sozan eid | Soil | Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. sozan eid | Soil | Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. sozan eid, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sozan Eid El-Abeid is a senior researcher at the Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt. With over two decades of experience in plant pathology, she specializes in the taxonomy and molecular identification of fungal endophytes, as well as the use of green nanomaterials and biological agents for eco-friendly disease management. Her research integrates molecular diagnostics, biosafety, and environmental health to promote sustainable agriculture. Dr. El-Abeid has authored over 20 scientific papers and 9 book chapters, and actively contributes to international research collaborations and scientific reviews in the field of plant disease control and nanotechnology.

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Summary:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sozan Eid El-Abeid is a highly experienced and accomplished plant pathologist specializing in fungal endophytes and eco-friendly disease management through innovative green nanomaterials. Her research addresses key challenges in sustainable agriculture by integrating molecular biology, biosafety, and environmental health. With a substantial body of published work and active international collaborations, Dr. El-Abeid is a strong candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Dr. Sozan Eid El-Abeid has built her career at the Plant Pathology Research Institute under the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) in Egypt. She began her professional journey in 1998 as a specialist in the Mycology and Disease Survey Research Department. Over the years, she progressed through various roles including researcher assistant (2013–2015), researcher (2015–2020), and currently serves as a senior researcher since 2020.

💼Experience

Her expertise centers around plant pathology, with a special emphasis on mycology and plant disease diagnostics. She has actively contributed to national and international projects such as the development of diagnostic protocols for plant quarantine pathogens, sustainable methanogenesis through biogas innovation in India and Egypt, and regenerative agriculture under the PRIMA SIRAM initiative from 2022 to 2025. She has also participated in major conferences and workshops including the Symposium on Small Molecules in Plant Research in Spain and regional genomics workshops by the African BioGenome Project.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. El-Abeid’s research concentrates on three primary areas: taxonomy and molecular identification of fungal endophytes associated with plants, development of eco-friendly biocontrol agents including green nanomaterials for disease management, and advancement of biosafety and environmental health protocols. Her work integrates nanotechnology and molecular biology to enhance plant disease diagnostics and sustainable agricultural practices.

🛠️Skills

She is skilled in molecular techniques for pathogen identification, disease diagnostics, and application of nanomaterials in plant pathology. Her proficiency spans green synthesis of nanoparticles, biosensors for early pathogen detection, and integrated pest and disease management strategies. She is also an experienced thesis supervisor and manuscript reviewer for several reputable scientific journals.

📚 Publications

Title: Impact of glycyrrhizic acid ammonium salt nanoparticles and salicylic acid nanoparticles on Ralstonia solanacearum suppression and soil microbial biodiversity
Authors: Messiha, N.A., El-Abeid, S.E., El-Tabakh, M.A., Shoala, T.
Journal: Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
Year: 2025


Title: Mutual Relations Between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Ralstonia solanacearum in Potato Brown Rot Disease
Authors: El-Abeid, S.E., Balabel, N.M., Messiha, N.A.
Journal: Potato Research
Year: 2025

Conclusion:

Dr. Sozan Eid El-Abeid’s extensive expertise, innovative research, and commitment to sustainable agriculture make her well-suited for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Addressing the suggested areas for improvement, particularly documenting research impact, leadership, and broader societal contributions, would further solidify her candidacy. Overall, she exemplifies the qualities of a leading woman researcher contributing to science and society, making her a deserving nominee.

Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi | Soil Ecology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi | Soil Ecology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi, South East Technological University, Ireland

Dr. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi is a Forestry Lecturer at South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. She holds a Ph.D. in Forestry from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, where her research focused on the effects of topography on forest ecosystems, including soil and tree regeneration. With expertise in forest ecology, carbon modeling, and forest management, Dr. Fazlollahi Mohammadi has contributed to various research projects, including the Terrain-AI project, which aims to improve carbon flux estimates for climate mitigation. She has published several papers in top-tier journals and has collaborated with multiple academic and industry partners. At SETU, she teaches and supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate students, while also being involved in industry and research collaborations.

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Summary:

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi is an outstanding candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award due to her exceptional contributions to forest ecology, her innovative research on the effects of topography on forest ecosystems, and her involvement in high-impact, collaborative projects like Terrain-AI. Her ability to blend academic excellence with practical applications, teaching, and mentoring makes her a strong asset to both the academic and broader environmental communities. Her research continues to influence forest management and conservation practices, with a focus on carbon modeling, soil management, and biodiversity.

🎓 Education

Chai Yanjun earned his PhD from the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his career in environmental engineering and sustainable agriculture.

💼Experience

After completing her Ph.D., Maryam worked as a lecturer at various Iranian universities, teaching modules on Ecology, Soil Fertility, Experimental Design, and Agriculture and Livestock Management. She also served as an occasional lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) in the Forest Climate and Carbon course, where she prepared and delivered lectures, developed quizzes, graded exams, and mentored students. In 2021, Maryam started a postdoctoral position at UCD, working on the Terrain-AI project, which explores the impact of management and disturbances on forest carbon uptake. Since December 2022, she has been a Forestry Lecturer at South East Technological University (SETU), where she teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervises students, and organizes field trips and labs.

🔬Research Focus

Maryam’s research is centered around forest ecology, particularly the effects of topography on forest ecosystems. She has studied soil physical, chemical, and biological traits, forest regeneration, herbaceous species, and tree distribution. Her work in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran has significantly contributed to understanding species selection based on soil conditions and forest management practices. Currently, her postdoctoral research in the Terrain-AI project aims to improve carbon flux estimates across complex environments and develop more accurate climate mitigation strategies.

🛠️Skills

Maryam is proficient in a variety of software tools, including MS Office, ArcGIS, MATLAB, R, SPSS, and statistical analysis tools such as EndNote and GS+. She has also completed a project management course for postdocs and applies this knowledge to her current projects. Her communication, analytical, and organizational skills have been key to her academic success, including the completion of her degrees and the timely delivery of reports.

🏆Awards

Maryam received funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Iran to develop an international collaboration, which led her to work at the University of Torino, Italy, for six months during her Ph.D. Additionally, she has published six papers in prestigious journals like Scientific Reports, Nature, and Applied Soil Ecology Journal, with her most recent work focusing on forest soil characteristics and tree species distribution.

📚 Publications

Title: Topographic patterns of soil traits and macro fauna in oriental beech forests in Iran
Year: 2025
Authors: M. Fazlollahi Mohammadi, Maryam; B. Tobin, Brian; A. Kulmatiski, Andrew; S.G. Jalali, Seyed Gholamali; Y. Kooch, Yahya
Journal: Applied Soil Ecology

Conclusion:

Mrs. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi’s academic journey and research accomplishments highlight her as a leader in the field of forestry. Her strengths in research excellence, collaboration, and education, combined with her ability to translate academic findings into practical solutions, make her an ideal candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award. To further enhance her career, she could focus on broadening her research scope and increasing her visibility in public and policy circles, while continuing to make significant contributions to forest and environmental science.