Fnu Shumayla | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Fnu Shumayla | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

University of Maryland | United States

Dr. Fnu Shumayla is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Maryland, USA, specializing in plant biotechnology and molecular biology. She earned her PhD from Panjab University, India, focusing on receptor-like kinases in wheat. She has extensive research experience across leading institutions, including Texas Tech University, working on plant stress tolerance, gene functional characterization, and crop improvement. Her research interests include plant genomics, abiotic stress biology, nitrogen use efficiency, and molecular mechanisms of stress adaptation. She has contributed to multiple funded research projects and peer-reviewed publications. Her work supports sustainable agriculture and advanced genetic strategies for improving crop resilience and productivity.

                            Citation Metrics (Scopus)
1500
1000
500
100
0

Citations
1082

Documents
32

h-index
18

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Scopus Profile
   View Orcid Profile

Featured Publications

Ali Khourgami | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Khourgami | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

Department of Agronomy,Khor.C.,Islamic Azad University,Khorrabad | Iran

Ali Khourgami is an Associate Professor of Agronomy with over two decades of academic and research experience in agricultural science. He holds a PhD in Crop Physiology, an MSc in Agronomy, and a BSc in Agronomy and Plant Breeding. Since 2001, he has served as a university lecturer, department head, and member of scientific and research councils, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses across agronomy, crop physiology, seed technology, weeds science, and stress physiology. His research focuses on crop responses to environmental stresses, particularly water deficit in cereal, industrial, forage, and pulse crops. An award-winning researcher and prolific thesis supervisor, his work advances sustainable crop productivity and academic capacity building.

                     Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

500

400

300

200

100

0

 

Citations
438
Documents
56
h-index
10

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Google Scholar Profile

Featured Publications

Nawal AlHajaj | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Nawal AlHajaj | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

National Agricultural Research Center NARC | Jordan

Dr. Nawal Abdo M. Abu Q. Alhajaj is a senior researcher and Head of the Cereals and Legumes Research Division at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Jordan. She holds a PhD in Horticulture and Field Crops from the University of Jordan, with earlier degrees in field crop production and plant production. With nearly two decades of research experience, her work focuses on wheat and barley breeding, participatory and evolutionary plant breeding, crop genetic resources, and climate change adaptation. She has led several national and international projects, published extensively, received multiple awards of excellence, and actively contributes to regional and international scientific forums, advancing sustainable food security in dryland systems.

                     Citation Metrics (Scopus)

100

80

60

40

20

0

 

Citations
89
Documents
10
h-index
5

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Scopus Profile   View Google Scholar Profile

Featured Publications

Fahim Hussain Shah | Plant Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Fahim Hussain Shah | Plant Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Department of Plant science, Faculty of biological science Quaid-i-Azam University | Pakistan

Fahim Hussain Shah is an emerging plant scientist whose research spans plant science, mycology, plant–microbe interactions, phycology, and plant pathology, with a strong focus on fungal biodiversity and its ethnomycological significance. He holds an M.Phil in Plant Science from Quaid-i-Azam University, where he conducted extensive studies on the morpho-genetic identification and medicinal potential of wild macrofungi from Pakistan. His academic foundation also includes a Bachelor’s degree in Botany, complemented by professional teaching qualifications. Fahim has published impactful research on macrofungi, microalgae, saline-tolerant microbial strains, and fungal taxonomy, contributing significantly to biodiversity documentation and sustainable agricultural approaches. His technical expertise includes DNA extraction, PCR, phylogenetic analysis, bioinformatics, phytochemical testing, and microalgae purification. He has worked in administrative roles and actively participates in scientific conferences and workshops. As a journal reviewer, he supports the scientific community through evaluations in ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. His research interests revolve around genomics-based crop improvement, plant–microbe interactions for stress tolerance, fungal systematics, and the application of traditional knowledge in biotechnology. Fahim aims to integrate modern molecular tools with ecological insights to advance sustainable agriculture, strengthen disease management strategies, and promote the conservation and scientific utilization of Pakistan’s rich fungal and plant biodiversity.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Shah, F. H., Azeem, M. A., Ullah, T., Mumtaz, A. S., Shah, S. A., Khan, M. B., Karunarathna, S. C., Elgorban, A. M., & Kiran, M. (2025). From wild ecosystem to the pharmaceutical use–Exploring the traditional medicine and socio-cultural heritage of macrofungi from Pakistan. New Zealand Journal of Botany.

