HONGBO SHAO | Soil | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. HONGBO SHAO | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Shao, Yancheng Normal University, China

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Shao is a leading researcher at Yancheng Normal University, China, specializing in plant stress biology, soil-plant interactions, and environmental sustainability. With a Ph.D. in Soil Biology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, his work focuses on salt stress tolerance, phytoremediation, and sustainable soil management. He has published extensively in high-impact journals and has received numerous awards for his contributions to agricultural and environmental sciences. Prof. Shao is actively involved in international collaborations and serves as an editor and reviewer for prestigious scientific journals.

Profile

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Summary:

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Shao is a highly accomplished researcher with vast expertise in soil science, plant stress physiology, and environmental sustainability. His significant contributions to phytoremediation, sustainable soil management, and molecular plant adaptation make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His leadership in mentoring young scientists and active participation in the global research community further enhance his suitability for this recognition.

🎓 Education

Shao Hong-Bo earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Harbin Normal University in 1988. He pursued his Master’s degree in Plant Biology at Zhejiang University, completing it in 1990. His Ph.D. in Soil Biology, focusing on the mutual responding relationship between soil and plants, was awarded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2005.

💼Experience

Shao Hong-Bo has had a distinguished academic and research career. From 1988 to 2001, he served as a lecturer in Botany and an associate professor at Jilin Normal University. Between 2001 and 2003, he was an advanced visiting scholar at the State Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Engineering and Protein Engineering, Peking University. From 2003 to 2005, he worked as a full professor at the Guangxi Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). From 2003 to 2015, he was a senior research scientist and Ph.D. supervisor at the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, CAS. Since 2015, he has been a professor at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Nanjing, China. He also serves as a member of prestigious scientific societies and is an editorial board member for several high-impact academic journals.

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily explores plant stress biology, soil-plant interactions, and environmental sustainability. His work emphasizes plant adaptation mechanisms to salt and water stress at the molecular level and agricultural resource utilization for soil conservation. He has made groundbreaking contributions to soil improvement through phytoremediation and has conducted significant studies on the ecological and molecular aspects of plant-environment interactions. His research extends to soil ecology, sustainable land management, and innovative strategies for restoring degraded soils.

🛠️Skills

Shao Hong-Bo possesses extensive expertise in plant stress biology, particularly under salt and water stress at the physiological and molecular levels. His skills include soil-plant interaction analysis, salt soil improvement through phytoremediation, soil ecology, and agricultural resource utilization. He is proficient in molecular biology techniques, plant genomics, and ecosystem-level research in sustainable soil protection. He is also an accomplished reviewer and editor for international journals, contributing to over 36 reputable publications.

🏆Awards

He has received numerous awards for his scientific contributions. He was honored with the Scientific and Technological Advancement Prizes at Jilin Normal University in 1994, 1996, and 1998. He received the Outstanding Youth Prize of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2003 and the Western Scholar Award in 2004. His achievements were further recognized with the Excellent Prize of the Dean of CAS in 2004 and the Outstanding Prize from the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming in 2005. He was also awarded the Excellent Ph.D. Dissertation Prize from CAS in 2005 and has been included in “Who’s Who in the World” since 2006. In 2009, he was selected for the One Hundred-Talent Plan of CAS. His research has also been recognized with the 2008 Most Cited Paper Award from the International Journal of Biological Sciences.

📚 Publications

    1. Publication: Depiction of the Dairy Product Supplemented with the Exopolysaccharide from Pediococcus acidilactici BCB1H by Metabolomics Analysis
      Authors: Gege Hu, Hangyu Hu, Tariq Aziz, Thamer H. Albekairi, Abdullah F. Alasmari
      Year: 2024
      Journal: Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

    2. Publication: Developments and Prospects of Farmland Application of Biogas Slurry in China—A Review
      Authors: Zichen Wang, Isaac Adeyemi Sanusi, Jidong Wang, Ademola Olufolahan Olaniran, Hongbo Shao
      Year: 2023
      Journal: Microorganisms

    3. Publication: Advances in Roles of Salicylic Acid in Plant Tolerance Responses to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
      Authors: Weiyi Song, Hongbo Shao, Aizhen Zheng, Longfei Zhao, Yajun Xu
      Year: 2023
      Journal: Plants

    4. Publication: Aging Characteristics and Fate Analysis of Liquid Digestate Ammonium Nitrogen Disposal in Farmland Soil
      Authors: Zichen Wang, Guofeng Sun, Liping Zhang, Evariste Bosco Gueguim Kana, Hongbo Shao
      Year: 2022
      Journal: Water (Switzerland)

    5. Publication: Applications of Plant Protein in the Dairy Industry
      Authors: Gege Hu, Jing Liu, Yihui Wang, Zhennai Yang, Hongbo Shao
      Year: 2022
      Journal: Foods

    6. Publication: Improving Soil Fertility by Driving Microbial Community Changes in Saline Soils of Yellow River Delta under Petroleum Pollution
      Authors: Bingchen Wang, Shaoping Kuang, Hongbo Shao, Fei Cheng, Huihui Wang
      Year: 2022
      Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

    7. Publication: Anaerobic-Petroleum Degrading Bacteria: Diversity and Biotechnological Applications for Improving Coastal Soil
      Authors: Bingchen Wang, Shaoping Kuang, Hongbo Shao, Lei Wang, Huihui Wang
      Year: 2021
      Journal: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

