Mr. Alexandre Mahougnon Aurel, Zoumman, Cheikh Anta Diop University , Senegal

Mr. Alexandre Mahougnon Aurel Zoumman is a Ph.D. researcher in Plant Biology at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal, specializing in plant and microbial biotechnologies. With over seven years of experience in scientific research, project management, and international cooperation, he focuses on climate change adaptation, sustainable food systems, and environmental biotechnology. He is also an experienced bilingual trainer and youth leader, actively engaged in climate advocacy and capacity-building across Africa.

Profile

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Summary:

Mr. Alexandre Mahougnon Aurel Zoumman is a promising early-career researcher whose work bridges academic rigor and real-world application. He demonstrates leadership in science, project coordination, and community training. His research tackles globally significant challenges in agriculture and climate resilience, and he plays a vital role in youth-led environmental advocacy and education.

🎓 Education

Alexandre Mahougnon Aurel Zoumman is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a specialization in Plant, Microbial Biotechnologies, and Plant Breeding at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal. He holds a Master’s degree in Plant Biology with a focus on Plant and Microbial Biotechnologies from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, completed between 2018 and 2020. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences, specializing in Genetics, Biotechnologies, and Natural Resources, earned from 2012 to 2015.

💼Experience

Zoumman is a seasoned project manager and researcher with over seven years of experience in leading scientific research initiatives, coordinating international projects, and designing innovative solutions in biotechnology and environmental science. From 2022 to the present, he has served as a bilingual trainer for the African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF), delivering leadership and project management workshops in French and English. Between 2020 and 2021, at CIRAD under the LMI IESOL/LEMSAT collaboration, he managed molecular research on tropical soils and agroecosystems, focusing on nature-based solutions for soil salinization. Prior to that, at IRD’s LMI LAPSE/LCM program from 2019 to 2020, he contributed to research on enhancing legume-rhizobacteria symbiosis as part of the ANR SymEffectors project. His early career included teaching Life and Earth Sciences in Benin’s secondary schools from 2017 to 2018.

🔬Research Focus

Zoumman’s research centers on the application of microbial biotechnologies in agriculture, climate change adaptation, and sustainable food systems. His scientific contributions include a 2021 publication in Scientific Reports on the identification of type III effectors in Bradyrhizobium vignae and their influence on symbiosis with Vigna species. More recently, in 2025, he co-authored a study published in the International Journal of Plant Biology exploring microbial diversity in forest litter-based fermented bioproducts and their effect on tomato growth in Senegal.

🛠️Skills

He is proficient in project leadership and management, encompassing strategic planning, financial oversight, impact evaluation, and team coordination. His research expertise includes molecular biology, microbiology, plant and soil biotechnology, ecology, and climate change adaptation. He is also experienced in designing and implementing bilingual training programs, facilitating cross-cultural communication, and building institutional capacities. Zoumman is highly skilled in digital tools and platforms such as JIRA, Trello, QGIS, R, KOBOCOLLECT, ODK, Amplifix, SerialCloner, and WordPress. Multilingual in French, English, Fon, Mahi, and Goun, he also possesses intermediate proficiency in Mina.

🏆Awards

His academic and professional efforts have earned him several prestigious awards. In 2021, he was recognized as a Youth African Climate Finance Fellow. He received the Orange Knowledge Program award in 2024 and was granted a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship for his Ph.D. in 2022. Earlier, in 2018, he was a recipient of the Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme scholarship for his Master’s degree.

📚 Publications

Title:
Publisher Correction: Identification of type III effectors modulating the symbiotic properties of Bradyrhizobium vignae strain ORS3257 with various Vigna species
Year:
2021
Authors:
Pongpan Songwattana, Clémence Chaintreuil, Jenjira Wongdee, Neung Teaumroong, Eric Giraud, et al.
Journal:
Scientific Reports

Conclusion:

Mr. Zoumman is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His combination of scientific innovation, international collaboration, leadership in climate and agricultural research, and commitment to societal impact through training and advocacy makes him a role model for early-career researchers in Africa and beyond. With further growth in research impact metrics and innovation output, he has the potential to become a global leader in his field.

