Xiaojiao Xiang | Agronomy | Innovation Research Award

Innovative Research Award

Xiaojiao Xiang
College of Agriculture, Yangtze University
Xiaojiao Xiang
Affiliation Yangtze University
Country China
Scopus ID 57215111000
Documents 19+
Citations 4+
h-index 1
Subject Area Crop Genetics, Plant Molecular Biology, Breeding Science
Event Botany Scientist Awards
ORCID 0009-0000-4971-3202

Xiaojiao Xiang is a Chinese researcher in crop genetics and plant molecular biology whose work has focused on rice reproductive biology, stress tolerance mechanisms, molecular breeding strategies, and gene functional analysis in agricultural systems. Her academic contributions have involved the application of molecular genetics, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies, and functional genomics approaches to improve crop productivity and reproductive development. Her research activities have also contributed to the understanding of pollen germination, pollen tube guidance, and male fertility regulation in rice and Arabidopsis systems.

Abstract

This article presents an academic overview of Xiaojiao Xiang and her research contributions in crop genetics, molecular breeding, and plant reproductive biology. Her scholarly work emphasizes molecular mechanisms underlying pollen germination, stress tolerance, crop reproductive development, and gene functional analysis in rice and Arabidopsis. Through publications in peer-reviewed journals and participation in national research initiatives, Xiang has contributed to contemporary plant science research focused on improving crop productivity, resistance traits, and breeding efficiency.[3] Her research integrates molecular biology, functional genomics, and biotechnology-driven breeding applications relevant to modern agricultural systems.

Keywords

Crop Genetics, Plant Molecular Biology, Rice Breeding, Functional Genomics, Pollen Germination, Gene Editing, CRISPR/Cas9, Plant Reproductive Biology, Stress Tolerance, Molecular Breeding.

Introduction

Research in crop genetics and plant molecular biology has become increasingly important for improving food security, crop resilience, and sustainable agricultural production systems. Modern breeding technologies frequently combine genomics, molecular genetics, and biotechnology-based approaches to enhance crop quality and stress adaptation under changing environmental conditions.

Xiaojiao Xiang has participated in several academic and research initiatives associated with Yangtze University, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, and Shandong Agricultural University. Her work has focused on the molecular regulation of crop reproductive development, pollen tube guidance, male fertility, and crop germplasm innovation using forward and reverse genetics strategies.

Research Profile

Xiang completed her doctoral degree in Crop Genetics and Breeding through joint training at Huazhong Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Her doctoral research focused on reverse genetics of rice anther-expressed genes and the functional analysis of rice male sterile genes.

Her professional experience includes academic appointments and postdoctoral research roles in plant molecular biology, crop breeding, and synthetic biology research institutions in China. Her research profile demonstrates interdisciplinary integration between genetics, biotechnology, and molecular breeding applications for crop improvement.

  • Functional genomics and gene regulatory mechanisms in crop plants.
  • CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and mutant analysis.
  • Rice male fertility and reproductive development research.
  • Plant stress tolerance and breeding applications.
  • Pollen germination and pollen tube guidance mechanisms.

Research Contributions

Xiang’s research contributions include investigations into molecular mechanisms regulating plant reproductive development and pollen biology. Her studies on Arabidopsis pollen receptors and RHO OF PLANT proteins have contributed to the understanding of pollen germination and tube guidance pathways.[8]

Her work on rice fertility-related genes has explored the functional significance of transcription factors and reproductive genes associated with seed setting and male sterility. These studies have relevance for crop breeding strategies and hybrid seed production systems.

In addition to gene functional studies, Xiang has participated in projects related to crop germplasm innovation, heterosis utilization, and marker-assisted selection for disease resistance improvement in rice. Her research activities also include participation in nationally funded scientific projects associated with molecular breeding technologies.

