Salma Fatnassi | Soil | Soil Health Advocate Award

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Dr. Salma Fatnassi | Soil | Soil Health Advocate Award

National Institute of Research in Rural Eaux and Forets | Tunisia

Salma Fatnassi is a researcher in soil science and environmental geochemistry whose work focuses on understanding the behavior of micronutrients and trace metals in agricultural systems irrigated with treated wastewater, generating important knowledge on soil–water–plant interactions and contaminant mobility. Her research involves designing and managing collaborative studies that assess soil contamination risks, nutrient cycling, and the environmental sustainability of wastewater reuse in agriculture. She is skilled in soil and water sampling, geochemical laboratory techniques, environmental monitoring, and the application of statistical and spatial tools for interpreting complex environmental datasets. With strong expertise in data analysis using R, Excel, ArcGIS, and SPSS, she evaluates metal bioavailability, transport pathways, and ecological impacts with high analytical rigor. Her scientific contributions include 4 published documents, 24 citations, and an h-index of 3, reflecting her growing influence in the field. Salma Fatnassi has also strengthened her methodological foundation through training in bibliographic research, pedagogy, statistical analysis, and innovative water treatment technologies, enabling her to support interdisciplinary and international research collaborations. Overall, her work advances sustainable soil and water management, improves understanding of trace element dynamics, and supports evidence-based environmental protection strategies in agricultural ecosystems.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

Fatnassi, S., Hörmann, G., Fohrer, N., Navarro-Pedreño, J., & Hachicha, M. (2025). Boron in soil, drainage water and groundwater in long-term irrigated area by treated wastewater in Northeast Tunisia. Soil Systems.

Yanling Li | Soil | Interdisciplinary Soil Research Award

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Dr. Yanling Li | Soil | Interdisciplinary Soil Research Award

Shandong Agricultural University | China 

Dr. Yanling Li is a distinguished scholar whose work integrates agricultural remote sensing, ecological monitoring, and soil–plant–atmosphere interactions to advance sustainable land management. Her research focuses on refining multi-source remote sensing techniques to monitor crop growth, evaluate vegetation dynamics, and assess soil nutrient patterns across diverse landscapes. She has contributed substantially to understanding how soil carbon–nitrogen cycling, land-use changes, and climatic variability influence agricultural productivity and ecological stability. Through innovative analytical frameworks, she has improved the accuracy of yield estimation models and enhanced methods for decoupling natural and human-driven ecological signals. Her work also includes designing practical remote sensing tools and developing teaching innovations that strengthen education in photogrammetry and digital mapping. Dr. Li’s research has supported decision-making in precision agriculture, soil health assessment, and climate-adaptive farming strategies. She collaborates widely across academic, governmental, and industry platforms to translate scientific insights into field-ready applications, ensuring her research benefits both environmental conservation and agricultural development. Her contributions continue to shape modern approaches to remote sensing–based ecological assessment, reflecting a commitment to advancing soil science, sustainable agriculture, and data-driven ecosystem management.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Wang, X., Li, Y., Fang, S., Dong, C., & Sun, L. (2025). Decoupling anthropogenic and climate impacts on vegetation dynamics in China’s Huaihe River Basin using geodetector. Scientific Reports.

Wang, X., Fang, S., Li, Y., Dong, C., & Sun, L. (2024). Spatiotemporal variability of vegetation NDVI in the Huaihe River Basin, China: Driving force analysis and ecological implications. Preprints.

Lu, Q. Y., Li, Y. L., Yang, Y. T., & Liu, F. J. (2023). Winter wheat identification and area extraction based on hyperspectral/multispectral image fusion. In Proceedings of the 2023 11th International Conference on Agro-Geoinformatics (Agro-Geoinformatics).

Sun, J., & Li, Y.-L. (2022). Remote sensing monitoring of afforestation and its interaction with climate in Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm in recent 45 years. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer Science and Application Engineering.

Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

Jyoti Sharma | Soil Mapping | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Sharma, an accomplished physicist and remote sensing expert, specializes in soil mapping and land surface parameter estimation. Currently serving as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi, she has significant expertise in satellite data processing, microwave observations, and hydrological applications. Her research advances soil moisture retrieval techniques, contributing to improved environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Jyoti Sharma is a highly skilled researcher specializing in soil mapping, soil moisture retrieval, and remote sensing applications. With a Ph.D. in Physics from IIT BHU and extensive experience as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, she has demonstrated expertise in satellite data processing, radar analysis, and hydrological modeling. Her research contributions, including multiple publications in top-tier journals and an international award recognition, highlight her significant impact on advancing soil mapping and environmental monitoring techniques.

