Marina Lopez Pozo | Plant Stress Physiology | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Marina Lopez Pozo | Plant Stress Physiology | Research Excellence Award

University of Colorado, Boulder | Spain

Dr. Marina López-Pozo is a plant ecophysiologist with a PhD in Environmental Agrobiology and over a decade of international research experience spanning Europe, the United States, and extreme environments including Antarctica. Her work integrates plant stress physiology, photosynthesis, controlled-environment agriculture, and space crop science, with leadership roles in NASA- and DOE-funded projects. She has contributed to innovative research on duckweed, plant–microbe interactions, and sustainable food systems for space and Earth. Dr. López-Pozo is an accomplished author in high-impact journals, an expert evaluator and editor, a dedicated mentor, and a recognized contributor to advancing resilient, future-ready agriculture.

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Alihan Katlav | Crop Protection | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Alihan Katlav | Crop Protection | Research Excellence Award

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University | Australia

Alihan Katlav, PhD, is an agricultural entomologist specializing in biological control, insect–microbe interactions, and integrated pest management. He earned his PhD in Agricultural Entomology from Western Sydney University and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. His research integrates molecular, ecological, and field-based approaches to develop sustainable, pollinator-safe pest management strategies, particularly using entomopathogenic nematodes against honey bee pests. He has published extensively in high-impact journals, serves as an Associate Editor for leading entomology journals, and has received multiple competitive national and international research awards, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture and pollinator health.

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Shoaib Zawar | Plant Stress Physiology | Innovations in Plant Physiology

Mr. Shoaib Zawar | Plant Stress Physiology | Innovations in Plant Physiology

Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture Multan | Pakistan

Shoaib Zawar is a motivated agronomy researcher with a strong academic background in crop science and sustainable agriculture. He completed his higher education in Agronomy with a specialization in crop physiology at Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan, where his research focused on enhancing drought tolerance through seed priming and micronutrient management. Shoaib has gained hands-on research and field experience through internships at agronomic research stations and agricultural extension departments, along with advanced laboratory training in analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, and soil–plant analysis tools. His research interests include drought and heat stress physiology, seed priming, nutrient management, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable soil management, and yield optimization in cereal and pulse crops. He has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in reputed agricultural journals, addressing crop productivity, stress mitigation, and sustainable farming practices. Shoaib has actively participated in international conferences and technical workshops related to climate resilience and modern agronomy. His academic excellence has been recognized through competitive scholarships and national-level awards. With a strong commitment to research, innovation, and sustainable food systems, he aims to contribute meaningfully to agricultural development and climate-resilient crop production at both national and global levels.

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Sozan Elabeid | Plant Pathology | Excellence in Crop Improvement

 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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San Nyunt Nan | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Ms. San Nyunt Nan | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

National Taiwan University | Taiwan

Nan San Nyunt is an agricultural professional from a farming community with a strong focus on climate-smart agriculture, crop modeling, and sustainable farming practices. She earned her M.Sc. in Global Agriculture Technology and Genomic Science from National Taiwan University, where she conducted research on climate change risk assessment and adaptation strategies for potato production in Myanmar using the DSSAT model. Her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Yezin Agricultural University involved experimental work on controlling root-knot nematodes in tomato crops. Nan has extensive experience working with NGOs and international organizations, leading farmer-centered initiatives, capacity-building programs, and agricultural innovation projects. She co-founded Taungthutada (TTTD), managing projects aimed at food security, women’s empowerment in agribusiness, and improving access to innovative agricultural services. Her roles include research assistant and teaching assistant at National Taiwan University, where she focuses on crop modeling, crop rotation simulations, and research manuscript preparation. She has presented her work at international conferences and published research on the impacts of climate change on potato production. Nan’s interests include crop modeling, agronomic research, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable agricultural value chains. She has been recognized with the NTU-SEARCA Joint Scholarship for her academic and research excellence. Nan continues to bridge research and practice to advance climate-resilient agriculture.

