Guillermo Pratta | Crop Science | AgriInnovator in Academia Award

Dr. Guillermo Pratta | Crop Science | AgriInnovator in Academia Award

Investigador Principal | CONICET | Argentina

Guillermo Pratta is a researcher specializing in plant genetics, crop improvement, and quantitative genetics, with a strong focus on horticultural and agroecological systems. His research addresses genetic variability, gene expression regulation, and the identification of quantitative trait loci associated with fruit quality, stress tolerance, and disease resistance, alongside emerging work on agroecological aptitude and genetic resource conservation. He serves as a faculty member at the National University of Rosario and is affiliated with CONICET, contributing to both academic research and applied breeding programs. Dr. Pratta’s key contributions include advances in tomato genomics, multivariate genetic analysis, identification of resistance genes, and the development of genetic resources for sustainable crop production. His work integrates molecular, statistical, and breeding approaches to enhance crop performance and resilience. Through translational research and international publications, he aims to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen food systems, and foster innovation in plant breeding and genetic resource management.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
495

Documents
61

h-index
12

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Featured Publications

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.

Alice Olatunji | Crop Science & Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alice Olatunji | Crop Science & Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Senior Research Assistant | IITA/University Canada West | Nigeria

Dr. Alice Adenike Olatunji is a distinguished agricultural scientist specializing in yam agronomy and genotype performance evaluation, with a research focus on enhancing crop productivity and resilience under diverse environmental conditions. Her primary research centers on the agronomic performance, genetic improvement, and yield stability of elite White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes cultivated across multiple agroecological zones in Nigeria. As a Senior Research Officer at CGIAR, Montpellier, France, Dr. Olatunji contributes to global agricultural research through the development of sustainable practices and data-driven varietal selection frameworks. Her seminal work, including publications in the Agronomy journal and preprints in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, has provided vital insights into genotype-environment interactions influencing yam yield stability. Dr. Olatunji’s research outcomes have informed breeding strategies, agricultural policies, and sustainable food security programs, offering practical pathways for improving smallholder farmer livelihoods and advancing resilient yam production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through collaborative research and innovation, she continues to bridge scientific knowledge with real-world agricultural needs, driving forward the CGIAR mission of transforming food, land, and water systems. Her impact vision emphasizes strengthening food system resilience, enhancing crop adaptation to climate variability, and empowering farmers through science-led agricultural innovation that contributes to global goals for nutrition security and sustainable development.

Profiles: ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Olatunji, A. A., Gana, A. S., Tolorunse, K. D., Agre, P. A., Adebola, P., & Asfaw, A. (2024). Agronomic performance and yield stability of elite White Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes grown in multiple environments in Nigeria. Agronomy, 14(9), 2093. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092093

2. Olatunji, A. A., Gana, A. S., Tolorunse, K. D., Agre, P. A., Adebola, P., & Asfaw, A. (2024). Agronomic performance and yield stability of elite White Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes grown in multiple environments in Nigeria. Preprints, 2024080964. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.0964.v1

Muhammad Ather Nadeem | Agronomy |  Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Ather Nadeem | Agronomy |  Best Researcher Award

Professor/Dean | University of Sargodha | Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Ather Nadeem is a distinguished researcher specializing in Weed Science and Agronomy, with a particular focus on nano herbicides, herbicide resistance, allelopathy, and sustainable fodder production systems. His research explores the interactions between crops and weeds, emphasizing innovative and eco-friendly weed management approaches, plant–plant biochemical interactions, and the optimization of fertilizer and nutrient application for enhanced yield and quality. Serving as a leading academic at the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, Dr. Nadeem has played a vital role in advancing agricultural science through his extensive teaching, research supervision, and collaborative projects aimed at improving productivity and environmental sustainability. His scholarly contributions encompass over a hundred peer-reviewed publications, including highly cited works such as “Pesticides: Impacts on Agriculture Productivity, Environment, and Management Strategies” and “Can Hormesis of Plant-Released Phytotoxins Be Used to Boost and Sustain Crop Production?” which collectively demonstrate his commitment to balancing agricultural efficiency with environmental health. His pioneering studies on the integrated use of microbial and synthetic nitrogen sources, drought tolerance mechanisms, and sustainable fodder production have provided practical insights into mitigating climate change impacts on crop systems. Dr. Nadeem’s expertise extends beyond laboratory research to field-level innovations, influencing regional agricultural practices and policy discussions related to weed management and food security. Recognized for his remarkable academic metrics with over 5,000 citations, an h-index of 43, and an i10-index of 127, his research continues to shape new paradigms in agro-ecosystem management and resource-efficient farming. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific leadership, Dr. Nadeem envisions a future where advanced biotechnological and ecological principles drive resilient and sustainable agriculture. His ongoing work contributes profoundly to global innovation in sustainable crop protection, positioning him as a key figure in the advancement of eco-agronomic research and an advocate for science-led agricultural transformation.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Ayub, M., Nadeem, M. A., Sharar, M. S., & Mahmood, N. (2002). Response of maize (Zea mays L.) fodder to different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 1(4), 352–354.

