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


Alireza Dehnad | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Alireza Dehnad | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization | Iran 

Dr. Alireza Dehnad is an accomplished microbiologist and biotechnologist with extensive experience spanning veterinary microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and industrial applications. His research portfolio encompasses viral and bacterial disease studies in both humans and animals, bioprocess optimization, green synthesis of nanoparticles, probiotic development, antibiotic-producing Actinomycetes, and advanced biotechnological approaches for wound healing, bioremediation, and controlled-release drug delivery. He has contributed significantly to microbial screening, identification of bioactive metabolites, and the taxonomical characterization of plant growth–promoting Actinobacteria. With strong involvement in academic supervision and scientific training, he has guided numerous graduate research projects and delivered substantial teaching hours across microbiology, biotechnology, and veterinary sciences. His leadership roles in research centers, scientific committees, and biotechnology laboratories reflect a long-standing commitment to scientific development and innovation. Dr. Dehnad’s scholarly output includes 39 documents, supported by 666 citations across 647 citing sources, and an h-index of 13, highlighting the impact and visibility of his work within the global scientific community. His multidisciplinary expertise, combined with sustained contributions to advanced microbial research, positions him as a leading figure in applied microbiology and biotechnological innovation.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Hajyasini, A., Dehnad, A., Farzi, A., Mobasseri, M., Ostadrahimi, A., & Kafili, B. (2025). Effect of Selenomethionine-enriched yeast on hypothyroidism patients. Archives of Razi Institute.

2. Mazloumi, Z., Rafat, A., Asl, K. D., Karimipour, M., Shanehbandi, D., Talebi, M., Montazer, M., Movassaghpour, A. A., Dehnad, A., Farahzadi, R., & Nozad Charoudeh, H. (2024). Telomerase and mitochondria inhibition promote apoptosis and TET2 and ANMT3a expression in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. Bioimpacts.

3. Tikmehdash, H. T., Dehnad, A., Mosavari, N., Hokmabadi, B. N., & Mahmazi, S. (2024). Isolation, serological and molecular methods in screening of Burkholderia mallei in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Veterinary Research Forum.

Gabriele Rodine Ngassa Tchoumi | Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Gabriele Rodine Ngassa Tchoumi | Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Gabriele Rodine Ngassa Tchoumi | University of Dschang | Cameroon

Gabrièle Rodine Ngassa Tchoumi is an emerging agricultural scientist and engineer dedicated to advancing sustainable and organic farming practices in sub-Saharan Africa. Her research and professional focus center on improving soil fertility, crop production, and natural plant protection strategies to enhance agricultural productivity while preserving ecosystem health. She has contributed to studies on the use of black soldier fly frass as an eco-friendly biofertilizer, demonstrating its potential to improve soil quality and crop yield sustainably. With experience in agribusiness, vocational training, and crop management, she integrates theory and practice to empower young farmers and promote environmentally responsible agricultural entrepreneurship. Her expertise spans data analysis, project planning, and sustainable development, reinforced by international training from institutions such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the European Union, and the International Labour Organization. She has actively participated in scientific conferences addressing phytopathology, biosciences, and climate-resilient farming, underscoring her commitment to research-driven agricultural innovation. Through her work, she advocates for education, sustainability, and innovation as cornerstones of agricultural transformation, contributing meaningfully to food security and environmental resilience in developing regions.

Profile:  Orcid 

Featured Publications

Dzepe, D., Mbenda, T. K., Ngassa, G., Mube, H., Chia, S. Y., Aoudou, Y., & Djouaka, R. (2022). Application of Black Soldier Fly frass, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as sustainable organic fertilizer for lettuce, Lactuca sativa production. Open Journal of Applied Sciences.

Nihed Ben Halima | Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Nihed Ben Halima | Biotechnology | Women Researcher Award

Nihed Ben Halima | University of Sfax | Tunisia

Dr. Nihed Ben Halima is a distinguished Doctor-Engineer in Biology with extensive expertise in biological engineering, plant enzymology, lipidomics, proteomics, and the valorization of oat (Avena sativa L.) biomolecules for food and nutraceutical applications. He earned his Ph.D. from the National School of Engineers of Sfax, Tunisia, in 2015, with a dissertation focusing on enzymes and oil from oat for biomolecular production. Dr. Ben Halima has accumulated significant academic and research experience, serving as a faculty member at the National School of Engineers of Sfax, the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, and the Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, where he taught courses in enzymology, biochemistry, histology, nutrition, and food sciences. His research portfolio encompasses international collaborations, including stays in France and Cameroon, and contributions to global projects such as high-rate algal ponds for wastewater treatment. He is a prolific author with over 22 peer-reviewed publications, 17 book chapters, and multiple books, totaling 1,172 citations by 1,134 documents and an h-index of 17. His work spans plant lipolytic enzymes, glycoside hydrolases, essential oils, and bioinformatic analyses, demonstrating a commitment to advancing sustainable biotechnological solutions. Dr. Ben Halima is also actively engaged in scientific reviewing and social networks, including Web of Science, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar, highlighting his influence in the global scientific community.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid | Research Gate 

Featured Publications

  • Ben Halima, N. (2020). Insight into cellulose-based nanomaterials – A pursuit of environmental remedies. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 163, 1480–1486.

