Zekeria Yusuf | Plant Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Ā Dr. Zekeria Yusuf | Plant Biotechnology| Best Researcher Award

Zekeria Yusuf Habib is an accomplished Associate Professor and Biological Science Program Head at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. With a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and a background in Applied Genetics, he specializes in genetic variability and performance of agricultural crops, notably groundnut and citrus. His research, published in reputable journals, focuses on plant biotechnology, enzymatic properties, and phyto-fabrication of nanoparticles. Zekeria is dedicated to enhancing research activities and educational quality, serving as a subtheme leader and coordinator at his institution. Fluent in Oromo, Amharic, and English, he actively contributes to academia through curriculum development, manuscript reviews, and training programs in biotechnology and molecular biology.

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šŸŽ“ Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding Haramaya University, Maya, Ethiopia October 2011 to August 2018 Dissertation Title: Genetic Variability, Inter-Relationship and Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) varieties for Yield and Oil Traits in Ethiopia. M.Sc. in Applied Genetics Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia September 2005 to March 2008
Thesis Title: Study of chromosomes of snail spp in Bulinus truncatus/tropicus complex collected from various localities in Ethiopia. B.Ed. in Biology Haramaya University, Maya, Ethiopia October 1998 to July 2001

šŸ«šŸ§ŖExperiences in Academic, Research, and Community Activities

  1. Subtheme Leader of Bioscience Research

Position: Subtheme Leader (equivalent to headship position), Institution: Basic Science Research (Theme VI), Duration: Since December 15, 2018, Responsibilities: Actively participated in improving research activities, identifying research priority areas, and encouraging young staff in research activities.

  1. Biological Science Program Coordinator

Position: Coordinator (equivalent to headship position), Institution: School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Haramaya University, Duration: Since June 28, 2022, Responsibilities: Contributing to the reorganization of laboratory resources within the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (SBBT) and ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all staff members.

  1. Training Participation: Frontiers in Flow Cytometryā„¢ 2023

Event: 24 Hour Virtual Event, Details: Training in cellular laboratory analysis

  1. Capacity Building Training

Topic: Enhancing the Quality of Education at Higher Education Institutions, Audience: Middle-level Institutional Leaders

  1. Curriculum Review Committee Member

Programs: M.Sc Genetics and Biotechnology,Institution: School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Haramaya University, Role: Ad hoc committee member

  1. Ad Hoc Committee Member

Activities: Staff promotion committee member, Facilitating national exit exams

  1. External Examiner

Institutions: Madda Walabu University, Dire Dawa University, Salale University, Role: External examiner for M.Sc theses

  1. Manuscript Reviewer

Journals: Reviewed manuscript titled “Physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds of three varieties of melon (Cucumis melo) seed oils” in Food Science and Nutrition (Wiley journal). Reviewed manuscript titled “White Clover Components as an Effective Biosorbent for the Elimination of Toxic Malachite Green from Wastewater” in Natural Product Communications (SAGE journal)

  1. R Software Training Facilitator

Collaboration: Haramaya University Research Office and CNCS. Role: Involved in the facilitation of R software training sessions

  1. Laboratory Manual Preparation

Courses: Genetics, Cytogenetics, Enzymology, and Enzyme Technology, Program: Undergraduate Molecular Biology and Biotechnology program, Responsibility: Preparing laboratory manuals for specified courses

 

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  • Article 1

    • Title: Characterization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles for extraction of harar coffee (coffea arabica L.) genomic DNA
    • Authors: T. Beyene, Z. Yusuf, E. Teju
    • Journal: Vegetos
    • Year: 2024 (Article in Press)

    Article 2

    • Title: On farm diversity and genetic erosion of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.]
    • Authors: I. Adem, Z. Yusuf, M. Chimdesa
    • Journal: International Journal of Vegetable Science
    • Year: 2024 (Article in Press)

    Article 3

    • Title: Direct Organogenesis of Citrus Cultivars from Shoot Tip Nodal Segments
    • Authors: Z. Yusuf, M. Desta, W. Mohammed
    • Journal: Recent Patents on Biotechnology
    • Year: 2024
    • Volume: 18
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: 63ā€“70

    Article 4

    • Title: Phyto-fabrication of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles from Ocimum Gratissimum L. Leaf and Flower Extracts and their Antimicrobial Activities
    • Authors: M. Abdi, Z. Yusuf, J.M. Sasikumar
    • Journal: Open Biotechnology Journal
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 17
    • Article Number: e18740707261876

