Joseph Ovwemuvwose | Plant Ecology | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Joseph Ovwemuvwose | Plant Ecology | Research Excellence Award

Imperial College | United Kingdom

Dr. Joseph Ovwemuvwose is a Ph.D. candidate in next-generation global biogeochemical cycle modelling at Imperial College London (2022–2026), supervised by Prof. Ian C. Prentice and Dr. Heather Graven. He holds an MSc in Crop Improvement from the University of Nottingham and a BSc in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Benin. His research focuses on global carbon flux modelling, land-use change impacts, terrestrial biosphere models, and carbon cycle feedbacks under rising CO₂. He has developed algorithms in Python to classify global vegetation by carbon use, evaluated and compared multiple global models for land-use and CO₂ sensitivity, and is author of a manuscript (under review) on uncertainty in land carbon fluxes simulated by CMIP6 models. Beyond modelling, he has conducted experimental work on plant water uptake and carbon allocation using portable NMR during a post-graduate stint in Montpellier/IRD. His experience spans project coordination (including a pan-African modelling-training initiative), science communication (working with the Science Museum Group), and teaching at Imperial College. He has presented at multiple international conferences and secured funding for collaborative research. Recipient of a fully-funded Chevening MSc scholarship and a Shell Petroleum Development Company undergraduate scholarship, he combines strong academic credentials, interdisciplinary experience, and a passion for bridging science, education, and public engagement.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

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,

Sonia Malik | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Tissue Culture

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Prof. Dr. Sonia Malik | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Tissue Culture

Baba Farid Group of Institutions | India

Dr. Sonia Malik, Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology, is an accomplished researcher and academic leader currently serving as Professor and Dean of Research and Development at the Baba Farid Group of Institutions, India. She has produced more than 65 research publications (documents), which have collectively received over 1660 citations and earned her a strong h-index of 23, demonstrating her significant global scientific impact. Dr. Malik earned her PhD from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology & Guru Nanak Dev University in 2009, specializing in in vitro culture systems and secondary metabolite production. She has held prestigious research and teaching positions in India, Brazil, Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, France, and South America, contributing to major projects in plant metabolic engineering, hairy root cultures, hydroponic and aeroponic systems, phytochemical profiling, and nanoparticle-mediated elicitation. Her research focuses on the biotechnological production of high-value bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. She has received notable awards, including the Fellow Award from the Society for Plant Research (2025), along with competitive grants and fellowships from FAPESP, FAPEMA, and CNPq. Dr. Malik continues to advance interdisciplinary scientific progress worldwide through her roles as an editor, reviewer, symposium organizer, and invited speaker.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Jacinto, C., Javed, Y., Lavorato, G., Tarraga, W. A., Conde, B. I. C., Orozco, J. M., Picco, A. S., Garcia, J., Dias, C. S. B., Malik, S., et al. (2025). Biotransformation and biological fate of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical research and clinical applications. Nanoscale Advances.

Luz, T. R. S. A., Serejo, A. P. M., Moraes, M. B. C., Oliveira, J. A. R. N., Heena, Kumaraguru, G., Shanmugam, G., Malik, S., Amaral, F. M. M., & Coutinho, D. F. (2025). Essential oils to treat insomnia: Clinical-based studies. In Essential Oil-Bearing Plants.

Jacinto, C., Silva, W. F., Garcia, J., Zaragosa, G. P., Ilem, C. N. D., Sales, T. O., Santos, H. D. A., Conde, B. I. C., Barbosa, H. P., Malik, S., et al. (2025). Nanoparticles-based image-guided thermal therapy and temperature feedback. Journal of Materials Chemistry B.

Malik, S., Salvatore, M. M., Bauchet, L., Bruat, M., Roubinet, B., Carpin, S., Andolfi, A., Cimmino, A., Landemarre, L., Masi, M., et al. (2025, November). Hydroponic cultivation technique in Populus nigra (L.) for the sustainable production of root metabolites with antimicrobial and prebiotic potential for skin microbiota. Industrial Crops and Products.

