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.

Rameswar Prasad Sah | Plant Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

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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.

Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Adane Gebeyehu | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Sweden

Dr. Adane Gebeyehu Demissie is a distinguished plant genomics and biotechnology researcher with over 12 years of experience advancing genomic innovations for crop improvement. He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Addis Ababa University in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), an MSc in Plant Biotechnology from Wageningen University, and an MSc in Plant Breeding from Bahir Dar University. His research integrates genomics-assisted breeding, QTL mapping, GWAS, genomic selection, RNA-seq, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop climate-resilient oilseed and cereal crops. With an h-index of 3, more than 23 citations, and over 4 scientific documents, Dr. Demissie has published extensively in high-impact journals including Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Plant Science, and Agronomy. His professional experience spans postdoctoral research at SLU, senior research roles at Ethiopia’s Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, and lecturing positions where he designed the first BSc curriculum in Agricultural Biotechnology in Ethiopia. He has secured competitive grants from Carl-Tryggers Foundation, Sida-SLU, and the Ethiopian Science Foundation, and received prestigious recognitions such as the Young Scientist Award from the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. Passionate about mentoring and policy development, Dr. Demissie continues to bridge cutting-edge genomics with agricultural innovation to enhance global food security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

“Transcriptome analysis identifies genes regulating self-compatibility, flowering time, and oil biosynthesis in Noug (Guizotia abyssinica)”

“SNP-based linkage mapping reveals novel quantitative trait loci for yield traits in noug (Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass.)”

“Temperature affects major fatty acid biosynthesis in noug (Guizotia abyssinica) self-compatible lines”

“Sesame, an Underutilized Oil Seed Crop: Breeding Achievements and Future Challenges”

“RNA-Seq Provides Novel Genomic Resources for Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) and Reveals Microsatellite Frequency and Distribution in Its Transcriptome”

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

 

MUSLIM QADIR | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. MUSLIM QADIR | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

South China Agricultural University | China

Author Profile

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👨‍🔬 Summary:

Dr. Muslim Qadir is a dedicated researcher specializing in crop genetics and plant breeding with a strong focus on reproductive biology, stress physiology, and genome-editing technologies. He has advanced experience in GWAS, QTL mapping, transcriptomics, proteomics, and phytohormonal analysis. Currently affiliated with the College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University (SCAU), Guangzhou, China, Dr. Qadir actively contributes to translational research for sustainable agriculture and crop improvement.

🎓 Education:

He holds a Ph.D. in Crop Genetics and Breeding from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Wuhan (2019–2022), a Master’s in Biology (Plant Breeding and Genetics) from Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan (2016–2018), and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from LUAWMS, Pakistan (2012–2016).

💼 Professional Experience:

Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at SCAU (2024–Present), he has also served as a Research Associate at UAE University (2023), working on transcriptomic profiling in date palm, and as a Research Assistant at various institutions including LUAWMS and RRI-China. His career spans physiological studies in cotton, wheat, and rice, to functional genomics in rapeseed.

📚 Academic Citations & Publications:

Dr. Qadir has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Frontiers in Plant Science, Genome Editing, BMC Plant Biology, and Environmental Chemistry & Ecotoxicology. His notable publications explore ovule development, CRISPR/Cas9, stress resilience, biocontrol mechanisms, and soil remediation strategies. His cumulative citations reflect a growing international academic impact.

🧪 Technical Skills:

He possesses expertise in GWAS, QTL mapping, bioinformatics, high-throughput phenotyping, phytohormone quantification, antioxidant assays, gene expression analysis, tissue culture, DNA/RNA extraction, and functional genomics tools like CRISPR. He is proficient in statistical and molecular software tools and has hands-on field and lab experience.

🎓 Teaching Experience:

Dr. Qadir has mentored students in experimental design, data interpretation, and thesis writing during his research tenure. He has actively engaged in research training workshops and collaborative scientific projects, both in China and the UAE.

🌱 Research Interests:

His core research areas include plant reproductive genetics, seed trait development, stress physiology, plant–environment interaction, genome editing for climate resilience, and integrated crop management. His research aims to enhance productivity and sustainability in oilseed, cereal, and fruit crops.

📖Publications

Genome-Wide Identification of Chitinase Gene Family in Barley (Hordeum vulgare): Insights into Stress Response Mechanisms and Evolutionary Dynamics

    • Authors: Muslim Qadir Baloch; Irfan Ali Sabir; Farhan Nabi; Aamir Manzoor; Fazal Ullah; Muhammad Saeed; Abeer Hashem; Jawaher Alkahtani; Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah

    • Journal: BMC Plant Biology

    • Year: 2025

CRISPR/Cas9: a sustainable technology to enhance climate resilience in major Staple Crops

    • Authors: Navjot Kaur; Muslim Qadir; Dali V. Francis; Anshu Alok; Siddharth Tiwari; Zienab F. R. Ahmed

    • Journal: Frontiers in Genome Editing

    • Year: 2025

Dissection of the genetic basis and molecular mechanism of ovule number per ovary in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

    • Authors: Muslim Qadir Baloch; Xinyi Lin; Farhan Nabi; Kishore Kumar Ashok; Xue-Rong Zhou; Qingbin Sun; Peiman Shi; Xinfa Wang; Jiaqin Shi

    • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science

    • Year: 2025

Enhancing crop resilience by harnessing the synergistic effects of biostimulants against abiotic stress

    • Authors: Anam Asif; Muslim Qadir; Maratab Ali; Rajmohan Karthikeyan; Zora Singh; Ravjit Khangura; Francesco Di Gioia; Zienab F. R. Ahmed

    • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science

    • Year: 2023

 Genetic dissection of the natural variation of ovule number per ovary in oilseed rape germplasm (Brassica napus L.)

    • Authors: Muslim Qadir Baloch

    • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science

    • Year: 2022