Serban Cucu | Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Serban Cucu | Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

National Research and Development Institute for Food Bioresources | Romania

Serban Eugen Cucu has been actively involved in national and international research, innovation, and professional training initiatives, contributing to applied research, technology transfer, and workforce development in the agri-food and bioresources sectors. His experience includes managing and supervising complex, multisectoral projects focused on innovation, experimental product development, physicochemical and sensory analysis, shelf-life determination, product labeling, dissemination of results, and preparation of final technical reports, demonstrating strong coordination and leadership capabilities. In parallel, he has played a significant role as an expert trainer in professional qualification programs, where his responsibilities encompassed designing and delivering structured training sessions, developing course materials and competence evaluation tools, assessing participants, managing training documentation in line with regulatory frameworks, identifying and mitigating risks, organizing graduation examinations, and coordinating training providers’ interactions with national qualification and authorization authorities. His work also involves identifying and managing material, human, and technical resources, monitoring and coordinating training program implementation, proposing trainer needs across occupational fields, and ensuring effective knowledge transfer, consultancy, and assistance in professional education contexts. From a research output perspective, his scholarly profile includes 2 published documents, which have received 12 citations across 12 citing documents, resulting in an h-index of 1, reflecting emerging research impact alongside strong applied and educational contributions.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

15
10
5
0

Citations 12

Documents 2

h-index 1

Citations

Documents

h-index

Impact of Hemp Flour on the Nutritional, Sensory, and Functional Properties of Wheat and Whole Wheat Muffins

– Foods (Journal Article), 2025


Rajneesh Kumar | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Rajneesh Kumar | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Rajneesh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, India

Dr. Rajneesh Kumar is a National Post Doctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India. He specializes in environmental biotechnology and sustainable wastewater treatment, with a focus on emerging pollutant removal and microbial responses to contaminants. Holding a Ph.D. in Environment from IIT Guwahati, he has authored several high-impact publications and received the prestigious SERB-National Post Doctoral Fellowship. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for environmental sustainability

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Rajneesh Kumar’s research in environmental biotechnology, focusing on innovative wastewater treatment methods, has significantly contributed to the field. His scholarly publications and collaborations underscore his dedication and expertise.

 

🎓 Education

Rajneesh Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Environment from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, specializing in industrial wastewater pollution control and environmental engineering processes. He earned his M.Tech in Environmental Engineering from the National Institute of Foundry & Forge Technology, Ranchi, focusing on pollution control and solid waste management. His undergraduate studies in Biotechnology were completed at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, emphasizing environmental biotechnology and molecular genetics.

 

💼Experience

With over three years of professional experience, Rajneesh Kumar is currently a National Post Doctoral Fellow at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, working on sustainable wastewater treatment. He previously served as a Research Associate III at IIT Indore and as an Associate Project Engineer at IIT Guwahati, where he contributed to implementing AICTE-funded projects.

 

🔬Research Focus

Rajneesh’s research interests encompass biological wastewater treatment, environmental microbiology, and addressing emerging pollutants. He has contributed significantly to understanding microbial responses to contaminants and the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions.

 

Awards

Rajneesh has received the prestigious SERB-National Post Doctoral Fellowship (2024–2026). He also achieved second place in a poster presentation at the Water2020 Conference held at IIT Guwahati, showcasing his innovative approaches to wastewater management.

 

Skills

Rajneesh excels in environmental biotechnology, wastewater treatment, and emerging pollutant removal. His technical expertise extends to environmental microbiology and the application of advanced techniques in pollution control. He is proficient in conducting comprehensive environmental assessments and utilizing innovative solutions for sustainable development.

 

Publications

  • Role of AI&ML in Modernizing Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Goyal, M.K.
    • Year: 2025
    • Published in: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 236(1), 31
    • Citations: 0

 

  • River Pollution in India: Exploring Regulatory and Remedial Paths
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Goyal, M.K., Surampalli, R.Y., Zhang, T.C.
    • Year: 2024
    • Published in: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 26(9), pp. 2777–2799
    • Citations: 8

 

  • Water Neutrality: Concept, Challenges, Policies, and Recommendations
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Mishra, A., Goyal, M.K.
    • Year: 2024
    • Published in: Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 26, 101306
    • Citations: 3

 

  • Recovery Potential of Aerobic Sludge Biomass Stressed with Cu(II) Laden Piggery Wastewater
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Saini, G.K., Jawed, M.
    • Year: 2024
    • Published in: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12(3), 112517
    • Citations: 3

 

  • Resilience of Aerobic Sludge Biomass Under Chlorpyrifos Stress and Its Recovery Potential
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Saini, G.K., Jawed, M.
    • Year: 2024
    • Published in: Chemosphere, 352, 141324
    • Citations: 4

 

