Maria Medvedeva | soil science | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Maria Medvedeva | soil science | Best Researcher Award

Head of Laboratory, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Maria Vladimirovna Medvedeva is a senior researcher and Head of the Laboratory of Forest Soil Science at the Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences. With a PhD in Biological Sciences (2002), she has over two decades of experience in soil science, focusing on forest ecosystems. She has led the laboratory since 2019, spearheading research on forest soil microbiology, ecological monitoring, and post-fire soil restoration. A prolific author, she has contributed extensively to top scientific journals and has played a key role in advancing knowledge on boreal forest soil dynamics.

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🎓 Education

Maria Medvedeva earned her PhD (Candidate of Biological Sciences) in 2002, specializing in forest soil science. Her academic journey has been dedicated to understanding soil microbiology, carbon dynamics, and environmental monitoring in boreal forests. Through continuous learning and collaboration, she has developed expertise in post-fire soil recovery and the ecological assessment of soil health, contributing significantly to forest conservation and management studies.

🏢 Experience

Dr. Medvedeva has over 20 years of experience in soil science research, focusing on boreal forests. She has been a senior researcher at the Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, RAS, and has led the Laboratory of Forest Soil Science since 2019. Her work includes extensive field studies, laboratory research, and international collaborations. She has also mentored young scientists and contributed to large-scale ecological monitoring projects, enhancing understanding of forest soil resilience and degradation.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Maria Medvedeva has received multiple awards recognizing her contributions to forest soil science, including honors for her research on post-fire soil recovery and microbial diversity. She has been acknowledged for her high-impact publications and collaborative projects in soil monitoring. Her work has earned national and international recognition, positioning her as a leading expert in boreal forest soil studies.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Medvedeva’s research focuses on forest soil microbiology, ecological monitoring, post-fire soil restoration, and carbon stock assessment. She investigates the impact of land use on soil properties and develops strategies for sustainable forest management. Her studies contribute to understanding soil biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and climate change mitigation through soil conservation efforts in boreal ecosystems.

🏆 Conclusion

Dr. Maria Vladimirovna Medvedeva is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her exceptional contributions in forest soil science. Her strong publication record, leadership, and expertise in environmental monitoring make her a top contender. Expanding her interdisciplinary reach and enhancing policy engagement could further solidify her global research impact.

Publication

Medvedeva, M., & Raevsky, B. (2025). The influence of juniper on the soil properties of pine stands in the taiga zone of the European North. Forests. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020365

Medvedeva, M., & Ananyev, V. (2023). The influence of logging equipment on the content, stock, and stratification coefficient of elements of the mineral nutrition of plants in the soils of the taiga zone of Karelia. Forests. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071424

 

Bakhmet, O. N., & Medvedeva, M. V. (2022). Decomposition of coniferous litterfall in soils forming under artificial pine stands in Eastern Fennoscandia. Contemporary Problems of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995425522070034

 

Dubrovina, I. A., Moshkina, E. V., Tuyunen, A. V., Genikova, N. V., Karpechko, A. Y., & Medvedeva, M. V. (2022). Dynamics of soil properties and ecosystem carbon stocks for different types of land use (Middle Taiga of Karelia). Eurasian Soil Science. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229322090046

 

Karpechko, A. Y., Moshkina, E. V., Medvedeva, M. V., & Tuyunen, A. V. (2022). Patterns in the spatial distribution of fine roots in Pinus sylvestris L. (Using the example of a mid-taiga cowberry-type pine forest). Contemporary Problems of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995425522020032

 

Bakhmet, O. N., & Medvedeva, M. V. (2022). Pine needles litter decomposition in soils of the Eastern Fennoscandia’s pine plantations. Russian Journal of Forest Science. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0024114822030032

 

Bakhmet, O. N., Medvedeva, M. V., Moshkina, Y. V., Tkachenko, Y. N., Mamay, A. V., Novikov, S. G., Moshnikov, S. A., Timofeeva, V. V., & Karpechko, A. Yu. (2022). Spatial variability of podzol properties depending on the plant microgroups on the example of the cowberry pine forests. Russian Journal of Forest Science. https://doi.org/10.31857/S002411482105003X

 

Moshkina, Y. V., Bakhmet, O. N., Medvedeva, M. V., Karpechko, A. Yu., & Mamay, A. V. (2022). Spatio-temporal dynamics of soils’ biological activity in the phytogenous field of Scots pine in Karelia Republic’s middle taiga. Russian Journal of Forest Science. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0024114822040076

Ananyev, V. A., Timofeeva, V., Kryshen’, A., Pekkoev, A., Kostina, E., Ruokolainen, A. V., Moshnikov, S. A., Medvedeva, M., Polevoi, A. V., & Humala, A. E. (2022). Fire severity controls successional pathways in a fire-affected spruce forest in Eastern Fennoscandia. Forests. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111775