Heena, Sharma, P., Shaveta, Sharma, D., Pawan, R., Coutinho, D. F., Arroo, R., & Malik, S. (2025, June 20). Exploring the bioactive components of Stevia essential oil and their versatile applications in the food, cosmetic, and agricultural domains. Chemistry & Biodiversity.

Leila Ma’mani | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Leila Ma’mani | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

ABRII | Iran

Dr. Leila Ma’mani is a distinguished Assistant Professor at the Department of Nanotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII). She obtained her B.Sc. from Bu-Ali Sina University, M.Sc. from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Tarbiat Modares University. She completed postdoctoral research in nanomaterials and nano-drug delivery at the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. At ABRII, she has served as Head of the Department of Nanotechnology and Secretary of the Nanotechnology Committee of Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture. Dr. Ma’mani has supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Sc. students and continues to guide emerging researchers in the field. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of nanoporous and organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite delivery systems, targeted and slow release of bioactive compounds, nano-pesticides, nutrient nanocarriers, enzyme and RNA stabilization, and magnetic nanomaterials. She has authored many high-impact publications, book chapters, and patents, with an h-index of 28 and 2272 citations and 76 Documentation. Her innovative contributions to agricultural nanotechnology have advanced sustainable, biocompatible solutions for controlled-release systems and green agricultural technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Eigharlou, M., Javidpoor, S., Mohammadi, A., Khelghatibana, F., Nami, Y., Ma’mani, L., & Sadeghi, A. (2024). Evaluation of herbicidal potential of siderophores produced by Amycolatopsis lurida strain 407. Scientific Reports.

Parnian, J., Ma’mani, L., Bakhtiari, M. R., & Safavi, M. (2024). Inhibition of EGFR1 in triple negative breast cancer cells using siRNA loaded with Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles. BioNanoScience.

Najafzadeh Nansa, M., Jokarshoorijeh, F., Tavakoli Hasanaklou, N., Ghorbanloo, M., Hosseni, R., & Ma’mani, L. (2024). Nanoformulation: An efficient approach to natural insect repellent formulations. Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology.

Ardali, T. R., Soleimanpour, L., Ma’mani, L., & Chorom, M. (2024). Opportunities and future perspective of nanofertilizers and controlled release nanofertilizers in agriculture. Journal of Water and Environmental Nanotechnology.

Shemshaki, N. S., Sharifi, K., Khodaparast, S. A., Mamani, L., & Mousanejad, S. (2024). The efficiency of mineral compounds for the control of strawberry blossom blight caused by Botrytis cinerea. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Sohail Abbas | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sohail Abbas | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

Henan university | China

Dr Sohail Abbas is a dedicated climate-science researcher currently serving as a National Young Talent Researcher at the College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China, with more than eight years of experience in academia and research. He holds a DPhil in Geography/Climate Science from Konkuk University (South Korea), an MPhil in Environmental Science from University of Punjab (Pakistan), and earlier degrees in Science and related fields. His work explores climate change dynamics, extreme precipitation, land-use impacts, geo-environmental modeling, and food-security outcomes—illustrated by studies such as his analysis of extreme precipitation trends in Pakistan’s warming climate. Throughout his career he has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, and currently his indices reflect an h-index of 13 with 604 citations across 34 documented publications. He is proficient in methods ranging from GIS/RS, statistical and econometric modeling, to numerical and physical climate simulation, and he has engaged widely in teaching, lecturing, research-assistancy and referee duties in Pakistan, Korea and China. His academic journey is marked by a strong commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and rigorous frameworks that link climate-variability, hydrology, agriculture, and socioeconomic systems. He continues to push towards enhanced understanding of climate-agriculture-resource interactions and to contribute to resilient, sustainable development in vulnerable regions.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Abbas, S., Haider, A., Kousar, S., Lu, H., Lu, S., Liu, F., Li, H., Miao, C., Feng, W., & Ahamad, M. I. (2025). Climate variability, population growth, and globalization impacting food security in Pakistan. Scientific Reports.

