Wasiu Akande Ahmed | Plant Pathology | Excellence in Research Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Wasiu Akande Ahmed | Plant Pathology | Excellence in Research Award

Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University | China

Dr. Ahmed Wasiu Akande is an Assistant Professor at the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University, China, specializing in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and satellite communication. He holds a PhD and MSc in GNSS from Beihang University and advanced degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Nigeria. His academic experience includes international teaching, supervision, and extensive high-impact publications. His research interests span GNSS signal processing, UAV applications in precision agriculture, GNSS reflectometry, AI-based error mitigation, and climate-smart farming technologies. He is a recipient of multiple academic distinctions, and his work continues to advance satellite-enabled solutions for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development.

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Ali Khourgami | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Khourgami | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

Department of Agronomy,Khor.C.,Islamic Azad University,Khorrabad | Iran

Ali Khourgami is an Associate Professor of Agronomy with over two decades of academic and research experience in agricultural science. He holds a PhD in Crop Physiology, an MSc in Agronomy, and a BSc in Agronomy and Plant Breeding. Since 2001, he has served as a university lecturer, department head, and member of scientific and research councils, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses across agronomy, crop physiology, seed technology, weeds science, and stress physiology. His research focuses on crop responses to environmental stresses, particularly water deficit in cereal, industrial, forage, and pulse crops. An award-winning researcher and prolific thesis supervisor, his work advances sustainable crop productivity and academic capacity building.

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Hammad Ahmad Jan | Medicinal Plants | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Hammad Ahmad Jan | Medicinal Plants | Research Excellence Award

University of Buner | Pakistan

Dr. Hammad Ahmad Jan is a Lecturer in Botany at the University of Buner, Pakistan, with over 13 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. He holds a Ph.D. in Botany along with advanced degrees in biological sciences and education. His research focuses on ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, biodiesel synthesis from non-edible oils, phytochemistry, plant systematics, and ecology. Dr. Jan has authored numerous research papers and book chapters and serves on international journal editorial boards. Recognized for his contributions to plant sciences and indigenous knowledge documentation, he actively mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students.

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Rainer Hedrich | Plant Physiology | Excellence in Innovation Award

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Prof. Dr. Rainer Hedrich | Plant Physiology | Excellence in Innovation Award

Shenzhen University SUAT | Germany

Professor Dr. Rainer Hedrich is a globally renowned plant physiologist and synthetic biologist whose pioneering work has fundamentally shaped modern understanding of ion channel–mediated signaling in plants. Trained in Germany, including postdoctoral research with Nobel Laureate Erwin Neher, he established his independent academic career at the University of Göttingen, later serving as full professor at Hannover and Würzburg, where he held the Chair of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics. Since 2025, he has been a full-time professor at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. His research focuses on plant electrophysiology, ion transport, signal transduction, stomatal regulation, carnivorous plant biology, and optogenetics. Professor Hedrich was the first to provide experimental proof of ion channels in plants, laying the molecular foundation for understanding plant water balance and electrical excitability. His groundbreaking studies on the Venus flytrap revealed how action potentials, calcium signaling, and phytohormones regulate prey capture and digestion, attracting worldwide scientific and public attention. He has published 371 scientific papers with over 31,035 citations and an h-index of 102, reflecting his sustained global impact. His achievements have been recognized with the Körber European Science Prize, ERC Award, DFG Koselleck Award, and election to the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Widely regarded as a pioneer, Professor Hedrich continues to advance plant science and synthetic biology through innovative interdisciplinary research.

