Dani Sarsekova | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dani Sarsekova | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Kazakh National Agrarian Research University | Kazakhstan

Prof. Dani Nurgisaevna Sarsekova is a distinguished Doctor of Agricultural Sciences and Professor, currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment at Kazakh National Agrarian Research University. She completed her forestry education at the Kazakh Agricultural Institute, pursued postgraduate studies at the Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry, and later earned her doctoral degree at the Ural Forest Engineering University. With an h-index of 7, more than 29 scientific documents, and over 153 citations, she has made notable contributions to forestry science and environmental sustainability. Her research covers intensive mini-rotational forest plantations for energy purposes, carbon sequestration, shelter-belt agroforestry, and artificial mycorrhization of forest tree seedlings. She has co-authored significant works on ectomycorrhizal fungi in northeastern Kazakhstan and the role of artificial mycorrhiza in improving Siberian spruce growth. As the leader of major national and international projects—including Astana’s green-belt development, landscape-ecological assessments, and environmental cooperation within the Silk Road Economic Belt—she has advanced ecological restoration and climate-resilient forest management. Her achievements include securing third place in an international competition for the “Best Textbook” in agricultural and forestry sciences, underscoring her lasting impact on forestry education and research.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Wang, G., Ge, X., Lü, D., Zhang, Z., Wang, L., Sun, S., Jia, X., Zhang, B., Kuanysh, K., Sarsekova, D., et al. (2025).
Insecticidal activity of Angelica archangelica essential oil and transcriptomic analysis of Sitophilus zeamais in response to oil fumigation. Biology, 14(11), 1606. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14111606

Wang, G., Lü, D., Ge, X., Zhang, Z., Meng, F., Chen, L., Kuanysh, K., Li, X., Zhang, B., Sarsekova, D., et al. (2025).
Insecticidal activity of Eupatorium fortunei essential oil against Schizaphis graminum and its effects on detoxification enzymes. Insects, 16(11), 1141. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16111141

Sarsekova, D., & Satybaldiyeva, G. (2025). Field assessment and functional evaluation of agricultural shelterbelts in Akmola Region of Kazakhstan. SilvaWorld, 4(2), Article 373. https://doi.org/10.61326/silvaworld.v4i2.373

Aishuk, Y., Sarsekova, D., Sezai, E., & Shegenov, S. (2024). Bactericidal properties of phytoncides of Cotoneaster melanocarpus Fisch. ex. Blytt of the Akmola Region. 3i Intellect Idea Innovation, 4, 128. https://doi.org/10.52269/22266070_2024_4_128

Sarsekova, D. N., Perzadayeva, A. A., Sagin, J., Toktasynov, Zh., & Satybaldieva, G. (2024). Monitoring of forest shelter belts on agricultural lands of KazGer LLP and determining places of accumulation of melt drainage water. Bulletin of the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University,

Yang Liu | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Yang Liu | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Sichuan Agriculture University | China

Liu Yang is a professor at Sichuan Agricultural University (SCAU), where she serves as Deputy Director of the Carbon Sequestration Research Centre within the College of Forestry. She holds a doctoral degree and has established a strong research agenda focusing on ecosystem ecology, soil biology, biogeochemistry, vegetation restoration and climate-change impacts in forest and grassland systems. Since joining the faculty at SCAU, she has led multiple national and provincial research programmes on alpine treeline litter-decomposition, soil microbial enzyme dynamics under warming, and ecological restoration of degraded terrain. Her work on forest-floor litter chemistry and soil microbial community responses has appeared in leading journals, and her record includes more than 114 peer-reviewed articles, over 1755 citations and an h-index of approximately 24. She has been honoured with provincial-level awards for technological progress and holds several utility-model patents addressing field-based warming simulation and nutrient-addition experiments. Committed to advancing the science and application of ecosystem restoration in southwestern China, she engages in international collaboration, graduate education and policy-relevant science. Her research contributes to understanding how forest and grassland ecosystems respond to global change and how restoration strategies can enhance resilience and carbon sequestration.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, Q., Chen, Y., Xu, L., Cui, X., Xu, H., Wang, L., You, C., Tian, X., He, X., & Liu, Y. (2025). Loss of plant functional group mediates microbial community assembly in litter decomposition of alpine fir forest. Global Ecology and Conservation.

Li, C., Liu, L., Wu, Z., Wang, W., Wang, S., He, X., Cui, X., Xiao, J., & Liu, Y. (2025). Millipede (Spirobolus walker) prefers feeding on a high-quality litter from a companion species when combined with Masson pine litter. Pedobiologia.

Lei, L., Zeng, J., Liu, Q., Luo, L., Ma, Z., Chen, Y., & Liu, Y. (2024). Effects of soil fauna on the home-field advantage of litter total phenol and condensed tannin decomposition. Forests.

