Lydia Madika | Plant Systematics | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Lydia Madika | Plant Systematics | Research Excellence Award

University of Cape Town | South Africa

L. K. Madika is a PhD graduand in Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, specialising in plant systematics with a focus on the genus Aspalathus (Fabaceae) and its evolutionary relationships within the Crotalarieae. With an MSc and BSc Honours in Botany from the University of Johannesburg, Madika has extensive experience in herbarium curation, databasing, georeferencing, and biodiversity information management through roles at the Bolus Herbarium, SANBI, and the National Museum Bloemfontein. Their research integrates taxonomy, phylogenomics, and digitisation, supported by international collaborations, and has resulted in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations contributing to African plant biodiversity knowledge.

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Neslihan Bal | Plant Pest Insects | Excellence in Research award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neslihan Bal | Plant Pest Insects | Excellence in Research award

Gazi University | Turkey

Dr. Neslihan Bal is a Doctor Faculty Member in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, Ankara. She completed her higher education in biology with a specialization in entomology and has developed strong expertise in insect morphology, taxonomy, and ultrastructural analysis. Her academic career is marked by extensive experience in teaching, research, and scientific publishing, particularly in the use of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for taxonomic and systematic studies of Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Dr. Bal has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles published in internationally indexed journals, including SCI-Expanded journals, with several papers ranked in Q1 and Q2 quartiles. Her research interests focus on insect genital morphology, ultrastructure of reproductive organs, systematics and taxonomy of beetles, biodiversity, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change on insect distribution. She has contributed significantly to the description of new species, new records for the Turkish fauna, and comparative morphological analyses with taxonomic significance. Through national and international collaborations, she actively supports the advancement of entomological research. Dr. Bal’s scientific contributions have strengthened the understanding of insect diversity in Türkiye and surrounding regions, and she continues to play an important role in training young researchers and advancing microscopy-based biological research.

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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.

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,

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.

Profile: Orcid

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,

Rakhee Dangi | Plant Systematics | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Rakhee Dangi | Plant Systematics | Women Researcher Award

Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology | India

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👩‍🔬 Professional Summary

Dr. Rakhee Dangi is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Microbiology and Plant Taxonomy, with over two decades of experience. Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, her expertise lies in molecular systematics, phytochemistry, and genetic diversity analysis of plant species, especially Trigonella.

🎓 Education & Qualifications

She holds a postgraduate degree in Microbiology and has qualified the State Eligibility Test, affirming her academic competence and teaching eligibility.

 💼   Professional Experience

  • 🧪 1999–2002: Project Assistant, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

  • 👩‍🏫 2005–2013: Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Fergusson College, Pune

  • 🧬 2013–Present: Associate Professor, RGITBT, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune

📚 Publications & Academic Contributions

Dr. Dangi has authored 13+ peer-reviewed journal publications, covering molecular phylogenetics, species taxonomy, and biochemical profiling. She has also presented in key national and international conferences and contributed to plant biodiversity research, particularly in Trigonella and Melilotus species.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Proficient in molecular marker techniques (RAPD, ISSR), phylogenetic analysis (nrDNA, cpDNA), phytochemical extraction, in vitro antioxidant assays, and statistical evaluation of genetic diversity.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

With nearly 20 years of academic teaching, she has mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students in Microbiology and Biotechnology, fostering research-driven learning.

🔬 Research Interests

Her core research areas include:

  • Molecular taxonomy and systematics of Trigonella and Melilotus

  • Plant secondary metabolites and bioactivity screening

  • Conservation of genetic plant resources and phylogenetic studies

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

  • Best Outgoing Student (Teachers’ Choice Award), Abasaheb Garware College

  • Best Paper Presentation Award, Int’l Conference on Biodiversity (2014)

  • Qualified State Eligibility Test (SET)

📖Publications

 Generic reappraisal in the tribe Trifolieae subtribe Trigonellinae (Leguminosae)
  • Authors: Khushboo Mittal, Rakhee Dangi
    Journal: Plant Systematics and Evolution
    Year: 2025
 Molecular phylogenetic studies on Trigonella section Ellipticae (Trifolieae, Fabaceae) from India utilising nrDNA (ITS) and cpDNA (trnL–trnF & petL–psbE)
  • Authors: Khushboo Mittal, Rakhee Dangi, Priyanka Ingle, Akhtar H. Mallik
    Journal: Phytotaxa
    Year: 2024
 Sympatric speciation in Dipcadi saxorum at Kanheri Caves, Borivali, Maharashtra India
  • Authors: Suchandra Ranjit Dutta, Hensal Salvador Rodrigues, Pramodachandra Praful Harvey, Kiran Gangadhar Chakral, Priyanka Ingle, Rakhee Dangi
    Journal: Phytotaxa
    Year: 2024
 Preliminary evaluation of the phylogenetic position of Trigonella griffithii (Fabaceae): a newly recorded species to the flora of India
  • Authors: Khushboo Mittal, Rakhee Dangi, Akhtar H. Mallik, Priyanka Ingle, Faiz A. Shah
    Journal: Rheedea
    Year: 2023
 Trigonella kargilensis (Trifolieae, Fabaceae), a New Species from India Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence
  • Authors: Khushboo Mittal, Rakhee Dangi, Priyanka Ingle, Akhtar H. Mallik
    Journal: Annales Botanici Fennici
    Year: 2023