Miriam Patti | Ethnobotany | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Miriam Patti | Ethnobotany | Best Researcher Award

Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria | Italy

Miriam Patti is a research fellow at the Department of Agraria, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria. Her work focuses on ethnobotanical surveys, germination and domestication tests, and phytochemical analyses of Mediterranean plant species. She has conducted applied research in ethnobotany, biodiversity conservation, and urban greening through green wall design in Mediterranean contexts. She has presented her findings at international conferences and authored several peer‑reviewed publications. Her background also includes community‑focused work, such as cataloguing and preserving regional botanical heritage. Widely recognized for bridging traditional knowledge and urban sustainability, she continues to contribute towards conservation and ecological education in Southern Italy.

Author Profile

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Education

Miriam earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences with a thesis on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ethnobotanical cultural heritage. The program included ethnobotanical survey work, species domestication trials, and phytochemical analysis of southern Italian endemic plants. Complementary certifications include C2-level English, Eipass, CLIL, SKILL certifications in interactive whiteboard, tablet, and coding, as well as professional training in food industry operation and GDPR compliance. Her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in food science and technology provided a foundation in plant biochemistry, nutritional science, and regulatory frameworks—supporting her interdisciplinary work in ethnobotany and sustainable urban greening.

Professional Experience

Miriam currently serves as Research Fellow at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, leading a green walls design project adapted to Mediterranean urban contexts. During her Ph.D., she conducted ethnobotanical studies, domestication trials, and phytochemical characterization for Mediterranean species. She also acted as tutor for a cultural‑botanical digitization project with the Reggio Calabria Rotary Club, cataloguing heritage archives and engaging students in preservation efforts. Earlier she volunteered in civil service, supporting care for people with cognitive or psychophysical challenges. Her work integrates academic research, outreach, and community involvement, reflecting her broad professional engagement across horticultural science and cultural heritage preservation.

Awards and Recognition

Miriam Patti has achieved academic and professional recognition in plant sciences, particularly for her contributions to ethnobotany and sustainable urban ecology. She has been invited to international conferences for her green wall research and published extensively in reputable journals such as Buildings, Ethnobotany Research and Applications, Heliyon, and Plant Biosystems. Her Ph.D. was awarded with highest honors. She has contributed to edited volumes with Springer, and she was selected to present at high-profile botanical congresses in Italy and Portugal. Her interdisciplinary approach—combining traditional botanical knowledge and modern design—has earned her increasing visibility in academics and applied environmental planning.

Research Skills

Miriam Patti brings expertise in ethnobotanical survey methodology, germination and domestication trials of target species, phytochemical analysis, and habitat‑template design for green walls. She is skilled in botanical identification, field sampling, statistical data analysis, and ecological interpretation. Her interdisciplinary training covers food science, ethnobotany, biodiversity monitoring, and applied botanical conservation. She is adept at digitizing archives, coordinating community‑based heritage projects, and preparing scientific publications. She communicates fluently in English and Italian, and holds certifications in CLIL, ICT (interactive whiteboard, tablet, coding), demonstrating her capacity for educational innovation alongside botanical research.

Conclusion

Miriam Patti demonstrates a thoughtful combination of scientific excellence, cultural engagement, and applied ecology. Her research bridges ethnobotanical knowledge, biodiversity conservation, and urban sustainability through projects like green wall design and domestication of culturally significant plants. With strong publication credentials, community-driven outreach, and interdisciplinary training, she is a compelling candidate for academic and sustainability awards. Her innovative integration of traditional plant science with urban ecological design positions her to make significant future contributions to botanically informed planning and education. As her career advances, she is well poised to influence conservation policy, urban biodiversity, and cross-disciplinary research.

Publications

Patti, M., Musarella, C.M., & Spampinato, G. (2025). A Habitat‑Template Approach to Green Wall Design in Mediterranean Cities. Buildings, 15(14), 2557.

Patti, M., Musarella, C.M., Laface, V.L.A., & Spampinato, G. (2025). Ethnobotanical survey in the Graecanic Area of Calabria (Southern Italy): a treasure chest of biodiversity and traditions at risk of extinction. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 30.

Patti, M., Musarella, C.M., & Spampinato, G. (2025). Ethnobotanical Knowledge in Calabria (Southern Italy): a summary review. Heliyon.

Patti, M., Aci, M.M., Tassone, M.T., & Musarella, C.M. (2025). A review of Opuntia ficus‑indica ethnobotany in Italy and North Africa. RJEES, 5.

