Doctolero | Aquatic Plant Science | Young Scientist Award

Purdue University | Philippines

Jemuel S. Doctolero is an academic in aquaculture and aquatic animal nutrition with growing impact. According to the AD Scientific Index, and approximately 30 citations in total. Dr. Doctolero holds a PhD in Forestry and Natural Resources, focusing on Aquaponics and Aquatic Animal Nutrition, at Purdue University, USA (2023–present) under the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program. He earned his MSc in Aquaculture (Fish Physiology and Nutrition) from Central Luzon State University, Philippines (2016–2018) as a DOST-ASTHRDP scholar and his BS in Fisheries (2012–2016) under the BFAR Fisherfolk Scholarship Program. Since 2018, he has been a faculty member at Central Luzon State University, teaching Fish Nutrition, Aquaculture, and Hatchery Management, while also leading the Fish Nutrition Laboratory and serving as College Secretary, Registrar, and International Affairs Coordinator. His research interests encompass aquatic animal nutrition, fish physiology, immunological and morpho-behavioral responses to stress, alternative plant-based feed ingredients, induced spawning, and aquaponics system development. Dr. Doctolero has authored and co-authored several research articles on tilapia nutrition, health, and aquaculture sustainability, and has presented his work at international conferences. Recognized for his academic excellence, he has received multiple awards including the Fulbright Scholarship, the “Completed Earlier as DOST-ASTHRDP Scholar” distinction, and various professional certifications. Overall, Dr. Doctolero exemplifies a dedicated educator and researcher whose contributions continue to advance sustainable aquaculture, aquatic food systems, and capacity-building in fisheries science.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Doctolero, J. S., Sotero, D. S., & Fajardo, L. J. (2022). Induced spawning of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) and pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) pituitary extracts. Journal of Fisheries.

Doctolero, J. S., Estrella, E. S., & Vera Cruz, E. M. (2021). Influence of water immersion using guava (Psidium guajava), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), and horse radish (Moringa oleifera) aqueous leaves extracts on the nursing of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology.

Doctolero, J. S., Vera Cruz, E. M., & Velasco, R. R. (2020). Morpho-behavioral and hematological responses of vaccinated proactive and reactive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) subjected to handling stress. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation (AACL) Bioflux.

Reyes, A. T., Balagtey, L. B., Doctolero, J. S., & Madrid, F. N. (2020). Susceptibility profiles of Enterococcus faecalis to selected antibiotics. Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics.

Reyes, A. T., Doctolero, J. S., & Olaco, J. P. Q. (2020). Comparison of antibiotic susceptibility and pathogenicity of wild and serially passaged Streptococcus agalactiae to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). Acta Entomology and Zoology.

Garima Kumari | Soil Sciences | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Garima Kumari | Soil Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Geological Survey | India

Dr. Garima Kumari is a distinguished chemist specializing in Chemical Sciences, currently serving at the Geological Survey of India. She earned her D.Phil. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Allahabad, with research focused on the synthesis and study of molecules of biological and therapeutic importance, following an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry and a B.Sc. in Biology. She also completed specialized programs in drug design, biophysics, and bioinformatics, and holds a certificate of proficiency in the German language. Dr. Kumari’s professional journey spans positions as Assistant Chemist, Senior Technical Assistant (Chemical), and Assistant Archaeological Chemist, reflecting her strong interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, analytical techniques, and environmental studies. Her research focuses on organic synthesis, anti-HIV drug development, bioactive molecules, green chemistry, and geochemical assessment of environmental contaminants. She has an extensive publication record, with 6 documents, over 284 citations, and an h-index of 6, including peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Chemical Biology and Drug Design, Medicinal Chemistry Research, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Arabian Journal of Geosciences, highlighting her scientific impact. Dr. Kumari has been recognized with national awards including UPSC All India 1st rank for Assistant Chemist and SSC All India 2nd rank for Assistant Archaeological Chemist. Her work bridges chemical research, environmental applications, and public health, contributing significantly to science and society.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2016). Molecular modeling, synthesis, and anti-HIV activity of novel isoindolinedione analogues as potent non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Chemical Biology & Drug Design.

