Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar | Plant Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar | Plant Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Rana Muhammad Amir Gulzar is a plant pathologist and researcher affiliated with Zhejiang University, China. He earned his PhD in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from Zhejiang University and an MSc (Hons.) in Plant Pathology from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan. His experience includes academic teaching, agro-field training, project field coordination, and industry-linked crop management roles. His research focuses on plant–pathogen interactions, calcium signaling, stress-responsive gene families, and molecular mechanisms of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crops, particularly Brassica species and cotton. A recipient of a Chinese Government Scholarship and a Gold Medal, he contributes impactful research toward sustainable crop protection and stress-resilient agriculture.

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Featured Publications

Mahendar Thudi | Plant Genetics | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Mahendar Thudi | Plant Genetics | Editorial Board Member

Fort Valley State university | United States

Mahendar Thudi, PhD, is a distinguished plant geneticist and genomics researcher currently serving as a Research Professional at Fort Valley State University, Georgia, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He previously worked as Associate Professor at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University and spent over a decade at ICRISAT contributing extensively to chickpea genomics and molecular breeding. Dr. Thudi holds a PhD in Plant Sciences (2010) from the University of Hyderabad, an MS in Plant Biotechnology, and a BS in Agriculture. His research spans genetics and plant breeding, genomics, multi-omics, biotic and abiotic stress biology, and crop improvement in chickpea, sorghum, pearl millet, lentils, peanut, and wheat. Dr. Thudi has received several honors, including the Fellow of Telangana Academy of Sciences and multiple Exceptional Scientific Article Awards. With active international collaborations and editorial roles in leading journals, he continues to advance genomics-based breeding and global food security.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Varshney, R. K., Song, C., Saxena, R. K., Azam, S., Yu, S., Sharpe, A. G., Cannon, S., … (2013). Draft genome sequence of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) provides a resource for trait improvement. Nature Biotechnology.

Varshney, R. K., Shi, C., Thudi, M., Mariac, C., Wallace, J., Qi, P., Zhang, H., Zhao, Y., … (2017). Pearl millet genome sequence provides a resource to improve agronomic traits in arid environments. Nature Biotechnology.

Varshney, R. K., Thudi, M., Nayak, S. N., Gaur, P. M., Kashiwagi, J., … (2014). Genetic dissection of drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

Varshney, R. K., Thudi, M., Roorkiwal, M., He, W., Upadhyaya, H. D., Yang, W., … (2019). Resequencing of 429 chickpea accessions from 45 countries provides insights into genome diversity, domestication and agronomic traits. Nature Genetics.

Thudi, M., Upadhyaya, H. D., Rathore, A., Gaur, P. M., Krishnamurthy, L., … (2014). Genetic dissection of drought and heat tolerance in chickpea through genome-wide and candidate gene-based association mapping approaches.

Aladji Abatchoua Madi Madi Ibram | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Aladji Abatchoua Madi Madi Ibram | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

University of Ebolowa | Cameroon

Dr. Aladji Abatchoua Madi Madi Ibram is a distinguished researcher in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the University of Ebolowa, Cameroon. He holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding and has demonstrated strong expertise in the application of advanced statistical tools such as DIAL 98 and GEST 98 for diallel crosses and genotype-by-environment interaction studies. His research primarily focuses on the genetic improvement of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), emphasizing the development of high-yielding and nutritionally enriched varieties with significant biochemical compounds to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security. Dr. Ibram’s scientific contributions are reflected in his publications in reputed journals such as Springer’s Journal of Applied Genetics and Vegetos, where his studies on genetic variability and combining ability have been well recognized. He also serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Genetics and Genomics. His research collaborations with the Institute for Agricultural Research and Development further underscore his commitment to enhancing crop productivity through innovative breeding strategies. Dr. Ibram was honored as the Best Researcher in the category of Multivariate Analysis, showcasing his excellence and dedication to advancing plant genetic research.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Aladji Abatchoua Madi Madi Ibram. (2025). Genetic analysis of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for root traits, yield components and seed yield. Journal of Applied Genetics.

