Syed Inzimam Ul Haq | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Syed Inzimam Ul Haq | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Masaryk University, Czech Republic

Dr. Syed Inzimam Ul Haq is a passionate plant physiologist and PhD candidate at Masaryk University, Czechia, specializing in the analysis of photosynthetic activity using advanced biophysical methods such as in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and spectral reflectance. With over 3 peer-reviewed publications and a strong research portfolio, he has an h-index of 1, over 13 citations. He holds an M.Phil. and BS in Botany from Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan, and currently serves as a part-time cooperating staff member at the Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University. He has previously worked as a Lab Assistant and a Biology Teacher in Pakistan. His research interests include plant stress physiology, chlorophyll fluorescence, nanotechnology, CRISPR genome editing, and sustainable agriculture. He has presented his work at national and international conferences and mentored multiple undergraduate and postgraduate students. Notable projects include studies on the phytoremediation potential of crops and the physiological adaptation of plants under space-mimicking environments like Antarctic regolith. With a consistent Q1 publication record and international collaborations, Dr. Haq is committed to advancing knowledge in plant science and making impactful contributions to global agricultural sustainability.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Haq, S. I. U., Hájek, J., & Barták, M. (2025). From Antarctic regolith to lunar greenhouses: Mechanistic insights into Brassica rapa Photosystem II dynamics for sustainable space agriculture. Life Sciences in Space Research.

Haq, S. I. U., Tariq, F., Sama, N. U., Jamal, H., & Mohamed, I. H. (2025). Role of autophagy in plant growth and adaptation to salt stress. Planta, 261, 49.

Ullah, Z., Haq, S. I. U., Ullah, A., Asghar, M. A., Seleiman, M. F., Saleem, K., Zeng, F., Sama, N. U., Kamran, K., & Ahmad, S. (2024). Effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on growth and biochemical profile of Pearl millet under NaCl stress. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1–20.

Haq, S. I. U., Zheng, D., Feng, N., Jiang, X., Qiao, F., He, J. S., & Qiu, Q. S. (2022). Progresses of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in forage crops. Journal of Plant Physiology, 179, 153860.

Xie, Y., Haq, S. I. U., Jiang, X., Zheng, D., Feng, N., Wang, W., He, J.-S., & Qiu, Q. S. (2022). Plant genome editing: CRISPR, base editing, prime editing, and beyond. Grassland Research, 1–10.

 

Nadia Daskalova | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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.

Sonali Rajput | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sonali Rajput | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

HNBGU-Srinagar, Uttarakhand | India

Author Profile

Orcid ID
Google Scholar

🌟  Suitable for this Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sonali Rajput, a dynamic researcher in Seed Science and Technology, is an ideal nominee for the Best Researcher Award in Plant Breeding and Seed Innovation. With a strong academic background from SKUAST-Jammu and HNB Garhwal University, Dr. Rajput has consistently demonstrated excellence through her extensive hands-on experience in molecular techniques, seed viability assessments, and bioinformatics. She has actively contributed to research with multiple poster presentations, national and international conference participations, and training in CRISPR/Cas9 and R programming. Her work emphasizes sustainable agriculture, seed priming, genetic diversity, and climate-resilient crop development. A keen advocate of organic seed systems, she also brings practical exposure through internships and on-farm engagement. Her ability to merge scientific rigor with field applicability highlights her as a pioneering young scientist committed to advancing agricultural biotechnology for sustainable food systems. Her contributions make her an outstanding candidate for this prestigious honor.

🎓 Education 

Sonali Rajput has cultivated a solid academic foundation in agricultural sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture from SKUAST-Jammu (2017-2021), followed by a Master of Science in Seed Science and Technology from the same institution (2021-2023). Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Seed Science and Technology at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand (2024). Her academic journey is marked by an intensive engagement in both theoretical and practical aspects of seed biology, genetic improvement, and molecular techniques. Her education includes advanced coursework and hands-on experience in beekeeping, organic farming, CRISPR/Cas9, and statistical tools in R and Python. These academic achievements are complemented by certifications in biotechnology, organic farming, and programming, which provide her with a multidisciplinary edge in the field of plant breeding and seed research.

