Ketema Tulu | Soil | Best Industrial Research Award

Dr. Ketema Tulu | Soil | Best Industrial Research Award

Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Ethiopia

📚 Dr. Ketema Tafess Tulu is an Associate Professor specializing in Microbial Genomics, with a strong academic and research background in pharmaceutical and microbial sciences. His work focuses on genomic characterization, microbial diversity, and the application of genomic tools in health and environmental microbiology. He actively contributes to national and international scientific communities through research, publication, and collaboration.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Microbial Genomics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2020)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Vaccinology, Pasteur Institute, France (2013)

  • M.Sc. in Tropical & Infectious Diseases, Addis Ababa University (2010)

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Addis Ababa University (2006)

🎖 Awards & Recognition:

  • The Hong Kong Fellowship Award (2016–2019)

  • Certificate of Outstanding Graduate, Addis Ababa University (2010 & 2006)

  • Vaccinology Scholarship – Pasteur Institute, Paris (2013)

📚 Professional Appointments:

  • Director, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, ASTU (2021–present)

  • Vice Director, Research & Publication, Arsi University (2015–2016)

  • Vice Dean, Research & Community Service, Arsi University (2014–2015)

  • Department Head, Veterinary Sciences, Gondar University (2007–2008)

🔬 Research Projects (Selected):

  • EpiGen-Ethiopia: Co-PI – Scalable pathogen genomic epidemiology (2023–2028)

  • Bioprospecting Streptomyces: PI – Antibiotic-producing bacteria (2022–2025)

  • Metal Nanoparticles & Indigenous Plants: PI – Antimicrobial and antimalarial studies (2022–2023)

  • TB Diagnostic Innovation: Co-PI – Drug-resistant tuberculosis validation (2016–2019)

🧪 Laboratory & Institutional Development:

  • Led establishment of Microbiology & Natural Product Labs at ASTU

  • Chair of capacity building for the EDCF project in collaboration with Seoul National University

  • Coordinated procurement for 12 research labs under ASTU’s Pharmaceutical Science Institute

🌍 Membership & Editorial Roles:

  • Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Technology and Innovative Knowledge

  • Member of Ethiopian Society of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Ethiopian Medical Association, and Ethiopian Veterinary Association

Citation:

  • Total Citations: 626 (by 605 documents)

  • Total Documents: 28

  • h-index: 12

Publication Top Notes:

  • Bioprospecting secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties from soil bacteria in high-temperature ecosystems
    Microbial Cell Factories, 2024-12-19.
    DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02589-6

  • Diversity of culturable bacterial isolates and their potential as antimicrobial agents against human pathogens from Afar region, Ethiopia
    Microbiology Spectrum, 2024-11-05.
    DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01810-24

  • Genetic mechanisms of co-emergence of INH-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains during the standard course of antituberculosis therapy
    Microbiology Spectrum, 2024-03-11.
    DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02133-23

  • Evaluation of the effect of therapeutic durations on small ruminant bacterial pneumonia
    BMC Veterinary Research, 2024-02-24.
    DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03917-z

  • Isolation and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Pathogens from Community-Acquired Pneumonia at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia
    Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2024-01.
    DOI: 10.1155/2024/8710163

  • Review on Desirable Microbial Phytases as a Poultry Feed Additive: Their Sources, Production, Enzymatic Evaluation, Market Size, and Regulation
    International Journal of Microbiology, 2024-01.
    DOI: 10.1155/2024/9400374

  • Citric Acid Catalyst-Assisted Bioactive Glass with Hydrogen Peroxide for In Vitro Bioactivity and Biodegradability Using Sol-Gel Method
    International Journal of Biomaterials, 2023-10-27.
    DOI: 10.1155/2023/9911205

  • Spatiotemporal Distribution of Tuberculosis in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia: A Hotspot Analysis
    Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 2023-09.
    DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090437

  • Identification of serotypes of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from pneumonic cases of sheep and goats and their antimicrobial sensitivity profiles in Borana and Arsi zones, Ethiopia
    Scientific Reports, 2023-06-02.
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36026-2

 

Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Research Education And Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan-Rad is an Associate Professor at the Soil and Water Research Department of AREEO, Gorgan, Iran. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, with a specialization in digital soil mapping, soil salinity, and machine learning applications in soil science.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2014)
    Thesis: Mapping and Updating Soil Map Using Random Forest and Multinomial Logistic Regression

  • M.S. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2006)
    Thesis: Effects of Irrigation Systems on Soil Moisture, Salinity, and Nutrient Uptake in Wheat

  • B.S. in Soil Science, Guilan University (1998)

👨‍🏫 Academic Positions:

  • Associate Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2023–Present)

  • Assistant Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2014–2023)

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Pahlavan-Rad’s work specializes in digital soil mapping, soil salinity modeling, soil texture and organic carbon prediction, and application of machine learning (e.g., Random Forest, MLR) in soil science. His regional expertise includes arid and floodplain landscapes in Iran and collaborative research in Europe, particularly the Czech Republic.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 1,132

  • Citations Since 2020: 833

  • h-index: 13 (since 2020: 12)

