Biruk Wubetie | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Biruk Wubetie | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Tottori University, Japan

Dr. Biruk Yazie Wubetie is an Assistant Professor at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, specializing in Agricultural & Environmental Sciences with a focus on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture. His research explores the intersection of sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental conservation, aiming to enhance nutritional outcomes through innovative agricultural practices.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences (Global Dryland Science), Tottori University, Japan (2024)
    • Thesis: Agro-ecosystem based analysis of dietary intake and malnutrition in the Chemoga watershed, Ethiopia
    • Applied structural equation modeling (SEM) & multilevel analysis
  • Master of Public Health in Nutrition, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia (2020)
    • Thesis: Undernutrition among lactating mothers in rural Ethiopia
  • M.A. in Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (2013)
  • B.Sc. in Rural Development and Family Science, Hawassa University, Ethiopia (2009)

👨‍🏫 Teaching & Academic Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Bahir Dar University (2024 – Present)
  • Lecturer & Researcher, Bahir Dar University (2018 – 2021)
  • Lecturer & Researcher, Debre Markos University (2010 – 2018)
  • Graduate Assistant, Wolaita Sodo University (2009 – 2010)

📌 Courses Delivered:
✅ Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture
✅ Rural Development Policies
✅ Research Methods & Supervised Research Projects

🔬 Research & Publications:

  • Published 9 peer-reviewed articles, with several in Q1-ranked journals indexed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus.
  • Research focus: Malnutrition, agroecosystem-based dietary analysis, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
  • Notable publication:
    • Analysis of Malnutrition among Children under Five Years in Northwest Ethiopia using Structural Equation Modeling. Nutrients, 2024
    • Agroecosystem-Based Household Dietary Diversity Analysis in the Upper Blue Nile Basin. Environmental Development, 2024

🏆 Grants & Awards:

  • MEXT Scholarship, Japan (2021-2024)
  • Overseas Travel Grant, Tottori University (2022, 2023)
  • Best Student Award, Hawassa University (2007)

🌱 Research & Academic Contributions:

  • Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research, structural equation modeling (SEM), and multilevel analysis
  • Secured research funding for three projects, all completed and published in reputable journals
  • Supervised undergraduate and master’s students, ensuring timely research completion
  • Extensive experience in curriculum development, online learning platforms (Blackboard, Zoom), and student mentoring

Publication Top Notes:

1️⃣ Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choice of Street-Foods and Fast-Foods in China
📄 African Journal of Marketing Management, 10(4), 28-39 (2018)
👥 Authors: HB Atinkut, Y Tingwu, B Gebisa, S Qin, K Assefa, B Yazie, T Melese, et al.

2️⃣ Determinants of the Use of Hermetic Storage Bags for Maize Storage Among Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Advances in Agriculture, 2021(1), 6644039 (2021)
👥 Authors: TK Mekonen, BY Wubetie

3️⃣ Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Lactating Mothers in Rural Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study
📄 Food Science & Nutrition, 11(3), 1383-1393 (2023)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, TK Mekonen

4️⃣ Determinants of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Extension Services Among Rural Women Farmers in Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Journal of Agricultural Extension, 20(1) (2019)
👥 Authors: BAAB Yazie

5️⃣ Analysis of Malnutrition Among Children Under Five Years Across Contrasting Agroecosystems of Northwest Ethiopia: Application of Structural Equation Modeling
📄 Nutrients, 16(8), 1208 (2024)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, A Tsunekawa, N Haregeweyn, M Tsubo, Z Nigussie, et al.

6️⃣ Cost-Benefit Analysis of Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags for Maize Storage Among Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ethiopia
📄 African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 22(9) (2022)
👥 Authors: T Kefale, Z Ayalew, Z Birhanie, BY Wubetie, D Baributsa

7️⃣ Agroecosystem-Based Analysis of Household Dietary Diversity and Its Linkage with Agricultural Production Diversification in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: Multilevel Analysis
📄 Environmental Development, 100999 (2024)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, A Tsunekawa, N Haregeweyn, M Tsubo, Z Nigussie, et al.

8️⃣ Factors Affecting the Practice of Sustainable Land Management in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Journal of Agricultural Extension, 20(2) (2019)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, BA Abebe

9️⃣ Assessment on Challenges and Prospects of the Community Livelihood in Upper Blue Nile, Chira Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Unpublished/Conference Paper
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, TK Mekonen, BA Abebe

Petya Veleva | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Petya Veleva |  Agricultural Science |  Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Professor at  Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petya Marinova Veleva is an expert in automated systems, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture. She holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Tools and a PhD in Automation of Engineering Labor and Systems for Automated Design. Dr. Veleva’s research focuses on intelligent data analysis, agricultural safety, and the application of artificial neural networks and Near Infrared Spectroscopy in agriculture and food safety. She has collaborated with renowned institutions, including Kobe University (Japan) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), and has published 34 journal articles and 6 books.

