Collins Oduro | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Collins Oduro | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Collins Oduro, Lincoln University, New Zealand

Dr. Collins Oduro is an agricultural economist and researcher affiliated with Lincoln University, New Zealand. His expertise spans agribusiness management, food security, and rural development, with a focus on institutional analysis and project evaluation in Sub-Saharan Africa. A recipient of the prestigious Manaaki New Zealand PhD Scholarship, Dr. Oduro has collaborated with international organizations and universities to address challenges in market access, value chains, and sustainable development. His work bridges academic research and practical implementation to improve livelihoods and resilience in agricultural communities.

Profile

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Collins Oduro’s academic journey reflects a rare blend of research depth, policy engagement, and field-level impact. His work on institutional dynamics and food insecurity offers fresh perspectives for solving persistent problems in African agriculture. With a strong foundation in teaching, research, and agribusiness strategy, he exemplifies the qualities of a transformative researcher.

🎓 Education

Collins Oduro holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Lincoln University in New Zealand. He earned an MPhil in Agricultural Administration from the University of Ghana with coursework spanning Agribusiness, Economics, Extension, and Law. He also holds a BSc in Agricultural Science from the University of Cape Coast, with a focus on Economics, Agribusiness, and Sciences. He has received professional certifications in entrepreneurship and value chains from Wageningen UR in the Netherlands and KNUST in Ghana. Additionally, he completed foundational training in computer literacy at the African Virtual University.

💼Experience

Collins has extensive experience in agribusiness, economic research, rural development, teaching, and administration. He served as Director of Berean Generation NGO in Ghana and as a researcher at Lincoln University. He contributed to research and consultancies with international institutions such as IFAD, University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, University of Guelph, and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. His agribusiness roles have included work in horticulture, quality assurance, export operations, and market access across New Zealand and Ghana. His professional journey also includes experience in municipal agricultural development and academic teaching in international school systems.

🔬Research Focus

Collins Oduro’s research focuses on agricultural economics, food security, rural development, and institutional analysis in project performance. He investigates the causes of food insecurity in Africa through institutional lenses and seeks innovative frameworks for project evaluation. His ongoing studies include the role of community entry strategies in West African project success and the development of new tools to assess performance and sustainability in agricultural initiatives.

🛠️Skills

He possesses strong capabilities in agribusiness management, economics, project evaluation, value chain development, data analysis, teaching, and capacity building. Additional skills include strategic planning, institutional analysis, business plan development, community entry strategy design, and human resource management. He is also proficient in leadership, communication, time management, and computer applications.

🏆Awards

He received the prestigious Manaaki New Zealand PhD Scholarship and was a finalist in the Three Minute Thesis Competition at Lincoln University. He was a two-time finalist in the Africa Category of the Australia Awards. His work on agricultural development earned him recognition from Ghanaian national media and educational institutions for outstanding academic results and international project supervision.

📚 Publications

Title: Several Initiatives but Little Results: A Novel Approach to Offer an Institutional Explanation for Food Insecurity in Ghana
Author: Collins Oduro, A. Renwick, J. O. Akotey
Year: 2025
Journal: World Food Policy

Title: Pineapple Production and Household Poverty Alleviation Indicators: The Case of Pineapple Farmers in the Akuapem South District of Ghana
Author: Collins Oduro
Year: 2016
Journal: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing

Conclusion:

Dr. Oduro is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His achievements, leadership, and forward-thinking research position him as a rising thought leader in agricultural development. With minor enhancements in global academic engagement and collaborative visibility, his contributions could become even more influential in shaping agricultural policy and practice worldwide.

Liming Zhang | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liming Zhang | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liming Zhang, Hainan University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liming Zhang is a food science researcher at Hainan University, China. She specializes in the development of bioactive and nanoparticle-enhanced films for food packaging, with a focus on controlled release of natural preservatives and quality maintenance during storage. Dr. Zhang holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering from Jiangnan University and has conducted extensive research on the application of active packaging in perishable food products like freshwater fish and mushrooms. Her work contributes to advancing sustainable and functional food preservation technologies.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Liming Zhang has built a solid foundation in food packaging and preservation research. Her studies on active films and their role in texture stabilization and microbial control represent a significant contribution to sustainable food technologies. Her research is well-timed, methodologically sound, and addresses major global food safety and quality issues.

🎓 Education

Zhang Liming holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering from Jiangnan University, where she studied from September 2020 to June 2024 under the School of Food Science and Technology. She previously earned her Master’s degree in Food Engineering at Shandong University of Technology between September 2017 and December 2019. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Food Quality and Safety from Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, completed between September 2013 and July 2017.

💼Experience

Currently serving as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Food Science and Engineering at Hainan University, Zhang Liming is engaged in advanced research in food preservation technologies. Her recent work has focused on the development of nanoparticle-enhanced bioactive films designed for the controlled co-delivery of bioactive compounds. These innovative films are engineered with specific physicochemical properties and release profiles. Additionally, she has conducted extensive research on the impact of active packaging films on the quality maintenance of refrigerated freshwater fish and mushrooms during storage, aiming to enhance shelf life and safety.

