Nokwazi Carol Mbili | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Nokwazi Carol Mbili | Plant Pathology | Research Excellence Award

Senior Lecturer | University of KwaZulu-nATAL | South Africa

Dr. Nokwazi Carol Mbili is a researcher specializing in Plant Pathology, with strong expertise in Postharvest Pathology, Postharvest Technology, Food Safety, and Biological Control. Her research focuses on sustainable management of postharvest diseases in horticultural crops, emphasizing plant-based extracts, biological control agents, and integrated disease management strategies to enhance food quality and safety. She also explores innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides for fresh produce preservation. Dr. Mbili currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she contributes to teaching, postgraduate supervision, and collaborative research in plant health and postharvest systems. Her key contributions include advancing knowledge on natural antifungal compounds, edible coatings, and integrated control strategies for fungal pathogens affecting fruits and cereals. Her work supports sustainable agriculture by reducing postharvest losses, improving food safety, and promoting environmentally responsible technologies with direct relevance to industry, policy development, and global food security initiatives.

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Abe Gerrano | Plant Breeding | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Abe Gerrano | Plant Breeding | Research Excellence Award

Senior Scientist | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Prof. Abe Shegro Gerrano is a researcher specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetics, with a strong focus on crop improvement for food and nutrition security. His research centers on the genetic enhancement of underutilized leguminous, leafy, and fruit vegetables, including cowpea, Bambara groundnut, amaranth, okra, pigeonpea, and taro, with emerging interests in climate-resilient cultivars, nutritional quality, and the integration of molecular breeding and genomics tools. He serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Agricultural Research Council – Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP), Pretoria, and holds affiliated academic and research appointments with national and international institutions. Prof. Gerrano has contributed significantly to the development and evaluation of drought- and heat-tolerant genotypes, genetic diversity assessment, and seed system research, producing high-impact peer-reviewed outputs and book chapters. His impact vision emphasizes translating plant genetic resources into resilient crop solutions that advance sustainable agriculture, strengthen food systems, and support global innovation in climate-smart crop production.

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Prof. Maruthi Gowda | Molecular Plant Pathology | AgriExcellence Award

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Prof. Maruthi Gowda | Molecular Plant Pathology | AgriExcellence Award

Professor | Natural Resources Institute | United Kingdom

Dr. Maruthi M. N. Gowda is a leading researcher specializing in Molecular Plant Pathology and Plant–Virus–Vector Interactions, with extensive expertise in whitefly-transmitted viral diseases affecting major food crops. His research focuses on the epidemiology, molecular diversity, and control of plant viruses, particularly cassava mosaic disease, cassava brown streak disease, and tomato leaf curl viruses, integrating field epidemiology with genomics, transcriptomics, and diagnostics. He has held progressive research and academic positions at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, including Postdoctoral Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Reader, and currently Professor of Molecular Plant Pathology, and has also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the John Innes Centre. Dr. Gowda’s key contributions include identifying whiteflies as vectors of cassava brown streak viruses, developing dual virus- and vector-resistant cassava varieties, advancing virus-free plant production systems, and uncovering resistance-associated genes such as PAL1. His impact vision centers on delivering sustainable, science-driven solutions that enhance global food security, support smallholder farmers, and translate molecular research into resilient agricultural systems worldwide.

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Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab | Food Security | Editorial Board Member

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Assist .Prof. Dr. Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab | Food Security | Editorial Board Member

Faculty Member | Soil and Water Research Institute | Iran

Dr. Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab Zavareh is a Research Assistant Professor at the Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), specializing in Analytical Chemistry with a strong focus on Food Security and Nutrition, health monitoring of agricultural products, and advanced Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) methodologies. Her research centers on developing innovative analytical techniques for detecting heavy metals, oil pollutants, and environmental contaminants in agricultural and biological samples, while her emerging interests include integrating nano-materials and microextraction systems to improve sensitivity and precision in environmental assessment. Over the course of her career, she has held key research and academic roles that highlight her expertise in environmental sample analysis, instrumental chemistry, and advanced extraction technologies. Dr. Hasheminasab has made notable contributions through the development of carbon-nanotube-assisted electromembrane extraction systems, pioneering work in microextraction and switchable-hydrophilicity solvent methods, and significant advancements in pollutant detection across water and agricultural matrices. Her innovations have enhanced the efficiency, selectivity, and reliability of analytical procedures widely adopted in environmental and food safety laboratories. With more than 570 citations, an h-index of 11, and a growing body of impactful publications, her scientific contributions continue to influence analytical chemistry research and applications. She envisions a future where precise, rapid, and accessible pollutant-monitoring tools strengthen global food safety frameworks, environmental health systems, and sustainable agricultural practices, ultimately ensuring safer food production and improved public health outcomes.

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Featured Publications 

1. Hasheminasab, K. S., et al. (2013). A new method for the enhancement of electromembrane extraction efficiency using carbon nanotube-reinforced hollow fiber for the determination of acidic drugs in spiked plasma.

2. Hasheminasab, K. S., et al. (2013). Development and application of carbon nanotube-assisted electromembrane extraction (CNTs/EME) for the determination of buprenorphine as a model of basic drugs from urine samples.

