Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Technical University of Varna, Department Plant Production | Bulgaria

Dr. Nadia Georgieva Daskalova is an Associate Professor of Plant Breeding at the Technical University of Varna, with over 26 years of professional experience, including 17 years in research and 14 years in teaching. She earned her Master’s degree in Plant Protection from the Agricultural University of Plovdiv and completed her Ph.D. in Plant Breeding in 2015. Dr. Daskalova’s research focuses on cereals, particularly wheat, rye, and triticale, with special emphasis on genetic variability, disease resistance, and hybridization using embryo rescue techniques. She has successfully developed synthetic amphiploids and identified new genes in hexaploid wheat, contributing to grain quality improvement in bread wheat varieties. She has authored 16 peer-reviewed publications (2020–2024), multiple monographs, textbooks, and is engaged in national and international collaborative projects, including with Ukraine’s National Academy of Agrarian Sciences. Her work is widely recognized, with a citation record indexed in Scopus (h-index: 4) and multiple patents under process. Dr. Daskalova has served as an editorial reviewer for Springer Nature journals and actively participates in scientific committees and professional memberships. Her contributions advance sustainable cereal breeding and agricultural biotechnology, combining practical applications with academic excellence. She is a recipient of the International Plant Scientist Awards, reflecting her commitment to innovation and global impact in plant breeding and genetics.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Daskalova, N., & Spetsov, P. (2025). Variation in rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines with different type of glaucousness. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology. Advance online publication.

Daskalova, N., Georgieva, M., Angelova, R., & Spetsov, P. (2023). Agronomic performance of introgression lines derived from a cross of common wheat with synthetic hexaploid amphiploid 530-1. Journal of Central European Agriculture.

Spetsov, P., & Daskalova, N. (2023). Genetic basis of pest resistance in wheat-rye and triticale stocks. Cytology and Genetics.

Spetsov, P., & Daskalova, N. (2022). Resistance to pathogens in wheat-rye and triticale genetic stocks. Journal of Plant Pathology.

Daskalova, N., Doneva, S., & Spetsov, P. (2021). Characterization of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) accessions and reciprocal hybrids possessing wheat 1D chromosome. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus.

Dnyaneshwar Madane | Soil and Water | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Dnyaneshwar Madane | Soil and Water | Best Researcher Award

Punjab Agricultural University | India

Dr. Dnyaneshwar Arjun Madane is an accomplished academic and researcher in Soil and Water Engineering, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He earned his B.Tech. and M.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering from CAET, Parbhani, and completed his Ph.D. at DBSKKV, Dapoli  with significant contributions to irrigation research. His doctoral work on drip irrigation in onion was recognized at the State Level Joint Agresco, reflecting the practical impact of his studies. With prior experience at Lovely Professional University, Punjab, he has consistently advanced research on irrigation water management, pressurized irrigation systems, protected cultivation, hydroponics, evapotranspiration, and remote sensing applications. He has authored and co-authored over 30 research papers, including 22 in Scopus and SCI-indexed journals, and his research outputs have attracted more than 51 citations with an h-index of 4. He has guided postgraduate students, contributed to climate-resilient farming, and undertaken research on rainfall distribution, crop water stress index, and water-use efficiency in different agro-climatic conditions. Recipient of the Young Scientist Award (2019), Dr. Madane continues to focus on innovative water-saving technologies, modern irrigation scheduling, and sustainable water management practices. His academic and research contributions highlight his commitment to advancing agricultural engineering for future food and water security.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Champaneri, D. D., Desai, K. D., Sharma, V., Madane, D. A., & More, S. J. (2024). A synoptic review of deficit irrigation methods: Sustainable water-saving strategies in vegetable cultivation. Water Supply.

Madane, D. A., Samiksha, & Kaur, G. (2024). Estimation of the crop water stress index (CWSI) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) using sensor-based irrigation scheduling for different irrigation levels. Water Supply.

Madane, D. A., Singh, M. C., & Satpute, S. (2023). Carbon footprint status of Indian Punjab in relation to different pre- to post-harvest activities of paddy cultivation. Paddy and Water Environment.