Profile:

Academic & Professional Background:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petya Veleva holds a Master’s degree in “Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Tools” and a PhD in “Automation of the Engineering Labor and Systems for Automated Design.” Her research focuses on automated systems for data analysis, artificial intelligence in precision agriculture, intelligent animal husbandry, and food safety evaluation, with specializations in artificial neural networks, Near Infrared Spectroscopy, and Aquaphotomics. She has gained valuable international experience through JSPS Fellowship in Japan, and research mobility at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) and the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (Romania).

Research & Innovations:

Dr. Veleva has completed 39 research projects and is currently involved in 6 ongoing projects. Her work has resulted in 34 journal publications (SCI, Scopus), 6 books, and 1 patent. She collaborates with prestigious institutions like Kobe University (Japan), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), and the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (Romania). She is also a member of the editorial board of the journal SLOVJANI.info and has an h-index of 5 in Scopus.

Contributions:

Dr. Veleva’s research contributes to advancements in sustainable agriculture, smart crop production, and intelligent animal husbandry. Her work supports human health, bioeconomy, and quality of life through innovative applications of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in agriculture.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Impact of Different Sugar Syrups on the Development of the Fat Body in Worker Bees (Apis mellifera macedonica)
    Agriculture (2025-01-02)
    DOI: 10.3390/agriculture15010083
  • Exploring Microelement Fertilization and Visible–Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Enhanced Productivity in Capsicum annuum and Cyprinus carpio Aquaponic Systems
    Plants (2024-12-20)
    DOI: 10.3390/plants13243566
  • Differentiation of Amaranthus Species and Estimation of Their Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Potential Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
    Plants (2024-11-30)
    DOI: 10.3390/plants13233370
  • Assessment of Tomato Quality through Near-Infrared Spectroscopy—Advantages, Limitations, and Integration with Multivariate Analysis Techniques
    Conference Paper (2024-08-08)
    DOI: 10.3390/engproc2024070034
  • Indirect Determination of Basic Tomato Quality Parameters Using Color Digital Images
    Conference Paper (2024-08-06)
    DOI: 10.3390/engproc2024070024
  • Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Differentiation of Fresh and Frozen–Thawed Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
    Sensors (2024-06-04)
    DOI: 10.3390/s24113620
  • Evaluating the Performance and Practicality of a Multi-Parameter Assessment System with Design, Comparative Analysis, and Future Directions
    Sustainability (2024-05-14)
    DOI: 10.3390/su16104124
  • Detection of Fungal Diseases in Lettuce by VIR-NIR Spectroscopy in Aquaponics
    Microorganisms (2023)
    DOI: 10.3390/MICROORGANISMS11092348
  • Non-Destructive Determination of Plant Pigments Based on Mobile Phone Data
    TEM Journal-Technology Education Management Informatics (2023)
    DOI: 10.18421/TEM123-23
  • An Aquaphotomics Approach for Investigation of Water-Stress-Induced Changes in Maize Plants
    Sensors (2023-12-07)
    DOI: 10.3390/s23249678
  • Influence of Some Environmental Factors on Summer Phytoplankton Community Structure in the Varna Bay, Black Sea (1992–2019)
    Water (2023-04-25)
    DOI: 10.3390/w15091677

 

Anna Rita Dipierro | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Anna Rita Dipierro |  Agricultural  |  Best Researcher Award

Research Fellow at  University of Calabria, Italy

Anna Rita Dipierro, born on February 26, 1997, in Castellana Grotte, Italy, is a Research Fellow in Econometrics at the University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy, and the University of Salento, Lecce, Italy. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Management of Sustainability and Innovation from LUM “G. Degennaro” University, where she also completed her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management, all with high distinction.