Sanjay Kumar Katiyar | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Katiyar | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

CGIAR- AfricaRice | Côte d’Ivoire

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Katiyar is an accomplished geneticist and global agricultural research leader with over three decades of expertise in crop breeding, genetics, and agricultural innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and completed postdoctoral research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Currently serving as Program Leader for Genetic Diversity & Improvement at CGIAR-AfricaRice, Director of the CGIAR Global Rice Breeding Platform (AfricaRice, IRRI, and CIAT), and Co-Lead of CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow—Accelerated Breeding, he provides strategic and scientific leadership across global breeding initiatives. Dr. Katiyar’s career spans leading roles in CGIAR centers (IRRI, CIMMYT, AfricaRice), multinational seed industries (ADVANTA, BIOSEEDS), and public research institutions (IGKV). His research focuses on accelerated and predictive breeding, genomic selection, gene editing, and data-driven crop improvement for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. He has secured over $50 million in competitive research grants. Recognized for his leadership and capacity building, Dr. Katiyar has trained over 1,000 scientists and supervised 80 postgraduate researchers, contributing significantly to global food security and the modernization of plant breeding programs across Asia and Africa.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Juma, R. U., Bartholomé, J., Thathapalli Prakash, P., Hussain, W., Platten, J. D., Katiyar, S. K., … (2021). Identification of an elite core panel as a key breeding resource to accelerate the rate of genetic improvement for irrigated rice. Rice.

Nguyen, V. H., Morantte, R. I. Z., Lopena, V., Verdeprado, H., Murori, R., Katiyar, S. K., … (2023). Multi-environment genomic selection in rice elite breeding lines. Rice.

Subbaiyan, G. K., Waters, D. L. E., Katiyar, S. K., Sadananda, A. R., Vaddadi, S., … (2012). Genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms in elite indica rice inbreds discovered by whole‐genome sequencing. Plant Biotechnology Journa.

Katiyar, S. K., Tan, Y., Huang, B., Chandel, G., Xu, Y., Zhang, Y., Xie, Z., & Bennett, J. (2001). Molecular mapping of gene Gm-6 (t) which confers resistance against four biotypes of Asian rice gall midge in China. Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

Kottapalli, P., Gaur, P. M., Katiyar, S. K., Crouch, J. H., Buhariwalla, H. K., Pande, S., … (2009). Mapping and validation of QTLs for resistance to an Indian isolate of Ascochyta blight pathogen in chickpea. Euphytica,

Rameswar Prasad Sah | Plant Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Dr. Rameswar Prasad Sah | Plant Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute | India

Dr. Rameswar Prasad Sah is a Senior Scientist at the ICAR–National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack, specializing in Genetics and Plant Breeding with a research focus on molecular breeding, direct-seeded rice, and the development of early-maturing, high-yielding rice varieties. He earned his B.Sc. (Agri.) with honours from IGKV, Raipur, and completed both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, where he was the academic topper of his batch. With over 22 h-index, 46 i10-index, 1759 citations, and more than 120 scientific documents, Dr. Sah has made significant contributions to rice genomics, QTL mapping, and marker-assisted breeding. His research integrates physiological, molecular, and genomic tools to enhance stress tolerance and productivity in rice. He has co-authored several high-impact papers in journals such as Field Crops Research, Scientific Reports, and BMC Plant Biology, and contributed to numerous books and NRRI bulletins. His dedication to advancing sustainable rice production has been recognized through awards such as “Best Oral Presentation” at the 13th National Seed Congress (2024). Dr. Sah continues to contribute to national breeding programs and genomic innovations aimed at ensuring food security and climate-resilient rice cultivation in India.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Mohanty, S., Das, S., Panda, D., Choudhury, N. K., Mishra, B., Jena, R. K., Sah, R. P., Chandrappa, A. K., Navadagi, D. B., Raj, R. K. R., et al. (2025, September 29). Identification of novel quantitative trait loci and candidate genes associated with grain yield and related traits under low-light stress conditions in rice. Biomolecules.

Snehi, S., Singh, P. K., Beena, R., Kota, S., Sanwal, S. K., Ravi Kiran, K. T., Anilkumar, C., Chattopadhyay, K., Prakash, N. R., & Sah, R. P. (2025, June). QTL-meta-analysis and candidate gene(s) for anaerobic germination potential in rice. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

Anilkumar, C., Sah, R. P., Muhammed Azharudheen, T. P., Behera, S., Mohanty, S. P., Anandan, A., Marndi, B. C., & Samantaray, S. (2025, March). Integrating multi-trait genomic selection with simulation strategies to improve grain yield and parental line selection in rice. Annals of Applied Biology.