Vijayan, V. D., Madane, D. A., & Haldar, D. (2023). Monsoon paddy crop discrimination using machine learning algorithms to multi-temporal Sentinel-1A (C-band) data in Alathur block of Palakkad district of Kerala state, India. Paddy and Water Environment.

Madane, D. A., & Waghaye, A. M. (2023). Spatio-temporal variations of rainfall using innovative trend analysis during 1951–2021 in Punjab State, India. Theoretical and Applied Climatology.

Shivshankar Gunjegaonkar | Plant Hormones | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Shivshankar Gunjegaonkar | Plant Hormones | Best Researcher Award

ASPM’s K. T. Patil College of Pharmacy | India

Dr. Gunjegaonkar Shivshankar M. is an accomplished academician and researcher in Pharmacology with over 15 years of experience, including 1.5 years in industry and more than 13 years in academia. He currently serves as Associate Professor at ASPM’s K. T. Patil College of Pharmacy, Osmanabad, and has previously held leadership roles as HOD, NAAC Coordinator, IQAC Coordinator, and Academic Audit Coordinator across reputed pharmacy institutions. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Vels University, Chennai, M. Pharm. from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, and B. Pharm. from Pune University. His research interests focus on pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants, methyl jasmonate mechanisms, immunotherapy, and experimental pharmacology. Dr. Shivshankar has contributed significantly to research with 35 publications, 3 books, 5 book chapters, and 3 patents. His work has received 55 citations, an h-index of 5, and 11 Scopus-indexed documents. He has guided more than 70 students, delivered talks, and served as editorial board member for reputed journals. With 18 awards, including the Research Excellence Award (2022) and multiple recognitions for teaching and peer reviewing, Dr. Shivshankar continues to contribute actively to pharmaceutical education and research, striving to bridge traditional knowledge with modern drug discovery.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Gunjegaonkar, S. M., Sasane, D. R., Shaikh, S. A., Joshi, A. A., & Sapkale, G. N. (2024). Cefotaxime-induced allergic reaction in a 4 years old boy: Case presentation and management strategies. Indian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

Gunjegaonkar, S. M., Nargund, S. L., Joshi, A. A., & Bhalerao, A. V. (2023). Hinokitiol attenuates LPS-induced arthritic inflammation: A preclinical perspective. In Computational intelligence for clinical diagnosis (pp. 545–561).

Gunjegaonkar, S. M., Khakal, V. R., Joshi, A. A., Nargund, S. L., Shinde, S. D., & Khan, N. S. (2022). Cardio-protective effect of Cocculus hirsutus in experimental hypertension in rats. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine,

Shinde, S. D., Jain, P. G., Cheke, R. S., Surana, S. J., & Gunjegaonkar, S. M. (2021). Abrogation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and HEK-293 cell lines by formononetin: In vivo and in vitro study. Comparative Clinical Pathology.

Gunjegaonkar, S. M., Wankhede, S. B., Shanmugarajan, T. S., & Shinde, S. D. (2020). Bioactive role of plant stress hormone methyl jasmonate against lipopolysaccharide induced arthritis. Heliyon.

Chala Hussen | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Chala Hussen | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

Ambo University | Ethiopia

Chala Hailu Hussen is an Ethiopian academic and researcher specializing in Agricultural Economics, currently serving as Assistant Professor and Research & Community Service Coordinator at the College of Agriculture & Veterinary Science, Ambo University, Ethiopia. He holds a BSc and MSc in Agricultural Economics from Haramaya University and is pursuing a PhD in Agri-food Systems at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy, focusing on agricultural transformation. His professional journey includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, agricultural production economics, and climate change economics, along with supervising more than twenty MSc theses and serving as examiner and chairperson in defense boards. He has actively contributed to research on rural credit, market information, farm input commercialization, cluster farming, and climate adaptation strategies, publishing several scientific papers with an h-index of 2, 7 documents, and over 35 citations. In addition, he has participated in national and international training programs on climate information services, decision support systems, and rural development planning, enhancing his expertise in agricultural resilience and sustainability. Recipient of various certificates and recognitions, Chala continues to advance research and education in agricultural economics, with a strong commitment to capacity building, policy engagement, and promoting sustainable agricultural systems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hailu, C., Canali, G., & Tabaglio, V. (2025). High-value farm product transformation in contract marketing: Evidence from smallholder farmers in central Ethiopia. Environment, Development and Sustainability.

