Barbara Bravo Ferrada | Soil Biology and Microbiology | Argentina

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Interdisciplinary Soil Research Award

Barbara Bravo Ferrada
 Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Argentina

Barbara Bravo Ferrada
Affiliation Universidad Nacional de Quilmes
Country Argentina
Scopus ID 55817582900
Documents 30
Citations 650
h-index 14
Subject Area Soil Biology and Microbiology
Event International Soil Scientist Awards
ORCID 0000-0002-2196-8227

Barbara Bravo Ferrada is a researcher affiliated with Universidad Nacional de Quilmes whose documented scientific work connects microbial biotechnology, fermentation science, and biological applications relevant to interdisciplinary soil and environmental research. Her publication record includes investigations of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, culture media, enzyme activity, genome sequencing, and microbial starter cultures. These studies demonstrate an applied research profile centered on microorganisms and their functional properties. [1]

Abstract

The Interdisciplinary Soil Research Award recognizes scholarly work that contributes to the understanding and application of biological sciences across environmental and agricultural systems. Barbara Bravo Ferrada’s research profile is characterized by microbial studies involving Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, malolactic fermentation, enzyme activity, microbial cultivation, and genomic characterization. Her documented record of 30 publications, 650 citations, and an h-index of 14 provides quantitative evidence of sustained scholarly activity. [1]

Keywords

Soil Biology; Soil Microbiology; Microbial Biotechnology; Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; Fermentation; Microbial Cultures; Genomics; Environmental Biotechnology.

Introduction

Microorganisms play important roles in nutrient transformation, biotechnology, food systems, and environmental processes. Interdisciplinary microbial research can therefore provide methodological and conceptual links between agricultural, environmental, and biological sciences. Ferrada’s publications illustrate this interdisciplinary character through experimental work involving bacterial physiology, fermentation conditions, low-cost microbial cultivation, and genomic analysis. [2]

Research Profile

The research profile includes studies of enological Lactobacillus plantarum strains, malolactic starter cultures, β-glucosidase activity, biomass production, and complete genome sequencing. The work combines microbiological experimentation with process optimization and molecular characterization, supporting a broad research perspective on beneficial microorganisms. [3]

Research Contributions

  • Investigation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a functional microbial culture in fermentation systems.
  • Evaluation of β-glucosidase activity under different pH and ethanol conditions.
  • Development of lower-cost culture approaches using whey permeate for microbial biomass production.
  • Genomic characterization of a Lactobacillus plantarum strain isolated from Patagonian Pinot Noir wine. [4]

Publications

  • Use of Apple Pomace as Substrate for Production of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Malolactic Starter Cultures, Fermentation, 2021. [5]
  • β-Glucosidase Activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 in Different Malolactic Fermentations Conditions, Fermentation, 2021.[6]
  • Complete Genome Sequencing of Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 Isolated from a Patagonian Pinot Noir Wine, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 2020. [7]
  • Design of a low-cost culture medium based in whey permeate for biomass production of enological Lactobacillus plantarum strains, Biotechnology Progress, 2019.
  • Lactobacillus plantarum as a malolactic starter culture in winemaking: A new (old) player?, Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, 2019.

Research Impact

The reported citation count of 650 and h-index of 14 indicate that the research has received measurable scholarly attention. The publications also address practical questions involving microbial culture development, fermentation performance, and resource-efficient biomass production, creating potential relevance for biotechnology and applied microbiology. [1]

Award Suitability

The documented research aligns with an interdisciplinary award framework through its integration of microbiology, biotechnology, fermentation science, and biological resource utilization. The combination of peer-reviewed publications, microbial characterization, and applied research provides a reasonable scholarly basis for consideration within the International Soil Scientist Awards, particularly where biological and microbiological approaches are included in the evaluation scope.

Conclusion

Barbara Bravo Ferrada’s research record presents an interdisciplinary body of work focused on beneficial microorganisms and their technological applications. Her publications on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, microbial cultivation, enzymatic activity, and genome sequencing demonstrate continuity across experimental and applied microbiology. The available bibliometric indicators further document the scholarly reach of this research.