Patti, M., Musarella, C.M., Postiglione, S.M., et al. (2024). Ethnobotanical studies on the Tyrrhenian side of Aspromonte Massif (Southern Italy). Plant Biosystems.

Musarella, C.M., Patti, M., Laface, V.L.A., & Spampinato, G. (2024). An overview of ethnobotanical knowledge for enhancement of plant food and economies in Calabria region — case study. Vegetos.

Duggireddy Mahesh Reddy | Plant Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Duggireddy Mahesh Reddy | Plant Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University | India

D. Mahesh Reddy is a passionate researcher specializing in horticulture, with a strong focus on floriculture and landscaping. With extensive experience in biotechnology-based crop genetics, he has worked on genetic diversity, crop improvement, and sustainable cultivation practices, particularly in ornamental and medicinal plants. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Dr. YSR Horticultural University and has actively contributed to research, publications, and academic events. His expertise is demonstrated in molecular characterization, plant tissue culture, and SSR marker analysis. Mahesh aims to serve in academia as an Assistant Professor, contributing to education, innovation, and scientific excellence in horticulture.

Author Profile

Scopus

Education 

D. Mahesh Reddy is pursuing a Ph.D. in Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscaping) at Dr. YSR Horticultural University, expected to submit his thesis in 2025. He completed his M.Sc. in Horticulture from Central Agricultural University, Imphal, and his B.Sc. (Horticulture) from Dr. YSRHU. He also completed intermediate and SSC education in Andhra Pradesh with distinction. His academic projects have focused on morphological and molecular characterization of orchids and genetic diversity studies in Crossandra species. He has hands-on experience in nursery management, ELP projects, RHWEP, and various cultivation techniques including protected cultivation of floricultural crops.

Professional Experience

Mahesh Reddy served as a Consultant at the A.P. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Board, Vijayawada, for three months, supporting technical research and outreach for medicinal plant cultivation. He contributed to planning awareness programs and technical documentation. He has qualified the ASRB National Eligibility Test (NET) in 2023 for Assistant Professor roles. His research training includes experimental work at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, and academic institutions in Arunachal Pradesh. Mahesh also gained practical exposure through hands-on training programs, workshops, and internships, particularly in molecular biology, biotechnology, and nursery and field-level horticultural practices.

Awards and Recognition 

D. Mahesh Reddy received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Ornamental Horticulture (TNAU, 2025) for his work on SSR-based diversity in Crossandra. He has been invited to present in national and international seminars and conferences, including ICAR-IIHR and DFR, Pune. His research presentations and poster displays at national symposiums and webinars highlight his active academic engagement. His qualification in the ASRB-NET exam (2023) adds to his academic credentials. Additionally, he has co-authored multiple high-impact journal publications, five book chapters, and four popular articles, showcasing consistent scholarly contribution in horticultural science.

Research Skills 

Mahesh possesses strong expertise in molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA fingerprinting using SSR markers. He is proficient in using bioinformatics tools like NTSYS, MEGA, GeneAlex, and STRUCTURE for genetic analysis. His research integrates morphological and molecular approaches to assess genetic diversity in ornamental crops like Dendrobium and Crossandra. He has experience in nursery techniques, protected cultivation, vermicomposting, and field experimentation including trait analysis and statistical interpretation. His understanding of horticultural biotechnology is supported by trainings from IARI, ICAR-IIHR, and CAU, making him adept at both lab-based and field-oriented research activities.

Publications

Reddy, D. M., Safeena, S. A., Chandrashekar, N., Srinivas, P. T., Kumar, P. N., Arivalagan, M., & Sonavane, P. (2025). Deciphering genetic diversity and population structure in Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis L.) genotypes based on SSR markers. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution.
Reddy, D. M., Momin, K. C., Singh, A. K., Kumar, S., Wangchu, L., & Bhargav, V. (2024). Genetic diversity of Dendrobium species revealed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Reddy, D. M., Momin, K. C., Bhargav, V., Kumar, S., Singh, A. K., & Arun Kumar, P. (2025). Phenotyping and diversity assessment of Dendrobium species by using DUS guidelines. Plant Science Today
Reddy, D. M., Momin, K. C., Bhargav, V., Kumar, S., Singh, A., & Phurailatpam, A. (2024). Morphological characterization of Dendrobium orchid species of East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Journal of Horticultural Sciences
Reddy, D. M., Momin, K. C., Bhargav, V., Lego, N., Chakradhar, P., Siva Teja, V., & Mahesh, U. (2025). Genetic variability and character association analysis of various quantitative traits of orchids (Dendrobium spp.) from the East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Journal of Applied Horticulture