Besha, T. B., Fikadu, M., & Chala, H. (2022). Marketable supply of honey: Evidence from farmers households in Ethiopia. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development.

Alemayehu, G., Rikitu, A., & Hailu, C. (2022). Producers’ participation decision in tomato and onion marketing with level of participation in Ejersa Lafo District of West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Malaysian Business Management Journal.

Hussen, C. H., & Geleta, F. T. (2021). Factors affecting smallholder farmers’ participation in cluster crop production: Evidence from selected districts of West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture.

Wakjira, M., Temesgen, F., Hailu, C., & Wegari, D. (2021). The economic impacts of COVID-19 on micro and small enterprises: Empirical evidences from Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture.

Hussen, C. (2018). Factors affecting credit use for rural farming at household level: Evidence from smallholder farmers of Toke-Kutaye district.

Hussen, C. (2017). Effect of access to market information services on supply of major vegetables: Evidence from farm households of Ambo and Toke-Kutaye Districts, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Information and Knowledge Management.

Atef Samy | Plant Microbiology | Best Paper Award

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Dr. Atef Samy | Plant Microbiology | Best Paper Award

Masr | Egypt

Dr. Atef El-Gebaly, PhD in Microbiology from Al-Azhar University (2025), is an accomplished researcher and academic with expertise in medical microbiology, virology, nanotechnology applications, and infection control. He has contributed significantly to the fields of microbial diagnostics and antiviral therapeutics, with an h-index of 4, more than 4 published documents, and over 45 citations in peer-reviewed international journals. His career spans diverse roles, including Assistant Lecturer of Microbiology at Misr University for Science and Technology (2021–2024), Teaching Assistant at Badr Academy for Science and Technology (2017–2020), Medical Laboratory Specialist at Suad Kafafi University Hospital (2010–2021), and earlier research roles at the Egyptian Russian University and Dar Al Fouad Hospital. Dr. El-Gebaly’s research interests focus on the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of nanoparticles, green synthesis of nanomaterials, essential oils as bioactive agents, and the development of alternative strategies against resistant pathogens. He has authored impactful works published in journals such as Inorganic Chemistry Communications, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, and Egyptian Journal of Chemistry. His achievements include advancing laboratory curricula, supervising students, and applying innovative methods in clinical microbiology. Recognized for his scientific contributions, Dr. El-Gebaly continues to pursue excellence in microbiology and nanomedicine, aiming to promote sustainable solutions in healthcare and biomedical research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

“Antiviral potential of copper and titanium dioxide nanoparticles against H1N1, Adenovirus 40 and herpes simplex virus type-II”

“Combination of nanoparticles (NPs) and essential oils (EOs) as promising alternatives to non-effective antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agents: A review”

“Green synthesis, characterization and medicinal uses of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and their mechanism of action: A review”

“Effective Antiviral Activity of Tea Tree and Lemon Essential Oils against Influenza A virus (H1N1), Herpes Simplex virus Type 2 and Adenovirus Type 40”

“Green synthesized silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles using Ficus carica leaf extract and their activity on human viruses”

“A Predictive and Comparative Study Via Viral and Biochemical Measurements for Responders and Non-Responders Egyptian Hepatitis C Patients to Daclatasvir Plus Sofosbuvir Therapy”

Jean-Baptiste Thomas | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jean-Baptiste Thomas | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Sweden

Dr. Jean-Baptiste E. Thomas is a bilingual and multinational researcher with expertise spanning France, the UK, the USA, and Sweden, specializing in industrial ecology, marine sustainability, and the blue bioeconomy. He earned a PhD in Industrial Ecology from KTH Stockholm in 2018, following an MSc in Sustainable Technology and a BSc in Geography from King’s College London. With a strong academic and professional trajectory, he has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Kristineberg Marine Research Station and currently serves as a Researcher at KTH Stockholm, while also engaging in consultancy for life cycle and sustainability assessments. His research primarily addresses seaweed aquaculture, circular economy applications, nutrient loop closure, and environmental life cycle analysis. Dr. Thomas has published extensively in high-impact journals, achieving an h-index of 15 with over 24 peer-reviewed documents and more than 562 citations (Scopus). He has been invited as keynote and plenary speaker at major international conferences, including the International Seaweed Symposium (2025), and has led and co-led several Formas and EU-funded projects. Passionately involved in teaching and supervising students, he actively integrates sustainability and biodiversity into education. His contributions continue to shape sustainable marine biomass utilization, with global recognition as a leading voice in blue bioeconomy research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

