Simion Matsvai | Agribusiness | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Simion Matsvai |  Agribusiness |  Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Simion Matsvai is a distinguished academic with over 10 years of experience in teaching, research, and community engagement. His areas of expertise include Applied Economics, with a focus on Financial Economics, Agricultural Economics, Environmental & Natural Resources Economics, Development Economics, and Health Economics. Matsvai has contributed to various national and international research projects, showcasing adaptability and a commitment to excellence. Skilled in analytical tools such as Excel, R, E-Views, STATA, and SPSS, he is dedicated to advancing research and consultancy within his field.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

  • PhD in Agricultural Economics (University of Fort Hare, 2016-2020)
  • Master of Commerce in Industrial Strategy and Trade Policy (Great Zimbabwe University, 2011-2012)
  • BSc (Hons) in Economics (University of Zimbabwe, 2003, 2006)

Work Experience:

Current Employment

  • Senior Lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University, Faculty of Commerce (Feb 2013 – Present)
    • Specializes in advanced modules including International Finance, Macroeconomics, Environmental Economics, and Econometrics.
    • Dissertation supervision and research mentoring.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Walter Sisulu University, 2024-2025)

Agribusiness Development Specialist (Intercountry Peoples Aid, 2010–2013)

Consultancy Experience:

Simion Matsvai has co-researched a variety of impactful studies for national and international organizations, including work on economic development, youth empowerment, agricultural policies, and financial systems.

Conferences & Workshops:

  • International Conference on Time Series and Forecasting (2023, Gran Canaria, Spain) – Presented on ICTs and Economic Growth.
  • 19th African Finance Association Conference (2023, Cape Town, RSA) – ICTs and Agricultural Total Factor Productivity Change in South Africa.
  • Beef Enterprise Strengthening Workshop (2023, Masvingo) – Discussed Agricultural Financing Models.

Skills & Expertise:

  • Statistical Software: Excel, R, E-Views, STATA, SPSS, FRONTIER, N-Logit, etc.
  • Research: Extensive experience in data analysis, methodology development, and report writing.
  • Teaching: Strong academic background in economics, with experience across postgraduate and undergraduate programs.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Sustainability Reporting Strategy and Its Determinants Among Resource-Based Companies
    Corporate and Business Strategy Review, 2025
    DOI: 10.22495/cbsrv6i1art9
    Contributors: Leward Jeke, Sanderson Abel, Kudakwashe David Chitaukire, Julius Mukarati, Pierre Le Roux, Simion Matsvai

  2. Determinants of Microfinance Demand (Evidence from Chiredzi Smallholder Resettled Sugarcane Farmers in Zimbabwe)
    Sustainability, 2024-11-08
    DOI: 10.3390/su16229752
    Contributor: Simion Matsvai

  3. Technical Efficiency Impact of Microfinance on Small Scale Resettled Sugar Cane Farmers in Zimbabwe
    Cogent Economics & Finance, 2022-01-05
    DOI: 10.1080/23322039.2021.2017599

  4. Characterisation of Smallholder Resettled Sugarcane Farmers and Their Perceptions Towards Microfinance in Zimbabwe (Chiredzi)
    Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2021-10-11
    DOI: 10.17306/J.JARD.2021.01308
    Contributors: Simion Matsvai, Abbissynia Mushunje, Simbarashe Tatsvarei

 

Saurabh Shekhar | Fertilizer Production | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Saurabh Shekhar | Fertilizer Production | Best Researcher Award

Scientist at  CSIR-NML,  India

Dr. Saurabh Shekhar is a Senior Scientist in the Metal Extraction & Recycling Division at the CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, India. With over a decade of experience in metallurgical research, he specializes in metal extraction, material synthesis, and waste management.

 

Publication Profile

Education:

  • Ph.D.: Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (CSIR-NML, AcSIR, 2023).
  • M.Tech: Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, specializing in Mineral Processing (CSIR-NML, AcSIR, 2014).
  • B.E.: Chemical Engineering (Haldia Institute of Technology, 2011).

Professional Achievements:

  • Research Funding: Successfully led 34 projects (18 completed, 16 ongoing) with a cumulative budget exceeding ₹10 crore.
  • Publications: Authored 13 SCI-indexed publications and over 10 conference proceedings.
  • Patents: Holder of 13 patents, including 4 granted.
  • Technology Transfer: Successfully transferred one innovative technology.

Awards and Recognition:

  • National Innovation Award (NRDC, 2020): Recognized for technology transfer with a ₹5 lakh prize.
  • S. Banerjee Award (2020): For excellence in in-house projects.
  • Additional Honors: Nine paper and poster awards at prestigious conferences such as NMD, MPT, and MetWaste.

Dr. Saurabh’s groundbreaking contributions to metallurgical science and his focus on sustainable practices make him a leader in his field.

Citation Metrics:

  • Publications: 13 SCI-indexed papers with 171 citations (156 since 2019).
  • h-index: 7 (since 2019: 7)
  • i10-index: 6 (since 2019: 6)
  • Patents: Filed 13 patents, with 4 granted.