References

  1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Barbara Bravo Ferrada, Author ID 55817582900. Scopus.
    Scopus Author Profile
  2. Bravo Ferrada et al. (2019). Lactobacillus plantarum as a malolactic starter culture in winemaking: A new (old) player? Electronic Journal of Biotechnology.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2018.12.002
  3. Bravo Ferrada et al. (2019). Design of a low-cost culture medium based in whey permeate for biomass production of enological Lactobacillus plantarum strains. Biotechnology Progress.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/btpr.2791
  4. Bravo Ferrada et al. (2020). Complete Genome Sequencing of Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 Isolated from a Patagonian Pinot Noir Wine. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture.
    https://doi.org/10.21548/41-2-4066
  5. Bravo Ferrada et al. (2021). Use of Apple Pomace as Substrate for Production of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Malolactic Starter Cultures. Fermentation, 7(4), 244.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation7040244
  6. Bravo Ferrada et al. (2021). β-Glucosidase Activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 in Different Malolactic Fermentations Conditions: Effect of pH and Ethanol Content. Fermentation, 7(1), 22.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation7010022
  7. South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture. (2020). Complete Genome Sequencing of Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 Isolated from a Patagonian Pinot Noir Wine.

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Nevein Messiha | soil microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha | soil microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha is a distinguished researcher at the Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. She specializes in crop science, soil fertility, plant breeding, contributing significantly to agricultural advancements through her research and publications. Dr. Messiha is recognized for her commitment to improving sustainable agricultural practices in Egypt and beyond.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher with over 27 years of specialized experience in plant pathology. Her contributions to environmentally friendly disease management solutions, coupled with her leadership in national research projects, have had significant scientific, environmental, and agricultural impacts. Her work addresses critical challenges in food security, sustainability, and soil health—key priorities for global agricultural research.

🎓 Education

Dr. Nevein A.S. Messiha holds a PhD in Plant Pathology and Soil Microbiology from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, earned between 2003 and 2006. Her doctoral research focused on managing bacterial wilt of potato, with special emphasis on pathogen survival and possible eradication methods. She earned her MSc in Plant Pathology and Physiology from Zagazig University (Benha branch) in Egypt between 1995 and 2001, where she studied the biological control of potato brown rot disease. She began her academic journey with a BSc in Plant Science from Cairo University (Bani Suef branch), completed between 1988 and 1992.

💼Experience

Dr. Messiha currently serves as the Head of the Bacteriology Plant Research Department at the Plant Pathology Institute (PPRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, a position she has held since October 2017. Since 2007, she has worked on the Potato Brown Rot Project (PBRP), where she supervises PhD and MSc students and leads research projects focused on environmentally friendly approaches to disease management. She has also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Bacterial Plant Disease Department, ARC, since 2015. Her experience includes two decades of involvement in EU-Egypt cooperative projects aimed at enhancing diagnostics and disease control for quarantine pathogens. Prior roles include assistant researcher, researcher, and laboratory trainer in national and international capacities. Her career reflects over 27 years of intensive work in plant pathology, particularly in bacterial disease management in potatoes.

🔬Research Focus

Her research is centered on sustainable disease management and soil health improvement, with a focus on controlling potato brown rot disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. She promotes non-chemical methods such as Biological Soil Disinfestation (BSD), crop rotation, and the use of biocontrol agents and organic amendments. She investigates microbial biodiversity, disease suppression mechanisms, and the enhancement of plant resistance through natural and biological means. Her work aims to integrate eco-friendly techniques to foster sustainable agricultural practices and safeguard plant health at both national and international levels.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Messiha is proficient in a range of molecular and microbiological techniques, including TaqMan Assay, LAMP, PCR-DGGE analysis, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing data analysis. She is skilled in using bioinformatics and gel documentation software such as Phoratix 1D Pro and BioEdit. Her statistical competencies include SPSS, SAS, and R. She has also been trained extensively in ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation systems, risk analysis, and quality management standards. Furthermore, she has expertise in diagnosing and identifying plant pathogenic bacteria in compliance with international phytosanitary standards.

🏆Awards

Dr. Messiha has led several national research projects funded by the Science and Technological Development Fund (STDF), including the REiNVEsT project (2019–2022) and another from 2012–2016 on environmentally friendly brown rot control. She has served as a reviewer for numerous international journals and is recognized for her contributions to improving biocontrol methods and diagnostics. Her leadership roles include department head, project leader, and advisor for graduate research. Her scholarly impact is reflected in an H-index of 11 and over 700 citations.

📚 Publications

Publication: Impact Of Glycyrrhizic Acid Ammonium Salt Nanoparticles And Salicylic Acid Nanoparticles On Ralstonia Solanacearum Suppression And Soil Microbial Biodiversity
Author: Messiha, Nevein A.S., El-Abeid, Sozan E., El-Tabakh, Mohamed A.M., Rashad, Mostafa A.M.M., Shoala, Tahsin
Year: 2025
Journal: Physiological And Molecular Plant Pathology

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. While opportunities for greater international engagement and industry collaboration remain, her current achievements and future potential clearly place her among top candidates deserving of this recognition.