    8. Publication: Characterization of Interactions Between the Soybean Salt-Stress Responsive Membrane-Intrinsic Proteins GmPIP1 and GmPIP2
      Authors: Jia Liu, Weicong Qi, Hai Ying Lu, Hongbo Shao, Dayong Zhang
      Year: 2021
      Journal: Agronomy

    9. Publication: Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Potential Effects on Soil Properties, Crop Production, Food Processing, and Food Quality
      Authors: Mohamed Salah Sheteiwy, Hiba Shaghaleh, Yousef Alhaj Hamoud, Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi, Tianow Wu
      Year: 2021
      Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

    10. Publication: Seed Priming and Foliar Application with Jasmonic Acid Enhance Salinity Stress Tolerance of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seedlings
      Authors: Mohamed Salah Sheteiwy, Hongbo Shao, Weicong Qi, Qun Wan, Hai Ying Lu
      Year: 2021
      Journal: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Shao is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive research output, global impact, and dedication to advancing soil and plant sciences make him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor. Recognizing him with this award would acknowledge his significant contributions and inspire further innovations in the field.

Bing zhao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Bing zhao | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Bing zhao, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Bing Zhao is a lecturer at the College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, China. She holds a Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture from Beijing Forestry University and has conducted postdoctoral research in horticulture. Her research focuses on the physiological resistance, propagation, and genetic diversity of Rhododendron, as well as the phytoremediation potential of ornamental plants like Hydrangea. She has published extensively in high-impact journals and has international research experience, including as a visiting scholar at the University of Georgia, USA.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Bing Zhao is a highly accomplished researcher with significant contributions to plant stress physiology and phytoremediation. Her publications, international collaborations, and academic leadership position her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While she has already made substantial advancements in her field, expanding interdisciplinary partnerships and policy engagement could further enhance her impact.

🎓 Education

Zhao Bing obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Shengyang Agricultural University in 2003. She pursued her Ph.D. in the College of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University, which she completed in 2008. She further advanced her expertise through a postdoctoral position in the Department of Horticulture at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, she expanded her international academic experience as a visiting scholar at the University of Georgia, USA, in 2013.

💼Experience

Zhao Bing began her academic career as a lecturer at the College of Forestry, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, in 2008. In 2014, she transitioned to the College of Landscape Architecture and Arts at the same university, where she continues to serve as a lecturer. She has extensive experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on topics such as flower taxonomy, the art of flower arranging, the production technology of cut flowers, and the management and planting techniques of garden plants.

🔬Research Focus

Her research primarily focuses on the physiological resistance, propagation, and flower color breeding of Rhododendron, as well as its genetic diversity. More recently, she has contributed significantly to studies on the phytoremediation potential of ornamental plants, particularly in lead and cadmium-contaminated soils. Her work includes genetic analysis, physiological responses to environmental stressors, and plant adaptation mechanisms.

🛠️Skills

Zhao Bing is proficient in plant physiology, horticultural techniques, genetic diversity analysis, and environmental remediation research. She has expertise in molecular marker analysis, plant tissue culture, and stress physiology. Her skills extend to mentoring students and guiding research projects in plant science and ecological restoration.

🏆Awards

She has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing significantly to the fields of landscape architecture and plant physiology. Her studies on Rhododendron and Hydrangea have been widely cited, showcasing her influence in plant stress tolerance and phytoremediation research. She has collaborated internationally and played a key role in advancing knowledge on plant-environment interactions.

📚 Publications

  • Publication: Exogenous organic acids promoted phytoremediation by Hydrangea macrophylla in cadmium-contaminated soil
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
    Authors: Yunjing Song, Qian Cheng, Bing Zhao

  • Publication: Glycolic acid addition enhances lead uptake and transport by Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. of different plant ages
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Environmental Technology and Innovation
    Authors: Huiqi Zhao, Huan Chen, Bing Zhao

Conclusion:

Dr. Bing Zhao is a suitable and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her strong research record, innovative phytoremediation work, and dedication to academic growth make her a valuable contributor to environmental sciences and plant physiology. Recognizing her with this award would encourage further groundbreaking research in her field.

Hao Lu | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hao Lu | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hao Lu, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hao Lu is a researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, specializing in computer vision and AI applications in agriculture. His work focuses on visual dense prediction, including semantic segmentation, depth estimation, and image matting. He has developed innovative upsampling operators such as IndexNet, SAPA, and FADE, as well as TasselNet, a widely used plant counting model. With over 80 publications, including 30+ CCF A-class papers and three ESI highly cited papers, his contributions have earned prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Paper Award from the European Agricultural Engineering Society.

Profile

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Summary:

Dr. Hao Lu is an exceptional early-career researcher with an impressive track record in AI-driven agriculture. His innovative research, high-impact publications, technological developments, and international collaborations position him as a strong candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award. While expanding his global influence and increasing the real-world application of his research could enhance his impact, his current achievements make him highly competitive for the award.

🎓 Education

Hao Lu holds a faculty position as an Associate Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His academic background is rooted in computer vision and artificial intelligence, with a specialization in their applications in agriculture. His research expertise covers visual dense prediction, including semantic segmentation, depth estimation, and image matting, contributing to advancements in AI-driven agricultural technologies.

