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

FARIYA ABUBAKARI | Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

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Dr.  Fariya Abubakari  l Agriculture
| Young Scientist Award

Murdoch University | Australia

Dr. Fariya Abubakari, the research focuses on soil fertility, nutrient dynamics, and sustainable agricultural productivity, particularly examining potassium behavior in sandy soils of Southwest Western Australia. Through glasshouse, laboratory, and field experiments, the studies investigate potassium supplying capacity, release kinetics, and leaching behavior under varying soil conditions and management practices. The work evaluates the impact of soil pH, plant presence, and soil texture on potassium losses and employs predictive modeling using Hydrus 1D to simulate potassium leaching patterns. This research provides valuable insights into nutrient availability, soil-plant interactions, and the development of management strategies to enhance nutrient retention and crop yield sustainability in sandy agricultural systems. Additional investigations explore the effects of soil chemical and physical properties on copper distribution and sorption, nitrogen fixation in legume-based systems, and the impact of fertilizer subsidies on productivity in African agricultural zones. The findings contribute to understanding nutrient cycling, soil amendment techniques, and efficient fertilizer use in both tropical and temperate environments. By integrating experimental data with modeling approaches, the research supports evidence-based recommendations for mitigating nutrient leaching, improving soil health, and promoting sustainable resource management in diverse agroecosystems.

Featured Publications

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2015). Determinants of household food security and climate change impacts on agriculture in Ghana. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 3(7), 178–183.

Abubakari, F., Tetteh, F. M., Abubakari, F., Tuffour, H. O., & Aduwu, A. (2016). Strategies for improving nodulation and nitrogen fixation of leguminous crops to enhance production in smallholder farming systems. Journal of Global Agriculture and Ecology, 4(4), 185–190.

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2015). Effects of climate changing on food crop production system in Ghana. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 3(4), 76–79.

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2014). Analysis of production and marketing constraints of tomato among rural farmers in Talensi Nabdam District of Upper East Region of Ghana. IJASRT in Environmental and Earth Sciences, 4(1).

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2015). Effects of fertilizer subsidy on the yield of crops among rural farmers in Sudan Savannah and Guinea Savannah zones of Ghana. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 3(4), 80–85.

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2014). Effects of awareness of fertilizer subsidy on the yield of crops among rural farmers in Ghana. [Unpublished manuscript].

Abubakari, F., & Abubakari, F. (2015). Farmers’ perception on soil erosion problems and conservation methods among rural farmers in Talensi-Nabdam Districts of Upper East Region of Ghana. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. (Forthcoming).

Pavlo Lykhovyd | Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Pavlo Lykhovyd | Agriculture | Young Scientist Award

Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine | Ukraine

Dr. Pavlo Lykhovyd is a distinguished agricultural scientist and leading researcher at the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. With a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences, he specializes in land reclamation, irrigated and precision agriculture, agroecology, GIS/remote sensing, and AI/ML applications in agriculture. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 400 articles, including over 50 in WoS/Scopus-indexed journals, and contributed to highly cited works in the field. As head of the Council of Young Scientists, Pavlo has led numerous innovative projects on crop production, adaptive technologies, and digital agriculture, including GIS-based remote sensing applications and predictive modeling for irrigation and yield optimization. His work integrates scientific research with practical applications, providing consultancy to private farms and collaborating internationally on crop adaptation studies. Pavlo has authored books on neural networks in agriculture and crop production on reclaimed lands, and holds multiple patents and copyrights for agricultural software, including the Ukraine Crop Production Map and AI-driven irrigation tools. His contributions have advanced agricultural digitalization, resource-efficient irrigation, and agroecological zoning, directly enhancing productivity and sustainability in Ukraine’s steppe regions. Recognized with the President of Ukraine Prize for Young Scientists, he continues to pioneer AI and remote sensing solutions for large-scale crop monitoring, yield prediction, and climate-smart agriculture. Pavlo actively participates as a guest reviewer and editorial board member in international journals, promoting scientific rigor and innovation in modern agronomy. His research bridges traditional agricultural practices with cutting-edge technology, shaping the future of precision farming, sustainable land management, and climate-resilient agricultural systems across Ukraine and beyond.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Vozhehova, R. A., Lavrynenko, Y. O., Kokovikhin, S. V., Lykhovyd, P. V., … (2018). Assessment of the CROPWAT 8.0 software reliability for evapotranspiration and crop water requirements calculations. Journal of Water and Land Development, 147–152.

  • Lykhovyd, P. (2020). Sweet corn yield simulation using normalized difference vegetation index and leaf area index. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 21(3), 34.

  • Lykhovyd, P. (2021). Irrigation needs in Ukraine according to current aridity level. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 22(8), 30.