🔬Research Focus

Her research is centered on the application of nanotechnology and functional films in food packaging systems. She emphasizes the design of environmentally friendly and efficient delivery methods for natural preservatives, aiming to reduce food spoilage and extend product shelf life. This work contributes to sustainable food packaging solutions that align with global food safety and environmental goals.

🛠️Skills

Zhang Liming possesses deep technical expertise in bioactive packaging materials, nanotechnology in food systems, and food preservation methods. Her skills span the formulation and characterization of edible films, analysis of physicochemical and microbiological properties in food storage, and the integration of bioactive compounds into smart delivery systems. She is proficient in laboratory research techniques, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration in food science domains.

🏆Awards

Zhang Liming has earned recognition for her contributions to food science research, particularly in the field of active packaging and food preservation. Her innovative approach to material development and practical application in food safety has gained academic and professional acknowledgment, positioning her as a promising researcher in the field.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Comprehensive characterization of cold plasma/nanoparticles-functionalized gelatin active film and its application in tilapia fillets
    Authors: Liming Zhang
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Food Research International

  • Title: Label-free quantitative proteomics to exploit the impact of active films on texture stabilization of refrigerated carp fillets
    Authors: Liming Zhang
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Food Chemistry

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liming Zhang is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her innovative and applied research, growing publication record, and commitment to advancing food science position her as a promising leader in her field. With greater emphasis on global collaborations and visibility, she is poised to make an even broader impact in the future.

Chimi Djomo Cédric | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Chimi Djomo Cedric, Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD), Cameroon

Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric is a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD) in Cameroon. He holds a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Management (2018), with a focus on allometric equations and forest contributions to climate change mitigation. His research interests include biodiversity, carbon stocks, agroforestry systems, non-timber forest products, ecosystem services, and the ecological impacts of land use. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Cédric has contributed significantly to environmental science and forestry. He is also actively involved in conservation strategies, local governance, and community engagement to promote sustainable land use practices.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric is a highly skilled researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD) in Cameroon, with expertise in forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. His dedication to advancing environmental science through rigorous research and local community engagement makes him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. He has made significant contributions to forest-based ecosystems, particularly in Cameroon, and has published extensively on topics like carbon sequestration, agroforestry, and ecosystem services.

 

🎓 Education

Cédric CHIMI DJOMO completed his MSc thesis in 2014 on Biodiversity and Agroforestry, focusing on vascular epiphytic species. In 2018, he completed his Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Management, where he specialized in allometric equations and the role of forests in climate change mitigation.

 

💼Experience

As a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD), Cédric has been involved in over 10 projects in the forest domain, contributing in various roles depending on the project. He has gained extensive experience in biodiversity assessment, landscape carbon sequestration, conservation strategies, and community engagement, often collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily revolves around environmental science and forestry, with particular emphasis on biodiversity, carbon stocks, non-timber forest products, ecosystem services, agroforestry systems, ecological impacts of land use, and the development of conservation strategies for threatened species and habitats. Cédric is also passionate about understanding the role of forests in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable land use.

 

 

Awards

Cédric has an h-index of 15 on ResearchGate and 13 on Google Scholar, reflecting his contributions to scientific literature. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and working papers, making significant strides in the environmental and forestry research fields. He is also nominated for the Best Paper Award for his ongoing and past contributions to ecological research.

 

Skills

 Cédric possesses a wide range of skills including expertise in biodiversity assessment, landscape carbon sequestration, agroforestry systems, conservation strategies, and project management. His skills also extend to data analysis, ecological research, community engagement, and local governance, with a focus on integrating indigenous knowledge into conservation practices.

Publications

  • Impact of Useful Species Preferences on Carbon Stocks and Annual Increments in Various Cocoa-based Agroforestry Systems in Central Region of Cameroon
    Authors: Zekeng, J.C., Fobane, J.L., Biye, H.E., Cédric, D.C., Abada Mbolo, M.M.
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2023, 42(4), pp. 399–420
    Citations: 1 citation

 

  • Floristic Surveys of Some Lowlands Polluted in a Tropical Urban Area: The Case of Yaoundé, Cameroon
    Authors: Anne, A., Ebenezer, S.K., Guy Valerie, D.W., Pierre François, D., Noumsi Ives Magloire, K.
    Journal: International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2021, 23(11), pp. 1191–1202
    Citations: 2 citations

 

  • Vascular Epiphytes Loss in Exploited Trees of the Semi-Deciduous Managed Forest of Ndelele, East Cameroon
    Authors: Nfornkah, B.N., Martin, T., Zapfack, L., Frederick, M.N., Sonke, B.
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2019, 38(7), pp. 670–685
    Citations: 3 citations

Conclusion:

Dr. Cédric’s research not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also serves as a guide for sustainable land use and forest management practices. He has proven his ability to generate impactful research, foster collaboration, and contribute to global conversations around biodiversity conservation. With some improvements in broader public outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration, Cédric’s work has the potential to create even greater positive change in both the scientific community and the wider world. His nomination for the Best Researcher Award is a testament to his remarkable achievements and future potential.