Marianna Vályi Nagy | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Botany Scientist

Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Research Assisstant at Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Hungary

Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy is an emerging researcher in agronomy and plant sciences, with a special focus on sustainable crop production and intercropping systems. She has built her academic and professional career by combining strong theoretical foundations with applied research at leading Hungarian institutions. Through her work at the Applied Agronomy Research Station and participation in national research excellence programs, she has contributed to advancing agricultural practices that address climate change challenges, market adaptability, and environmental sustainability. Her research outcomes have been published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and compiled into book excerpts, while her patents underscore the innovative dimension of her work. In addition, her collaborations with industry demonstrate the practical relevance and application of her findings. She is also an active member of professional committees and chambers, strengthening her role as a recognized expert in her field with both academic and applied contributions.

Professional Profile 

Education

Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy pursued her academic training in Hungary, beginning with studies in horticultural engineering, which gave her a comprehensive understanding of plant sciences, production systems, and cultivation practices. Building upon this foundation, she further specialized in plant protection, where she gained skills in disease management, pest control, and the protection of crop yields. Her commitment to academic growth led her to doctoral studies at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where her research focuses on intercropping systems. This educational pathway has allowed her to develop both breadth and depth across the agricultural sciences, from crop development to integrated sustainability solutions. Her multidisciplinary background enables her to approach research problems holistically, combining plant production, protection, and agronomy. This integration of knowledge has provided her with a strong platform to contribute to scientific advancements while addressing both theoretical challenges and real-world agricultural needs.

Professional Experience

Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy has gained valuable professional experience through her role as a research assistant and her work at the Applied Agronomy Research Station. Since joining the research team, she has been actively involved in designing and implementing experiments that address the practical challenges faced by modern agriculture. Her contributions extend to industry-linked projects, where she has collaborated with multiple companies under contract, ensuring that her research maintains both academic rigor and commercial applicability. She has also contributed to national excellence and young researcher training programs, highlighting her commitment to advancing science through structured research initiatives. These experiences have not only strengthened her technical and methodological expertise but also exposed her to interdisciplinary collaboration and large-scale agricultural problem-solving. By combining research with industry engagement, she has been able to create a meaningful bridge between innovation in laboratories and adoption in farming practices, positioning herself as a researcher with both vision and practical impact.

Research Interests

The central theme of Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy research interests lies in developing sustainable agricultural systems through intercropping practices. She is particularly focused on the interaction between winter wheat and winter pea, exploring both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of crop yield and development. Her work investigates the parallel growth of companion crops, optimal variety selection, and seeding rates, aiming to identify cultivation methods that are resilient to climate variability and adaptable to shifting market conditions. She is also interested in the environmental benefits of intercropping, such as improving soil health, reducing dependence on chemical inputs, and enhancing ecological balance in agricultural systems. These research directions are highly relevant to current global agricultural challenges, where the need for climate-resilient, eco-friendly, and economically viable practices is pressing. Her investigations contribute to expanding the limited knowledge base on intercropping while laying the groundwork for future research and field-level applications.

Research Skills

Through her academic training and professional practice, Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy has developed a diverse range of research skills. She is proficient in designing and conducting field experiments that evaluate crop performance under various agronomic conditions. Her expertise includes data collection, statistical analysis, and the interpretation of results to generate meaningful insights that inform cultivation strategies. She has hands-on experience with assessing both quantitative parameters, such as yield measurements, and qualitative traits, such as crop quality and interspecies interactions. Additionally, she has contributed to writing scientific publications, book excerpts, and patents, demonstrating strong skills in scientific communication and knowledge transfer. Her collaborative work with research teams and industry partners also reflects her ability to manage projects that balance academic rigor with practical outcomes. These skills collectively allow her to contribute effectively to both applied and theoretical aspects of agronomy, making her a versatile and resourceful researcher.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy has received recognition for her contributions to agricultural research. She has been supported by national excellence initiatives and young researcher training programs, which acknowledge her innovative research potential and commitment to advancing knowledge in agronomy. Her achievements include multiple patents, a strong portfolio of publications, and authored contributions to books, each reflecting her ability to generate impactful scientific outputs. In addition to institutional recognition, her collaborations with industry highlight the practical value of her work in developing sustainable agricultural solutions. Membership in professional organizations such as the Agricultural Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian Chamber of Plant Protection Engineers and Plant Doctors further demonstrates her standing in the academic and professional community. These affiliations and acknowledgments collectively affirm her growing influence in the field and underscore her suitability for recognition through awards and honors.