Nevein Messiha | soil microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 22/05/2025 by sciencefather

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha | soil microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha is a distinguished researcher at the Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. She specializes in crop science, soil fertility, plant breeding, contributing significantly to agricultural advancements through her research and publications. Dr. Messiha is recognized for her commitment to improving sustainable agricultural practices in Egypt and beyond.

Profile

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Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher with over 27 years of specialized experience in plant pathology. Her contributions to environmentally friendly disease management solutions, coupled with her leadership in national research projects, have had significant scientific, environmental, and agricultural impacts. Her work addresses critical challenges in food security, sustainability, and soil health—key priorities for global agricultural research.

🎓 Education

Dr. Nevein A.S. Messiha holds a PhD in Plant Pathology and Soil Microbiology from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, earned between 2003 and 2006. Her doctoral research focused on managing bacterial wilt of potato, with special emphasis on pathogen survival and possible eradication methods. She earned her MSc in Plant Pathology and Physiology from Zagazig University (Benha branch) in Egypt between 1995 and 2001, where she studied the biological control of potato brown rot disease. She began her academic journey with a BSc in Plant Science from Cairo University (Bani Suef branch), completed between 1988 and 1992.

💼Experience

Dr. Messiha currently serves as the Head of the Bacteriology Plant Research Department at the Plant Pathology Institute (PPRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, a position she has held since October 2017. Since 2007, she has worked on the Potato Brown Rot Project (PBRP), where she supervises PhD and MSc students and leads research projects focused on environmentally friendly approaches to disease management. She has also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Bacterial Plant Disease Department, ARC, since 2015. Her experience includes two decades of involvement in EU-Egypt cooperative projects aimed at enhancing diagnostics and disease control for quarantine pathogens. Prior roles include assistant researcher, researcher, and laboratory trainer in national and international capacities. Her career reflects over 27 years of intensive work in plant pathology, particularly in bacterial disease management in potatoes.

🔬Research Focus

Her research is centered on sustainable disease management and soil health improvement, with a focus on controlling potato brown rot disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. She promotes non-chemical methods such as Biological Soil Disinfestation (BSD), crop rotation, and the use of biocontrol agents and organic amendments. She investigates microbial biodiversity, disease suppression mechanisms, and the enhancement of plant resistance through natural and biological means. Her work aims to integrate eco-friendly techniques to foster sustainable agricultural practices and safeguard plant health at both national and international levels.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Messiha is proficient in a range of molecular and microbiological techniques, including TaqMan Assay, LAMP, PCR-DGGE analysis, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing data analysis. She is skilled in using bioinformatics and gel documentation software such as Phoratix 1D Pro and BioEdit. Her statistical competencies include SPSS, SAS, and R. She has also been trained extensively in ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation systems, risk analysis, and quality management standards. Furthermore, she has expertise in diagnosing and identifying plant pathogenic bacteria in compliance with international phytosanitary standards.

🏆Awards

Dr. Messiha has led several national research projects funded by the Science and Technological Development Fund (STDF), including the REiNVEsT project (2019–2022) and another from 2012–2016 on environmentally friendly brown rot control. She has served as a reviewer for numerous international journals and is recognized for her contributions to improving biocontrol methods and diagnostics. Her leadership roles include department head, project leader, and advisor for graduate research. Her scholarly impact is reflected in an H-index of 11 and over 700 citations.