Education

Jyoti Sharma holds a PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU, Varanasi, with research focused on the retrieval of soil moisture and biophysical parameters using microwave spaceborne observations. She completed her Master of Science in Physics and Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry from M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly.

Experience

She is currently working as a Project Scientist at the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi. Previously, she served as a Research Associate in the Hydrology Process Group at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Research Focus

Her research primarily focuses on soil moisture retrieval, land surface parameter estimation, and biophysical characterization using microwave remote sensing data. She integrates satellite observations with advanced data processing techniques for hydrological and environmental applications.

Skills

Her expertise includes programming in Python, R, and MATLAB, along with proficiency in LU/LC mapping, image processing, data analysis, satellite and radar data processing, and Doppler Weather Radar analysis. She is skilled in working with multiple satellite datasets including SMAP, Aqua and Terra MODIS, Sentinel-1 SAR, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, LANDSAT, TRMM, and IMERGE. She is experienced with remote sensing and GIS software such as ENVI, ArcGIS, SNAP, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine, and is also proficient in LaTeX, Microsoft Office, Origin, and HDFview. She has hands-on experience with instruments including LI-2200C Plant Canopy Analyzer, AccuPAR LP-80 Ceptometer, SPAD Chlorophyll Content Meter, and Hydra Go soil moisture sensor.

Awards

She received the Best Poster Award in the “Retrieval and Assessment” category at the International Soil Moisture School (ISMS) organized by IEEE-GRSS at IIT Bombay. She also qualified CSIR-NET JRF in Physical Science.

Publications

  • Development of a new vegetation modulated soil moisture index for the spatial disaggregation of SMAP soil moisture data product

    • Authors: J. Sharma, R. Prasad, P.K. Srivastava, S.A. Yadav, S.K. Singh, B. Verma

    • Year: 2024

    • Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

       

  • Incorporation of first-order backscattered power in Water Cloud Model for improving the Leaf Area Index and Soil Moisture retrieval using dual-polarized Sentinel-1 SAR data

    • Authors: Shubham Kumar Singh, Rajendra Prasad, Prashant K. Srivastava, Suraj A. Yadav, Vijay P. Yadav, Jyoti Sharma

    • Year: 2023

    • Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment

       

  • Challenges in Radar remote sensing

    • Authors: Jyoti Sharma, Prashant K. Srivastava, Rajendra Prasad, Sumit Chaudhary Kumar, Suraj A. Yadav, Swati Suman, Varsha Pandey, Rishabh Singh, Dileep Kumar Gupta

    • Year: 2022

    • Journal: Radar Remote Sensing

  • Far-field bistatic scattering simulation for rice crop biophysical parameters retrieval using modified radiative transfer model at X- and C-band

    • Authors: S.A. Yadav, R. Prasad, V.P. Yadav, B. Verma, S.K. Singh, J. Sharma, P.K. Srivastava

    • Year: 2022

    • Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment

Conclusion:

Dr. Jyoti Sharma is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. With continued advancements in global collaborations and leadership roles, she has the potential to further excel as a leading scientist in soil and environmental research.

Soumaya Boukrouh | Soil Mapping | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Soumaya Boukrouh | Soil Mapping | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Soumaya Boukrough, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco

Dr. Soumaya Boukrouh is a postdoctoral researcher at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco. She specializes in forage production, livestock farming under water stress, and climate change. With a Ph.D. from the University of Liège and INRA Tangier, her research focuses on the ecological and zootechnical characterization of feed resources for sustainable livestock systems. Dr. Boukrouh is skilled in data analysis, remote sensing, and feed evaluation, and has extensive teaching and project management experience. She has contributed to international research projects and received the Best Poster Award at the 2024 International Conference on Camelids.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Soumaya Boukrouh’s qualifications, skills, and achievements make her an excellent contender for a Research for Young Scientist Award. Her expertise in sustainable agriculture, animal nutrition, and remote sensing aligns well with current global challenges in food security, climate change, and resource management. Her technical and managerial skills, coupled with her teaching and mentoring contributions, demonstrate her potential as a rising star in agricultural and environmental sciences.

