Wei Zhao | Microbial Ecology | Young Scientist Award

Assist Prof Dr. Wei Zhao | Microbial Ecology | Young Scientist Award

Assistant Researcher at Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, China

Wei Zhao is a Research Assistant at the Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Biological Systems and Process Engineering, part of the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She holds a Masterā€™s Degree in Bioengineering from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2014) and a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Hebei University (2011). Her research focuses on environmental microbial ecology, with a particular emphasis on microbial community diversity, assembly mechanisms, and oil spill bioremediation. She has published 26 papers, including five in SCI-indexed journals, and holds 10 granted patents. Wei has also led major projects, including the Tianjin Marine Oil Spill Emergency Response initiative.

šŸŽ“ Education

2011-2014: Master of Bioengineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. 2007-2011: Bachelor of Biotechnology, Hebei University

šŸ’¼ Experience

  • July 2014 – Present: Assistant Researcher, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

šŸ“š Academic Achievements

Wei Zhao spearheaded the Tianjin Major Special Project on Ecological and Environmental Management, developing eco-friendly biotechnological solutions for oil spill mitigation. Her work on microbial communities has been groundbreaking, especially in the dynamic changes following oil spills in the Bohai Bay area. She has published 26 papers, with 5 as the first author in SCI-indexed journals, and applied for 15 patents, with 10 granted. Wei received the third prize in the 2020 Tianjin Environmental Science Societyā€™s Science and Technology Progress Award.

šŸ”¬ Research, Innovations, and Extension Activities

  • Research Projects Completed: 9
  • Total Project Cost: 6.782 million RMB
  • Patents Published/Under Process: 10
  • Publications (SCI/SCIE indexed): 5
  • Cumulative Impact Factor (Last 3 Years): 17.9

Publication

  • Inoculum of Pseudomonas sp. D_192 significantly alters the prokaryotic community in simulated liquid paraffin-contaminated seawater environment
    Journal: Ocean and Coastal Management
    Year: 2024
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107079
    Contributors: Zhao W., Wang X., Cheng T., Han Y., Huang Z.

 

  • Co-inoculation of antagonistic Bacillus velezensis FH-1 and Brevundimonas diminuta NYM3 promotes rice growth by regulating the structure and nitrification function of rhizosphere microbiome
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2023
    DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1101773
    Contributors: Wang J., Zhao S., Xu S., Zhai H., Huang Z.

 

  • Genome sequencing and metabolic network reconstruction of a novel sulfur-oxidizing bacterium Acidithiobacillus ameehan
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2023
    DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1277847
    Contributors: Wu P., Yuan Q., Cheng T., Ma H., Huang Z.

 

  • Heterogeneous selection dominated the temporal variation of the planktonic prokaryotic community during different seasons in the coastal waters of Bohai Bay
    Journal: Scientific Reports
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24501-5
    Contributors: Zhao W., Shi L., Wang X., Han Y., Huang Z.

 

  • The interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma longibrachiatum enhance maize growth and modulate root metabolome under increasing soil salinity
    Journal: Microorganisms
    Year: 2022
    DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051042
    Contributors: Yang R., Qin Z., Wang J., Zhao W., Huang Z.

Conclusion:

Wei Zhao is a highly suitable candidate for the Young Scientist Award due to her impressive contributions to microbial ecology, innovation in environmental bioremediation, and growing recognition in her field. Expanding her international exposure and diversifying her research areas could further enhance her career trajectory.

 

Anas Raklami | plant-microbe interactions | Young Scientist Award

Ā Mr. Anas Raklami | plant-microbe interactions | Young Scientist AwardĀ 

With a Ph.D. in Microbiology specializing in Plant Biotechnology and Environmental Science, I bring extensive expertise in rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi applications for soil remediation, notably at the Kettara mine. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, I led initiatives on microbial inoculants for crop resilience and nitrogen fertilizer impacts on wheat productivity. My 30 publications and significant teaching experience underscore my commitment to advancing agroecological solutions and mentoring future scientists. I’ve also contributed to international projects on sustainable agriculture and bioremediation, enhancing soil quality across African regions.

Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar Publication Metrics šŸ“š

For manuscripts published from date range 2019 ā€“ March 2024

  • Total times cited: 1268
  • h-index: 17
  • i10-index: 21
  • Publications: 30

Professional Experiences šŸ’¼

March 2022 ā€“ February 2024: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco. Isolating, characterizing, and identifying rhizobia and non-rhizobia of cowpea, soybean, and groundnut nodules. Formulating microbial inoculant and evaluating their effect in the open field in African countries. Assessing the use of commercial rhizobia inoculant to mitigate drought stress in Benimellal region. Conducting a meta-analysis on non-rhizobia species isolated from legume nodules and their effect on improving legume fitness. Investigating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on winter wheat growth-productivity in open fields across three Moroccan regions (Settat, Zair, and Meknes). Establishing a microbiology laboratory within the premises of AGBS. October 2022 ā€“ November 2022: Visiting Researcher, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, United Kingdom. Measuring greenhouse gases (GHG) from croplands using static chambers. Measuring ammonia using laboratory chambers. May 2018 ā€“ August 2018: Research Internship, University of Seville, Faculty of Pharmacy Seville, Seville, Spain. Investigating the impact of heavy metals and rhizobacteria on plant growth, physiology, antioxidant enzymes, and plant gene expression., Quantifying and visualizing biofilm produced by bacteria using electron microscopy.

