Dr. Mostafa Sagharyan | Plant Physiology | Editorial Board Member

Postodoc at Tarbiat Modares University | Iran

Dr. Mostafa Sagharyan is an accomplished plant physiologist whose academic journey spans advanced training from leading Iranian universities, culminating in a doctorate focused on microRNA-mediated regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in Linum album cell cultures under elicitor treatments such as methyl jasmonate and phenylalanine. His academic foundation began with undergraduate studies in plant biology, followed by a master’s specialization in plant physiology, where he optimized callus induction and plant regeneration protocols in Nepeta binaloudensis, achieving distinguished academic performance at both graduate levels and earning top ranking in doctoral program entrance examinations. His research portfolio reflects deep expertise in plant biochemistry, molecular signaling pathways, metabolic engineering, and plant stress resilience, with notable contributions to understanding how regulatory molecules, elicitors, and environmental factors modulate phenolic compound production, lignan biosynthesis, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, nitric-oxide-mediated signaling, and defensive responses in various plant systems. As the primary designer, performer, data analyst, and lead author of multiple impactful publications in international journals, his work has explored hydrogen sulfide interaction mechanisms in plants, microRNA expression dynamics influencing secondary metabolite pathways, metabolic shifts triggered by exogenous amino acids, the biochemical consequences of melatonin application, and pollution-responsive phenolic enhancement in medicinal species. His experience includes operating advanced analytical platforms such as HPLC and preparative-HPLC, conducting enzyme assays, spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses, and applying molecular techniques ranging from nucleic acid extraction and PCR-based quantification to gene cloning, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. Mostafa is also proficient in bioinformatic and statistical analysis using R, SPSS, Prism, FlowJo, MetaboAnalyst, and primer design tools, complementing his strong background in plant tissue culture, hairy root transformation, and metabolite assessment. Alongside his research activities, he has contributed to teaching biostatistics, SPSS analysis, and plant physiology for Olympiad students, demonstrating a commitment to scientific training and academic mentorship. His scholarly achievements, research excellence, and technical versatility position him as a dynamic and innovative researcher in modern plant science.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications :

Sagharyan, M., & Sharifi, M. (2024). Metabolic and physiological changes induced by exogenous phenylalanine in Linum album cells. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

Esmaeili, S., Sharifi, M., Ghanati, F., Soltani, B. M., Samari, E., & Sagharyan, M. (2023). Exogenous melatonin induces phenolic compounds production in Linum album cells by altering nitric oxide and salicylic acid. Scientific Reports.

Sagharyan, M., Sharifi, M., & Samari, E. (2023). Methyl jasmonate redirects the dynamics of carbohydrates and amino acids toward lignans accumulation in Linum album cells. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Khodamoradi, S., Sagharyan, M., Samari, E., & Sharifi, M. (2022). Changes in phenolic compounds production as a defensive mechanism against hydrogen sulfide pollution in Scrophularia striata. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Tashackori, H., Sharifi, M., Ahmadian Chashmi, N., Behmanesh, M., Safaie, N., & Sagharyan, M. (2021). Physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of Linum album to digested cell wall of Piriformospora indica. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants.

Dr. Margaretta Christita | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Young Researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency | Indonesia

Dr. Margaretta Christita is a plant pathologist and researcher at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), specializing in plant–microbe interactions, microbial biotechnology, and sustainable forest microbiology. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological and Environmental Sciences from the University of Helsinki, Finland, where her doctoral work focused on the histology and pathogenic mechanisms of Taphrina betulina in birch, following her bachelor’s in forestry and master’s in plant biotechnology from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Since beginning her research career in 2014 at the Ministry of Forestry, she has accumulated extensive professional experience, leading projects on biocontrol of plant pathogens, plant-assisted bioremediation, fungal and bacterial diversity, and industrial collaborations with PT. Royal Lestari Utama and PT. Java Agro Spices. Her research interests encompass plant disease resistance, microbial biofertilizers, endophytic microbes for stress tolerance, and biopharmaceutical potential of natural compounds. Skilled in molecular microbiology, metagenomics, microbial isolation, and bioassay techniques, she has published 21 documents indexed in Scopus, cited by 30 documents, with 35 total citations and an h-index of 4. She has also authored books, book chapters with Academic Press, and secured patents for microbial biocontrol agents and biofertilizers. Recognized for her applied innovations and academic outputs, she is a promising leader in advancing plant pathology and sustainability.

Featured Publications

Irawan, A., Anggraeni, I., & Christita, M. (2015). Identifikasi penyebab penyakit bercak daun pada bibit cempaka (Magnolia elegans (Blume.) H. Keng) dan teknik pengendaliannya. Jurnal Wasian, 2(2), 87–94.

Arini, D. I. D., Christita, M., & Kinho, J. (2019). The macrofungi diversity and their potential utilization in Tangale Nature Reserve Gorontalo Province. Berita Biologi, 18(1), 109–115.

Christita, M., Arini, D. I. D., Kinho, J., Halawane, J. E., Kafiar, J., & Diwi, M. S. (2017). Keragaman dan potensi makrofungi di Obyek Ekowisata Kaki Dian, Gunung Klabat–Minahasa Utara. Jurnal Mikologi Indonesia, 1(2), 82–90.

Suryawan, A., Christita, M., & Yuliantoro, I. (2015). Potensi dan strategi pengembangan taman hutan raya Gunung Tumpa Manado, Sulawesi Utara dalam upaya konservasi keanekaragaman hayati subkawasan Wallacea. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Masyarakat Biodiversitas Indonesia, 1(4), 714–720.

Arini, D. I. D., Kinho, J., Diwi, M. S., Christita, M., Halawane, J. E., Fahmi, M. S., & Kafiar, Y. (2018). Keanekaragaman satwa liar untuk ekowisata Taman Hutan Aqua Lestari, Minahasa Utara. Jurnal Wasian, 5(1), 1–14.