 

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Nikolaos Varotsis | Knowledge Management | Plant Biology Leadership Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Varotsis | Knowledge Management | Plant Biology Leadership Award

Ionian University | Greece

Varotsis Nikolaos is an Assistant Professor at the Ionian University with expertise in behavioural economics, knowledge management, tourism management, and information management. He has led and contributed to numerous research projects, resulting in 10 published documents with 60 citations and an h-index of 5, reflecting the growing impact of his scholarly work. Nikolaos has authored books and journal articles in high-impact publications, advancing knowledge in his research areas and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations with both academic and industry partners. His work emphasizes applying behavioural and management insights to practical challenges, bridging theory and real-world application. He actively participates in professional organizations, mentoring emerging scholars and promoting research excellence. Recognized for his contributions to research and innovation, Nikolaos has been nominated for various academic awards, highlighting his commitment to advancing knowledge and shaping the academic community. Through his publications, collaborations, and guidance of students, he continues to influence the development of his fields, contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical implementations. His dedication to research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination underscores his role as a leader in his academic and professional community.

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Jelena Zagorska | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Jelena Zagorska | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Latvia university of Life Sciences and Technologies | Latvia

Dr. Jelena Zagorska is a Dr.sc.ing. and Associate Professor at the Latvia University of Life Science and Technology (LBTU), where she has served as a leading researcher since 2016, following previous roles as Assistant Professor and Lecturer. She holds a Doctoral degree in Engineering Sciences (Food Science), a Master’s degree in Sociology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science from Latvia University of Agriculture. Her research focuses on dairy science, plant-based functional foods, sustainable food biotechnology, valorization of by-products, fermentation technologies, and lactobionic acid applications. Dr. Zagorska has led multiple national and international research initiatives, including projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia, and Norwegian collaborations promoting innovative food solutions. She has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and international journals, along with a patent related to legume flour applications in sausage production. Her scholarly impact includes a Google Scholar h-index of 13, Scopus h-index of 8. She contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer and invited editor for journals such as Rural Sustainability Research and Dairy. Dr. Zagorska remains dedicated to advancing sustainable food systems through innovative research and academic leadership.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Illarionova, V., Ciprovica, I., Kruma, Z., Tomsone, L., Feldmane, J., & Zagorska, J. (2025). Impact of fermentation patterns on functional properties of legume-based spreads.

Tlevlessova, D., Ospanov, A., Zagorska, J., Makeeva, R., Nurmukhanbetova, D., & Mambeshova, A. (2024). Development of curd for children from sheep milk with berries: Improvement of nutritional and functional properties. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies.

Zagorska, J., Ruska, D., Radenkovs, V., Juhnevica-Radenkova, K., Kince, T., Galoburda, R., & Gramatina, I. (2024). The impact of biotechnologically produced lactobionic acid on laying hens’ productivity and egg quality during early laying period. Animals.

Rakhmatulina, A., Dikhanbayeva, F., Tlevlessova, D., Zagorska, J., Aralbayev, N., Majore, K., & Yessenova, A. (2024). Advancements in camel milk drying technology: A comprehensive review of methods, chemical composition, and nutritional preservation. Dairy.

Riekstiņa-Dolģe, R., & Zagorska, J. (2022). Siera tirdzniecības nosaukums un tā interpretācija: Tilzītes pret Krievijas. Akadēmiskā Dzīve,

Naser Safaie | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naser Safaie | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Tarbiat Modares University | Iran

Naser Safaie is a distinguished plant pathologist and mycologist whose academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Plant Protection from Isfahan University of Technology, followed by an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology from Chamran University, and culminating in a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology–Mycology from Tarbiat Modares University. Over more than three decades, he has developed deep expertise in the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi using microbial antagonists, molecular diagnostics, fungal taxonomy, bioformulation of biocontrol products, and plant–microbe interaction studies. As a seasoned professor and long-time department head at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, he has led numerous high-impact research projects spanning fungal pathogen epidemiology, stress tolerance via endophytes, biofertilizers, and cold-plasma applications in agriculture. Recognized for his leadership roles (including editorial responsibilities and presidency of the Iranian Society of Plant Pathology), he has mentored generations of students and spearheaded the translation of lab innovations into practical biocontrol and biofertilizer products. His work bridges fundamental science and agricultural application, contributing to sustainable crop protection and biotechnology development.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Najafi, M. R., Kordrostami, M., Aghajani, M. A., Safaie, N., & Rahmanpour, S. (2025, October 7). Multilayer perceptron neural network–genetic algorithm for modeling Nicotiana tabacum leaf quality. PLOS One.

