Tongxin Wang | Horticultural Science | Excellence in Research award

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Dr. Tongxin Wang | Horticultural Science | Excellence in Research award

Hainan University | China

Dr. Tongxin Wang is a dedicated plant science researcher at Hainan University, China, recognized for his significant contributions to plant molecular biology and ornamental horticulture. His academic experience and research background focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying flower coloration, including anthocyanin and flavonoid biosynthesis, which determine pigmentation patterns in ornamental species such as pansy and Ixora. Dr. Wang has developed expertise in transcriptomics, gene expression profiling, and plant tissue culture techniques, advancing knowledge on leaf variegation and floral color variation that supports horticultural breeding programs. His studies involve identifying key regulatory genes and metabolic pathways that influence plant traits of commercial value. Throughout his career, Dr. Wang has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, mentoring students and contributing to innovative scientific approaches in biotechnology and plant physiology. While awards or recognitions are not widely publicized, his strong citation metrics highlight his impact and reputation in the scientific community. In conclusion, Dr. Tongxin Wang continues to contribute to the advancement of plant genetics and improvement of ornamental crops, positioning himself as an emerging leader in molecular horticulture research.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, J., Feng, S., Xu, X., Li, T., Li, Y., Wang, T., & Wang, J. (2025). Stress-specific adaptation of a non-betalain DODA homolog from pansy (Viola × wittrockiana). Industrial Crops and Products.

Wang, T., Li, C., Wang, Y., Peng, T., & Wang, J. (2025). Differences in anthocyanin biosynthesis drive flower coloration variations in pansy (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.). Physiologia Plantarum.

Wang, T., Luo, C., Liu, Z., Zhao, Y., Zhu, Z., Song, X., Zhou, Y., & Wang, J. (2024). Comparative transcriptomic analysis to postulate the generation of variegated leaves in Bougainvillea peruviana ‘Thimma’. Industrial Crops and Product.

Wang, T., Li, C., Wang, Y., Peng, T., & Wang, J. (2022). Comparative transcriptome analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis in pansy (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.). Agronomy,

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,

Md Arif Sakil | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Md Arif Sakil | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Bangladesh Agricultural University | Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Arif Sakil is an accomplished Bangladeshi scientist and academic currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Saitama University, Japan (2019–2022), and is presently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Meiji University, Japan. His research focuses on plant stress biology, molecular mechanisms of autophagy, nanobiotechnology, and genome editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas for improving plant resilience. Over his academic career, Dr. Sakil has published more than 30 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters in reputed journals including Plant and Cell Physiology, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. His outstanding scientific contributions have earned him multiple honors, including the prestigious President Gold Medal Award from Bangladesh Agricultural University (2023) and the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. Dr. Sakil’s work on autophagy and plant stress mechanisms bridges fundamental biology with agricultural innovation. With a strong passion for sustainable agriculture and food security, he continues to pursue advanced biotechnological research that contributes to global agricultural resilience and scientific advancement.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Roy, A. R., Jahan, I., Mou, S. J., Hasin, M. F., Angon, P. B., Sultana, R., Mazumder, B., & Sakil, M. A. (2025). Function of biochar: Alleviation of heat stress in plants and improvement of soil microbial communities. Phyton, Advance online publication.

Jahan, I., Angon, P. B., Mou, S. J., Zannat, M., Antu, U. B., Alam, M. M., Sweety, A. A., Islam, M. S., & Sakil, M. A. (2025). The potential of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies to mitigate biotic stress in plants. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.

Sarkar, R., Khatun, M. K., Sultana, M. A., Mustary, S., Rahman, M., Akter, T., Mortuza, M. G., Hannan, M. A., Sakil, M. A., & Haque, M. R. (2024). Effects of soaking duration on nutritional composition and total phenolic content of some selected lentil varieties of Bangladesh. Probe – Plant & Animal Sciences.

Sakil, M. A., Mukae, K., Bao, J., Sadhu, A., Roni, M. S., Inoue-Aono, Y., & Moriyasu, Y. (2023). Autophagy promotes cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide in Physcomitrium patens. Plant and Cell Physiology.

Mukae, K., Sakil, M. A., Kotake, T., Inoue-Aono, Y., & Moriyasu, Y. (2023). Autophagy accelerates cell death after desiccation and hydration stress in Physcomitrium. Environmental and Experimental Botany.

Rehab Ghareeb farrag | Plant Pathology | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rehab Ghareeb Farrag | Plant Pathology | Women Researcher Award

City of Scientific Research and Technological Application | Egypt

Dr. Rehab Yassin Ahmed Ghareeb is an Associate Professor at the Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Egypt, with a distinguished research career in plant protection and nematology. She earned her BSc (2002), MSc (2008), and PhD (2015) in Plant Pathology from Alexandria University, where she developed a strong foundation in molecular genetics, plant–nematode interactions, and advanced diagnostic tools. Her expertise encompasses plant-pathogenic nematodes, gene silencing, biosensors, bio-pesticides, green nanotechnology applications, and sustainable pest management. With 48 publications indexed in international journals, an h-index of 21, over 1149 citations, and one granted patent in eco-friendly technology, she has significantly advanced molecular and eco-friendly approaches for controlling nematode diseases. Dr. Ghareeb has successfully led national and international collaborations, including research projects in China and Chile, and serves as an editor and peer-reviewer for leading journals such as Springer Nature, Frontiers in Plant Science, and MDPI. She is an active member of professional societies, including ASPP and IASR, and a founding committee member of the World Association of Scientists and Inventors. Her contributions continue to shape sustainable agriculture and innovative plant health solutions globally.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

“Mulberry based zinc nano-particles mitigate salinity induced toxic effects and improve the grain yield and zinc bio-fortification of wheat by improving antioxidant activities …”

“Co-application of organic amendments and inorganic P increase maize growth and soil carbon, phosphorus availability in calcareous soil”

“The nematicidal potentiality of some algal extracts and their role in enhancement the tomato defense genes against root knot-nematodes”

“The potential of endophytic fungi as bio-control agents against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)”

“Genotoxicity assessment of amino zinc nanoparticles in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cytogenetical perspective”

“Zinc Nutrition Responses to Agronomic and Yield Traits, Kernel Quality, and Pollen Viability in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)”