2. Khan, B. A., Nadeem, M. A., Nawaz, H., Amin, M. M., Abbasi, G. H., Nadeem, M., & Ali, M. (2023). Pesticides: Impacts on agriculture productivity, environment, and management strategies. Emerging Contaminants and Plants: Interactions, Adaptations and Remediation, 219.

3. Ayub, M., Nadeem, M. A., Tanveer, A., & Husnain, A. (2002). Effect of different levels of nitrogen and harvesting times on the growth, yield and quality of sorghum fodder. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 1(4), 304–307.

4. Nadeem, M. A., Ahmad, R. A. R., & Ahmad, M. S. (2004). Effects of seed inoculation and different fertilizer levels on the growth and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 3(4), 299–303.*

5. Ayub, M., Nadeem, M. A., Tahir, M., Ibrahim, M., & Aslam, M. N. (2009). Effect of nitrogen application and harvesting intervals on forage yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.). Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 7(2), 185–189.

Clay Sneller | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Clay Sneller | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Professor | The Ohio State University | United States

Dr. Clay Sneller is a distinguished researcher and professor at The Ohio State University, specializing in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics. His research primarily focuses on improving genetic diversity, yield stability, and environmental resilience in major crops such as soybean and wheat. He has significantly contributed to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying yield potential, drought tolerance, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, offering innovative strategies for sustainable agricultural productivity. Over his extensive career, Dr. Sneller has held key academic roles driving advanced crop improvement programs and mentoring future agricultural scientists. His collaborative research has produced impactful publications on topics like genomic prediction of wheat landraces, the relationship between genetic variance and parental diversity in soybean, and marker-assisted introgression of yield-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs). His pioneering studies, including “Crop transformation and the challenge to increase yield potential” and “Genomic selection for wheat traits and trait stability,” have guided global plant breeding strategies and influenced both policy and practice in agricultural biotechnology. With an h-index of 42 and over 5,800 citations, Dr. Sneller’s scholarly contributions have shaped the scientific understanding of crop genetics and breeding efficiency. His work bridges the gap between molecular genetics and practical agronomy, advancing the development of resilient, high-yield cultivars adapted to climate variability. Driven by a vision to enhance food security through science-led innovation, Dr. Sneller continues to contribute to the global effort toward sustainable crop production, genetic resource conservation, and next-generation breeding technologies that empower farmers and strengthen agricultural systems worldwide

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Sinclair, T. R., Purcell, L. C., & Sneller, C. H. (2004). Crop transformation and the challenge to increase yield potential. Trends in Plant Science, 9(2), 70–75.

2. Carter, T. E. Jr., Nelson, R. L., Sneller, C. H., & Cui, Z. (2004). Genetic diversity in soybean. In Soybeans: Improvement, Production, and Uses (Vol. 16, pp. 303–416).

3. Sinclair, T. R., Purcell, L. C., King, C. A., Sneller, C. H., Chen, P., & Vadez, V. (2007). Drought tolerance and yield increase of soybean resulting from improved symbiotic N₂ fixation. Field Crops Research, 101(1), 68–71.

4. Sneller, C. H., Kilgore‐Norquest, L., & Dombek, D. (1997). Repeatability of yield stability statistics in soybean. Crop Science, 37(2), 383–390.

5. Crossa, J., Jarquín, D., Franco, J., Pérez-Rodríguez, P., Burgueño, J., & Sneller, C. H. (2016). Genomic prediction of gene bank wheat landraces. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 6(7), 1819–1834.*

Flurije Sheremeti-Kabashi | Soil Science & Management | Best Researcher Award

Flurije Sheremeti-Kabashi | Soil Science & Management | Best Researcher Award

University "Isa Boletini" Mitrovice - Albania

SUMMARY

Prof. Dr. Flurije Sheremeti-Kabashi is a renowned geoscientist with over three decades of academic, research, and managerial experience. She currently serves at the University “Isa Boletini” Mitrovica, Kosovo, as a full professor at the Faculty of Geosciences. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans technical petrography, geochemistry, mineralogy, and instrumental analytical methods. With an academic foundation grounded in prestigious institutions across Europe, she has been instrumental in establishing geoscience research infrastructure and guiding academic development. Her contributions to environmental and heritage conservation through marble studies and heavy metal pollution assessments position her as a respected authority in applied and environmental geosciences.

