Mariam Oyedeji Amusa | Botanical Pharmacognosy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa | Botanical Pharmacognosy | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg and a part-time Senior Lecturer at Kampala International University. With a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Biotechnology, and prior degrees in Pharmacognosy and Plant Science, her research focuses on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, molecular taxonomy, and plant-based drug discovery. She has authored over 18 journal articles, contributed to scholarly books, and actively collaborates with international researchers across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Amusa has led and facilitated numerous workshops on systematic reviews and meta-analysis, mentored postgraduate students, and contributed to capacity building in African scientific communities. Her work addresses critical global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, using indigenous knowledge and modern biotechnology. She is a member of professional bodies including the South African Association of Botanists and SACNASP. Her contributions exemplify academic excellence, scientific leadership, and a commitment to sustainable health solutions through plant-based innovations.

Professional Profile 

Education 🎓

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa holds a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Biotechnology from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where she conducted a multidisciplinary study on the Meliaceae family, integrating systematics, anatomy, and antimicrobial research. She also earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Pharmacognosy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, with a thesis focused on the antimicrobial properties of Nauclea latifolia. Her foundational academic training includes a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Plant Science from the University of Ilorin, where she studied seed germination and growth variability in cowpea varieties. Her educational background reflects a strong and progressive focus on plant biology, medicinal botany, and natural product research. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Amusa has developed expertise in diverse areas such as ethnobotany, phytomedicine, molecular biology, and plant taxonomy, forming a solid foundation for her current research in metabolomics, nanotechnology, and drug discovery from natural sources.

Professional Experience 💼

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa has amassed diverse professional experience across research, teaching, and scientific capacity building. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, where she conducts advanced studies in plant metabolomics, antimicrobial activities, and systematic reviews. She also holds a part-time position as a Senior Lecturer at Kampala International University, teaching courses such as biostatistics, microbiology, and genetics. Previously, she lectured at the Pan African University and tutored at the University of Johannesburg, where she also mentored postgraduate and undergraduate students, supervised fieldwork, and coordinated practical sessions. Dr. Amusa has contributed to academic development through her roles as a facilitator of workshops on systematic reviews and meta-analysis across Africa. Her early career included work as a Development Knowledge Facilitator during Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps, where she trained over 400 graduates in entrepreneurship skills. Her experience reflects a strong commitment to research, education, and scientific empowerment.

Research Interest 🔬

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa’s research interests center on the discovery of plant-based solutions to global health challenges, with a strong emphasis on natural product research, ethnobotany, and biotechnology. Her work focuses on the therapeutic potential of indigenous medicinal plants, particularly in addressing antimicrobial resistance and promoting sustainable health practices. She has a keen interest in nanotechnology, metabolomics, and drug discovery, exploring the biochemical and pharmacological properties of plant secondary metabolites. Dr. Amusa also engages deeply in molecular taxonomy, using genetic and anatomical approaches to understand plant diversity and systematics, particularly in African flora. An advocate for evidence-based practice, she is actively involved in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, employing tools such as RevMan and Rayyan for research synthesis. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques, aiming to validate and harness the medicinal value of plants. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to integrative and accessible healthcare innovations from natural origins.

Research Skill🔎

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa possesses a robust set of research skills that span both laboratory and analytical domains, enabling her to conduct high-impact interdisciplinary studies in plant science and pharmacognosy. She is proficient in phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial assays, and toxicity evaluations, which she applies to investigate the medicinal potential of indigenous plants. Her expertise in molecular systematics and taxonomy is supported by advanced techniques in microscopy (LM and SEM) and DNA-based analysis. Dr. Amusa is also highly skilled in plant metabolomics and bioinformatics, using tools such as QGIS, Excel, and GraphPad Prism for data visualization and statistical analysis. She is an experienced facilitator of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, with strong command over research synthesis platforms like Rayyan and RevMan. Additionally, her mentoring and supervision of postgraduate students reflect her ability to guide complex research projects. Her integrative skillset positions her as a versatile researcher capable of bridging traditional knowledge with modern science.

Award and Honor🏆

Dr. Mariam Oyedeji Amusa has earned recognition for her outstanding contributions to botanical research and capacity building in African science communities. While specific awards are not extensively listed in her profile, her selection as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg itself reflects academic merit and research excellence. She has also served as a facilitator for research capacity development workshops, which underscores her leadership in scientific training and mentorship. Her role as a part-time Senior Lecturer at Kampala International University and past lecturer at Pan African University highlights her continued recognition as a trusted academic in plant science and pharmacognosy. Furthermore, her consistent collaboration with researchers across continents, as well as invitations to contribute to edited scientific volumes, demonstrates the respect she commands in her field. Dr. Amusa’s growing citation metrics, international visibility, and involvement in consultancy projects all reflect professional acknowledgment of her work and emerging global influence.

Conclusion📝

Dr. Mariam Oyefunke Oyedeji Amusa is a strong and promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award, especially considering her interdisciplinary research excellence, global collaborations, and commitment to mentorship and research dissemination across Africa. While there is room for growth in innovation-based outputs and editorial leadership, her profile aligns well with the award’s mission to recognize impactful, globally relevant research in botany and related sciences.