Wang, L., Zhou, Y., Chen, Y., Xu, Z., Zhang, J., & Liu, Y. (2023). Home-field advantage and ability alter labile and recalcitrant litter carbon decomposition in an alpine forest ecotone. Plant and Soil.

Wu, A., You, C., Yin, R., Xu, Z., Zhang, L., Liu, Y., Li, H., Wang, L., Xu, L., Xu, H., et al. (2023). Forest gaps slow the humification process of fir (Abies faxoniana Rehder & E.H. Wilson) twig litter during eight years of decomposition in an alpine forest. Forests.

Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Atikilt Alemayehu | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural research | Ethiopia

Atikilt Abera Alemayehu is a soil and water conservation researcher at the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), Gondar, Ethiopia, with extensive expertise in watershed management, soil erosion control, hydrological modeling, and sustainable land use practices. He earned his M.Sc. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering from Hawassa University and his B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management from Bahir Dar University. His research addresses critical challenges in soil and water resource management, including sediment yield reduction, carbon sequestration, agroforestry interventions, runoff and moisture measurement, and geospatial modeling using tools such as GIS, RS, SWAT, and InVEST. Atikilt has authored more than 4 scientific documents, published in peer-reviewed journals such as Environmental Challenges, Journal of Soils and Sediments, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, and Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology. His academic contributions have earned him over 37 citations, with an h-index of 3. In addition to publishing, he has presented at national and international conferences, trained stakeholders, and coordinated research projects that bridge science and practice. Committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience, his work continues to make significant impacts on soil and water conservation in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Alemayehu, A. A., Desalegn, M., & Hunie, M. (2024). Introduction of a siphon pump for large-scale irrigation in East Belesa district, Ethiopia. International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Addis, H. K., Samuel, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, A., Feyisa, T., Hunie, M., Getu, E., Adane, M., et al. (2024). Spatial assessment of soil resources on different land uses and slope gradient as a planning tool in Ferenjua watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges.

Alemayehu, A. A., Getu, L. A., Samual, T., Ayalew, B., Addis, H. K., Feyisa, T., Worku, T., Tahir, M., & Getu, E. (2023). Effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on crop yield and soil properties in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.

Addis, H. K., Ayalew, B., Gebretsadik, M., Abera, A., Getu, L. A., & Addis, A. K. (2023). Cross-correlation of soil moisture and stone content and their spatial pattern across the different slope aspects and soil depth. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology.

Alemayehu, A. A., Muluneh, A., Moges, A., & Kendie, H. (2020). Estimation of sediment yield and effectiveness of level stone bunds to reduce sediment loss in the Gumara-Maksegnit watershed, Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Journal of Soils and Sediments.

Hossein Motamedi | Plant-Rhizosphere Interactions | Innovative Plant Microbiology Award

Prof. Hossein Motamedi | Plant-Rhizosphere Interactions | Innovative Plant Microbiology Award

Shahid Chamran university of Ahvaz | Iran

Author Profile

Scopus
Orcid ID
Google Scholar

👨‍🔬 Summary

Professor Hossein Motamedi is a seasoned microbiologist at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran, with a specialization in applied and industrial microbiology. Since joining the academic staff in 2006, he has made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture and environmental bioremediation. With an h-index of 36 and over 200 publications, he has been recognized four times as a top researcher at his university.

🎓 Education

Though specific degrees are not listed, Prof. Motamedi holds qualifications in microbiology that support his role as a professor and active researcher at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Experience

Prof. Motamedi has served as an academic staff member at Shahid Chamran University since 2006. He has led eight major research projects and has supervised/advised over 100 MSc and PhD theses. He also holds editorial roles, including with the Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology.

📚 Academic Citations

Google Scholar: h-index 36, i10-index 104
Publications: 201 research papers
Books (ISBNs): 9786001410611, 9786007304396
Patents: 2 national patents

🛠️ Technical Skills

  • Microbial biofertilizer development

  • Soil and waste bioremediation

  • Nanobiofertilizer formulation

  • Biorefinery of agricultural/industrial waste

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Over 18 years of academic service, guiding numerous postgraduate students in microbiology, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology.

