Debora Pantojo de Souzza | Agricultural Systems Engineering | Young Researcher Award

Mrs. Debora Pantojo de Souzza | Agricultural Systems Engineering | Young Researcher Award

Federal University of Grande Dourados Brazil

Dr. Débora Pantojo de Souza is an agronomic engineer, professor, and researcher with expertise in agricultural systems engineering, currently serving as a Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Brazil. She holds a Ph.D. in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), focusing on modeling productive and soil water dynamics in forage systems. With extensive academic and practical experience, she has served in various educational and research roles, including fellowships at USP, teaching positions at UNESP, IFRO, and UEMS, and research with Embrapa Southeast Livestock. Passionate about sustainable agriculture and soil management, she combines technical excellence with a proactive and creative approach to knowledge dissemination. Her professional activities also include content development, supervision of student theses, and collaboration with continuing education programs. Dr. Souza’s work reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality education in agricultural sciences.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Débora Pantojo de Souza earned her Ph.D. in Sciences (Agricultural Systems Engineering) from ESALQ/USP in 2021, with a dissertation on APSIM modeling for forage species. She completed her Master’s in Agricultural Systems Engineering from ESALQ/USP in 2017, researching water consumption and biometric parameters in irrigated pasture systems. Her undergraduate degree in Agronomic Engineering was obtained from UNESP-FCA in 2014, where her thesis focused on nutrient fixation using treated sewage in furrow irrigation. She further specialized with an MBA in Project Management from ESALQ/USP, completed in 2018, examining economic returns of overseeding in irrigated pastures. She is currently pursuing a postgraduate specialization in Geoprocessing and Soil Survey at UFRRJ (2024–2025). Her academic background demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary foundation in engineering, agronomy, and management, with a focus on water-soil-plant interactions, sustainable land use, and technical training in geospatial and agricultural technologies.

💼 Experience

Dr. Débora de Souza has accumulated diverse professional experience across research, higher education, and technical education. She began her career as a CAPES research fellow at USP during her master’s and doctoral studies (2015–2020), focusing on agricultural systems. She later worked as a freelance associate at IPECEGE, supervising final papers in agribusiness and project management. Between 2020 and 2023, she held several substitute lecturer roles at UNESP, IFRO, and UEMS, teaching agronomy-related disciplines remotely and in person. She also taught technical-level agronomy courses at Centro Paula Souza institutions. She contributed to curriculum development for Platos Educação and continues to supervise postgraduate work at Sollo Agro (USP). Currently, she holds a CNPq-funded research fellowship at Embrapa Southeast Livestock and serves as a Visiting Professor at UFGD. Her experience spans extension, research, content development, and academic mentorship, reflecting a comprehensive background in education and sustainable agriculture.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Débora Pantojo de Souza’s research centers on sustainable agricultural systems, soil-plant-water relationships, and pasture management. Her Ph.D. work involved calibrating APSIM models to simulate soil moisture and forage productivity under different crop systems, providing critical insights into sustainable land and water use in tropical agriculture. Her master’s research examined water consumption in irrigated Urochloa brizantha systems, contributing to understanding efficient pasture irrigation strategies. She has also studied the use of treated sewage for nutrient fixation in common bean crops and assessed the economic viability of pasture overseeding. Currently, at Embrapa Southeast Livestock, she is involved in research focused on soil conservation, forage systems, and technological development for livestock agriculture. She remains active in academic supervision, extension, and publication, with a commitment to applied science that supports environmental stewardship, productivity, and resilience in Brazilian agroecosystems. Her interdisciplinary work integrates agronomy, engineering, and management tools for practical field solutions.

 Conclusion

Débora Pantojo de Souza demonstrates a well-rounded and impactful profile that aligns strongly with the criteria for the Young Researcher Award. Her academic rigor, applied research on sustainable agricultural systems, and dedication to teaching and mentorship make her a promising contributor to the future of agronomic science and sustainability. Strengthening her international footprint and research dissemination will further enhance her trajectory toward becoming a leading figure in agricultural engineering.

