Deepmala Sehgal | Biochemistry | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Deepmala Sehgal | Biochemistry | Research Excellence Award

Syngenta UK Limited | United Kingdom 

Deepmala Sehgal’s research centers on advancing genomics-assisted strategies to strengthen weed management and crop improvement through cutting-edge molecular and quantitative genetics. Her work focuses on uncovering non-target site resistance genes in major weed species using approaches such as QTL mapping, TWAS, and GWAS, supported by the development of specialized panels and populations. She also designs high-throughput KASP assays to efficiently detect target-site resistance mutations across diverse weed genomes. Beyond weed genomics, her expertise extends to wheat genetics, where she has led major initiatives in genetic improvement and genomics-enabled breeding. A significant component of her work involves optimizing genomic selection models for complex traits by evaluating SNP- and haplotype-based prediction systems and integrating GWAS-identified loci alongside epistatic interactions to enhance predictive accuracy. Her scientific contributions are reflected in 2,284 citations, 75 scientific documents, and an h-index of 28, highlighting her influence in plant genomics and quantitative genetics. Her combined focus on innovation, high-resolution genetic analysis, and application-driven breeding solutions positions her at the forefront of modern crop and weed genomics research.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

Sehgal, D., Martín-Sanz, A., Sayago, A., Perraki, A., & Kaundun, S. S. (2025). Prevalence of two acetolactate synthase target site resistance mutations in sunflower broomrape from Europe as determined by robust kompetitive allele-specific assays (KASP). Pest Management Science.

Kokhmetova, A., Rathan, N. D., Sehgal, D., Ali, S., Zeleneva, Y., Kumarbayeva, M., Bolatbekova, A., Krishnappa, G., Keishilov, Z., Kokhmetova, A., Mukhametzhanov, K., & Bakhytuly, K. (2025). Genetic dissection of Septoria tritici blotch and Septoria nodorum blotch resistance in wheat using GWAS. Frontiers in Plant Science.

Cong Cheng| Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Cong Cheng| Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Cong Cheng, Xinjiang Agricultural University, China

Dr. Cong Cheng is a distinguished academic affiliated with Xinjiang Agricultural University, China. With a focus on advancing research and education, Dr. Cheng contributes significantly to the field of agricultural sciences, fostering innovation and knowledge development to address contemporary challenges in agriculture.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Cong Cheng is an accomplished academic with a clear commitment to advancing agricultural sciences. Her contributions to education and research address key contemporary challenges, such as sustainability and innovation in agriculture. By continuing to focus on innovation and knowledge development, Dr. Cheng plays an important role in shaping the future of agriculture, not only in China but also globally.

 

🎓 Education

Dr. Cong Cheng completed a Ph.D. in Cell Biology at Nanjing Agricultural University (2017–2021). Prior to that, she earned a Master’s degree in Microbiology (2013–2016) and a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science (2009–2013), both from Xinjiang Normal University.

 

💼Experience

Dr. Cheng is a lecturer at Xinjiang Agricultural University since 2022, teaching undergraduate courses such as Plant Physiology, Basic Biochemistry, and Conservation Biology, and graduate courses like Genetic Engineering and Advanced Biochemistry. Additionally, since 2021, Dr. Cheng has been a postdoctoral researcher focusing on salt-tolerant functional genes in cotton.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Cheng’s research centers on identifying and analyzing salt-tolerant functional genes, particularly in cotton. Her work includes notable contributions to understanding ion homeostasis and the genetic engineering of stress-tolerant traits in plants.

Awards

Dr. Cheng has received recognition through various programs and grants, including funding from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation, the “Tianchi Talents” Introduction Program, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.

 

Skills

Dr. Cheng possesses expertise in cell biology, microbiology, and genetic engineering. Her  teaching experience includes advanced topics in plant physiology and biochemistry, with a research focus on stress tolerance mechanisms in plants.

 

Publications

  • Cheng C, Zhang F, Li L, Ni Z.
    Publication Title: Identification and Analysis of the Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Gene Family in Cotton and Its Roles in Response to Salt Stress.
    Journal: Plants, 2024, 13(24):3510.
    Citation (APA format): Cheng, C., Zhang, F., Li, L., & Ni, Z. (2024). Identification and analysis of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase gene family in cotton and its roles in response to salt stress. Plants, 13(24), 3510.

 

  • Wang Y, Cheng C, Du ZY, Yu BJ.
    Publication Title: Pre-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum confers NaCl tolerance by improving nitrogen status and ion homeostasis in Glycine soja seedlings.
    Journal: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2022, 44:21.
    Citation (APA format): Wang, Y., Cheng, C., Du, Z. Y., & Yu, B. J. (2022). Pre-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum confers NaCl tolerance by improving nitrogen status and ion homeostasis in Glycine soja seedlings. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 44(21).

 

  • Cheng C, Liu YM, Liu X, An J, Jiang L, Yu BJ.
    Publication Title: Recretohalophyte Tamarix TrSOS1 confers higher salt tolerance to transgenic plants and yeast than glycophyte soybean GmSOS1.
    Journal: Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2019, 165, 196–207.
    Citation (APA format): Cheng, C., Liu, Y. M., Liu, X., An, J., Jiang, L., & Yu, B. J. (2019). Recretohalophyte Tamarix TrSOS1 confers higher salt tolerance to transgenic plants and yeast than glycophyte soybean GmSOS1. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 165, 196–207.

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Cheng is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to her solid track record in research, innovation, and education. Her strengths in contributing to agricultural sciences and fostering knowledge development make him a prominent figure in her field. With slight improvements in international collaboration, publication metrics, and interdisciplinary engagement, her potential to make an even greater impact in the global agricultural research community could be fully realized.