 💼  Professional Experience

Sonali Rajput’s professional journey is enriched with a series of impactful internships and field engagements. She has completed the RAWE program, working with farmer families to understand grassroots agricultural challenges. Internships with JKMPCL, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu, and Rapture Biotech International Ltd. have honed her skills in molecular biology, seed viability, and organic seed production. Her elective course in Apiculture provided additional value to her sustainable agriculture toolkit. Through participation in over 10 national conferences, workshops, and certificate programs, Sonali has developed an interdisciplinary approach blending practical fieldwork with high-end laboratory research. Her technical arsenal includes microbial isolation, PCR amplification, DNA/protein quantification, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and statistical tools for genetic diversity and correlation analysis. She is proficient in MS Office, R programming, and Python, which she utilizes for bioinformatics and plant genomics data analysis. This diverse exposure positions her as a future leader in plant breeding and seed technology.

🏅 Awards and Recognition 

Sonali Rajput has distinguished herself through various academic and research contributions. She was selected for poster presentations at top-tier conferences, such as the 5th International Conference on Climate Change and the National Conference on Coastal Ecosystem Management. She earned a certificate of merit in the AGRIVISION-2023 Convention and coordinated the SAHSI Self Defence Training program at SKUAST-Jammu. Her abstract on “Nano Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture” was appreciated at a national level. She has successfully completed numerous online courses on advanced topics like CRISPR/Cas9, organic farming, Python for genetics, and R programming. Her dedication to continuous learning and dissemination of agricultural innovations has earned her appreciation from organizing committees, peers, and faculty. These accolades not only reflect her academic merit but also her leadership potential and commitment to sustainable agricultural development and scientific research. She continues to grow as an exemplary figure in plant breeding and seed science.

🌍Research skills On Plant Breeding

Sonali possesses a robust suite of research skills essential for advanced work in plant breeding and seed technology. She is proficient in microbial, molecular, and seed technology methods. Her experience includes isolating endophytic bacteria, performing PCR, and quantifying DNA/proteins using spectrophotometry. She is adept in advanced statistical analysis techniques such as D2 clustering, PCA, path coefficient analysis, and genetic heritability estimation using R and Python. Sonali’s ability to perform seed viability tests, priming, organic seed production, and seed physiology studies positions her as an expert in seed development. She has hands-on experience with soil nitrogen analysis, chlorophyll measurement, and biochemical assays. Her research interest lies at the intersection of plant molecular biology, crop improvement, and sustainability. She integrates lab results with field data, bringing a holistic approach to agricultural research. Her capacity to analyze and visualize data ensures research outcomes are precise, relevant, and impactful for plant breeding advancements.

📖Publications

Advancement in Latest Plant Hormone – The Brassinosteroids
  • Authors: Aditi, Chaitanya Tiwari, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Articles

  • Year: 2025

Effect of Seed Priming on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
  • Authors: Shardul Pandey, Narendra Meghwal, Kartik Agrawat, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Articles

  • Year: 2025

Innovations in Breeding and Biofortification for Advancement in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) Production and Nutritional Enhancement
  • Authors: Masoom Ankit Patel, Chaitanya Tiwari, Pragnya Rout, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Magazine

  • Year: 2025

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Correlation, and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Yield Components Traits in Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]
  • Authors: Sonali Rajput, Anjani Kumar Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Vishal Raina, Amrish Vaid

  • Journal: Vegetos

  • Year: 2025

The Role of Groundnut in Sustainable Agriculture: Breeding for Reduced Input Dependency
  • Authors: Chaitanya Tiwari, Masoom Ankit Patel, Sonali Rajput, Aviral Upadhyay, Shreeram Nitharwal

  • Journal: Agri Magazine

  • Year: 2025