Publication

  1. Title: Parameterization of the APSIM-Oats model for simulating the growth of black oat cultivated for forage purposes under cut-and-carry management
    Year: 2025 (Published online: 2024-11-08)
    Authors: Débora Pantojo de Souza, Cristiam Bosi, Fernando Campos Mendonça, José Ricardo Macedo Pezzopane
    DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v47i1.69505

  2. Title: Economic and Financial Viability of Biofortified Sweetpotato Production in Nova Soure – Bahia
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Claudio Eduardo Cartabiano Leite, Micael Andrade da Costa, André Ricardo Zeist, Débora Pantojo de Souza
    DOI: 10.11648/j.plant.20231104.11

  3. Title: Bermudagrass “Tifton 85” sazonality production during the year with and non-irrigated up different doses nitrogenadas in southern of Brazil
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Arthur C. Sanches, Fernanda L. F. de Jesus, Eder P. Gomes, Max E. Rickli, Rodrigo C. Santos, Fagner L. Theodoro, Débora P. de Souza, et al.
    DOI: 10.1007/s12517-023-11427-9

  4. Title: APSIM‐Tropical Pasture model parameterization for simulating Marandu palisade grass growth and soil water in irrigated and rainfed cut‐and‐carry systems
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Débora Pantojo de Souza, Fernando C. Mendonça, Cristiam Bosi, José R. M. Pezzopane, Patricia M. Santos
    DOI: 10.1111/gfs.12560

  5. Title: CROP COEFFICIENT OF MARANDU PALISADE GRASS: AN APPROACH INVOLVING LEAF AREA INDEX AND CANOPY HEIGHT
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza, Arthur C. Sanches, Fernando C. Mendonça, Felipe G. Pilau, Fernanda L. F. de Jesus
    DOI: 10.15809/irriga.2021v26n4p924-937

  6. Title: Crop coefficient estimated by degree-days for ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass and mixed forage
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza, Arthur C. Sanches, Fernando C. Mendonça, José R. M. Pezzopane, Danielle M. Amorim, Fernanda L. F. de Jesus
    DOI: 10.48162/rev.39.041

  7. Title: Thermal time in nitrogen and boron application on irrigated Mombaça grass “Guinea grass”
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Fernanda L. F. de Jesus, Arthur C. Sanches, Débora P. de Souza, Fernando C. Mendonça, et al.
    DOI: 10.15446/dyna.v88n219.93036

  8. Title: Production and water-use efficiency of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça “Guinea grass” under nitrogen and boron doses
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Fernanda L. F. de Jesus, Arthur C. Sanches, Fernando C. Mendonça, Adriano B. Pacheco, Débora P. de Souza, et al.
    DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n4p2217

  9. Title: Crop coefficients of tropical forage crops, single cropped and overseeded with black oat and ryegrass
    Year: 2019
    Authors: Arthur C. Sanches, Débora P. de Souza, Fernanda L. F. de Jesus, Fernando C. Mendonça, Eder P. Gomes
    DOI: 10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0386

  10. Title: Comparison of water consumption estimates for tropical and winter forages by FDR probes and weighing lysimeters
    Year: 2019
    Authors: Arthur C. Sanches, Débora P. de Souza, Fernanda L. F. de Jesus, Fernando C. Mendonça, Eder P. Gomes, José R. M. Pezzopane
    DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n3p1115

  11. Title: Yield and biometry of palisadegrass throughout the seasons of the year
    Year: 2018
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza et al.
    DOI: 10.21475/ajcs.18.12.12.p1160

  12. Title: CARACTERÍSTICAS PRODUTIVAS DE TRÊS ESPÉCIES FORRAGEIRAS IRRIGADAS
    Year: 2018
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza, Arthur C. Sanches, Fernando C. Mendonça, Rodolfo G. Maffei, Pedro J. Catto
    DOI: 10.15809/irriga.2016v1n1p99-107

  13. Title: CARACTERÍSTICAS PRODUTIVAS DE TRÊS ESPÉCIES FORRAGEIRAS IRRIGADAS
    Year: 2016
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza et al.
    DOI: 10.15809/irriga.2016v1n1

  14. Title: Influência da fertirrigação por sulco utilizando água residuária e diferentes níveis de adubação na produtividade do feijoeiro
    Year: 2015
    Authors: Débora P. de Souza et al.
    DOI: 10.15809/irriga.2015v20n2p348

