Aarthi R | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Aarthi R | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

PhD scholar | Central Rice Research Institute | India

Aarthi is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies as a PG Scholar in Plant Pathology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, where she focuses on advanced plant–microbe interactions. She holds a strong academic background in agricultural sciences, with specialized training in plant pathology, microbial biotechnology, and biocontrol strategies. Her primary research interests center on the exploration and application of endophytic microorganisms for the biological control of soilborne plant pathogens, alongside the development of sustainable disease management techniques. Emerging interests include molecular mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions and the integration of microbial metabolites into crop protection frameworks. Professionally, Aarthi has gained valuable academic research experience through her role at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, contributing to multiple laboratory and field-based studies on crop disease mitigation. Among her key scientific contributions, Aarthi has led investigations into the antifungal properties of endophytes against Rhizoctonia bataticola, revealing novel metabolite profiles and plant defense responses that offer potential for eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. Additionally, her work on isolating and characterizing saline-tolerant endophytes for the management of groundnut root rot has provided promising insights for agriculture in saline-prone regions, supporting both crop resilience and sustainable farming practices. Her research has resulted in peer-reviewed publications in reputed journals such as Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology and Plant Science Today. Aarthi has been an active participant in scientific dissemination, engaging in peer review, conference presentations, and contributing to the academic community through institutional projects. She is affiliated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s research network and participates in broader academic and scientific societies related to plant pathology and agricultural innovation. Her vision is to harness microbial biodiversity to develop sustainable, scalable plant disease management solutions that can reduce chemical inputs, enhance crop productivity, and support global food security in the face of climate change.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Aarthi. (2025). Biocontrol potential of endophytes against Rhizoctonia bataticola: Antifungal activity, metabolite profiling, and plant defense mechanisms. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 103(7), Article 102734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102734

2. Aarthi. (2024). Isolation, identification, characterization and in vitro assay of saline tolerant endophytes against groundnut root rot caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler. Plant Science Today, 11(4), 4882. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4882

Se-Yeon Lee | Integrated Pest Management | Best Researcher Award 

Se-Yeon Lee | Integrated Pest Management | Best Researcher Award

Se-Yeon Lee | Integrated Pest Management - Ph.D student, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

Se-Yeon Lee is a dedicated doctoral student specializing in Rural and Biosystems Engineering at Chonnam National University, Korea. Her academic and research journey focuses on environmental impacts related to agricultural systems, particularly spray drift, gas dispersion, and ventilation efficiency. With a robust background in computational fluid dynamics and air quality modeling, she has demonstrated an ability to bridge theoretical models with real-world agricultural challenges. Her work contributes to sustainable and technologically enhanced agricultural practices. Through continuous research involvement since her undergraduate years, she has built a strong publication record and has earned multiple excellence awards from prestigious scientific societies in Korea.

ACADEMIC PROFILE

ORCID

EDUCATION

Se-Yeon Lee is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Rural and Biosystems Engineering at Chonnam National University, Korea, where she also completed her M.S. and B.S. degrees in the same field. Her master's thesis involved time-series validation of the AERMOD model to assess atmospheric dispersion of pollutants from livestock sources. Her educational progression reflects a consistent and focused pursuit of research excellence in environmental engineering within agricultural contexts. Her coursework and academic training have equipped her with deep technical knowledge in modeling, environmental assessment, and engineering solutions for rural and biosystems challenges across academic and practical domains.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Se-Yeon Lee has consistently engaged in research addressing environmental concerns in and around agricultural facilities, with expertise ranging from aerosol dispersion to structural ventilation studies. Beginning as an undergraduate research assistant, she contributed to various projects and has since expanded her role as a key researcher in multiple national and institutional research endeavors. She has experience with both experimental field studies and advanced modeling using CFD tools. Her collaborations with interdisciplinary teams enhance her professional scope, while her participation in conferences and journal publications highlight her commitment to knowledge dissemination and scientific communication in agricultural engineering.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Her research interests focus on the quantitative analysis and prediction of pesticide spray drift and its environmental impact using advanced modeling tools. She aims to understand and control atmospheric dispersion of pollutants in agricultural settings, applying methods like computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, and regression analysis. Her work also addresses ventilation optimization and emission reduction strategies in livestock environments. Additionally, she explores behavioral monitoring of animals using video-based systems. These multifaceted research interests position her to contribute to safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices through technological innovation and evidence-based interventions.