Publications

  1. Xiang, X., et al. “Arabidopsis class A S-acyl transferases modify the pollen receptors LIP1 and PRK1 to regulate pollen tube guidance.” Plant Cell, 2024.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koae118
  2. Xiang, X., et al. “RHO OF PLANT proteins are essential for pollen germination in Arabidopsis.” Plant Physiology, 2023
    https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad274
  3. Xiang, X., et al. “The MYB transcription factor Baymax1 plays a critical role in rice male fertility.” Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 2021
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03717-z
  4. Xiang, X., et al. “LSSR1 facilitates seed setting rate by promoting fertilization in rice.” Rice, 2019.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-019-0290-6
  5. Zhang, Z., et al. “Functional exploration of mitochondrial carrier family proteins in faba bean for drought tolerance improvement.” Plant Science, 2026.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113211

Research Impact

The research activities of Xiaojiao Xiang contribute to ongoing advancements in molecular crop breeding, plant reproductive biology, and agricultural biotechnology. Her work on fertility-associated genes and stress-related pathways has relevance for improving crop productivity and supporting sustainable breeding systems.[11]

Her publications in internationally recognized journals such as Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, and Theoretical and Applied Genetics demonstrate continued engagement with high-impact plant science research. Her interdisciplinary expertise combines genetics, molecular biology, and applied breeding approaches relevant to agricultural innovation and crop improvement programs.

Award Suitability

Xiaojiao Xiang demonstrates a research profile aligned with the objectives of the Innovative Research Award through her contributions to crop genetics, molecular breeding, and plant reproductive biology. Her research activities incorporate advanced molecular techniques, gene editing technologies, and functional genomics strategies to address important agricultural and biological research questions.

Her academic achievements include participation in nationally funded scientific projects, publication of peer-reviewed research articles, and contributions to molecular mechanisms associated with crop fertility and stress tolerance. These activities reflect ongoing involvement in innovative plant science research with practical relevance for agricultural sustainability and breeding advancement.

Conclusion

Xiaojiao Xiang has established a research trajectory centered on crop genetics, plant molecular biology, and molecular breeding technologies. Her work integrates functional genomics, reproductive biology, and biotechnology applications to support advances in crop improvement and agricultural research. Through scientific publications, research collaborations, and participation in molecular breeding projects, she has contributed to contemporary developments in plant genetics and sustainable agricultural science.

References

  1. Xiang, X., et al. (2024). Arabidopsis class A S-acyl transferases modify the pollen receptors LIP1 and PRK1 to regulate pollen tube guidance. Plant Cell.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koae118
  2. Xiang, X., et al. (2023). RHO OF PLANT proteins are essential for pollen germination in Arabidopsis.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad274
  3. Plant Science Journal. (2026). Functional exploration of mitochondrial carrier proteins for drought tolerance improvement.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113211

Cornelia Vasile | Plant Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Vasile | Plant Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

Senior Leadin Researcher at Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni| Romania

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Vasile is an internationally recognized polymer scientist with an exceptional career spanning more than five decades in macromolecular chemistry, polymer blends, nanocomposites, bio-based materials, and polymer waste valorization. A Senior Researcher I at the “P. Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romania (1966–2019), she has made pioneering contributions to polymer recycling, thermal analysis, environmentally degradable polymers, and advanced materials for medical, pharmaceutical, and energy applications. Her scientific impact includes 13,500+ citations, 61 h-index, 127 books/chapters, over 170 research papers, 35 patents, and leadership of over 50 national and international research projects, including COST, CEEX, Marie Curie, and NATO grants. A Fulbright Fellow (1994–1995) and long-standing IUPAC member, Prof. Vasile has served on editorial boards of major polymer science journals (Materials, Polymers, IJPS, Nanomaterials, etc.), acted as evaluator for research agencies across Europe, and collaborated with universities in the USA, Canada, Greece, Turkey, and Japan. Her scientific excellence has been recognized with more than 20 international awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), Polymers Best Paper Award (2025), International Research Award in Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (2025), and distinctions from the Romanian Academy. In 2025 she was named Honorary Citizen of Izvoarele Commune.