Publications Top Noted📚

  • Inclusion of nutritional counseling and mental health services in HIV/AIDS management: A paradigm shift
    EU Alum, EI Obeagu, OPC Ugwu, AO Samson, AO Adepoju, MO Amusa
    2023 – 205 citations

  • Effect of Ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on lipid profile of streptozotocin induced diabetic wistar albino rats
    OPC Ugwu, EU Alum, EI Obeagu, MB Okon, PM Aja, AO Samson, MO Amusa
    2023 – 46 citations

  • Effect of Ethanol Leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on hepatic markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar albino rats
    OPC Ugwu, EI Obeagu, EU Alum, MB Okon, PM Aja, MO Amusa
    2023 – 27 citations

  • Synthesis and computational investigation of N, N-dimethyl-4-[(Z)-(phenylimino) methyl] aniline derivatives: Biological and quantitative structural activity relationship studies
    I Waziri, MT Kelani, MO Oyedeji-Amusa, AK Oyebamiji, LCC Coetzee, et al.
    2023 – 22 citations

  • Medicinal properties of whole fruit extracts of Nauclea latifolia Smith.: Antimicrobial, antioxidant and hypoglycemic assessments
    MO Oyedeji-Amusa, AOT Ashafa
    2019 – 22 citations

  • The ethnobotany and chemistry of South African Meliaceae: a review
    MO Oyedeji-Amusa, NJ Sadgrove, BE Van Wyk
    2021 – 21 citations

  • Antimicrobial activity and toxicity of extracts from the bark and leaves of South African indigenous Meliaceae against selected pathogens
    MO Oyedeji-Amusa, S Van Vuuren
    2020 – 20 citations

  • Exploring natural plant products in breast cancer management: A comprehensive review and future prospects
    EU Alum, EI Obeagu, OPC Ugwu, OU Orji, AO Adepoju, MO Amusa, et al.
    2023 – 12 citations

  • Wood anatomy of South African Meliaceae: evolutionary and ecological implications
    MO Oyedeji Amusa, BE Van Wyk, A Oskolski
    2020 – 11 citations

  • Ethnoveterinary survey of tradomedical importance of Bos taurus L urine, bile and dung in Nigeria and South Africa
    MO Oyedeji-Amusa, OT Ojuromi, AO Ashafa
    2016 – 10 citations

  • Effect of Ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on lipid profile…
    MO Amusa, AOA, OPC Ugwu
    2023 – 10 citations

  • Efficacy and safety of Mazdutide on weight loss among diabetic and non-diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
    DL Nalisa, N Cuboia, E Dyab, IL Jackson, HJ Felix, P Shoki, M Mubiana, et al.
    2024 – 9 citations

  • A taxonomic review of South African indigenous Meliaceae using molecular systematics and anatomical data
    MO Oyedeji Amusa, RD Stewart, M van der Bank, BE van Wyk
    2024 – 5 citations

  • Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Typhoid fever in Nigeria: A Systematic Review
    M Oyedeji-Amusa, N Cuboia, K Olofinsan
    2024 – 4 citations

  • Comparative investigation of derivatives of (E)-N-((E)-3-phenylallylidene) aniline: Synthesis, structural characterization, biological evaluation, density functional theory …
    I Waziri, MT Kelani, MO Oyedeji-Amusa, AK Oyebamiji, LCC Coetzee, et al.
    2024 – 4 citations

  • Ethnomedicinal importance and antimicrobial activity of Leonotis ocymifolia
    MO Oyedeji-Amusa, SF Van Vuuren, RD Rattray, BE Van Wyk
    2024 – 3 citations

  • Ethnopharmacological survey on medicinal plants utilization in Freetown, Sierra Leone
    A Adepoju, MO Oyedeji-Amusa, O Awotunde, O Ugwu
    2023 – 2 citations

  • Dietary nutrients, antinutritional factors, and valorization of food waste
    AJ Olaseni, M Moses, OA Mariam, SS Oyefunke
    2020 – 1 citation

  • Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Household Food Security of Smallholder Poultry Farmers in Lagos and Ogun states, Nigeria
    SA Abanigbe, P Orowole, MS Ngidi, M Yusuf-Oshoala, TO Ojo, et al.
    2024

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang | Paleobotany | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Botany Scientist

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang | Paleobotany | Best Researcher Award

Prof. at Yuxi Normal University, China.

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang is a distinguished paleobotanist and biogeographer at Yuxi Normal University, China, specializing in Cenozoic fossil flora and paleoenvironmental reconstruction in Yunnan—one of the world’s key biodiversity hotspots. His research integrates paleobotany, paleoecology, and climate modeling to investigate how geological and climatic shifts, such as the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, have influenced plant evolution and biogeographic patterns. He has led multiple nationally funded projects and published extensively in high-impact journals like Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology and BMC Evolutionary Biology. Notably, his discoveries of transitional fossils such as Primotrapa and ancestral Ulmus have filled major gaps in plant evolutionary history. Prof. Liang’s work bridges scientific research with conservation practice, contributing foundational knowledge to conservation paleobiology. He is also an active member of several academic societies and collaborates widely across disciplines. His contributions make him a leading figure in evolutionary botany and environmental change studies.

