Dilawar Abbas | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Dilawar Abbas | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dilawar Abbas is an emerging researcher in agricultural and insect sciences whose work integrates biological control, integrated pest management (IPM), insect ecology, and applied entomology to address critical challenges in sustainable crop protection. His research spans insect behavior and interactions, physiology, morphology, taxonomy, molecular biology, toxicology, and the application of entomopathogenic nematodes, with a strong emphasis on environmentally responsible pest management strategies. He has conducted laboratory-based investigations on insect diapause intensity and overwintering survival, combining physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches to elucidate mechanisms of cold tolerance and diapause regulation in major agricultural pests. Complementing this experimental work, his applied research experience includes field-based pest identification, monitoring, and management across diverse cropping systems, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of IPM implementation under real agricultural conditions. This integrated perspective bridges fundamental insect biology with practical pest control solutions aimed at improving crop yield, quality, and sustainability. His research outputs reflect growing scholarly impact, with 14 published documents that have received 19 citations across 17 citing documents and an h-index of 3, demonstrating early but meaningful contributions to the scientific literature. Collectively, his work highlights strong potential for continued innovation in sustainable pest management, ecological research, and biologically based control strategies within modern agricultural systems.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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15
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19

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14

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3

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h-index

Climate-driven insect pest outbreaks and associated food security risks: adaptive strategies for resilient agricultural systems

– Review Article

Siran Wang | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Siran Wang | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dr. Siran Wang is a leading researcher in animal nutrition and forage science whose work centers on improving silage quality, feed efficiency, and sustainable livestock production through microbial and fermentation-based innovations. His research focuses on forage processing and efficient utilization, screening and application of functional lactic acid bacteria, and the development and utilization of unconventional feed resources, with particular emphasis on enhancing nutritional value, safety, and stability of animal feeds. He has made substantial contributions to understanding microbial communities, fermentation mechanisms, and their practical application in silage systems, especially under diverse agro-ecological conditions. Dr. Wang plays an active academic service role across multiple high-impact journals, serving as section editor, early-career editorial board member, lead guest editor and guest associate editor for numerous international special issues and research topics related to agriculture, microbiology, fermentation, plant science, and animal science, several of which have resulted in large collections of published peer-reviewed papers. His editorial leadership reflects strong recognition within the scientific community for his expertise in silage microbiology and forage utilization. Dr. Wang has published 111 scientific documents, which have received 1,594 citations across 977 citing documents, and he holds an h-index of 21, highlighting the impact, consistency, and relevance of his research contributions to agricultural and animal science.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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1,594

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111

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21

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Application of Fermentation Technology in Animal Nutrition: Second Edition

– Fermentation
 

Biological delignification and anaerobic fermentation of wheat straw as a sustainable strategy for crop straw utilization

– Industrial Crops and Products
 

Effects of biological lignin depolymerization on rice straw enzymatic hydrolysis, anaerobic fermentation performance, and in vitro ruminal digestibility

– International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
 

Effects of biological and antifungal additives on ensiling quality, in vitro digestibility, gas production, and aerobic stability of fermented total mixed rations containing wet brewers’ grains

– Acta Prataculturae Sinica
 

Influence of growth stage and storage duration on fermentation traits, microbial community dynamics, functional shifts, and pathogenic risk in fermented Italian ryegrass

– LWT

Halit Karagoz | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Halit Karagoz | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Ege University | Turkey

Dr. Halit Karagoz’s research portfolio reflects a comprehensive and multidisciplinary contribution to field crops science, with a strong emphasis on crop breeding, stress physiology, and sustainable agricultural practices. His work integrates classical and modern approaches in plant breeding, including cold tolerance screening, mutagenesis, polyploidy induction, genetic diversity analysis, and population structure assessment in cereals and medicinal–aromatic plants. A significant body of his research focuses on wheat, barley, triticale, and endemic oregano species, addressing agronomic performance, quality traits, and adaptation to abiotic stresses such as cold and drought. He has also made notable contributions to the application of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for improving plant growth, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and essential oil composition, thereby supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable production systems. His studies employ molecular, epigenetic, and agro-morphological tools to advance crop improvement and conservation of local genetic resources. The scientific impact of this work is reflected in an h-index of 7, with publications receiving citations across 146 citing documents and a documented corpus of 9 indexed research outputs, demonstrating recognized influence within the fields of crop science, plant genetics, and sustainable agriculture.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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152