Profile :  Orcid 

Featured Publications : 

Vasile, C. (2019). Biocompatible materials based on plasticized poly(lactic acid), chitosan and rosemary ethanolic extract: I. Effect of chitosan on the properties of plasticized poly(lactic acid) materials. Polymers, 11(6), 941.

Vasile, C. (2019). New alginate/PNIPAAm matrices for drug delivery. Polymers, 11(2), 366.

Vasile, C. (2019). Chitosan-based bionanocomposite films prepared by emulsion technique for food preservation. Materials, 12(3), 373.

Vasile, C. (2018). Antioxidant/antibacterial electrospun nanocoatings applied onto PLA films. Materials, 11(10), 1973.

Vasile, C. (2018). Evaluation of the rosemary extract effect on the properties of polylactic acid-based materials. Materials, 11(10), 1825.

Vasile, C. (2018). Polymeric nanocomposites and nanocoatings for food packaging: A review. Materials, 11(10), 1834.

Guoping Zhang | Agronomy | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Guoping Zhang | Agronomy | Editorial Board Member

Professor at Zhejiang University | China

Prof. Guoping Zhang is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Zhejiang University, China, recognized internationally for his extensive contributions to crop stress physiology, barley germplasm improvement, and molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to abiotic and heavy metal stresses. After obtaining his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Zhejiang Agricultural University and Zhejiang University, he advanced through academic positions from Assistant Lecturer to full Professor, establishing a strong research legacy in plant molecular physiology and genetic improvement. His primary research areas encompass the identification and development of barley germplasm tolerant to salinity, drought, and acid soils, alongside investigations into nutrient-use efficiency and the molecular and physiological determinants of heavy metal accumulation and phytoremediation in crops. Over his career, he has completed more than thirty competitive research projects, including multiple national natural science foundation grants, and has authored over three hundred sixty publications in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, Plant Physiology, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Advanced Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, accumulating over fifteen thousand citations and a highly influential h-index above sixty. He has contributed seminal findings on sodium transporters, microRNA regulation under salt stress, transcriptomic and alternative splicing responses during salinity adaptation, trypsin-family gene control of tillering and leaf morphology, negative regulatory roles of HKT and calmodulin-related genes in salt tolerance, and multi-omics insights into wild barley adaptation mechanisms. Beyond research, he has served in major international academic roles, including chairing the International Barley Genetics Symposium organizing committee and holding editorial responsibilities for key journals in agronomy, plant physiology, and integrated agricultural sciences, solidifying his standing as a global leader in stress biology and barley genetics.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications : 

An integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveals aerenchyma-mediated antioxidant defense and energy metabolism conferring high waterlogging tolerance in sea barley. (Open access). Plant Stress.

Interactions of arsenic and phosphorus in their uptake and transportation in plants: Advances and prospective research on the mechanisms and approaches for alleviating arsenic stress. (Review, Open access).

Plant secondary metabolites—Central regulators against abiotic and biotic stresses. (Review, Open access).

Utilization of antagonistic interactions between micronutrients and cadmium (Cd) to alleviate Cd toxicity and accumulation in crops. (Review, Open access).

A comprehensive analytical method ‘Regulatome’ revealed a novel pathway for aerenchyma formation under waterlogging in wheat. Physiologia Plantarum.

A barley pan-transcriptome reveals layers of genotype-dependent transcriptional complexity. Nature Genetics.

