Dr Shefali Boonerjee | Agriculture Economics | Best Researcher Award

Principal Scientific Officer at Bangladesh Tea Research Institute, Bangladesh

Dr. Shefali Boonerjee is a Senior Scientific Officer at the Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), specializing in plant tissue culture, molecular biology, and statistical interpretation of laboratory results. With over 20 years of research experience, she has made significant contributions to tea plant genetics, micropropagation, and clonal development. Dr. Boonerjee earned her Ph.D. in Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Biology from the University of Dhaka, focusing on genetic diversity analysis and in vitro regeneration of tea clones. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and actively participates in scientific training and collaborations. Her expertise includes Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, RAPD analysis, and hybridization techniques. In addition to her research, she has received international training in tea quality assurance and genetic resource conservation.

Profile:

Google Scholar

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Plant Tissue Culture & Molecular Biology (2019) – University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research: Genetic diversity & in vitro regeneration of tea (Camellia sinensis L.)
M.Sc. in Botany (1997) – University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Focus: Micropropagation & somatic embryogenesis in onion (Allium cepa L.)
B.Sc. in Botany (1996) – University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

🔬 Research & Expertise:

20+ years of experience in plant tissue culture, molecular biology & statistical analysis
Specialized in tea plant micropropagation, genetic diversity analysis, and breeding
Skilled in in vitro culture, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and RAPD analysis

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience:

Senior Scientific Officer (2015–Present), BTRI – Statistics & Economics Division
Scientific Officer (2005–2015), BTRI – Botany Division
Research Fellow (2004–2005), Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research

📚 Notable Publications:

Co-authored several research papers on tea cultivation, micropropagation, and genetic diversity in reputed journals like Journal of Agriculture and Food Research and Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology.

🌍 International Training & Visits:

Tea Tasting & Quality Assurance – India 🇮🇳 (2015)
Tea Culture & Industry Development – China 🇨🇳 (2021)
Scientific Writing Training – Thailand 🇹🇭 (2014)

🛠️ Technical & Computer Skills:

Plant Tissue Culture: Media prep, micropropagation (tea, onion, orchid, potato)
Molecular Techniques: PCR, RAPD, DNA isolation
Software: MS Office, R Programming, BLAST

Publication Top Notes:

Analysis of Growth Trends in Area, Production, and Yield of Tea in Bangladesh
JK Saha, KMM Adnan, SA Sarker, S Boonerjee
Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Vol. 4, 100136 (2021) – 32 citations
Genetic Diversity Analysis of Eighteen Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Clones of Bangladesh Through RAPD
S Boonerjee, MN Islam, MI Hoque, RH Sarker
Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, Vol. 23(2), pp. 189-199 (2013) – 14 citations
Endogenous Bacterial Contamination of Plant Tissue Culture Materials: Identification and Control Strategy
M Ali, S Boonerjee, MN Islam, ML Saha, MI Hoque, RH Sarker
Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, Vol. 28(1), pp. 99-108 (2018) – 11 citations
Development of In Vitro Micropropagation System in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis L.) Using Shoot Tip and Nodal Segment Explants
S Boonerjee, MI Hoque, RH Sarker
Tea Journal of Bangladesh, Vol. 42, pp. 21-30 (2013) – 5 citations
Genetic Diversity Analysis and Development of In Vitro Regeneration System in Selected Clones of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Plant
S Boonerjee
Ph.D. Thesis, University of Dhaka (2019) – 1 citation
In Vitro Clonal Propagation of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Through Shoot Tip Culture
S Boonerjee, PK Sen, MF Alam, SMM Rahman
Khulna University Studies, pp. 49-53 (2006) – 1 citation
Micropropagation of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Through Bulblet Formation
S Boonerjee, PK Sen, MF Alam, SMM Rahman
Khulna University Studies, pp. 55-58 (2006) – 1 citation
Consumption and Export Potential of Tea in Bangladesh: A Field Study
S Boonerjee, MA Islam, SM Islam, SK Paul, MT Uddin, MS Alamgir
Shah, Consumption and Export Potential of Tea in Bangladesh: A Field Study

Dr Muhammad Usman | Agriculture Economics | Young Scientist Award

Assistant Professor at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Rawalpindi Branch, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Usman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, with a CGPA of 3.81/4.0. Dr. Usman has extensive teaching experience, having previously served as a Lecturer at NUML, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, and the International Islamic University Islamabad. He also completed a research fellowship at West Texas A&M University, USA, under the International Research Supports Fellowship (IRSF) program.