 

Medvedeva, M., & Bakhmet, O. N. (2022). Changes in the microbiological properties of soils along the gradient of the altitude zone of Mount Kivaka in Eastern Fennoscandia, Russia. Forests. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13060849

 

Bakhmet, O. N., Medvedeva, M. V., Raevsky, B. V., Novikov, S. G., & Shelekhova, T. S. (2021). Characteristics of soils and the soil cover in the Kostomuksha State Nature Reserve, Russia. Nature Conservation Research. https://doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2021.004

 

Novikov, S. G., Medvedeva, M. V., & Bakhmet, O. N. (2021). Environmental assessment of the state of urban soils in Petrozavodsk, Russia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/862/1/012105

 

Bo Zhu | Environmental Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Bo Zhu | Environmental Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University,  China

Bo Zhu is an associate professor and vice dean at the School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He completed his B.S. and Ph.D. at Zhejiang University. His research primarily focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, non-coding RNAs, and horizontal gene transfer in phytopathogens. He has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at prestigious institutions such as Zhejiang University, KU Leuven (Belgium), and the University of Tokyo (Japan). Bo Zhu is dedicated to advancing biocontrol methods for plant diseases and improving agricultural resources through cutting-edge research and teaching.

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Education 🎓

Bo Zhu earned his B.S. in 2004 and Ph.D. in 2010 from Zhejiang University. His academic journey laid the foundation for his groundbreaking research in bacterial pathogenesis, RNA editing, and plant immunity. His doctoral work provided significant contributions to understanding bacterial genetic processes, leading to multiple postdoctoral fellowships in internationally renowned institutions such as Zhejiang University, KU Leuven (Belgium), and the University of Tokyo (Japan).

Experience 🧑‍🏫

Bo Zhu began his academic career as a postdoctoral researcher at Zhejiang University in 2012 and further advanced his expertise at KU Leuven and the University of Tokyo. He joined Zhejiang Sci-Tech University as an assistant professor in 2017 before moving to Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2023, where he became a tenured associate professor and vice dean of the School of Agriculture and Biology. His career reflects a consistent trajectory toward leadership in agriculture and biological sciences.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Bo Zhu has received several prestigious awards, including the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Outstanding Class Advisor Fund, the Teaching Development Fund, and a Poster Award at the Chinese Doctoral Forum. He was also honored with the Second Prize for Excellent Graduate Student at Zhejiang University. Additionally, his work has been recognized with research funding and accolades, including the Shanghai Super Postdoctoral Fellowship and a National Scholarship for Postgraduate Students awarded to one of his trainees.

Research Focus 🔍

Bo Zhu’s research primarily explores bacterial A-to-I RNA editing and its role in bacterial pathogenesis, specifically in enhancing bacterial oxidative stress tolerance and antibiotic resistance. He also investigates non-coding RNAs in plant immunity and bacterial stress responses. His team is focused on understanding horizontal gene transfer in plant pathogens, aiming to develop novel biocontrol methods for rice bacterial diseases. Additionally, Zhu is building an A-to-I RNA editing site database and studying multidrug-resistant pathogens to combat the global rise in antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion

Bo Zhu stands out as a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to his innovative, interdisciplinary research in microbial genomics and plant pathogenesis. His pioneering work on A-to-I RNA editing and non-coding RNAs in bacterial pathogenesis addresses critical challenges in modern agriculture and medicine. With his leadership in academia and contributions to advancing scientific knowledge, Bo Zhu is a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition. Continued efforts to bridge the gap between research and practical applications could further enhance his already impressive impact.

Publications 📚

  1. Title: Spread of antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water reservoirs: Insights from a deep metagenomic study using a curated database
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Sai Wang, Wenhan Nie, Qing Gu, 王谢, Danping Yang, Hongyu Li, Peihong Wang, Weixue Liao, Jin Huang, Quan Yuan et al.

 

  1. Title: Suppression of host plant defense by bacterial small RNAs packaged in outer membrane vesicles
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Yan Wu, Sai Wang, Peihong Wang, Wenhan Nie, Iftikhar Ahmad, Panagiotis F. Sarris, Gongyou Chen, Bo Zhu

 

  1. Title: Methylomonas defluvii sp. nov., a type I methane-oxidizing bacterium from a secondary sedimentation tank of a wastewater treatment plant
    Year: 2024
    Authors: Ming-Yan Ouyang, Sai Wang, Wen-Han Nie, Pei-Hong Wang, Wei-Xue Liao, Xiao-Hui Liu, Si-Si Lin, Rong-Peng Lin, Gong-You Chen, Bo Zhu et al.

