Asabeneh Munuyee | Forestry | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Asabeneh Munuyee | Forestry | Research Excellence Award

Ethiopian Forestry Developmnet, Bahir Dar Center | Ethiopia

Asabeneh Alemayehu Munuyee is a senior researcher in forest economics and policy with over ten years of experience in natural capital valuation, ecosystem services, and socio-ecological systems. He holds multiple master’s degrees in geo-informatics, natural resource economics, and tropical forestry, including DAAD-funded training in Germany. Currently serving as Senior Researcher and Program Coordinator at Ethiopian Forestry Development, he leads interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research using advanced econometric and spatial methods. His research focuses on forest governance, land-use change, and sustainable value chains. Recognized through international training and scholarships, he aims to advance evidence-based forest management for sustainable development.

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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)

Alihan Katlav | Crop Protection | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Alihan Katlav | Crop Protection | Research Excellence Award

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University | Australia

Alihan Katlav, PhD, is an agricultural entomologist specializing in biological control, insect–microbe interactions, and integrated pest management. He earned his PhD in Agricultural Entomology from Western Sydney University and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. His research integrates molecular, ecological, and field-based approaches to develop sustainable, pollinator-safe pest management strategies, particularly using entomopathogenic nematodes against honey bee pests. He has published extensively in high-impact journals, serves as an Associate Editor for leading entomology journals, and has received multiple competitive national and international research awards, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture and pollinator health.

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Linchao Li | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Innovator Award

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Dr. Linchao Li | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Innovator Award

Inner Mongolia Agricultural University | China

Linchao Li is an agricultural and environmental scientist specializing in climate change impacts on crop systems, extreme weather analysis, and data-driven yield prediction. He is currently an Associate Professor at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University and previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University, with international research experience as a joint PhD student at the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia. Dr. Li earned his PhD in Agricultural Resources and Environment from Northwest A&F University, following a master’s degree in Hydraulic Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Water Conservation Engineering. His research integrates machine learning, crop modeling, and multi-source environmental data to improve projections of crop yield, drought risk, precipitation extremes, and greenhouse gas emissions under climate change. He has published extensively in leading journals such as One Earth, Nature Food, Global Change Biology, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, and Communications Earth & Environment. His work contributes to reducing uncertainty in agricultural climate impact assessments and supporting climate-resilient farming systems. Dr. Li has participated in nationally and internationally funded research projects related to climate adaptation, drought evolution, and sustainable agriculture. With strong expertise in R, MATLAB, GIS, APSIM, AquaCrop, and hydrological models, he continues to advance interdisciplinary research bridging climate science, agronomy, and decision-support systems.

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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,

Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection | Iran

Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini is a leading weed scientist and agronomist whose academic career is built on a B.Sc. in Agronomy & Plant Breeding from Shiraz University, an M.Sc. in Agronomy from Isfahan University of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Weed Science from the University of Tehran, where he focused on pioneering GIS applications for weed management in wheat and canola crops. With over two decades of service at the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP), he has advanced from Research Instructor to Research Professor, while holding key leadership roles including Deputy for Research & Technology, Secretary of the Agronomy Taskforce at AREEO, and Head of the Weed Research Department. His scholarly contributions include 10 documented publications, which have achieved 83 citations with an h-index of 5, underlining his scientific impact in the field. His research interests span weed biology, integrated weed management, herbicide physiology, parasitic weeds such as broomrape, and precision agriculture using GIS and remote sensing. He is also the author of notable scientific books including “Biology and Management of Water Hyacinth” and “Sunflower Plant Protection Handbook.” His work supports innovation in sustainable weed control and strengthens global agricultural productivity.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Moeini, M. M., Haghighi, A., Kootiani, M. S., & Samadani, B. (2023). Evaluation of Bentazon + Dichlorprop for control of noxious broadleaf weeds in wheat fields of Iran. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Mamnoie, E., Karaminejad, M. R., Aliverdi, A., & Moeini, M. M. (2022). Application efficacy of newly released pre-mixed herbicide in winter wheat: Joystick®. Journal of Agricultural Science, Estonian Academic Agricultural Society.

Veisi, M., Moeini, M. M., Jahedi, A., Mansoori, M. S., & Sabeti, P. (2022). Weed control efficacy: Response of chickpea to pre- and post-emergence herbicides. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Hadizadeh, M. H., Karaminejad, M. R., Zangeneh, H. S., Jamali, M., & Haghighi, A. A. (2022). Efficacy of fluroxypyr compared with common broadleaf herbicides in the wheat fields. Journal of Iranian Plant Protection Research.

Moeini, M. M. (2021). Germination biology and phenological development stages of false jagged-chickweed (Lepyrodiclis holosteoides). Journal of Plant Protection Research.

Hyun Je Oh | Climate Change | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Hyun Je Oh | Climate Change | Research Excellence Award

KICT/UST | South Korea

Hyun Je Oh is a seasoned civil and environmental engineer whose academic journey at Yonsei University includes a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a master’s in Environmental Engineering, and a doctorate in Civil & Environmental Engineering. He has built a long-standing career as a Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT), while also serving as a Professor at the University of Science & Technology (UST), contributing extensively to education and research mentorship. Over his professional tenure, he has led more than one hundred national research and development projects, focusing on advancing technologies in water treatment, wastewater management, water quality evaluation, and sustainable environmental engineering practices. His scholarly achievements include more than fifty peer-reviewed publications, most of them indexed at the SCI(E) level, and over four hundred academic presentations, demonstrating a strong impact across the scientific community. Additionally, he has driven innovation through numerous patent applications, many of which have been granted, resulting in multiple successful technology transfers to industry. He is a certified Professional Engineer in Water & Wastewater Engineering, and his research efforts continue to strengthen the development of clean water solutions, environmental policy, and infrastructure sustainability, ensuring meaningful contributions to public health and environmental protection.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

(2026). Optimal data pooling from multiple waterbodies to improve machine-learning predictions of cyanobacterial blooms. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology.

