Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Seventh-day Adventist College of Education, Asokore- Koforidua, Ghana

Joyce Abrafi Opoku is the Director of Professional Development, Research, and International Relations at the Seventh-day Adventist College of Education in Asokore-Koforidua, Ghana. With a research focus on sustainable agriculture and the propagation of difficult-to-propagate plant species, she has contributed significantly to applied agricultural science. Ms. Opoku has authored four publications and participated in additional collaborative research projects. Her dedication has earned her several recognitions, including the “Best Institutional Farmer” award in 2017 and both the “Principal’s Excellence Award” and “Milestone Achievement Award” in 2024. She has served in key academic and administrative roles, including Dean of Students’ Affairs, Head of the Science Department, and Unit Head of Agriculture. A committed member of several professional bodies, including the Horticultural Society of Ghana and the Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana, Ms. Opoku continues to advance agricultural education and practice through research and leadership.

Profile:

🧪 Research Focus:

Joyce Abrafi Opoku’s research centers on the use of organic resources for sustainable agriculture and the enhancement of propagation methods for challenging plant species. Her contributions bridge scientific practice and community agriculture.

🏆 Achievements:

  • Best Institutional Farmer Award (2017) – National Farmer’s Day, New Juabeng North Municipality 🚜

  • Principal’s Excellence Award (2024) 🎓

  • Milestone Achievement Award (2024) 🌟

  • Authored four publications and contributed to additional works in progress 📄

🎓 Academic & Administrative Roles:

  • Former Dean of Students’ Affairs

  • Head of the Science Department

  • Unit Head of Agriculture

  • Committee Member – Appointments and Finance, SDA College of Education

🤝 Professional Memberships:

  • Horticultural Society of Ghana 🌼

  • Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG)

  • Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

  • Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana (ASTAG)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Silver Butterfly Tree (Bauhinia rufescens)
    Current Agriculture Research Journal, 2018-12-28
    DOI: 10.12944/CARJ.6.3.13
    Contributors: J. A. Opoku, J. N. Amissah, M. E. Essilfie, J. C. Norman

  • Seed Germination Percentage and Growth Performance of Caesalpinia pulcherrima as Influenced by Different Pre-Sowing Treatments
    Journal of Forestry, 2018-07-31
    Contributor: Joyce Abrafi Opoku

 

Davoud Akhzari | Biofertilizer Application | Best Researcher Award

Prof Davoud Akhzari | Biofertilizer Application | Best Researcher Award

Malayer University,  Iran

Dr. Davoud Akhzari is an Associate Professor specializing in phytoremediation, biotic and abiotic stress management, and plant eco-physiology. With a Ph.D. in Soil, Plant, and Environmental Sciences from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, his research focuses on vegetation improvement, rangeland management, and soil rehabilitation. Dr. Akhzari has held key administrative roles at Malayer University and serves as a reviewer for numerous international journals. His expertise includes biofertilizer production, composting, and advanced data analysis using R and SAS software.

 

Publication Profile

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Soil, Plant, and Environmental Sciences (2012), Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.
  • M.S. in Natural Resource Management (2007), Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Malayer University (2011–2016).
  • Associate Professor, Malayer University (2016–present).
  • Held administrative roles, including Head of Department, Dean of Central Library, and Dean of Brilliant Talents Office.

🔬 Skills & Contributions:

  • Expertise in compost and biofertilizer production.
  • Reviewer for numerous scientific journals, including PLOS ONE and Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology.
  • Proficient in R and SAS for data analysis.

🌱 Research Focus:

Dr. Akhzari specializes in phytoremediation, biotic and abiotic stress management, and plant eco-physiology. His work addresses vegetation improvement in arid zones, rangeland management, and soil rehabilitation.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 631
  • Citations Since 2019: 491
  • h-index: 13 (12 since 2019)
  • i10-index: 18 (14 since 2019)

Publication Top Note:

  • The removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions using two nano-structures: copper oxide and carbon tubes
    S. Mahdavi, D. Akhzari
    Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 1-11, 2016 (64 citations)
  • Effect of Drought Stress on Total Protein, Essential Oil Content, and Physiological Traits of Levisticum Officinale Koch
    M.P., D. Akhzari
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 2015 (57 citations)
  • Effects of salinity, drought, and priming treatments on seed germination and growth parameters of Lathyrus sativus L.
    S. Gheidary, D. Akhzari, M. Pessarakli
    Journal of Plant Nutrition 40 (10), 1507-1514, 2017 (47 citations)
  • Effects of Vermicompost and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Properties and Growth of Medicago polymorpha L.
    D. Akhzari, B. Attaeian, A. Arami, F. Mahmoodi, F. Aslani
    Compost Science & Utilization 23 (3), 142-153, 2015 (43 citations)
  • Effects of cadmium stress on seedlings of various rangeland plant species (Avena fatua L., Lathyrus sativus L., and Lolium temulentum L.): Growth, physiological …
    L. Marzban, D. Akhzari, A. Ariapour, B. Mohammadparast, M. Pessarakli
    Journal of Plant Nutrition 40 (15), 2127-2137, 2017 (29 citations)
  • Effects of vermicompost and salinity stress on growth and physiological traits of Medicago rigidula L.
    D. Akhzari, M. Pessarakli, M. Khedmati
    Journal of Plant Nutrition 39 (14), 2106-2114, 2016 (25 citations)
  • Studying the effects of salinity stress on the growth of various halophytic plant species (Agropyron elongatum, Kochia prostrata, and Puccinellia distans)
    D. Akhzari, A. Sepehry, M. Pessarakli, H. Barani
    World Applied Science Journal 16 (7), 998-1003, 2012 (25 citations)
  • Effects of grazing intensity on soil and vegetation properties in a Mediterranean rangeland
    D. Akhzari, M. Pessarakli, S. Eftekhari Ahandani
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 46 (22), 2798-2806, 2015 (22 citations)
  • Drought Monitoring Using Vegetation Indices and MODIS Data (Case Study: Isfahan Province, Iran)
    D. Shad, M.S., Ildoromi, A., Akhzari
    Rangeland Science 7 (2), 148-159, 2017 (21 citations)
  • Characterization of bare and modified nano-zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and their applications as adsorbents for the removal of bivalent heavy metals
    S. Mahdavi, N. Amini, H. Merrikhpour, D. Akhzari
    Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 1-11, 2017 (18 citations)

