Syamlal Sasi | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award 

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Mr. Syamlal Sasi | Sustainable Agriculture | Research Excellence Award 

PhD Student | Australian National University | Australia

Syamlal Sasi is a researcher and technology innovator specializing in aquaculture, agri-tech solutions, plasma technology, IoT-integrated farming systems, and sustainable agriculture, widely recognized for advancing modern farming practices through science-driven innovations. His research focus centers on applying cold atmospheric plasma for agricultural and aquaculture enhancement, hydroponic productivity improvement, and resource-efficient cultivation, alongside emerging interests in space-agriculture, nutrient-enriched water generation using extraterrestrial regolith, nano/micro-bubble systems, and plasma–plant metabolite synergy. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to the integration of advanced engineering with crop and aquaculture ecosystems, exploring next-generation farming tools aimed at scalability and climate resilience. Professionally, he has served in impactful leadership and R&D roles, including Director of Business and Product Research at BudMore PTY Ltd., Canberra, Australia, where he leads technology development for smart-farming platforms and commercial agri-solutions, and previously as CEO at Sygul Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, India, guiding product innovation and agricultural technology deployment. Earlier, he contributed in data and business technology domains at Cognizant, India, building a foundation for data-driven agri-intelligence systems that later shaped his research initiatives. His key contributions include the development of plasma-assisted aquaponics and hydroponics systems, research demonstrating enhanced plant growth on simulated Martian regolith through water chemistry optimization, and investigations into RONS-enhanced nutrient delivery using plasma-enabled irrigation, which have opened new perspectives in extraterrestrial farming possibilities. He has also explored antimicrobial enhancement through plasma-secondary metabolite interactions, presenting new pathways for reducing chemical usage in crop disease management. His work has produced influential publications across journals such as Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Molecules, and Trends in Biotechnology, collectively strengthening scientific understanding of plasma-for-agriculture interfaces. Several of his studies contribute directly to circular bio-production and food security models, positioning his work as a foundation for future agri-technology transitions. Through his role in research and startup technology development, Syamlal has contributed to smart-farming digitization, remote monitoring systems, and AI-based aquaculture productivity enhancement, supported by grants including the Productization Grant 2022–23 (Kerala Startup Mission) and the Smart Farming to Improve Aquaculture Productivity RKVY-RAFTAAR Grant. His continued mission is to bridge agricultural science with scalable technology, fostering sustainable aquaculture systems, low-resource food production, and climate-adaptive cultivation solutions. With a strong commitment to innovation-driven agriculture, he envisions transforming farming into a tech-empowered, environmentally harmonious sector, enabling farmers to enhance yield with reduced input cost, expanding productivity through precision management tools, and exploring space-based cultivation for future food security. His work ultimately strives to the impact global agriculture by integrating plasma science, IoT frameworks, and smart agro-industries, shaping a future where technology amplifies natural growth potential while securing food sustainability for earth and beyond.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

1. Sasi, S., Prakash, P., Poiré, R., Hu, T., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., Prasad, K., & Alexander, K. (2025). Can cold atmospheric plasma make water enriched with minerals from Martian or Lunar regolith more suitable for hydroponic plant growth? Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 100904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2025.100904

2. Sasi, S., Prakash, P., Hayden, S., Dooley, D., Poiré, R., Hu, T., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., Prasad, K., & Alexander, K. (2025). Enhanced plant growth on simulated Martian regolith via water chemistry optimisation: The role of RONS and nano/micro-bubbles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26, 78318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178318

3. Prasad, K., Sasi, S., Weerasinghe, J., Levchenko, I., & Bazaka, K. (2023). Enhanced antimicrobial activity through synergistic effects of cold atmospheric plasma and plant secondary metabolites: Opportunities and challenges. Molecules, 28, 27481. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227481

4. Sasi, S., Prasad, K., Weerasinghe, J., Bazaka, O., Ivanova, E. P., Levchenko, I., & Bazaka, K. (2023). Plasma for aquaponics. Trends in Biotechnology, 41(1), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.08.001

Fariya Abubakari | Soil Science | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Fariya Abubakari | Soil Science | Women Researcher Award