(2026). Evaluating circulation-type MCDI as a dual-function system for ion removal and enrichment. Desalination.

(2025). Comparative analysis of MCDI and circulation-MCDI performance under symmetric and asymmetric cycle modes at pilot scale. Sustainability,

(2025). Enhanced desalination performance of pilot-scale membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) system with circulation process. Desalination.

(2024). Performance optimization of a pilot-scale membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) system operating with circulation process. Separation and Purification 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,

Babar Iqbal | Plant Physiology | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Babar Iqbal | Plant Physiology | Editorial Board Member

Jiangsu University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Babar Iqbal is an environmental biotechnologist at Jiangsu University (School of Environment & Safety Engineering) in China, whose work addresses major challenges in agroecosystems such as microplastic pollution, soil microbial health, and toxic metal stress. He leads projects on the mechanisms by which microplastic contamination affects crop physiology, soil microbial metabolism, and carbon‐use efficiency, including investigations on wheat  under cadmium stress. He co-authored an open-access Frontiers Ecology & Evolution paper on how soil microplastics affect Oryza sativa root traits under alien plant invasion. His other recent research includes the regulation of soil microbial metabolism through changes in plant communities in wetlands. On his university profile, he is noted as the principal investigator of a major project (2024–25) investigating the combined effects of microplastic and invasive plant contamination on wheat. His research interests center on sustainable agriculture, soil ecotoxicology, microbial ecology, and bio-remediation of polluted soils. Dr. Iqbal has contributed to both fundamental research and applied strategies, such as biochar-based remediation of contaminated soils. He also serves as corresponding author on several high-impact review articles, reflecting leadership in his field. Overall, his work is helping to build more resilient, sustainable agricultural systems in the face of emerging environmental threats.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Nazir, M. J., Li, G., Nazir, M. M., Zulfiqar, F., Siddique, K. H. M., Iqbal, B., & Du, D. (2024). Harnessing soil carbon sequestration to address climate change challenges in agriculture. Soil and Tillage Research.

Iqbal, B., Zhao, T., Yin, W., Zhao, X., Xie, Q., Khan, K. Y., Zhao, X., Nazar, M., Li, G., … (2023). Impacts of soil microplastics on crops: A review. Applied Soil Ecology.

Iqbal, B., Li, G., Alabbosh, K. F., Hussain, H., Khan, I., Tariq, M., Javed, Q., … (2023). Advancing environmental sustainability through microbial reprogramming in growth improvement, stress alleviation, and phytoremediation. Plant Stress.

Zahoor, R., Zhao, W., Dong, H., Snider, J. L., Abid, M., Iqbal, B., & Zhou, Z. (2017). Potassium improves photosynthetic tolerance to and recovery from episodic drought stress in functional leaves of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Nazar, M., Xu, L., Ullah, M. W., Moradian, J. M., Wang, Y., Sethupathy, S., Iqbal, B., … (2022). Biological delignification of rice straw using laccase from Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 for bioethanol production: A clean approach for agro-biomass utilization. Journal of Cleaner Production

Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan | China

Dr. Muhammad Imran is a plant pathologist currently working as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the School of Biological Engineering at Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China. He earned his PhD (2018–2022) in Arid Land Agriculture (Crop Protection) from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, after completing an MPhil in Plant Pathology from China Agricultural University and a Bachelor’s in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. His Google Scholar profile shows , reflecting a growing research impact. On ResearchGate he lists about 25 publications and 211 citations. Dr. Imran’s research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, with a strong interest in biological control of plant diseases, using beneficial microorganisms such as endophytes, fungi (Trichoderma), and bacteria combined with nanotechnology (e.g., zinc nanoparticles) to sustainably manage pathogens like Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea. He has participated in projects dealing with fungicide resistance, deploying integrated disease management strategies, and exploring eco-friendly biocontrol agents. He has published in high-impact journals, including work on Trichoderma culture filtrates for early blight suppression, and co-authored studies on zinc nanoparticle-mediated induction of plant defense. Dr. Imran’s commitment to reducing chemical pesticide use and promoting green agriculture reflects his broader vision of strengthening crop resilience while safeguarding ecosystems.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Imran, M., Alomran, M. M., Khalifa, H. A., Bilal, M. S., Ahmed, A. F., Ali, E. F., Alqurashi, A. S., Aldayel, M. F., & Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M. (2025). Exploring smart solutions for stressed soils: Dual-action of culture filtrates and nanoparticles for sustainable onion cultivation. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Feng, X., Shi, Y., Sun, Z., Li, L., Imran, M., Zhang, G., Zhang, G., & Li, C. (2025). Control of Fusarium graminearum infection in wheat by dsRNA-based spray-induced gene silencing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Sahibzada, K. I., Shahid, S., Akhter, M., Faisal, M., Abd El Rahman, R. A., Imran, M., Lv, Y., Wei, D., & Hu, Y. (2025). Advancing enzyme-based detoxification prediction with ToxZyme: An ensemble machine learning approach. Toxins

Imran, M., Khalifa, H. A., Sun, Z., Bilal, M. S., Abd El-Wahed, M. H., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, E. F., & Li, C. (2025). Insights into the dynamics of biochemical profile and relative gene expression of cucumber fruits associated with Fusarium spoilage. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, Advance online publication.

Imran, M., Sun, Z., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, H., Aldayel, M. F., & Li, C. (2024). One stone two birds: Endophytes alleviating trace elements accumulation and suppressing soilborne pathogen by stimulating plant growth, photosynthetic potential and defense-related gene expression. Journal of Hazardous Materials.