    Article 5

    • Title: Biological Activities of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed, Rind and Pulp Oil Extracts
    • Authors: A. Getahun, Z. Yusuf, M. Desta
    • Journal: Anti-Infective Agents
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 21
    • Issue: 4
    • Pages: 1ā€“5, e310323215317

    Article 6

    • Title: Optimization of Hormonal Compositions of Media in In Vitro Propagation of Orange Cultivars from Shoot Tip Nodal Segments
    • Authors: F. Abdi, Z. Yusuf, Y. Petros, M. Desta
    • Journal: International Journal of Agronomy
    • Year: 2023
    • Article ID: 3581881

    Article 7

    • Title: Enzymatic Properties of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Leaf, Root Pulp and Peel
    • Authors: T. Sileshi, Z. Yusuf, M. Desta
    • Journal: Recent Patents on Biotechnology
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 17
    • Issue: 4
    • Pages: 395ā€“404

    Article 8

    • Title: Optimization of Hormonal Compositions of Media for In vitro Propagation of Apple (Malus Ɨ domestica Borkh.) Cultivars
    • Authors: B. Abdella, Z. Yusuf, Y. Petros
    • Journal: Open Biotechnology Journal
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 17
    • Issue: 1
    • Article Number: e187407072301240

    Article 9

    • Title: Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Koseret (Lippia adoensis Hochst. Var. Koseret) Seed and Leaf Oil Extracts
    • Authors: M. Shiferaw, Z. Yusuf, M. Desta
    • Journal: Recent Patents on Biotechnology
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 17
    • Issue: 2
    • Pages: 142ā€“150

    Article 10

    • Title: Effects of Indigenous and Commercial Rhizobia on Growth and Nodulation of Soybean (Glycine max L) under Greenhouse Condition
    • Authors: M. Desta, A. Akuma, M. Minay, Z. Yusuf, K. Baye
    • Journal: Open Biotechnology Journal
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 17
    • Issue: 1
    • Article Number: e187407072302070

Wei Quan Pang | Plant Tissue Culture | Young Scientist Award

Ā Mr. Wei Quan Pang |Plant Tissue Culture| Young Scientist Award

Ā Mr. Universiti Sains Malaysia MalUniversiti Sains Malaysia,Ā  Malaysia.

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ”¬ Pang Wei Quan is a diligent and outcome-oriented Biotechnology professional with a robust academic foundation and practical expertise in various domains, including plant tissue culture, animal cell culture, microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

 

Profile

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Orcid

 

Education šŸ“ššŸŽ“

Master of Science in Biotechnology Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor, Penang2022 ā€“ Present Expected Graduation Date: May 2024Specialization: Plant Tissue Culture Key Achievements: Successfully micro propagated a rare white strawberry variety using plant tissue culture techniques. Achieved rapid fruit production within three months through hydroponic indoor farming. Conducted biochemical and DNA molecular analyses to support research projects. Conducted extensive research on non-native crop adaptation. Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor, Penang Graduated in October 2021Grade: 3.64 / Second Class (Upper)Major: Biotechnology Minor: Psychology Key Highlights: Gained a strong foundation in biotechnology and psychology.

Work ExperiencešŸ“š

  • Internship
    • INFORMM, USM, Gelugor, Penang
    • Aug 2020 ā€“ Sept 2020
    • Completed a 6-week internship in an institute specialized in research in molecular medicine.

Ā ObjectivešŸ“–

To leverage my contributions to the field of science, particularly in the advancement of plant science, and be recognized for my impactful work at the International Young Scientist Awards.

Ā Volunteering / Leadership Experience

Volunteer Penang International Science Fair 2017Treasurer10th Annual Book Festival Librarian Unit, USM Tionghua Language SocietyAcademic Season 2017/2018Head of Librarian Unit USM Tionghua Language Society, Academic Season 2018/2019Head of Programme Department11th Annual Book Festival Librarian Unit of USM Tionghua Language Society, Academic Season 2018/2019Executive Committee USM Tionghua Language Society, Academic Season 2019/2020Student Advisor12th Annual Book Festival Librarian Unit of USM Tionghua Language Society, Academic Season 2019/2020U-Voice National Singing Competition, Academic Season 2019/2020

