Nokwazi Carol Mbili | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Nokwazi Carol Mbili | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Senior Lecturer | University of KwaZulu-nATAL | South Africa

Dr. Nokwazi Carol Mbili is a researcher specializing in Plant Pathology, with strong expertise in Postharvest Pathology, Postharvest Technology, Food Safety, and Biological Control. Her research focuses on sustainable management of postharvest diseases in horticultural crops, emphasizing plant-based extracts, biological control agents, and integrated disease management strategies to enhance food quality and safety. She also explores innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides for fresh produce preservation. Dr. Mbili currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she contributes to teaching, postgraduate supervision, and collaborative research in plant health and postharvest systems. Her key contributions include advancing knowledge on natural antifungal compounds, edible coatings, and integrated control strategies for fungal pathogens affecting fruits and cereals. Her work supports sustainable agriculture by reducing postharvest losses, improving food safety, and promoting environmentally responsible technologies with direct relevance to industry, policy development, and global food security initiatives.

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Emmanuel Olatunbosun Benjamin | Urban Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Emmanuel Olatunbosun Benjamin | Urban Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Technical Advisor | Aglobe Development Center | Nigeria

Emmanuel Olatunbosun Benjamin is a researcher specializing in Agricultural and Resource Economics with strong expertise in Development Economics, currently affiliated with the Technical University of Munich. His research focuses on the economics of sustainable agriculture, agroforestry systems, Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), climate policy, and smallholder livelihood resilience, with emerging interests in gender equity, environmental incentives, and climate-smart food systems. He has held key academic and research roles through international collaborations addressing sustainability challenges in Africa and developing economies. His major contributions include influential empirical evidence on PES effectiveness, agroforestry adoption, women’s economic empowerment, and policy-relevant analyses of climate and energy transitions. Through interdisciplinary and impact-driven research, his work informs evidence-based policymaking, supports sustainable land-use strategies, and advances inclusive economic development. His impact vision centers on bridging environmental conservation with poverty alleviation by translating rigorous economic research into scalable solutions for global sustainability and climate resilience.

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Abe Gerrano | Plant Breeding | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Abe Gerrano | Plant Breeding | Research Excellence Award

Senior Scientist | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Prof. Abe Shegro Gerrano is a researcher specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetics, with a strong focus on crop improvement for food and nutrition security. His research centers on the genetic enhancement of underutilized leguminous, leafy, and fruit vegetables, including cowpea, Bambara groundnut, amaranth, okra, pigeonpea, and taro, with emerging interests in climate-resilient cultivars, nutritional quality, and the integration of molecular breeding and genomics tools. He serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Agricultural Research Council – Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP), Pretoria, and holds affiliated academic and research appointments with national and international institutions. Prof. Gerrano has contributed significantly to the development and evaluation of drought- and heat-tolerant genotypes, genetic diversity assessment, and seed system research, producing high-impact peer-reviewed outputs and book chapters. His impact vision emphasizes translating plant genetic resources into resilient crop solutions that advance sustainable agriculture, strengthen food systems, and support global innovation in climate-smart crop production.

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Assaf Eybishitz | Crop Science & Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Assaf Eybishitz | Crop Science & Breeding | Outstanding Scientist Award

Senior Scientist | World Vegetable Center | Taiwan

Dr. Assaf Eybishitz is a plant scientist specializing in tomato breeding and genetic improvement, with a strong focus on developing resilient, high-performing vegetable crops. His research centers on disease resistance breeding, quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification, and stress tolerance, particularly heat stress and multi-disease resistance using advanced genetic resources and MAGIC populations. Currently, he serves as Senior Scientist – Tomato Breeding at the World Vegetable Center, where he leads and contributes to strategic breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield stability and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Dr. Eybishitz has made significant contributions through molecular screening of wild and cultivated germplasm, identification of key resistance loci, and development of tomato lines with improved resistance to viruses and insect-transmitted diseases. His impact vision emphasizes strengthening global food security, accelerating climate-resilient crop innovation, and translating genetic research into scalable solutions for sustainable agriculture worldwide.


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Navdeep Singh | Soil Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Navdeep Singh | Soil Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Western Kentucky University | United States

Dr. Navdeep Singh is a researcher specializing in Soil Physics and Hydrology, with strong expertise in soil water management, conservation practices, and sustainable agriculture. His research focuses on understanding soil pore architecture, hydrological processes, and greenhouse gas dynamics under conservation tillage, cover cropping, and integrated crop–livestock systems, using advanced tools such as X-ray computed tomography and simulation modeling. He has held key academic research roles at Western Kentucky University and collaborated extensively with multidisciplinary teams addressing soil health and climate-smart agriculture. Dr. Singh’s major contributions include high-impact studies on soil structural dynamics, water availability, carbon sequestration, and management-driven improvements in agroecosystem resilience, influencing best management practices and soil health assessment frameworks. His work supports evidence-based agricultural policies and field-scale decision-making. Driven by an impact-oriented vision, Dr. Singh aims to advance sustainable land-use systems that enhance productivity, conserve water resources, mitigate climate impacts, and strengthen global food security through science-based innovation.

