Fnu Shumayla | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Fnu Shumayla | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

University of Maryland | United States

Dr. Fnu Shumayla is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Maryland, USA, specializing in plant biotechnology and molecular biology. She earned her PhD from Panjab University, India, focusing on receptor-like kinases in wheat. She has extensive research experience across leading institutions, including Texas Tech University, working on plant stress tolerance, gene functional characterization, and crop improvement. Her research interests include plant genomics, abiotic stress biology, nitrogen use efficiency, and molecular mechanisms of stress adaptation. She has contributed to multiple funded research projects and peer-reviewed publications. Her work supports sustainable agriculture and advanced genetic strategies for improving crop resilience and productivity.

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Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar | Plant Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar | Plant Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar is a plant pathologist and researcher affiliated with Zhejiang University, China. He earned his PhD in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from Zhejiang University and an MSc (Hons.) in Plant Pathology from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan. His experience includes academic teaching, agro-field training, project field coordination, and industry-linked crop management roles. His research focuses on plant–pathogen interactions, calcium signaling, stress-responsive gene families, and molecular mechanisms of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crops, particularly Brassica species and cotton. A recipient of a Chinese Government Scholarship and a Gold Medal, he contributes impactful research toward sustainable crop protection and stress-resilient agriculture.

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Shikha Gupta | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Shikha Gupta | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Amity University | India

Dr. Shikha Gupta is a research-oriented biotechnologist with a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and CSIR-UGC NET (Life Sciences) qualification, currently serving as a CSIR-Research Associate at Amity University, Noida. She has academic and research experience spanning teaching, funded projects, and laboratory mentoring. Her research centers on plant–microbe interactions, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, bacterial endophytes, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on salinity stress mitigation and biocontrol mechanisms. Dr. Gupta has published extensively in high-impact journals and scholarly books, earning strong citation metrics. Her work contributes significantly to sustainable crop productivity and microbial biotechnology.

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Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria to Mitigate Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants

– Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 60, 2023 (Book Chapter)

Gaurav Raturi | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Gaurav Raturi | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Texas Tech University | United States

He has received several prestigious awards, including the travel award for the Anvi’o Workshop and ECR Symposium in Germany, the AMI Young Scientist Award (Agriculture Microbiology), the Best Poster Award at ICPR, the Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship, ICAR-NET, CSIR-UGC NET-JRF (AIR 66) and NET-LS (AIR 30), and the Uttarakhand SET. He serves on the editorial boards of BMC Plant Biology, Genome Editing in Plants, IJMB, Cellular Microbiology (Hindawi), and BioMed Research International, and has reviewed more than ten manuscripts for reputed journals such as Scientific Reports, JAR, PLOS One, and BNRC. He is an active member of AMI, ISSAG, ASHS, ASPB, YESS, and the South American Mycorrhizal Research Network. His Ph.D. work led to the discovery and characterization of silicate-solubilizing Enterobacter sp. LR6, whose 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequence have been deposited in NCBI. He has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, including the IGCAST Symposium, Soy, ASPB Plant Biology, and ICPR, and has undergone training in genomics, membrane protein simulations, microbial fermentation, and water-quality monitoring. Overall, Dr. Gaurav Raturi is an accomplished early-career scientist contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture, microbial biotechnology, and plant–microbe symbiosis research.

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Guanghao Li | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Guanghao Li | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

Yangzhou University | China

Li Guanghao is an accomplished crop scientist specializing in maize cultivation, yield and quality formation, and stress physiology. He earned his B.Sc. in Seed Science and Engineering at Shandong Agricultural University, followed by a Ph.D. in Crop Cultivation and Tillage at the same institution. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship, he joined the College of Agriculture at Yangzhou University, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor and supervisor of master’s students. Over his career, he has conducted extensive research into improving maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and quality, especially under challenging environmental conditions such as weak light stress, through optimizing fertilization and cultivation practices. His projects include national and provincial grants investigating physiological mechanisms underlying yield and quality formation, slow-release fertilizer application, and stress mitigation in waxy maize. He has received recognition for his doctoral dissertation as an outstanding thesis in Shandong Province. His research interest centers on maize physiology, agronomic management, abiotic stress tolerance, and sustainable crop production. With sustained publication output, teaching and mentorship experience, and practical application of research findings, he continues contributing to crop science and promoting high-efficiency, high-quality maize production.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Liu, J., Li, J., Guo, J., Yang, H., Li, G., & Lu, D. (2025, November 26). Application of exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide at the silking stage alleviates the effects of post-silking heat stress on photosynthetic performance of waxy maize. Agriculture.

