Ali Khourgami | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

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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.

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Featured Publications

Guanghao Li | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Guanghao Li | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

Yangzhou University | China

Li Guanghao is an accomplished crop scientist specializing in maize cultivation, yield and quality formation, and stress physiology. He earned his B.Sc. in Seed Science and Engineering at Shandong Agricultural University, followed by a Ph.D. in Crop Cultivation and Tillage at the same institution. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship, he joined the College of Agriculture at Yangzhou University, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor and supervisor of master’s students. Over his career, he has conducted extensive research into improving maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and quality, especially under challenging environmental conditions such as weak light stress, through optimizing fertilization and cultivation practices. His projects include national and provincial grants investigating physiological mechanisms underlying yield and quality formation, slow-release fertilizer application, and stress mitigation in waxy maize. He has received recognition for his doctoral dissertation as an outstanding thesis in Shandong Province. His research interest centers on maize physiology, agronomic management, abiotic stress tolerance, and sustainable crop production. With sustained publication output, teaching and mentorship experience, and practical application of research findings, he continues contributing to crop science and promoting high-efficiency, high-quality maize production.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Liu, J., Li, J., Guo, J., Yang, H., Li, G., & Lu, D. (2025, November 26). Application of exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide at the silking stage alleviates the effects of post-silking heat stress on photosynthetic performance of waxy maize. Agriculture.

Liang, Y., Liu, Q., Zeng, J., Xiong, F., Guo, J., Li, G., & Lu, D. (2024, October 23). Optimizing nitrogen input increased yield and efficiency in maize-soybean strip intercropping system. Agronomy.

Jiang, C., Liang, Y., Wang, Y., You, G., Guo, J., Lu, D., & Li, G. (2024, September 24). Effects of sulfur application on the quality of fresh waxy maize. Plants.

Sun, H., Li, W., Liang, Y., & Li, G. (2023, April 23). Shading stress at different grain filling stages affects dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in fresh waxy maize. Plants.

Li, G., Wang, L., Li, L., Lu, D., & Lu, W. (2020, January). Effects of fertilizer management strategies on maize yield and nitrogen use efficiencies under different densities. Agronomy Journal.

Janéne Strydom | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Janéne Strydom | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij | South Africa

Dr. Janéne Strydom is a South African horticultural scientist and leading viticulture researcher. She holds a PhD in Horticultural Science (2025), an MSc in Viticulture (2006), and a BSc in Viticulture & Enology (1999) from Stellenbosch University. Since 1999, she has served at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, progressing from Research Technician to Researcher, where she leads major national projects on table grape production, water management, mesoclimate effects, and grape quality from vineyard to shelf. Her research focuses on physiological responses of table grapes to microclimate, irrigation regimes, canopy management, biostimulants, and ripening dynamics—contributing extensively to improving cultivar quality and production systems in South Africa. Dr. Strydom has delivered numerous international conference presentations, published peer-reviewed journal articles, supervised technology-transfer initiatives, and served on scientific committees, including the editorial board of the South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture. She has also contributed to industry advisory panels and review committees for the South African Table Grape Industry. Through her applied research, leadership, and continuous engagement with growers, Dr. Strydom has significantly advanced modern viticultural practices and strengthened scientific understanding of table grape physiology.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Strydom, J., Volschenk, C. G., van der Rijst, M., de Palma, L., Novello, V., di Lorenzo, R., Pisciotta, A., Raath, P. J., & Hunter, J. J. (2025). Physiological response of Crimson Seedless table grape vines to controlled irrigation conditions in different micro-climatic environments. Plants.

Strydom, J., Hunter, J. J., van der Rijst, M., Volschenk, C. G., de Palma, L., Novello, V., di Lorenzo, R., & Pisciotta, A. (2023). Biochemical responses of Crimson Seedless (Vitis vinifera) grapevines to altered micro-climatic conditions and different water treatments in the Breede River Valley of South Africa . In GIESCO 2023: Diverse Germplasm and Precision Technologies for Varied and Changing Climates.