Publications Top Noted

Title: Yield and Quality Parameters of Winter Wheat in a Wheat–Pea Mixed Cropping System
Year: 2025

Title: Competition Indices and Economic Benefits of Winter Wheat and Winter Peas in Mixed Cropping
Year: 2024

Title: The Effect of Foliar Zinc Application on the Leaf Chlorophyll Concentrations and Grain Yields of the Winter Wheat in the Field Experiments of Two Seasons
Year: 2023

Title: Effects of Winter Cereals and Winter Pea Intercropping on Weed Cover in South-Eastern and Central Hungary
Year: 2023

Title: Evaluation of the Development Process of Winter Wheat and Winter Pea in Intercropping by Yield Components
Year: 2023

Conclusion

Ms. Marianna Vályi Nagy presents a strong candidature for the Best Researcher Award, with her innovative contributions to sustainable agriculture, intercropping systems, and applied agronomy research. Her blend of academic excellence, practical research impact, and patent portfolio sets her apart as a promising researcher. With greater international exposure and continued expansion of scholarly output, she has the potential to establish herself as a leading figure in her discipline, making her a suitable nominee for this recognition.

 

Tatek Wondimu Negash | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Botany Scientist

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Researcher at Ethiopia Institute Of Agricultural Research | Ethiopia

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash is a highly dedicated and results-oriented water resources and irrigation engineer with over eight years of professional experience in agricultural water management, hydrology, irrigation system design, and climate change adaptation. Based in Adama, Ethiopia, he serves as a researcher at the Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), where he integrates scientific research with practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. Tatek has led and contributed to various projects that enhance water use efficiency, improve irrigation technologies, and support farmers with tailored agricultural interventions. His work emphasizes the integration of scientific tools such as ArcGIS, ArcSWAT, and Aquacrop in real-world irrigation design and scheduling. Known for his collaborative approach, he works closely with farmers, development organizations, and academic institutions across Africa. Tatek’s strong publication record, combined with his international training exposure and technical skills, reflects his growing influence in the field of water management and agricultural sustainability.

Professional Profile 

Education

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, completed. He further advanced his education by earning a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. supported by a World Bank-funded scholarship through the African Centre of Excellence Impact Project (ACE Impact). His MPhil thesis focused on the “Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Watershed Hydrology,” showcasing his research capacity in addressing environmental and hydrological challenges. Throughout his education, Tatek demonstrated excellence in academic performance, practical fieldwork, and interdisciplinary research. He has also enriched his qualifications through several professional certifications and short courses in data analysis, hydrological modeling, eco-hydrology, and integrated water resource management in collaboration with international universities and research centers in India, the Netherlands, and beyond.

Professional Experience

Since 2016, Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash has served as a Water Resources and Irrigation Engineer and Researcher at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, part of the Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). His responsibilities include designing and supervising irrigation systems, evaluating water-saving technologies, and conducting research on soil-water-climate interactions. Tatek has led efforts in optimizing irrigation scheduling for various crops under different climatic and topographic conditions. He is deeply involved in applied field research, including establishing furrow lengths, irrigation times, and flow rates tailored to specific crops and soils. In addition, he provides technical supervision for infrastructure projects such as small dams, canals, and drainage systems. His work also involves capacity building—facilitating training workshops for local stakeholders and collaborating with development agencies. With his strong technical knowledge and problem-solving approach, Tatek contributes meaningfully to the development of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices across Ethiopia’s arid and semi-arid regions.

