Kiran Mawale | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Kiran Mawale | Agricultural and Biological Sciences
| Young Scientist Award

CSIR Central Food Technological Research Institute Mysore | India

Dr. Kiran Mawale’s research focuses on the development, characterization, and application of nanoparticles in plant systems, particularly in enhancing growth, metabolite production, and pest management in Capsicum species. His work integrates nanotechnology with plant biotechnology to explore the modulation of phenylpropanoid pathway metabolites and antioxidant responses using metallic, chitosan-based, and biogenic nanoparticles. He has systematically studied the phytostimulatory and biochemical impacts of nanoparticle formulations on in vitro and ex vitro chilli cultures, demonstrating significant improvements in plant growth, bioactive yield, and resistance to thrips infestation. His research extends to molecular biology through the differential expression analysis of genes associated with pungency and antioxidant activity. By employing advanced characterization techniques such as DLS, Zeta potential, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM, he established structure–function relationships between nanoparticle properties and their biological effects. His interdisciplinary contributions encompass nanoscience, plant cell culture, and metabolite profiling, with a strong emphasis on sustainable, nano-enabled strategies for crop protection and quality enhancement. Collectively, his findings advance the field of agri-nanobiotechnology, offering eco-friendly approaches for improving plant health, productivity, and biochemical fortification.

Featured Publications

Mawale, K. S., Kaila, N. H. J., Halami, P. M., Ramakrishna, C., Singanahalli Shivaramu, M., & Serva Peddha, M. (2025, October 10). Physicochemical and functional characterization of pearl millet-based probiotic beverage for antiaging potential in Caenorhabditis elegans. Foods, 14(20), 3460. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14203460

Raphel, S., & Halami, P. M. (2025, June). Bioactive compounds from food-grade Bacillus. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13935

Goel, A., & Halami, P. M. (2024, September). Safety assessment of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MCC5231 and its persistence in gastrointestinal tract. Microbial Pathogenesis, 186, 106824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106824

Peerzade, I. J., Mutturi, S., & Halami, P. M. (2024, May). Improved production of RNA-inhibiting antimicrobial peptide by Bacillus licheniformis MCC 2514 facilitated by a genetic algorithm optimized medium. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-024-02998-2

Goel, A., Chauhan, A. S., & Halami, P. M. (2023, December). Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MCC5231 enriched carrot (Daucus carota) nectar: A value-added beverage with enhanced vitamin A. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 17(12), 10205–10216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-023-02104-2

Archer, A. C., Muthukumar, S. P., & Halami, P. M. (2023, October). Correction to: Lactobacillus fermentum MCC2759 and MCC2760 alleviate inflammation and intestinal function in high-fat diet-fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, 15(5), 1271–1272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-023-10122-1

Prarthana Sharma | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Prarthana Sharma l Agricultural and Biological Sciences
| Best Researcher Award

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | Poland

Dr. Prarthana Sharma’s research focuses on molecular mechanisms regulating hepatic function, gene expression, and hepatoprotection using animal models. Her work integrates cell culture, molecular biology, and pharmacological approaches to understand the interaction between dietary compounds and cellular signaling in liver physiology. She has contributed to advanced investigations on the hepatoprotective effects of medicinal plant extracts such as Silybum marianum (silymarin) and Curcuma longa (turmeric) in mitigating aflatoxin B1-induced liver toxicity, employing both in vivo porcine models and in vitro hepatocyte culture systems. Her research involves microRNA profiling, transcriptomic analysis, and molecular pathway mapping to identify gene regulatory networks responsible for liver protection and regeneration. With expertise in gene expression studies, RNA and DNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, PCR, and real-time PCR, she explores molecular responses to dietary interventions at cellular and systemic levels. Her scientific contributions also include comparative gene expression studies in granulosa cells, linking molecular genetics to reproductive physiology. She actively participates in preclinical research, focusing on toxicokinetics, pharmacokinetics, and drug delivery, contributing to translational approaches in veterinary and biomedical sciences. Through multidisciplinary collaborations, her research aims to advance understanding of nutrigenomics, toxicogenomics, and molecular pharmacology for improving animal and human health.