 

 

Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini | Crop Production | Best Researcher Award

Prof Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini |  Crop Production |  Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Agriculture at  Shiraz University, Iran

Dr. Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini is a distinguished faculty member in the Plant Production and Genetics Department at Shiraz University, Iran. Born on August 7, 1967, Dr. Kazemeini has dedicated over 30 years to the field of crop production, focusing on biotic and abiotic stress and biostimulants. He earned his Ph.D. in Crop Production from Shiraz University in 2008, where he also completed his M.Sc. and B.A. in Agronomy.

Profile:

Educational Background:

Ph.D. in Crop Production, Shiraz University, Iran (2004-2008). M.Sc. in Agronomy, Shiraz University, Iran (1998-2000). B.A. in Agronomy, Shiraz University, Iran (1986-1990)

Professional Experience

Total Experience: 30 Years. Head of Agricultural College Agronomy Station: Since 2006. Head of Plant Production and Genetics Department: 2011-2014. In Charge of Agriculture Station and Research Center, Shiraz University College: 20 Years

Teaching and Supervision

Courses Taught: Various undergraduate and graduate courses in agronomy and crop production. Graduate Supervision: Supervising 7 MSc and PhD students; involved in 10 student programs and 6 PhD thesis projects as an advisory committee member. Research Projects Supervised: Over 170 graduate-level research projects

Skills and Competencies

Data Analysis Software: Excel, SAS, Minitab, OriginPro. Research and Development: Supervision of PhD, MSc, and BSc students; development of research around new technologies Analytical Lab Experience: Advanced research and analysis

Research Focus: Crop Production

Dr. Seyed Abdolreza Kazemeini, a faculty member in the Plant Production and Genetics Department at Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, has dedicated his research to advancing the field of crop production. His work is particularly focused on addressing critical issues related to biotic and abiotic stress, and the application of biostimulants.

Key Areas of Research: Biotic and Abiotic Stress Management: Abiotic Stress: Investigating the impact of various environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures on crop yield and quality. Developing strategies to enhance plant resilience through genetic and agronomic approaches. Biotic Stress: Studying plant-pathogen interactions, pest resistance, and the use of biological control methods to manage diseases and pests in crops. Biostimulants: Exploring the use of biostimulants to enhance crop growth, yield, and stress tolerance. This includes the application of natural and synthetic compounds that can improve plant health and productivity under stress conditions. Crop Physiology and Agronomy: Examining the physiological responses of crops to various environmental factors and management practices. This includes nutrient management, water use efficiency, and the optimization of planting techniques to maximize yield and sustainability. Weed Science: Researching effective weed management strategies to minimize competition and improve crop performance. This involves studying the biology of weeds, their impact on crops, and the development of integrated weed management practices.

Citations:

  • Total Citations: 1663
  • Citations Since 2019: 1167
  • H-index: 17
  • H-index Since 2019: 14
  • i10-index: 33
  • i10-index Since 2019: 29

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Grain Yield and Protein Banding Pattern of Wheat
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 339
  2. Wheat Yield and Grain Protein Response to Nitrogen Amount and Timing
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 242
  3. Changes in Soil Properties and Productivity Under Different Tillage Practices and Wheat Genotypes: A Short-Term Study in Iran
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 83
  4. The Impact of Nitrogen and Organic Matter on Winter Canola Seed Yield and Yield Components
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 76
  5. The Role of ACC Deaminase Producing Bacteria in Improving Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var saccharata) Productivity Under Limited Availability of Irrigation Water
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 68
  6. Interaction Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Row Spacing on Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Growth, Seed Yield and Oil Yield
    • Year: 2009
    • Citations: 68
  7. Feasibility of Satellite and Drone Images for Monitoring Soil Residue Cover
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 44
  8. Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars Using Drought Tolerance Indices
    • Year: 2014
    • Citations: 34
  9. Forage Yield and Quality as Affected by Salt Stress in Different Ratios of Sorghum bicolor-Bassia indica Intercropping
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 31
  10. Improving Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var saccharata) Growth and Yield Using Pseudomonas fluorescens Inoculation Under Varied Watering Regimes
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 28