Chunying Li | Ocean Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chunying Li | Ocean Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Researcher, Southern University of Science and Technology China

Dr. Chunying Li is a Research Assistant Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China, with expertise in intelligent underwater robotics, particularly in multi-sensor fusion, autonomous systems, and biomimetic robot control in complex environments, contributing extensively to high-impact projects funded in China and Japan.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Dr. Li earned her Ph.D. in Intelligent Mechanical Systems Engineering from Kagawa University, Japan (2021–2023), where her research focused on multi-sensor fusion and control strategies for spherical underwater robots, following a B.Sc. in Control Engineering from Tianjin University of Technology (2017–2021), with undergraduate research on path planning for amphibious spherical robots.

💼 Experience 

She currently serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at SUSTech (2023–present), and previously worked as a Research Assistant at Kagawa University (2021–2023), actively leading and contributing to international robotics projects involving autonomous underwater systems and human-robot interaction.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Dr. Li was nominated for the Young Scientist of Ocean Power (2024), received the CAA Natural Science Second Prize (2024), was selected as a Shenzhen Overseas High-level Talent (2024), awarded the CSC Scholarship (2022), chaired IEEE ICMA sessions, and won Tianjin’s Outstanding Master’s Dissertation Award (2020–2021).

🔬 Research Focus 

Her research centers on the design, perception, and control of amphibious and spherical underwater robots, with emphasis on multi-robot collaboration, multi-sensor fusion, underwater environment perception, motion control algorithms, and AI-enhanced target recognition in challenging and dynamic aquatic environments.

📝 Conclusion

Dr. Chunying Li exemplifies the ideal profile of a rising-star researcher in the field of intelligent robotics, with demonstrated innovation, research leadership, and international collaboration. Her cutting-edge contributions to underwater robotic systems and control technologies make her an excellent nominee for the Best Researcher Award. With further expansion into translational research and high-impact publishing, she is poised to become a leading figure in the robotics research community globally.

Publication

  1. Title: Evaluation of Detection System for Bioinspired Spherical Underwater Robots Based on the Pressure Sensor Array
    Year: 2023
    Authors: C Li, S Guo
    Citations: 1

 

  1. Title: Multiple Bio-Inspired Father-Son Underwater Robot for Underwater Target Object Acquisition and Identification
    Year: 2021
    Authors: R An, S Guo, Y Yu, C Li, T Awa
    Citations: 1

 

  1. Title: A Phase-Dependent and EMG-Driven Variable Stiffness Control Strategy for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot
    Year: 2024
    Authors: P Li, S Guo, C Li

 

  1. Title: An Improved Motion Strategy with Uncertainty Perception for the Underwater Robot Based on Thrust Allocation Model
    Year: 2024
    Authors: A Li, S Guo, C Li

 

  1. Title: Study on the Backstepping Sliding Mode-Based Tracking Control Method for the SUR
    Year: 2024
    Authors: C Li, S Guo
    Citations: Not listed

 

  1. Title: Study on an Adaptive Clamping Device for Passive Safety Delivery of Vascular Intervention Robot
    Year: 2024
    Authors: S Cao, S Guo, J Guo, J Wang, C Li, H Xu, B Wang, M Ding

 

  1. Title: Study on the Path Planning Based on A* Algorithm for Vascular Intervention Robots
    Year: 2024
    Authors: H Xu, S Guo, C Li, S Cao

 

  1. Title: Study on the Depth Control for an “Egg-shaped” Underwater Robot Based on Backstepping Sliding Mode Algorithm
    Year: 2024
    Authors: H Li, S Guo, C Li, J Long

 

  1. Title: Research on Segmentation and Clustering Algorithms of 3D Point Clouds for Mobile Robot Navigation
    Year: 2024
    Authors: L Huang, S Guo, C Li, Q Lei, J Nie

 

  1. Title: Evaluation of the Dynamic Performance of a Novel Egg-shaped Underwater Robot
    Year: 2024
    Authors: J Long, S Guo, C Li

 

  1. Title: Study on the Improved Water Flow Prediction Based on Classification-Regression Approach for Amphibious Spherical Robots
    Year: 2024
    Authors: J Leng, S Guo, C Li, S Cao

 