💼Experience

With a strong research portfolio, Hao Lu has made significant contributions to AI-driven plant phenotyping and crop monitoring systems. He has authored over 80 research papers, including more than 30 CCF A-class papers and three ESI highly cited papers. His collaborative efforts include working with leading experts such as Prof. Chunhua Shen from the University of Adelaide and Prof. Zhiguo Cao from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His experience extends to pioneering AI applications in precision agriculture and smart farming.

🔬Research Focus

His research spans computer vision and AI applications in agriculture, specifically visual dense prediction and plant phenotyping. He has pioneered novel upsampling operators such as IndexNet, SAPA, and FADE, significantly improving image processing techniques. His TasselNet model is widely used in plant counting and phenotyping research, making a substantial impact on precision agriculture.

🛠️Skills

Hao Lu possesses expertise in computer vision, deep learning, and AI for agriculture. His work bridges fundamental AI advancements with real-world applications, including smart farming solutions. He has mentored students and contributed to high-impact research, with a citation count exceeding 4000 on Google Scholar. His research continues to drive innovations in crop monitoring, precision agriculture, and smart farming technologies.

🏆Awards

Hao Lu has received prestigious awards for his contributions to AI in agriculture. His research earned the Outstanding Paper Award from the European Agricultural Engineering Society. Additionally, his development of an automatic crop growth monitoring system was recognized with a bronze medal at the Geneva International Invention Exhibition.

📚 Publications

  • SCAPE: A Simple and Strong Category-Agnostic Pose Estimator
    Authors: Yujia Liang, Zixuan Ye, Wenze Liu, Hao Lu
    Journal: [No source information available]
    Year: 2024
  • FADE: A Task-Agnostic Upsampling Operator for Encoder–Decoder Architectures
    Authors: Hao Lu, Wenze Liu, Hongtao Fu, Zhiguo Cao
    Journal: International Journal of Computer Vision
    Year: 2025
  • Bridging Real and Simulated Data for Cross-Spatial-Resolution Vegetation Segmentation with Application to Rice Crops
    Authors: Yangmingrui Gao, Linyuan Li, Marie Weiss, Frédéric Baret, Shouyang Liu
    Journal: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
    Year: 2024
  • Counting Crowd by Weighing Counts: A Sequential Decision-Making Perspective
    Authors: Hao Lu, Liang Liu, Hu Wang, Zhiguo Cao
    Journal: IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems
    Year: 2024
  • Vision Transformer Off-the-Shelf: A Surprising Baseline for Few-Shot Class-Agnostic Counting
    Authors: Zhicheng Wang, Liwen Xiao, Zhiguo Cao, Hao Lu
    Journal: [No source information available]
    Year: 2024
  • In-Context Matting
    Authors: He Guo, Zixuan Ye, Zhiguo Cao, Hao Lu
    Journal: [No source information available]
    Year: 2024
  • Unifying Automatic and Interactive Matting with Pretrained ViTs
    Authors: Zixuan Ye, Wenze Liu, He Guo, Hao Lu, Zhiguo Cao
    Journal: [No source information available]
    Year: 2024
  • SIERRA: A Robust Bilateral Feature Upsampler for Dense Prediction
    Authors: Hongtao Fu, Wenze Liu, Yuliang Liu, Zhiguo Cao, Hao Lu
    Journal: Computer Vision and Image Understanding
    Year: 2023

Conclusion:

Dr. Hao Lu is an ideal candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award. His work has already made a significant impact, and with continued advancements, he has the potential to become a global leader in AI-driven agricultural technologies.

Aziz Aziz | Agricultural | Soil Biodiversity Conservation Award

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Prof. Aziz Aziz | Agricultural | Soil Biodiversity Conservation Award

Prof. Aziz, University of Reims, France

Prof. Aziz Aziz is a Full Professor at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France, specializing in plant-microbe interactions, biocontrol, and plant immunity. With a Ph.D. from the University of Rennes 1 (1996) and extensive postdoctoral research at INRA Versailles and the University of Reims, he has dedicated his career to understanding how beneficial microbes enhance plant defense against pathogens. His research focuses on induced resistance, microbial diversity, and sustainable viticulture, particularly in grapevine health. He has led multiple international research projects, including H2020 initiatives, and received the Scientific Excellence Award from the French Ministry of National Education and Research. As head of the Master’s program in Sustainable Plant Production and Bioprotection, he has supervised numerous Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers.

Profile

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Summary:

Prof. Aziz Aziz is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Soil Biodiversity Conservation Award due to his expertise in plant-microbe interactions, microbial biocontrol, and soil microbiota’s role in plant health. His leadership in international research projects, significant scientific output, and contributions to sustainable agriculture make him a strong contender. However, aligning his research more explicitly with soil biodiversity conservation frameworks and engaging in policy-driven initiatives could further enhance his impact.

🎓 Education

Aziz Aziz obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Rennes 1, France, in 1996. He later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at INRA Versailles in 1997, focusing on the Biology of the Rhizosphere. From 1998 to 2002, he continued his postdoctoral research at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, where he later became an Associate Professor in 2003. In the same year, he earned his Accreditation to Supervise Research (HDR) from the University of Reims.