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9

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7

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h-index


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Properties and Ornamental Significance of Prometheum sempervivoides (Fisch. ex Bieb.) H. Ohba Naturally Grown in Erzurum

– Journal of Agricultural Production, 2020

Influence of Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacteria on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Traits of Sugar Beet under Variable Irrigation Regimes

– ÇOMÜ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 2020

Effects of Indole Acetic Acid–Producing Bacteria and Hormonal Treatments on Essential Oil Composition of Satureja hortensis L.

– Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology, 2019

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analysis of Origanum rotundifolium L. Genotypes Using the SCoT Marker System

– Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2026

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Genotypes for Cold Tolerance, Agronomic Performance, and Quality Traits

– Crop and Pasture Science

Melih Altay | Agricultural | Young Researcher Award

Mr. Melih Altay | Agricultural | Young Researcher Award

Hacettepe University | Turkey

Melih Altay is a researcher in geomatics engineering with a strong specialization in photogrammetry, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing. His research is centered on integrating deep learning and machine learning methods with multi-source Earth observation data to address complex geospatial problems. He has developed and applied advanced AI-based segmentation, object detection, and classification approaches for analyzing optical and SAR satellite imagery, with particular emphasis on forest fire assessment, water surface detection, and agricultural land monitoring. His work contributes to improving the accuracy and automation of geospatial data extraction from high-resolution satellite platforms such as PlanetScope and Sentinel series. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration of GIS, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence, offering scalable solutions for environmental monitoring, land-use analysis, and spatial decision support. Through peer-reviewed conference publications, he has contributed comparative evaluations of deep learning architectures and innovative workflows that enhance geospatial analysis efficiency and reliability. Overall, his work reflects a forward-looking approach to geomatics engineering, emphasizing intelligent automation, high-resolution spatial analytics, and the practical application of AI technologies in Earth observation and digital twin systems.

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Phenology aware agricultural boundary extraction using segment anything model and planet scope imagery (zero shot learning approach)– Advances in Space Research

Wei Dong | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Wei Dong | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University | China 

Dong Wei is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in hydraulic machinery and hydrodynamics, with a strong record of scientific leadership and technical innovation. He serves as an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Northwest A&F University and is actively engaged in national and professional service related to hydropower, pumping systems, and energy conversion equipment. His research contributions span fundamental theory, engineering applications, and standardization, reflecting both academic depth and practical relevance. He has led 20 competitive research and industry-supported projects at national, provincial, and enterprise levels, demonstrating sustained research capacity and management expertise. His scholarly output includes 53 research documents, with 60 published papers overall, of which 40 are indexed in SCI/EI databases and 10 are recognized as top-tier Q1 publications. His work has attracted significant academic attention, accumulating 443 citations across 364 citing documents, and he maintains an h-index of 12, indicating consistent research impact. In addition to publications, he holds 10 authorized patents, has edited or co-edited a specialized textbook, and has contributed to the formulation of two national technical standards, underscoring his role in advancing both scientific knowledge and engineering practice in the field of hydraulic and hydropower equipment.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
445

Documents
53

h-index
12

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View Scopus Profile


Research on Cavitation Energy Characteristics of a Mixed-Flow Pump Based on Entropy Production Theory and Multi-Resolution Dynamic Mode Decomposition (MRDMD)


– International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2026


Analysis of Transient Entropy Generation Loss Mechanisms under Variable-Speed Operating Conditions of a Pump-Turbine


– Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery (Nongye Jixie Xuebao), 2025


