Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Joyce Abrafi Opoku | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Seventh-day Adventist College of Education, Asokore- Koforidua, Ghana

Joyce Abrafi Opoku is the Director of Professional Development, Research, and International Relations at the Seventh-day Adventist College of Education in Asokore-Koforidua, Ghana. With a research focus on sustainable agriculture and the propagation of difficult-to-propagate plant species, she has contributed significantly to applied agricultural science. Ms. Opoku has authored four publications and participated in additional collaborative research projects. Her dedication has earned her several recognitions, including the “Best Institutional Farmer” award in 2017 and both the “Principal’s Excellence Award” and “Milestone Achievement Award” in 2024. She has served in key academic and administrative roles, including Dean of Students’ Affairs, Head of the Science Department, and Unit Head of Agriculture. A committed member of several professional bodies, including the Horticultural Society of Ghana and the Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana, Ms. Opoku continues to advance agricultural education and practice through research and leadership.

Profile:

🧪 Research Focus:

Joyce Abrafi Opoku’s research centers on the use of organic resources for sustainable agriculture and the enhancement of propagation methods for challenging plant species. Her contributions bridge scientific practice and community agriculture.

🏆 Achievements:

  • Best Institutional Farmer Award (2017) – National Farmer’s Day, New Juabeng North Municipality 🚜

  • Principal’s Excellence Award (2024) 🎓

  • Milestone Achievement Award (2024) 🌟

  • Authored four publications and contributed to additional works in progress 📄

🎓 Academic & Administrative Roles:

  • Former Dean of Students’ Affairs

  • Head of the Science Department

  • Unit Head of Agriculture

  • Committee Member – Appointments and Finance, SDA College of Education

🤝 Professional Memberships:

  • Horticultural Society of Ghana 🌼

  • Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG)

  • Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

  • Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of Ghana (ASTAG)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Silver Butterfly Tree (Bauhinia rufescens)
    Current Agriculture Research Journal, 2018-12-28
    DOI: 10.12944/CARJ.6.3.13
    Contributors: J. A. Opoku, J. N. Amissah, M. E. Essilfie, J. C. Norman

  • Seed Germination Percentage and Growth Performance of Caesalpinia pulcherrima as Influenced by Different Pre-Sowing Treatments
    Journal of Forestry, 2018-07-31
    Contributor: Joyce Abrafi Opoku

 

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)

 

Tingting Wu | Horticulture science | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr Tingting Wu |  Horticulture science |  Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at  Mie University,  Japan

Dr. Tingting Wu is an accomplished academic with over 8 years of R&D experience in plant factories, hydroponics, and environmental control systems. Her research focuses on sustainable agriculture, smart farming technologies, and renewable energy integration in protected horticulture. Notable projects include the “ai tomato” initiative by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture and the JST Co-Creation Platform Development Project.

Profile:

🏫 Academic and Professional Background:

Dr. Tingting Wu is an Assistant Professor at Mie University, Japan, specializing in plant factories, hydroponics, and environmental control systems. With over 8 years of R&D experience, she combines academic expertise with practical innovations to advance sustainable agriculture. 🌍

🔬 Research and Innovations:

  • 🌿 Developed hydroponic systems using tomato plant residues.
  • 🌞 Innovated environmental control solutions for semi-closed agricultural production.
  • 🤝 Collaborated on projects like the “ai tomato” initiative (MAFF, Japan) and the JST Co-Creation Platform Development Project.

📚 Academic Contributions:

  • Published 2 indexed journal articles (SCI, Scopus).
  • Active member of professional societies, including:
    • Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.
    • Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery and Food Engineers.

🌟 Areas of Expertise:

  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Smart farming technologies
  • Renewable energy integration in horticulture

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Research on Hydroponic Cultivation Substrates Made from Rice Straw
    T. Wu, X. Wang, T. Inada
    Sustainability, 17(2), 772, 2025.
  2. Development and Characterization of Biodegradable, Binderless Fiberboards from Eggplant Straw Fibers
    H. Fan, X. Wang, T. Wu, J. Sun, J. Liu
    Materials, 18(1), 37, 2024.
  3. Production of Biodegradable Board and Its Mechanical Properties Using Corn Straw
    T. Wu (呉婷婷)
    Mie University (三重大学).