Syamlal Sasi | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award 

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Mr. Syamlal Sasi | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award 

PhD Student | Australian National University | Australia

Syamlal Sasi is a researcher and technology innovator specializing in aquaculture, agri-tech solutions, plasma technology, IoT-integrated farming systems, and sustainable agriculture, widely recognized for advancing modern farming practices through science-driven innovations. His research focus centers on applying cold atmospheric plasma for agricultural and aquaculture enhancement, hydroponic productivity improvement, and resource-efficient cultivation, alongside emerging interests in space-agriculture, nutrient-enriched water generation using extraterrestrial regolith, nano/micro-bubble systems, and plasma–plant metabolite synergy. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to the integration of advanced engineering with crop and aquaculture ecosystems, exploring next-generation farming tools aimed at scalability and climate resilience. Professionally, he has served in impactful leadership and R&D roles, including Director of Business and Product Research at BudMore PTY Ltd., Canberra, Australia, where he leads technology development for smart-farming platforms and commercial agri-solutions, and previously as CEO at Sygul Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, India, guiding product innovation and agricultural technology deployment. Earlier, he contributed in data and business technology domains at Cognizant, India, building a foundation for data-driven agri-intelligence systems that later shaped his research initiatives. His key contributions include the development of plasma-assisted aquaponics and hydroponics systems, research demonstrating enhanced plant growth on simulated Martian regolith through water chemistry optimization, and investigations into RONS-enhanced nutrient delivery using plasma-enabled irrigation, which have opened new perspectives in extraterrestrial farming possibilities. He has also explored antimicrobial enhancement through plasma-secondary metabolite interactions, presenting new pathways for reducing chemical usage in crop disease management. His work has produced influential publications across journals such as Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Molecules, and Trends in Biotechnology, collectively strengthening scientific understanding of plasma-for-agriculture interfaces. Several of his studies contribute directly to circular bio-production and food security models, positioning his work as a foundation for future agri-technology transitions. Through his role in research and startup technology development, Syamlal has contributed to smart-farming digitization, remote monitoring systems, and AI-based aquaculture productivity enhancement, supported by grants including the Productization Grant 2022–23 (Kerala Startup Mission) and the Smart Farming to Improve Aquaculture Productivity RKVY-RAFTAAR Grant. His continued mission is to bridge agricultural science with scalable technology, fostering sustainable aquaculture systems, low-resource food production, and climate-adaptive cultivation solutions. With a strong commitment to innovation-driven agriculture, he envisions transforming farming into a tech-empowered, environmentally harmonious sector, enabling farmers to enhance yield with reduced input cost, expanding productivity through precision management tools, and exploring space-based cultivation for future food security. His work ultimately strives to the impact global agriculture by integrating plasma science, IoT frameworks, and smart agro-industries, shaping a future where technology amplifies natural growth potential while securing food sustainability for earth and beyond.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

1. Sasi, S., Prakash, P., Poiré, R., Hu, T., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., Prasad, K., & Alexander, K. (2025). Can cold atmospheric plasma make water enriched with minerals from Martian or Lunar regolith more suitable for hydroponic plant growth? Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 100904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2025.100904

2. Sasi, S., Prakash, P., Hayden, S., Dooley, D., Poiré, R., Hu, T., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., Prasad, K., & Alexander, K. (2025). Enhanced plant growth on simulated Martian regolith via water chemistry optimisation: The role of RONS and nano/micro-bubbles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26, 78318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178318

3. Prasad, K., Sasi, S., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., & Bazaka, K. (2023). Enhanced antimicrobial activity through synergistic effects of cold atmospheric plasma and plant secondary metabolites: Opportunities and challenges. Molecules, 28, 27481. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227481

4. Sasi, S., Prasad, K., Weerasinghe, J., Bazaka, O., Ivanova, E. P., Levchenko, I., & Bazaka, K. (2023). Plasma for aquaponics. Trends in Biotechnology, 41(1), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.08.001

Kandarp Chaudhary | Agricultural Extension | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Kandarp Chaudhary | Agricultural Extension | Young Scientist Award

Senior Research Assistant | College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University | India

