Hajer Darouez | Horticulturae | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs Hajer Darouez |  Horticulturae |  Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at  Ghent University,  Belgium

Hajer Darouez is a passionate Ph.D. student at Ghent University with over 4 years of experience in plant biotechnology. Specializing in root-inducing molecules to improve micropropagation techniques, she has conducted groundbreaking research on woody plants and rooting recalcitrant species. Hajer has extensive experience in molecular techniques, advanced data analysis, and propagation methods, developed through her work at the Laboratory for Applied In Vitro Plant Biotechnology at UGent and her internship at Mission Biologica de Galicia in Spain. Her notable research includes transcriptomic analysis, histological techniques, and the use of new compounds to enhance rooting in species like chestnut and poplar.

Publication profile

🎓 Education and Research Focus:

Hajer Darouez is a passionate and dedicated PhD student at Ghent University specializing in plant biotechnology. With more than 4 years of research experience, her expertise lies in rooting recalcitrant and woody plants, particularly through the development of root-inducing molecules to enhance micropropagation techniques. During her PhD, she has pioneered the optimization of propagation methods using innovative approaches.
📝 PhD Dissertation: Application of New Root-Inducing Molecules in Plant Tissue Culture.

🔬 Research Experience:

  • Ph.D. Researcher (2019-Present): Conducting research on root-inducing molecules at the Laboratory for Applied In Vitro Plant Biotechnology at UGent, Belgium.
  • Part-Time Researcher (2022-2023): Contributed to the VLAIO Moss project focusing on in vitro cultivation for urban greening applications.
  • Internship (2023): Four-month internship at Mission Biologica de Galicia in Spain, where she enhanced her expertise in woody species biotechnology and transcriptomic analysis.

🧪 Skills and Techniques:

Hajer is proficient in a variety of molecular techniques, including:

  • Histological sections and gene expression studies.
  • Advanced data analysis tools.
  • Execution of micropropagation optimization experiments.

🌿 Key Projects:

  • Hevea Project (2016): Played a key role in sustainable agriculture research, focusing on Hevea brasiliensis cultivation.
  • Nigella Sativa Research (2015): Conducted in vitro methods to improve salt stress tolerance in this medicinal plant species.

🏆 Conferences and Presentations:

  • Oral Communication (2023): Presented research on dichlorprop esters at the Innovative Woody Plant Cloning Congress in Spain.
  • Poster Presentations (2022): Showcased findings at International Symposium on In Vitro Technology and the ATSB Congress on rooting and shoot growth techniques in Lavandula angustifolia.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. “Red and Far-Red Light Combined with Trans-Cinnamic Acid Enhances In Vitro Rooting and Reduces Callus Formation in Lavender”
    Journal: Horticulturae
    Date: September 6, 2024
    Contributors: Hajer Darouez
  2. “Arinole, a Novel Auxin-Stimulating Benzoxazole, Affects Root Growth and Promotes Adventitious Root Formation”
    Journal: Journal of Experimental Botany
    DOI: erae282
    Date: June 26, 2024
    Contributors: Hajer Darouez

 

Ahmad Sharifi | Plant Biotechnology | BioAgri Innovator Excellence Award

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Assist Prof Dr Ahmad Sharifi |  Plant Biotechnology  |  BioAgri Innovator Excellence Award

Research Institute for Industrial Biotechnology, Iranian Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)- Khorasan Razavi Branch at  Horticultural Plants Biotechnology Department,  Iran

Dr. Ahmad Sharifi is a dedicated faculty member at the Ornamental Plant Biotechnology Department of the Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture & Research (ACECR). With a PhD in Agricultural Biotechnology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2015), Dr. Sharifi also holds an MSc (2003) and a BSc (2000) in Agricultural Sciences from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Gorgan, respectively.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

🎓 BSc: Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Gorgan, 2000
🎓 MSc: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 2003
🎓 PhD: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 2015

 

Areas of Expertise:

🌿 Plant Biotechnology
🌱 Plant Tissue Culture

 

Research Focus: Plant Biotechnology

  • Plant Tissue Culture:
    • Development and optimization of in vitro culture techniques for ornamental plants.
    • Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in various plant species.
    • Micropropagation protocols for large-scale production of disease-free plants.
  • Genetic Engineering:
    • Genetic transformation methods to enhance desirable traits in ornamental plants, such as disease resistance and improved flower quality.
    • CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene-editing technologies for targeted genetic modifications.
  • Molecular Biology:
    • Analysis of gene expression patterns and molecular pathways involved in plant growth and development.
    • Use of molecular markers for plant breeding and genetic diversity studies.
  • Biotechnological Applications:
    • Production of secondary metabolites and phytochemicals through biotechnological approaches.
    • Application of biotechnology for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.
  • Bioreactor Systems:
    • Utilization of bioreactor systems for the mass propagation of ornamental plants.
    • Scaling up plant tissue culture techniques for commercial applications.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Optimization of the in-vitro culture protocol of Haworthiopsis viscosa and Haworthia truncata var. truncate

  • Authors: Kharrazi, M., Sargazi Moghaddam, Z., Moradian, M., Khadem, A., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: South African Journal of Botany, 2024, 169, pp. 506–514

2. Micropropagation and ex vitro rooting of three ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl.) cultivars

  • Authors: Kharrazi, M., Moradian, M., Moghaddam, Z.S., Khadem, A., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant, 2023, 59(1), pp. 129–139

3. Role of AGAMOUS Gene in Increasing Tepals of Amaryllis

  • Authors: Dastmalchi, S., Moshtaghi, N., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2023, 25(4), pp. 975–988

4. Auxin sensitivity improves production of rosmarinic acid in transformed hairy roots of Lavandula angustifolia

  • Authors: Khadem, A., Bagheri, A., Moshtaghi, N., Akhar, F.K., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: Biological Communications, 2022, 67(3), pp. 160–167

5. In vitro propagation and callus induction of medicinal endangered plant meadow rue (Thalictrum minus L.) for producing berberine

  • Authors: Moghaddam, Z.S., Moshtaghi, N., Sharifi, A., Zahedi, A., Khadem, A.
  • Journal: Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2022, 21(81), pp. 92–101