 

  1. Title: Potentiation of host defense through sRNA packaged in OMVs of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Yan Wu, Sai Wang, Peihong Wang, Wenhan Nie, Iftikhar Ahmad, Gongyou Chen, Bo Zhu

 

  1. Title: Next Generation Sequencing and Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveal Extreme Plasticity of Two Burkholderia glumae Strains HN1 and HN2
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Sai Wang, Wenhan Nie, Ayizekeranmu Yiming, Peihong Wang, Yan Wu, Jin Huang, Iftikhar Ahmad, Gongyou Chen, Longbiao Guo, Bo Zhu

 

  1. Title: Micro-synteny conservation analysis revealed the evolutionary history of bacterial biphenyl degradation pathway
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Raqeeb Ullah, Bo Zhu, Kaleem U. Kakar, Zarqa Nawaz, Muhammd Mushtaq, Taimoor Shah Durrani, Zia Ul Islam, Faheem Nawaz

 

  1. Title: Genome Resource of Ancylobacter pratisalsi E130T: A Novel Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from the Rhizosphere
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Wenhan Nie, Xin Zheng, Sai Wang, Iftikhar Ahmad, Bo Zhu

 

  1. Title: Identification and Characterization of Rice Circular RNAs Responding to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Invasion
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Peihong Wang, Sai Wang, Yan Wu, Wenhan Nie, Ayizekeranmu Yiming, Jin Huang, Iftikhar Ahmad, Bo Zhu, Gongyou Chen

 

  1. Title: Genome Resource of Pseudomonas chlororaphis L5734: A Bacterium Antagonistic to the Mulberry Gray Mold Pathogen Botrytis cinerea
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Xie Wang, Jin Huang, Jingling Liang, Tian Tang, Jianhua Zhang, Bo Zhu, Iftikhar Ahmad, Wenhan Nie, Sai Wang

Kaoutar El Mahi | Microbiology | Women Researcher Award

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Mrs. Kaoutar El Mahi| Microbiology | Women Researcher Award

Mrs at Faculty of Sciences and Technology,  Morocco.

Kaoutar El Mahi is a dedicated doctoral candidate in Sciences and Techniques at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Mohammedia. She has a solid foundation in microbiology, holding a Master’s in Applied Microbiology and Biological Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Laboratory Technology. Known for her enthusiasm and perseverance, Kaoutar is advancing her expertise through research and practical experience, honing skills in microbiological diagnostics, antimicrobial activities, and laboratory management. Her professional journey is highlighted by numerous laboratory internships, participation in scientific events, and contributions to academic teaching, making her a promising researcher in applied microbiology.

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Education 🎓

Doctorate in Sciences and Techniques (09/2021 – Ongoing), Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia. Master’s in Applied Microbiology and Biological Engineering (09/2019 – 06/2021), Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia. Bachelor’s in Biomedical Laboratory Technology (09/2016 – 06/2019), Higher Institute of Health Sciences (ISSS), Settat, with honors. High School Diploma in Physical Sciences (09/2015 – 06/2016), Ihsane Schools, El Jadida, with high distinction

Experience 💼

Doctoral Internships: Conducted microbiology diagnostics and quality assurance analyses across multiple institutions, including LAB Conformité Mohammedia and Hassan II Hospital. Laboratory Practices Assistant: Guided undergraduate students in microbiological diagnostics and antimicrobial studies, providing 24 hours of instructional time per module. Pre-Employment Internship: Completed a comprehensive analysis of shrimp safety, focusing on bisulfite impacts at LAB Conformité-Mohammedia. Technical Skills: Skilled in laboratory instruments (microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers) and digital tools (GraphPad, Zotero, Pack Office).

Awards and Honors 🏆

Best Communication Award (2022) at the International Congress on Pedagogy, Research, and Health (CIPRS). Multiple Scientific Participation Certificates: Attended seminars and workshops covering cutting-edge topics in biosensors, renewable energy, and environmental science. Student Mentor: Provided academic supervision for undergraduate thesis projects, enhancing pedagogical engagement. Teaching Acknowledgments: Recognized for substantial contributions to practical training sessions for microbiology and bioanalysis courses at Faculty of Science and Technology.

Research Focus 🔬

Kaoutar’s research emphasizes the field of applied microbiology, focusing on antimicrobial diagnostics, microbial safety, and food quality control. Her doctoral work includes analyzing the efficacy of preservative agents in seafood to prevent melanosis, alongside broader interests in laboratory diagnostics for healthcare settings. Kaoutar actively participates in scientific events, showcasing her findings on antimicrobial properties and bioactive molecules. Her work contributes to understanding bacterial behavior in food and healthcare, aligning with her career aspirations to foster innovative solutions in microbiological engineering and applied health sciences.

