Setia Sari Girsang | Plant Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Setia Sari Girsang | Plant Nutrition |  Best Researcher Award

Research Professor at National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia

Setia Sari Br Girsang, Ph.D., is a distinguished Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia, specializing in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. She leads research on precision agriculture, soil fertility, and sustainable land management for optimizing agricultural productivity in diverse environments.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Soil Science – Universitas Sumatera Utara (2000)

  • M.Sc. in Soil Science – Universitas Sumatera Utara (2007)

  • B.Sc. in Soil and Environmental Science – University of the Philippines Los Baños (2016)

🔍 Research & Publications:

Dr. Girsang has spearheaded multiple studies on nutrient management, biofertilizers, and land-use sustainability, contributing to leading international journals. Her recent works include research on site-specific nutrient management for rice, phosphate solubilization in shallots, and biomass waste utilization for corn production.

📚 Notable Contributions:

  • Published books on lowland rice production challenges and Arabica coffee export potential

  • Registered local rice and coconut varieties

  • Received 20 years of Satya’s Satyalancana Karya award (2023)

🌍 International Engagement:

Dr. Girsang has participated in global training programs in Australia and Indonesia, focusing on agricultural policy and sustainability standards.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Soil aeration and relationship to inorganic nitrogen during aerobic cultivation of irrigated rice on a consolidated land parcel
    Soil and Tillage Research, 202, 104647 (2020)

  2. Simulating rice and maize yield potential in the humid tropical environment of Indonesia
    European Journal of Agronomy, 101, 10-19 (2018)

  3. A new site-specific nutrient management approach for maize in the favorable tropical environments of Southeast Asia
    19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 1-6 (2010)

  4. Rice yield and relationships to soil properties for production using overhead sprinkler irrigation without soil submergence
    Geoderma, 352, 277-288 (2019)

  5. The distribution and impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize production in North Sumatera
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 484 (1), 012099 (2020)

  6. Assessing the Challenges and Opportunities of Agricultural Information Systems to Enhance Farmers’ Capacity and Target Rice Production in Indonesia
    Sustainability, 15 (2), 1114 (2023)

  7. Impact of climate change on fall armyworm attack on maize in Karo District, North Sumatera
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 484 (1), 012111 (2020)

  8. Factors affecting rice yield productivity in tidal swamp of South Sumatra
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 648 (1), 012164 (2021)

  9. Evaluation of land suitability and factors influencing the development of shallots (Allium cepa L.) in North Padang Lawas, North Sumatera
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 648 (1), (2021)

  10. Diversity of insects on shallot (Allium ascalonicum Linn) grown under semi-organic and conventional cultivation in Simalungun Regency
    Jurnal Agroteknologi, 7 (2), 390-399 (2019)

  11. Canopy-dwelling insect abundance in semi-organic and conventional shallot cultivation
    Jurnal Online Pertanian Tropik, 5 (2), 268-275 (2018)

  12. Mid-season adjustment of nitrogen fertilizer for rice with two plant spacings
    Field Crops Research, 302, 109081 (2023)

  13. Environmental, social, and economic challenges in lowland rice production
    Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia: Innovations, Scaling, and Policies for Sustainable Intensification (2023)

  14. Reduction of rice yield gap by fertilizer and new varieties in North Sumatera
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 484 (1), 012061 (2020)

  15. Nutrient manager for rice: A mobile phone and internet application increases rice yield and profit in rice farming
    Indonesian Center for Rice Research, Sukamandi, West Java, Indonesia (2012)

  16. The role of rhizosphere microbes as phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizers in shallot: A review
    IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1255 (1), 012003 (2023)

  17. Rice seed system model in North Sumatra: Supporting the World Food Barn Program 2045
    Penerbit BRIN (2021)

  18. Assessing rice production sustainability under future land use and population in Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia
    Landscape Online, 1103-1103 (2022)

Biruk Wubetie | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Biruk Wubetie | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Tottori University, Japan

Dr. Biruk Yazie Wubetie is an Assistant Professor at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, specializing in Agricultural & Environmental Sciences with a focus on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture. His research explores the intersection of sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental conservation, aiming to enhance nutritional outcomes through innovative agricultural practices.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences (Global Dryland Science), Tottori University, Japan (2024)
    • Thesis: Agro-ecosystem based analysis of dietary intake and malnutrition in the Chemoga watershed, Ethiopia
    • Applied structural equation modeling (SEM) & multilevel analysis
  • Master of Public Health in Nutrition, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia (2020)
    • Thesis: Undernutrition among lactating mothers in rural Ethiopia
  • M.A. in Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (2013)
  • B.Sc. in Rural Development and Family Science, Hawassa University, Ethiopia (2009)

👨‍🏫 Teaching & Academic Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Bahir Dar University (2024 – Present)
  • Lecturer & Researcher, Bahir Dar University (2018 – 2021)
  • Lecturer & Researcher, Debre Markos University (2010 – 2018)
  • Graduate Assistant, Wolaita Sodo University (2009 – 2010)