Publication Top Note:

  • Physical and chemical characterization and recovery of potash fertilizer from glauconitic clay for agricultural application
    Applied Clay Science, 143, 50-56, 2017. (Citations: 55)
  • Physico-chemical treatment of glauconitic sandstone to recover potash and magnetite
    Journal of Cleaner Production, 147, 681-693, 2017. (Citations: 41)
  • A sustainable process for recovery of potash fertilizer from glauconite through simultaneous production of pigment grade red oxide
    Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 23, e00129, 2020. (Citations: 19)
  • Phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid functionalized metal organic framework supported PAN composite beads for selective removal of La(III) from wastewater: Adsorptive study
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 425, 127802, 2022. (Citations: 18)
  • Valorisation of waste galvanizing dross: Emphasis on recovery of zinc with zero effluent strategy
    Journal of Environmental Management, 256, 109985, 2020. (Citations: 11)
  • Study of process efficiency for high-ash fine coal cleaning in a Kelsey centrifugal jig
    International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 38(5), 250-259, 2018. (Citations: 11)
  • Extraction of manganese through baking-leaching technique from high iron containing manganese sludge
    Materials Today: Proceedings, 46(3), 1499-1504, 2021. (Citations: 7)
  • Simultaneous extraction of copper and iron from chalcopyrite concentrate via surfactant-assisted chlorination leaching
    Materials Today: Proceedings, 2023. (Citations: 3)
  • Petro-Mineralogical and Geochemical Evaluation of Glauconitic Rocks of the Ukra Member (Bhuj Formation), Kutch Basin, India
    Clays and Clay Minerals, 70(1), 135-153, 2022. (Citations: 3)
  • Recovery of zinc as zinc phosphate and by-products from hydrometallurgical treatment of hot-dip galvanizing (Zn-Al) dross
    Materials Today: Proceedings, 46, 1532-1536, 2021. (Citations: 3)
  • A Clean Process for the Recovery of Potash Fertilizer from Glauconitic Rock via Hydrogen Gas Pre-treatment and Mild Acid Leaching
    JOM, 76(7), 3343-3353, 2024.
  • A clean process for the recovery of iron as value-added product from highly acidic chloride leach solution
    Materials Today: Proceedings, 2023.
  • Emulsion Mediated Low Temperature Pressure Leaching of Base Metals from Mixed Sulfide Minerals Through Enhanced Oxygen Mass Transfer
    Extraction 2018: Proceedings of the First Global Conference on Extractive Metallurgy, 2018.

 

Matheus Massariol Suela | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mr Matheus Massariol Suela |  Crop Science |  Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at  Federal University of Viçosa (UFV)/University of Florida (UF), United States

Matheus Massariol Suela is a Ph.D. candidate in Genetics and Breeding based in Viçosa, Brazil. A Brazilian national born on March 22, 1997, Matheus is a dedicated researcher with a focus on quantitative genetics. His expertise includes applying statistical methods in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Genomic Selection (GWS), key approaches in understanding genetic variation and improving breeding programs.

Profile:

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Genetics and Breeding (July 2021 – Present), Federal University of Viçosa
    Project: Structural Equation Models for genome-wide studies in Glycine max and Coffea arabica.
  • Sandwich Ph.D. Period (May 2024 – Present), University of Florida
    Focus: Quantitative genetics for blueberry and coffee breeding, with Ph.D. Patricio Muñoz and Ph.D. Felipe Ferrão.
  • M.Sc. in Genetics and Breeding (March 2020 – June 2021), Federal University of Viçosa
  • B.Sc. in Agronomy (March 2015 – December 2019), Federal University of Viçosa
  • Agricultural Technician (March 2012 – December 2014), Federal Institute of Espírito Santo – Campus Itapina

Research and Professional Experience:

  • Extensive experience in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (GWS) using Structural Equation Models (SEM) and Bayesian networks.
  • Currently researching and implementing advanced genetic approaches in blueberry and coffee breeding.
  • Internship and project participation in agronomic and breeding-focused programs, including Agroconsult’s Harvest Rally and research on traits in rice, soy, and coffee.

Computational Skills:

  • Programming: Advanced R, Intermediate C, Basic Python
  • Data Analysis Tools: Power BI, Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Developed Software: ECERSEM-AdaptStab (Structural Equation Models for adaptability and stability analysis in crop breeding)

Awards and Recognitions:

  • 2nd Place – GDM Innovation Award 40 years, 2023
  • Silver Medal – Presidente Arthur da Silva Bernardes for academic performance in Agronomy, 2020
  • 2nd Place – Brazilian Agricultural Olympics, 2014

Publication Top Notes 📚

  1. Integrating Environmental Covariates into Adaptability and Stability Analyses: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach for Cotton Breeding
    Agriculture, 2024-10-28 | DOI: 10.3390/agriculture14111914
  2. Updating knowledge in estimating the genetics parameters: Multi-trait and Multi-Environment Bayesian analysis in rice
    Scientia Agricola, 2023 | DOI: 10.1590/1678-992x-2022-0056
  3. Genome-wide association study for morphological, physiological, and productive traits in Coffea arabica using structural equation models
    Tree Genetics & Genomes, 2023-06 | DOI: 10.1007/s11295-023-01597-8
  4. Regional heritability mapping and genome‐wide association identify loci for rice traits
    Crop Science, 2022-03 | DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20706
  5. Structural equation models for genome-wide association study in Coffea arabica
    2021-07-27 | DOI: 10.47328/ufvbbt.2021.164
  6. Combined index of genomic prediction methods applied to productivity
    Ciência Rural, 2019 | DOI: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20181008
  7. New insights into genomic selection through population-based non-parametric prediction methods
    Scientia Agricola, 2019-07 | DOI: 10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0351