Multi-Objective Optimization of Control Strategies for Variable-Speed Regulation in Pump Mode of Pump-Turbines


– Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2025


Multiscale Pressure Fluctuation Characteristics and Vortex–Enthalpy Interaction in a Cavitating Mixed-Flow Pump


– Physics of Fluids, 2025


Optimization of Centrifugal Pump Performance and Excitation Force Using Machine Learning and Enhanced NSGA-III


– Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 2025

Madan Sharma | Agricultural | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Dr. Madan Sharma | Agricultural | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Dr. Madan Sharma | Manipal University | India

Prof. Dr. Madan Sharma has established a significant scientific presence through impactful research spanning plant biotechnology, nanobiotechnology, medicinal plant conservation, and sustainable bioscience innovation. His scholarly influence is reflected in 757 citations from 717 citing documents, demonstrating broad recognition and applicability of his findings across diverse research communities. With a portfolio of 62 peer-reviewed documents, his work has advanced micropropagation techniques, optimized in vitro regeneration systems, explored endophytic fungal diversity, and contributed to the biosynthesis of eco-friendly nanoparticles with antimicrobial and therapeutic potential. His h-index of 14 underscores the consistent relevance and academic value of his contributions, which have shaped new directions in plant tissue culture, phytochemical enhancement, biogenic nanomaterial development, and bioresource conservation. Prof. Dr. Madan Sharma’s research further integrates molecular, biochemical and nanotechnological approaches to address challenges related to medicinal plant preservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and innovative biological solutions for health and environmental applications. His cumulative scientific output reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge that supports societal benefit, industry innovation, and the progressive development of biosciences through interdisciplinary and forward-looking research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Santhoshkumar Jayakodi | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Santhoshkumar Jayakodi | Agricultural | Young Scientist Award

Saveetha School of Engineering | India 

Dr. Santhoshkumar is a dedicated researcher and academic whose work spans nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, biochemistry, drug delivery, toxicology, ecotoxicology, food safety and environmental biology, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary applications. He has contributed extensively to scientific research with 43 published documents, collectively cited 824 times by 761 different sources, reflecting the impact and visibility of his work in the scientific community. His scholarly influence is further evidenced by an h-index of 15, indicating a consistent record of high-quality publications. His doctoral research on nano-herbal formulations addressing cardiotoxicity and earlier work exploring antibacterial properties of essential oils demonstrate his ability to translate biological concepts into innovative applications. He possesses strong technical expertise in cell culture involving zebrafish, albino rats and animal models, as well as hands-on proficiency in operating advanced analytical instruments such as LC-MS, GC-MS, FTIR, HPLC, SEM and DLS. His academic role includes mentoring numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and contributing to academic committees such as NAAC-related initiatives. In addition to teaching and research responsibilities, he has participated in organizing international scientific events and remains active in multiple professional societies related to biology, biotechnology, chemical sciences and technical skill development, enhancing both scientific collaboration and community engagement.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Jayakodi, S. (2025). Role of proteins in phytoremediation and mycoremediation for heavy metal removal: A focus on protein-based remediation. International Journal of Phytoremediation.

  • Palani, B., Vajjiravelu, R., Shanmugam, R., & Jayakodi, S. (2025). A comprehensive review of traditional medicinal plants and their role in ovarian cancer treatment. South African Journal of Botany.

  • Vajjiravelu, R., Palani, B., Shanmugam, R., & Jayakodi, S. (2025). Bioinspired nanoparticles mediated from bioactive plants and their therapeutic application in liver cancer. Biomedical Materials & Devices.

  • Palani, B., Vajjiravelu, R., Shanmugam, R., & Jayakodi, S. (2025). Bioactive compounds for inhibiting mutated gene (BRCA1 and BRCA2) signaling pathway in ovarian cancer treatment. Biomedical Materials & Devices.

  • Sowmiya, A., Jayakodi, S., Selvam, K. A., & Sangeetha, K. (2024). In silico molecular docking of cyclic peptides against TEM-1 beta-lactamases for effective antimicrobial drug development. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 18(3), Article 16.