💼Experience

Since 2020, Aziz Aziz has been serving as a Full Professor (C1) at the University of Reims. His career includes two decades of research and teaching at the university, where he was the co-head of the research team “Immunity and Beneficial Microorganisms” from 2012 to 2023. He has been actively involved in national and academic committees, including the National Council of Universities, the Academic Council, and the Research Commission of the University of Reims. He also played a crucial role in the National Biocontrol Consortium Network and the Biocontrol Consortium led by INRAE.

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily explores the role of the root microbiome in enhancing plant immunity against diseases. He investigates how beneficial bacteria interact with plants to prime systemic immunity, protecting them from microbial pathogens while also studying the influence of abiotic stress on these interactions. His expertise extends to plant-microbe interactions, biocontrol strategies, induced resistance, and defense mechanisms in plants, with a particular focus on grapevine health. His research integrates molecular signaling, phytoalexins, and microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) in plant defense.

🛠️Skills

Aziz Aziz possesses extensive expertise in plant-microbe interactions, biocontrol mechanisms, microbial diversity, and induced resistance. His skills include plant immunity research, beneficial microbial applications, secondary metabolism analysis, viticulture, and sustainable plant production. Additionally, he has significant experience in project coordination, research supervision, and academic leadership, playing a vital role in advancing sustainable plant protection strategies.

🏆Awards

He was a recipient of the Scientific Excellence Award from the French Ministry of National Education and Research from 2008 to 2020. Throughout his career, he has been a jury member for 22 Ph.D. defenses, demonstrating his recognition as a leading expert in plant bioprotection.

📚 Publications

  • Rootstocks and drought stress impact the composition and functionality of grapevine rhizosphere bacterial microbiota

    • Authors: D. Labarga, A. Mairata, M. Puelles, A. Aziz, A. Pou
    • Year: 2025
    • Journal: Microbiological Research

 

  • Peroxidase 4-Based Enzymatic Synthesis of Stilbene Oligomers in Methyl Jasmonate-Elicited Grapevine Cell Suspensions

    • Authors: B. Marant, A.L. Flourat, A. Lanoue, A. Aziz, J. Crouzet
    • Year: 2025
    • Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

 

  • Assessment of Peacock Spot Disease (Fusicladium oleagineum) in Olive Orchards Through Agronomic Approaches and UAV-Based Multispectral Imaging

    • Authors: H. Hamzaoui, I. Maafa, H. Choukri, S. Louahlia, K. Habbadi
    • Year: 2025
    • Journal: Horticulturae

 

  • Minimizing the Adverse Impacts of Soil Salinity on Maize and Tomato Growth and Productivity through the Application of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

    • Authors: H. Yahyaoui, N. El Allaoui, A. Aziz, M. Hafidi, K. Habbadi
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Crops

 

  • Rhizosphere microbiome assembly, drivers and functions in perennial ligneous plant health

    • Authors: M. Duret, A. Wallner, M. Buée, A. Aziz
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Microbiological Research

Conclusion:

Prof. Aziz is a strong candidate for the Research for Soil Biodiversity Conservation Award. While he could strengthen his profile by emphasizing soil biodiversity metrics and conservation policies, his work in microbial diversity and sustainable plant protection already plays a crucial role in maintaining soil biodiversity. His achievements make him a highly deserving nominee for this recognition.

Jean Baptiste Biloa | Soil fertility | Best Researcher Award

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 Mr. Jean Baptiste Biloa | Soil fertility | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Jean Baptiste Biloa, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cameroon

Jean Baptiste Biloa is an agro-pedologist and soil scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Cameroon. His expertise lies in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and environmental modeling, with a strong background in soil classification, agroforestry systems, and natural resource management. He has contributed to several research projects on soil characterization, cocoa agroforestry, and agricultural sustainability. Jean Baptiste holds a Master’s in Earth Sciences from the University of Yaoundé 1 and is completing a PhD in Agro-pedology. He is skilled in GIS, data analysis, hydrological modeling, and geophysical studies. A member of various professional organizations, he actively works on advancing sustainable soil management in tropical ecosystems.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Jean Baptiste Biloa is a highly competent agro-pedologist and soil scientist with significant contributions to soil fertility, cocoa agroforestry systems, and environmental modeling. His research has practical implications for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience, supported by strong technical expertise and leadership in soil science organizations.

🎓 Education

Jean Baptiste Biloa has an extensive academic background in agro-pedology and soil sciences. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Yaoundé 1 in 2014, followed by a Master’s degree in Earth Sciences in 2015. He has pursued a PhD in Agro-pedology at the same university since 2019, with his defense pending. His academic training has provided him with a strong foundation in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and environmental modeling.

💼Experience

Jean Baptiste Biloa has accumulated years of experience in soil sciences, research, teaching, and consultancy. From 2023 to 2024, he served as a Soil Resources Expert for the Soil, Water, and Climate Project (ProSEC) at the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). In this role, he managed soil sample analyses, installed agro-meteorological stations and soil sensors in Cameroon and Germany, and trained IRAD staff in soil water modeling using Hydrus 1D. From 2022 to 2023, he worked as a Temporary Lecturer at the University of Ebolowa, ENSET, and ISABEE, where he taught general pedology, agro-pedology, and environmental science.