Liang, Y., Liu, Q., Zeng, J., Xiong, F., Guo, J., Li, G., & Lu, D. (2024, October 23). Optimizing nitrogen input increased yield and efficiency in maize-soybean strip intercropping system. Agronomy.

Jiang, C., Liang, Y., Wang, Y., You, G., Guo, J., Lu, D., & Li, G. (2024, September 24). Effects of sulfur application on the quality of fresh waxy maize. Plants.

Sun, H., Li, W., Liang, Y., & Li, G. (2023, April 23). Shading stress at different grain filling stages affects dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in fresh waxy maize. Plants.

Li, G., Wang, L., Li, L., Lu, D., & Lu, W. (2020, January). Effects of fertilizer management strategies on maize yield and nitrogen use efficiencies under different densities. Agronomy Journal.

Paloma Moncalean | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Research

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Dr. Paloma Moncalean | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Research

NEIKER | Spain

Dr. Paloma Moncaleán Guillén is a leading plant biotechnologist specializing in in vitro tissue culture, somatic embryogenesis, and forest biotechnology, with an extensive research career at NEIKER-BRTA, where she currently serves as Principal Investigator. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences (Premio Extraordinario, 2000) from the University of Oviedo, where she also obtained her Licenciatura in Biological Sciences. Dr. Moncaleán pioneered the in vitro culture and plant physiology research line at NEIKER, developing advanced protocols for somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in Pinus species, alongside molecular, physiological, and morphological marker applications in juvenile and mature tissues. Her current work focuses on epigenetic modulation under abiotic stress to enhance stress tolerance in somatic plants. She has accumulating an estimated h-index of 22, over 1421 citations, and more than 73 research documents. Dr. Moncaleán has led competitive national and international projects, contributed to major technology-transfer initiatives in Spain, Chile, and Argentina, and serves on editorial boards of top journals including Frontiers in Plant Science, PLANTS, FORESTS, and Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. Recognized for her leadership, she coordinates the IUFRO Unit 2.09.02 and continues advancing forest biotechnology for sustainable and resilient forestry systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Hurtado, M., Suarez-Álvarez, S., Castander-Olarieta, A., Montalbán, I. A., Goicoechea, P. G., López de Heredia, U., Marino, D., & Moncaleán, P. (2025). Physiological and molecular response to drought in somatic plants from Pinus radiata embryonal masses induced at high temperatures. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Ochatt, S. J., Akin, M., Chan, M. T., Dolgov, S. V., Eimert, K., Flachowsky, H., Guo, W. W., Jiménez, V. M., Lambardi, M., Moncaleán, P., et al. (2025). Research is rendering the recalcitrant woody plants amenable to biotechnological approaches. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.

Montalbán, I. A., Castander-Olarieta, A., Marques do Nascimento, A. M., Suárez-Álvarez, S., Herrán, A., Polesi, L. G., Back, F., Steiner, N., Guerra, M. P., & Moncaleán, P. (2024). Genetic stability, amino acid, and polyamine profile analyses in radiata pine somatic embryos maturated at high temperatures. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.

Montalbán, I. A., Castander-Olarieta, A., Marques do Nascimento, A. M., Suárez-Álvarez, S., Herrán, A., Polesi, L. G., Steiner, N., Guerra, M. P., & Moncaleán, P. (2023). Genetic stability, amino acid and polyamine profile analyses in radiata pine somatic embryos maturated at high temperatures.

Ayala, L. P. E., Luna, C. V., Brugnoli, E. A., Espasandin, F. D., Duarte, M. J., González, A. M., Gauchat, M. E., Moncaleán Guillén, P., & Sansberro, P. A. (2023). Cryopreservation of mature zygotic embryos, shoot bud regeneration, and field establishment of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii × Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis in vitro-derived plants. Trees.

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.