Research Scholar | Murdoch University | Australia

Dr. Fariya Abubakari is a distinguished researcher at Murdoch University, specializing in agriculture, crop science, soil science, and horticulture. Her research primarily focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and the socio-economic impacts of climate change on farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Abubakari’s emerging research interests include optimizing nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops and enhancing soil conservation techniques to improve smallholder productivity. Throughout her academic career, she has held vital research and teaching roles in agricultural science, where she has contributed extensively to policy-driven studies on soil fertility management, fertilizer subsidy effects, and farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. Her influential works, including “Determinants of Household Food Security and Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture in Ghana” and “Strategies for Improving Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation of Leguminous Crops,” have shaped local and regional agricultural policies promoting climate resilience and sustainable crop production. Dr. Abubakari’s research on soil conservation technologies, fertilizer awareness, and tomato production constraints among rural farmers has offered practical frameworks for improving yields and livelihoods in vulnerable regions. She has also contributed to gender and development studies, notably examining the intersection of women’s empowerment and agricultural sustainability in Ghana. With over 70 citations and a growing research footprint, her work bridges scientific inquiry and real-world agricultural challenges. Her impact vision is to advance sustainable farming systems that ensure food security and environmental protection through innovative soil management, efficient crop production, and inclusive agricultural policies. By integrating scientific evidence with rural development strategies, Dr. Abubakari continues to influence both academic discourse and practical implementation, reinforcing her commitment to improving the resilience of African agriculture against climate and economic pressures while empowering communities toward sustainable livelihoods.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

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Prof. Dr. Jehangir Bhadha | Soil Sustainability | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor | University of Florida | United States

Dr. Jehangir H. Bhadha is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Everglades Research and Education Center within the Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences Department, with affiliate roles in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Interdisciplinary Ecology, the Water Institute, and the Center for Sustainable and Organic Food Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science and an M.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Florida, alongside an MSc in Geology and a BS (Honors) in Mineralogy from the University of Bombay, India. Dr. Bhadha’s key research focuses on water quality, soil sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and nutrient management, specifically developing and testing innovative best management practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus pollution and enhance soil health in subtropical agroecosystems. His prolific publication record includes contributions to high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Soil Science, Journal of Environmental Management, PLOS ONE, and HortScience, reflecting interdisciplinary work on phosphorus management, biochar use, and organic matter dynamics. His work has received national and international recognition, including the George Barley Water Prize for phosphorus removal solutions, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Visionary Leadership Award, and multiple service awards from Epsilon Sigma Phi and the University of Florida. In addition to research, Dr. Bhadha serves on editorial boards of journals like Discover Soil Journal, Frontiers in Environmental Sciences, and PLOS ONE, actively contributing to advancing scientific communication in soil and environmental sciences. His commitment to sustainability and applied research continues to influence agricultural practices and environmental policy, aiming for practical solutions that balance productivity with ecological stewardship.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Publications

1. Bhadha, J. H., Capasso, J. M., Khatiwada, R., Swanson, S., & LaBorde, C. (2017). Raising soil organic matter content to improve water holding capacity. University of Florida IFAS EDIS, Publication# SL447.

2. Alvarez-Campos, O., Lang, T. A., Bhadha, J. H., McCray, M. J., Glaz, B., & Daroub, S. H. (2018). Biochar and mill ash improve yields of sugarcane on a sand soil in Florida. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 253, 112–130.

3. Zhang, Z., Wang, J. J., Lyu, X., Jiang, M., Bhadha, J. H., & Wright, A. (2019). Impacts of land use change on soil organic matter chemistry in the Everglades, Florida—a characterization with pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Geoderma, 338, 393–400.

4. Bhadha, J. H., Harris, W. G., & Jawitz, J. W. (2010). Soil phosphorus release and storage capacity from an impacted subtropical wetland. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 74(5), 1816–1825.

5. Bhadha, J. H., Daroub, S. H., & Lang, T. A. (2012). Effect of kinetic control, soil: solution ratio, electrolyte cation, and others, on equilibrium phosphorus concentration. Geoderma, 173, 209–214.