Dr. Kandarp Chaudhary is an emerging researcher specializing in Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension with a core research focus on livestock nutrition, sustainable feeding systems, animal health management, and extension approaches to improve farmers’ knowledge and productivity. His work particularly explores the utilization of herbal feed supplements, animal welfare practices, and socio-psychological aspects influencing adoption behavior among livestock owners, while his developing research interests include evidence-based extension strategies, dairy hygiene improvement, and welfare-centric livestock farming for rural economic development. As a Senior Research Assistant in Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension, he has actively contributed to field-based research, livestock husbandry training programs, and on-farm trials aimed at improving animal productivity and health outcomes. Throughout his career, Dr. Chaudhary has significantly contributed to research on the impact of Moringa oleifera leaves as a natural growth promoter in goat kids, and his studies on herbal galactagogues including Shatavari, Jivanti, and Methi have provided scientific insights for enhancing milk yield in ruminants, offering a viable alternative to chemical-based productivity enhancers. His work assessing barn sanitation, animal hygiene practices in dairy systems, and students’ attitudes toward veterinary careers further supports institutional decision-making and policy-oriented training development. Dr. Chaudhary’s publications, with growing scholarly citations, continue to support knowledge transfer in livestock nutrition, extension education, and welfare-focused animal management. His contributions extend to disease awareness in exotic birds and pigmentation studies in domestic animals, promoting better clinical observation and management practices. His research vision is directed toward strengthening sustainable livestock systems, optimizing the use of natural feed resources, and enhancing farmer-centric advisory frameworks through scientific extension methodologies. By developing practical solutions and knowledge-based interventions, he aims to support healthier herds, farmer livelihood upliftment, and a resilient livestock sector, positioning his work as an asset to science-based rural development and future industry innovation. With his ongoing dedication to impactful research, publication, and capacity-building initiatives, Dr. Chaudhary continues to work toward improved productivity, welfare-friendly husbandry, and greater accessibility of scientific knowledge to farming communities and livestock professionals globally.

Profile: Google Schlolar

Featured Publications 

1. Damor, S. V., Pawar, M. M., Ankuya, K. J., Gami, Y. M., Srivastava, A. K., Chauhan, H. D., & Chaudhary, K. R. (2017). Effect of feeding different levels of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves on growth performance of Mehsana goat kids. Significance, 10(18), 3190-3193.

2. Patel, V. K., Joshi, A., Kalma, R. P., Parmar, S. C., Damor, S. V., & Chaudhary, K. R. (2016). Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata) and Methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum): The herbal galactogogues for ruminants.

3. Sorathiya, L. M., Chaudhary, G., Patel, T., Bhadesiya, C., & Chaudhary, K. R. (2023). Study of existing barn and animal hygiene practices in milch cows and buffaloes in Sabarkantha district. Indian Journal of Animal Production and Management, 37(4), 314-320.

4. Chaudhary, K. R., & Desai, Y. A. (2025). Attitude of undergraduate veterinary college students towards veterinary education and career aspirations: A socio-psychological perspective. International Journal of Agriculture Extension & Social Development, 8(10).

5. Desai, G. D., Chudasama, M. M., Damor, S. V., Patel, V. K., Rathod, A. S., & Chaudhary, K. R. (2016). Overview on endogenous pigmentation in domestic animals.

Workiye Getnet Abera | Sustainable Agriculture | Editorial Board Member 

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Mr. Workiye Getnet Abera | Sustainable Agriculture | Editorial Board Member

Lecturer and Researcher | Debre Tabor University | Ethiopia

Workiye Getnet Abera is a dedicated researcher and lecturer specializing in Chemical and Food Engineering, with a strong focus on sustainable materials, food quality enhancement, and green bioprocessing technologies. His research centers on developing bio-based products, optimizing agro-industrial waste conversion, and advancing innovative materials such as antimicrobial biolubricants, biodegradable films, and functional food products; emerging interests include circular bioeconomy strategies and eco-friendly polymer alternatives. He has served as a lecturer, researcher, and reviewer at Debre Tabor University since 2024 in the School of Chemical Engineering, following four impactful years at Dilla University where he contributed to teaching and research in Food Engineering. His key scientific contributions include the synthesis and optimization of antimicrobial biolubricants derived from Ocimum lamiifolium and lactic acid, the development of biodegradable bioplastic films from banana peel starch blended with cellulosic fibers, and advancements in gluten-free sorghum bread formulation enriched with sweet lupin flour, all of which demonstrate innovation in material science, sustainability, and food technology. In addition to his research outputs, he has provided extensive peer-review service across leading journals in food science, polymer research, environmental chemical engineering, and biomass valorization, supporting academic quality and scientific integrity. His work collectively contributes to global sustainability efforts by creating environmentally responsible alternatives to petroleum-based products, improving food system resilience, and promoting value-added utilization of agricultural residues. With a forward-looking vision, Workiye aims to strengthen the role of green engineering in driving industrial innovation, enhance the accessibility of sustainable materials, and support science-based solutions to environmental and societal challenges worldwide.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