Professional Profile 

Education 🎓

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang received his academic training in botany and paleobotany through rigorous graduate and postgraduate education in China, culminating in a Ph.D. in Paleobotany. His doctoral research focused on fossil plant taxonomy, paleoecology, and the evolutionary history of Cenozoic floras, laying the foundation for his later work on climate-vegetation interactions and paleogeographic reconstruction. Following his Ph.D., he completed a competitive postdoctoral fellowship at the renowned Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he deepened his expertise in plant fossil analysis and multidisciplinary approaches to historical biogeography. This advanced academic background has equipped Prof. Liang with a unique ability to connect fossil evidence with modern ecological and climatological data. His educational path reflects a deep commitment to scientific excellence and has shaped him into a leading researcher in the fields of paleobotany, paleoecology, and conservation biology. His training also enabled him to lead national research projects and mentor future scientists.

Professional Experience 💼

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang has extensive professional experience in paleobotany, paleoecology, and plant biogeography, with a primary academic appointment at Yuxi Normal University, China. Over the past decade, he has led and contributed to numerous nationally funded research projects, including several as Principal Investigator under the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). His professional work focuses on reconstructing Cenozoic vegetation and paleoclimate in Southwest China, particularly in Yunnan Province, a global biodiversity hotspot. He completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he refined his expertise in fossil plant analysis and climate-vegetation interactions. Prof. Liang has published widely in top-tier journals and is an active member of several national scientific committees, including the Botanical Society of China and the Paleontological Society of China. His professional career is marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific leadership, and contributions to both academic research and environmental conservation policy.

Research Interest 🔬

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang’s research interests lie at the intersection of paleobotany, paleoecology, paleogeography, and paleoclimatology, with a special focus on the Cenozoic era in East Asia. His work aims to uncover how ancient plant life responded to major geological and climatic events, such as the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the transitions between the Oligocene and Miocene epochs. He is particularly interested in reconstructing past environments using fossil records and integrating these with modern ecological and climatic data to understand long-term patterns of biodiversity and evolution. His research has led to the discovery of key transitional fossils, enabling new insights into plant lineage development and historical biogeography. By bridging paleontological data with current environmental concerns, Prof. Liang’s studies contribute to the emerging field of conservation paleobiology, offering predictive frameworks for how modern ecosystems may respond to climate change. His interdisciplinary approach connects botany, climatology, and evolutionary science.

Research Skill🔎

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang possesses a robust set of research skills that span paleobotany, stratigraphy, paleoecology, and quantitative paleoclimate reconstruction. He is highly proficient in fossil identification and classification, with a specialization in Cenozoic plant taxa, and adept at interpreting the morphological and anatomical features of plant fossils to infer their evolutionary relationships. He skillfully integrates paleontological data with modern ecological databases and uses paleoclimatic modeling tools to reconstruct ancient environments and biogeographic patterns. His ability to synthesize multi-source data—from field excavations to laboratory analysis—demonstrates his methodological versatility. Prof. Liang also excels in academic writing and publishing, with numerous high-impact articles in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, he has demonstrated strong project management and leadership abilities as Principal Investigator on several nationally funded research projects. His collaborative approach allows him to work effectively across disciplines such as climatology, geology, and environmental science, making his research both rigorous and broadly impactful.

Award and Honor🏆

Prof. Dr. Xiao-Qing Liang has earned recognition and honors for his outstanding contributions to paleobotanical research and plant evolutionary studies in China. He has been the recipient of multiple prestigious research grants, including several from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), reflecting national acknowledgment of his scientific leadership and innovation. His selection for the Yuxi Normal University Talent Introduction Program further highlights institutional recognition of his academic excellence and potential. As a senior member of the Botanical Society of China and council member of its Paleobotanical Committee, Prof. Liang plays an influential role in shaping national paleobotanical research agendas. He also holds committee memberships in the Paleontological Society of China and the Yunnan Provincial Paleobotany Specialized Committee, underscoring his professional standing in the scientific community. These roles and awards are a testament to his leadership, scholarly impact, and continued contributions to the advancement of paleobotany and environmental science.

Conclusion📝

Prof. Xiao-Qing Liang exhibits exemplary qualifications for the Best Researcher Award in Paleobotany & Evolutionary Biology. His work demonstrates a deep and innovative understanding of plant evolution and climate interaction over geological timescales. The integration of academic research with conservation policy and education further amplifies the real-world relevance of his contributions.

Publications Top Noted📚

  • Zhang, J., D’Rozario, A., Wang, L., Liang, X., & Zhou, Z. (2023). Geographical and morphological changes of conifers in Yunnan, China during the Cenozoic in response to climatic changes. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 318, 104986.