 

🎓 Education

Soumaya Boukrouh holds a State Engineer degree in Agronomy, specializing in Animal Production and Pastoralism, from the Institut Agronomique & Vétérinaire Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco, obtained in 2017. She pursued further academic excellence by completing a pre-doctoral validation program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Liège from 2018 to 2020, where she defended her research on the agro-morphological and bromatological characterization of local ecotypes of Sulla flexuosa with a distinction of 17/20. From 2020 to 2023, she conducted a doctoral thesis jointly between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Liège and INRA Tangier, focusing on the ecological, phytotechnical, and zootechnical characterization of local feed resources for goats in Northern Morocco as part of the PRD ARES 2017 project. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the University Mohamed VI Polytechnic (2023-2024), contributing to projects on forage production and livestock farming under water stress and climate change.

 

💼Experience

Soumaya has rich experience in research, development, and teaching. During her postdoctoral work, she has been involved in drafting project proposals, supervising PhD students, and publishing scientific papers. She has also taught animal nutrition courses in collaboration with Prof. Rafat Al Jassim at UM6P and delivered specialized courses on meta-analysis and meta-regression at Wageningen University. Additionally, she has taught biology and chemistry courses for Cambridge IGCSE International Education through the SUPERPROF platform in Luxembourg. Her earlier professional experience includes managing the “One Health” project, where she studied the approach within the Argan ecological system.

 

🔬Research Focus

Her research is centered on ecological, phytotechnical, and zootechnical characterization of feed resources, particularly for goats, under challenging environmental conditions. She has explored forage production and livestock farming practices, with a focus on water stress and climate change. Her work also extends to analyzing the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and antioxidant properties of feed, as well as the fatty acid profiles of animal products like milk and meat.

 

Awards

Soumaya received the Best Poster Award at the International Conference on Camelids held in Morocco from October 14 to 16, 2024.

 

Skills

Soumaya possesses advanced skills in data analysis using software like R, SAS, and SPSS, as well as diet formulation with Allix 3. She is proficient in remote sensing technologies such as ArcGIS, ENVI, and QGIS for agricultural and pastoral monitoring. Her technical expertise includes field sampling, feed analysis, experimental protocol development, and the analysis of animal products using tools like Milkoscan, gas chromatography, and HPLC. She has strong managerial abilities, with experience supervising engineering, master’s, and bachelor’s students, organizing scientific events, and maintaining a team-oriented approach. In addition, she has excellent command of multiple languages, including Arabic (native), French, English, and Spanish.

Publications

  • Global camel milk industry: A comprehensive overview of production, consumption trends, market evolution, and value chain efficiency
    • Year: 2025
    • Authors: Ait El Alia, O.; Zine-Eddine, Y.; Chaji, S.; Boutoial, K.; Faye, B.
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile, and meat quality of male goat kids supplemented by alternative feed resources: Bitter vetch and sorghum grains
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Noutfia, A.; Moula, N.; Cabaraux, J.-F.; Chentouf, M.
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Characterisation of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd) ecotypes: An ancient and promising legume
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Noutfia, A.; Moula, N.; Chentouf, M.; Cabaraux, J.-F.
    • Citations: 1

 

  • Estimation of standing crop biomass in rangelands of the Middle Atlas mountains using remote sensing data
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Bouazzaoui, Y.; El Aich, A.; N’Dorma, O.; Alados, C.L.
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Ecological, morpho-agronomical, and bromatological assessment of sorghum ecotypes in Northern Morocco
    • Year: 2023
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Noutfia, A.; Moula, N.; Cabaraux, J.F.; Chentouf, M.
    • Citations: 3

 

  • Ecological, morpho-agronomical, and nutritional characteristics of Sulla flexuosa (L.) Medik. ecotypes
    • Year: 2023
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Noutfia, A.; Moula, N.; Chentouf, M.; Cabaraux, J.F.
    • Citations: 1

 

  • Effects of Sulla Flexuosa Hay as Alternative Feed Resource on Goat’s Milk Production and Quality
    • Year: 2023
    • Authors: Boukrouh, S.; Noutfia, A.; Moula, N.; Chentouf, M.; Cabaraux, J.-F.
    • Citations: 7

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Soumaya Boukrouh is highly suitable for the Research for Young Scientist Award due to her significant contributions to agricultural research, her impactful scientific communications, and her technical and leadership capabilities. Addressing the identified areas for improvement—such as broadening the visibility and impact of her research and assuming larger leadership roles—could further solidify her standing as an awardee.