Mohammadreza Asghari | Food safety | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Mohammadreza Asghari |  Food safety | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Urmia University,  Iran

Prof. Dr. Mohammadreza Asghari is a distinguished professor in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture at Urmia University, Iran. He earned his Ph.D. in Postharvest Horticulture from Tehran University and has built a robust academic and research career specializing in crop physiology, crop quality, postharvest technology, food safety, plant hormones, and modern and organic horticulture.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Postharvest Horticulture – University of Tehran

  • Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran

🌱 Areas of Expertise:

  • Crop Physiology & Quality

  • Postharvest Physiology & Technology

  • Food Safety

  • Plant Hormones & Growth Regulators

  • Fruit Production, Intensive & Organic Orchards

  • Modern Horticulture

🧪 Research & Innovation:

  • 92 Journal Articles | 65 Conference Papers | 4 Books

  • Editor-in-Chief of Pomology Research Journal

  • 47 Supervised Theses

  • 1 Invention: A safe, anti-stress compound for use during crop growth and postharvest

  • Research focus includes improving crop resistance, marketability, and nutritional quality

🏆 Awards & Recognition:

  • 🏅 Top 2% Scientist (Stanford University) – 2021 & 2024

  • 🎓 Top Student in National Ph.D. & M.Sc. Entrance Exams, Tehran University

📈 Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 2,871

  • Citations Since 2020: 1,783

  • h-index: 27

  • h-index Since 2020: 23

  • i10-index: 38

  • i10-index Since 2020: 31

Publication Top Notes:

  • Impact of Salicylic Acid on Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops
    Asghari, M.R., Soleimani Aghdam, M.
    Trends in Food Science & Technology, 21, 502–509 (2010) — Cited: 614

  • Effect of Pre- and Postharvest Salicylic Acid Treatment on Ethylene Production, Fungal Decay, and Overall Quality of Selva Strawberry Fruit
    Babalar, M., Asghari, M., Talaei, A., Khosroshahi, A.
    Food Chemistry, 105(2), 449–453 (2007) — Cited: 441

  • Impact of Postharvest Brassinosteroids Treatment on PAL Activity in Tomato Fruit in Response to Chilling Stress
    Aghdam, M.S., Asghari, M., Farmani, B., Mohayeji, M., Moradbeygi, H.
    Scientia Horticulturae, 144, 116–120 (2012) — Cited: 141

  • Effects of Foliar Applications of Nitric Oxide and Spermidine on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Citrus Seedlings Under Salinity Stress
    Asghari, M.R., Khoshbakht, D.
    Photosynthetica, 56(4), 1313–1325 (2018) — Cited: 109

  • Alleviation of Postharvest Chilling Injury of Tomato Fruit by Salicylic Acid Treatment
    Aghdam, M.S., Asghari, M., Khorsandi, O., Mohayeji, M.
    Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51, 2815–2820 (2014) — Cited: 98

  • Interaction Effects of Salicylic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate on Antioxidant Content and Enzyme Activity in ‘Sabrosa’ Strawberry During Storage
    Asghari, M., Hasanlooe, A.R.
    Scientia Horticulturae, 197, 490–495 (2015) — Cited: 89

  • Eco-Friendly Technology for Postharvest Produce Quality
    Siddiqui, M.W. (Ed.), includes chapter by Asghari, M.R.
    Academic Press (2016) — Cited: 80

  • Impact of Jasmonates on Safety, Productivity, and Physiology of Food Crops
    Asghari, M.
    Trends in Food Science & Technology, 91, 169–183 (2019) — Cited: 76

  • Methyl Jasmonate Enhances Defense Enzyme Activity and Antioxidant Content in ‘Sabrosa’ Strawberry Fruit
    Asghari, M., Hasanlooe, A.R.
    Food Science & Nutrition, 4(3), 377–383 (2016) — Cited: 70

  • Influence of Foliar-Applied Polyamines on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics in Citrus Under Saline Conditions
    Khoshbakht, D., Asghari, M.R., Haghighi, M.
    Photosynthetica, 56, 731–742 (2018) — Cited: 65

 

Workiye Abera | Food | Best Scholar Award

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Mr Workiye Abera |  Food  |  Best Scholar Award

Lecturer and Researcher at  Debre Tabor University,  Ethiopia

Workiye Getnet Abera is a dedicated Ethiopian academic and researcher born on October 12, 1991, in South Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering Stream, 2017) and an M.Sc. in Process Engineering (2020) from Jimma University.

 

Publication Profile

🎓 Educational Background:

  • M.Sc. in Process Engineering: Jimma University (2018–2020), Thesis: Synthesis and Characterization of Bioplastic Film from Banana Peel Starch Blending with Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber.
  • B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering: Jimma University (2013–2017), Thesis: Synthesis and Characterization of Furfural from Sugar Cane Bagasse for Engine Fuel Application.

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Lecturer: Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia (Feb 2024 – Present)
  • Lecturer: Dilla University, Ethiopia (Feb 2020 – Feb 2024)
  • Internship Trainer: Fincha Sugar Factory, Ethiopia (Oct 2015 – Feb 2016)
  • Reviewer: Elsevier (2023–Present) & Springer (2024–Present)

🛠️ Skills:

Proficient in software such as MATLAB, Aspen Plus, Design Expert, MiniTab, and Ansys.