  1. Title: Study on Improved D* Lite-Based Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation Strategy for the Ellipsoidal Underwater Robot
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Q Lei, S Guo, C Li, J Nie

 

  1. Title: Study on a Novel Fuzzy PID Control System for the Ellipsoidal Underwater Robot
    Year: 2024
    Authors: X Liu, S Guo, C Li, Q Lei, J Nie

 

  1. Title: Design and Control of an Ellipsoidal Underwater Robot Driven by Four-Vector Propellers
    Year: 2024
    Authors: J Nie, S Guo, C Li, Q Lei

 

 

Sajjad Saleem| Digital agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Sajjad Saleem| Digital agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Sajjad Saleem is a computer science researcher based in New Jersey with a Master’s in Information Technology from Washington University of Science and Technology. His expertise spans artificial intelligence, deep learning, and image processing, with impactful applications in agriculture and healthcare. He has developed innovative solutions for multi-crop disease detection and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and lung diseases. Sajjad thrives in interdisciplinary teams, turning complex datasets into actionable insights. With strong skills in data analytics and statistical tools, he also contributes as a peer reviewer for reputed journals like IEEE Access and Springer. Passionate about sustainable agriculture and precision medicine, he continuously explores ways to improve diagnostics and crop yield prediction through AI. His work integrates technical depth with real-world relevance, making him a valuable contributor to both academic and applied research landscapes.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Sajjad Saleem holds an MS in Information Technology (Data Analytics and Management) from Washington University of Science and Technology, completed in 2024. During his graduate studies, he specialized in artificial intelligence and data analytics, developing projects and research around deep learning applications in medical diagnostics and agriculture. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus (2016–2020), where he cultivated foundational knowledge in management sciences and research methodologies. His unique combination of business and technology education empowers him to address real-world problems using AI solutions. Sajjad’s education is enriched by hands-on experience with tools like SPSS, SQL, Tableau, and Cloudera, along with advanced training in machine learning, research analytics, and data management. His academic journey reflects a continuous commitment to leveraging data-driven technologies for solving contemporary challenges in both business intelligence and scientific research.

💼 Experience 

Sajjad’s professional experience is a blend of academic research, data analytics, and peer reviewing. He currently works as a Data Analyst at Technova Systems Inc. in Virginia, utilizing advanced analytics and visualization techniques to support decision-making. From 2016 to 2020, he served as a Research Assistant at COMSATS University Lahore, engaging in research design, literature reviews, and data interpretation. Sajjad is also an active journal peer reviewer, having reviewed over 32 manuscripts for prestigious journals like IEEE Access, Springer Scientific Reports, Wiley’s Developmental Neurobiology, and Frontiers in Plant Science. His reviews span AI, plant science, and developmental neuroscience. This exposure to cutting-edge research across disciplines has deepened his understanding and critical evaluation skills. His experience reflects a strong analytical mindset, collaboration in multidisciplinary environments, and a dedication to advancing both academic and applied research frontiers in AI, agriculture, and healthcare.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Sajjad Saleem has gained recognition primarily through his academic contributions and peer-review roles. He has reviewed over 32 research manuscripts, reflecting his credibility and expertise in fields such as artificial intelligence, plant science, and developmental neurobiology. His trusted status as a reviewer for top-tier journals like IEEE Access and Springer’s Scientific Reports highlights his ability to assess cutting-edge research critically. He has contributed significantly to maintaining publication standards across diverse domains, including medical diagnostics and agricultural AI. While specific awards are not listed, his selection as a reviewer and consistent participation in scholarly publication processes stand as professional honors. These roles not only acknowledge his subject matter expertise but also illustrate his commitment to academic integrity and knowledge dissemination. His research publications and contributions in deep learning applications have further strengthened his academic profile, positioning him as an emerging expert in AI-driven precision solutions.

🔬 Research Focus 

Sajjad Saleem’s research is centered on the intersection of artificial intelligence and real-world problem-solving in agriculture and healthcare. His work in deep learning addresses critical issues such as crop disease detection, early Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and lung disease classification. His recent projects involve hybrid neural architectures combining NASNet, Vision Transformers, and wrapper-feature selection techniques to optimize accuracy in medical imaging. In agriculture, he has developed enhanced models for multi-crop leaf disease detection and wheat disease classification using feature fusion strategies. Sajjad’s overarching goal is to harness AI to support precision farming, sustainable agriculture, and efficient diagnostics. He also explores the socio-technical impacts of cybercrime, HR analytics, and AI integration in business management. His interdisciplinary research not only contributes to academic literature but also has real-world applications, improving yield prediction, disease diagnosis, and organizational performance through intelligent systems and data analytics.

