Molla Tadesse Lakew | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Mr. Molla Tadesse Lakew | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mekdela Amba University | Ethiopia

Dr. Molla Tadesse Lakew is an emerging scholar in rural development and agricultural innovation whose work already demonstrates measurable impact: according to his Google Scholar profile, he has an h-index of 1 and 3 total citations to date. His peer-reviewed publications include studies on farmers’ social network influences on adoption of agricultural innovations and on levels of knowledge and adoption of innovations by smallholder farmers in Central Gondar, Ethiopia. With an MSc in Rural Development & Agricultural Extension and a BSc in Agricultural Economics, he brings over six years of experience lecturing at Mekdela Amba University, leading curricular design, supervising student research, heading the Department of Agricultural Economics, and serving as Vice Dean. His research interests lie at the intersection of social capital, innovation systems, food security, and agricultural economics, using both qualitative and quantitative methods (econometrics, STATA, SPSS). Recognized as a Visiting Fellow through the AfricaLics PhD Academy and recipient of related fellowships and awards, he expects to complete his PhD by October 2025. Dr. Lakew aims to leverage his research and leadership toward strengthening agricultural innovation, improving livelihoods, and informing evidence-based policy in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Factors affecting the use of mobile phone by smallholder farmers in vegetable marketing: The case of Fogera district of South Gondar Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Assessment of Smallholder Farmers’ Level of Knowledge and Adoption of Agricultural Innovations Across Various Categories of Farmers in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

Examining farmers’ social network influences on the decision to adopt specific agricultural innovations in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.

 The role of local indigenous institutions in enhancing social capital for adoption of agricultural innovations: A special emphasis in Ethiopia.

Catalina Cabañas | Agroecology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Catalina Cabañas | Agroecology | Best Researcher Award

Universidad de Extremadura | Spain

Author Profile

Orcid ID

Early Academic Pursuits

Catalina Milagros Cabañas Cabañas began her academic journey in her home region of Extremadura, Spain. She pursued higher education at the Universidad de Extremadura, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos in 2019 with a commendable performance. Her strong interest in food biotechnology led her to undertake a Master’s degree in Biotecnología Avanzada, which she successfully completed in 2020, further solidifying her foundation in scientific research and application.

Professional Endeavors

Catalina has built a consistent and evolving career primarily at the Universidad de Extremadura. She began as a Personal científico investigador  in 2019, with subsequent appointments in similar roles over the following years. She also held the role of Técnico auxiliar de laboratorio (Laboratory Technician) from 2022 to 2023, and Profesora sustituta  starting in 2023. Additionally, she gained industry experience at FuensanaBIo as a Técnico de calidad in 2019. Her diverse roles demonstrate her adaptability across

Contributions and Research Focus

Catalina’s primary research focus is rooted in food microbiology and biotechnology. Her doctoral research, completed in 2024, explored innovative strategies using antagonistic yeasts to control spoilage fungi in plant- and animal-based foods. This reflects her interest in improving food safety through sustainable biological control methods, offering alternatives to conventional chemical preservatives. Her work is significant for both the scientific community and food industries, given the increasing global concern over food safety and microbial contamination.

Impact and Influence

Through her contributions to research and higher education, Catalina has made a notable impact in the fields of food science and technology. Her doctoral thesis received the highest academic distinction, indicating recognition by peers and faculty for its scientific rigor and relevance. Additionally, her involvement in multiple university-level teaching roles and her active participation in training courses reflect her influence on the next generation of food scientists and technologists.

Academic Cites

Catalina is registered with notable academic platforms, including. which host and track her research contributions and citations. Her growing academic presence through these platforms is a testament to her evolving influence in scholarly research.

Technical Skills

Catalina has developed strong technical proficiency in microbiological analysis, laboratory practices, quality assurance, and the use of modern bibliographic and research management tools such as Mendeley, Scopus, ORCID, and Journal Citation Reports. Her coursework and seminars reflect her capability in writing scientific articles, preparing patents, and managing collaborative research tools. These skills position her as a well-rounded academic equipped for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Teaching Experience

Catalina has accumulated extensive teaching experience across both theoretical and laboratory-based courses at the Universidad de Extremadura. She has taught subjects such as Catering y Restauración, Higiene de los Alimentos I & II, Evaluación de la Seguridad Alimentaria, and Gestión de la Calidad, Seguridad y Trazabilidad Alimentaria. Her teaching has spanned across degree programs in Food Science and Technology and Agricultural and Food Industry Engineering. This experience demonstrates her capability to deliver knowledge effectively and engage with students across various academic levels.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As an emerging academic and researcher, Catalina’s legacy is being shaped by her contributions to sustainable food safety, education, and applied biotechnology. Her interdisciplinary approach, bridging microbiology and food quality assurance, places her in a unique position to influence both academic research and practical applications. With her current permanent full-time position as a researcher at Universidad de Extremadura starting in 2025, she is poised to deepen her contributions to food safety research and academic mentorship.

Publications

Biocontrol of Cheese Spoilage Moulds Using Native Yeasts
  • Authors: Catalina M. Cabañas; Alejandro Hernández León; Santiago Ruiz-Moyano; Almudena V. Merchán; José Manuel Martínez Torres; Alberto Martín
    Journal: Foods
    Year: 2025
Metabarcoding analysis reveals a differential bacterial community profile associated with ‘Torta del Casar’ and ‘Queso de la Serena’ PDO cheeses
  • Authors: Almudena V. Merchán; Santiago Ruiz-Moyano; María José Benito; María Vázquez Hernández; Catalina M. Cabañas; Ángel Carlos Román
    Journal: Food Bioscience
    Year: 2024
Improvement of shelf‐life of cherry (Prunus avium L.) by combined application of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and antagonistic yeast for long distant export
  • Authors: Catalina M. Cabañas; Alejandro Hernández; Manuel J. Serradilla; Carlos Moraga; Alberto Martín; María de Guía Córdoba; Santiago Ruiz‐Moyano
    Journal: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
    Year: 2023
Control of Penicillium glabrum by Indigenous Antagonistic Yeast from Vineyards
  • Authors: Catalina M. Cabañas
    Journal: Foods
    Year: 2020