Sein Lai Lai Aung | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Sein Lai Lai Aung | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Yangtze University | China

Dr. Sein Lai Lai Aung is an academic and researcher affiliated with Yangtze University, China. She has a strong educational background in her field, supporting her expertise in scientific research and higher education. With experience in teaching and research, she has contributed to academic development through mentoring students and participating in institutional activities. Her research interests focus on advancing knowledge in interdisciplinary scientific domains, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and applied research. She has received recognition for her academic contributions and commitment to excellence. Dr. Aung continues to contribute to global research initiatives, fostering collaboration and impactful scientific advancements.

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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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Sabiha Ramadani | Plant Microbiology | Plant Pathology Research Award

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Mrs. Sabiha Ramadani | Plant Microbiology | Plant Pathology Research Award

National Pingtung University of Science and Technology | Taiwan

Dr. Sabiha Ramadani is a biotechnologist and plant scientist specializing in plant disease and pest management in tropical agriculture. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Agroecotechnology with a focus on sustainable agriculture, followed by a double master’s degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology from the University of Brawijaya, Indonesia, and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Her academic experience includes internships in oil palm plantations and international agricultural cooperation programs. Her research interests encompass biological control of plant pathogens, molecular plant–microbe interactions, and agricultural biotechnology. Her peer-reviewed publications reflect her commitment to advancing sustainable crop protection and food security solutions.

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Sozan Elabeid | Plant Pathology | Excellence in Crop Improvement

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 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sozan Elabeid | Plant Pathology | Excellence in Crop Improvement

Agricultural Research Center | Egypt

Sozan E. El-Abeid is a Senior Researcher in the Mycology and Disease Survey Research Department at the Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. She has developed her scientific career through progressive research positions at ARC, supported by international postdoctoral training at the Spanish National Research Council . With more than two decades of research experience, her work focuses on plant disease diagnosis, fungal taxonomy, and molecular identification of plant pathogens, contributing to improved diagnostic and management strategies. Her research interests include fungal endophytes, biological control agents, green and biogenic nanomaterials, nano-enabled delivery systems, and biosafety and environmental health in agriculture. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed JCR-indexed scientific publications, achieving an h-index of 9 with 378 total citations, reflecting the impact of her research within the plant pathology and agricultural biotechnology fields. She has supervised postgraduate research, acted as a scientific reviewer for leading international journals, and participated in several national and international research projects addressing quarantine pathogens, regenerative agriculture, nanotechnology, and sustainable crop protection. Her research aims to advance environmentally safe and innovative approaches for integrated plant disease management, supporting sustainable and resilient agricultural production systems.

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Naser Safaie | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naser Safaie | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Tarbiat Modares University | Iran

Naser Safaie is a distinguished plant pathologist and mycologist whose academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Plant Protection from Isfahan University of Technology, followed by an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology from Chamran University, and culminating in a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology–Mycology from Tarbiat Modares University. Over more than three decades, he has developed deep expertise in the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi using microbial antagonists, molecular diagnostics, fungal taxonomy, bioformulation of biocontrol products, and plant–microbe interaction studies. As a seasoned professor and long-time department head at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, he has led numerous high-impact research projects spanning fungal pathogen epidemiology, stress tolerance via endophytes, biofertilizers, and cold-plasma applications in agriculture. Recognized for his leadership roles (including editorial responsibilities and presidency of the Iranian Society of Plant Pathology), he has mentored generations of students and spearheaded the translation of lab innovations into practical biocontrol and biofertilizer products. His work bridges fundamental science and agricultural application, contributing to sustainable crop protection and biotechnology development.

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Featured Publications

Najafi, M. R., Kordrostami, M., Aghajani, M. A., Safaie, N., & Rahmanpour, S. (2025, October 7). Multilayer perceptron neural network–genetic algorithm for modeling Nicotiana tabacum leaf quality. PLOS One.

Jahedi, A., Safaie, N., Goltapeh, E. M., & Ahmadifar, S. (2024). Auricularia (wood ear mushroom) genus: A contribution to classification and new species records for Iran and world. Plant and Fungal Systematics.

Rahimi-Soujeh, Z., Safaie, N., Moradi, S., Abbod, M., Sharifi, R., Mojerlou, S., & Mokhtassi-Bidgoli, A. (2024, October). New binary mixtures of fungicides against Macrophomina phaseolina: Machine learning-driven QSAR, read-across prediction, and molecular dynamics simulation. Chemosphere.

Abbod, M., Safaie, N., & Gholivand, K. (2024, August). Genetic algorithm multiple linear regression and machine learning-driven QSTR modeling for the acute toxicity of sterol biosynthesis inhibitor fungicides. Heliyon.