Publications Top Notes

  1. Title: Effectiveness of three treatment methods on melanosis inhibition and SO₂ residual concentration in pink shrimps (Parapenaeus longirostris) after various sulphite-based treatments in Morocco
  • Authors: Kaoutar El Mahi, Maryeme Bouslim, Imane Maiouet, Oleya El Hariri, Abderrazzak Rachidi, Naima Rhallabi
  • Journal: International Journal of Environmental Studies
  • Publication Date: October 4, 2024
  • DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2024.2410630

 

Mahdi Jalali | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mahdi Jalali | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr at Bu-Ali Sina University,  Iran

Dr. Mahdi Jalali is a soil scientist specializing in fertility management, soil chemistry, and pollution. He earned his Ph.D. from Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran, with a focus on phosphorus availability and leaching in soils treated with sewage sludge, nanoparticles, and clay minerals. His research spans phosphorus dynamics, heavy metal accumulation, and groundwater quality. With over 23 publications and 221 citations, he is recognized for his expertise in soil geochemistry and environmental health. Dr. Jalali is a member of Iran’s National Elite Foundation and has received multiple awards for his academic and research excellence.

Publication profile

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🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Fertility Management & Soil Biotechnology (2016-2021) Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran. Thesis: Effect of sewage sludge and nanoparticles on phosphorus in soils. M.Sc. in Agriculture Engineering – Soil Chemistry & Fertility (2014-2016) Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran. Thesis: Phosphorus dynamics in calcareous soils. B.Sc. in Agriculture Engineering – Soil Science (2010-2014) Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran

💼 Professional Experience

Collaborator, Bu-Ali Sina University (2023-2024) Simulated nitrate concentration and groundwater geochemistry. Reviewed critical phosphorus levels and hydrogeochemical risks.. Collaborator, Bu-Ali Sina University (2022-2023) Researched heavy metals in groundwater, phosphorus leaching, and environmental risks. Research Assistant, Bu-Ali Sina University (2022) Analyzed soil phosphorus, potassium, and groundwater geochemistry. Student Researcher, Bu-Ali Sina University (2014-2021) Focused on phosphorus leaching, sewage sludge effects, and soil amendments.

🛠️ Technical Skills

  • PHREEQC, Visual MINTEQ, SAS, R, Minitab, Stata
  • Atomic absorption & UV-Vis spectrophotometers

🏅 Grants & Awards

  • Member of Iran’s National Elite Foundation (2018-present)
  • Best educational and research Ph.D. student (2018, 2019)

📈 Research Metrics

  • Citations: 221 | h-index: 7 | Publications: 23

Publication

  1. A Meta-Analysis of Geochemical Characteristics of Groundwater Quality in Iran
    • Authors: M. Jalali, M. Jalali
    • Published In: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  1. The Status of Phosphorus Levels in Iranian Agricultural Soils — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    • Authors: M. Jalali, W. Buss, F. Parviznia, M. Jalali
    • Published In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2023
    • Citations: 1

 

  1. Groundwater Hydrogeochemical Processes, Water Quality Index, and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment in an Arid and Semi-Arid Environment (Hamedan, Iran)
    • Authors: M. Jalali, M. Jalali, L. Morrison
    • Published In: Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  1. Assessment of Water Quality for Mountainous High-Elevated Spring Waters Using Self-Organized Maps
    • Authors: M. Jalali, M. Shademani, M. Paripour, M. Jalali
    • Published In: Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2024
    • Citations: 4

 

  1. The Release of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn from Clay Loam and Sandy Loam Soils Under the Influence of Various Organic Amendments and Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids
    • Authors: M. Jalali, M. Jalali, V. Antoniadis
    • Published In: Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023
    • Citations: 6

 

  1. Risk Assessment of Available and Total Heavy Metals Contents in Various Land Use in Calcareous Soils
    • Authors: M. Jalali, F. Moradi, M. Jalali, J. Wang
    • Published In: Environmental Earth Sciences, 2023
    • Citations: 3

 

  1. Available and Total Phosphorus Background Levels in Soils: A Calcareous and Semi-Arid Region
    • Authors: M. Jalali, M. Jalali, M. Beygi, Z. Salehi, V. Antoniadis
    • Published In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2023
    • Citations: 3

 

  1. The Impact of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Availability and Speciation of Phosphorus and Heavy Metals in Calcareous Soils
    • Authors: M. Jalali, E.A. Farahani, M. Jalali
    • Published In: Environmental Earth Sciences, 2023
    • Citations: 4

 

Wei Zhao | Microbial Ecology | Young Scientist Award

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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 Master’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.

🎓 Education

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

💼 Experience

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

📚 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 Society’s Science and Technology Progress Award.

🔬 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.