“Exploring the contribution of multi-use approach in fostering local blue economy: Insights from the Global South”

“Integrating biodiversity impacts into seafood life cycle assessments: pathways for improvement”

“Governance hurdles for expansion of low trophic mariculture production in Sweden”

“Life cycle environmental impacts of kelp aquaculture through harmonized recalculation of inventory data”

“Two decades of research on ocean multi-use: achievements, challenges and the need for transdisciplinarity”

“Life Cycle Assessment of a large commercial kelp farm in Shandong, China”

“Comparative life cycle assessment of conventional and novel microalgae production systems and environmental impact mitigation in urban-industrial symbiosis”

Md Ashraful Haque | Precision Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Md Ashraful Haque | Precision Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

ICAR Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute | India

Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque is a Scientist in the Division of Computer Applications at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, with over five years of professional experience in artificial intelligence applications in agriculture. He earned his M.Sc. (2016) and Ph.D. (2022) in Computer Applications from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute under the supervision of Dr. Sudeep Marwaha. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and digital as well as hyperspectral image processing for solving complex agricultural problems such as crop disease detection, pest identification, stress analysis, and livestock image interpretation. He has published 20 journal articles, 4 book chapters, and 2 computational tools, with his research gaining wide recognition (h-index: 8, 339 citations). Dr. Haque has contributed to international collaborations with IIT Delhi, ICAR institutes, and several universities, and has developed impactful digital tools like AIDISC and WIAYFS. He is the recipient of prestigious fellowships and awards, including the Maulana Azad National Fellowship, ICAR-JRF, IARI Ph.D. Fellowship, and Nehru Memorial Gold Medal. With strong expertise in AI-driven agriculture, he continues to innovate toward sustainable farming solutions. His work demonstrates high relevance, impact, and future research potential in smart agriculture.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

“MuSiC V1.0: A Software Solution for Automated Mustard Silique Count Using YOLOv5”
“An enhanced vision transformer network for efficient and accurate crop disease detection”

“PanicleDet: a deep learning-based model for detection of panicle stages in paddy”

“A comparative analysis of deep learning-based techniques for miRNA prediction associated with mRNA sequences”

“ADNet: An Attention Embedded DenseNet121 Model for Weed Classification”

“Convolution Neural Network (CNN)-Based Live Pig Weight Estimation in Controlled Imaging Platform”
“Rice Disease Identification Using Vision Transformer (ViT) Based Network”

Rehab Ghareeb farrag | Plant Pathology | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rehab Ghareeb Farrag | Plant Pathology | Women Researcher Award

City of Scientific Research and Technological Application | Egypt

Dr. Rehab Yassin Ahmed Ghareeb is an Associate Professor at the Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Egypt, with a distinguished research career in plant protection and nematology. She earned her BSc (2002), MSc (2008), and PhD (2015) in Plant Pathology from Alexandria University, where she developed a strong foundation in molecular genetics, plant–nematode interactions, and advanced diagnostic tools. Her expertise encompasses plant-pathogenic nematodes, gene silencing, biosensors, bio-pesticides, green nanotechnology applications, and sustainable pest management. With 48 publications indexed in international journals, an h-index of 21, over 1149 citations, and one granted patent in eco-friendly technology, she has significantly advanced molecular and eco-friendly approaches for controlling nematode diseases. Dr. Ghareeb has successfully led national and international collaborations, including research projects in China and Chile, and serves as an editor and peer-reviewer for leading journals such as Springer Nature, Frontiers in Plant Science, and MDPI. She is an active member of professional societies, including ASPP and IASR, and a founding committee member of the World Association of Scientists and Inventors. Her contributions continue to shape sustainable agriculture and innovative plant health solutions globally.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

“Mulberry based zinc nano-particles mitigate salinity induced toxic effects and improve the grain yield and zinc bio-fortification of wheat by improving antioxidant activities …”