  • i10-index: 15 (since 2020: 14)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Updating Soil Survey Maps Using Random Forest and Conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling in the Loess Derived Soils of Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 232, 97–106. (2014)

  • Development and Analysis of the Soil Water Infiltration Global Database
    Earth System Science Data, 10(3), 1237–1263. (2018)

  • Response of Wheat Plants to Zinc, Iron, and Manganese Applications and Uptake and Concentration of Zinc, Iron, and Manganese in Wheat Grains
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 40(7–8), 1322–1332. (2009)

  • Spatial Variability of Soil Texture Fractions and pH in a Flood Plain (Case Study from Eastern Iran)
    Catena, 160, 275–281. (2018)

  • Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict the Final Fruit Weight and Random Forest to Select Important Variables in Native Population of Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
    Scientia Horticulturae, 181, 108–112. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Water Infiltration Using Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest in a Dry Flood Plain, Eastern Iran
    Catena, 194, 104715. (2020)

  • Legacy Soil Maps as a Covariate in Digital Soil Mapping: A Case Study from Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 279, 141–148. (2016)

  • Predicting Regional Spatial Distribution of Soil Texture in Floodplains Using Remote Sensing Data: A Case of Southeastern Iran
    Catena, 182, 104149. (2019)

  • Predicting Soil Organic Carbon Concentrations in a Low Relief Landscape, Eastern Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 15, e00195. (2018)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Deltaic Soils: A Case of Study from Hirmand (Helmand) River Delta
    Geoderma, 313, 233–240. (2018)

  • Effects of Potassium Rates and Irrigation Regimes on Yield of Forage Sorghum in Arid Regions
    International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 6(4), 207–212. (2015)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Random Forest Model in Golestan Province
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 21(6), 73–93. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Properties Using Random Forest with Sparse Data in a Semi-Active Volcanic Mountain
    Eurasian Soil Science, 53(9), 1222–1233. (2020)

  • Effects of Application of Zn, Fe and Mn on Yield, Yield Component, Nutrient Concentration and Uptake in Wheat Grain
    Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 79, 142–150. (2008)

  • Nutrient Uptake, Soil and Plant Nutrient Contents, and Yield Components of Wheat Plants Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34(8), 1133–1143. (2011)

  • Application of Generalized Additive Model and Classification and Regression Tree to Estimate Potential Habitat Distribution of Range Plant Species (Case Study: Khazri …)
    Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, 27(3), 561–576. (2020)

  • Application of Random Forest Method for Predicting Soil Classes in Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 24(1), 67–84. (2017)

  • Spatial Prediction of WRB Soil Classes in an Arid Floodplain Using Multinomial Logistic Regression and Random Forest Models, South-East of Iran
    Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13, 1–11. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Soil Classes in Floodplain and Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation, 9(4), 107–120. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Machine Learning-Based Methods to Predict Soil Organic Carbon in Two Different Districts in the Czech Republic
    Soil & Water Research, 19(1). (2024)

  • Predicting Spatial Variability of Soil Salinity and Clay Content Using Geostatistics and Artificial Neural Networks Methods (Short Technical Report)
    Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production, 6(1), 247–254. (2016)

  • Responses of Wheat Plants in Terms of Soil Water Content, Bulk Density, Salinity, and Root Growth Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 33(6), 874–888. (2010)

  • Digital Modeling of Surface and Subsurface Soil Salinity in Golestan Province, Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 37, e00800. (2024)

  • Modeling Wheat Yield Using Some Soil Properties at the Field Scale (Case Study: Sistan Dam Research Farm, University of Zabol)
    Agricultural Engineering, 44(1), 81–95. (2021)

  • Preparation of Three-Dimensional Maps of Soil Particle Size Fractions by Combining Quantile Regression Forest Algorithm and Spline Depth Function in Golestan Province
    Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research, 55(1), 51–68. (2024)

 

Karina Cavalieri Polizeli | Soil Science Award | Women Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr Karina Cavalieri Polizeli | Soil Science Award | Women Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr KARINA CAVALIERI-POLIZELI , UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANÁ, Brazil

Karina Maria Vieira Cavalieri Polizeli is a prominent Brazilian soil scientist and Professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). With a background in Agronomy, she specializes in soil physics, management, and conservation. Her impactful research contributes significantly to understanding soil quality and compactness. As a dedicated educator and researcher, Karina has held various roles in academia and has actively collaborated with institutions both in Brazil and internationally. She has been instrumental in advancing soil science through her research and publications.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Karina Maria Vieira Cavalieri Polizeli earned her Bachelor’s (2002), Master’s (2004), and Doctorate (2007) degrees in Agronomy from the State University of Maringá (UEM) and the University of São Paulo (USP). Her doctoral research focused on soil compaction and physical quality, with a period at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Her academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to soil science, including postdoctoral studies and specialized courses in soil quality and management.

Experience

Karina has extensive experience in academia and research, serving as a Professor at UFPR since 2011, where she teaches and conducts research in soil science. She has also worked at the State University of Maringá and the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul. Her expertise includes managing and conserving soil, with notable roles at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences during her doctoral studies. Additionally, Karina contributes to various research organizations and has been involved in international collaborations.