Featured Publication

Sharma, P., Asediya, V., Kalra, G., Sultana, S., Purohit, N., Kibitlewska, K., Kozera, W., Czarnik, U., Karpiesiuk, K., & Lecewicz, M. (2025). Hepatoprotective effect of Silymarin herb in prevention of liver dysfunction using pig as animal model. Nutrients, 17(20), 3278. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203278

Angelique Kangondo | Agricultural Economics | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Angelique Kangondo: Agricultural Economics

👨‍🏫Dr. Angelique Kangondo, an agricultural economist at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Sokoine University of Agriculture. As a Lecturer at RICA, she specializes in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, actively contributing to research and extension programs. Dr. Kangondo’s expertise spans crucial areas such as rural and agricultural development, with a focus on youth aspirations.

🌐 Professional Profiles:

Academic Positions 🎓

Lecturer, RICA (April 2021 – Present)

Teaches Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Guides RICA’s entrepreneurial incubator and seed projects.

Provides direction for extracurricular activities and maintains diverse stakeholder networks.

Assistant Lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture (Nov 2017 – Dec 2020)

Delivered courses in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Assisted students in research works and supported academic/administrative duties.

Assistant Lecturer, University of Rwanda (April – July 2016)

Taught Agricultural Product Marketing. Engaged in university-assigned duties.

Consultancy Experience 💼

National Agricultural Export Development Board, Rwanda (Jan – Aug 2017)

Provided coaching, mentoring, and advisory services to cooperatives. Guided cooperatives in establishing Internal Control Systems for certification.

Rwanda Solution for Horticulture Project/USAID (Dec 2016 – May 2017)

Conducted stakeholder meetings in the horticultural value chain. Collected data on the value chain of various crops.

Education 🎓

Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics (Oct 2017 – Dec 2020), Sokoine University of Agriculture. Thesis: Choice of Livelihood Strategies among Rural Youth in Rwanda. Master’s in Agricultural and Applied Economics (Nov 2013 – Nov 2015), Sokoine University of Agriculture. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (2008 – Feb 2012), University of Rwanda

Research Funds and Scholarships 💰🌍

Successfully raised research funds to investigate youth’s livelihood strategies in Rwanda. Won research funds for studies in conservation agriculture practices, soybean feeds, and RICA students’ engagement in agricultural entrepreneurial activities.

Skills and Certifications 🌐📊

Fluent in Kinyarwanda, French, and English. Skilled in Microsoft Office, SPSS, STATA, R, Python, and EndNote. Experienced in statistical and econometric analyses. Member of African Association of Agricultural Economists and Agricultural Economics Society of Tanzania.

Research Focus 📊🌱

Dr. Angelique Kangondo’s research revolves around empowering rural youth in Rwanda through strategic livelihood choices. Her work delves into the economic intricacies of manure disposal in Morogoro Municipality, emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices (1). Notably, she explores rural youths’ livelihood strategies and their profound impact on income poverty and food security, contributing to the African Journal of Economic and Management Studies (2). Additionally, her research investigates the determinants of livelihood choices among rural youth, shedding light on factors crucial for development, as highlighted in Development in Practice (3). Under review is her examination of the relationship between land size, productivity, and rural youth engagement in agriculture

Top Noted  Publications

A Kangondo (2015). Economics of Manure Disposal and Utilization in Morogoro
Municipality. cited by: 2, publication date: 2015.

Rural Youths’ Choice of Livelihood Strategies and their Impact on Income Poverty and Food Security in Rwanda. publication date: 21 April 2023.

Determinants of choice of Livelihood Strategies among rural youth in Rwanda. publication date: 2023

Productivity and Rural Youth Engagement in Agriculture in Rwanda, Under review. publication date: 2023