3. Hasheminasab, K. S., et al. (2014). Development of carbon-nanotube-assisted electromembrane extraction in the two-phase mode combined with GC for the determination of basic drugs.

4. Hasheminasab, K. S., et al. (2017). Switchable-hydrophilicity solvent-based microextraction combined with gas chromatography for determination of nitroaromatic compounds in water samples.

5. Hasheminasab, K. S., et al. (2015). Application of nonionic surfactant as a new method for enhancing electromembrane extraction performance for determination of basic drugs in biological samples.

Parastoo Majidian | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr  Parastoo  Majidian |  Plant Breeding |  Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at  Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization,  Iran

Dr. Parastoo Majidian is an Assistant Professor in the Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department at the Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sari, Iran. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding with a specialization in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Genetics from Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Her research focuses on plant genetics, breeding, molecular biology, proteomics, and stress resistance in crops. Dr. Majidian has extensive teaching experience in biotechnology, genetic engineering, and plant physiology at various academic institutions. She has conducted workshops on soybean and camelina cultivation and is a member of several scientific societies in genetics, biotechnology, and agronomy.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Plant Breeding – Genetic Engineering & Molecular Genetics (2016) – Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
    • Thesis: Evaluation of artificial regulation system in Bacillus subtilis in order to transcriptional control
  • M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering – Plant Biotechnology (2011) – Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
    • Thesis: Genetic diversity of apricot cultivars using SSR and AFLP markers
  • B.Sc. in Plant Pathology (2007) – University of Mazandaran

🧪 Research & Expertise:

✅ Plant Genetics & Breeding | ✅ Genetic Engineering | ✅ Proteomics | ✅ Molecular Biology
✅ Plant Physiology | ✅ Biometric & Statistical Genomics | ✅ Abiotic & Biotic Stress Resistance

🏫 Teaching & Academic Contributions:

  • Lecturer at Payam Noor University & Sana Institute of Higher Education
  • Courses: Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Plant Breeding & Physiology
  • Conducted multiple workshops on soybean and camelina cultivation & breeding

🏆 Honors & Achievements:

  • Research grant recipient, Ministry of Science, Research & Technology (2014-2015)
  • Researcher at Kobe University, Japan (2014-2015) & ABRII, Iran (2009-2011)
  • Member of Iranian Genetic Society, Iranian Biotechnology Society, Iranian Agronomy & Plant Breeding Society

Citations:

Citations: 366 (since 2020: 288)
h-index: 8 (since 2020: 6)
i10-index: 6 (since 2020: 5)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Metabolic engineering of microorganisms for biofuel production – Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 82, 3863-3885 (2018)
  • Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni responses to salt stress and chitosan elicitor – Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (2020)
  • Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a monomorphic or polymorphic species? – Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 12 (3), 753-762 (2014)
  • Molecular variability and genetic relationship and structure of Iranian Prunus rootstocks revealed by SSR and AFLP markers – Scientia Horticulturae 172, 258-264 (2014)
  • Integration of molecular and geographical data analysis of Iranian Prunus scoparia populations in order to assess genetic diversity and conservation planning – Scientia Horticulturae 247, 49-57 (2019)
  • Achieving agricultural sustainability through soybean production in Iran: Potential and challenges – Heliyon 10 (2024)
  • Assessment of Iranian apricot cultivars resistant, susceptible, and mutant to late spring frost – Journal of Plant Molecular Breeding 4 (2), 9-16 (2016)
  • Identification of self-compatibility and self-incompatibility genotypes in almond and some Prunus species using molecular markers – (2012)
  • Bacillus subtilis GntR regulation modified to devise artificial transient induction systems – The Journal of General and Applied Microbiology 62 (6), 277-285 (2016)
  • Study of some morphological responses of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) to chitosan elicitor under salt stress – Journal of Crop Breeding 12 (33), 150-161 (2020)
  • Commercial Iranian olive cultivars: morphological traits, molecular diversity, and genetic structure – The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 91 (4), 404-411 (2016)
  • First report of a set of genetic identities in Prunus rootstocks by SSR markers – Journal of Plant Molecular Breeding 4 (1), 17-25 (2016)
  • Salinity Stress in Plants: Challenges in View of Physiological Aspects – Abiotic Stress in Crop Plants – Ecophysiological Responses and Molecular (2024)
  • The potential application of biochar and salicylic acid to alleviate salt stress in soybean (Glycine max L.) – Heliyon 10 (4) (2024)
  • Phylogenetic relationships among Iranian and Spanish date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) revealed by microsatellite markers – The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 89 (2), 115-120 (2014)
  • Evaluation of genetic relationships of some apricot accessions using fluorescent-AFLP markers – XIII Eucarpia Symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics 976, 265-269 (2013)
  • Deciphering genotype-by-environment interaction in new soybean lines based on multiple traits using different adaptability and stability methods – Food Science and Nutrition (2024)
  • Changing trends of soil properties and canola yield under maize rotation by sulfur treatments – Applied Soil Research 10 (3), 66-77 (2022)
  • Response of Aloysia citriodora L. to treatments of titanium dioxide nanoparticle and salt stress – Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences 14 (2), 557-567 (2021)
  • Management of sulfur application on some morphological properties and yield of L17 promising canola line – Journal of Crop Breeding 12 (36), 205-215 (2020)