 

Jiquan Wang | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Dr. Jiquan Wang | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

Professor at Northeast Agricultural University | China

Prof. Dr. Jiquan Wang is a distinguished professor at the College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, recognized for his extensive contributions to agricultural systems engineering, intelligent optimization algorithms, and data-driven decision-making in agriculture; he completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in engineering at leading agricultural universities in China and began his professional career as a technician in an electronics company before transitioning into academia, where he progressed through roles including teaching assistant, lecturer, associate professor, visiting scholar, and professor; his research portfolio spans theoretical and applied studies in genetic algorithms, hybrid evolutionary algorithms, firefly algorithms, sine–cosine optimization, mayfly optimization, carnivorous plant algorithms, whale optimization, evolutionary game theory, agricultural production modeling, pork supply forecasting, crop planting structure optimization, multilevel thresholding image segmentation, food supply chain safety, and agricultural technological progress measurement; he has served as principal investigator for numerous competitive research grants supported by provincial, national, and public-welfare programs, covering subjects such as agricultural machinery system optimization, BP neural network applications, groundwater monitoring technologies, seasonal rural labor estimation, rice production integration, and supply-demand regulation models for agricultural products; he has supervised many postgraduate theses involving advanced optimization techniques, machine learning applications, routing algorithms, neural networks, production function analysis, supply chain coordination, and image-based crop identification; his scholarly output includes influential publications in top international journals such as Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Expert Systems with Applications, Applied Soft Computing, Applied Intelligence, IEEE Access, Mathematics, Sustainability, Knowledge-Based Systems, and Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, and he has served as associate editor of major academic textbooks including Agricultural Systems Engineering and Management Information System Analysis and Design, with his works widely cited for advancing modern agricultural engineering; his innovation record includes numerous authorized patents covering agricultural machinery, intelligent scheduling methods, crop production devices, soil and crop processing systems, optimization-based agricultural tools, and smart mechanization structures, reflecting his leadership in merging engineering innovation with computational intelligence for sustainable agricultural development.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications : 

Jinling, B., Wang, J., & Zhang, H. (in press). An optimization method for corn planting parameters based on mutation breeding sea horse optimization algorithm. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.

 Author, A., & Wang, J. (in press). A knowledge-driven smart system based on reinforcement learning for pork supply-demand regulation. Agriculture (Switzerland).

Author, A., Author, B., & Wang, J. (in press). Edge–Region collaborative segmentation of potato leaf disease images using Beluga Whale Optimization Algorithm with danger sensing mechanism. Agriculture (Switzerland).

Author, A., Author, B., Author, C., & Wang, J. (2024). Identifying rice lodging based on semantic segmentation architecture optimization with UAV remote sensing imaging. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, (vol/issue not provided).

Peter Makieu | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

Mr. Peter Makieu | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

Research Teaching Assistant at Njala University | Sierra Leone

Mr. Peter Makieu is an emerging multidisciplinary researcher whose academic and professional journey spans agribusiness management, computer science, data analytics, and machine learning applications in agriculture, reflecting a unique blend of scientific rigor and technological innovation. He holds advanced degrees in Agribusiness Management and Computer Science and Engineering, complemented by strong foundations in research methodology, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and publication ethics. His scholarly pursuits focus on agribusiness development, food and nutrition systems, crop science improvement, and the integration of intelligent technologies such as predictive analytics, precision agriculture tools, and AI-driven automation to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and decision-making. Peter’s research contributions include peer-reviewed works on nutritional assessment of indigenous crops, financial access challenges among farming communities, and the performance analysis of AI models and minimalist neural network architectures, demonstrating both scientific depth and interdisciplinary versatility. Professionally, he has served as a Research Teaching Assistant in agribusiness, a Data Analyst for national value-chain assessments, an Acting Principal and Lecturer contributing to academic governance and curriculum leadership, and a facilitator of training programs for farmers, students, and professionals. His roles have encompassed research design, data interpretation, academic mentorship, statistical modeling, administrative leadership, and community engagement. Peter has also gained hands-on experience in plantation management, market linkages, production planning, and quality control through internships and development collaborations. Known for his strong communication skills, academic leadership, and commitment to sustainable development, he continues to pursue impactful research at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and socio-economic transformation, contributing to knowledge advancement and capacity building across diverse sectors.

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Featured Publications : 

Makieu, P., Yansaneh, M., Tunkara, I., & Newah, S. S. (2025). Assessing the effectiveness of government policies on youth employment in Sierra Leone. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports.