Strydom, J., Hunter, J. J., Volschenk, C. G., van der Rijst, M., de Palma, L., Novello, V., di Lorenzo, R., & Pisciotta, A. (2023). Physiological responses of Crimson Seedless (Vitis vinifera) grapevines to altered micro-climatic conditions and different water treatments in the Breede River Valley of South Africa. In GIESCO 2023: Diverse Germplasm and Precision Technologies for Varied and Changing Climates.

Strydom, J. (2017). Effect of a combination of three biostimulants on Flame Seedless grape quality in the Berg River Valley region of South Africa. In Proceedings of the 8th International Table Grape Symposium.

Strydom, J. (2014). Effect of CPPU (N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N’-phenylurea) and a seaweed extract on Crimson Seedless grape quality. In Proceedings of the 7th International Table Grape Symposium.

Sonia Malik | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Tissue Culture

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Prof. Dr. Sonia Malik | Plant Biotechnology | Excellence in Plant Tissue Culture

Baba Farid Group of Institutions | India

Dr. Sonia Malik, Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology, is an accomplished researcher and academic leader currently serving as Professor and Dean of Research and Development at the Baba Farid Group of Institutions, India. She has produced more than 65 research publications (documents), which have collectively received over 1660 citations and earned her a strong h-index of 23, demonstrating her significant global scientific impact. Dr. Malik earned her PhD from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology & Guru Nanak Dev University in 2009, specializing in in vitro culture systems and secondary metabolite production. She has held prestigious research and teaching positions in India, Brazil, Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, France, and South America, contributing to major projects in plant metabolic engineering, hairy root cultures, hydroponic and aeroponic systems, phytochemical profiling, and nanoparticle-mediated elicitation. Her research focuses on the biotechnological production of high-value bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. She has received notable awards, including the Fellow Award from the Society for Plant Research (2025), along with competitive grants and fellowships from FAPESP, FAPEMA, and CNPq. Dr. Malik continues to advance interdisciplinary scientific progress worldwide through her roles as an editor, reviewer, symposium organizer, and invited speaker.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Jacinto, C., Javed, Y., Lavorato, G., Tarraga, W. A., Conde, B. I. C., Orozco, J. M., Picco, A. S., Garcia, J., Dias, C. S. B., Malik, S., et al. (2025). Biotransformation and biological fate of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical research and clinical applications. Nanoscale Advances.

Luz, T. R. S. A., Serejo, A. P. M., Moraes, M. B. C., Oliveira, J. A. R. N., Heena, Kumaraguru, G., Shanmugam, G., Malik, S., Amaral, F. M. M., & Coutinho, D. F. (2025). Essential oils to treat insomnia: Clinical-based studies. In Essential Oil-Bearing Plants.

Jacinto, C., Silva, W. F., Garcia, J., Zaragosa, G. P., Ilem, C. N. D., Sales, T. O., Santos, H. D. A., Conde, B. I. C., Barbosa, H. P., Malik, S., et al. (2025). Nanoparticles-based image-guided thermal therapy and temperature feedback. Journal of Materials Chemistry B.

Malik, S., Salvatore, M. M., Bauchet, L., Bruat, M., Roubinet, B., Carpin, S., Andolfi, A., Cimmino, A., Landemarre, L., Masi, M., et al. (2025, November). Hydroponic cultivation technique in Populus nigra (L.) for the sustainable production of root metabolites with antimicrobial and prebiotic potential for skin microbiota. Industrial Crops and Products.

Heena, Sharma, P., Shaveta, Sharma, D., Pawan, R., Coutinho, D. F., Arroo, R., & Malik, S. (2025, June 20). Exploring the bioactive components of Stevia essential oil and their versatile applications in the food, cosmetic, and agricultural domains. Chemistry & Biodiversity.

Lilya Boucelha | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha | Plant Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

