Lei Zhang | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Lei Zhang | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Lei Zhang, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, China

Prof. Dr. Lei Zhang is a Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, China, and a Visiting Scholar at the Robotics Laboratory of Texas State University. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Mechatronics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and specializes in mechanism synthesis, agricultural machinery, and robotics. With leadership in numerous national and provincial research projects, he has published over 40 academic papers and holds more than 70 patents. He is an active member of IEEE and serves as an editor and reviewer for several international journals.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Lei Zhang’s extensive research in mechatronics, agricultural machinery, and robotics has positioned him as a leader in his field. His ability to integrate complex engineering solutions with real-world applications is exemplified by his numerous patents, high-impact publications, and successful project leadership. As a professor at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and a visiting scholar at Texas State University, he continues to influence the next generation of engineers and researchers. His contributions not only advance technical knowledge but also promote innovation in sustainable agricultural practices and automation.

🎓 Education

Lei Zhang holds a Doctor of Engineering degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the Shenyang Research Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He earned his Master’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the College of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Electronics Technology, Beijing Polytechnic University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology.

💼Experience

Lei Zhang is a Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, where he has served since 2008 in various academic roles including Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Master’s Supervisor. He is also a Visiting Scholar at the Robotics Laboratory of Texas State University. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Assistant Lecturer at Shandong Second Vocational College.

🔬Research Focus

Lei Zhang’s research focuses on mechanism synthesis, agricultural machinery, and robotics. He has led and participated in multiple high-level research projects, including a sub-project under the National Key Research and Development Program of the 14th Five-Year Plan, two National Natural Science Foundation of China projects, and several initiatives sponsored by provincial departments and industry partners. His work has led to the publication of over 40 academic papers, with more than 30 indexed by SCI and EI.

🛠️Skills

Professor Zhang possesses extensive expertise in mechanism synthesis, agricultural machinery equipment, and robot technology. His technical strengths are further demonstrated by his portfolio of over 40 invention patents and 36 utility model patents. He is highly skilled in managing and executing research projects and has successfully led numerous national and provincial-level research initiatives as well as enterprise-commissioned projects.

🏆Awards

Lei Zhang has received multiple prestigious awards in recognition of his contributions to science and technology. He was awarded the Second Prize in the Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award in 2017 for his work on adjustable-presser-foot thread-breakage-responsive wide-format embroidery machines. In 2021, he earned the Third Prize in the same award category for the development and industrial application of multi-head wide-format ultra-high-speed embroidery equipment.

📚 Publications

Title: Lightweight Classification of Lotus Seedpod Quality Using Improved YOLOv3-Tiny Model
Authors: L. Zhang; H. Yan; Y. Jia; B. Ye; Z. Ma
Year: 2024
Journal: Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao / Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering

Title: Analysis and Optimization of Low-Resistance Animal Bionic Subsoiling Shovel Based on EDEM
Authors: L. Zhang; X. Wang; J. Chen; H. Wang; Y. Cao
Year: 2024
Journal: Agriculture (Switzerland)

Title: Optimization Design and Experiment of Cam-Elliptical Gear Combined Vegetables Curved Surface Labeling Mechanism
Authors: L. Zhang; H. Zhou; J. Chen; Y. Liu; X. Zhang
Year: 2024
Journal: Frontiers in Robotics and AI

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Lei Zhang’s excellence in research, patent contributions, and project leadership makes him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking work in agricultural machinery and robotics showcases his potential to drive further advancements in technology that address real-world challenges. While opportunities for greater global collaboration and outreach exist, Prof. Zhang’s current body of work undeniably positions him as a leading researcher, deserving recognition for his innovative contributions to both academia and industry.

Ziqian Wang | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ziqian Wang | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ziqian Wang, Xinjiang Agricultural University, China

Ziqian Wang is a researcher at Xinjiang Agricultural University, China, specializing in soil-crop system water regulation, wheat water conservation, and drought resistance. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science under the mentorship of Shubing Shi. His research focuses on optimizing deficit irrigation management and improving water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid farmlands. He has published several SCI papers and participated in major scientific projects on sustainable agriculture. Skilled in data analysis, modeling, and research software, he has also won awards for innovation and academic excellence.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Ziqian Wang is an accomplished researcher with significant contributions to sustainable agriculture, particularly in water management for dryland farming. His work in deficit irrigation and wheat physiology is well-regarded, with multiple publications and participation in high-impact scientific projects. His technical expertise, innovative research, and academic contributions make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Ziqian Wang is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science at Xinjiang Agricultural University, under the guidance of Shubing Shi, since September 2022. Prior to this, he completed his undergraduate studies in Agronomy at Gansu Agricultural University from September 2018 to June 2022, mentored by Juncheng Wang. His academic work includes research on saltgrass germination under drought stress and the effects of deficit-regulated irrigation on winter wheat yield and water use efficiency.