Research Interests

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash’s research interests focus on the intersection of agricultural water management, climate change, land use, and irrigation system optimization. He is particularly interested in understanding how changing land cover and climate variability affect hydrological responses in semi-arid watersheds. His work includes evapotranspiration estimation, crop water requirement analysis, and precision irrigation for improved crop yields. Tatek is passionate about developing efficient water allocation strategies that maximize productivity while ensuring sustainability and resilience in farming systems. He has conducted extensive research on crops such as tomato, maize, sorghum, haricot bean, and pepper, evaluating their water needs and economic returns under varied irrigation regimes. His scientific contributions help promote climate-smart agriculture by integrating hydrological modeling, geospatial analysis, and on-ground experiments. Tatek is also interested in scaling up practical, low-cost irrigation technologies for smallholder farmers, ensuring that research outcomes have a tangible impact on livelihoods and food security.

Research Skills

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash brings a wide array of research and technical skills to his field. He is proficient in geospatial tools such as ArcGIS, ArcSWAT, and ERDAS Imagine for watershed analysis, land use classification, and hydrological modeling. Additionally, he uses crop simulation tools like AquaCrop, CROPWAT, DSSAT, and software such as AutoCAD and EPANET for irrigation design and water distribution analysis. Tatek has hands-on experience conducting field experiments, managing large datasets, and performing statistical analyses to inform evidence-based recommendations. He also excels in stakeholder collaboration, facilitating training programs, and engaging in multidisciplinary teamwork with farmers, government agencies, and researchers. His ability to merge scientific modeling with practical design solutions makes him a valuable contributor to applied agricultural research. Moreover, his publication record in peer-reviewed journals highlights his strong academic writing, data interpretation, and research dissemination capabilities, reinforcing his role as an emerging leader in water and irrigation engineering.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Tatek Wondimu Negash has received several notable awards and honors recognizing his academic excellence and research contributions. Most prominently, he was awarded a Master’s Scholarship by the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) under the World Bank’s ACE Impact Project—a competitive scholarship granted to promising researchers in Africa. He is also a Certificate-holding Editorial Board Member of the 5th Edition of the International Analytical Chemistry Awards, demonstrating his engagement with the broader scientific community. In addition, he has earned multiple certifications in Python programming, Jupyter tools, and data analysis from 365 Data Science and Udacity, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and data-driven research. Tatek’s participation in international workshops and short courses organized by institutions from India, the Netherlands, and Ghana further highlights his proactive involvement in global academic networks. These recognitions affirm his potential as a forward-thinking researcher in sustainable water management.

Publications Top Noted

  • Optimal irrigation water allocation for enhanced productivity of haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and economic gain: An experiment conducted in the semi-arid area of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Optimal Irrigation Water Allocation for Enhanced Productivity of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Economic Gain: Evidence From the Semi‐Arid Region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient for Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Using Nonweighing Lysimeter Under Semiarid Climate of Melkassa, Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Irrigation Water Allocation for Enhanced Productivity and Economic Gain of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): A Study in Semi-arid Region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2025

  • Maize (Zea mays L., 1753.) evapotranspiration and crop coefficient in semi-arid region of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2024

  • Determination of Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient for Tomato by Using Non-Weighing Lysimeter in Semiarid Region

    • Year: 2024

  • Nitrogen and Soil Moisture Optimization for Tomato Crops in Semi-Arid Areas of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2024

  • Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) at Melkassa Farmland, Semi-Arid Area of Ethiopia

    • Year: 2023

  • Impact of land-use and land-cover change on watershed hydrology: a case study of Mojo watershed, Ethiopia

    • Year: 2022

Conclusion

Tatek Wondimu Negash is a highly capable, technically proficient, and impactful researcher in the field of agricultural water management and irrigation engineering. His consistent publication record, applied research expertise, and contributions to capacity building in Ethiopia and beyond make him a strong and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Continued international collaboration and scaling up his research impact will further solidify his standing as a leader in the field.