Profile:

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Economics and Management of Sustainability and Innovation
    🎓 LUM “G. Degennaro” University, Casamassima, Bari, Italy, July 2024
    Thesis: Combining operational research and artificial intelligence to address performance evaluation under dynamic taxonomy of risks
    Tutor: Prof. P. Toma
    Internal PhD Commission: Prof. K. De Witte, Prof. G. Secundo, Prof. P. Toma
  • Master’s Degree (cum laude) in Economics and Management (LM77)
    🎓 LUM “G. Degennaro” University, Casamassima, Bari, Italy, October 2020
    Thesis: Geographical Indications in Agri-food: an econometrical and geospatial approach through R-studio and QGIS
    Tutor: Prof. P. Toma
  • Bachelor of Science (cum laude) in Economics and Management (L18)
    🎓 LUM “G. Degennaro” University, Casamassima, Bari, Italy, October 2018
    Thesis: A step away from disaster: State-saving measures to overcome the crisis of the third millennium
    Tutor: Prof. C. Bussoli

Training Schools and Workshops:

  • 🏫 Summer school “Network econometrics,” Venice, Italy, July 2024
  • 🏫 Course “Tidyverse: R for Data Science,” Lecce, Italy, February 2024
  • 🏫 Course “Classifying Higher Education Institutions using Latent Class Analysis,” Lugano, Switzerland, March 2023
  • 🏫 Summer school “Machine Learning: what is good for?” Lugano, Switzerland, August 2022
  • 🏫 Workshop “Visual Thinking” Lugano, Switzerland, August 2022
  • 🏫 Summer School “Panel Data Econometrics: theory and applications” Bertinoro, Italy, July 2021

Teaching Experience:

  • Adjunct Professor of “Econometric models for human resource management,” Master’s level in “Human Resources Management,” LUM School of Management, Casamassima, Italy (A.A. 2022/2023)
  • Adjunct Professor of “Econometrics,” Master’s degree in Economics and Management (LM77), LUM “G. Degennaro” University, Casamassima, Italy (A.A. 2022/2023)

Membership to Scientific Societies:

  • The Econometric Society (2023 – Present)
  • Italian Economics Society (2023 – Present)
  • Italian Econometrics Society (2021 – Present)

Research Focus in Agriculture:

Anna Rita Dipierro’s agricultural research is centered on the efficiency and sustainability of the agricultural sector, particularly within the European context. Her work involves analyzing the intersection of efficiency, sustainability, and environmental risk in agricultural practices. She employs econometric and geospatial techniques to evaluate and improve the performance of agri-food firms, with a focus on geographical indications and their impact on agricultural economics.

Publication Top Notes:

What Lies Behind the Success of Italian GIs Products? Questioning Tradition in Consortia via Aggregated Conditional Efficiency
Authors: C. Colamartino, A.R. Dipierro, P. Toma, M. Frittelli
Journal: Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Vol. 87, Article 101578 (2023)
This paper explores the factors contributing to the success of Italian Geographical Indications (GIs) products by examining traditional practices within consortia and utilizing aggregated conditional efficiency models.

2. What Lies Behind Perceptions of Corruption? A Cultural Approach
Authors: A.R. Dipierro, A. Rella
Journal: Social Indicators Research, Vol. 172 (2), pp. 371-391 (2024)
This study investigates the cultural determinants influencing perceptions of corruption, providing a comprehensive analysis using a cultural framework.

3. The Underlying Signals of Efficiency in European Universities: A Combined Efficiency and Machine Learning Approach
Authors: A.R. Dipierro, K. De Witte
Journal: Studies in Higher Education, pp. 1-20 (2024)
This research combines efficiency analysis and machine learning techniques to identify underlying factors contributing to the operational efficiency of European universities.

4. European Agricultural Sector: The Tortuous Path Across Efficiency, Sustainability and Environmental Risk
Authors: A. Mergoni, A.R. Dipierro, C. Colamartino
Journal: Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Vol. 92, Article 101848 (2024)
The paper addresses the challenges faced by the European agricultural sector, focusing on balancing efficiency, sustainability, and managing environmental risks.

5. The Efficient Path of the Protection Consortia to Manage Territorial Risks and Protect the Quality of GIs
Authors: C. Colamartino, A.R. Dipierro
Published Link: Article (2024)
This publication examines how protection consortia can efficiently manage territorial risks and ensure the quality of Geographical Indications (GIs) through strategic measures.

6. Within the Banks: The Determinants of ESG-Controversies
Author: A.R. Dipierro
Book: Digital Transformation: The Harmonic Convergence of People, Culture, Process… (2022)
This work analyzes the factors leading to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) controversies within banks, emphasizing the role of digital transformation.

These publications highlight Anna Rita Dipierro’s diverse research interests, ranging from agricultural economics and the success of GIs products to higher education efficiency and perceptions of corruption.