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

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

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

Hou Shance | Agricultural engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Mr. Hou Shance | Agricultural engineering | Best Researcher Award

 Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, China

Shance Hou, born on January 27, 1991, is a researcher in agricultural engineering at China Agricultural University. His expertise lies in livestock and poultry manure water treatment, focusing on nutrient transformation and utilization. Through joint training at the Planning and Design Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, he explored nanobubble and acidifier technologies to enhance manure water treatment efficiency. His research demonstrated that nanobubbles accelerate the harmless treatment of manure water, while acidifiers reduce nitrogen volatilization. He has published two SCI papers and holds two invention patents related to manure water treatment.

Publication Profile

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🎓Education

Shance Hou pursued a degree in Agricultural Engineering at China Agricultural University. His research primarily addresses sustainable livestock waste management, particularly focusing on manure water treatment. As part of his academic journey, he engaged in a joint training program at the Planning and Design Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. His studies emphasize innovative technologies like nanobubbles and acidifiers to optimize nitrogen transformation and minimize environmental impact. His research findings have contributed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices, earning recognition through SCI publications and patents.

💼Experience

Shance Hou’s research experience includes joint training at the Planning and Design Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and China Agricultural University. His work focuses on manure water treatment using nanobubble and acidifier technologies, which improve nutrient transformation and reduce nitrogen emissions. His findings have led to two SCI publications and the application of two invention patents. Additionally, he has contributed to national research projects, including the National Key R&D Program of China and self-developed projects at the Planning and Design Institute. His expertise lies in sustainable agricultural wastewater treatment, ensuring environmental safety and resource efficiency.

🏆Awards and Honors

Shance Hou has significantly contributed to agricultural engineering through his research on manure water treatment. He has published two SCI papers and secured two invention patents, showcasing his innovative approach to livestock waste management. His contributions have been recognized in major national projects, including the National Key R&D Program of China and the Planning and Design Institute’s self-developed projects. His work has advanced sustainable agricultural wastewater treatment, earning him acknowledgment as a key researcher in the field.

🔬Research Focus

Shance Hou specializes in livestock and poultry manure water treatment, emphasizing nutrient transformation and utilization. His research integrates nanobubble and acidifier technologies to enhance treatment efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. He investigates nitrogen transformation mechanisms, microbial community responses, and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies. His studies aim to develop sustainable and scalable solutions for agricultural wastewater management. His work has led to SCI publications and patents, contributing to advancements in manure treatment methodologies and ensuring eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Conclusion

Shance Hou demonstrates strong research innovation in agricultural engineering, specifically in manure water treatment. The combination of high-impact research, practical applications (patents), and national-level projects makes them a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. To further strengthen their application, expanding international collaborations, leadership roles, and broader research dissemination would be beneficial.

Publications

  • 降水量空间插值方法在小样本区域的比较研究 (2018) – 解恒燕, 张深远, 侯善策, 郑鑫 (Citations: 7)

 

  • 农村户用厕污堆肥反应器设计与试验 (2020) – 侯善策, 沈玉君, 王惠惠, 周海宾, 程红胜, 张宏图, 范盛远 (Citations: 3)

 

  • Mechanism of Nitrogen Conversion and Microbial Communities Controlling the Acidification and Storage of Pig Farm Fecal Water (2025) – HZ Shance Hou, Jingtao Ding, Haibin Zhou, Hongsheng Cheng, Yujun Shen, …

 

  • Effect of different water quality on the performance of pressure compensating emitter in drip irrigation systems (2025) – YL Peng Hou, Changjian Ma, Jia Wang, Yan Li, Kai Zhang, Shance Hou, …

 

  • Failure behavior of pressure compensating emitter under different operation pressures in drip irrigation systems (2024) – YL Peng Hou, Changjian Ma, Jia Wang, Yan Li, Kai Zhang, Shance Hou, …

 

  • Compost reaction system and control method thereof (2022) – S Yujun, C Hongsheng, D Jingtao, M Haibo, Hou Shance, … (Patent: 202211385730.9)

 

  • Airflow field simulation model building and application for aerobic compost using CFD (2021) – SH Q Cheng, H Meng, H Zhou, Y Shen, H Cheng, J Ding, S Zhao

 

  • 堆肥物料容重, 温度对频域反射传感器检测模型的影响 (2021) – 侯善策, 王佳锐, 张朋月, 宋立秋, 董姗姗, 程红胜

 

  • 一种奶牛场粪便发酵垫料加工系统及方法 (2020) – 薛鹏飞, 周海宾, 沈玉君, 孟海波, 赵立欣, 丁京涛, 程红胜, 张曦, 侯善策

 

  • Roller compost leachate collecting device (2019) – C Hongsheng, M Haibo, S Yujun, Hou Shance, Z Xi, Z Pengyue

 

  • Novel aerobic fermentation small-scale test device (2018) – M Haibo, C Hongsheng, Hou Shance, S Yujun

 

  • Quick aerobic fermentation test platform (2018) – S Yujun, M Haibo, C Hongsheng, Hou Shance, Z Haibin, Z Xi, …

 

  • 堆肥物料含水率在线检测系统的优化及试验验证 (2018) – 侯善策

 

  • 堆肥含水率在线检测方法的选择与探讨 (2018) – 侯善策, 解恒燕, 郑鑫, 韩旭 (Citations: 31)

 

  • 大学生创新创业训练计划项目立项选题与实施管理经验探讨 (2017) – 解恒燕, 侯善策, 郑鑫, 薛辉

 

  • Research on the Mechanism of Ammonia Emission Reduction during the Storage Process of Various Cover Plates for Livestock Manure – PZ Shance Hou, Pengxiang Xu, Jingtao Ding, Yujun Shen, Haibin Zhou, Hongsheng Cheng