🔬Research Focus

Jean Baptiste Biloa’s research interests are centered on soil fertility, plant nutrition, and environmental modeling. His work explores the variability of soil organic carbon and nutrient content across different agricultural systems, the impact of land use changes on soil quality, and the role of agroforestry in soil fertility management. He has conducted hydrological and hydrogeological studies and examined the influence of factors such as cocoa farm age, slope, and shade on soil fertility. His research contributes to sustainable agricultural practices and improved soil management strategies.

🛠️Skills

He possesses strong skills in environmental modeling using Hydrus 1D, SWAT, and AquaCrop, as well as mapping tools such as Global Mapper, Surfer, and Google Earth. His data analysis expertise includes proficiency in XLSTAT, R, JMP SAS, JAMOVI, ODK, and Kobo Collect. He is experienced in soil classification systems such as WRB, CPCS, Soil Taxonomy, and FAO standards. Additionally, he has hands-on knowledge of integrated soil fertility management, geophysical techniques for mineral prospecting, and the use of GPS for field data collection.

🏆Awards

Jean Baptiste Biloa has earned several professional certifications that complement his expertise in soil sciences. In 2021, he obtained a Certificate in Environmental Technology. He was also recognized with the Inspire Hackathon Innovation Award in 2020. In 2019, he received multiple certifications, including Open Data Management for Agriculture, Nutrition, and Land (GODAN/FAO), Global Access to Agricultural Research (AGORA), and Agricultural Data Management, Sharing, and Services for Agricultural Development (FAO).

📚 Publications

  • Title: Influence of cocoa farm age, slope, and shade rate on cocoa soils fertility.
  • Author: iloa, J. B., Abossolo, A. M., Giweta, M. H., Onana, A. A., & Masso, M. C. 
  •  Journal: Environmental Challenges
  • Year: 2025

Conclusion:

Mr. Jean Baptiste Biloa is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to soil fertility management and agricultural sustainability aligns well with global research priorities. While further enhancing his citation impact, grant funding, and interdisciplinary collaborations could solidify his position as a leading researcher, his current track record already demonstrates exceptional merit and potential for this recognition.

Dorota Pikula | Soil | Soil Fertility Improvement Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikula | Soil | Soil Fertility Improvement Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikula, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Poland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikuła is a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Poland, specializing in soil organic matter, humic substances, and soil fertility management. She holds a habilitation in agricultural sciences and a Ph.D. in agronomy from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on soil carbon dynamics, fertilization effects, nitrogen fixation, and the environmental impact of agricultural practices. With extensive experience in scientific publishing, policy advisory, and long-term field experiments, she has received multiple awards from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture. She has authored over 500 publications and actively contributes to sustainable agriculture and soil conservation strategies.

Profile

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Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Pikuła is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Soil Fertility Improvement Award, given her extensive contributions to soil organic matter studies, long-term field experiments, and sustainable fertilization practices. Her research has significantly impacted both scientific understanding and practical agricultural applications. She has also been recognized nationally for her work in soil fertility and nutrient management. However, to further strengthen her profile, she could focus on global-scale research collaborations, innovation-driven contributions, and leadership in large-scale international projects.

🎓 Education

Dorota Pikuła holds a habilitated doctorate in agricultural sciences with a specialization in agriculture and horticulture from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute, awarded in 2019. Her postdoctoral research focused on the environmental and production effects of crop cultivation in rotations with varying organic matter inflow. She earned her master’s degree in engineering from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, in 2000, specializing in Environmental Protection. Her master’s thesis investigated heavy metal fractions in soils fertilized with sewage sludge. She later obtained a Ph.D. in agricultural sciences in agronomy from the same university in 2006, where she studied the influence of selected physicochemical properties of soil on heavy metal content in fodder plants.

💼Experience

Dorota Pikuła has extensive professional experience in agricultural science, research, and publishing. She worked as an editor and agrotechnical advisor from 2002 to 2006 for agricultural publications such as Agro-Spółdzielca and Poradnik Rolniczy. In 2006, she joined the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute in Puławy as a senior research and technical specialist. Since 2016, she has been working as an adjunct researcher in the Department of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous research projects, including studies on soil organic matter quality, humic substances, nitrogen fixation, and the environmental impact of different agricultural practices.

🔬Research Focus

Dorota Pikuła specializes in soil organic matter, humic substances, and soil fertility management. Her research explores soil organic carbon dynamics, the impact of fertilization and crop rotation on soil quality, and the role of humic acids in improving soil fertility. She has conducted extensive work on nitrogen fixation, soil contamination with heavy metals, and the long-term effects of manure application on soil health. She has also contributed to the development of soil quality assessment methods and indicators.

🛠️Skills

Dorota Pikuła possesses expertise in soil science, agricultural chemistry, and environmental protection. She is skilled in analyzing soil organic matter composition, conducting long-term field experiments, and evaluating the environmental effects of different farming practices. Her proficiency extends to scientific publishing, training agricultural professionals, and contributing to policy development on sustainable agriculture. She is an active member of several scientific organizations and has authored over 500 popular science publications, demonstrating her ability to translate complex scientific findings into practical knowledge for farmers and policymakers.