Jahedi, A., Safaie, N., Goltapeh, E. M., & Ahmadifar, S. (2024). Auricularia (wood ear mushroom) genus: A contribution to classification and new species records for Iran and world. Plant and Fungal Systematics.

Rahimi-Soujeh, Z., Safaie, N., Moradi, S., Abbod, M., Sharifi, R., Mojerlou, S., & Mokhtassi-Bidgoli, A. (2024, October). New binary mixtures of fungicides against Macrophomina phaseolina: Machine learning-driven QSAR, read-across prediction, and molecular dynamics simulation. Chemosphere.

Abbod, M., Safaie, N., & Gholivand, K. (2024, August). Genetic algorithm multiple linear regression and machine learning-driven QSTR modeling for the acute toxicity of sterol biosynthesis inhibitor fungicides. Heliyon.

Hussein, S. N., Safaie, N., Shams-bakhsh, M., & Al-Juboory, H. H. (2024, August). Harnessing rhizobacteria: Isolation, identification, and antifungal potential against soil pathogens. Heliyon,

Dekui Zhang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Dekui Zhang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University | China

Prof. Dr. De-Kui Zhang is a distinguished gastroenterologist and Principal Investigator recognized for his extensive research in Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastrointestinal motility disorders, and behavioral gastroenterology. He received advanced academic training in clinical gastroenterology and molecular pathogenesis, progressing to a leading research and academic role in China. With over h-index of 19, 1345 citations, and 116 total documents, he has significantly shaped current understanding of host–pathogen interactions and chronic microbial infection. He has including four NSFC grants, advancing molecular models of microbial pathogenesis and contributing to clinical diagnostic innovations. His scholarly contributions include co-editing the academic volume Health Management of Gastritis, while his leadership roles in national academic committees—particularly within the Helicobacter pylori Group of the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology—underscore his influence on clinical guidelines and national research priorities. His work has been recognized with prestigious distinctions such as the Gansu Provincial Scientific Progress Second Prize, highlighting his impact on improving digestive health outcomes. Prof. Zhang continues to mentor emerging medical scientists and strengthen national collaborations, contributing broadly to translational gastroenterology research and patient care advancement.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Ma, X., Li, M., Wang, X., Xu, H., Jiang, L., Wu, F., Wei, L., Qi, G., & Zhang, D. (2024). Dihydromyricetin ameliorates experimental ulcerative colitis by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps formation via the HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway. International Immunopharmacology.

Liu, N., Luo, Q., Gou, L., Shen, X., & Zhang, D. (2024). Knowledge and practices of Helicobacter pylori infection management among physicians in Gansu Province, China: A cross-sectional study. Helicobacter.

Gou, L., Yang, X., Yun, J., Ma, Z., Zheng, X., Du, H., & Zhang, D. (2024). Roles of the components of the cag-pathogenicity island encoded type IV secretion system in Helicobacter pylori. Future Microbiology. Advance online publication.

Ma, X., Li, J., Li, M., Qi, G., Wei, L., & Zhang, D. (2024). NETs in fibrosis: Bridging innate immunity and tissue remodeling. International Immunopharmacology.