Biologie-USTHB | Algeria

Lilya Boucelha is a Maître-de-conférences A at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene (USTHB, Algiers), working in the Plant Physiology team of the Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms. She holds a Master’s in Plant Science & Biotechnologies, a Licence in Plant Biology, Physiology & Genetics, and earned her Doctorate (LMD 3rd cycle) in Genetics, Molecular Plant Physiology & Microbiology (2015) with highest honours. Her research focuses on seed priming (hydro- and osmopriming), seed ageing, abiotic stress tolerance—particularly drought and salinity—and the role of silicon, proline, and redox status in enhancing plant resilience. With over a decade of teaching experience in stress physiology, eco-physiology, and plant biology, she has also served on pedagogical committees and program revision teams. Her funded projects span national and international programmes addressing drought and salinity tolerance, as well as seed quality improvement through priming and silicon-based treatments. She has published 16 international peer-reviewed papers, contributed to 60 conference presentations, and participated in several nationally funded research projects. Her publications have collectively received over 83 citations and an h-index of 5, reflecting steady recognition of her research contributions. In 2022, she was awarded the International Prize for Young Algerian Researchers for Best Oral Presentation within the framework of the PHC Maghreb project, recognizing her excellence in scientific communication and research innovation. Boucelha is also the principal author of the article “Is protein carbonylation a biomarker of seed priming and ageing?”, published in Functional Plant Biology (2021), highlighting her leading contribution to research on seed physiology and oxidative stress biomarkers. She exemplifies a dynamic early-career academic who effectively integrates dedicated teaching with impactful research promoting sustainable crop production under challenging environmental conditions.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Benlahrech, S. (2025). The ambiguous role of silicon in the pregermination treatment of Vigna unguiculata seeds. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. Advance online publication.

Benlahrech, S., Boucelha, L., Cherchali, A., Djebbar, R., & Ounane, S. M. (2024). Characterization of non-rhizobial endophytic bacteria in Algerian cowpea root nodules: Unveiling potential for nitrogen fixation. Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fascicula Biologie.

Gueridi, S., Boucelha, L., Abrous-Belbachir, O., & Djebbar, R. (2024). Effects of hormopriming and pretreatment with gibberellic acid on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed germination. Acta Botanica Croatica.

Lamara, S., Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Chabane, D. (2023). Antioxidant activities in Pimpinella anisum L. callus responding to PEG-6000-induced water stress under light (12 h photoperiod) and dark conditions. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.

Beggah, S., Ellouzi, H., Boucelha, L., Zorrig, W., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2023). Ascorbate attenuates damages caused by paraquat-induced oxidative stress in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seedlings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition,

Shabeer Ahmad Dar | Plant Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Azime Gökçe | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Azime Gökçe | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology | Turkey

Dr. Azime Gökçe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Ege University, Türkiye, specializing in plant physiology and stress biology. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Physiology in 2023 and currently holds a TÜBİTAK 2218 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Her research integrates molecular, biochemical, and physiological approaches to understand plant responses to abiotic stress, with a particular focus on redox homeostasis, ROS–RNS signalling, glutamate receptor-like (GLR) genes, nitric oxide pathways, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Dr. Gökçe has published impactful studies in journals such as Plant Cell Reports, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Plant Growth Regulation, and Journal of Plant Research. She has led and contributed to multiple national and international projects funded by TÜBİTAK and collaborated with institutions including Syngenta and the Olive Research Institute. Her work also explores seed priming and biostimulant strategies to improve crop resilience under salinity, drought, and biotic stresses. With active roles as a reviewer and editorial board member, she contributes to scientific knowledge dissemination. As an early-career researcher, she has established herself as a promising scientist in plant stress physiology, aiming to translate fundamental discoveries into agricultural sustainability solutions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Gokce, A., Erdik, E., Cetinel, B., & Cetinkaya, N. (2021). The effect of Trichoderma citrinoviride treatment under salinity combined with Rhizoctonia solani infection in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Agronomy.

Gokce, A., Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., & Turkan, I. (2024). Involvement of GLR-mediated nitric oxide effects on ROS metabolism in Arabidopsis plants under salt stress. Journal of Plant Research.

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Yalcinkaya, T., Akyol, T. Y., Gokce, A., & Turkan, I. (2021). Pretreatment of seeds with hydrogen peroxide improves deep-sowing tolerance of wheat seedlings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Gokce, A., Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., & Turkan, I. (2024). Carnitine modulates antioxidative defense in ABI2 mutant under salt stress. Plant Growth Regulation.

Sekmen Çetinel, A. H., Çetinel, B., Gokce, A., Tatli, C., & Erdik, E. (2022). Molecular mechanisms–relayed plant defense responses against fungal pathogens. In Phytomycology and Molecular Biology of Plant–Pathogen Interactions.