🏆Awards

Dorota Pikuła has received several prestigious awards from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In 2015, she was recognized for her contributions to rational fertilizer management. In 2023, she was awarded for her work on protecting water sources from phosphorus pollution caused by agricultural activities. In 2024, she received another award for developing and implementing a method for determining humic substance content in fertilizers and plant aids.

📚 Publications

  • The Composition of the Organic Matter Fractions of Loamy Sand after Long-Term FYM Application without Liming (2022) – Agronomy – Dorota Pikuła, O. Ciotucha
  • Changes in Relationships between Humic Substances and Soil Structure following Different Mineral Fertilization of Vitis vinifera L. in Slovakia (2022) – Agronomy – V. Šimanský, E. Wójcik‐Gront, J. Horváthová, Dorota Pikuła, T. Lošák, A. Parzych, M. Lukac, E. Aydın
  • Effect of the Degree of Soil Contamination with Heavy Metals on Their Mobility in the Soil Profile in a Microplot Experiment (2021) – Agronomy – Dorota Pikuła, W. Stępień
  • Materia organiczna istotnym elementem żyzności gleb (2020) – Studia i Raporty IUNG-PIB – Dorota Pikuła
  • Selected chemical properties of sandy soil after 36 years of differential fertilization with mineral nitrogen and manure without liming in two crop rotation (2020) – Soil Science Annual – Dorota Pikuła
  • Zbiór zaleceń dobrej praktyki rolniczej mający na celu ochronę wód przed zanieczyszczeniem azotanami pochodzącymi ze źródeł rolniczych (2019) – IUNG-PIB – Dorota Pikuła
  • Praktyki zapobiegające stratom węgla organicznego z gleby (2019) – Środowiskowe Aspekty Gospodarki Nawozowej – Dorota Pikuła
  • Soil properties and productivity in two long-term crop rotations differing with respect to organic matter management on an Albic Luvisol (2019) – Scientific Reports – Dorota Pikuła, S. Martyniuk, M. Kozieł

Conclusion:

Dr. Pikuła is a strong candidate for the Research for Soil Fertility Improvement Award due to her pioneering research on soil fertility, strong publication record, practical impact on agriculture, and policy contributions. While she already has an impressive portfolio, enhancing international collaboration, innovation, and leadership in large-scale initiatives would further strengthen her standing for this prestigious award.

Stephen Afrifa | Groundwater | Best Researcher Award

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 Mr. Stephen Afrifa | Groundwater | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Stephen Afrifra, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana

Stephen Afrifa is a Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana, specializing in Information Technology and Decision Sciences. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Information and Communication Engineering at Tianjin University, China, with a research focus on speech enhancement, audio recognition, image and signal processing, deep learning, and applied machine learning. He holds an M.Sc. in Information and Communication Engineering from Tianjin University and a B.Sc. in Information Technology (First Class) from UENR.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Stephen Afrifra is a highly skilled and innovative researcher specializing in AI-driven medical diagnostics. His interdisciplinary research, academic collaborations, and contributions to healthcare AI make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work demonstrates both theoretical advancements and real-world applications, with the potential to significantly impact healthcare and medical technology.

🎓 Education

Stephen Afrifa is a Ph.D. candidate in Information and Communication Engineering at Tianjin University, China, where he focuses on speech enhancement, audio recognition, image and signal processing, deep learning, and applied machine learning. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering (Information and Communication Engineering) from Tianjin University, where his research centered on mathematical and machine learning models for assessing the influence of climate change on groundwater level changes. His academic interests extend to the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and signal and image processing for a sustainable environment. He earned a First-Class Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana, acquiring in-depth knowledge of computing, artificial intelligence technologies, business planning, decision-making, database administration, and enterprise resource planning systems. His foundational education was at Kumasi High School, where he studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Elective Mathematics, gaining practical experience in general and integrated science.

💼Experience

Stephen Afrifa is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana. His role involves teaching, supervising, and guiding students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, designing research projects, and contributing to community development through workshops and seminars. He is also a research lead at the AMANPENE Foundation, an organization leveraging IT for poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation. In addition to his academic role, he works as a Software Application Developer and Research Lead at CY Technologies, where he designs and develops software solutions, leads research projects, analyzes data, and publishes research reports.

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geospatial techniques to address climate change, security, and decision-making challenges. He has explored the use of mathematical and AI-driven models to assess climate change impacts on groundwater levels, as well as applications of IoT, cloud computing, and cybersecurity in environmental sustainability. His work extends to speech enhancement, audio recognition, and signal processing, contributing to advancements in information and communication engineering.

🛠️Skills

Stephen possesses a strong background in information technology, research, and innovation. His expertise includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, geospatial techniques, data science, and climate modeling. He is well-versed in programming languages such as Python, R Studio, C/C++, LaTeX, Java, HTML5, PHP OOP, JavaScript, and CSS, as well as statistical and analytical tools like SPSS, NVIVO, GIS, and GenStat. Additionally, he has significant experience in project management, IT network security, decision-making, software development, and mentoring students.

🏆Awards

Stephen Afrifa was recognized as the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at UENR in 2020. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Absa (formerly Barclays Bank) Tertiary Scholarship from 2017 to 2020, which supported his academic excellence and leadership in the field of information technology.