Awards and Honors

Karina Maria Vieira Cavalieri Polizeli’s distinguished career in soil science has earned her recognition and awards. She holds a Productivity Grant from CNPq and has received accolades for her research contributions, including serving as a member of the Brazilian Soil Health Partnership. Her involvement in prestigious research projects and academic committees highlights her significant impact on the field of soil science.

Research Focus

Karina’s research focuses on soil physical quality, compaction, and conservation. She investigates the effects of different soil management practices on soil structure and functionality, aiming to enhance soil health and agricultural sustainability. Her work includes analyzing soil quality indicators, the impact of tillage systems, and the role of soil in environmental conservation. This research supports improved soil management strategies and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices.

Publication Top Notes

Conservative Farming Systems and Their Effects on Soil Organic Carbon and Structural Quality 🌱

Cassava Yield and Soil Physical Properties Under Different Tillage Systems in Paraná, Southern Brazil 🌾

Soil Structural Quality and Relationships With Root Properties in Single and Integrated Farming Systems 🌍

Macrofauna Communities and Their Relationship With Soil Structural Quality in Different Land Use Systems 🐞

Assessment of Soil Physical Quality and Water Flow Regulation Under Straw Removal Management in Sugarcane Production Fields 💧

Impact of Self-Propelled Sprayer Traffic on Ferralsol Physical Properties in Southern Brazil 🚜

 

Nadezda Verkhovtseva | Soil Pollution | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Nadezda Verkhovtseva |  Soil Pollution |  Best Researcher Award

professor at MSU (Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov,  Russia

Dr. N. Verkhovtseva is a distinguished Professor at the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Biochemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU). She pursued her studies in Agrochemistry at MSU, where she also earned her Ph.D. in 1975. Dr. Verkhovtseva has had a notable academic journey, having taught at Yaroslavl State University before joining the esteemed research group led by Kondrat’eva at MSU. In 1994, she obtained her Doctor of Science degree in Microbiology and subsequently secured the position of Professor at MSU’s Faculty of Soil Science. Her prolific career includes the publication of over 180 articles in both Russian and international journals. Dr. Verkhovtseva’s research contributions have earned her a significant citation index, with 46 citations in Web of Science, 57 in Scopus, and 984 in Science Index. She has authored eight books, holds one patent, and serves as the executive editor of the journal Problems of Agrochemistry and Ecology. Her professional memberships include the Soil Science Society. Dr. Verkhovtseva’s expertise and dedication have significantly advanced the fields of agrochemistry and plant biochemistry.

Profile

 

🎓 Academic and Professional Background:

Dr. N. Verkhovtseva studied Agrochemistry at Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), Russia. After graduation, she entered the graduate school of the same university and received her PhD in Agrochemistry in 1975. She then taught at Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia, before joining the research academic group of Kondrat’eva at MSU. In 1994, she received her Doctor of Science degree in Microbiology from MSU and became a professor in the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Soil Science. She has published over 180 articles in both Russian and international journals.

🔬 Research and Innovations:

  • Citation Index: Web of Science: 46, Scopus: 57, Science index: 984
  • Books Published (ISBN): Eight
  • Patents: One published/under process
  • Journals Published (SCI, Scopus, etc.): 180

 

📚 Areas of Research:

  • Agrochemistry
  • Plant Biochemistry
  • Microbiology

 

🧪 Research Focus: Soil Pollution

Dr. Verkhovtseva’s research primarily focuses on soil pollution, investigating the impacts of contaminants on soil health and plant biochemistry. Her work aims to develop effective strategies for mitigating soil pollution and enhancing soil remediation techniques. Her contributions in this area have been instrumental in understanding the complex interactions between pollutants and soil ecosystems.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Effect of an Equal Dose of Polymetallic Pollution on the Microbiological Characteristics of Two Soils with Different Organic Carbon Contents

2. Metabolomic Analysis of Rhizosphere Soil Fertility in Maize (Zea mays) at Milking Stage

3. Physical-Tomographic Characteristics and Structure of Bacterial Community of the Agrophysical System “Germinating Roots—Pore Space of Soils” (Physical Model Experiment)

4. Structure of the Soil Pore Space in the Seedling Bed Before the Seedling Stage: Studies Using the Microtomography Method

5. X-ray Computed Tomography of the Structure of Roots and Dynamics of Soil Biota in the Early Growth Stages of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

6. Aggregate Formation in a Kaolinite Suspension during Microbiological Modification of Clay Surface

7. Physical and Microbiological Aspects of the Soil Seed Bed in the Early Formation of the Barley Root System (Hordeum vulgare L.): Tomographic Studies

8. The Effect of Ericoid Mycorrhizal and Ectomycorrhizal Plants on Soil Properties of Grass Meadow in Tundra of the Khibiny Mountains

9. Formation of Microaggregates in Kaolinite Suspension Inoculated by Bacillus velezensis (SEM-investigations)

10. Chemodiagnostic by Lipid Analysis of the Microbial Community Structure in Trace Metal Polluted Urban Soil