AWARD AND HONOR

Se-Yeon Lee has received numerous awards recognizing her academic and research excellence. These include multiple “Excellence Awards” from prestigious conferences such as the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers (KSAE), KSBEC, and KSAEST between 2021 and 2024. Notably, she earned an academic excellence award from Chonnam National University for her graduate studies. Her outstanding poster presentations and research papers have consistently been acknowledged by national academic communities. These accolades reflect her innovative contributions to environmental and biosystems engineering and underscore her commitment to advancing agricultural science through rigorous and impactful research.

RESEARCH SKILL

She possesses strong technical skills in environmental modeling, fluid dynamics, and agricultural system simulations. Her software expertise includes AERMOD, SketchUP, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and ANSYS FLUENT. She is proficient in Python, R, and MATLAB, which support her data analysis and simulation tasks. Her experience with drone spray drift analysis, ventilation system optimization, and video-based animal behavior tracking showcases her versatile research capabilities. She also holds a pilot license for ultra-light vehicles in Korea, indicating her practical competency in field-based experimental setups. Her analytical acumen and hands-on approach make her a well-rounded researcher in agricultural engineering.

PUBLICATIONS

Se-Yeon Lee has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications in reputable international and Korean journals, including Agronomy, Animals, and Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. Her research topics span CFD simulations, pesticide drift modeling, and environmental impact assessments in agricultural structures. She has also contributed to book chapters, program patents, and technical articles, showcasing her broad scientific outreach. Notable studies include validation of the AERMOD model for ammonia dispersion and the use of deep learning for animal behavior recognition. Her work consistently combines field experiments with advanced computational techniques, strengthening evidence-based solutions in biosystems engineering.

  • Title: CFD Simulation of dynamic temperature variations induced by tunnel ventilation in a broiler house
    Authors: Choi, L.-y., Daniel, K. F., Lee, S.-y., Lee, C.-r., Park, J.-y., Park, J., Hong, S.-w.
    Journal: Animals

  • Title: CFD Preliminary evaluation of an advanced ventilation-control algorithm to optimize microclimate in a commercial broiler house
    Authors: Daniel, K. F., Choi, L.-y., Lee, S.-y., Lee, C.-r., Park, J.-y., Park, J., Hong, S.-w.
    Journal: Animals

  • Title: Time-series validation of AERMOD using atmospheric ammonia data from an intensive livestock-rearing region in Korea
    Authors: Lee, S.-y., Choi, L.-y., Park, J., Hong, S.-w., Park, J., Jung, M.-w.
    Journal: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

  • Title: Improving spray performance of vehicle disinfection systems in livestock farms using computational fluid dynamics analysis
    Authors: Choi, L.-y., Lee, S.-y., Park, J., Hong, S.-w., Daniel, K. F., Jeong, H.-h., Lee, I.-b.
    Journal: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

  • Title: Quantifying airborne spray drift using string collectors
    Authors: Lee, S.-y., Park, J., Choi, L.-y., Daniel, K. F., Hong, S.-w., No, H. H., Yu, S.-H.
    Journal: Agronomy

CONCLUSION

Se-Yeon Lee exemplifies the fusion of academic excellence and applied innovation in agricultural and environmental engineering. With a solid foundation in modeling, simulation, and environmental assessment, she is poised to contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural practices. Her commitment to research, evident from her extensive publications and awards, underlines her dedication to advancing scientific understanding of pollutant control, ventilation dynamics, and pesticide drift. As she continues her doctoral studies, her future endeavors are expected to drive innovation in rural engineering, supporting ecological balance and improved agricultural productivity through scientific rigor and interdisciplinary collaboration.