Ā Industry Related skills

šŸŒ± Plant Tissue Culture Proficient in sterile culture techniques, micropropagation, and tissue culture media preparation.šŸ’§ Hydroponic Indoor Farming Knowledgeable in hydroponic system setup, plant growth optimization, and nutrient management.šŸ§« Animal Cell Culture Hands-on experience in cell culture techniques for anticancer research projects.šŸ”¬ Biochemical Analyses Skilled in protein extraction and enzyme assays.šŸ§¬ Molecular Biology Experienced in DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and gene expression analysis.šŸ“Š Research Methodology Strong knowledge of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. šŸ” Laboratory Management Organized and maintained laboratory equipment and supplies. šŸ“ Project Management Demonstrated the ability to plan, execute, and oversee research projects. šŸ’¬ Communication Excellent written and verbal communication skills for scientific reporting and team collaboration. šŸ› ļø Problem-Solving Proven ability to troubleshoot experiments and find creative solutions.

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  • Effect of graphene oxide nanoparticles on in vitro growth of Fragaria x ananassa (Cameron Highlands white Strawberry) and evaluation of genetic stability using DAMD and ISSR markers
    • Authors: Pang, W.Q., Lai, C.S., Madā€™ Atari, M.F., …, Yoong, I.C.K., Subramaniam, S.
    • Journal: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 204
    • Page: 108104

 

  • Establishment of an efficient micropropagation protocol for Cameron Highlands White Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) using light emitting diodes (LEDs) system
    • Authors: Pang, W.Q., Tan, S.T., Madā€™ Atari, M.F., Yoong, I.C.K., Subramaniam, S.
    • Journal: South African Journal of Botany
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 157
    • Pages: 189ā€“200

 

Zhou Li | Plant Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Danish Fayaz |Plant Science | Best Researcher Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

Dr. Li Zhou is a distinguished researcher in plant physiology, renowned for his expertise in understanding grass species’ responses to abiotic stresses like drought and high temperature. With a Ph.D. from Sichuan Agricultural University and postdoctoral experiences at Beijing Forestry University and Rutgers University, he has garnered numerous accolades, including awards from Sichuan Province and prestigious scholarships. Dr. Zhou has led major research projects funded by national and provincial organizations, contributing significantly to the field. As an editorial board member and guest editor for esteemed journals, he shapes scholarly discourse. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and extensive reviewing duties, Dr. Zhou’s impact is profound.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

 

šŸŽ“ Education

Postdoctor Dec. 2017 – Dec. 2023 Beijing Forestry University, Turfgrass Science. Visiting Scholar Sept. 2014 – Jul. 2016 Rutgers University, Turfgrass Science. Ph.D. Sept. 2010 – Jun. 2016 Sichuan Agricultural University, Grassland Science. B.S. Sept. 2006 – Jun. 2010 Southwest University, Grassland Science

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ« Professional Experiences

Professor Dec. 2023 – Present College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University. Associate Professor Dec. 2018 – Nov. 2023 College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University. Lecturer Jul. 2016 – Nov. 2018 College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University

šŸ… Honors and Awards

The Science and Technology Progress Award (Second-class), Sichuan Province, China, 2022. Academic and Technical Leader Reserve Candidate, Sichuan Province, China, 2021. Scientific and Technologic Elite, Yaā€™an, Sichuan Province, China, 2021. The Science and Technology Progress Award (Second-class), Sichuan Province, China, 2019. Frontrunner 5000 Top Articles in Outstanding S&T Journals of China, 2017. Top 100 Most Influential Domestic Academic Papers in China, 2017. Reward-gainer of the excellent PhD dissertation in Sichuan Agricultural University, 2016. Wang Dong Grass-Science Scholarship, Chinese Grassland Society, 2014.

šŸ”¬ Major Research Projects

The National Natural Science Foundation of China Title: GABA is involved in stress memory that regulates drought and heat tolerance in creeping bentgrass Duration: 2022-2025. Sichuan Science and Technology Program Title: Screening for cadmium-tolerant bermudagrass genotypes and potential mechanism of cadmium tolerance Duration: 2022-2023 The National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaTitle: Reactive oxygen species induced by Ī³-aminobutyric acid (GABA) regulate heat shock transcription factors involved in the improvement of heat tolerance in creeping bentgrass Duration: 2018-2021 China Postdoctoral Science FoundationTitle: The Ca2+ signaling system is involved in GABA-regulated drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass Duration: 2018-2020 Sichuan International Cooperation ProjectTitle: The mechanism of heat and drought tolerance induced by Ī³-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in creeping bentgrass Duration: 2017-2019

šŸ“ Editorial Positions

Editorial Board Member, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2023-present. Young Scientist Editor, Grass Research, 2023-present. Guest Editor, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023-2024. Guest Editor, Plants, 2021-2022.