Abbas, S., Kashif, U., Kousar, S., Noor, S., Lu, H., & Lu, S. (2025, September). Machine learning-based prediction analysis for Australia sustainable transport: Optimal transportation mix equation for long-term policy planning and environmental impact mitigation. Energy.

Kashif, U., Abbas, S., Kousar, S., & Lu, H. (2025, June). Linking of bio-energy and carbon neutrality: Navigating economic policy uncertainty and climate change policy in the USA. Energy.

Ashraf, T., Ahamad, M. I., Mahmood, S., Fu, J., Mehmood, M. S., Rehman, A., Abbas, S., Naqvi, S. A. A., & Zulqarnain, R. M. (2025, January 27). Exploring hotspots of traffic accidents in Chiniot–Sargodha Road, Punjab, Pakistan. Environment, Development and Sustainability.

Yaseen, M., Abbas, S., & Latif, Y. (2024). Evaluating the effects of soil physicochemical properties under different land use types in the arid zones of Pakistan. Environment, Development and Sustainability.

Urjashi Bhattacharya | Agronomic Practices | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Urjashi Bhattacharya | Agronomic Practices | Best Researcher Award

The Neotia University | India

Dr. U. Bhattacharya is an agronomy scholar and educator with a doctoral degree specializing in conservation agriculture, climate-smart farming, and integrated nutrient management. Over four years as a university research scholar, she has conducted intensive research on rice–pulse cropping systems, focusing on enhancing ecosystem services (soil, air, and water) in the Gangetic Plains through sustainable agronomic practices. Her M.Sc. work examined the effects of nitrogen levels on a heat-tolerant potato variety, while her Ph.D. thesis explored the management of rice followed by lentil under conservation tillage and varying nutrient doses. She participated in the SRFSI project (in collaboration with ACIAR) in the Eastern Gangetic Plains, gaining experience in resilient farming system intensification. Dr. Bhattacharya is proficient in experiment planning, statistical analysis, instrument handling, and scientific communication, and has presented her research at several national and international seminars on soil health, sustainable agriculture, agrochemicals, climate resilience, and biodiversity. She has published multiple peer-reviewed papers in crop science and agronomy, holds an h-index of 4 with six publications and 294 citations, and has received certificates of excellence in peer review along with a design patent for a portable crop diagnostic spectrometer. Passionate about advancing agricultural education and research, she aspires to excel as a faculty member in plant science academia, inspiring students through innovative teaching and pursuing high-impact interdisciplinary research in sustainable agriculture.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bhattacharya, U., & Sarkar, S. (2018). Conservation agriculture: A climate-smart approach to achieve zero hunger. Current Advances in Agricultural Sciences, 18(2), 78–83.

Bhattacharya, U., Saha, A., & Saha, A. (2019). Response of heat tolerant variety (Kufri Surya) of potato (Solanum tuberosum) under different levels of nitrogen. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 37(1), 1–7.

Bhattacharya, U., Sarkar, S., & Dewanjee, S. (2019). Bio-efficacy evaluation of oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC for controlling weeds in potato crop. Journal of Crop and Weed, 15(3), 201–208.

Maitra, S., Hossain, A., Brestic, M., Skalicky, M., Ondrisik, P., Gitari, H., Brahmachari, K., Shankar, T., Bhadra, P., Palai, J. B., Jena, J., Bhattacharya, U., Duvvada, S. K., Lalichetti, S., & Sairam, M. (2021). Intercropping—A low input agricultural strategy for food and environmental security. Agronomy, 11(2), 1–28.

Bhattacharya, U., Naskar, M. K., Venugopalan, V. K., Sarkar, S., Bandopadhyay, P., Maitra, S., Gaber, A., Alsuhaibani, A. M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Implications of minimum tillage and integrated nutrient management on yield and soil health of rice-lentil cropping system – being a resource conservation technology. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, Article 1225986.