📚 Publications

Publication: Deep Neural Networks for Skin Cancer Classification: Analysis of Melanoma Cancer Data
Author: S. Afrifa, V. Varadarajan, P. Appiahene, D. Gyamfi, R.M.O.M. Gyening
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Advances in Information Technology

Conclusion:

Mr. Afrifra is a top contender for the Best Researcher Award, given his contributions to AI in healthcare, strong publication record, and research innovation. With further improvements in citation impact, funding acquisition, and industry partnerships, his influence in the research community will continue to grow. His work stands as a testament to the power of AI in transforming medical diagnostics and patient care.

sultan acun | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. sultan acun | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan acun, Amasya University, Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan Acun is a faculty member at Amasya University, Turkey, specializing in food science and engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Suleyman Demirel University, where her research focused on the use of propolis extracts and microencapsulated honey powder in cakes. Her expertise includes food quality enhancement, natural antioxidants, and functional food production. Dr. Acun has extensive academic and administrative experience, having served as a lecturer and department head. She has published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals and actively contributes to scientific conferences.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan Acun is a distinguished researcher in food science with a strong publication record, innovative research on functional foods, and significant contributions to academia. Her work on propolis, natural antioxidants, and food quality improvement has positioned her as a leading figure in her field. While she has demonstrated outstanding research capabilities, expanding international collaborations and securing more research grants would further enhance her impact.

🎓 Education

Sultan Acun completed her Ph.D. in Food Science in February 2021 at the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Food Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey. Her doctoral research focused on using different propolis extracts and honey powder produced by the microencapsulation technique in cake. She obtained her M.Sc. in Food Science in June 2011 from the same university, where she studied the effects of grape wine waste pomace and grape seed on biscuit quality. She earned her B.Sc. in Food Engineering in June 2008, graduating with the highest GPA (93.11/100) among her peers.

💼Experience

Dr. Sultan Acun has extensive academic and administrative experience in food engineering and food science education. She has been a Lecturer Ph.D. at Amasya University, Suluova Vocational School, since 2021. Before that, she served as a Lecturer at the same institution from 2012 to 2021. She also worked as a Visiting Lecturer at Suleyman Demirel University, teaching at Gelendost and Şarkikaraağaç Vocational Schools between 2009 and 2012. In addition to her academic roles, she held administrative positions as Deputy Director of Suluova Vocational School from 2015 to 2020 and as Head of the Food Processing Department from 2014 to 2015.

🔬Research Focus

Her research interests lie in food science, with a specific focus on food quality enhancement, the use of natural antioxidants, and the incorporation of by-products in food production. She has worked on projects involving the use of propolis and microencapsulated honey in cakes, the determination of wheat quality, the evaluation of bakeries, and the use of grape pulp as a natural antioxidant in bread production. Her studies also explore the quality characteristics of traditional and gluten-free bakery products.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Acun possesses strong technical skills in food analysis, including the use of instruments such as protein analyzers, centrifuges, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, rotary evaporators, texture analyzers, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers. She is proficient in statistical analysis, including randomized and incomplete block design, ANOVA, multivariate analysis, and regression analysis. Additionally, she has expertise in Microsoft Office, Design Expert, and SPSS for data analysis.

🏆Awards

Dr. Acun has published numerous research papers in international and national peer-reviewed journals. She has presented her findings at various conferences, both as oral and poster presentations. She has contributed significantly to the study of food technology and has been recognized for her research on the nutritional and functional properties of different food ingredients. She also holds multiple certifications in quality management systems, HACCP, and risk-based process management.

📚 Publications

Title: The effect of propolis as a functional product on health
Author(s): Acun, S., & Gül, H.
Year: 2021
Journal: Uludag Aricilik Dergisi

Conclusion:

Dr. Sultan Acun is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her valuable contributions to food science and functional food development. With continued efforts in global research engagement and industry partnerships, she can further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her domain.

SeyyedMorteza Ghamari | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. SeyyedMorteza Ghamari | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. SeyyedMorteza Ghamari, Edith Cowan University, Australia

Dr. SeyyedMorteza Ghamari is a researcher at Edith Cowan University, Australia, specializing in control engineering, power electronics, and industrial automation. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and has expertise in designing singular perturbation-based controllers, DC/DC converters, and grid-connected inverters. His research focuses on automation, renewable energy applications, and adaptive control systems. With experience in both academia and industry, he has contributed to hardware-embedded system design, PLC programming, and real-time measurements. Dr. Ghamari is proficient in MATLAB, C++, and HIL setups, actively working on innovative solutions in electrical and control engineering.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. SeyyedMorteza Ghamari is a highly skilled researcher specializing in electrical engineering, control systems, and renewable energy applications. His technical expertise, research output, and contributions to sustainable energy solutions make him a strong candidate for a Best Researcher Award. However, increasing his research impact through higher citation counts, global collaborations, and grant-funded projects would further solidify his position as a top researcher in the field.

🎓 Education

Seyyedmorteza Ghamari holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Control Engineering from Shahrood University of Technology, Iran, completed in December 2018. His thesis focused on designing a robust adaptive self-tuning controller for a single-phase H-bridge inverter connected to the grid using identification methods. He previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Alameh Feiz University in 2016, where he also specialized in Control Engineering.