Hussein, S. N., Safaie, N., Shams-bakhsh, M., & Al-Juboory, H. H. (2024, August). Harnessing rhizobacteria: Isolation, identification, and antifungal potential against soil pathogens. Heliyon,

Li Sui | Fungal Ecology | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Li Sui | Fungal Ecology | Research Excellence Award

Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dr. Li Sui is a distinguished Researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where he has contributed to plant–microbe interactions, fungal endophytes, and biological control for over 15 years. He earned his PhD in Ecology from Northeast Normal University (2019), following a Master’s degree in Biophysics and a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Jilin Agricultural University. His research focuses on endophytic entomopathogenic fungi, elevated CO₂–plant–microbe interactions, microbial biocontrol mechanisms, and eco-friendly pest management. Dr. Sui has led multiple national and provincial research projects, including major grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology. He has published impactful studies in Pest Management Science, BioControl, Frontiers in Microbiology, Virulence, and Biological Control, contributing significantly to maize, soybean, and sunflower protection strategies. His research record includes h-index: 10, citations: 296, and documents: 34. Dr. Sui has received prestigious recognitions, including the Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards (First Class, 2017; Second Class, 2021) for innovations in green pest management. He continues to advance sustainable agriculture by integrating fungal symbiosis and biocontrol technology for improved crop resilience.

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Featured Publications

Chang, Y., Lin, X., Sui, J., Li, Q., Zhao, Y., Sui, L., & Zhang, Z. (2025). Endophytic Beauveria spp. enhance tomato growth and resistance to Botrytis cinerea via transcriptomic regulation. Journal of Fungi.

Guo, W., Lu, Y., Du, S., Li, Q., Zou, X., Zhang, Z., & Sui, L. (2024). Endophytic colonization of Beauveria bassiana enhances drought stress tolerance in tomato via “water spender” pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences,

Fahim Hussain Shah | Plant Sciences | Editorial Board Member

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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.

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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,

Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Muhammad Imran | Plant Pathology | Editorial Board Member

Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan | China

Dr. Muhammad Imran is a plant pathologist currently working as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the School of Biological Engineering at Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China. He earned his PhD (2018–2022) in Arid Land Agriculture (Crop Protection) from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, after completing an MPhil in Plant Pathology from China Agricultural University and a Bachelor’s in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. His Google Scholar profile shows , reflecting a growing research impact. On ResearchGate he lists about 25 publications and 211 citations. Dr. Imran’s research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, with a strong interest in biological control of plant diseases, using beneficial microorganisms such as endophytes, fungi (Trichoderma), and bacteria combined with nanotechnology (e.g., zinc nanoparticles) to sustainably manage pathogens like Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea. He has participated in projects dealing with fungicide resistance, deploying integrated disease management strategies, and exploring eco-friendly biocontrol agents. He has published in high-impact journals, including work on Trichoderma culture filtrates for early blight suppression, and co-authored studies on zinc nanoparticle-mediated induction of plant defense. Dr. Imran’s commitment to reducing chemical pesticide use and promoting green agriculture reflects his broader vision of strengthening crop resilience while safeguarding ecosystems.

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Featured Publications

Imran, M., Alomran, M. M., Khalifa, H. A., Bilal, M. S., Ahmed, A. F., Ali, E. F., Alqurashi, A. S., Aldayel, M. F., & Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M. (2025). Exploring smart solutions for stressed soils: Dual-action of culture filtrates and nanoparticles for sustainable onion cultivation. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Feng, X., Shi, Y., Sun, Z., Li, L., Imran, M., Zhang, G., Zhang, G., & Li, C. (2025). Control of Fusarium graminearum infection in wheat by dsRNA-based spray-induced gene silencing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Sahibzada, K. I., Shahid, S., Akhter, M., Faisal, M., Abd El Rahman, R. A., Imran, M., Lv, Y., Wei, D., & Hu, Y. (2025). Advancing enzyme-based detoxification prediction with ToxZyme: An ensemble machine learning approach. Toxins

Imran, M., Khalifa, H. A., Sun, Z., Bilal, M. S., Abd El-Wahed, M. H., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, E. F., & Li, C. (2025). Insights into the dynamics of biochemical profile and relative gene expression of cucumber fruits associated with Fusarium spoilage. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, Advance online publication.