📝 Conclusion

Sajjad Saleem is a promising researcher whose interdisciplinary expertise in AI, deep learning, and image processing offers substantial contributions to both the agricultural and medical sectors. His publications, peer review experience, and technical skills place him in an excellent position for the Young Scientist Award. By expanding his focus on societal impacts and engaging with industry leaders, Sajjad can further solidify his standing as a thought leader in the fields of AI-driven agriculture and healthcare solutions.

Publication

  • Title: Comparison of Deep Learning Models for Multi-Crop Leaf Disease Detection with Enhanced Vegetative Feature Isolation and Definition of a New Hybrid Architecture
    Year: 2024
    Authors: S Saleem, MI Sharif, MI Sharif, MZ Sajid, F Marinello
    Citations: 10

 

  • Title: Untapped potential and country-of-origin: do employee attitudes and HR analytics boost career growth with a COM-B model application
    Year: 2024
    Authors: S Sattar, M Bukhari, S Saleem, S Ijaz, S Ejaz, K Al Sulaiti, J Abbas
    Citations: 5

 

  • Title: A Multi-Scale Feature Extraction and Fusion Deep Learning Method for Classification of Wheat Diseases
    Year: 2025
    Authors: S Saleem, A Hussain, N Majeed, Z Akhtar, K Siddique
    Citations: 2

 

  • Title: Deep Learning-Based Approach for Identification of Potato Leaf Diseases Using Wrapper Feature Selection and Feature Concatenation
    Year: 2025
    Authors: M Ahtsam Naeem, M Asim Saleem, MI Sharif, S Akber, S Saleem, …
    Citations: 1*

 

  • Title: The Impact of Cybercrime Incidents and Artificial Intelligence Adoption on Organizational Performance: A Mediated Moderation Model
    Year: 2024
    Authors: M Bukhari, S Sattar, S Saleem, KZ Khan, A KHAN
    Citations: 1

 

  • Title: An Integrated Deep Learning Framework Leveraging NASNet and Vision Transformer with MixProcessing for Accurate and Precise Diagnosis of Lung Diseases
    Year: 2025
    Authors: S Saleem, MI Sharif
    Citations: Under Review; PLOS ONE

 

  • Title: Deep Learning in Early Alzheimer’s Diseases Detection: A Comprehensive Survey of Classification, Segmentation, and Feature Extraction Methods
    Year: 2025
    Authors: R Hafeez, S Waheed, SA Naqvi, F Maqbool, A Sarwar, S Saleem, …
    Citations: 0 (arXiv:2501.15293)

 

Soumela Savvidou | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Soumela Savvidou |Agricultural| Best Researcher Award

Researcher At.Research Institute of Animal Science- Hellenic Agricultural Organisation -ELGO DEMETER,Greece

Dr. Soumela Savvidou is an accomplished researcher with a well-documented track record in sustainable animal nutrition and feed innovation. Her contributions through patents, high-quality publications, and academic chapters reflect a career dedicated to addressing global challenges in food production and animal welfare. With her interdisciplinary expertise and commitment to sustainability, Dr. Savvidou is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Education:

Under Graduate Degrees .B.Sc. in Animal Production: Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki (2003), Grade: 7.3. Thesis focused on teaching aids for software use in Microsoft Excel and Access.B.Sc. in Rural Development: Democritus University of Thrace, Specialization in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Administration (2022), Grade: 7.71. Thesis on Local Development and Cooperatives.Master’s degree ( M.sc) Animal Nutrition: University of Plymouth, U.K. (2005). Thesis investigated the impact of mineral content in calf milk replacer on E. coli transfer in calves.ph.D.Animal Nutrition and Biosecurity: University of Plymouth, U.K. (2009). Thesis involved selecting a Lactobacillus strain with probiotic properties for poultry production.

Experience: