Busisiwe Vilakazi | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Busisiwe Vilakazi | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

University of Mpumalanga | South Africa

Busisiwe Vilakazi is a Lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga, specializing in plant production and sustainable agriculture. She recently submitted her PhD thesis and has a master’s degree in plant production. Her research primarily focuses on food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and the role of neglected legumes in smallholder farming systems. She actively supervises postgraduate students, contributes to departmental committees, and participates in collaborative research addressing agricultural challenges. Beyond academia, she serves as an Editorial Board Member and reviewer for Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, demonstrating her commitment to advancing agricultural knowledge and strengthening research communities globally.

Author Profile

Education 

Busisiwe Vilakazi has built a strong academic foundation in agricultural sciences. She holds a master’s degree in plant production, equipping her with in-depth knowledge of crop management, agronomy, and sustainable farming systems. She has recently completed her PhD thesis, which is under external examination, reflecting her dedication to advancing research on food security and climate resilience. Her doctoral studies focus on the integration of neglected legumes into smallholder farming systems, emphasizing crop diversification as a pathway to sustainability. This academic progression demonstrates her commitment to combining theoretical expertise with applied agricultural solutions to address pressing global challenges.

Professional Experience 

Busisiwe Vilakazi serves as a Lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga, where she teaches, mentors postgraduate students, and engages in departmental leadership. She has completed multiple research projects addressing crop diversification, resilience under climate stress, and smallholder farmer development. Her consultancy work includes a collaborative project with the Water Research Commission and Old Mutual, where she contributes to building food gardens in rural schools across South Africa to enhance food security and climate adaptation. She is also an Editorial Board Member and reviewer for international journals, further expanding her role as an academic, researcher, and thought leader in agricultural sciences.

Awards and Recognition 

Busisiwe Vilakazi is gaining recognition for her contributions to sustainable agriculture and food security research. Her work on socioeconomic drivers of crop diversification has been published in peer-reviewed journals and republished as a book chapter in the Prime Archives in Sustainability, highlighting its significance in global agricultural discussions. She is also an Editorial Board Member of Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, a role that underscores her standing in the academic community. Her research impact, growing citation record, and involvement in prestigious collaborative projects demonstrate her potential as an emerging leader in plant sciences, meriting recognition through research and innovation awards.

Research Skills 

Busisiwe Vilakazi’s research skills encompass both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including the use of structured questionnaires, multiple linear regression, and multivariate probit regression models. She is experienced in designing field experiments, evaluating cropping systems, and analyzing the agronomic performance of neglected legumes under various environmental conditions. Her expertise extends to assessing physiological responses of crops to water stress, seed quality, and resilience strategies for smallholder farmers. Additionally, she integrates socio-economic assessments with agronomic research to provide holistic insights. Her ability to merge applied agricultural science with community-based solutions demonstrates her multidisciplinary approach to advancing food security and climate resilience.

Publications

Vilakazi, B*., Odindo, A.O., Phophi, M.M., & Mafongoya, P.L. (2025). “Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Crop Diversification Among Smallholder Farmers in Bergville, South Africa” in Agriculture.

Vilakazi, B*., Mafongoya, P.L., Odindo, A.O., & Phophi, M.M. (2025). “The Role of Neglected Grain Legumes in Food and Nutrition Security and Human Health” in Sustainability.

Vilakazi, B*., Mafongoya, P.L., Odindo, A.O., & Phophi, M.M. (2025). “Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Willingness to Cultivate Neglected Legumes and Their Selection of Suitable Planting Dates” in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

Vilakazi, B*., Ogola, J.B.O., Odindo, A.O., & Ncama, K. (2023). “Water Stress Affected Seed Accumulation of Non-Reducing Soluble Sugars and Germination Performance of Three Chickpea Cultivars” in Legume Research – An International Journal,

Conclusion 

In summary, Busisiwe Vilakazi exemplifies a new generation of agricultural scientists committed to addressing global challenges of food security, climate change, and sustainability. Through her academic research, professional experience, and community-focused projects, she bridges the gap between science and practical solutions for smallholder farmers. Her work highlights the importance of neglected legumes in improving resilience, nutrition, and livelihoods. With publications in respected journals, involvement in high-impact projects, and recognition through editorial roles, she is well-positioned to make lasting contributions to agricultural development. Busisiwe Vilakazi’s career trajectory reflects dedication, innovation, and leadership in advancing sustainable food systems.