Shah, F. H., Kiran, M., Khan, M. B., Basit, A., Elgorban, A. M., Ahmad, M., Ullah, T., Mumtaz, A. S., & Sana. (2025). Morphology and phylogeny of gasteroids and two novel hosts for Pisolithus albus (Sclerodermataceae) from Pakistan. New Zealand Journal of Botany.

Ishaq, M., Khan, M. B., Shah, F. H., Fiaz, M., & Khalid, A. N. (2024). A new species of Agaricus: Agaricus totalaiiensis in section Minores from Pakistan.

Ullah, T., Ullah, K., Saba, M., & Shah, F. H. (2023). Conocybe karakensis sp. nov. (Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales) from Pakistan. Phytotaxa.

Azeem, M. A., Shah, F. H., Ullah, A., Ali, K., Jones, D. A., Khan, M. E. H., & Ashraf, A. (2022). Biochemical characterization of halotolerant Bacillus safensis PM22 and its potential to enhance growth of maize under salinity stress. Plants,

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

Published on by Plant Scientist

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.

Rameswar Prasad Sah | Plant Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

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.

Wohor Zakaria Osman | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Wohor Zakaria Osman | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

CSIC- Institute for sustainable agriculture | Ghana

Dr Osman Zakaria Wohor earned a BSc in Agricultural Technology (Agronomy) from the University for Development Studies, Ghana, before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma and an MSc (Cum laude) in International Plant Breeding at the CIHEAM-MAZ (Zaragoza) and the University of Lleida, Spain. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Córdoba (2019-2025) with distinction. Dr Wohor serves as a Post-Doctoral Associate and Plant Breeder at the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (CSIC-IAS) in Córdoba, leading a soybean breeding programme targeting Mediterranean environments and contributing to a pea-resistance breeding initiative focused on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi and Orobanche crenata. His research interests centre on germplasm assembly, phenotyping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and breeding crop resilience in legume systems. Dr Wohor has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications to date 4documents with a citation count of approximately 44 citations, and an estimated h-index of 3. In summary, Dr Wohor is a dynamic plant breeder bridging global germplasm resources, cutting-edge genomics and applied varietal development in legume crops.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rispail, N., Wohor, O. Z., Osuna-Caballero, S., Barilli, E., & Rubiales, D. (2023). Genetic diversity and population structure of a wide Pisum spp. core collection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Wohor, O. Z., Rispail, N., Ojiewo, C. O., & Rubiales, D. (2022). Pea breeding for resistance to rhizospheric pathogens. Plants.

Osuna-Caballero, S., Cobos, M. J., Ruiz, C. M., Wohor, O. Z., Rispail, N., & Rubiales, D. (2024). Genome-wide association studies on resistance to pea weevil: Identification of novel sources of resistance and associated markers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Denwar, N. N., & Wohor, Z. (2012). Development of improved soybean varieties adapted to the agro-ecologies and farming systems of the Savanna zones of northern Ghana. CSIR-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute Annual Report.

Rispail, N., Wohor, O. Z., Osuna-Caballero, S., Barilli, E., & Rubiales, D. (2022). Dataset for “Genetic diversity and population structure of a wide Pisum spp. core collection.” Zenodo.

