Namita Khantwal | Phytochemistry | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Namita Khantwal | Phytochemistry | Young Scientist Award

Project Associate at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | India

Dr. Namita Khantwal is a botanist and plant biochemist specializing in phytochemistry, plant secondary metabolites, and bioactivity assessment, holding a doctoral degree in Botany from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, where her research explored the phytochemical diversity, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial potential of Aesculus indica across varying altitudinal gradients of the Garhwal Himalaya; she currently works as a Project Associate at the High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre on a Department of Science and Technology–sponsored project investigating socio-ecological vulnerabilities and community responses in climate-sensitive Himalayan ecosystems, demonstrating strong expertise in phytocompound and essential-oil extraction, GC-MS analysis, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, antioxidant assays including DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, and antibacterial testing through agar well diffusion, MIC, and MBC methodologies; her research background includes detailed palynological studies on allergenic taxa, extensive laboratory work on medicinal plants, and a deep interest in metabolomic profiling, environmental influences on plant biochemical pathways, essential-oil characterization, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern biotechnological approaches for Himalayan flora conservation; she has authored multiple research and review papers on phytochemistry, chemodiversity, nutraceutical potential, and bioactivity of Himalayan plant species, contributed to national and international conferences through oral and poster presentations, received recognition for scientific communication, and served as an invited reviewer for reputed journals, while professionally handling a wide range of laboratory instruments, participating in workshops on IPR and nutraceutical formulation, and maintaining a strong commitment to advancing research in plant biochemistry, medicinal plant biodiversity, and ecological resilience in mountain environments.

Profile : Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications : 

Khantwal, N., Asha, & Kumar, A. (n.d.). Variation in secondary metabolite content in Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. leaves along the altitudinal gradient in Indian Central Himalaya. Vegetos, 38(1), 111–120.

Khantwal, N., & Sharma, C. M. (n.d.). Influence of different altitudes on antibacterial potential of Aesculus indica crude extracts against multidrug-resistant strain Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biochemical & Cellular Archives, 24(1).

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., & Ranout, A. S. (n.d.). Phytochemistry, nutraceutical potential, and metabolomic insights into Aesculus indica: Bridging traditional uses with modern applications. Natural Product Research, 1–20.

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., & Gairola, S. (n.d.). Antibacterial and antioxidant potential of Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. leaf extracts along an altitudinal gradient in the Garhwal Himalaya. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 123, Article 105064.

Khantwal, N., Sharma, C. M., Gairola, S., & Jugran, A. K. (n.d.). Antibacterial, antioxidant potential, and chemodiversity of Aesculus indica bark extracts along the Garhwal Himalayan altitudinal gradient. Chemistry & Biodiversity, e02216.

Güler Yenice | Herbal Medicine | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice | Herbal Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor Doctorate at Atatürk University | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Turkey

Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of animal nutrition and nutritional diseases at Atatürk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. With over two decades of experience, she has contributed significantly to the understanding of feed additives, animal performance, and metabolic health. Her research integrates nutritional biochemistry, toxicology, and veterinary medicine to explore the impact of dietary components such as betulinic acid, aflatoxins, and probiotics on animal health. Prof. Yenice has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed international journal articles and led numerous nationally funded research projects. In addition to her scientific accomplishments, she is actively involved in postgraduate supervision and academic administration, currently serving as Erasmus Coordinator and Co-Head of the Department of Zootechnics and Animal Nutrition. Her commitment to both academic excellence and applied science underscores her role as a key contributor to veterinary and agricultural science in Turkey.

Professional Profile 

Education

Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice’s academic journey began at Kafkas University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1996. She continued at the same university for postgraduate studies, completing her Master’s degree in 2003 with a thesis on the probiotic use of kefir in broilers. She then pursued doctoral studies in Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, earning her PhD in 2008. Her doctoral thesis investigated feed consumption and digestibility in lambs using the alkane indicator technique. Under the guidance of Prof. Yücel Ünal, her academic training has emphasized applied animal nutrition, with a strong grounding in experimental design and metabolic assessment. This comprehensive education laid the foundation for her specialized research into feed efficiency, nutritional toxicology, and livestock productivity. Her qualifications reflect a consistent focus on improving animal health through dietary strategies, integrating field-level animal care with laboratory-based nutritional evaluation.

