Nyasha Chiuraise | Crop protection | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nyasha Chiuraise | Crop protection | Best Researcher Award

Doctoreta at Seed Co Ltd Zimbabwe

Summary:

Dr. Nyasha Chiuraise, a 39-year-old plant pathologist from Harare, Zimbabwe, has over nine years of experience in crop protection within the private sector. He currently works with SeedCo Group, a leading seed company operating across 17 African countries. Dr. Chiuraise’s expertise includes breeding for disease resistance and integrated pest, weed, and disease management. His work is instrumental in improving crop resilience and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Africa.

Profile:

Scopus

šŸŽ“Education:

  • Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
    University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 2023
  • M.Sc. in Plant Breeding, cum laude
    University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2015
  • B.Sc. Honours in Plant Pathology
    University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2012
  • B.Sc. Honours in Biological Sciences
    Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe, 2007

šŸ„šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Professional Experience:

Plant Pathologist SeedCo Group, Harare, Zimbabwe June 2015 ā€“ Present Responsible for diagnosing fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases of cereals and vegetables through morphological, serological, and molecular techniques. Applies KASP SNP genotyping for plant disease resistance breeding and collaborates with global breeding teams. Develops strategies for field and controlled environment research on various crops, conducts fungicide and insecticide field trials, and provides technical expertise in plant health to seed producers and farmers. Maintains relationships with academia and the agricultural industry globally. Field Plant Pathologist Plant Health Products, Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa January 2015 ā€“ June 2015 Developed, tested, and commercialized biocontrol products for field crops and pasture species. Conducted insect rearing and pathogen culturing for bioassays, tested biocontrol product compatibility with pesticides, and isolated and identified plant pathogens using various techniques.

Research Interests:

Dr. Chiuraise’s research focuses on breeding for disease resistance and integrated management of pests, weeds, and diseases in wheat and maize. He is particularly interested in the application of advanced genotyping techniques for plant disease resistance and the development of biocontrol strategies for sustainable agriculture.

Publications Top Notes šŸ“:

1. Occurrence and characterization of Puccinia triticina in Zimbabwe

  • Journal: Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology
  • Year: 2024 (In Press)
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, B. Visser, A. MarĆ©, W. Boshoff

2. First Report of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Causing Stripe Rust of Wheat, in Zimbabwe

  • Journal: Plant Disease
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 1
  • Contributors: W.H.P. Boshoff, B. Visser, C.M. Lewis, N. Chiuraise, Z.A. Pretorius
  • Citations: 11

3. Comparative evaluation of commercial rhizobial inoculants of soybean

  • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 2
  • Pages: 157ā€“160
  • Contributors: B.J. Sivparsad, N. Chiuraise, M.D. Laing
  • Citations: 3

4. Progress in stacking aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination resistance genes in maize hybrids

  • Journal: Euphytica
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 207
  • Issue: 1
  • Pages: 49ā€“67
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, J. Derera, K.S. Yobo, A. Nunkumar, N.F.P. Qwabe
  • Citations: 7

5. Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum strain kd formulation reduced aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts

  • Journal: Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 122
  • Issue: 2
  • Pages: 74ā€“80
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, K.S. Yobo, M.D. Laing
  • Citations: 11

 

Zeinab Bolboli | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

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Ā Dr. Zeinab Bolboli | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shiraz University Iran

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ”¬

Zeinab Bolboli is a distinguished researcher specializing in Plant Pathology, with a Ph.D. from Shiraz University. Their expertise encompasses mycology, plant virology, and advanced research methods. Zeinab’s innovative work includes identifying causal agents of plant diseases and evaluating crop susceptibility, earning recognition as the top Ph.D. student and for their dissertation. They’ve demonstrated excellence in teaching and have conducted various workshops, showcasing proficiency in bioinformatics and scientific photography. With a comprehensive skill set in microscopy, bioinformatics, and molecular characterization, Zeinab is poised to continue making significant contributions to the field of plant pathology.šŸŒŸ

 

Profile

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Orcid

 

Education and Academic Achievements šŸŽ“

šŸ“š Postdoctoral Researcher: Shiraz University, INSF (4016120)

  • PhD: Plant Pathology (Mycology), Department of Plant Protection, Shiraz University, Iran (2016-Present)
    • Dissertation: Identification of the Causal Agent of Fig Canker and Evaluation of Susceptibility of Iranian Fig Cultivars to the Disease.
    • Main courses: Advanced Mycology II, Advanced Applied Mycology, Genetics of Plant Pathogens, and more.
  • MSc: Plant Pathology (Mycology), Department of Plant Protection, Shiraz University, Iran (2013-2016)
    • Thesis: Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic characteristics of Pythium spp. isolates in cereal fields of Fars Province.
    • Main courses: Advanced Mycology I, Plant Virology, Plant Disease Management, and more.
  • BSc: Plant Protection, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran (2007-2011)
    • Main courses: General and Advanced Plant Pathology, Mycology, Nematology, and more.
  • Diploma: Science, Alzahra High School, Kermanshah, Iran (2003-2006)

Teaching and Awards šŸ†

Received Top Student awards for both PhD and BSc.Recognized for having the top PhD dissertation at Shiraz University in 2023.Served as a Teaching Assistant for various courses including Advanced Mycology and General Plant Pathology.Supervised graduate theses and conducted workshops on scientific topics.

Workshops Attended and Skills šŸ’¼

Participated in workshops on RNA-Seq data analysis, Real-time PCR, Primer Designing, and more.Held workshops on Scientific Digital Photography and Diagnosis of Plant Disease.Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Bioinformatics tools, and scientific photography.

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  1. Title: Development of PCR-based assays for the detection of the evident and latent infection with Stilbocrea banihashemiana, the causal agent of fruit tree cankers
    • Journal: Crop Protection
    • Year: 2024
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106677
    • Contributors: Hamed Negahban; Zeinab Bolboli; Reza Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa

 

  1. Title: First report of Peroneutypa scoparia associated with canker disease on Ficus carica in northern Iran
    • Journal: New Disease Reports
    • Year: 2023
    • DOI: 10.1002/ndr2.12201
    • Contributors: M. Ghaedi; Z. Bolboli; Reza Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa

 

  1. Title: Susceptibility of fig cultivars to Diaporthe canker in Iran
    • Journal: Plant Pathology
    • Year: 2023
    • DOI: 10.1111/ppa.13687
    • Contributors: Zeinab Bolboli; Reza Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa; Moslem Jafari; Ali Sarkhosh

 

  1. Title: Neocosmospora caricae sp. nov. and N. metavorans, two new stem and trunk canker pathogens on Ficus carica in Iran
    • Journal: Mycological Progress
    • Year: 2022
    • DOI: 10.1007/s11557-022-01834-9
    • Contributors: Zeinab Bolboli; Reza Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa; Marcelo Sandoval-Denis; Moslem Jafari; Pedro W. Crous

 

  1. Title: Stilbocrea banihashemiana sp. nov. a New Fungal Pathogen Causing Stem Cankers and Twig Dieback of Fruit Trees
    • Journal: Journal of Fungi
    • Year: 2022
    • DOI: 10.3390/jof8070694
    • Contributors: Zeinab Bolboli; Behnaz Tavakolian; Reza Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa; Moslem Jafari; Santa Olga Cacciola

 

Zhou Li | Plant Science | Best Researcher Award

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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