🔬 Research Interests

  • Applied and industrial microbiology

  • Microbial biofertilizers (e.g., for Narcissus tazetta, sugarcane, alfalfa)

  • Soil bioremediation and environmental microbiology

  • Nanotechnology in agriculture

  • Agricultural waste valorization

📖Publications

Fabrication of zein nanofibrous scaffold containing Scrophularia striata extract for biomedical application
  • Authors: Yasin Salahshour, Saadat Rastegarzadeh, Hossein Motamedi, Elham Hoveizi
    Journal: Journal of Biological Engineering
    Year: 2025
Design, synthesis, structural characterization, and biological evaluation of dimeric mercury(II) complexes of phosphorus ylides with terminal azide ligands
  • Authors: Sepideh Samiee, Habib Rashedi, Valiollah Nobakht, Hossein Motamedi, Robert William Gable
    Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
    Year: 2025
Integrated biorefinery process for dual production of fermentable sugars and functional humic acids from lignocellulose
  • Authors: Mi Zhou, Rui Zhai, Xiaoyu Xie, Hossein Motamedi, Mingjie Jin
    Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
    Year: 2025
Comparative study of CaFe₂O₄ with nanocomposites CaFe₂O₄@SiO₂ and the effect of silica shell thickness on their physical and magnetic properties
  • Authors: E. Mohammadzadeh Shobegar, Seyed Ebrahim Mousavi Ghahfarokhi, Hossein Motamedi
    Journal: Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices
    Year: 2025
Chitosan/alginate hydrogel adorned with nanoemulsions for potential wound healing: Fabrication, characterization, and biocompatibility evaluation
  • Authors: Peyman Salehi, Fariba Heidarizadeh, Hossein Motamedi, Pooyan Makvandi
    Journal: Alexandria Engineering Journal
    Year: 2025

 

Rattan Lal | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Rattan Lal | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

The Ohio State University | United States

Author Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Lal earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture (1963) from PAU, India, followed by an M.Sc. in Soils (1965) from IARI, New Delhi. He completed his Ph.D. in Soils (1968) at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. He has received multiple honorary doctorates from globally recognized institutions, underscoring his academic impact.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Lal has served in numerous high-impact roles, including Director of the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (OSU), Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Defense (2023–2024), and Member of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD, 2022–2025). He has held academic and research positions across continents—India, Australia, Nigeria, Germany, and the USA. He is also affiliated with institutions such as the UNCCD, IUSS, and IFDC and continues to influence global soil and environmental policy through advisory roles.

🏛️ Academic and Scientific Citations

Dr. Lal has been Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Soil Science, Encyclopedia of Soil Science, and Soil & Tillage Research. He has authored or co-authored thousands of scientific papers and reports, contributing to major IPCC assessments and global initiatives like “4 per Thousand.” His citation metrics place him among the top-ranked agricultural scientists globally.

🧪 Technical Skills

Expertise in soil physics, carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, sustainable land management, agroecology, and nutrient cycling. He is proficient in both field and lab-based methodologies, modeling carbon fluxes, and advising on large-scale environmental assessments.

🎓 Teaching Experience

A lifelong educator, Dr. Lal has taught soil science at The Ohio State University since 1989, mentoring countless graduate students and researchers worldwide. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at several institutions, including the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and the University of Iceland, influencing agricultural education across borders.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Lal’s research spans soil health, soil carbon dynamics, climate change adaptation and mitigation, food security, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture. His interdisciplinary approach connects soil science with climate resilience, human health, and global development.

📖Publications

INTEGRATION OF COMPOST WITH MINERAL NPK FERTILIZERS FOR IMPROVING WHEAT YIELD AND SOIL HEALTH
  • Authors: Abdul A. Basir, Sikandar S. Iqbal, Muhammad M. Adnan, Zeki Z. Erden, Ayman El A.E. Sabagh

  • Journal: Pakistan Journal of Botany

  • Year: 2025

No-till systems restore soil organic carbon stock in Brazilian biomes and contribute to the climate solution
  • Authors: João Carlos De Moraes J.C.D.M. Sá, Rattan A. R.A. Lal, Klaus E. K.E. Lorenz, Daniel Ruiz Potma D.R.P. Gonçalves, Jeankleber J. Bortoluzzi

  • Journal: Science of the Total Environment

  • Year: 2025

Soil organic carbon stock for carbon credit in smallholder farms
  • Authors: Toru T. Nakajima, Fune F. Mizumoto, Mei M. Akiyama, Carla C. Gavilán, Rattan A. R.A. Lal

  • Journal: Agrosystems, Geosciences and Environment

  • Year: 2025

Restoring Soil Organic Matter Content for Managing Soil Health in Africa’s Agroecoregions
  • Author: Rattan A. R.A. Lal

  • Journal: Egyptian Journal of Soil Science

  • Year: 2025

Effects of biochar and cover crops on physical properties of two soils in Ohio
  • Authors: Sandhya S. Karki, Raj Kumar R.K. Shrestha, Rattan A. R.A. Lal, Klaus E. K.E. Lorenz, Laura E. L.E. Lindsey

  • Journal: Soil Science Society of America Journal

  • Year: 2025