💼Experience

He has gained significant research experience as a research assistant at the Soil Fertilizer and Water Saving Agriculture Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His work involved soil physiology and biochemistry assessments, wheat area research, seed testing, and data analysis. Additionally, he participated in major scientific and technological projects in Xinjiang, focusing on efficient water use in modern agriculture and high-yield irrigation technologies, leading to the publication of SCI papers.

🔬Research Focus

His research is dedicated to soil-crop system water regulation, wheat water conservation, and drought resistance. His studies emphasize deficit irrigation management, optimization of wheat root growth dynamics under regulated irrigation, and improving water utilization efficiency in arid and semi-arid farmlands. His work contributes to the broader goal of enhancing sustainable agriculture in dryland ecosystems.

🛠️Skills

Ziqian Wang possesses strong skills in project applications, assisting with research grant proposals, and managing laboratory operations. He is proficient in various research tools, including R, Matlab, Adobe Illustrator, Mendeley, Origin, and SPSS. He has experience with model simulation techniques such as Logistic regression and RandomForest and is adept at using Win-RhizoProVision5.0 for root morphology analysis. He has passed the National English IV exam and scored 435 in the Level VI exam.

🏆Awards

He has won the First Prize at the Sixth China International “Internet Plus” Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. He has also received first and second prizes in calligraphy competitions during his postgraduate studies.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Cadmium (Cd) Tolerance and Phytoremediation Potential in Fiber Crops: Research Updates and Future Breeding Efforts
    Authors: A. Rasheed, P. He, L. Zhao, M. Z. Hashem, Y. Jie, Z. Wang, et al.
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Agronomy

Conclusion:

Mr. Ziqian Wang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While he has already demonstrated strong potential, further leadership in research projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, and funding acquisition would further solidify his standing as a top researcher in his field.

Samia Daldoul | Agricultural | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Samia Daldoul | Agricultural | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Samia Daldoul, Centre of biotechnology of borj cedria, Tunisia

Dr. Samia Daldoul is an Assistant Professor at the Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Tunisia, specializing in plant biotechnology and molecular biology. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis in 2010, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center of Biotechnology, Technopark of Borj-Cédria, Tunisia. Her research focuses on plant stress responses, particularly in grapevines, investigating mechanisms of tolerance to salinity, drought, and diseases through genomics, transcriptomics, and biotechnology approaches. She has been actively involved in numerous international research collaborations, including DAAD-funded projects in Germany and COST actions in Europe.

 

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Samia Daldoul is an outstanding researcher in plant biotechnology, specializing in grapevine stress responses and abiotic stress tolerance. Her contributions are scientifically relevant, internationally recognized, and impactful in the context of sustainable agriculture. She has a strong publication record, international collaborations, and interdisciplinary expertise, making her an excellent candidate for the Women Researcher Award.

 

🎓 Education

Dr. Samia Daldoul earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunisia, in 2010. Following her doctoral studies, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in 2011 at the Center of Biotechnology, Technopark of Borj-Cédria, Tunisia.

 

💼Experience

Since 2012, Dr. Daldoul has held a permanent position as an Assistant Professor at the Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria in Tunisia. She has also participated in multiple international fellowships and research collaborations, notably through the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) program in Germany, where she worked with teams specializing in genomics, genetic engineering, virology, and plant pathology. Additionally, she undertook a short-term scientific mission funded by the European Network COST in France, focusing on grapevine defense mechanisms and stress adaptation.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Daldoul specializes in plant biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on grapevine responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, particularly salinity and drought. Her research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches to understand plant resilience mechanisms. She has been actively involved in international research projects addressing viticulture sustainability, grapevine improvement through omics technologies, genome editing, and epigenetic mechanisms for crop adaptation to climate change.

 

Awards

Dr. Daldoul has received multiple prestigious fellowships from DAAD, allowing her to work with leading research institutions in Germany. She has also contributed to several high-impact international projects, including those funded by the European Union and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

 

Skills

With extensive expertise in molecular biology, plant genetics, and biotechnology, Dr. Daldoul is skilled in advanced gene sequencing, transcriptome analysis, functional genomics, and bioinformatics. She also has experience in plant stress physiology, cell culture techniques, and genetic transformation. Her proficiency extends to project management and international scientific collaboration.

 

Publications

  • Deciphering the regulatory networks involved in mild and severe salt stress responses in the roots of wild grapevine Vitis vinifera spp. sylvestris – Daldoul, S., Hanzouli, F., Boubakri, H., Mliki, A., Gargouri, M. (2024) – 0 citations.

 

  • Evidence of an active role of resveratrol derivatives in the tolerance of wild grapevines (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris) to salinity – Hanzouli, F., Zemni, H., Gargouri, M., Vincenzi, S., Daldoul, S. (2024) – 0 citations.

 

  • Stilbene production as part of drought adaptation mechanisms in cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) roots modulates antioxidant status – Hanzouli, F., Daldoul, S., Zemni, H., Mliki, A., Gargouri, M. (2024) – 0 citations.

 

  • Enhancing biological activities and phenolic content of wild grapevine roots by severe drought stress – Daldoul, S., Hanzouli, F., Fares, N., Mliki, A., Gargouri, M. (2024) – 1 citation.

