Ferdinando Branca | Urban Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Ferdinando Branca | Urban Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Full Professor | University of Catania | Italy

Ferdinando Branca is a senior researcher and academic specializing in horticultural science, plant genetics, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on vegetable crop improvement and agrobiodiversity conservation. His research centers on Brassica crops, plant stress physiology, bioactive compounds, and the development of resilient, high-quality cultivars under Mediterranean and climate-stressed environments, integrating molecular markers, phenotyping, and sustainable production systems. He has held long-term academic positions at the University of Catania, progressing through research and professorial roles and currently serving as a Full Professor in agricultural and environmental sciences. His key contributions include advances in Brassica germplasm characterization, identification of stress- and disease-resistance traits, and innovations in sustainable and organic horticultural practices with relevance to breeding and policy-oriented agrobiodiversity management. His impact vision emphasizes translating plant genetic research into sustainable food systems, supporting climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and global innovation in horticulture and crop resilience.

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Happy Edwards Uwayesu | Agri Waste Management | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Happy Edwards Uwayesu | Agri Waste Management | Young Scientist Award

Student | Suzhou university of science and technology | China

Happy Edwards Uwayesu is a dedicated researcher specializing in environmental depletion, recovery and protection, with a strong focus on Environmental and Development Economics as applied to emerging ecological challenges in developing regions. His research primarily investigates natural resource depletion, climate-change drivers such as deforestation, and the socio-economic dimensions of environmental degradation, while his emerging interests explore sustainable policy solutions, watershed protection, and ecological risk assessment across fragile ecosystems. Uwayesu has contributed academically through his role at Suzhou University of Science and Technology, where he engages in analytical and field-based environmental studies related to waste management, aquatic ecosystem protection, and sustainable policy design. His key contributions include landmark analyses such as The Bases for Regional Growth: A Review, which examines agricultural and applied economics in developing areas, and innovative studies on urban transportation impacts such as assessing the environmental role of bodaboda systems in Uganda and proposing policy structures for more sustainable mobility. He has advanced scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystem deterioration through investigations into biomass arrangements at Nakiwogo Landing Site and their influence on fish habitats and lake vibrational patterns, while his evaluation of ASM1 parameters using large-scale wastewater treatment plant data has expanded methodological insight for wastewater modelling in subtropical climates. Additional contributions include influential datasets and publications on resource depletion, climate change from deforestation in Tanzania, and environmental risk assessments around sensitive natural resource zones in Southern Nigeria and Uganda, reflecting a commitment to accessible, data-driven environmental knowledge. His collaborative works also extend to comparative studies of hydropower, fossil fuel systems, and other energy sources in relation to their environmental impacts, offering new perspectives for sustainable energy transitions. Beyond individual research outputs, Uwayesu’s work frequently intersects with policy relevance, offering frameworks for improved environmental stewardship, reduction of project delays linked to ecological mismanagement, and strategies for enhancing the resilience of local communities reliant on natural resources. His vision centers on fostering a scientifically informed, economically balanced, and socially responsible approach to conservation, aiming to support governments, industry actors, and communities in adopting sustainable practices that mitigate environmental degradation while enabling long-term development. Through his contributions, he seeks to strengthen global understanding of environmental decline and advocate for innovative, scalable solutions that protect ecosystems, advance climate resilience, and promote sustainable growth in vulnerable regions.

Profile: Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Uwayesu, H. E., & Clark, E. (2025). The bases for regional growth: A review. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

2. Uwayesu, H., Huang, Z., & Zhou, H. (2025). Environment role of bodaboda and the Environment: Policy management and solutions to make boda boda system in Uganda a home place to stay. Environment Role of Bodaboda and Policy Management.

3. Uwayesu, H. E., Baguma, G., & Zhou, H. (2025). The effect of biomass arrangement on Nakiwogo Landing Site: Effect on fish and other habitat on Lake Victoria Congugated CN vibrations.

4. Uwayesu, H. E., & Zhou, H. (2025). Evaluation of ASM1 parameters using large-scale WWTP monitoring data from a subtropical climate in Entebbe. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5172361

5. Uwayesu, H. (2025). Why projects in Uganda delay to the extent of affecting other projects in progress. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28511768

Pankaj Lushan Dutta – Agri Waste Management – Best Academic Researcher Award

Pankaj Lushan Dutta - Agri Waste Management - Best Academic Researcher Award

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University - India 

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SUMMARY

Pankaj Lushan Dutta is an emerging researcher in the field of sericulture and wood science, with notable contributions toward renewable energy from biomass and sustainable agriculture. He is currently affiliated with the Forest College and Research Institute under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Known for his interdisciplinary expertise, he bridges traditional sericulture practices with innovative technologies. His academic path and prolific research output demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the value of sericultural byproducts and promoting environmental sustainability, making him a promising talent in agricultural and biological sciences.