1. Abera, W. G. (2024). Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of antimicrobial biolubricant derived from Ocimum lamiifolium and lactic acid. Heliyon, e38972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38972

2. Abera, W. G. (2024). Quality assessment of gluten-free sorghum bread prepared with sourdough and the addition of sweet lupin flour. CYTA – Journal of Food, Article 2397022. https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2397022

3. Abera, W. G. (2023). Synthesis and characterization of bioplastic film from banana (Musa Cavendish species) peel starch blended with banana pseudo-stem cellulosic fiber. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04207-8

Xiufeng Xing | Agri Policy | Best Scholar Award

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Dr. Xiufeng Xing | Agri Policy | Best Scholar Award

Master's Supervisor | Qingdao University of Technology | China

Dr. Xiufeng Xing currently serves as a faculty member at Qingdao University of Technology, China, specializing in population, resources, and environmental economics with an additional academic interest in higher education studies. She holds advanced degrees in economics and has developed a strong interdisciplinary foundation that enables her to bridge socio-economic analysis with sustainable development policy. Her research primarily explores inclusive growth, environmental responsibility, and the economics of education, while her emerging interests focus on global energy market fluctuations and the socio-economic impacts of crises such as pandemics and geopolitical conflicts. Over the course of her academic career, Dr. Xing has published more than 40 peer-reviewed research papers addressing pressing issues such as the evaluation of shared prosperity in developing regions, the effects of COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict on global oil and natural gas prices, and comparative analyses of hybrid versus traditional teaching models in higher education settings. Complementing her journal contributions, she is also the author of four scholarly books—Inclusive Growth, Corporate Environmental Responsibility, The Marketization of Urban Water Industry, and The Marketization of Domestic Service—which collectively reflect her commitment to equitable economic policy and sustainable industrial practice. Alongside her research, she has taken on key teaching responsibilities, delivering courses in environmental economics, macroeconomics, and microeconomics, where she is recognized for integrating real-world case studies into economic theory instruction. Dr. Xing has contributed to strategic policy discussions through her evidence-based evaluations of water industry reform, corporate accountability frameworks, and social service market mechanisms. She has been acknowledged through competitive research grants and institutional commendations for her leadership in advancing sustainability-focused economic analytics. Beyond authorship, she actively serves as a peer reviewer for academic journals in the domains of development economics and environmental policy and maintains membership in several professional economic and educational societies, where she contributes to collaborative research initiatives and scholarly evaluation panels. Her growing influence in the academic sphere is reflected in her role in shaping curricula and advising on macroeconomic planning within institutional and regional contexts. Driven by a vision to promote equitable prosperity through data-driven policymaking, Dr. Xiufeng Xing strives to advance frameworks that balance economic growth with social inclusion and ecological responsibility. Her work not only informs scholarly dialogue but also supports governments, industries, and educational institutions in making informed decisions that align long-term economic resilience with public welfare.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

1. Xing, X., & Wang, Y. (2025). The evaluation of shared prosperity: A case from China. Sustainability, 17(2), 621. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020621

2. Xing, X., Cong, Y., Wang, Y., & Wang, X. (2023). The impact of COVID-19 and war in Ukraine on energy prices of oil and natural gas. Sustainability, 15(19), 14208. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914208

3. Xing, X., & Saghaian, S. (2022). Learning outcomes of a hybrid online virtual classroom and in-person traditional classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 14(9), 5263. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095263

4. Xing, X. (2020). Spillovers of urban road infrastructure investment and operation: A case study using synthetic control methods. Business, Management and Economics Research, 6(10), 100–110.*

5. Xing, X. (2019, June). Does university class size matter? Evidence from course micro data. In Proceedings of the Education and Economics Conference 2019.

Dr. Marta Igual Ramo – Food Security & Nutrition – Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Marta Igual Ramo - Food Security & Nutrition - Best Researcher Award

Polytechnic University of Valencia - Spain

AUTHOR PROFILE

ORCID

SCOPUS 

GOOGLE SCHOLAR 

SUMMARY

Dr. Marta Igual Ramo is a leading researcher in Food Technology at Universitat Politècnica de València. Her work bridges science and innovation to develop sustainable, health-enhancing foods using advanced technologies like 3D printing and extrusion. With over 120 publications, numerous international collaborations, and leadership in national and EU projects, she is highly regarded in agri-food research. She contributes actively to editorial boards, holds patents, and supervises doctoral research. Her efforts focus on nutrient bioaccessibility, agri-food waste upcycling, and the development of functional food products that align with circular economy principles.