💼Experience

With experience in both academia and industry, Seyyedmorteza worked as an Automation Engineer at Ghamari Company from 2020 to 2022. In this role, he was responsible for maintaining instruments, designing hardware setups, and coding and programming CPUs for automatic doors, motors, and embedded boards. Prior to that, he served as a Research Assistant at Shahrood University of Technology from 2017 to 2019, where he worked as a teaching assistant, lab coordinator, and simulation designer, contributing to research and academic projects.

🔬Research Focus

Seyyedmorteza’s research focuses on control system design and implementation, automation, power electronics, and renewable energy applications. He is particularly skilled in singular perturbation-based controllers, DC/DC converters, and inverter technology. His work emphasizes the integration of adaptive control techniques to optimize electrical systems, making significant contributions to automation and power system research.

🛠️Skills

His expertise spans control engineering, electrical design, hardware-embedded systems, and power electronics, with a strong background in DC/DC converters and grid-connected inverters. He has substantial experience in industrial automation, PLC programming, and instrumentation for control systems. Additionally, he is proficient in MATLAB for simulation and modeling, along with Microsoft Office, HIL setup, and C++ programming.

🏆Awards

He has demonstrated strong academic performance, maintaining high course-weighted averages throughout his education. His commitment to innovation and continuous learning has allowed him to excel in both research and industry applications. With a keen analytical approach and teamwork abilities, he actively contributes to multidisciplinary projects in electrical and control engineering.

📚 Publications

Addressing Uncertainty in Renewable Energy Integration for Western Australia’s Mining Sector: A Robust Optimization Approach. Energies. Ghahramani, M., Habibi, D., Ghamari, S. M., & Aziz, A. (2024). 

Conclusion:

Dr. Ghamari is a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his technical excellence, research contributions, and real-world applications of his work. While he has strong credentials, further international collaborations, grant leadership, and higher research impact can elevate his profile even further, making him an even stronger contender for prestigious research accolades.

Sher Shah Hassan | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Sher Shah Hassan | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sher Shah Hassan, Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan

Sher Shah Hassan is an Agricultural Engineer and climate expert currently serving as a Team Lead and MRV/GIS Expert at the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan. With extensive experience in GIS, remote sensing, climate risk assessment, and energy efficiency, he has played a key role in Pakistan’s GHG inventory, mitigation policies, and adaptation monitoring. He has collaborated with international organizations, including CITEPA (France), the World Bank, UNDP, and PIK (Germany), contributing to climate transparency frameworks and sustainable agricultural strategies. His research focuses on geospatial data analysis, machine learning applications in climate science, and sustainable land and water management.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Sher Shah Hassan is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his contributions to air pollution and climate change research in Pakistan, his use of geospatial techniques, and his work’s direct impact on policymaking. However, to enhance his profile further, he could focus on expanding his research globally, publishing more independent work, and increasing international collaborations.

🎓 Education

Sher Shah Hassan holds a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan, graduating in 2017 with a CGPA of 3.58/4.00. His undergraduate thesis focused on “Spatial Flood Risk Analysis of Chenab River from Marala to Qadirabad Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).” He is currently completing an MSc in Soil and Water Engineering at the same university, with a CGPA of 3.18/4.00. His master’s research integrates geospatial machine learning and multi-criteria decision-making for sustainable mangrove management in the Indus Delta, Pakistan.

💼Experience

Sher Shah Hassan has extensive experience in climate impact research, GIS applications, and agricultural engineering. He currently serves as Team Lead and MRV/GIS Expert at the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, Pakistan, where he specializes in data collection, stakeholder engagement, and climate impact analysis. Since May 2021, he has also been the Team Leader for Mitigation & Adaptation at the Centre Interprofessionnel Technique d’Etudes de la Pollution Atmosphérique (CITEPA), France, where he contributes to GHG inventory management, climate transparency, and adaptation monitoring in Pakistan.

🔬Research Focus

Sher Shah Hassan’s research focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable agricultural practices, GIS-based environmental monitoring, energy efficiency in agriculture, and water resource management. His work integrates geospatial technologies and machine learning for sustainable land-use planning and climate resilience.

🛠️Skills

His expertise in GIS and remote sensing applications, climate risk assessment, agricultural engineering, geospatial data analysis, energy efficiency strategies, mitigation and adaptation policy development, stakeholder engagement, and technical report writing. He is also proficient in multi-criteria decision analysis, machine learning applications in climate science, and institutional capacity building.

🏆Awards

Throughout his career, he has been engaged in national and international climate research collaborations, contributing to policy frameworks and transparency mechanisms for climate adaptation. His contributions to Pakistan’s climate action strategies, particularly in MRV systems and energy efficiency, have been instrumental in shaping policy interventions.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Assessing smog trends and sources of air pollutants across northeastern districts of Punjab, Pakistan using geospatial techniques 
  • Authors: M.A. Goheer (Muhammad Arif), S.S. Hassan (Sher Shah Hassan), A.S. Sheikh (A. S.), M.A. Uzair (Muhammad Ali), T.N. Satti (T. N.)
  • Journal: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 
  • Year of Publication: 2025

Conclusion:

 Mr. Sher Shah Hassan is a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research aligns with pressing environmental challenges, and his findings have both scientific merit and policy implications. However, strengthening his global reach and independent research contributions could make his candidacy even stronger.