Lilya Boucelha | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

Biologie-USTHB | Algeria

Lilya Boucelha is a Maître-de-conférences A at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene (USTHB, Algiers), working in the Plant Physiology team of the Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms. She holds a Master’s in Plant Science & Biotechnologies, a Licence in Plant Biology, Physiology & Genetics, and earned her Doctorate (LMD 3rd cycle) in Genetics, Molecular Plant Physiology & Microbiology (2015) with highest honours. Her research focuses on seed priming (hydro- and osmopriming), seed ageing, abiotic stress tolerance—particularly drought and salinity—and the role of silicon, proline, and redox status in enhancing plant resilience. With over a decade of teaching experience in stress physiology, eco-physiology, and plant biology, she has also served on pedagogical committees and program revision teams. Her funded projects span national and international programmes addressing drought and salinity tolerance, as well as seed quality improvement through priming and silicon-based treatments. She has published 16 international peer-reviewed papers, contributed to 60 conference presentations, and participated in several nationally funded research projects. Her publications have collectively received over 83 citations and an h-index of 5, reflecting steady recognition of her research contributions. In 2022, she was awarded the International Prize for Young Algerian Researchers for Best Oral Presentation within the framework of the PHC Maghreb project, recognizing her excellence in scientific communication and research innovation. Boucelha is also the principal author of the article “Is protein carbonylation a biomarker of seed priming and ageing?”, published in Functional Plant Biology (2021), highlighting her leading contribution to research on seed physiology and oxidative stress biomarkers. She exemplifies a dynamic early-career academic who effectively integrates dedicated teaching with impactful research promoting sustainable crop production under challenging environmental conditions.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Benlahrech, S. (2025). The ambiguous role of silicon in the pregermination treatment of Vigna unguiculata seeds. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. Advance online publication.

Benlahrech, S., Boucelha, L., Cherchali, A., Djebbar, R., & Ounane, S. M. (2024). Characterization of non-rhizobial endophytic bacteria in Algerian cowpea root nodules: Unveiling potential for nitrogen fixation. Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fascicula Biologie.

Gueridi, S., Boucelha, L., Abrous-Belbachir, O., & Djebbar, R. (2024). Effects of hormopriming and pretreatment with gibberellic acid on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed germination. Acta Botanica Croatica.

Lamara, S., Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Chabane, D. (2023). Antioxidant activities in Pimpinella anisum L. callus responding to PEG-6000-induced water stress under light (12 h photoperiod) and dark conditions. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.

Beggah, S., Ellouzi, H., Boucelha, L., Zorrig, W., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2023). Ascorbate attenuates damages caused by paraquat-induced oxidative stress in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seedlings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition,

Syed Inzimam Ul Haq | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Syed Inzimam Ul Haq | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Masaryk University, Czech Republic

Dr. Syed Inzimam Ul Haq is a passionate plant physiologist and PhD candidate at Masaryk University, Czechia, specializing in the analysis of photosynthetic activity using advanced biophysical methods such as in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and spectral reflectance. With over 3 peer-reviewed publications and a strong research portfolio, he has an h-index of 1, over 13 citations. He holds an M.Phil. and BS in Botany from Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan, and currently serves as a part-time cooperating staff member at the Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University. He has previously worked as a Lab Assistant and a Biology Teacher in Pakistan. His research interests include plant stress physiology, chlorophyll fluorescence, nanotechnology, CRISPR genome editing, and sustainable agriculture. He has presented his work at national and international conferences and mentored multiple undergraduate and postgraduate students. Notable projects include studies on the phytoremediation potential of crops and the physiological adaptation of plants under space-mimicking environments like Antarctic regolith. With a consistent Q1 publication record and international collaborations, Dr. Haq is committed to advancing knowledge in plant science and making impactful contributions to global agricultural sustainability.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Haq, S. I. U., Hájek, J., & Barták, M. (2025). From Antarctic regolith to lunar greenhouses: Mechanistic insights into Brassica rapa Photosystem II dynamics for sustainable space agriculture. Life Sciences in Space Research.

Haq, S. I. U., Tariq, F., Sama, N. U., Jamal, H., & Mohamed, I. H. (2025). Role of autophagy in plant growth and adaptation to salt stress. Planta, 261, 49.

Ullah, Z., Haq, S. I. U., Ullah, A., Asghar, M. A., Seleiman, M. F., Saleem, K., Zeng, F., Sama, N. U., Kamran, K., & Ahmad, S. (2024). Effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on growth and biochemical profile of Pearl millet under NaCl stress. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1–20.

Haq, S. I. U., Zheng, D., Feng, N., Jiang, X., Qiao, F., He, J. S., & Qiu, Q. S. (2022). Progresses of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in forage crops. Journal of Plant Physiology, 179, 153860.

Xie, Y., Haq, S. I. U., Jiang, X., Zheng, D., Feng, N., Wang, W., He, J.-S., & Qiu, Q. S. (2022). Plant genome editing: CRISPR, base editing, prime editing, and beyond. Grassland Research, 1–10.