Nawal AlHajaj | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

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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.

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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.

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,

Hieronim Golczyk | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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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

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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.

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

 

Michael Neff | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Michael Neff | Plant Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Washington State University | United States

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🧬 Summary

Dr. Michael Neff is a Professor of Crop Biotechnology in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University. With a Ph.D. in Botany (1995) from the University of Washington, Dr. Neff leads a research program centered on plant developmental biology, particularly light and hormone signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. His work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology to understand how light and hormones regulate plant growth, with the ultimate goal of improving crop productivity.

🎓 Education

Dr. Neff earned his Ph.D. in Botany in 1995 from the University of Washington, where he developed a foundational understanding of plant molecular genetics. His academic training established a solid platform for his pioneering work in hormone signaling and photomorphogenesis in plants.

💼 Professional Experience

With extensive experience in plant biology, Dr. Neff has served as a faculty member at Washington State University, advancing from assistant professor to full professor. He leads a dynamic lab that explores gene regulation and hormonal pathways influencing plant architecture and development. His leadership spans over two decades in crop biotechnology research and graduate mentoring.

📚 Academic Citations

Dr. Neff’s research has been widely cited in high-impact journals such as PNAS, Plant Journal, Plant Physiology, and G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. His key contributions include discoveries in brassinosteroid inactivation, light-mediated seedling growth, and cytokinin regulation, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications as senior or corresponding author.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Neff specializes in molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, mutant screening, transgenic technologies, and light/hormone assay systems in model plants. His lab utilizes CRISPR, real-time PCR, RNA-Seq, and microscopy-based phenotyping to dissect gene function in developmental processes.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

As an educator, Dr. Neff teaches undergraduate and graduate-level courses in plant biology, crop biotechnology, and molecular genetics. He is known for integrating laboratory-based problem solving and classical experiments into his curriculum, nurturing critical thinking and experimental design skills in students.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Neff’s research focuses on:

  1. Brassinosteroid inactivation via cytochrome P450 enzymes (BAS1, SOB7).

  2. Role of Dof-class transcription factor SOB1 in plant morphology.

  3. Function of AT-hook proteins (SOB3, ESC) in light-regulated growth and senescence.

  4. Novel SOFL protein family involved in cytokinin biosynthesis and signaling.
    His lab explores cross-talk between hormone pathways and light perception to understand growth regulation in plants.

📖Publications

Registration of ‘Matchless’ Kentucky bluegras
  • Authors: Xin Xin, Jonathan J. Schnore, Charles T. Golob, Anna K. Hulbert, Michael M. Neff
The ability of Arabidopsis to recover from Basta and its application in isolating Cas9-free mutants
  • Authors: Shahbaz S. Ahmed, Anna K. Hulbert, Xin Xin, Michael M. Neff
Genetic Interactions Between BEN1- and Cytochrome P450-Mediated Brassinosteroid Inactivation
  • Authors: Reuben R. Tayengwa, Shelby R. Westenskow, Hao H. Peng, Anna K. Hulbert, Michael M. Neff
SUPPRESSOR OF PHYTOCHROME B-4 #3 reduces the expression of PIF-activated genes and increases expression of growth repressors to regulate hypocotyl elongation in short days
  • Authors: Caitlin N. Jacques, David S. Favero, Ayako Kawamura, Keiko Sugimoto, Michael M. Neff
    Journal: BMC Plant Biology
    Year: 2022
The NAC transcription factor ATAF2 promotes ethylene biosynthesis and response in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings
  • Authors: Hao H. Peng, Jessica J. Phung, Evan C. Stowe, Amit Dhingra, Michael M. Neff
    Journal: FEBS Letters
    Year: 2022

jingjing Liu | Plant Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. jingjing Liu | Plant Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Hubei University of Chinese Medicine | China

Author Profile

Scopus

🌟  Suitable for this Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jingjing Liu, a distinguished postdoctoral researcher at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, is a leading figure in Plant Molecular Biology. Her extensive research on plant stress responses, epigenetic reprogramming, and the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds underscores her candidacy for the prestigious Best Researcher Award.​

🎓 Education 

Dr. Liu’s academic journey began at Jianghan University (2014–2018), where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, focusing on the interplay between Histone Deacetylase HDA9 and WRKY53 in plant stress responses. She pursued her Ph.D. at Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018–2024), delving into the molecular mechanisms of auxin and cytokinin in peach root formation and the epigenetic reprogramming during leaf-to-callus transitions. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, she investigates the molecular regulation of active ingredients in medicinal plants, bridging traditional knowledge with modern molecular biology.​

 💼  Professional Experience

Dr. Liu’s professional trajectory is marked by her commitment to understanding plant molecular mechanisms. At Wuhan Botanical Garden, she contributed to groundbreaking research on hormone regulation in peach root development and epigenetic modifications during tissue regeneration. Her current role at Hubei University involves exploring the biosynthesis pathways of key active compounds in medicinal plants, aiming to enhance their therapeutic potential. Her collaborative efforts with Huazhong Agricultural University further emphasize her dedication to advancing plant molecular research.​

🏅 Awards and Recognition 

Dr. Liu’s contributions have been recognized through various accolades. Her research has been published in esteemed journals, reflecting her influence in the field. Her collaborative projects and patents demonstrate her innovative approach to plant molecular biology. Her membership in the Chinese Society of Biotechnology and collaborations with leading institutions underscore her standing in the scientific community.​

🌍Research skills On Plant

Dr. Liu possesses a robust skill set in plant molecular biology, including gene expression analysis, epigenetic profiling, and hormone signaling pathways. Her expertise extends to advanced techniques like chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA methylation analysis. She is proficient in designing and executing experiments that elucidate complex molecular interactions in plants. Her interdisciplinary approach combines traditional botanical knowledge with cutting-edge molecular techniques, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic agents from medicinal plants.​

📖Publications

ARF4 acting upstream of LBD16 promotes adventitious root formation in peach – Horticultural Plant Journal, 2025.
Epigenetic reprogramming of H3K27me3 and DNA methylation during leaf-to-callus transition in peach – Horticulture Research, 2022.
Assessment of organic acid accumulation and its related genes in peach – Food Chemistry, 2021.
Histone Deacetylase HDA9 and WRKY53 Transcription Factor Are Mutual Antagonists in Regulation of Plant Stress Response – Molecular Plant, 2020.
An Improved Method of Preparing High Efficiency Transformation with Both Plasmids and Larger DNA Fragments – Indian Journal of Microbiology, 2018.