Publication Profile

- Google Scholar

Academic Background:

Ph.D. in Economics (2022), PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, CGPA: 3.81/4.0
MS in Economics (2017), International Islamic University, Islamabad, CGPA: 3.75/4.0
M.Sc. in Economics (2013), Islamia University Bahawalpur, CGPA: 3.65/4.0
B.Sc. (2011), Islamia University Bahawalpur, 1st Division (69%)
Higher Secondary School Certificate (2008), BISE Bahawalpur, 1st Division (64%)
Secondary School Certificate (2006), BISE Bahawalpur, 1st Division (61%)

Professional Experience:

Assistant Professor (Sep 2024 – Present), National University of Modern Languages, Rawalpindi
Lecturer (Jan 2022 – Sep 2024), National University of Modern Languages, Rawalpindi
Visiting Faculty Lecturer (Oct 2021 – Jul 2022), PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Research Assistant (Mar – Jul 2021), West Texas A&M University, Texas, USA
Visiting Faculty Lecturer (Fall 2020), International Islamic University Islamabad
Visiting Faculty Lecturer (2017 – 2021), PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Research Fellow (2019), Department of Economics, UAAR, Rawalpindi
Research Assistant (2016 – 2017), International Institute of Islamic Economics, IIUI

Honors & Awards:

1st Position in Poster Presentation at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Student Conference (Nov 2021)
International Research Supports Fellowship (IRSF) by Punjab HEC at West Texas A&M University, USA
Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF) Scholarship at Master’s Level

Administrative & Support Roles:

Worked on Self-Assessment Report (SAR) for BS Accounting and Finance (2022-2023)
Member of NBEAC Requirement and Curriculum Design for BBA (4 Years)
Mentorship for BBA Classes
Program Coordinator for BS Accounting and Finance
Focal Person for Management Science Placement Bureau/ORIC
Mentor of Adventure Club and organizer of various activities

Publication Top Note:

R&D Innovation Adoption, Climatic Sensitivity, and Absorptive Ability Contribution for Agriculture TFP Growth in Pakistan
M Usman, G Hameed, A Saboor, LK Almas, M Hanif
Agriculture, 11(12), 1206 (2021)
Research and Development Spillover, Irrigation Water Use, and Agricultural Production in Pakistan
M Usman, G Hameed, A Saboor, LK Almas
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 17, 840-858 (2021)
Determinants of Wheat Consumption, Irrigated Agriculture, and Food Security Challenges in Egypt
LK Almas, M Usman
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 17, 696-712 (2021)
Wheat Consumption Determinants and Food Security Challenges: Evidence from Pakistan
S Shaheen, LK Almas, M Usman
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development (2022)
Growth Effects of Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Pakistan
M Usman
The Pakistan Development Review, 529-552 (2016)
Assessing the Economic Implications of Climate Change on Agriculture in Punjab, Pakistan: Farmers’ Perception and Satisfaction
M Usman, M Wasim, RB Yawar
Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), 12(3), 348-365 (2023)
Technological Spillovers, Manufacturing Growth, and Transboundary Pollution in the Case of Pakistan
M Usman, G Hameed, A Saboor, KN Sadozai
Journal of Applied Economics & Business Studies (JAEBS), 4(2) (2020)
Social, Political, Psychological Impacts of Covid-19 Digitalization of the Currency and Emerging World Order
A Ahmed, A Muhammad, M Owais, K Ullah, M Usman
Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 20(4) (2022)
Impact of Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth in Selected Developed and Developing Countries: Exploring the Role of Institutions
B Hussain, K Ullah, G Hameed, M Usman, K Ayoub
Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 20(4) (2021)
Optimal Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism for Economic Growth of Developing Countries
M Usman, G Hameed, H Bibi, S Hassan
Foundation University Journal of Business & Economics, 8(2), 20-41 (2023)
The Nexus Between Financial Development, Institutions, and Economic Growth: Evidence from High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries
B Hussain, K Ullah, S Haider, M Usman, S Anwar, T Ahmad
PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 19(1), 935-976 (2022)
Transport Energy Consumption and Climatic Challenges in SAARC Countries
ALK Ahmad A., Gill AR, Usman M., Muhammad A., Haider S.
Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 20(4) (2021)
Biosaline Agriculture: Tomato Production in Egypt and Its Export Potential
LK Almas, M Usman, M Hazman, M El-Sayed, A Shams El-Din
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development (2021)
Dynamisms of Twin Deficit and Pakistan: Empirical Analysis
K Hassan, AM Baber, MA Rehman, M Usman, UA Mughal
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development (2021)
Innovation Spillovers, Economic Growth, and the Role of Absorptive Ability
M Usman, LK Almas, S Hassan
Proceedings of the International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences (2024)
Optimal Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism for Economic Growth (In Case of Developing Countries)
G Hameed, M Usman, H Bibi, AM Baber
Journal of Economic Cooperation & Development, 45(1) (2024)
Perceptions on Climate Change and Satisfaction on Adaptive Measures: Farmer Field Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan
ZS Rana, I Hussain, A Saboor, M Usman, S Sadiq, N Mahmood, LK Almas
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 19, 1083-1102 (2023)
Meta Analysis of Theoretical and Empirical Connections Between Altruistic Behavior and Economic Wellbeing of an Individual
S Saeed, ASDG Hameed, M Usman
Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 20(4) (2021)

Shefali Boonerjee | Agriculture Economics | Best Researcher Award

Dr Shefali Boonerjee | Agriculture Economics | Best Researcher Award