Sahoo, U., Biswal, M., Nayak, L., Kumar, R., Tiwari, R. K., Lal, M. K., Bagchi, T. B., Sah, R. P., Singh, N. R., Sharma, S., et al. (2025, March 30). Rice with lower amylose content could have reduced starch digestibility due to crystallized resistant starch synthesized by linearized amylopectin. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Anilkumar, C., Sah, R. P., Beena, R., Muhammed Azharudheen, T. P., Kumar, A., Behera, S., Sunitha, N. C., Pradhan, S. K., Raj, K. R. R., Parameswaran, C., et al. (2023, August). Conventional and contemporary approaches for drought tolerance rice breeding: Progress and prospects. Plant Breeding.

Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Technical University of Varna, Department Plant Production | Bulgaria

Dr. Nadia Georgieva Daskalova is an Associate Professor of Plant Breeding at the Technical University of Varna, with over 26 years of professional experience, including 17 years in research and 14 years in teaching. She earned her Master’s degree in Plant Protection from the Agricultural University of Plovdiv and completed her Ph.D. in Plant Breeding in 2015. Dr. Daskalova’s research focuses on cereals, particularly wheat, rye, and triticale, with special emphasis on genetic variability, disease resistance, and hybridization using embryo rescue techniques. She has successfully developed synthetic amphiploids and identified new genes in hexaploid wheat, contributing to grain quality improvement in bread wheat varieties. She has authored 16 peer-reviewed publications (2020–2024), multiple monographs, textbooks, and is engaged in national and international collaborative projects, including with Ukraine’s National Academy of Agrarian Sciences. Her work is widely recognized, with a citation record indexed in Scopus (h-index: 4) and multiple patents under process. Dr. Daskalova has served as an editorial reviewer for Springer Nature journals and actively participates in scientific committees and professional memberships. Her contributions advance sustainable cereal breeding and agricultural biotechnology, combining practical applications with academic excellence. She is a recipient of the International Plant Scientist Awards, reflecting her commitment to innovation and global impact in plant breeding and genetics.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Daskalova, N., & Spetsov, P. (2025). Variation in rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines with different type of glaucousness. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology. Advance online publication.

Daskalova, N., Georgieva, M., Angelova, R., & Spetsov, P. (2023). Agronomic performance of introgression lines derived from a cross of common wheat with synthetic hexaploid amphiploid 530-1. Journal of Central European Agriculture.

Spetsov, P., & Daskalova, N. (2023). Genetic basis of pest resistance in wheat-rye and triticale stocks. Cytology and Genetics.

Spetsov, P., & Daskalova, N. (2022). Resistance to pathogens in wheat-rye and triticale genetic stocks. Journal of Plant Pathology.

Daskalova, N., Doneva, S., & Spetsov, P. (2021). Characterization of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) accessions and reciprocal hybrids possessing wheat 1D chromosome. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus.

Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Sweden

Dr. Adane Gebeyehu Demissie is a distinguished plant genomics and biotechnology researcher with over 12 years of experience advancing genomic innovations for crop improvement. He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Addis Ababa University in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), an MSc in Plant Biotechnology from Wageningen University, and an MSc in Plant Breeding from Bahir Dar University. His research integrates genomics-assisted breeding, QTL mapping, GWAS, genomic selection, RNA-seq, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop climate-resilient oilseed and cereal crops. With an h-index of 3, more than 23 citations, and over 4 scientific documents, Dr. Demissie has published extensively in high-impact journals including Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Plant Science, and Agronomy. His professional experience spans postdoctoral research at SLU, senior research roles at Ethiopia’s Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, and lecturing positions where he designed the first BSc curriculum in Agricultural Biotechnology in Ethiopia. He has secured competitive grants from Carl-Tryggers Foundation, Sida-SLU, and the Ethiopian Science Foundation, and received prestigious recognitions such as the Young Scientist Award from the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. Passionate about mentoring and policy development, Dr. Demissie continues to bridge cutting-edge genomics with agricultural innovation to enhance global food security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

“Transcriptome analysis identifies genes regulating self-compatibility, flowering time, and oil biosynthesis in Noug (Guizotia abyssinica)”

“SNP-based linkage mapping reveals novel quantitative trait loci for yield traits in noug (Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass.)”