📚 Publications

Publication: Impact Of Glycyrrhizic Acid Ammonium Salt Nanoparticles And Salicylic Acid Nanoparticles On Ralstonia Solanacearum Suppression And Soil Microbial Biodiversity
Author: Messiha, Nevein A.S., El-Abeid, Sozan E., El-Tabakh, Mohamed A.M., Rashad, Mostafa A.M.M., Shoala, Tahsin
Year: 2025
Journal: Physiological And Molecular Plant Pathology

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nevein Messiha is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. While opportunities for greater international engagement and industry collaboration remain, her current achievements and future potential clearly place her among top candidates deserving of this recognition.

Wenying Qu | Soil Microbial ecology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 13/05/2025 by sciencefather

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wenying Qu | Soil Microbial ecology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wenying Qu, Shihezi University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wenying Qu is an Associate Professor and Master’s supervisor at the College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, China. She holds a Doctor of Engineering degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Harbin Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology, microalgae biomass energy, and wastewater treatment technology. Dr. Qu has made significant contributions to enhancing agricultural productivity and wastewater treatment efficiency through microbial and microalgal innovations. She has published extensively, holds multiple patents, and has received various recognitions, including high-level talent titles from Shihezi City and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Wenying Qu is a dynamic researcher whose interdisciplinary work combines agricultural improvement and environmental sustainability. Her track record includes impactful publications, patented innovations, funded projects, and formal recognitions, making her one of the emerging leaders in her field.

🎓 Education

Wenying Qu holds a Doctor of Engineering degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Harbin Institute of Technology, which she completed between September 2017 and January 2022. Prior to that, she earned a Master of Science in Marine Sciences from the School of Marine Science and Technology at Harbin Institute of Technology (2015-2017), and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from the College of Life Sciences at Northeast Forestry University (2011-2015).

💼Experience

Since February 2022, Wenying Qu has been serving as an Associate Professor and Master’s supervisor at the College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, China. Before this role, she undertook significant academic research and training, which led to her receiving various honors, such as the high-level talent introduction title from Shihezi City and the “Tianchi Talents” recognition in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

🔬Research Focus

Wenying Qu’s research focuses primarily on soil microbial communities, microalgal cultivation technologies, and their applications in wastewater treatment. Her work has demonstrated how microbial communities and algae can be integrated into agricultural systems to improve crop yield and soil health. A key achievement includes enhancing cotton productivity through improved soil quality and microbial nitrogen cycling. She has also explored the use of microalgae to remove nutrients from swine wastewater and convert them into bioenergy.

🛠️Skills

Her expertise spans soil microbial ecology, microalgae biomass energy, and wastewater treatment technology. Her research has provided advancements in improving soil quality and enhancing agricultural productivity through microbial cycling and microalgal cultivation technologies. She has also made significant contributions to the treatment of wastewater using microalgae and optimizing biomass for bioenergy production.

🏆Awards

Wenying Qu has been recognized with various prestigious titles. She was awarded the “Tianchi Talents” honor in Xinjiang and has received recognition from Shihezi University for her research contributions. Additionally, her research has been recognized through numerous patents, including a method for producing carbohydrates using swine wastewater, and her publications have been cited widely in scientific journals.

📚 Publications

Title: Long-term mulched drip irrigation enhances cotton yield by improving soil quality, microbial community structure, and N conversion
Year: 2025
Authors: W. Li, S. Gao, W. Qu, S. Ho, Z. Wang
Journal: Agricultural Water Management
Title: Revealing real impact of microalgae on seasonal dynamics of bacterial community in a pilot-scale microalgal-bacterial consortium system
Year: 2025
Authors: P. Xie, Q. Wang, W. Qu, N. Ren, S.H. Ho
Journal: Water Research

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wenying Qu fully meets and exceeds the core expectations for the Best Researcher Award. Her research has both scientific depth and societal relevance. With continued development of international collaborations and scientific leadership roles, she is not only deserving of this award but is also poised to make even greater contributions to global scientific progress.

