Vera Pavese | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Vera Pavese | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Università di Torino | Italy

Dr. Vera Pavese is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Turin, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), Italy. She earned her PhD in Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences in 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Roberto Botta, following her Master’s in Plant Biotechnology (2017) and Bachelor’s in Natural Sciences (2015) from the same institution. Her research focuses on developing biotechnological tools to enhance the resilience of woody crops, integrating in vitro culture, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, LED-based priming, and RNA-based gene silencing (SIGS). She has pioneered transgene-free genome editing systems and demonstrated the biostimulant potential of LEDs in woody plant micropropagation. Dr. Pavese has authored 24 peer-reviewed papers, accumulating 237 citations and an h-index of 10. Her achievements have earned her four national Best Oral Presentation Awards, invitations as a keynote speaker at international symposia, and recognition as Session Chair at major conferences. A recipient of the RILO Young Researchers Grant (2024), she actively promotes Open Science and serves as Guest Editor for Plants and Agronomy. Her work advances sustainable crop improvement and genetic innovation, positioning her as a rising leader in woody plant biotechnology and genome engineering.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Marino, L. A., Ruffa, P., Mozzanini, E., Patono, D. L., Sereno, A., & Pavese, V. (2025). LEDs in plant tissue culture: Boosting micropropagation of Castanea sativa cultivars. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

Marino, L. A., Pavese, V., Ruffa, P., Ferrero, M., Acquadro, A., Barchi, L., Botta, R., & Torello Marinoni, D. (2024). Guardians of quality: Advancing Castanea sativa traceability using DNA analysis from seed to processed food. Scientia Horticulturae.

Pavese, V., Moglia, A., Acquadro, A., Barchi, L., Portis, E., Torello Marinoni, D., Valentini, N., Milani, A. M., Abbà, S., Silvestri, C., et al. (2023). Development of biotechnological tools for hazelnut breeding. Acta Horticulturae.

Ferrucci, A., Lupo, M., Turco, S., Pavese, V., Torello Marinoni, D., Botta, R., Cristofori, V., Mazzaglia, A., & Silvestri, C. (2023). A roadmap of tissue culture and biotechnology in European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Nerva, L., Dalla Costa, L., Ciacciulli, A., Sabbadini, S., Pavese, V., Dondini, L., Vendramin, E., Caboni, E., Perrone, I., Moglia, A., et al. (2023). The role of Italy in the use of advanced plant genomic techniques on fruit trees: State of the art and future perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Chunsong Cheng | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chunsong Cheng | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

Lushan Botanical Garden, CAS & Jiangxi Province | China

Cheng Chunsong, Ph.D., is a researcher at the Lushan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), specializing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medicinal plant resources. He currently leads the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Group and serves as the Director of the Lushan Botanical Garden’s Southern Branch, while also holding leadership roles in several key laboratories and institutes dedicated to TCM research and the sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources. Dr. Cheng has participated in over 20 research projects funded by national and provincial agencies, including the National Natural Science Foundation and Jiangxi Provincial Key R&D Programs. His research focuses on the sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources, with particular emphasis on genetic breeding and quality control of TCM materials. He has published more than 80 academic papers, including over 30 SCI-indexed articles in journals such as Food Chemistry, Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, and Biochemical Pharmacology. His work contributes significantly to advancing TCM research and the development of sustainable practices in medicinal plant utilization. Dr. Cheng’s research interests include sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources, genetic breeding, and quality control of TCM materials. He has been recognized as a Jiangxi Province “Double Thousand Talent,” an overseas talent in short supply, and a visiting scholar under the “Western Light” program of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. Overall, Dr. Cheng Chunsong’s extensive research, publications, and leadership roles underscore his pivotal contribution to advancing sustainable practices, quality control, and innovation in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal plant resources.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Cheng, C. (2025). Association between high jugular bulb and sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A computed tomography based study. International Journal of General Medicine.

Cheng, C. (2025). Ecological risk assessment of future suitable areas for Piper kadsura under the background of climate change. Frontiers in Plant Science.

Cheng, C. (2025). Identification and classification of Aquilaria (Thymelaeaceae): Inferences from a phylogenetic study based on matK sequences. PeerJ.

Cheng, C. (2025). MYB polymorphism molecular marker: A novel molecular marker for authenticity and geographical origin identification of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Cheng, C. (2025). Phytochemical profile of stem extract of Carthamus oxycantha and identification of herbicidal and antimicrobial constituents. Plant Protection Science.

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.