Xu, H., Huang, K., Shi, M., Gong, H., Han, M., Tian, W., Wang, X., & Zhang, D. (2024). MicroRNAs in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric cancer: Function and clinical application. Pharmacological Research,

Wenbin Zhang | Precision Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Wenbin Zhang | Precision Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Kunming University | China

Professor Wenbin Zhang, Ph.D., is a distinguished academic in mechanical and electrical engineering at Kunming University, serving as a full professor and master’s adviser in the Department of Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering. Over nearly fifteen years of teaching, he has developed and authored laboratory guidebooks for measurement technology, PLC application, and mechanical innovation design. His research focuses on condition monitoring, intelligent fault diagnosis, signal processing, and innovation in mechanical design. He leads a major project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, as well as a provincial innovation-team initiative, and has built a key laboratory and research team at his university. He has published over 100 papers, with more than 50 in EI or SCI-indexed journals, and holds over 100 national patents. According to his Google Scholar profile, he has an h-index of 11, 394 citations, and 82 Documentation, highlighting his strong research influence. Through his integrated excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, Dr. Zhang is recognized as a technological leader in Yunnan Province and is part of the “Yunnan 10,000 Talents Program.”

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Zhang, W., Wang, Y., Tan, Y., Guo, D., & Pu, Y. (Year not provided). Application of adaptive local iterative filtering and permutation entropy in gear fault recognition. Mathematical Problems in Engineering.

Zhang, W., Min, J., Wang, Y., Pu, Y., Jiang, J., Guo, D., & Yu, L. (2022). Application of adaptive local iterative filtering in axis trace purification of turbine generator rotor. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology.

Cui, B., Guo, P., & Zhang, W. (2023). Research on fault diagnosis of rolling bearing based on the MCKD-SSD-TEO with optimal parameters. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology.

Guo, P., Cui, B., & Zhang, W. (2024). Cross-device target migration intelligent diagnosis method of wind power gearbox faults. Measurement Science and Technology

Zhao, C., Yin, Z., Zhang, W., Guo, P., & Ma, Y. (2024). Identification of apple watercore based on ConvNeXt and Vis/NIR spectra. Infrared Physics and Technology,

Kaori Shiojiri | Plant-Animal Interactions | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Kaori Shiojiri | Plant-Animal Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Ryukoku University | Japan

Prof. Dr. Kaori Shiojiri is a distinguished ecologist recognized for her expertise in chemical ecology and plant–insect interactions. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Agriculture from Kyoto University, specializing in Environmental Science and Technology. Following her doctoral training, she completed prestigious JSPS Research Fellowships, including international research work at the University of California, Davis and further research at Kyoto University’s Center for Ecological Research. She later served as an Assistant Professor under the Hakubi Project at Kyoto University’s Institute for Advanced Study before joining Ryukoku University, where she progressed from Lecturer to Associate Professor and currently serves as Professor in the Graduate School of Agriculture. Her research focuses on plant volatile–mediated communication, tritrophic interactions, ecological signaling, and sustainable agricultural systems. According to Google Scholar, she holds an h-index of 28 with 2881 citations, reflecting her strong publication record and scientific impact. She has received multiple honors, including awards from the Ecological Society of Japan, the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, the Japan Prize for Agricultural Science (Young Scientists), the Tachibana Award for Outstanding Women Researchers, the Morita Award, and the Miyadi Award. Her work continues to advance ecological understanding and strengthen environmentally sustainable agricultural innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shiojiri, K., & Karban, R. (2006). Plant age, communication, and resistance to herbivores: Young sagebrush plants are better emitters and receivers. Oecologia.

Tanaka, T., Ikeda, A., Shiojiri, K., Ozawa, R., Shiki, K., Nagai-Kunihiro, N., … Arimura, G. (2018). Identification of a hexenal reductase that modulates the composition of green leaf volatiles. Plant Physiology.

Shiojiri, K., & Takabayashi, J. (2003). Effects of specialist parasitoids on oviposition preference of phytophagous insects: Encounter–dilution effects in a tritrophic interaction. Ecological Entomology.

Shiojiri, K., Ozawa, R., Matsui, K., Sabelis, M. W., & Takabayashi, J. (2012). Intermittent exposure to traces of green leaf volatiles triggers a plant response. Scientific Reports.

Sukegawa, S., Shiojiri, K., Higami, T., Suzuki, S., & Arimura, G. (2018). Pest management using mint volatiles to elicit resistance in soy: Mechanism and application potential. The Plant Journal,