Makieu, P., Kanu, M. S., Sillah, A., & Sheriff, A. (2025). Nutritional values of cassava leaves in three districts, Kenema, Kailahun, and Bo, Sierra Leone. Food and Humanity.

Afsaneh Heydari | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Afsaneh Heydari | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Shiraz University | Iran

Dr. Afsaneh Heydari is a dedicated researcher at Shiraz University whose work focuses on agricultural meteorology, climate variability, and the hydro-environmental systems of arid and semi-arid regions. Her research explores the interconnections between the Middle East and the West Indian Subcontinent in the context of climate change, particularly examining the modulation roles of the Atlantic Meridional Oscillation (AMO) and monsoon cloud dynamics. Through advanced statistical and computational modeling, she has provided valuable insights into spatial disparities in climate trends and their implications for regional agriculture and water management. Her collaborative research, published in high-impact journals such as Climate (MDPI), demonstrates strong analytical rigor and contributes meaningfully to understanding climate-driven challenges affecting food and water security. Dr. Heydari’s work bridges hydrology, climatology, and sustainable resource management—making her a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award for her innovative contributions to advancing scientific knowledge in climate change impacts and adaptation strategies within horticultural and agricultural ecosystems.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

All-optical XOR, XNOR, NAND and OR logic gates based on photonic crystal 3-DB coupler for BPSK signals. Journal of Optical Communications.

Application of UV/Vis spectrophotometry based on using least squares support vector machine and continuous wavelet transform methods for the simultaneous analysis of antibiotics drugs in tablet formulation: Comparison with HPLC method.

Heydari, A., Nazemosadat, M. J., & Hosseinzadehtalaei, P. Climate change in the Middle East and the West Indian Subcontinent: Geographic interconnections and the modulation roles of the extreme phases of the Atlantic Meridional Oscillation (AMO) and the monsoon cloudiness. Climate.

Mehrdad Alizadeh | Plant Pathology | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Mehrdad Alizadeh | Plant Pathology | Young Scientist Award

Researcher at Tarbiat Modares University | Iran

Dr. Mehrdad Alizadeh is a distinguished early-career researcher in Plant Pathology at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, recognized for his multidisciplinary work on forest disease epidemiology, plant–microbe interactions, and microbial ecology. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Tarbiat Modares University, following his M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Protection from the University of Tabriz. Dr. Alizadeh’s professional experience includes extensive teaching and mentoring of postgraduate students, participation in national and international research collaborations, and authorship of 31 scientific documents that have garnered 517 citations from 478 sources, reflecting his growing global impact and an h-index of 8. His research interests encompass mycology, bacteriology, microbiome analysis, forest pathology, and biocontrol strategies, with recent explorations into nanotechnology and artificial intelligence applications in plant health. Skilled in molecular techniques, microbiome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and bioinformatics tools, he integrates advanced methodologies to address complex ecological and pathological questions. Among his honors are multiple exceptional talent recognitions, research presentation awards, and elite student fellowships. In conclusion, Dr. Alizadeh exemplifies an innovative young scientist whose integrated approach to plant disease management and ecosystem health positions him as a promising leader in sustainable agricultural and environmental research.

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Featured Publications

Alizadeh, M., Khoshru, B., Mitra, D., Khoshmanzar, E., Myo, E. M., Uniyal, N., Mahakur, B., et al. (2020). Current scenario and future prospects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: An economic valuable resource for the agriculture revival under stressful conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 43(20), 3062–3092.
Cited by: 180

Hyde, K. D., Noorabadi, M. T., Thiyagaraja, V., He, M. Q., Johnston, P. R., … Alizadeh, M. (2024). The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa. Mycosphere, 15, 5146–6239.
Cited by: 99

