Samuel Umma | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Samuel Umma | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

Dr. Samuel Bem Umma is a dedicated researcher and academician in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture with over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and academic service. Based at the Federal University Wukari, Nigeria, he has made substantial contributions to sustainable aquaculture through studies on fish nutrition, microbial feed additives, aquatic toxicology, and fish health. His research promotes alternatives to synthetic antibiotics, particularly using bioactive compounds from Escherichia coli and indigenous plants. With over 20 published research papers, several conference presentations, and a book chapter with Springer, Dr. Umma exemplifies interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. His teaching portfolio spans multiple courses across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and he actively contributes to curriculum development and departmental responsibilities. Committed to advancing fisheries science in Africa, he is affiliated with major professional bodies such as the World Aquaculture Society and the Fisheries Society of Nigeria. Dr. Umma continues to champion sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental resilience.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Samuel Bem Umma holds a strong academic background in Fisheries and Aquaculture. He obtained his Bachelor of Fisheries (B.Fisheries) in 2010 from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He pursued further specialization by completing his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Ibadan in 2013. Recently, in 2024, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the same field from the University of Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s leading institutions. His academic journey is marked by a consistent focus on aquatic ecosystems, sustainable aquaculture systems, and fish nutrition, forming the theoretical and practical foundation of his current research pursuits. This educational progression reflects both his academic commitment and long-term investment in enhancing aquaculture research and practice in Nigeria and beyond. His education has equipped him with a multidisciplinary understanding of aquatic health, nutrition, toxicology, and biotechnology—all of which are central to his professional and research work.

Professional Experience

Dr. Umma began his academic career in 2015 as a Lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. Over the past decade, he has taught more than 20 specialized courses, including Fish Nutrition, Limnology, Aquatic Toxicology, Fish Genetics, Fish Biochemistry, and Advanced Aquaculture. He has served in multiple administrative roles such as Acting Head of Department, Departmental Examination Officer, SIWES Coordinator, and Secretary of the Postgraduate Committee. He has actively participated in departmental curriculum review, project guideline development, and student advising across all academic levels. His contributions extend to the organization of departmental resources, faculty IGR initiatives, and quality assurance in teaching and learning. Beyond classroom instruction, Dr. Umma’s hands-on involvement in research and academic leadership demonstrates a well-rounded professional commitment to both education and fisheries research, which is essential for capacity building in Nigerian aquaculture and higher education.

Research Interests

Dr. Umma’s research interests lie primarily in fish health and nutrition, aquatic toxicology, microbial biotechnology, and phytogenic feed additives. His work is at the intersection of sustainability, biotechnology, and aquaculture, with a focus on reducing antibiotic use in fish farming through natural alternatives. He explores the use of bioactive metabolite extracts from non-pathogenic Escherichia coli and plant-based compounds such as Heinsia crinita to improve fish immunity, growth, and environmental safety. His studies often incorporate water quality analysis, heavy metal bioaccumulation, and the impact of feed formulations on fish physiology. Furthermore, he is interested in optimizing aquaculture systems for rural and commercial fisheries in West Africa. His research aligns with global efforts toward sustainable food systems, addressing both productivity and environmental protection. He also contributes to understanding fish population dynamics, hatchery techniques, and post-harvest preservation—all vital for improving aquaculture output and food security in developing regions.

Research Skills

Dr. Umma possesses a diverse array of research skills that span aquatic sampling, nutrient analysis, microbial screening, toxicological assays, and fish growth performance trials. He is proficient in designing and conducting controlled feeding experiments using plant-based and microbial supplements, evaluating fish health via haematological and biochemical assays. His technical abilities include zooplankton biomass estimation, bioaccumulation studies of heavy metals, and water quality assessments under varying ecological conditions. He is experienced in formulating experimental fish diets and measuring feed conversion efficiency, survival rates, and immune responses. Dr. Umma also has advanced capabilities in data analysis using statistical software, scholarly writing, and scientific communication. His recent collaborative studies show his strength in interdisciplinary research, combining aquaculture with microbial biotechnology and pharmacology. He is adept at publishing in peer-reviewed journals and preparing research findings for conference presentations. These competencies position him as a capable and evolving researcher in sustainable fisheries science.

Awards and Honors

While Dr. Samuel Bem Umma has not yet received major international research awards, his growing academic record and recent Ph.D. conferment in 2024 mark significant milestones in his career. His selection as a speaker and presenter at national and regional conferences, such as the World Aquaculture Society (African Chapter), Aquaculture Ghana, and National Biotechnology Research Conference, reflects peer recognition of his work in sustainable aquaculture. He has also contributed a book chapter published by Springer—a notable academic achievement that demonstrates international engagement. Additionally, his research on plant-based diets and microbial metabolites in fish farming is gaining scholarly attention, as indicated by recent publications in indexed journals and a patent under process. As a member of professional bodies like FISON, ANIFS, and WAS, he is recognized within his field and continues to build his academic visibility and leadership. These achievements collectively position him as an emerging scholar of promise in fisheries research.

Conclusion

Dr. Samuel Bem Umma demonstrates solid credentials and emerging excellence in fisheries and aquaculture research. His work is particularly impactful in sustainable fish production and microbial therapeutics — areas of critical importance to food security and environmental sustainability. While certain metrics such as citation impact and international funding could be improved, his interdisciplinary innovation, growing publication record, and commitment to academic development make him a suitable and promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publications Top Noted

  • Adeshina I., Sani R.A., Adewale Y.A., Tiamiyu L.O., Umma S.B. (2018)
    Effects of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf meal as a replacement for soybean meal on growth, body composition and health status in Cyprinus carpio juveniles
    Croatian Journal of Fisheries 76(4), 174–182Cited by: 39

  • Umma S.B., Iyiola A.O., Adeshina I. (2023)
    Relationship pattern of enteric bacterial load and assessed micronutrients in the gut of Clarias gariepinus fish sampled in the Ibadan municipal zone
    Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology 84(1):23Cited by: 5

  • Adeshina I., Umma S.B., Adesanmi O., Adewale Y.A. (2016)
    Distribution of bacteria load in fish tissues, pond water and sediment in Oyo State, NigeriaCited by: 2

  • Olukunle O., Umma S.B. (2016)
    Evaluation of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus Responses to Graded Levels of Zinc Practical Diet
    African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 1, 90Cited by: 2

  • Paray B.A., Adeshina I., Bhat E.A., Raji A., Umma S.B., Alliy R.O., Tiamiyu L.O. (2024)
    Effect of dietary Lagnaria breviflora leaves extract on African catfish juveniles
    J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 108(4):1164–1175Cited by: 1

  • Tyokumbur E.T., Umma S.B. (2017)
    Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Wild Fish
    American Journal of Agricultural Science 4(2):23–28Cited by: 1

  • Tyokumbur E.T., Umma S.B. (2017)
    Sarotherodon melanotheron from Alaro Stream in Ibadan, Nigeria
    American Journal of Agricultural Science 4(6):120–125Cited by: 1

  • Ogunremi J.B., Sadiq H.O., Umma S.B., Oshimagye M.I. (2016)
    Perception on acceptability of extension agents among rural fish farmers
    Nigerian Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture 4(1):59–62Cited by: 1

  • Umma S.B., Agbeja Y.E., Iyiola A.O. (2025)
    Sustainable Extraction and Production of Raw Materials for Bio-based Products in the Global South
    Book Chapter – Springer

  • Iyiola A.O., Kolawole A.S., Umma S.B., Iriobe T. (2024)
    Length-weight relationship of Oreochromis niloticus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
    Aceh Journal of Animal Science 9(2):53–59

  • Umma S.B., Agbeja Y.E., Oyebola O.O., Ametefe G.D. (2024)
    Growth optimization and metabolite yield of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli from African catfish gut
    Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 23(12):2079–2087

  • Umma S.B., Ujah S., Gani B., Agu R.Z. (2023)
    Bacteriological diversity of organs of three fish species from Nigerian rivers
    Nigerian Journal of Fisheries 20(1)

  • Umma S.B., Adeshina I., Samuel S., Poirmozaffar S. (2025)
    Growth and gut bactericidal potential of Heinsia cinita-based diet in Nile Tilapia
    Scientifica

  • Adeshina I., Bhat E.A., Fawole O.O., Paray B.A., Umma S.B., Tiamiyu L.O. (2025)
    Herbal leaves mixture extract improves growth and Gyrodactylus resistance in hybrid catfish
    Aquaculture Nutrition

  • Umma S.B., Adeshina I. (2012)
    Zooplankton production and biomass estimates in Maiduguri, Nigeria
    Int. J. of Science and Development Studies

  • Bem U.S., Omoniyi D.A., Ibagye O.M., Flourizel I., Mamndeyati U.N., Kida D.A.
    Clarias gariepinus production study

  • Iyiola A.O., Umma S.B.
    Overview of triploid fish production processes for aquaculture

  • Tyokumbur E.T., Okorie T.G., Umma B.S.
    Appraisal of heavy and trace metals in sediments and fish

  • Tyokumbur E.T., Okorie T.G., Umma B.S.
    Bioaccumulation of metals in Clarias lazera and Tilapia zilli

  • Tyokumbur E.T., Okorie T., Umma B.
    Trace metal concentration in organs of Heterotis niloticus

Minoo Rassoulzadegan | Plant Genetics | Botany Scientist Excellence Award

Prof. Minoo Rassoulzadegan | Plant Genetics | Botany Scientist Excellence Award

Researcher at Erciyes University, Turkey

Prof. Minoo Rassoulzadegan is an internationally acclaimed molecular geneticist renowned for her pioneering work in epigenetic inheritance and RNA-mediated heredity. With over four decades of research experience, she has redefined the classical boundaries of inheritance by introducing concepts such as paramutation and transvection in mammals—phenomena traditionally known in plant systems. As a former CNRS Director of Research and current faculty at Erciyes University in Turkey, her work continues to influence genetic and developmental biology across species. She has published extensively in prestigious journals including Nature, Developmental Cell, and PLoS Genetics, among others. Her groundbreaking discovery that RNA molecules in sperm can transmit epigenetic traits across generations has not only challenged Mendelian genetics but also opened new frontiers in disease inheritance, behavioral neuroscience, and environmental epigenetics. Prof. Rassoulzadegan is also a revered mentor, having guided numerous researchers globally. Her research bridges plants and mammals, showing the evolutionary continuity of epigenetic mechanisms.

Professional Profile 

Education

Prof. Rassoulzadegan began her academic journey in France at Nice University – Faculty of Sciences, where she earned her Bachelor’s (BS) degree in Biology between 1972 and 1975. She continued her studies there with a Master of Science (MSc) in Biochemistry from 1975 to 1976, followed by a PhD in Molecular Genetics, which she completed in 1979. Her academic training laid a strong foundation in biological systems, with a special focus on the molecular underpinnings of genetic regulation. Her doctoral work laid the groundwork for her later paradigm-shifting research in mouse genetics and epigenetic control. This progression through biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics provided her with an interdisciplinary framework that allowed her to bridge knowledge across species. She later supplemented her training with specialized studies in embryonic manipulation at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (USA) in 1984—an experience that further refined her techniques in early developmental biology and germline research.

Professional Experience

Prof. Rassoulzadegan has held influential research and academic positions throughout her career. She began as an Attaché de Recherche in 1979 with the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and rose through the ranks to become Directrice de Recherche by 1986. From 2004 to 2011, she served as Director of Inserm Unit 636, leading innovative research in RNA biology and epigenetics. Since 2012, she has been a Group Leader at the Institut de Biologie Valrose (IBV) in France and has remained scientifically active even after moving to Erciyes University in Turkey. Her professional journey is marked by leadership in both research direction and scientific mentorship. She has collaborated with world-renowned scientists and played a crucial role in shaping understanding of genetic regulation through RNA. Her transnational academic career reflects her status as a global scientific ambassador and role model in the life sciences community.

Research Interests

Prof. Rassoulzadegan’s research interests lie at the cutting edge of molecular genetics, epigenetics, RNA biology, and transgenerational inheritance. Her primary focus has been on understanding how small RNAs in sperm and other germline cells contribute to non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Her groundbreaking discovery that RNA molecules can carry hereditary information and influence phenotype has revolutionized genetics. She investigates mechanisms of paramutation, a form of epigenetic regulation initially characterized in plants, and was among the first to demonstrate its existence in mammals. Her work also extends into the role of epigenetic changes in diseases such as obesity, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, and stress-related endocrine dysfunction. Lately, she has expanded her interest into RNA-based biomarkers, exploring their potential in predictive medicine and reproductive health. Her research embodies a convergence of basic science and translational relevance, drawing conceptual parallels between plant and animal models of heredity.

Research Skills

Prof. Rassoulzadegan is equipped with a powerful arsenal of research skills encompassing molecular cloning, mouse model development, embryonic microinjection, RNA isolation, epigenetic profiling, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics. She has mastered advanced CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing techniques, and her laboratory routinely generates transgenic mouse models to study the heritability of RNA signatures. Her expertise extends to small RNA sequencing, analysis of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA function in germline cells. A critical aspect of her skill set lies in her ability to design cross-species experiments that model human diseases and test her hypotheses of RNA-mediated inheritance. She is also proficient in data interpretation tools used in systems biology and functional genomics. Her lab has pioneered several in vivo and in vitro assays to dissect complex hereditary signals, making her not only a theoretician but also an experimentalist of the highest order.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Rassoulzadegan’s scientific excellence has earned her multiple prestigious honors. Most notably, she was elected as a Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2009, a recognition given only to the most accomplished life scientists in Europe. Her work has been extensively cited and celebrated in top-tier journals, garnering respect from across the biomedical and plant research communities. She has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences and has served on editorial boards of reputed journals in genetics and molecular biology. Her legacy also includes mentorship of emerging scientists, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in genetics, epigenetics, and developmental biology. Her continuous innovation, global research engagement, and visionary contributions to science underscore her status as a trailblazer in RNA epigenetics and inheritance.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Minoo Rassoulzadegan is a visionary and highly accomplished scientist whose discoveries in RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance have profoundly influenced both plant and animal genetics. While her core domain is molecular biology and mammalian epigenetics, the conceptual origin and translational relevance of her work to plant sciences make her a strong and intellectually justified candidate for the Botany Scientist Excellence Award, especially if the award recognizes cross-disciplinary excellence or epigenetic insights with botanical significance. If the award committee values conceptual innovation with plant science implications over strict taxonomic boundaries, Prof. Rassoulzadegan is not only suitable but exemplary.

Publications Top Noted

  1. LncRNA TERRA in hybrid with DNA is a relevant biomarker for monitoring patients with meningioma
    Scientific Reports, 2025

  2. RNA-Mediated Non-Mendelian Inheritance in Mice: The Power of Memory
    Biomolecules, 2025

  3. Impact of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on sperm genome integrity: insights from a mouse model
    Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 2025

  4. Psoriatic skin transcript phenotype: androgen/estrogen and cortisone/cortisol imbalance with increasing DNA damage response
    Molecular Biology Reports, 20241 citation

  5. Experimentally altering microRNA levels in embryos alters adult phenotypes
    Scientific Reports, 20241 citation

  6. Autism-Related Cc2d1a Heterozygous Mice: Increased Levels of miRNAs Retained in DNA/RNA Hybrid Profiles (R-Loop)
    Biomolecules, 2024

  7. Trans Species RNA Activity: Sperm RNA of the Father of an Autistic Child Programs Glial Cells and Behavioral Disorders in Mice
    Biomolecules, 20245 citations

  8. RNA-Mediated Inheritance of Mammalian Spermatozoa (Book Chapter)
    Year not specified

  9. Alterations in serum mir-126-3p levels over time: A marker of pituitary insufficiency following head trauma
    Neuroendocrinology, 20233 citations

  10. From Data to Insights: Machine Learning Empowers Prognostic Biomarker Prediction in Autism
    Journal of Personalized Medicine, 20236 citations