EDUCATION

Pankaj Lushan Dutta holds a Postgraduate degree in Sericulture from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where he focused his thesis on the wood quality profiling of mulberry clonal genetic resources. He completed his undergraduate studies with a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Sericulture from Assam Agricultural University. His educational journey showcases a consistent focus on sericulture, sustainable practices, and biological innovations. Throughout his academic career, he has emphasized applied research with potential for real-world agricultural and industrial applications, especially in the context of renewable resource development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Pankaj has engaged in various academic and professional enrichment programs, including workshops and conferences that reflect his deep involvement in the sericulture and agricultural research community. His training includes pest management, sericulture business opportunities, and agri-entrepreneurship. He has presented papers and participated in international and national conferences, showcasing his research on sustainable sericulture, mushroom cultivation from waste, and renewable biomass energy. These experiences underline his growing contribution to science and technology and his proactive efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.

RESEARCH INTEREST

His research interests include wood science, dendro biomass energy generation, renewable energy from woody biomass, and sustainable utilization of sericultural byproducts. He also works on mini clonal technology in sericulture and emphasizes resource efficiency. Pankaj aims to utilize waste and underused materials to generate energy or develop bio-based products. His work contributes to environmental protection, alternative fuel solutions, and socio-economic upliftment through sustainable farming practices. These interests reflect a progressive, eco-conscious research philosophy that merges biology, agriculture, and energy.

AWARD AND HONOR

Pankaj has received multiple prestigious awards, such as the “Young Researcher Award” and the “Young Fellow Award” at international conferences for his innovative research contributions. These accolades were granted for his significant work in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and sericultural waste utilization. His recognition among national and international academic bodies speaks to his scholarly promise and influence. These honors not only validate his scientific rigor but also position him as a rising thought leader in the realms of eco-agriculture and sustainable innovations.

RESEARCH SKILL

Pankaj demonstrates a strong skillset in experimental design, scientific writing, literature synthesis, and laboratory techniques related to sericulture and biomass evaluation. His technical knowledge spans from field-level data collection to analytical assessments of mulberry and silkworm interactions. His capability in reviewing scientific literature, conducting collaborative research, and using biotechnology tools is evident from his peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, his familiarity with digital tools, AI-based applications, and pest management systems enhances his research efficiency and output. His interdisciplinary acumen allows him to tackle complex biological challenges with innovative perspectives.

PUBLICATIONS

He has authored over ten review and research articles in reputed journals, covering themes such as mulberry biomass, sericultural waste utilization, pollination ecology, carbon sequestration, and eco-friendly alternatives to fuel. His NAAS-rated publications and popular articles reflect his ability to blend academic rigor with practical relevance. His contributions also include a book chapter on botanical insecticides. His recent works address cultural sustainability and nucleic acid detection methods, highlighting his diversity in research areas and his focus on real-world agricultural issues.

Title: Pollination ecology: Understanding plant-pollinator relationships
Author(s): PB Patil, PL Dutta, RA Rajah, NR Bora, D Brahma, SN Krishnan, V Vasanth, I Nath
Journal: International Journal of Agricultural Research

Title: Role of plant extracts on growth and development of mulberry and non-mulberry silkworms
Author(s): I Nath, PL Dutta, AS Gadge, PR Narzary
Journal: Sci World

Title: Commercial Culture of Cordyceps militaris from Waste Products of Sericulture in India
Author(s): PR Narzary, D Brahma, J Sarma, I Nath, PL Dutta, NR Bora
Journal: Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Turning Trash into Treasure: Utilizing Sericultural Wastes in Mushroom Cultivation
Author(s): I Nath, PL Dutta, PR Narzary, MA Niranjan

CONCLUSION

Pankaj Lushan Dutta exemplifies a new generation of researchers with an eco-centric and innovation-driven approach. With a deep commitment to sustainable sericulture, biomass energy, and scientific dissemination, he bridges traditional agricultural practices with futuristic solutions. His academic diligence, award-winning contributions, and extensive publication record affirm his role as a valuable contributor to agricultural science. Looking forward, his trajectory suggests impactful research outcomes that align with global goals for renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and rural development through technology and knowledge dissemination.