Publication Top Note:

  • “Quality Assessment of Gluten-Free Sorghum Bread Prepared with Sourdough and the Addition of Sweet Lupin Flour”
    CYTA – Journal of Food, 2024.
    DOI: 10.1080/19476337.2024.2397022.
  • “Synthesis, Characterization, and Optimization of Antimicrobial Biolubricant Derived from Ocimum lamiifolium and Lactic Acid”
    Heliyon, 2024.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38972.
  • “Synthesis and Characterization of Bioplastic Film from Banana (Musa Cavendish Species) Peel Starch Blending with Banana Pseudo-Stem Cellulosic Fiber”
    Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2023.
    DOI: 10.1007/s13399-023-04207-8.

 

 

Qadreyah Almatawah | Food Safety | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Qadreyah Almatawah |  Food Safety |  Best Researcher Award

Research Scientist at  Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait

Dr. Qadreyah Almatawah is an accomplished Research Scientist at the Biotechnology Program, Center for Environmental and Life Science Research at KISR. She holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology (1987) and an M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology (1992) from Kuwait University. She earned her Ph.D. in Microbial Biochemistry from University College London in 1999, specializing in the inducible nitrilase from thermophilic Bacillus. Since joining KISR in 1992, she has contributed to various research projects, focusing on microbial identification, molecular biology, and environmental microbiology. Dr. Almatawah has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and actively leads research on environmental pathogens and beneficial microorganisms for industrial use. She holds an h-index of 8 with 343 citations.

Publication profile:

📚 Academic Background:

Dr. Qadreyah Almatawah earned her B.Sc. in Microbiology from Kuwait University in 1987, followed by an MSc in Medical Microbiology in 1992, and a Ph.D. in Microbial Biochemistry from University College London in 1999. Her doctoral research focused on the “Inducible Nitrilase from a Thermophilic Bacillus.”

🔬 Research Expertise:

An expert in microbial identification and molecular biology, Dr. Almatawah has been at KISR since 1992, working on numerous projects related to microbial bioremediation, biosurfactants, and environmental monitoring. Her research includes identifying beneficial microorganisms for industrial use and studying pathogenic microorganisms in environmental samples.

📊 Key Projects:

  • Development of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to improve desert soil fertility
  • Monitoring and controlling Legionella in water systems
  • Assessment of microbial pathogens in food and air quality in poultry houses

🏆 Research and Achievements:

  • 245 citations by 206 documents.
  • 6 h-index with 11 research papers published.
  • Key published works on Legionella monitoring, biosurfactants, and microbial contamination.
  • Led several notable projects such as the development of sulfur-based soil amendments and monitoring of foodborne pathogens.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Monitoring foodborne pathogens of food served at an institutional cafeteria
    Almatawah, Q., Al-Mutairi, S., Varghese, J.
    Applied Food Research, 2024, 4(2), 100497.
  • Microbiological contamination of indoor and outdoor environments in a desert climate
    Almatawah, Q.A., Al-Rashidi, M.S., Yassin, M.F., Varghese, J.S.
    Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2022, 194(5), 355.
  • Legionella detection and subgrouping in water air-conditioning cooling tower systems in Kuwait
    Al-Matawah, Q., Al-Zenki, S., Al-Azmi, A., Al-Salameen, F., Hejji, A.B.
    Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015, 22(13), pp. 10235–10241.
  • Characterisation of quality and safety of tomatoes sold in the state of Kuwait
    Al-Zenki, S.F., Al-Mazeedi, H.M., Al-Hooti, S.N., Alomirah, H.F., Sidhu, J.S.
    International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2008, 1(3), pp. 298–311.
  • Quality and safety characteristics of milk sold in the state of Kuwait
    Al-Zenki, S.F., Al-Mazeedi, H.M., Al-Hooti, S.N., Alomirah, H.F., Sidhu, J.S.
    Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2007, 31(6), pp. 702–713.
  • Isolation and characterization of oil-desulphurizing bacteria
    Guerinik, K., Al-Mutawah, Q.
    World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2003, 19(9), pp. 941–945.
  • Thermostable nitrilase catalysed production of nicotinic acid from 3-cyanopyridine
    Almatawah, Q.A., Cowan, D.A.
    Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 1999, 25(8-9), pp. 718–724.
  • Characterization of an inducible nitrilase from a thermophilic bacillus
    Almatawah, Q.A., Cramp, R., Cowan, D.A.
    Extremophiles, 1999, 3(4), pp. 283–291.
  • The use of an arbitrarily primed PCR product for the specific detection of Brucella
    AlMomin, S., Saleem, M., Al-Mutawa, Q.
    World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1999, 15(3), pp. 381–385.
  • Biochemistry and biotechnology of mesophilic and thermophilic nitrile metabolizing enzymes
    Cowan, D., Cramp, R., Graham, R.P.D., Almatawah, Q.
    Extremophiles, 1998, 2(3), pp. 207–216.