EDUCATION

Prof. Sheremeti-Kabashi earned her geological engineering degree from the University of Prishtina and pursued postgraduate studies in Zagreb, Croatia. She completed her PhD at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany, focusing on Carrara marble anisotropy and weathering effects. Her advanced education includes interdisciplinary training in mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, and financial services related to geological risk management. This cross-domain academic background reinforces her ability to link geological research with socio-economic applications. Her doctoral work was part of a major EU-funded project, EUROCARE-EUROMARBLE, emphasizing the deterioration and conservation of European marble heritage.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Prof. Sheremeti-Kabashi has held various academic ranks from assistant to full professor since 2007. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in geochemistry, petrography, and hydrogeochemistry. Her managerial contributions include initiating the Institute of Geosciences and strategic research plans at UMIB. She has served on multiple academic and ethical boards, reflecting her leadership in academic governance. In addition to academia, she worked in Germany as a financial and geological adviser, merging science with policy and risk assessment. Her early work involved coordinating young geologists, establishing a tradition of mentoring and leadership from the start of her career.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Her research focuses on environmental geochemistry, particularly the distribution and impact of heavy metals in soils and sediments, hydrogeology, and rock deterioration processes. She is deeply involved in assessing soil and water pollution related to mining activities and industrial zones. Another key interest lies in stone conservation, especially of marbles used in European cultural heritage. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges laboratory analysis with field studies, contributing both to scientific understanding and policy development. She also investigates the use of instrumental techniques in petrological research, offering innovative insights into mineralogical and geochemical processes in natural and anthropogenic environments.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Prof. Sheremeti-Kabashi has received numerous awards, including DAAD fellowships for research and language studies in Germany. She was honored as a “Distinguished Student” at both high school and university levels. Her projects have repeatedly ranked first in national scientific grant competitions, including recognition by the Austrian Development Agency and the Ministry of Education in Kosovo. She received gratitude from the University “Isa Boletini” for her academic contributions during its anniversary celebration. These accolades reflect her sustained commitment to academic excellence, leadership in geosciences, and dedication to advancing environmental research and educational infrastructure in Kosovo.

RESEARCH SKILLS

Her research toolkit includes expertise in advanced petrographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, ultrasonic tomography, and instrumental analytical methods. She is proficient in using polarizing microscopes for mineral identification and assessing porosity and microstructures of rocks. Her methodological strength lies in integrating quantitative techniques with environmental geochemical analysis, such as mapping heavy metal contamination in soils and sediments. She has a deep understanding of the degradation mechanisms in heritage stones and the application of conservation materials. These capabilities are reinforced by training across Europe, enabling her to lead interdisciplinary studies with technical precision and environmental relevance.

CONCLUSION

Prof. Flurije Sheremeti-Kabashi exemplifies academic excellence and scientific leadership in Kosovo and beyond. Her career bridges classical geology with modern environmental and analytical approaches. As an educator, researcher, and institutional developer, she has significantly advanced geoscientific research and education in her region. She continues to contribute to the sustainability of natural resources and the preservation of cultural heritage. Her integration of science, education, and policy reflects a holistic vision, making her a vital contributor to geoscience development in Southeastern Europe. Her legacy is defined by research-driven innovation, academic mentorship, and institutional progress.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Title: Determination of structural anisotropy of Carrara Marble with ultrasonic measurements
    Authors: F. Sheremeti-Kabashi, R. Snethlage
    Journal: Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone (2000)

  • Title: Untersuchungen der Gefügeanisotropie von Carrara-Marmor und deren Einfluss auf die Verwitterung
    Author: F. Sheremeti-Kabashi
    Journal: LMU (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), Dissertation or Institutional Publication (2002)

  • Title: Macrozoobenthos diversity of two Bulgarian reservoirs according to some environmental parameters
    Authors: G. Georgieva, Y. Uzunov
    Journal: International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science,  (2015)

  • Title: Geochemical background heavy metals and spatial distribution of stream sediments in Dukagjini Basin
    Authors: N. Peci, B. Shala, F. Sheremeti
    Journal: International Journal of Ecosystems & Ecology Sciences,  (2016)

  • Title: Spatial distribution of selected elements in stream sediments of Kosova Basin
    Authors: N. Peci, B. Shala, F. Sheremeti
    Journal: International Journal of Ecosystems & Ecology Sciences, (2015)