“Temperature affects major fatty acid biosynthesis in noug (Guizotia abyssinica) self-compatible lines”

“Sesame, an Underutilized Oil Seed Crop: Breeding Achievements and Future Challenges”

“RNA-Seq Provides Novel Genomic Resources for Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) and Reveals Microsatellite Frequency and Distribution in Its Transcriptome”

Lakshminarayana Vemireddy | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Lakshminarayana Vemireddy | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University | India

Author Profile

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🧬 Summary

Dr. Lakshmi Narayana Vemireddy is a seasoned plant scientist from Guntur, India, with over 20 years of experience in plant biotechnology, molecular breeding, and crop genomics. His research primarily focuses on rice, blackgram, greengram, groundnut, millets, and sesame, with a strong emphasis on QTL mapping, DNA fingerprinting, and genomics-based trait development. He has published 70+ peer-reviewed articles, mentored 20+ postgraduate scholars, and led multiple national and international R&D projects.

🎓 Education

He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from CDFD/University of Hyderabad, a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Oklahoma State University, and degrees in Agriculture and Genetics from ANGRAU. His doctoral work on basmati rice authentication led to the development of a commercial DNA kit and international patent applications.

🧪 Professional Experience

Currently serving as Principal Scientist at ANGRAU since 2006, Dr. Vemireddy has led numerous biotech innovations, research collaborations, and product development programs. He has previously worked at IIRR-Hyderabad as a Research Associate, focusing on rice QTLs. He has generated ₹243.80 Lakhs in project funding and established key facilities like gene editing and phenomics labs.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Vemireddy is proficient in field phenotyping, QTL/GWAS analysis, gene editing, and bioinformatics tools such as R, MapChart, Haploview, and DARWIN. He has developed protocols for genetic purity testing, DNA fingerprinting, and marker-assisted selection.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

He has mentored 12 PhD and 8 MSc students, conducted national-level workshops on bioinformatics and molecular breeding, and actively contributes to capacity-building programs.

🔬 Research Interests

His current research spans trait introgression, stress tolerance, haplotype breeding, seed vigor, and crop traceability using DNA barcoding. He also explores gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9) and phenomics for future-ready crop improvement.

📖Publications

Development of activation-tagged gain-of-functional mutants in indica rice line (BPT 5204) for sheath blight resistance

  • Journal: Molecular Biology Reports

  • Year: 2024

  • Authors:  Mahendranath Gandikota, T. Krishnakanth Yadav, Raghurami Reddy Maram, Sudhamani Kalluru, M. Balachandran Sena, E. A. Siddiq, Yamini Kalinati Narasimhan, Lakshminarayana R. Vemireddy, Anuradha Ghanta

Prioritization of candidate genes for major QTLs governing yield traits employing integrated multi-omics approach in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

  • Journal: Briefings in Functional Genomics

  • Year: 2024

  • Authors: Issa Keerthi Vishnu Shukla Sudhamani Kalluru Lal Ahamed Mohammad P. Lavanya Kumari Eswarayya Ramireddy Lakshminarayana R. Vemireddy

Development of miRNA-SSR and target-SSR markers from yield-associate genes and their applicability in the assessment of genetic diversity and association mapping in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

  • Journal: Molecular Breeding

  • Year: 2024

  • Authors: Bavisetti Hemasai Dinesh K. Kumbha Vinodkumar Naik Modem Srividya K. Gannavarapu Rupeshkumar R. Bommaka Shanthipriya Mallapuram Sreelakshmi Chintala Muga D. Sreevalli Eswarayya Ramireddy Lakshminarayana R. Vemireddy

Haplotype analysis of QTLs governing early seedling vigor-related traits under dry-direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) conditions

  • Journal: Molecular Biology Reports

  • Year: 2023

  • Authors: Mounika Reddy Yamasani Vasanthi Raguru Pandu Sudhamani Kalluru Rupeshkumar Reddy Bommaka Ramanamurthy Bandela Bharathi Duddu Srikanth Komeri Dineshkumar Kumbha Lakshminarayana R. Vemireddy

Panicle transcriptome of high-yield mutant indica rice reveals physiological mechanisms and novel candidate regulatory genes for yield under reproductive stage drought stress

  • Journal: BMC Plant Biology

  • Year: 2023

  • Authors: Aparna Eragam Ankita Mohapatra Vishnu Shukla Rajashekar Varma Kadumuri Abin Panackal George Latha Putta Srividhya Akkareddy Sreenivas Chavali Lakshminarayana R. Vemireddy Eswarayya Ramireddy