📌 Courses Delivered:
✅ Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture
✅ Rural Development Policies
✅ Research Methods & Supervised Research Projects

🔬 Research & Publications:

  • Published 9 peer-reviewed articles, with several in Q1-ranked journals indexed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus.
  • Research focus: Malnutrition, agroecosystem-based dietary analysis, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
  • Notable publication:
    • Analysis of Malnutrition among Children under Five Years in Northwest Ethiopia using Structural Equation Modeling. Nutrients, 2024
    • Agroecosystem-Based Household Dietary Diversity Analysis in the Upper Blue Nile Basin. Environmental Development, 2024

🏆 Grants & Awards:

  • MEXT Scholarship, Japan (2021-2024)
  • Overseas Travel Grant, Tottori University (2022, 2023)
  • Best Student Award, Hawassa University (2007)

🌱 Research & Academic Contributions:

  • Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research, structural equation modeling (SEM), and multilevel analysis
  • Secured research funding for three projects, all completed and published in reputable journals
  • Supervised undergraduate and master’s students, ensuring timely research completion
  • Extensive experience in curriculum development, online learning platforms (Blackboard, Zoom), and student mentoring

Publication Top Notes:

1️⃣ Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choice of Street-Foods and Fast-Foods in China
📄 African Journal of Marketing Management, 10(4), 28-39 (2018)
👥 Authors: HB Atinkut, Y Tingwu, B Gebisa, S Qin, K Assefa, B Yazie, T Melese, et al.

2️⃣ Determinants of the Use of Hermetic Storage Bags for Maize Storage Among Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Advances in Agriculture, 2021(1), 6644039 (2021)
👥 Authors: TK Mekonen, BY Wubetie

3️⃣ Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Lactating Mothers in Rural Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study
📄 Food Science & Nutrition, 11(3), 1383-1393 (2023)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, TK Mekonen

4️⃣ Determinants of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Extension Services Among Rural Women Farmers in Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Journal of Agricultural Extension, 20(1) (2019)
👥 Authors: BAAB Yazie

5️⃣ Analysis of Malnutrition Among Children Under Five Years Across Contrasting Agroecosystems of Northwest Ethiopia: Application of Structural Equation Modeling
📄 Nutrients, 16(8), 1208 (2024)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, A Tsunekawa, N Haregeweyn, M Tsubo, Z Nigussie, et al.

6️⃣ Cost-Benefit Analysis of Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags for Maize Storage Among Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ethiopia
📄 African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 22(9) (2022)
👥 Authors: T Kefale, Z Ayalew, Z Birhanie, BY Wubetie, D Baributsa

7️⃣ Agroecosystem-Based Analysis of Household Dietary Diversity and Its Linkage with Agricultural Production Diversification in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: Multilevel Analysis
📄 Environmental Development, 100999 (2024)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, A Tsunekawa, N Haregeweyn, M Tsubo, Z Nigussie, et al.

8️⃣ Factors Affecting the Practice of Sustainable Land Management in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Journal of Agricultural Extension, 20(2) (2019)
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, BA Abebe

9️⃣ Assessment on Challenges and Prospects of the Community Livelihood in Upper Blue Nile, Chira Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia
📄 Unpublished/Conference Paper
👥 Authors: BY Wubetie, TK Mekonen, BA Abebe

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)

 

Girma Ganebo | farmers | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr Girma Ganebo | farmers |  Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor at  Wolaita Sodo University ,  Ethiopia

Dr. Girma Gata Ganebo is an Ethiopian scholar and development expert specializing in Agricultural Economics and Development Economics. He was born in Wolaita/Shanto and is currently based in Boditi, Ethiopia.

Profile:

🔹 Academic Background 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics – Wolaita Sodo University (2013-2017)
  • MA in Development Economics – Arba Minch University (2007-2008)
  • BA in Economics – Arba Minch University (1997-2000)
  • Diploma in Geography – Awasa College of Teachers Education (1995-1997)

🔹 Professional Experience 💼

Dr. Girma has held various leadership and research roles in economic development, finance, and urban infrastructure projects, including:

  • Senior Secondary School Teacher (1998)
  • Head of Economic Development, Population & Statistics Division – Damot Pulasa District (1999-2001)
  • Executive Manager – Shanto Town Municipality (2002)
  • Head of Finance & Economic Development Office – Damot Pulasa District (2004-2006)
  • Senior M&E Officer – Wolaita Zone Urban & Construction Development Department (2009-2017)

🔹 Skills & Research Contributions 📊

  • Expertise in economic development, project evaluation, and impact assessment
  • Proficient in data analysis tools (SPSS, STATA, R, E-Views)
  • Conducted studies on climate change risk mitigation and economic sustainability
  • Consultancy services in business and investment

🔹 Languages & Training 🌍

  • Fluent in English, Amharic, and Wolaitagna
  • Certified in strategic communication, finance, leadership, and strategic planning

Publication:

  • Can asset accumulation weigh the welfare status of mung bean farmers in lowland areas of South Ethiopia?