Professional Experience

Prof. Yenice began her academic career in 2010 as an Assistant Professor at Atatürk University’s Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine . She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019, and eventually to Full Professor, reflecting her outstanding academic record and leadership in research. Throughout her tenure, she has been actively involved in teaching at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, delivering courses such as Beslenme Fizyolojisi (Nutrition Physiology) and Hayvan Besleme ve Beslenme Hastalıkları (Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases). She has supervised several MSc and PhD theses and continues to mentor young researchers. Additionally, Prof. Yenice holds administrative roles, including Erasmus Program Coordinator and Co-Head of the Department, contributing to institutional development and internationalization efforts. Her long-standing commitment to academic excellence and student mentorship has made her a key figure in Turkey’s veterinary education and research landscape.

Research Interest

Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice’s research interests lie at the intersection of animal nutrition, feed safety, nutritional biochemistry, and disease prevention. She focuses extensively on evaluating the effects of natural and synthetic additives such as probiotics, organic acids, flavonoids, and betulinic acid in animal feed. Her work investigates how these additives influence growth performance, immune function, reproductive health, antioxidant status, and meat or egg quality, particularly in poultry and ruminants. A critical area of interest involves exploring the metabolic and histopathological effects of dietary contaminants such as aflatoxins and heavy metals, with a view toward mitigating their negative impact through nutritional strategies. Her recent studies have expanded into nanotechnology applications in feed additives and investigating the pathways of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism in animals under various dietary regimes. Through interdisciplinary approaches, her research aims to promote animal welfare, food safety, and sustainable livestock production.

Research Skills

Prof. Yenice possesses a robust set of research skills, particularly in experimental animal nutrition, toxicological assessments, and biochemical analysis. She is highly experienced in designing controlled feeding trials for poultry, lambs, and dairy cattle, often integrating histopathological, serological, and microbiological evaluations to assess dietary effects. She is proficient in using techniques such as alkane indicators for digestibility, ELISA for biomarker analysis, and histochemical staining for tissue pathology. Her statistical acumen ensures rigorous data interpretation across multidisciplinary studies. Additionally, she has coordinated complex project workflows, including grant writing, ethics approvals, and research dissemination, demonstrating strong project management capabilities. Prof. Yenice’s ability to supervise graduate-level research also highlights her mentorship and training skills, equipping the next generation of scientists in laboratory techniques and scientific communication. Her collaborative work with researchers in pharmacology, pathology, and molecular biology further exemplifies her adaptability and interdisciplinary fluency.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her academic career, Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice has received several honors and distinctions, reflecting her contributions to research and higher education. While specific award names are not listed in the provided data, her repeated selection as a principal investigator in multiple nationally funded research projects underlines her scientific leadership and credibility in Turkey’s research community. Her promotion to Full Professor and her appointments as Erasmus Coordinator and Co-Head of Department also signify institutional recognition of her academic and administrative excellence. Additionally, the publication of her research in high-impact international journals such as Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Mycotoxin Research, and Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology serves as implicit acknowledgment of the quality and relevance of her scientific contributions. Her consistent record of supervising advanced theses and mentoring researchers further reflects the respect and trust she commands within the academic ecosystem.

Publications Top Noted

Title: Quality of eggs in different production systems
Year: 2016
Cited by: 79

Title: The effects of dietary flavonoid supplementation on the antioxidant status of laying hens
Year: 2016
Cited by: 77

Title: Yem katkı maddesi olarak kullanılan biyoteknolojik ürünler
Year: 2003
Cited by: 76

Title: Comparison of the effects of dietary supplementation of flavonoids on laying hen performance, egg quality and egg nutrient profile
Year: 2017
Cited by: 60

Title: Effects of kefir as a probiotic on serum cholesterol, total lipid, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase activities in broiler chicks
Year: 2008
Cited by: 52

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Güler Yenice is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her sustained contribution to the field of animal nutrition and health—through scholarly research, project leadership, and mentorship—demonstrates not only scientific rigor but also academic dedication. With modest expansion into international and interdisciplinary visibility, her profile aligns strongly with the values this award aims to recognize.