Hui Cao | Soil Biology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 07/04/2025 by sciencefather

Mr. Hui Cao | Soil Biology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hui Cao, Nanjing Agricultural University, China

Hui Cao is a Professor at Nanjing Agricultural University, China, specializing in soil microbial diversity and its ecological functions. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on microbial community structure, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and microbial interactions in agricultural soils. Dr. Cao has led several national research projects and published extensively in international journals. He also serves as Deputy Director of the Soil Ecological Professional Committee of the Soil Science Society of China.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Hui Cao is a seasoned soil microbiologist with a prolific research career focused on microbial ecology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental safety. His publications, funded projects, patents, and leadership roles reflect a strong commitment to research excellence. His work is multidisciplinary, collaborative, and geared toward solving real-world problems in agriculture and environmental science.

🎓 Education

Hui Cao earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, between 1998 and 2001. Prior to that, he obtained his M.S. in Soil Science from Nanjing Agricultural University in 1998, following a B.S. in Geography from Anhui Normal University in 1991.

💼Experience

Hui Cao is currently a Professor at Nanjing Agricultural University, a position he has held since December 2012. His work encompasses both teaching and research. From 2006 to 2012, he served as an Associate Professor at the same university. His early career included a postdoctoral fellowship at Nanjing Agricultural University from 2002 to 2006, as well as a research assistant role at the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2001 to 2002.

🔬Research Focus

Mr. Cao has led or participated in numerous research projects funded by national and provincial bodies. Notably, he is involved in projects exploring the metabolic functions of dark carbon dioxide bacteria driven by redox processes in paddy soils, bio-depolymerisation of plastics, and tillage and fertilization technologies for coastal farmlands. He has published widely in respected journals such as Microbiome, The ISME Journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, and Journal of Hazardous Materials, with over 40 publications between 2017 and 2025.

🛠️Skills

Hui Cao’s research primarily centers on soil microbial diversity and its ecological functions. He has extensive expertise in microbial community analysis, carbon and nitrogen cycling in soil systems, myxobacterial predation mechanisms, and microbial-mediated biodegradation. His work also covers soil amendment effects on microbial networks, plastic-degrading bacteria, and environmental microbiology in both agricultural and urban contexts.

🏆Awards

Hui Cao has been recognized for his contributions to the field through multiple patents, including methods for detecting Salmonella and E. coli in soil and identifying plant growth-promoting bacteria. From 2016 to 2025, he has served as the Deputy Director of the Soil Ecological Professional Committee under the Soil Science Society of China.

📚 Publications

Title: Abundant taxa enhanced stability of fungal communities according to reduced nitrogen fertilization
Year: 2025
Authors: Han H., Zhang B., Liu H., Cao H., Wang F.
Journal: Soil and Tillage Research

Title: Reapplication of glyphosate mitigates fitness costs for soil bacterial communities
Year: 2025
Authors: Liu H., Zhang C., Zhang B., Han H., Cao H.
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Title: Discovery of a polyester polyurethane-degrading bacterium from a coastal mudflat and identification of its degrading enzyme
Year: 2025
Authors: Zhang L., Cao K., Liu H., Cui Z., Cao H.
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Title: Sex, health status and habitat alter the community composition and assembly processes of symbiotic bacteria in captive frogs
Year: 2024
Authors: Liu S., Imad S., Hussain S., Yu X., Cao H.
Journal: BMC Microbiology

Title: Spatiotemporal evolution and assembly processes of ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotic communities in 1,000-year-old coastal reclaimed soils
Year: 2024
Authors: Hussain S., Yin Y., Liu S., Cao H., Wang F.
Journal: Pedosphere

Title: Competitive relationships due to similar nutrient preferences reshape soil bacterial metacommunities
Year: 2024
Authors: Han H., Liu H., Zhang B., Li C., Cao H.
Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Conclusion:

Mr. Hui Cao is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His sustained research output, innovative contributions, and leadership in soil microbiology make him a compelling candidate. Strengthening his international collaborations and visibility through awards and outreach would further solidify his position as a leading researcher in his field.