Ibrahim Ahmad | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Ibrahim Ahmad | Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture | Australia 

Ibrahim Ahmad is a veterinary scientist and Ph.D. researcher in Agriculture (Animal Science) at the University of Tasmania, specialising in sustainable livestock production and enteric methane mitigation. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a Master’s in Veterinary Medicine by research, and ongoing doctoral work focused on anti-methanogenic feed additives using Asparagopsis seaweed, he brings over a decade of progressive experience in veterinary practice, meat inspection, animal welfare, biosecurity, zoonotic disease control, ruminant nutrition and livestock systems research. His published body of work spans tuberculosis in livestock, zoonotic diseases, methane reduction strategies, and ruminant microbiome responses, with 14 peer-reviewed documents, 73 citations, and an h-index of 6, reflecting both productivity and research influence across animal health and agricultural science. He has presented at international conferences, contributed as a reviewer to multiple journals, and maintains active research networks across Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and beyond. His current doctoral research, backed by major scholarships such as the Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship and Tim Healey Memorial Scholarship, aims to improve climate-smart livestock systems with scalable on-farm solutions for methane reduction without compromising productivity or welfare. His academic memberships and international collaborations further consolidate his growing impact on veterinary research and sustainable agriculture.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Ahmad, I., Rawnsley, R. P., Bowman, J. P., & Omede, A. A. (2025). Rumen microbiome response to methane inhibition. Microbiology Australia.

Ahmad, I., Rawnsley, R. P., Bowman, J. P., & Omede, A. A. (2025). Limitations in feeding red seaweed Asparagopsis species for enteric methane mitigation in ruminants. Journal of Dairy Science.

Ahmad, I., Bowman, J., Rawnsley, R., & Omede, A. (2025, June 26). Feed-grade biochar supplementation for enteric methane emissions reduction: Potential anti-methanogenic myths and emerging facts [Conference presentation]. ANZBIG Conference, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.

Omede, A., Raedts, P., Ahmad, I., Talbot, J., Dolbey, B., & Rawnsley, R. (2024, July 8). Effect of transition feeding of Asparagopsis-oil (Asp-oil) on sheep performance. In Proceedings of the 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences (p. 389). Australian Association of Animal Sciences.

Gelase Nkurunziza | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Gelase Nkurunziza | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Makerere University  | Burundi

Gelase Nkurunziza is a dedicated agricultural researcher and plant breeder with strong expertise in maize improvement and biotechnology, currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at Makerere University, Uganda, where he has been enrolled since March 2022. He holds an MSc in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems from Makerere University (2017) and a BSc in Agronomy from the University of Burundi (2008). He further enhanced his skills in molecular biology through a competitive ABCF Fellowship at the BecA ILRI Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2018, focusing on molecular breeding in maize. Professionally, Nkurunziza has extensive experience in maize research, beginning his career as a researcher in the maize program at ISABU, Gisozi Research Station, Burundi (2008–2013), before advancing to maize plant breeder and research activity coordinator at ISABU from 2016 to 2018. His work has contributed significantly to maize breeding strategies, addressing challenges in seed systems and improving crop productivity. Proficient in English and French, with good skills in speaking, writing, reading, and understanding, he bridges international research collaborations effectively. With a clear focus on applying plant breeding innovations to enhance food security, Nkurunziza continues to build a career dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture in Africa.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications

Genome-wide association study of biological nitrogen fixation traits in mini-core cowpea germplasm

Identifying Optimal Lines for Enhanced Symbiotic Performance in a Mini‐Core Collection of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Genetic and Environmental Effects on Nodulation and Yield Among Selected Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) Genotypes in Uganda

Performance and inheritance of yield and maize streak virus disease resistance in white maize and yellow conversions

Stability in performance of normal and nutritionally enhanced highland maize hybrid genotypes in Eastern Africa

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.