Shabeer Ahmad Dar | Plant Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Shabeer Ahmad Dar | Plant Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

CSIR-IIIM | India

Dr. Shabeer Ahmad Dar is an accomplished plant biotechnologist with a Ph.D. in Plant Tissue Culture and Mutagenesis from the University of Kashmir, India, and currently serves as a Research Associate focusing on tissue culture, mutagenesis, and genetic transformation for improving medicinal and ornamental plants. With experience as a contractual lecturer and assistant professor, he has led and contributed to multiple projects in micropropagation, in vitro mutagenesis, secondary metabolite production, and plant conservation biology. His work has resulted in several high-impact journal publications, including studies on Atropa acuminata (In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant), callus induction, antioxidant profiling, and ethnomedicinal surveys. He has accumulated about 58 citations and holds an h-index of 3. He earned a Young Scientist Award in Plant Sciences in 2022. His research interests lie at the interface of plant biotechnology, synthetic biology, stress physiology, mutagenesis, and conservation of endangered medicinal germplasm. He also mentors junior researchers and promotes collaborative, interdisciplinary research. In future, he aims to expand transgenic approaches, metabolic engineering, and sustainable production of bioactive compounds while continuing efforts in plant conservation and capacity building in biotechnology.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Dar, S. A., Nawchoo, I. A., Tyub, S., & Kamili, A. N. (2022). In vitro culture and biochemical and antioxidant potential of the critically endangered medicinal plant Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl of Kashmir Himalaya. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant.

Dar, S. A., Nawchoo, I. A., Tyub, S., & Kamili, A. N. (2021). Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro induction and maintenance of callus from leaf and root explants of Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl. Biotechnology Reports, 31, e00688.

Dar, S. A., Gulzar, N., Lone, I. M., & Mohammad, H. B. (2020). Ethnomedicinal plants used by tribal community of district Pulwama with special reference to Tehsil Tral, Jammu and Kashmir–India. International Research Journal of Plant Sciences, 11(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.14303/irjps.2020.005

Dar, S. A., Nawchoo, I. A., Tyub, S., & Kamili, A. N. (2021). An updated overview of Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl: A critically endangered medicinal plant of Kashmir Himalaya. Research and Reviews: Journal of Botanical Sciences.

Dar, S. A., Nawchoo, I. A., Tyub, S., & Kamili, A. N. (2020). Plant cell cultures: Important methods for production of secondary metabolites. Journal of Research and Development.

Hieronim Golczyk | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hieronim Golczyk | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin | Poland

Dr. Hieronim Golczyk is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. He earned his Habilitation in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Cytogenetics and Genetics from Adam Mickiewicz University in 2015. With over two decades of academic experience, including positions at the Jagiellonian University and collaborations with leading European research centers such as IPK Gatersleben and the Max Planck Institute, Dr. Golczyk has established himself as a distinguished figure in molecular cytogenetics. His research focuses on chromosome structure and function, genome evolution, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methodologies, and organelle genetics. He has pioneered several innovative cytogenetic techniques, including ImmunoFISH and EC-FISH, and contributed to landmark discoveries on genome transfer and chloroplast competition published in Nature and Plant Cell. Dr. Golczyk has authored over 60 scientific papers with an h-index of 16, more than 830 citations, and over 34 document reads. His achievements have been recognized by multiple Polish Genetic Society Awards and Rector’s Awards. As an active reviewer, educator, and member of advisory scientific boards, Dr. Golczyk continues to advance the understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying plant evolution and genome architecture.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Golczyk, H. (2025). A new efficient immunoprotocol to detect chromosomal/nuclear proteins along with repetitive DNA in squash preparations of formalin-fixed, long-stored root tips. Plant Methods.

Jach, M. E. (2023). The role of probiotics and their metabolites in the treatment of depression. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

Golczyk, H., Hřibová, E., Doležel, J., Cuadrado, Á., Garbsch, F., Greiner, S., Janeczko, M., Szklarczyk, M., Masłyk, M., & Kubiński, K. (2022). Migration of repetitive DNAs during evolution of the permanent translocation heterozygosity in the oyster plant (Tradescantia section Rhoeo).

Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

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.