Mohammad Faisal | Plant Sciences | Excellence in Plant Research

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Prof. Dr. Mohammad Faisal | Plant Sciences | Excellence in Plant Research

King Saud University | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mohammad Faisal is a Professor of Plant Biotechnology in the Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. He earned his Ph.D. in Botany from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), India, specializing in plant tissue culture and biotechnology. With postdoctoral training in Spain and India, he brings over 16 years of experience in plant biotechnology research. Dr. Faisal is renowned for his work on in vitro plant regeneration, molecular characterization, and nanoparticle-plant interactions. His academic contributions include 172 peer-reviewed publications and editorial roles in reputed journals, reflecting his leadership in sustainable plant biotechnology.

Author Profile

Orcid ID

Google Scholar

Education 

Dr. Faisal holds a BSc (Hons), MSc, MPhil, and PhD in Botany from Aligarh Muslim University, India, where his research focused on plant tissue culture and biotechnology. His PhD thesis explored tissue culture and regeneration in Tylophora indica and Rauvolfia tetraphylla. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one at AMU under the DST Fast-track scheme, and the other at Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Madrid, Spain, under Spain’s Ministry of Science & Innovation. He further expanded his expertise at Kangwon National University, South Korea, focusing on advanced techniques in plant genetic engineering and in vitro systems.

Professional Experience 

Dr. Faisal currently serves as a Professor at King Saud University since August 2023, following his roles as Associate Professor (2017–2023) and Assistant Professor (2011–2017). Prior to joining KSU, he held postdoctoral fellowships at CIB Madrid and AMU, and earlier research roles as SRF and Project Fellow at AMU. He has led and participated in various national and international research projects, contributing significantly to tissue culture protocols, crop improvement, and environmental biotechnology. With over 16 years of post-PhD experience, his work bridges academic research and applied biotechnology with a global impact in plant sciences.

Awards and Recognition 

Dr. Faisal has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Excellence of Research Award (2023) by ISAHRD and the Outstanding Scientist Award (2021) by VDGOOD Professional Association. He was honored with the Plant Biotechnologist Award (2017) and the Scientist of the Year Award (2015) by SESR and the National Environmental Science Academy, respectively. He is an elected Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, UK, and SESR, and serves as an international panel expert for the Czech Academy of Sciences. His academic excellence has also been recognized through editorial appointments in journals like Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture and Plant Biotechnology Reports.

Research Skills 

Dr. Faisal specializes in plant tissue culture, in vitro morphogenesis, mass propagation, and genetic transformation of economically important plant species. He employs molecular, phytochemical, and anatomical tools to characterize tissue culture-derived plantlets. His pioneering work includes synthetic seed technology for germplasm conservation and evaluating plant responses to nanoparticles. He has led multiple funded projects in environmental biotechnology and crop improvement. With 172 publications and a strong citation record, his research is both foundational and applied, addressing biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and plant-environment interactions using cutting-edge biotechnological techniques.

Conclusion 

Prof. Mohammad Faisal exemplifies leadership in plant biotechnology through his impactful research, prolific publication record, and international collaborations. His contributions span fundamental studies and applied innovations in crop improvement, plant tissue culture, and nanotechnology applications. As a research leader, he continues to shape global discourse on sustainable agriculture and germplasm preservation. Through editorial work, professional memberships, and translational research, he actively promotes scientific progress. His expertise and dedication position him as a role model and mentor in the global scientific community, making him a worthy candidate for recognition in academic excellence and plant biotechnology advancement.

Publications

Cokuraj, M., Manokari, M., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., & Shekhawat, M.S. (2025). Synergistic effects of growth regulators and silicon nanoparticles on enhancing morpho-structural stability in Vitex agnus-castus L. plantlets. South African Journal of Botany, 2025

Munir, M., Ahmad, K., Khan, Z.I., Akhtar, S., Nadeem, M., Ashfaq, A., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., Nazir, H.M., & Malik, I.S. (2025). Trophic transfer of arsenic in the food chain from selected crops grown in long-term wastewater contaminated soil. Agricultural Water Management, 2025

Manokari, M., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., & Shekhawat, M.S. (2025). Unveiling the stimulatory effect of silicon nanoparticles on the direct regeneration and micro-structural developments in Cadaba trifoliata (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. Environmental Science: Nano, 2025

Fazal, U., Zada, A., Hanif, M., Lee, S.Y., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., Sultana, T., & Sohail. (2025). Green Myco-Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Cortinarius sp.: Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Potential for Biomedical Applications. Microorganisms, 2025

Manokari, M., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., & Shekhawat, M.S. (2024). In vitro regeneration and micro-morpho-anatomical characterization of leaves towards epiphytic adaptation in Aechmea bracteata (Sw.) Griseb. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant, 2024

Mani, M., Faisal, M., Alatar, A.A., & Shekhawat, M.S. (2024). In vitro propagation and assessment of the impact of nano silicon on growth and structural developments in Neomarica longifolia (Link & Otto) Sprague (Yellow Iris). South African Journal of Botany, 2024