  • Tyshchenko, O., Tyshchenko, A., Piliarska, O., Kuts, H., & Lykhovyd, P. (n.d.). Evaluation of drought tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) genotypes in the conditions of osmotic stress. AgroLife Scientific Journal, 9(2).

 

Zahoor Ahmad | Crop Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zahoor Ahmad | Crop Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, University of Central Punjab , Pakistan

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad is an Associate Professor and Campus Coordinator at the University of Central Punjab, Bahawalpur. With a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, he specializes in crop productivity under abiotic stresses. He also completed post-doctorate research at Cukurova University, Turkey. Dr. Ahmad’s primary focus is improving crop resilience to environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and heat. His career spans various prestigious institutions, contributing significantly to agricultural sciences.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad holds a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, completed in 2015, where his thesis focused on maize responses to phosphorus under drought stress. He also completed an M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agronomy/Crop Physiology in 2011, and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in the same field in 2009, both from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. His post-doctorate research took place at Cukurova University, Turkey, in 2020, focusing on crop stress physiology.

💼 Experience

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad’s academic career includes serving as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Botany Department at the University of Central Punjab, Bahawalpur, since 2020. He also conducted post-doctoral research at Cukurova University, Turkey. He has taught at institutions like The Islamia University of Bahawalpur and Allama Iqbal College, Bahawalpur. Previously, he worked as Assistant Professor at the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, enhancing his expertise in crop stress research.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad has earned recognition for his contributions to crop physiology and agricultural research. His work has garnered attention in various journals, leading to multiple invitations for collaborations and international conferences. His innovative approaches to improving crop resilience under abiotic stress conditions have been appreciated by academic peers, making him a notable figure in his field. His research has been widely cited, reflecting his significant impact in agricultural sciences.

🔍 Research Focus

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad’s research aims to understand the physiological limitations to crop productivity under abiotic stresses. His work explores the use of macro and micronutrients to improve crop resilience. Focused on identifying key morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits for stress tolerance, he examines the potential of foliar applications in alleviating drought, salinity, and heavy metal stresses in crops. His research contributes to advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in challenging environments.

Publication Top Notes

  • Enhancing the Physiological and Biochemical Potential of Praecitrullus fistulosus L. through Synergistic Action of Biochar and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

    • Authors: S., Sana, A., Binyamin, M., Ramzan, G.D., Ávila-Quezada, E.F., Abd-Allah
    • Year: 2024

  • Modulating Physiological and Antioxidant Responses in Wheat Cultivars via Foliar Application of Silicon Nanoparticles (SiNPs) Under Arsenic Stress Conditions

    • Authors: Z.A., Ahmad, R., Younis, T., Ahmad, H.F., Alharby, H., Alsamadany
    • Citations: 1
    • Year: 2024

  • Silicon-Mediated Improvement in Maize (Zea mays L.) Resilience: Unrevealing Morpho-Physiological, Biochemical, and Root Attributes Against Cadmium and Drought Stress

    • Authors: A., Sabir, E.A., Waraich, M.S.A., Ahmad, Z.A., Ahmad, S., Bibi
    • Citations: 4
    • Year: 2024

  • Improving Alkaline Stress Tolerance in Maize through Seed Priming with Silicon Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Investigation of Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidants, and Ion Balance

    • Authors: H., Alsamadany, H.F., Alharby, Z.A., Ahmad, Y.M., Alzahrani, A.A., Almaghams
    • Year: 2024

  • Integration of Plant Hormones in the Biological System as an Opportunity for Sustainable Crop Production (Book Chapter)

    • Authors: F., Karabulut, M., Faizan, D., Rasheed, G., Unnisa, A., Faraz
    • Year: No specific year mentioned

  • Perspectives of Nanoparticles as Priming Agents for Amelioration of Abiotic Stresses in Crops (Book Chapter)

    • Authors: Z.A., Ahmad, E.A., Waraich, M.A., Iqbal, S., Ahmed, S., Bano
    • Year: No specific year mentioned

  • Prospects of Nanotechnology for Abiotic and Biotic Stresses Amelioration in Field Crops (Book Chapter)

    • Authors: Z.A., Ahmad, E.A., Waraich, C., Barutçular, M.S.A., Ahmad, S., Bano
    • Year: No specific year mentioned

  • Effect of Form of Silicon and the Timing of a Single Foliar Application on Sugar Beet Yield

    • Authors: A., Siuda, A., Artyszak, D., Gozdowski, Z.A., Ahmad
    • Year: 2024

  • Ecofriendly Management of Insect Pests for Sustainable Agriculture (Book Chapter)

    • Authors: A., Abbasi, A., Asif, Z.A., Ahmad, A., Saleha, Z., Zafar
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: No specific year mentioned