Baocheng Zhang | Invasive Plant Species | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Baocheng Zhang | Invasive Plant Species | Best Researcher Award

Moutai Institute | China

Dr. Zhang Baocheng is a distinguished researcher and science policy expert specializing in ecological restoration, invasive species management, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Ecology from the University of Oklahoma in 2012, where he served as a visiting scholar from 2008 to 2012. His academic journey includes key roles in science and technology policy: appointed as a Science and Technology Special Envoy by the Guizhou Provincial Department of Science and Technology in 2014, and as a Municipal Science and Technology Commissioner by the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau in 2016. In 2017, he was selected for the city’s “15851 Talent Project,” recognizing his contributions to scientific innovation. Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the interactions between AM fungi and invasive plant species, particularly Alternanthera philoxeroides, exploring how soil substrates influence these relationships. His work has been published in reputable journals, including Scientific Reports, and has garnered significant attention in the field. Dr. Zhang’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing ecological restoration practices and invasive species management strategies. His academic impact is reflected in his h-index of 11, with over 854citations across 16 publications, highlighting his significant influence in his research domain.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Zhang, B., Shen, L., Pan, Z., & Zeng, G. (2025). Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil substrate on invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides.

Mallesham Bulle | Plant Biotechnology | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Dr. Mallesham Bulle | Plant Biotechnology | Outstanding Scientist Award

Lousiana State University | United States

Dr. Mallesham Bulle, Ph.D., is a dedicated plant scientist with over a decade of experience in physiological, biochemical, and molecular investigations of abiotic stress tolerance in major crops, including chili pepper, rice, cotton, soybean, and maize. His research expertise spans plant transformation, CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing, phytohormone signaling, stress-response mechanisms, chloroplast and nuclear genome engineering, and omics-based approaches such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, and hormonomics. Dr. Bulle has led and contributed to multiple interdisciplinary projects, including climate-resilient rice and drought-tolerant legumes, securing significant research grants from USDA, NIFA, DBT, and United Soybean Board. He has developed robust plant regeneration and transformation systems, delivered novel transgenic and genome-edited crops, and mentored graduate and undergraduate researchers. His work demonstrates impactful contributions to crop improvement and abiotic stress resilience. His research interests include elucidating signaling pathways, deciphering fruit ripening mechanisms, exploring nitric oxide and phytohormone crosstalk, and discovering novel genes for crop stress tolerance. Dr. Bulle’s work has been recognized through patents for extending produce shelf-life and innovations in plant biotechnology. He continues to drive transformative research aimed at sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient crop development.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Bulle, M., Abbagani, S., & Raza, A. (2025). Genome blaze: Engineering chilli pepper chloroplasts for sustainable production of capsaicinoids through organellar genome editing. Plant Biology.

Bulle, M., Rahman, M. M., Islam, M. R., & Abbagani, S. (2025). Strategies to develop climate-resilient chili peppers: Transcription factor optimization through genome editing. Planta.

Rahman, M. M., Keya, S. S., Bulle, M., Ahsan, S. M., Rahman, M. A., Roni, M. S., Al Noor, M. M., & Hasan, M. (2025). Past trauma, better future: How stress memory shapes plant adaptation to drought. Functional Plant Biology.

Keya, S. S., Islam, M. R., Pham, H., Rahman, M. A., Bulle, M., Patwary, A., Kanika, M. M.-A.-R., Hemel, F. H., Ghosh, T. K., & Huda, N. (2025). Thirsty, soaked, and thriving: Maize morpho-physiological and biochemical responses to sequential drought, waterlogging, and re-drying. Plant Stress.

Bulle, M., Venkatapuram, A. K., Rahman, M. M., Attia, K. A., Mohammed, A. A., Abbagani, S., & Kirti, P. B. (2024). Enhancing drought tolerance in chilli pepper through AdDjSKI-mediated modulation of ABA sensitivity, photosynthetic preservation, and ROS scavenging. Physiologia Plantarum.

Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural research | Ethiopia

Atikilt Abera Alemayehu is a soil and water conservation researcher at the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), Gondar, Ethiopia, with extensive expertise in watershed management, soil erosion control, hydrological modeling, and sustainable land use practices. He earned his M.Sc. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from Hawassa University and his B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management from Bahir Dar University. His research addresses critical challenges in soil and water resource management, including sediment yield reduction, carbon sequestration, agroforestry interventions, runoff and moisture measurement, and geospatial modeling using tools such as GIS, RS, SWAT, and InVEST. Atikilt has authored more than 4 scientific documents, published in peer-reviewed journals such as Environmental Challenges, Journal of Soils and Sediments, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, and Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology. His academic contributions have earned him over 37 citations, with an h-index of 3. In addition to publishing, he has presented at national and international conferences, trained stakeholders, and coordinated research projects that bridge science and practice. Committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience, his work continues to make significant impacts on soil and water conservation in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Alemayehu, A. A., Desalegn, M., & Hunie, M. (2024). Introduction of a siphon pump for large-scale irrigation in East Belesa district, Ethiopia. International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Addis, H. K., Samuel, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, A., Feyisa, T., Hunie, M., Getu, E., Adane, M., et al. (2024). Spatial assessment of soil resources on different land uses and slope gradient as a planning tool in Ferenjua watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Samual, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, H. K., Feyisa, T., Worku, T., Tahir, M., & Getu, E. (2023). Effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on crop yield and soil properties in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.

Addis, H. K., Ayalew, B., Gebretsadik, M., Abera, A., Getu, L. A., & Addis, A. K. (2023). Cross-correlation of soil moisture and stone content and their spatial pattern across the different slope aspects and soil depth. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology.

Alemayehu, A. A., Muluneh, A., Moges, A., & Kendie, H. (2020). Estimation of sediment yield and effectiveness of level stone bunds to reduce sediment loss in the Gumara-Maksegnit watershed, Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Journal of Soils and Sediments.

Azime Gökçe | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Azime Gökçe | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology | Turkey

Dr. Azime Gökçe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Ege University, Türkiye, specializing in plant physiology and stress biology. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Physiology in 2023 and currently holds a TÜBİTAK 2218 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Her research integrates molecular, biochemical, and physiological approaches to understand plant responses to abiotic stress, with a particular focus on redox homeostasis, ROS–RNS signalling, glutamate receptor-like (GLR) genes, nitric oxide pathways, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Dr. Gökçe has published impactful studies in journals such as Plant Cell Reports, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Plant Growth Regulation, and Journal of Plant Research. She has led and contributed to multiple national and international projects funded by TÜBİTAK and collaborated with institutions including Syngenta and the Olive Research Institute. Her work also explores seed priming and biostimulant strategies to improve crop resilience under salinity, drought, and biotic stresses. With active roles as a reviewer and editorial board member, she contributes to scientific knowledge dissemination. As an early-career researcher, she has established herself as a promising scientist in plant stress physiology, aiming to translate fundamental discoveries into agricultural sustainability solutions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Gokce, A., Erdik, E., Cetinel, B., & Cetinkaya, N. (2021). The effect of Trichoderma citrinoviride treatment under salinity combined with Rhizoctonia solani infection in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Agronomy.

Gokce, A., Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., & Turkan, I. (2024). Involvement of GLR-mediated nitric oxide effects on ROS metabolism in Arabidopsis plants under salt stress. Journal of Plant Research.

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Yalcinkaya, T., Akyol, T. Y., Gokce, A., & Turkan, I. (2021). Pretreatment of seeds with hydrogen peroxide improves deep-sowing tolerance of wheat seedlings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Gokce, A., Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., & Turkan, I. (2024). Carnitine modulates antioxidative defense in ABI2 mutant under salt stress. Plant Growth Regulation.

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Çetinel, B., Gokce, A., Tatli, C., & Erdik, E. (2022). Molecular mechanisms–relayed plant defense responses against fungal pathogens. In Phytomycology and Molecular Biology of Plant–Pathogen Interactions.

Winifred Ayinpogbilla Atiah | Climate Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Winifred Ayinpogbilla Atiah | Climate Science | Best Researcher Award

Stockholm University | Sweden

Dr. Winifred Ayinpogbilla Atiah is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Meteorology (MISU), Stockholm University, Sweden, where she works on the Swedish Research Council–funded Tropical Precipitation Tipping-Points (TPTP) project, focusing on atmospheric feedbacks, tropical precipitation systems, and climate–ecosystem interactions. She earned her Ph.D. in Meteorology and Climate Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, after completing an MSc in Mathematical Sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Senegal, and a BSc in Physics at KNUST. Her work has received over 341citations, 16 documents indexed in international databases, and an h-index of 10. She has served as a Lecturer and Researcher at KNUST, taught climate dynamics and meteorology, and supervised students while engaging in consulting projects with CGIAR and OneCGIAR. Her research spans climate variability, extreme rainfall analysis, agricultural resilience, and satellite rainfall validation. Dr. Atiah is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the 2022 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Fellowship and the AIMS NEI Fellowship for Women in Climate Change Science. She also serves as a pioneer editor of the African Journal of Geophysics and Earth Sciences. Her career is dedicated to advancing climate science, resilience, and sustainable development in Africa and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Atiah, W. A., Bendito, E. G., & Muthoni, F. K. (2025). Evaluating seasonal rainfall forecast gridded models over Sub-Saharan Africa. Hydrology.

Atiah, W. A., Muthoni, F. K., Kotu, B., Kizito, F., & Amekudzi, L. K. (2021). Trends of rainfall onset, cessation, and length of growing season in Northern Ghana: Comparing the rain gauge, satellite, and farmer’s perceptions. Atmosphere.

Atiah, W. A., Amekudzi, L. K., Aryee, J. N. A., Preko, K., & Danuor, S. K. (2020). Validation of satellite and merged rainfall data over Ghana, West Africa. Atmosphere.

Atiah, W. A. (2020). Trends and interannual variability of extreme rainfall indices over Ghana, West Africa. Theoretical and Applied Climatology.

Atiah, W. A. (2020). A process-based validation of GPM IMERG and its sources using a mesoscale rain gauge network in the West African forest zone. Journal of Hydrometeorology.

Xinguo Chen | Precision Agriculture | Best Paper Award

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Dr. Xinguo Chen | Precision Agriculture | Best Paper Award

North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power | China

Dr. Xinguo Chen is an Assistant Researcher at the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, specializing in agricultural hydrological remote sensing and sustainable water resource management. He earned his Ph.D. in 2021 from Northwest A&F University, where he developed expertise in crop evapotranspiration, drought mechanisms, and climate change impacts on agriculture. With over 23 peer-reviewed publications in SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, his research has been widely recognized, accumulating more than 908 citations and reflected in an h-index of 17. Dr. Chen has successfully led two major research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Fund and the Open Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources, while also contributing to seven additional national and provincial/ministerial-level projects. His scholarly contributions extend to serving as a reviewer for prestigious journals such as Agricultural Water Management, Remote Sensing, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, and Journal of Environmental Management. He has also authored one book and engaged in industry consultancy projects aimed at improving water use efficiency. Dr. Chen’s research continues to advance agricultural resilience, remote sensing innovation, and water-efficient crop management to support sustainable food security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Chen, X., Huang, Y., Liu, M., Ren, D., Li, Y., & Huang, Q. (2025). Improving crop evapotranspiration estimation in the Yellow River Basin: A modified SEBAL model approach and spatiotemporal trend analysis. Agricultural Water Management.

Chen, X., Huang, Q., Xiong, Y., Yang, Q., Li, H., Hou, Z., & Huang, G. (2023). Tracking the spatio-temporal change of the main food crop planting structure in the Yellow River Basin over 2001–2020. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.

Chen, X., Li, Y., Yao, N., Liu, D. L., Liu, Q., Song, X., Liu, F., Pulatov, B., Meng, Q., & Feng, P. (2022). Projected dry/wet regimes in China using SPEI under four SSP‐RCPs based on statistically downscaled CMIP6 data. International Journal of Climatology.

Brocca, L., Tullo, T., Melone, F., Moramarco, T., & Morbidelli, R. (2012). Catchment scale soil moisture spatial–temporal variability. Journal of Hydrology.

Ceccon, C., Panzacchi, P., Scandellari, F., Prandi, L., Ventura, M., Russo, B., Millard, P., & Tagliavini, M. (2010). Spatial and temporal effects of soil temperature and moisture and the relation to fine root density on root and soil respiration in a mature apple orchard. Plant and Soil.

Junkang Zhao | Nutritional epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Junkang Zhao | Nutritional epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan | China

Dr. Junkang Zhao is a nutritional epidemiologist and health statistician affiliated with Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. He earned his Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Health Statistics from Shanxi Medical University in 2022. Dr. Zhao’s research primarily focuses on the application of advanced statistical methods in nutritional and medical research, with particular emphasis on dietary pattern analysis, chronic disease epidemiology, and population health. Over the course of his career, including the highly cited review “A Review of Statistical Methods for Dietary Pattern Analysis” (Nutrition Journal, 2021), and has contributed to three National Natural Science Foundation projects while leading two provincial-level research initiatives. His work has garnered significant recognition, including a third prize in a national-level competition. Dr. Zhao actively serves on multiple professional committees, including the Medical and Biostatistics Committee of the China Field Statistics Research Association, Clinical Research and Transformation Committee of the Shanxi Physicians Association, and the Clinical Trials Professional Committee of the Shanxi Anti-Cancer Association. With an H-index reflecting his impactful contributions, and numerous citations and publications to his credit, Dr. Zhao continues to advance evidence-based approaches in nutrition and health research, fostering the translation of statistical insights into clinical and public health applications.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Wang, J., Chen, S., Zhao, J., Liang, J., Gao, X., Gao, Q., He, S., & Wang, T. (2022). Association between nutrient patterns and hyperuricemia: Mediation analysis involving obesity indicators in the NHANES. BMC Public Health.

Wang, J., Chen, S., Zhao, J., Liang, J., Gao, X., Gao, Q., He, S., & Wang, T. (2022). Association between nutrient patterns and hyperuricemia: Mediation analysis involving obesity indicators for NHANES study .

Zhao, J., Guo, W., Wang, J., & Wang, T. (2022). Exploring the association of dietary patterns with the risk of hypertension using principal balances analysis and principal component analysis. Public Health Nutrition.

Zhao, J., Li, Z., Gao, Q., Zhao, H., Chen, S., Huang, L., Wang, W., & Wang, T. (2021). A review of statistical methods for dietary pattern analysis. Nutrition Journal.

Liang, J., Zhao, J. K., Wang, J. P., & Wang, T. (2020). Association between animal source foods consumption and risk of hypertension: A cohort study. European Journal of Nutrition.

Hieronim Golczyk | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hieronim Golczyk | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin | Poland

Dr. Hieronim Golczyk is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. He earned his Habilitation in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Cytogenetics and Genetics from Adam Mickiewicz University in 2015. With over two decades of academic experience, including positions at the Jagiellonian University and collaborations with leading European research centers such as IPK Gatersleben and the Max Planck Institute, Dr. Golczyk has established himself as a distinguished figure in molecular cytogenetics. His research focuses on chromosome structure and function, genome evolution, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methodologies, and organelle genetics. He has pioneered several innovative cytogenetic techniques, including ImmunoFISH and EC-FISH, and contributed to landmark discoveries on genome transfer and chloroplast competition published in Nature and Plant Cell. Dr. Golczyk has authored over 60 scientific papers with an h-index of 16, more than 830 citations, and over 34 document reads. His achievements have been recognized by multiple Polish Genetic Society Awards and Rector’s Awards. As an active reviewer, educator, and member of advisory scientific boards, Dr. Golczyk continues to advance the understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying plant evolution and genome architecture.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Golczyk, H. (2025). A new efficient immunoprotocol to detect chromosomal/nuclear proteins along with repetitive DNA in squash preparations of formalin-fixed, long-stored root tips. Plant Methods.

Jach, M. E. (2023). The role of probiotics and their metabolites in the treatment of depression. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

Golczyk, H., Hřibová, E., Doležel, J., Cuadrado, Á., Garbsch, F., Greiner, S., Janeczko, M., Szklarczyk, M., Masłyk, M., & Kubiński, K. (2022). Migration of repetitive DNAs during evolution of the permanent translocation heterozygosity in the oyster plant (Tradescantia section Rhoeo).