šŸ“š Publications and Reviewers

Dr. Li Zhou is a leading researcher in the field of plant physiology, focusing on physiological and molecular mechanisms in grass species in response to various abiotic stresses such as drought, high temperature, salinity, etc. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles (71 in English) as the first author or corresponding author in prestigious journals like The Plant Journal, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Crop Science, Plant Cell & Physiology, Plant and Soil, Planta, Physiologia Plantarum, among others. Dr. Zhou is actively involved in teaching and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. As a senior reviewer, he evaluates more than fifty manuscripts annually for reputable journals such as Plant Biotechnology Journal, Molecular Ecology, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Industrial Crops and Products, Annals of Botany, Physiologia Plantarum, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Crop Science, etc. In 2023, he was ranked as a world top 2% scientist in the field of Plant Biology & Botany.

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

  1. Title: Ī³-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) priming improves seeds germination and seedlings stress tolerance associated with enhanced antioxidant metabolism, DREB expression, and dehydrin accumulation in white clover under water stress.
    Authors: Zhou Min, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Peng Yan, Liu Lin, Liu Wei, Zhang Yan, Li Zhou*
    Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
    Volume: 12
    Page: 776939

 

  1. Title: Adaptability to high temperature and stay-green genotypes associated with variations in antioxidant, chlorophyll metabolism, and Ī³-aminobutyric acid accumulation in creeping bentgrass species.
    Authors: Li Zhou*, Tang Mingyan+, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Zhang Yan, Han Liebao, Peng Yan*
    Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
    Volume: 12
    Page: 750728

 

  1. Title: Water and oxidative homeostasis, Na+/K+ transport, and stress-defensive proteins associated with spermine-induced salt tolerance in creeping bentgrass.
    Authors: Geng Wan, Qiu Yongsen, Peng Yan, Zhang Yan, Li Zhou*
    Journal: Environmental and Experimental Botany
    Volume: 192
    Page: 104659

 

  1. Title: Chitosan (CTS) alleviates heat-induced leaf senescence in creeping bentgrass by regulating chlorophyll metabolism, antioxidant defense, and the heat shock pathway.
    Authors: Huang Cheng, Tian Yulong, Zhang Bingbing, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Li Zhou*, Zhu Yongqun*
    Journal: Molecules
    Volume: 26
    Page: 5337

 

  1. Title: Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate priming ameliorates seed germination via involvement in hormonal changes, osmotic adjustment, and dehydrins accumulation in white clover under drought stress.
    Authors: Muhammad Jawad Hassan+, Geng Wan+, Zeng Weihang, Muhammad Ali Raza, Imran Khan, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Peng Yan, Zhu Yongqun*, Li Zhou*
    Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
    Volume: 12
    Page: 709187

 

  1. Title: Alterations of endogenous hormones, antioxidant metabolism, and aquaporin gene expression in relation to Ī³-aminobutyric acid-regulated thermotolerance in white clover.
    Authors: Qi Hongyin+, Kang Dingfan+, Zeng Weihang+, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Peng Yan, Zhang Xinquan, Zhang Yan, Feng Guangyan, Li Zhou*
    Journal: Antioxidants
    Volume: 10
    Page: 1099

 

  1. Title: Photosynthetic maintenance and heat shock protein accumulation relating to Ī³-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-regulated heat tolerance in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera).
    Authors: Zeng Weihang, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Kang Dingfan, Peng Yan, Li Zhou*
    Journal: South African Journal of Botany
    Volume: 141
    Page: 405-413

 

  1. Title: Spermine alleviates heat-induced senescence through regulating water and oxidative balance, photosynthesis, and heat shock proteins in creeping bentgrass.
    Authors: Liang Linlin+, Cao Yiqin+, Wang Duo, Peng Yan, Zhang Yan, Li Zhou*
    Journal: Biologia Plantarum
    Volume: 65
    Page: 184-192

 

  1. Title: Transcriptional regulation and stress-defensive key genes induced by Ī³-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in association with tolerance to water stress in creeping bentgrass.
    Authors: Li Zhou*, Tang Mingyan, Cheng Bizhen, Han Liebao*
    Journal: Plant Signaling & Behavior
    Volume: 16
    Page: 3