EDUCATION

Marta Igual Ramo earned her Ph.D. in Food Technology from Universitat Politècnica de València. She also holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Business Management for Agri-Food Industries and an Agricultural Engineering degree from the same university. Her educational background underpins a multidisciplinary approach to agri-food innovation, integrating technical, scientific, and business insights. Through continuous training in pedagogy and international research stays, she has built a robust academic foundation that supports her innovative work in functional food design, nutrient delivery systems, and sustainability in food processing technologies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dr. Igual Ramo has held various academic and research positions, including Researcher PhD at Universitat Politècnica de València and external lecturer roles in Spain and abroad. Her international engagements span institutions in Ecuador, Portugal, Romania, and Colombia. She has taught courses on food properties, bromatology, and analytical chemistry, and actively participated in Erasmus and EU-cooperation programs. As a project leader, she coordinates and participates in EU-funded innovation programs and national grants, advancing research in functional foods, waste valorization, and 3D food printing technologies.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Marta Igual Ramo's research interests focus on the innovation of food products through extrusion, 3D printing, and nutrient bioaccessibility. She investigates the recovery and enhancement of agri-food by-products, aiming to transform waste into value-added functional ingredients. Her scientific curiosity lies in improving food formulation, understanding compound stability during processing, and designing health-oriented foods. Her work aligns with global goals in sustainable development and circular economy, using multidisciplinary strategies to address food security, nutritional improvement, and waste reduction in the agri-food industry.

AWARD AND HONOR

Recognized for her scientific excellence, Marta Igual Ramo has received accolades such as the I3 accreditation for her research impact and teaching excellence. She serves as guest editor for high-impact journals like Foods, Molecules, and Agronomy, and holds editorial and committee roles in international conferences, including FCT 2024. Her work has earned over 2,100 citations and an h-index of 28, reflecting her significant influence in food science. Her innovative contributions to sustainable agri-food practices and product development have earned her national and international respect in academic and industrial sectors.

RESEARCH SKILL

Marta Igual Ramo demonstrates expertise in food processing technologies, particularly extrusion and 3D printing. She specializes in evaluating bioactive compound bioaccessibility, nutrient encapsulation, and physicochemical analysis. Her skills extend to analytical methods for food structure, in vitro digestion, and product formulation. Proficient in conducting multidisciplinary experiments, she integrates engineering and nutritional science to optimize product design. She is also skilled in international collaboration, research coordination, and dissemination. Her ability to translate scientific insights into practical applications for functional and sustainable foods underlines her strength as a food technology innovator.

PUBLCATIONS

  • Title: Effect of thermal treatment and storage on the stability of organic acids and the functional value of grapefruit juice
    Authors: NMN M. Igual, E. García-Martínez, MM Camacho
    Journal: Food Chemistry, Vol. 118, 2010, pp. 291–299

  • Title: Effect of processing on the drying kinetics and functional value of dried apricot
    Authors: M. Igual, E. García-Martínez, ME Martín-Esparza, N. Martínez-Navarrete
    Journal: Food Research International, Vol. 47(2), 2012, pp. 284–290

  • Title: Optimization of spray drying conditions for lulo (Solanum quitoense L.) pulp
    Authors: M. Igual, S. Ramires, LH Mosquera, N. Martínez-Navarrete
    Journal: Powder Technology, Vol. 256, 2014, pp. 233–238

  • Title: Changes in flavonoid content of grapefruit juice caused by thermal treatment and storage
    Authors: M. Igual, E. García-Martínez, MM Camacho, N. Martínez-Navarrete
    Journal: Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, Vol. 12(2), 2011, pp. 153–162

  • Title: Comparison of microwaves and conventional thermal treatment on enzymes activity and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit puree
    Authors: M. Benlloch-Tinoco, M. Igual, D. Rodrigo, N. Martínez-Navarrete
    Journal: Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, Vol. 19, 2013, pp. 166–172

CONCLUSION

Marta Igual Ramo is a transformative figure in food science, championing sustainable innovations that bridge cutting-edge technology and nutritional health. Her interdisciplinary research has led to significant advancements in extrusion, 3D printing, and waste valorization. Through her prolific scientific output, leadership in international projects, and dedication to teaching, she contributes extensively to the development of healthier, environmentally conscious food systems. Her work continues to inspire progress in agri-food research, making her a leading force in reshaping future food production and consumption models through science and innovation.