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Gaurav Raturi | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Gaurav Raturi | Sustainable Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Texas Tech University | United States

He has received several prestigious awards, including the travel award for the Anvi’o Workshop and ECR Symposium in Germany, the AMI Young Scientist Award (Agriculture Microbiology), the Best Poster Award at ICPR, the Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship, ICAR-NET, CSIR-UGC NET-JRF (AIR 66) and NET-LS (AIR 30), and the Uttarakhand SET. He serves on the editorial boards of BMC Plant Biology, Genome Editing in Plants, IJMB, Cellular Microbiology (Hindawi), and BioMed Research International, and has reviewed more than ten manuscripts for reputed journals such as Scientific Reports, JAR, PLOS One, and BNRC. He is an active member of AMI, ISSAG, ASHS, ASPB, YESS, and the South American Mycorrhizal Research Network. His Ph.D. work led to the discovery and characterization of silicate-solubilizing Enterobacter sp. LR6, whose 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequence have been deposited in NCBI. He has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, including the IGCAST Symposium, Soy, ASPB Plant Biology, and ICPR, and has undergone training in genomics, membrane protein simulations, microbial fermentation, and water-quality monitoring. Overall, Dr. Gaurav Raturi is an accomplished early-career scientist contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture, microbial biotechnology, and plant–microbe symbiosis research.

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Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini | Weed Science | Best Researcher Award

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection | Iran

Prof. Mehdi Minbashi Moeini is a leading weed scientist and agronomist whose academic career is built on a B.Sc. in Agronomy & Plant Breeding from Shiraz University, an M.Sc. in Agronomy from Isfahan University of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Weed Science from the University of Tehran, where he focused on pioneering GIS applications for weed management in wheat and canola crops. With over two decades of service at the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP), he has advanced from Research Instructor to Research Professor, while holding key leadership roles including Deputy for Research & Technology, Secretary of the Agronomy Taskforce at AREEO, and Head of the Weed Research Department. His scholarly contributions include 10 documented publications, which have achieved 83 citations with an h-index of 5, underlining his scientific impact in the field. His research interests span weed biology, integrated weed management, herbicide physiology, parasitic weeds such as broomrape, and precision agriculture using GIS and remote sensing. He is also the author of notable scientific books including “Biology and Management of Water Hyacinth” and “Sunflower Plant Protection Handbook.” His work supports innovation in sustainable weed control and strengthens global agricultural productivity.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Moeini, M. M., Haghighi, A., Kootiani, M. S., & Samadani, B. (2023). Evaluation of Bentazon + Dichlorprop for control of noxious broadleaf weeds in wheat fields of Iran. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Mamnoie, E., Karaminejad, M. R., Aliverdi, A., & Moeini, M. M. (2022). Application efficacy of newly released pre-mixed herbicide in winter wheat: Joystick®. Journal of Agricultural Science, Estonian Academic Agricultural Society.

Veisi, M., Moeini, M. M., Jahedi, A., Mansoori, M. S., & Sabeti, P. (2022). Weed control efficacy: Response of chickpea to pre- and post-emergence herbicides. Gesunde Pflanzen.

Moeini, M. M., Hadizadeh, M. H., Karaminejad, M. R., Zangeneh, H. S., Jamali, M., & Haghighi, A. A. (2022). Efficacy of fluroxypyr compared with common broadleaf herbicides in the wheat fields. Journal of Iranian Plant Protection Research.

Moeini, M. M. (2021). Germination biology and phenological development stages of false jagged-chickweed (Lepyrodiclis holosteoides). Journal of Plant Protection Research.

Jianglong Li | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Jianglong Li | Plant Physiology | Research Excellence Award

College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University | China

Li Jianglong is a promising early-career researcher currently completing his B.Eng. in Facility Agriculture Science and Engineering at South China Agricultural University. His academic training emphasizes greenhouse cultivation, soilless cultivation, plant physiology, and environmental control technologies in horticulture. He has already published one first-author peer-reviewed paper in the journal Horticulturae, titled “Light-Nutrient Optimization Enhances Cherry Tomato Yield and Quality in Greenhouses”; to date (December 2025). His research interests focus on nutrient optimization strategies, precision hydroponic management, greenhouse seedling production, and sustainable facility agriculture for high-quality horticultural crops. Beyond the lab, he led a provincially funded undergraduate innovation project exploring bioactive compounds in colorful cherry tomatoes and their precise nutrient-solution management, and he captained a “Maker Cup” innovation competition project on multi-target regulation of cherry-tomato sub-health ecosystems. He has earned multiple awards in provincial English writing contests, university-level competitions, and national scholarships, demonstrating both academic versatility and communication skills. Committed, hardworking, and team-oriented, he aspires to contribute to sustainable horticultural production and crop quality improvement through integrated greenhouse technologies.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Li, J., Xie, Z., Zhao, T., Li, H., Chen, R., Song, S., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Light–nutrient optimization enhances cherry tomato yield and quality in greenhouses. Horticulturae,

Guanghao Li | Crop Science | Research Excellence Award

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.

Naser Safaie | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

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.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

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,