Education šŸŽ“

2017-2021: PhD in Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology, and Environment Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Science Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco. Dissertation title: Potential for phytoremediation assisted by rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and organo-mineral amendments: towards an approach to rehabilitation/restoration of contaminated soils by metals (case of the Kettara mine, Marrakech). 2015-2017: Masterā€™s degree (M. Sc) in Applied Microbiology Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco. Dissertation title: Impact of double inoculation rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae on Faba bean and wheat growth and nutrition. 2014-2015: Bachelorā€™s degree (B. Sc) in Eco-Health and Environment Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco. Dissertation title: Impact of environmental transformation on human health: case of Marrakesh margin.

Teaching Experiences šŸŽ“

Theoretical Courses:

Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems (Master students), UCA (4h). Green biotechnologies and applications of plant-microorganism interactions for the restoration of polluted sites (LP-STAD student), UCA (8h). Enumeration, growth, nutrition, and bacterial genetics (Bachelor students), UCA (12h).

Practical Courses:

Characterization of chemical fertilizers (Master students), UM6P (16h). Water and soil microbiology (LP-STAD student), UCA (24h). Water and soil microbiology (Bachelor students), UCA (30h). Soil description and analysis (Bachelor students), UCA (20h). Initiation to basic microbiological techniques (Bachelor students), UCA (100h).

Student Supervision:

Ph.D. Students: Sahlaoui T., 2021-Current. Characterization and valorization of rhizobacteria-agroecological plants symbiosis in the rehabilitation of soils contaminated by heavy metals: an agrobiotechnology solution. Cadi Ayyad University (UCA)/Ruhr University Bochum. Co-supervisor.. Master Students (M. Sc): Banini C., 2023. The effect of heavy metals on the physiological properties of soybean modulating rhizobia: Implication in heavy metals stress mitigation. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). Co-supervisor. EL Aouadi F., 2023. Evaluation of plant growth promoting activities of rhizobia and non-rhizobia endophytes of soybean nodules: application in stress mitigation. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah university/UM6P. Co-supervisor.. Bachelor Students (B. Sc): El Allami N., and Elhachim A., 2021. Risks of mining wastes on the environment and bioremediation trials. UCA. Co-supervisor. Abaache Z., and Abarada M., 2020. Microorganism-plant interactions for the rehabilitation of mining wastes. UCA. Co-supervisor.

Internship Experiences šŸŒ

Practical training / Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, ā€˜Isolation, purification and identification of multi-drug resistant bacteriaā€™ (Marrakech-Morocco). Practical training/ Faculty of sciences Semlalia, ā€˜Environmental Biotechnology for Bioremediation: Molecular Biology techniquesā€™ (Marrakech-Morocco). Practical training/ Faculty of sciences Semlalia, ā€˜Methods of gardening and multiplication of plantsā€™ (Marrakech-Morocco). Practical training/ Faculty of sciences Semlalia, Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, ā€˜Trapping rodents and sandfliesā€™ (Marrakech-Morocco). Bachelor research training/ Faculty of sciences Semlalia, ā€˜Impacts of environmental transformations on human health: the case of Marrakesh marginsā€™ (Marrakech-Morocco).

Research Projects šŸ”¬

Member of the project funded by OCP-Africa: Ā« Industrial-scalable of rhizobacteria inoculants for sustainable agriculture in Africa: Rhizobium-II Ā». Member of the project funded by OCP: Ā« Novel fertilizer formulations for Africa Ā». Member and young researcher of the project funded by Alexander von Humboldt foundation: Ā« Role of rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae-plants symbioses on the improvement of soil quality polluted by mine discharges Ā». Member of the project PPR2/2016/42 funded by CNRST, Morocco: Ā« Agro-biotechnologie pour la bioremĆ©diation des sols polluĆ©s par les mĆ©taux lourds (AGROBIO-MET)

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  • Use of rhizobacteria and mycorrhizae consortium in the open field as a strategy for improving crop nutrition, productivity and soil fertility
    • Authors: A Raklami, N Bechtaoui, A Tahiri, M Anli, A Meddich, K Oufdou
    • Source: Frontiers in Microbiology 10, 429883, 2019

 

  • Biofertilizers as strategies to improve photosynthetic apparatus, growth, and drought stress tolerance in the date palm
    • Authors: M Anli, M Baslam, A Tahiri, A Raklami, S Symanczik, A Boutasknit, …
    • Source: Frontiers in Plant Science 11, 516818, 2020

 

  • Phosphate-dependent regulation of growth and stresses management in plants
    • Authors: N Bechtaoui, MK Rabiu, A Raklami, K Oufdou, M Hafidi, M Jemo
    • Source: Frontiers in Plant Science 12, 679916, 2021

 

  • Physiological and molecular aspects of tolerance to environmental constraints in grain and forage legumes
    • Authors: A Bargaz, M Zaman-Allah, M Farissi, M Lazali, JJ Drevon, RT Maougal, …
    • Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16 (8), 18976-19008, 2015

 

  • Effect of salinity on nodulation, nitrogen fixation and growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) inoculated with rhizobial strains isolated from the Haouz region
    • Authors: M Faghire, A Bargaz, M Farissi, F Palma, B Mandri, C Lluch, NAT GarcĆ­a, …
    • Source: Symbiosis 55, 69-75, 2011

 

  • Oxidative stress in the root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris is induced under conditions of phosphorus deficiency
    • Authors: A Bargaz, M Faghire, M Farissi, JJ Drevon, C Ghoulam
    • Source: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 35 (5), 1633-1644, 2013