Marooufpour, N., Alizadeh, M., Hatami, M., & Asgari Lajayer, B. (2019). Biological synthesis of nanoparticles by different groups of bacteria. In Microbial Nanobionics: Volume 1, State-of-the-art, pp. 63–85.
Cited by: 79

Alizadeh, M., Vasebi, Y., & Safaie, N. (2020). Microbial antagonists against plant pathogens in Iran: A review. Open Agriculture, 5(1), 404–440.
Cited by: 68

Khoshru, B., Mitra, D., Joshi, K., Adhikari, P., Rion, M. S. I., Fadiji, A. E., Alizadeh, M., et al. (2023). RETRACTED: Decrypting the multi-functional biological activators and inducers of defense responses against biotic stresses in plants. Heliyon, 9(3).
Cited by: 66

Rashad Mukhtar Balal | Horticulture | Excellence in Innovation Award

Prof. Dr. Rashad Mukhtar Balal | Horticulture | Excellence in Innovation Award

Chairman / Professor at Department of Horticulture, University of Sargodha | Pakistan

Prof. Dr. Rashad Mukhtar Balal is a distinguished horticultural scientist and academic leader known for his outstanding contributions to citrus biotechnology, pomology, and stress physiology. He earned his Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, specializing in pomology, biotechnology, and horticultural stress physiology, with earlier degrees in M.Phil. and B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture from the same institution. With over two decades of professional experience, he has served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Horticulture at the University of Sargodha and held visiting research and teaching positions at Cornell University, USA, and Harper Adams University, UK. His research interests encompass citrus rootstock improvement, nursery management, protected horticulture, and the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of crop tolerance under salt, drought, and heavy metal stress. Skilled in experimental design, plant tissue culture, stress physiology, and biotechnology applications, he has led and completed numerous national and international research projects. Dr. Balal’s achievements include establishing Pakistan’s first certified disease-free and seedless citrus nursery and introducing seedless Kinnow mandarins. His excellence has been recognized through awards such as the International Outstanding Research Publication Award (ASHS-USA) and the National Innovation Award. His continued dedication promotes sustainable horticultural development and agricultural innovation globally.

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Featured Publications

Shahid, M. A., Sarkhosh, A., Khan, N., Balal, R. M., Ali, S., Rossi, L., Gómez, C., et al. (2020). Insights into the physiological and biochemical impacts of salt stress on plant growth and development. Agronomy, 10(7), 938.

Abbas, T., Balal, R. M., Shahid, M. A., Pervez, M. A., Ayyub, C. M., Aqueel, M. A., et al. (2015). Silicon-induced alleviation of NaCl toxicity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is associated with enhanced photosynthesis, osmoprotectants and antioxidant defense. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 37(2), 6.

Khan, H. A., Ayub, C. M., Pervez, M. A., Bilal, R. M., Shahid, M. A., & Ziaf, K. (2009). Effect of seed priming with NaCl on salinity tolerance of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at seedling stage. Soil and Environment, 28(1), 81–87.

Shahid, M. A., Pervez, M. A., Balal, R. M., Mattson, N. S., Rashid, A., Ahmad, R., et al. (2011). Brassinosteroid (24-epibrassinolide) enhances growth and alleviates the deleterious effects induced by salt stress in pea (Pisum sativum L.). Australian Journal of Crop Science, 5(5), 500–510.

Shahid, M. A., Balal, R. M., Khan, N., Zotarelli, L., Liu, G. D., Sarkhosh, A., et al. (2019). Selenium impedes cadmium and arsenic toxicity in potato by modulating carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 180, 588–599.