  • Wastewater Management Policies: A Perspective and Roadmap for India
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Mishra, A., Goyal, M.K.
    • Year: 2024
    • Published in: Current Science, 127(7), pp. 795–807
    • Citations: 1

 

  • Assessment of Cu(II) Impact on Aerobic Sludge Biomass and Its Post-Exposure Self-Recovery Potential
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Negi, R., Singh, B., Saini, G.K., Jawed, M.
    • Year: 2023
    • Published in: Journal of Water Process Engineering, 56, 104501
    • Citations: 6

 

  • Assessing Recovery Potential of Aerobic Sludge Biomass Stressed with Amoxicillin
    • Authors: Kumar, R., Saini, G.K., Jawed, M.
    • Year: 2023
    • Published in: Environmental Technology and Innovation, 31, 103225
    • Citations: 6

 

Conclusion:

Considering his research achievements and contributions to environmental biotechnology, Dr. Rajneesh Kumar is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Addressing areas such as funding acquisition and industry collaboration could further enhance his profile and impact.

Nunzio Alberto Fazio | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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 Dr. Nunzio Alberto Fazio | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Nunzio Alberto Fazio ,University of Catania, Italy

Dr. Nunzio Alberto Fazio is a Ph.D. researcher in Agro-Food Biotechnology at the University of Catania, Italy. His work focuses on the selection and application of indigenous yeasts to enhance the quality of local wines, particularly from the Etna region. With a strong background in agricultural biotechnology, microbiology, and fermentation science, Dr. Fazio has collaborated with leading institutions in Spain, France, and the U.S. He is skilled in advanced laboratory techniques and committed to developing sustainable solutions in the agri-food sector through innovative research and biotechnology.

 

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Nunzio Alberto Fazio is a well-qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his innovative research in biotechnology and sustainable wine fermentation. His technical expertise, international collaborations, and impactful publications underline his academic excellence and relevance in the field. His research bridges science and sustainability, offering solutions for enhancing regional wine production through indigenous microbial resources.

 

🎓 Education

Nunzio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Technologies and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Biotechnology from the Università degli Studi di Catania, where he graduated with distinction (110/110 cum laude). His academic journey culminates in a Ph.D. in Agro-Food Biotechnology with a research focus on indigenous yeasts for enhancing local wines. His educational path includes international experiences in Spain, France, the United States, Portugal, and the Czech Republic through various Erasmus+ and visiting student programs.

💼Experience

Nunzio’s professional experience spans across multiple international institutions, contributing to his expertise in agri-food biotechnology. He has participated in internships and research projects in Czechia, Spain, France, and the U.S., where he focused on forestry, viticulture, wine biotechnology, and microbiological analysis. His work includes forest pest control, reforestation, laboratory-scale fermentation, and the use of unconventional yeasts in wine production.

🔬Research Focus

Nunzio’s research is dedicated to the investigation and application of indigenous yeasts to enhance the quality and authenticity of local wines. His Ph.D. work involves identifying and selecting S. cerevisiae and non-Saccharomyces yeasts from Sicilian wineries, particularly around Etna Volcano, aiming to develop commercial starter cultures for local wine fermentations. His research includes microbiology, genetic analysis, micro-fermentation trials, and sensory evaluations to optimize wine production.

🏆Awards

He is recognized as an International Soil Scientist Award nominee and has co-authored publications focusing on exploiting conventional and unconventional yeasts for winemaking. His notable research publication includes “Inside Current Winemaking Challenges: Exploiting the Potential of Conventional and Unconventional Yeasts.”

Skills

Nunzio Alberto Fazio is proficient in laboratory analysis, including microbiological, analytical, and molecular techniques such as MALDI-TOF, HPLC, PCR, and DNA extraction. He is skilled in project management, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and fermentation management. His expertise extends to genomics, bioinformatics tools, and software such as Microsoft Office Suite and R. Additionally, he demonstrates strong organizational and soft skills, including documentation management, time management, problem resolution, and cultural sensitivity.

Publications

  • Fazio, N.A., Pino, A., Foti, P., Torija, M.-J., Caggia, C.
    Title: Screening and characterization of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae and non-Saccharomyces yeasts isolated from Sicilian vineyards
    Journal: Food Bioscience, 2024, Volume 62, Article 105282
    Citations: 0
  • Fazio, N.A., Russo, N., Foti, P., Caggia, C., Randazzo, C.L.
    Title: Inside Current Winemaking Challenges: Exploiting the Potential of Conventional and Unconventional Yeasts
    Journal: Microorganisms, 2023, Volume 11, Issue 5, Article 1338
    Citations: 12

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Fazio’s strengths in research innovation, technical expertise, and international collaboration position him as a leading contender for the Best Researcher Award. Focusing on increasing industry engagement, developing patents, and expanding his citation record would further solidify his candidacy, making him an even more distinguished researcher in the biotechnology community.