  • Ben Halima, N. (2019). Unique sequence signatures in plant lipolytic enzymes. IGI Global.

  • Ben Halima, N. (2019). Analysis of glycoside hydrolases from oat (Avena sativa) seedling extract. Bioinformation, 15, 678–688.

  • Ben Halima, N. (2019). New insights into phospholipases in oat (Avena sativa) from bioinformatic analysis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 133, 804–810.

Pratyush Kumar Das | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das, Centurion University of Technology and Management, India

Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Phytopharmaceuticals, School of Agricultural and Bioengineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, India. He holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and specializes in environmental and plant biotechnology, nanotechnology, and molecular biology. With experience in both academic and research institutions, Dr. Das focuses on innovative approaches to environmental remediation, secondary metabolite analysis, and gene delivery systems. He is a recipient of multiple national and international awards for his research contributions and is an affiliate member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das exhibits a strong profile for the Best Researcher Award with a solid educational foundation and extensive research experience across several important fields of biotechnology. His innovative work on environmental and plant biotechnological solutions, coupled with numerous awards and leadership roles, demonstrate both depth and breadth in research capabilities. His focus on applied science addressing environmental challenges and pest management aligns well with contemporary research priorities.

🎓 Education

Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology, awarded in 2022 by Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar. He completed his M.Sc. in Industrial Biotechnology from the same university in 2012, following a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Utkal University in 2010. He began his academic journey with higher secondary education in PCBM from CHSE in 2007 and matriculated under the CBSE board in 2005.

💼Experience

Dr. Das is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Phytopharmaceuticals at the School of Agricultural and Bioengineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, a role he has held since August 2023. Prior to this, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the DBT-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar from October 2021 to July 2023, focusing on the development of cationic polymers for pest control in rice plants. He also served as Research Head in the Department of Training & Innovation at Heredity Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., where he was involved in student training, webinars, certification courses, in-house research, and project proposal writing. His doctoral research and teaching experience spanned over four and a half years at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, where he also earlier held the position of Senior Laboratory Assistant. Additionally, he worked as a Research Associate at Nitza Biologicals Pvt. Ltd., Secunderabad, gaining industry-level exposure to R&D, workshops, and training.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Das’s research interests span Environmental Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Molecular Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology. His work involves heavy metal analysis, environmental remediation using plants, microbes, and nanoparticles, soil and water quality assessments, and studies on environmental toxicity. In plant biotechnology, his focus includes secondary metabolites, plant stress physiology, and biochemistry. He is skilled in enzyme kinetics, antibiotic production, and fermentation processes. His molecular biotechnology expertise includes DNA/RNA isolation, gene analysis through PCR and RT-PCR, and RNAi technology. In nanotechnology, he explores nanoparticle synthesis, antimicrobial properties, gene delivery applications using polymeric nanoparticles, and nano-based environmental remediation.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Das brings a versatile skill set in laboratory techniques, research design, student mentoring, project management, and scientific communication. His practical competencies include biochemical and molecular analyses, fermentation technology, polymer development for agricultural use, and nanomaterials characterization. He has also played leadership roles in educational innovation and training programs, alongside contributing to scientific conferences and proposal development for funding.

🏆Awards

Dr. Das has earned numerous accolades for his research presentations and innovations. He received the Best Paper Award at the 7th International Conference on Bioenergy, Environment, and Sustainable Technologies in January 2025 and another Best Paper Award at the 2nd International Conference on Frontiers in Industrial Biotechnology the same month. His innovative work was recognized with a 3rd Place Best Innovative Idea Award at the DBT-ILS Innovation Challenge in May 2023. He won the American Chemical Society Best Poster Award at ISCBC-2022 and multiple Best Oral and Poster Presentation Awards at both national and international conferences from 2017 to 2021. Notably, he was also honored with the Global Peer Review Award 2018 by Publons for being among the top 1% reviewers in Pharmacology and Toxicology.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Identification and analysis of the GATA gene family in onion (Allium cepa L.) in response to chromium and salt stress
    Authors: Bose, Chirasmita; Das, Pratyush Kumar; Roylawar, Praveen B.; Nanda, Satyabrata; Gawande, Suresh Janardhan
    Year: 2025
    Journal: BMC Genomics

  • Title: DsRNA-based Spray Formulations to Control Pest Infestations in Rice Plants: Mechanism, Constraints and Way Forward
    Authors: Gupta, Vishal Kumar; Joseph M, Anto Simon; Tripathy, Satabdi; Kaur, Ramandeep; Das, Pratyush Kumar
    Year: Not specified (assumed recent)

Conclusion:

Dr. Pratyush Kumar Das is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to his multidisciplinary research approach, consistent recognition through awards, and leadership in academic and research settings. By expanding his publication record in top-tier journals and increasing international collaborations, he could further enhance his research stature. Overall, he is a strong candidate who represents the qualities and achievements expected of a distinguished researcher in the current scientific landscape.