Tapon Kumar Roy | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Tapon Kumar Roy | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Tapon Kumar Roy is an accomplished agricultural researcher at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) with 46 citations from 40 documents, 8 published papers, and an h-index of 3, reflecting his growing academic impact in the field of agronomy and rice entomology. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture and an MS in Crop Physiology and Ecology from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. His professional experience spans pest management, pesticide residue analysis, and eco-friendly agricultural practices, with active involvement in projects on rice pest control, storage pest management, and natural enemy conservation. His research interests include insect toxicology, botanicals, nanoparticle-based pest management, and the physiological response of rice to salt and abiotic stress. Mr. Roy possesses advanced research skills in statistical and analytical tools such as LCMS, GCMS/MS, QGIS, R Studio, and MSTAT-C, enabling precision in experimental design and data analysis. His contributions have earned him prestigious recognitions including the National Integrity Award (2021–22) and Best Scientist Award (2020–21) from BRRI. Through his commitment to innovation and sustainable pest management, Mr. Roy continues to contribute significantly to improving rice productivity and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices in Bangladesh.

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Featured Publications

Alam, Z., Akter, S., Khan, M. A. H., Amin, M. N., Karim, M. R., Rahman, M. H. S., et al. (2024). Multivariate analysis of yield and quality traits in sweet potato genotypes (Ipomoea batatas L.). Scientia Horticulturae, 328, 112901.

Roy, T. K., Sannal, A., Tonmoy, S. M. M. S., Akter, S., Roy, B., & Rana, M. M. (2024). Trait analysis of short duration boro rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in northern region of Bangladesh: Insights from heatmap, correlation and PCA. Nova Geodesia, 4(2), 175–175.

Ali, M. P., Haque, S. S., Hossain, M. M., Bari, M. N., Kabir, M. M. M., Roy, T. K., Datta, J., et al. (2023). Development and demographic parameters of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) when feeding on rice (Oryza sativa). CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 4(1), 1–14.

Roy, T. K., Kabir, M. M. M., Akter, S., Nayeem, A., Alam, Z., Hasan, M. R., & Bari, M. N. (2024). Seasonal variations of insect abundance: Correlating growth stage-specific metrics with weather patterns in Rangpur Region, Bangladesh. Heliyon, 10(18), e38121.

Roy, T. K., Tonmoy, S. M. M. S., Sannal, A., Akter, S., Hasan, K. T., & Rana, M. M. (2022). Yield performance of some short duration high yielding rice varieties during boro season in northern region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 9(4), 15–21.

Cristina Oliveira | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Cristina Oliveira | Horticulture | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Instituto Supeior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa | Portugal

Prof. Dr. Cristina Oliveira is a distinguished horticultural scientist whose academic excellence and research leadership have significantly advanced agricultural innovation and sustainability. With 76 publications, an h-index of 20, and 1,821 citations from 1,580 documents, her scholarly impact is widely recognized. She holds a professorship at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, where she teaches and coordinates key courses in olive cultivation, fruit production, and horticultural systems. Her educational background and career reflect a strong integration of scientific inquiry with practical agricultural solutions. Prof. Oliveira’s professional experience includes coordinating national and international R&D projects, supervising over 100 master’s and six doctoral theses, and serving on the scientific committees of major international congresses. Her research interests span fruit tree physiology, irrigation management, crop water use efficiency, and post-harvest fruit quality under changing climate conditions. Skilled in experimental design, data interpretation, and multidisciplinary collaboration, she effectively bridges academic research with industry application. Recognized for her contributions, she has served as President of ADISA and a board member of the Operational and Technological Center for Fruit and Vegetables (COTHN). Prof. Oliveira’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and academic mentorship firmly establishes her as a leading figure in horticultural research and education.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for temperate climate fruit trees, vines, and shrubs with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system. Plant Stress.  (Cited by 4).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water requirements of subtropical and tropical orchards and plantations with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system. Plant Stress. (Cited by 7).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water use of tree and vine woody crops with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system for Mediterranean and warm temperate fruit and leaf crops. Plant Stress. (Cited by 15).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2025). Effect of heading cuts on branch growth of ‘Encore’ mandarin. Plant Stress. (Cited by 2).

Oliveira, C. M., et al. (2024). Analysis of petiole sap nutrients using rapid and standard methods and its relation to leaf analysis of fertilized Malus domestica cv. Gala. Horticulturae.