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Idan Kopler | Precision Livestock Farming | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Idan Kopler | Precision Livestock Farming | Research Excellence Award

Project manager | MIGAL Galilee Research Institute LtdĀ  | Israel

Idan Kopler is an interdisciplinary environmental researcher specializing in ecosystem ecology, hydrology, climate–vegetation interactions, and data-driven agri-environmental systems. His research focus centers on understanding how temperature, drought, and soil moisture regulate ecosystem processes across forested and managed landscapes, with emerging interests in the socio-environmental dimensions of precision livestock farming and technology adoption. Kopler has held research-oriented academic roles, contributing to cross-sector collaborations that bridge ecological science with applied agricultural systems. His key contributions include advancing empirical evidence on growth-limiting climatic drivers at montane treelines, quantifying soil–vegetation–water interactions in Mediterranean forests, and evaluating farmer perceptions of benefits and risks associated with precision livestock farming technologies in the European context. Through integrative field measurements, modeling, and stakeholder-focused analyses, his work supports evidence-based decision-making. Kopler’s impact vision is to strengthen climate-resilient land and livestock systems by aligning ecological insight with practical innovation, informing sustainable management, policy dialogue, and responsible technological adoption across diverse environments.

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Nuria Pedrol | Sustainable Weed Management | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuria Pedrol | Sustainable Weed Management | Research Excellence Award

Associate Professor | University of Vigo | Spain

Dr. Nuria Pedrol is a distinguished researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Allelopathy, Weed Control, and Organic Farming, with a strong focus on plant interactions, stress physiology, and sustainable weed management. Her research primarily explores the biochemical and ecological roles of allelochemicals in plant–plant interactions, natural bioherbicide development, and plant responses to abiotic stress, alongside emerging interests in green manure-based weed suppression and soil restoration. She has served as a researcher and faculty member at the University of Vigo, contributing to leading projects on environmental sustainability and crop protection. She has co-authored notable scientific books and handbook chapters, and her transcriptomic studies in Arabidopsis have deepened understanding of plant detoxification mechanisms. With high-impact publications, refined biochemical methodologies, and sustainable agriculture innovations, her work promotes low-chemical-input farming and improved soil health. Guided by a vision of climate-adaptive and eco-friendly agriculture, she aims to advance natural-product herbicides and ecological crop management for global food security and environmental conservation.

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Kandarp Chaudhary | Agricultural Extension | Young Scientist Award

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.

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Featured PublicationsĀ 

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 MemberĀ 

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 PublicationsĀ 

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

Baoping Zhao | Agronomy | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Baoping Zhao | Agronomy | Editorial Board Member

Deputy Dean | Inner Mongolia agriculturial University | China

Prof. Baoping Zhao, a distinguished researcher at Neimenggu Agricultural University, Hohhot, China, is a leading specialist in crop science, stress physiology, and sustainable agronomy whose work advances resilient cereal production and soil–plant health. His research focuses on understanding plant responses to salinity, drought, heavy-metal stress, microplastic contamination, and nutrient limitations, while developing innovative strategies to improve oat, buckwheat, and wheat performance under challenging environmental conditions. Emerging interests include multi-omics–guided crop improvement and nature-based soil amendments that enhance both yield and ecological sustainability. With a strong record of 70 publications, over 430 citations, and an h-index of 10, he has contributed extensively through collaborative, high-impact studies. His professional experience spans key academic roles in plant science research, where he has led and co-led projects revealing how crops respond to salinity and drought stress, including integrated germination and field assessments that identify saline–alkali-tolerant oat germplasm, molecular insights into drought-responsive pathways using multi-omics tools, and proteomic analysis of root respiratory metabolism under salt stress. Among his notable contributions are breakthroughs in improving crop resilience, such as demonstrating how fulvic acid enhances oat growth and grain yield under water-deficit by regulating antioxidant systems and carbon assimilation, and how manganese–zinc fertilizers mitigate cadmium toxicity in wheat, reducing potential human-health risks through safer grain production practices. His work has also illuminated the environmental risks posed by microplastics in agricultural soils, showing their effects on soil properties and buckwheat performance, thus informing soil-health monitoring and sustainable land-management policies. Through open-access contributions that strengthen global scientific accessibility, his research findings support innovations in crop breeding, fertilizer management, and climate-adaptive agriculture, offering practical applications for both farmers and industry stakeholders. Driven by the vision of building resilient agroecosystems, Prof. Zhao aims to translate advanced plant-response knowledge into solutions that enhance food security, protect soil ecosystems, and promote sustainable agricultural transformation. His ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration positions him as a key contributor to global efforts in adapting agriculture to environmental change while supporting healthier, more productive cropping systems for future generations.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Effects of preservatives and drying methods on the nutrient composition and mould counts of hay and pellet processing of oats. Scientific Reports.

2. Testing of saline–alkali tolerance in oat germplasm through integrated germination and field performance assessments. Agronomy.

3. Potential impacts of microplastic particle size and type on soil properties and buckwheat performance. Agronomy.

4. Fulvic acid enhances oat growth and grain yield under drought deficit by regulating ascorbate–glutathione cycle, chlorophyll synthesis, and carbon-assimilation ability. Agronomy.

5. Foliar application of manganese–zinc fertilizer mitigated the harmful effects of cadmium on wheat and reduced human health risks. Sustainability.