Imran, M., Sun, Z., Abo-Elyousr, K. A. M., Ali, H., Aldayel, M. F., & Li, C. (2024). One stone two birds: Endophytes alleviating trace elements accumulation and suppressing soilborne pathogen by stimulating plant growth, photosynthetic potential and defense-related gene expression. Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Seyed Reza Fani | Plant Pathology | Plant Disease Control Innovation

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seyed Reza Fani | Plant Pathology | Plant Disease Control Innovation

Plant Protection Research Department, Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Yazd | Iran

Dr. Seyed Reza Fani is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Yazd, Iran. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch of Tehran, completed in 2013. His doctoral research focused on utilizing atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates to control aflatoxin contamination in pistachio nuts. Dr. Fani’s professional journey includes roles as a researcher and expert in plant pathology laboratories within the Iranian Plant Protection Organization and the Agriculture Organization of Sistan-Baluchistan province. His research interests encompass mycotoxin management, biological control agents, and integrated pest management strategies. He has contributed to over 5 H- index, with more than 95 citations. His work has been presented at various international conferences, including the MYCOKEY International Conference and the International Mycotoxin Conference. Dr. Fani’s expertise is instrumental in advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Iran.

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Featured Publications

Fani, S. R., Nouri Gharansaraei, S., Rezaee, S., Mohammadi-Moghadam, M., Zamanizadeh, H. R., & Shahbazi, S. (2025, December). Gamma-induced Trichoderma guizhouense mutants: Enhanced biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in cucumbers and improved environmental stress tolerance. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection.

Fani, S. R., & Moradi, M. (2025, May 15). An overview of pistachio gummosis: A comprehensive analysis. Tropical Plant Pathology.

Nouri Gharansaraei, S., Fani, S. R., Rezaee, S., Mohammadi-Moghadam, M., Zamanizadeh, H. R., & Shahbazi, S. (2025, March 27). Gamma-induced Trichoderma guizhouense mutants: Enhanced biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in cucumbers and improved environmental stress tolerance.

Kazemi, A., Sedaghati, E., Fani, S. R., Moradi, M., & Nadi, M. (2023). Effect of sulfur on toxigenic Aspergillus flavus in vitro. Journal of Nuts.

Mohammadi-Moghadam, M., Fani, S. R., Ghasemi, M., & Aldaghi, M. (2023). Population density of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin content in different types of pistachio nuts. Journal of Chemical Health Risks.

Faizah Urooj | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Faizah Urooj | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Department of botany | Pakistan

Dr. Faizah Urooj is a plant pathology researcher with an h-index of 10, 220 total citations, and over 17documents indexed in Scopus. She earned her M.Phil/Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Karachi (2012–2019), focusing on biocontrol potential of endophytic Penicillium spp. against root-rotting fungi and root-knot nematodes, and holds a B.S. (4-year) in Botany (2011) where she studied lead effects on seed germination. Currently, she is a Teaching Associate (since June 2025) in the Department of Botany, University of Karachi, after serving as Visiting Assistant Professor (Feb–Jun 2025) at the same institution, as well as previously (Jan–Jun 2022) at Federal Urdu University, and as an Assistant Professor / IPFP-Fellow (Dec 2020–Dec 2021). She is Associate Editor of the Journal of Sustainable Earth Management (JSEM). Her research interests include plant–microbe interactions, endophytic fungi, seaweed biostimulants, systemic resistance induction, molecular profiling (GC-MS, gene expression), and biological disease control. She has secured funding as Principal Investigator for an HEC-SRGP project on sunflower systemic resistance enhancement via fungi and seaweed. She has completed training such as the National Faculty Development Program (2020) and Project Management fundamentals (2021). Her contributions earned recognition in national capacity-building programs. In conclusion, Dr. Urooj is an active researcher and educator advancing sustainable phytopathology and biocontrol strategies in Pakistan.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Urooj, F., Azam, M., Riaz, S., Farhat, H., & Sohail, N. (2025). Elucidation of the anti-phytopathogenic and hepatoprotective potentials of Halimeda tuna*: A comprehensive phytochemical assessment using GC–MS profiling with emphasis on its bioefficacy against root rot disease.

Urooj, F., Riaz, S., Ummulbaneen, Nawaz, F. M., & Gul, S. (2025). Carbon sequestration potential of woody vegetation in public institutions: A case study of University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. Global NEST Journal.

Urooj, F., Farhat, H., & Riaz, S. (2025). Biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi and seaweed (Padina pavonica) against root rotting fungi in sunflower. Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology.

Urooj, F., Farhat, H., Riaz, S., Azam, M., & Sohail, N. (2025). Evaluation of combined application of endophytic fungi and Melanothamnus afaqhussaini against phytopathogens in Helianthus annuus L. In M. F. Nawaz, S. Gul, & Z. S. Siddiqui (Eds.), Climate change mitigation and environmental amelioration through plants and other sustainable practices.

Urooj, F., Farhat, H., Riaz, S., & Azam, M. (2024). Combined role of endophytic fungi and seaweeds in induction of systemic resistance in sunflower against root rotting fungi, and GC–MS profiling of mycelium of Penicillium citrinum. Pakistan Journal of Botany.