 

  • A Tunisian wild grape leads to metabolic fingerprints of salt tolerance – Daldoul, S., Gargouri, M., Weinert, C., Mliki, A., Nick, P. (2023) – 5 citations.

 

  • Ectopic expression of a grapevine alkaline α-galactosidase seed imbibition protein VvSIP enhanced salinity tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants – Ben-Amar, A., Daldoul, S., Allel, D., Wetzel, T., Mliki, A. (2023) – 3 citations.

 

  • The root transcriptome dynamics reveals new valuable insights in the salt-resilience mechanism of wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) – Daldoul, S., Hanzouli, F., Hamdi, Z., Mliki, A., Gargouri, M. (2022) – 10 citations.

 

  • First report of grapevine Virus L in grapevine in Tunisia – Ben Amar, A., Daldoul, S., Zemni, H., Olmos, A., Ruiz-García, A.B. (2020) – 5 citations.

Conclusion:

Dr. Daldoul’s research contributions align well with the objectives of the Women Researcher Award, particularly in advancing sustainable agriculture, plant stress tolerance, and biotechnological applications. Given her strong scientific impact, international collaborations, and focus on climate resilience, she is a highly suitable candidate. However, expanding her leadership role, outreach, and grant acquisition would further solidify her candidacy.

Chimi Djomo Cédric | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Chimi Djomo Cedric, Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD), Cameroon

Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric is a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD) in Cameroon. He holds a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Management (2018), with a focus on allometric equations and forest contributions to climate change mitigation. His research interests include biodiversity, carbon stocks, agroforestry systems, non-timber forest products, ecosystem services, and the ecological impacts of land use. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Cédric has contributed significantly to environmental science and forestry. He is also actively involved in conservation strategies, local governance, and community engagement to promote sustainable land use practices.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Chimi Djomo Cédric is a highly skilled researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD) in Cameroon, with expertise in forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. His dedication to advancing environmental science through rigorous research and local community engagement makes him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. He has made significant contributions to forest-based ecosystems, particularly in Cameroon, and has published extensively on topics like carbon sequestration, agroforestry, and ecosystem services.

 

🎓 Education

Cédric CHIMI DJOMO completed his MSc thesis in 2014 on Biodiversity and Agroforestry, focusing on vascular epiphytic species. In 2018, he completed his Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Management, where he specialized in allometric equations and the role of forests in climate change mitigation.

 

💼Experience

As a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Research for the Development (IRAD), Cédric has been involved in over 10 projects in the forest domain, contributing in various roles depending on the project. He has gained extensive experience in biodiversity assessment, landscape carbon sequestration, conservation strategies, and community engagement, often collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.

 

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily revolves around environmental science and forestry, with particular emphasis on biodiversity, carbon stocks, non-timber forest products, ecosystem services, agroforestry systems, ecological impacts of land use, and the development of conservation strategies for threatened species and habitats. Cédric is also passionate about understanding the role of forests in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable land use.

 

 

Awards

Cédric has an h-index of 15 on ResearchGate and 13 on Google Scholar, reflecting his contributions to scientific literature. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and working papers, making significant strides in the environmental and forestry research fields. He is also nominated for the Best Paper Award for his ongoing and past contributions to ecological research.

 

Skills

 Cédric possesses a wide range of skills including expertise in biodiversity assessment, landscape carbon sequestration, agroforestry systems, conservation strategies, and project management. His skills also extend to data analysis, ecological research, community engagement, and local governance, with a focus on integrating indigenous knowledge into conservation practices.

Publications

  • Impact of Useful Species Preferences on Carbon Stocks and Annual Increments in Various Cocoa-based Agroforestry Systems in Central Region of Cameroon
    Authors: Zekeng, J.C., Fobane, J.L., Biye, H.E., Cédric, D.C., Abada Mbolo, M.M.
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2023, 42(4), pp. 399–420
    Citations: 1 citation

 

  • Floristic Surveys of Some Lowlands Polluted in a Tropical Urban Area: The Case of Yaoundé, Cameroon
    Authors: Anne, A., Ebenezer, S.K., Guy Valerie, D.W., Pierre François, D., Noumsi Ives Magloire, K.
    Journal: International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2021, 23(11), pp. 1191–1202
    Citations: 2 citations

 

  • Vascular Epiphytes Loss in Exploited Trees of the Semi-Deciduous Managed Forest of Ndelele, East Cameroon
    Authors: Nfornkah, B.N., Martin, T., Zapfack, L., Frederick, M.N., Sonke, B.
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 2019, 38(7), pp. 670–685
    Citations: 3 citations

Conclusion:

Dr. Cédric’s research not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also serves as a guide for sustainable land use and forest management practices. He has proven his ability to generate impactful research, foster collaboration, and contribute to global conversations around biodiversity conservation. With some improvements in broader public outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration, Cédric’s work has the potential to create even greater positive change in both the scientific community and the wider world. His nomination for the Best Researcher Award is a testament to his remarkable achievements and future potential.