“Co-application of organic amendments and inorganic P increase maize growth and soil carbon, phosphorus availability in calcareous soil”

“The nematicidal potentiality of some algal extracts and their role in enhancement the tomato defense genes against root knot-nematodes”

“The potential of endophytic fungi as bio-control agents against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)”

“Genotoxicity assessment of amino zinc nanoparticles in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cytogenetical perspective”

“Zinc Nutrition Responses to Agronomic and Yield Traits, Kernel Quality, and Pollen Viability in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)”

Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Sweden

Dr. Adane Gebeyehu Demissie is a distinguished plant genomics and biotechnology researcher with over 12 years of experience advancing genomic innovations for crop improvement. He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Addis Ababa University in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), an MSc in Plant Biotechnology from Wageningen University, and an MSc in Plant Breeding from Bahir Dar University. His research integrates genomics-assisted breeding, QTL mapping, GWAS, genomic selection, RNA-seq, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop climate-resilient oilseed and cereal crops. With an h-index of 3, more than 23 citations, and over 4 scientific documents, Dr. Demissie has published extensively in high-impact journals including Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Plant Science, and Agronomy. His professional experience spans postdoctoral research at SLU, senior research roles at Ethiopia’s Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, and lecturing positions where he designed the first BSc curriculum in Agricultural Biotechnology in Ethiopia. He has secured competitive grants from Carl-Tryggers Foundation, Sida-SLU, and the Ethiopian Science Foundation, and received prestigious recognitions such as the Young Scientist Award from the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. Passionate about mentoring and policy development, Dr. Demissie continues to bridge cutting-edge genomics with agricultural innovation to enhance global food security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

“Transcriptome analysis identifies genes regulating self-compatibility, flowering time, and oil biosynthesis in Noug (Guizotia abyssinica)”

“SNP-based linkage mapping reveals novel quantitative trait loci for yield traits in noug (Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass.)”

“Temperature affects major fatty acid biosynthesis in noug (Guizotia abyssinica) self-compatible lines”

“Sesame, an Underutilized Oil Seed Crop: Breeding Achievements and Future Challenges”

“RNA-Seq Provides Novel Genomic Resources for Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) and Reveals Microsatellite Frequency and Distribution in Its Transcriptome”

Manish Kumar | Renewable energy | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Manish Kumar | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Delhi Technological University | India

Manish Kumar is a dedicated researcher in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in thermal engineering and sustainable energy systems. He earned his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Dev Bhoomi Institute of Technology, Dehradun, and a Master of Technology in Thermal Engineering from Delhi Technological University, where he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. with fellowship. His doctoral research focuses on experimental investigations of compression ignition (CI) engine performance using ternary blends of biodiesel, diesel, and ethanol with fuel additives, contributing to the advancement of clean and efficient fuel alternatives. He has published over 15 research papers in reputed international journals and conferences, achieving an h-index of 8, with 242 citations indexed in Google Scholar. His work extensively explores biodiesel blends, nanoparticles as fuel additives, exhaust gas recirculation, and optimization techniques such as response surface methodology, Taguchi method, and artificial neural networks. He has presented at several international conferences and participated in seminars and faculty development programs on renewable and green energy technologies. Recognized for academic excellence, he has received awards including a Certificate of Appreciation for academic performance. His contributions highlight his commitment to sustainable energy research, aiming to reduce emissions and enhance engine efficiency for a greener future.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

“RETRACTED: Enhancement of combustion characteristics of waste cooking oil biodiesel using TiO2 nanofluid blends through RSM”

“Optimization of engine performance parameters and exhaust emissions in compression ignition engine fueled with biodiesel-alcohol blends using taguchi method, multiple …”

“Effect of fuel injection pressure and EGR techniques on various engine performance and emission characteristics on a CRDI diesel engine when run with linseed oil methyl ester”

“Study the effect of optimized input parameters on a CRDI diesel engine running with waste frying oil methyl ester-diesel blend fuel with ZnO nanoparticles: a response surface …”

“Optimisation of an experimental and feasibility research on a CRDI diesel engine based on a blend of waste cooking oil and waste plastic oil using RSM: A value addition for …”

“Prediction of an optimum engine response based on different input parameters on common rail direct injection diesel engine: A response surface methodology approach”