Jelena Visković | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Jelena Visković | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture | Serbia

Dr. Jelena Visković is an accomplished agricultural scientist specializing in crop science, with a strong academic and research background focused on field and vegetable crops. She earned her Ph.D. in Crop Science from Oregon State University, College of Agriculture, where her research contributed to advancing sustainable crop production and optimizing agricultural practices. Prior to that, she completed both her master’s degree in Field Crop Production and her bachelor’s degree in Organic Agriculture at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, where she demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, earning multiple awards for being the best student in her class and the best student of the faculty. Since 2015, Dr. Visković has been serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Novi Sad, Department for Field and Vegetable Crops, where she has been actively engaged in teaching, mentoring students, and conducting applied research in crop science and sustainable agricultural systems. Her professional development includes international training and research collaborations across several countries, including Switzerland, the United States, Austria, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, reflecting her commitment to integrating global agricultural knowledge and innovations into local contexts. Dr. Visković is a dedicated member of the Soil Science Society of Serbia and the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC), contributing to interdisciplinary discussions on soil management, crop improvement, and industrial crop utilization. Her work emphasizes the enhancement of crop productivity and sustainability through evidence-based agricultural practices and the integration of environmental considerations in modern farming. Through her teaching, research, and collaborations, Dr. Visković continues to foster innovation and knowledge exchange in the field of agricultural sciences, aiming to promote sustainable food production and resource-efficient crop systems for future generations.

Profile: Scoups | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Visković, J., Sikora, V., Latković, D., Zeremski, T., Dunđerski, D., Astatkie, T., Noller, J., & Zheljazkov, V. D. (2024). Optimization of hemp production technology for fiber and seed. Industrial Crops and Products, 219, 119127.

Visković, J., Dunđerski, D., Adamović, B., Jaćimović, G., Latković, D., & Vojnović, Đ. (2024). Toward an environmentally friendly future: An overview of biofuels from corn and potential alternatives in hemp and cucurbits. Agronomy, 14(6), 1195.

Visković, J., Zheljazkov, V. D., Sikora, V., Noller, J., Latković, D., Ocamb, C. M., & Koren, A. (2023). Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) agronomy and utilization: A review. Agronomy, 13(3), 931.

Visković, J., Sikora, V., Latković, D., Dunđerski, D., Astatkie, T., Noller, J., & Zheljazkov, V. D. (2023, August 27–30). Optimization of hemp production technology for fiber uses [Conference presentation]. In J. V. Anderson, D. Samarappuli, & M. Berti (Eds.), Building sustainable bioeconomies with industrial crops and products: 34th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC), Conference program and abstracts. Corvallis, OR, USA.

Visković, J., Sikora, V., Latković, D., Zeremski, T., Noller, J., & Zheljazkov, V. D. (2023, August 27–30). Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) essential oil content and composition depending on the cultivar, seeding date, spacing, and sampling time [Poster presentation]. In J. V. Anderson, D. Samarappuli, & M. Berti (Eds.), Building sustainable bioeconomies with industrial crops and products: 34th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC), Conference program and abstracts. Corvallis, OR, USA.

Dunđerski, D., Jaćimović, G., Crnobarac, J., Visković, J., & Latković, D. (2023). Using digital image analysis to estimate corn ear traits in agrotechnical field trials: The case with harvest residues and fertilization regimes. Agriculture, 13(4), 732

Muhammad Irfan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Muhammad Irfan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Tuskegee University | United States

Dr. Muhammad Irfan is a soil scientist with extensive expertise in biochar, soil chemistry, and environmental sustainability. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA, he focuses on pesticide risk assessment, air pollution dispersion, and the role of biochar in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. He earned his PhD in Soil Science from China Agricultural University, Beijing, where his dissertation explored biochar applications for saline soil improvement. With over seven years of academic experience as an Assistant Professor at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, he has taught advanced courses in soil fertility, plant nutrition, environmental soil chemistry, and soil-water-plant relationships. His research contributions have advanced the understanding of heavy metal remediation, soil reclamation, phytoremediation, and nutrient management in saline agriculture. Dr. Irfan has published widely in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, ACS Omega, and the Journal of Saudi Chemical Society.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Muhammad Irfan has a strong academic foundation in soil and environmental sciences. He earned his PhD in Soil Science from the College of Resources and Environment, China Agricultural University, Beijing, where his dissertation focused on “The characters of biochar and application in saline soil improvement.” His doctoral work laid the groundwork for his expertise in soil remediation and biochar technology. Prior to this, he completed his M.Sc. in Soil and Environmental Sciences at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, with a thesis on the “Effect of phosphorus and sulfur on the yield and nutrient uptake of maize.” He also holds a B.Sc. in Soil and Environmental Sciences from the same institution, complemented by an internship evaluating irrigation water quality and soil salinity in District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Collectively, his academic journey highlights a consistent focus on soil health, nutrient management, and environmental sustainability.

Experience

Dr. Irfan’s career blends teaching, research, and applied environmental science. he has been a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Tuskegee University, USA, working on pesticide risk assessment, urban air dispersion, and biochar’s role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. he served as a Research Scholar at Auburn University, focusing on manufacturing biochar from downed timber and exploring its applications in soil amendment and wastewater treatment. Prior to his U.S. research appointments, Dr. Irfan was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. There, he taught advanced soil science courses, supervised research projects, and conducted studies on soil fertility, heavy metal remediation, and saline soil management. His teaching portfolio includes Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Soil-Water-Plant Relationships, and Environmental Soil Chemistry, establishing him as both an educator and a researcher of high repute.

Honors and Awards

While specific formal awards are not listed, Dr. Irfan’s career is distinguished by significant academic and research achievements that reflect recognition in his field. His successful completion of a PhD at China Agricultural University with a dissertation on biochar applications in saline soils represents a major scholarly milestone. His postdoctoral appointments at Auburn University and Tuskegee University in the United States further highlight international recognition of his expertise in soil science, environmental chemistry, and biochar research. He has consistently collaborated with international teams of scientists, publishing in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, ACS Omega, and the Journal of Saudi Chemical Society. His selection for advanced projects on pesticide risk assessment, greenhouse gas mitigation, and biochar’s role in environmental sustainability signifies his contributions being valued at the global research level. Collectively, his positions, collaborations, and publications serve as evidence of professional honors.

Research Focus

Dr. Irfan’s research is primarily centered on soil remediation, biochar technology, and sustainable agricultural practices. He investigates the characterization of biochar with enhanced heavy metal removal efficiency and its applications in soil and water systems. His work extends into ecotoxicology, focusing on heavy metal speciation, mobility, and bioavailability in contaminated soils and sediments. He has developed adsorption and desorption models to better understand heavy metal interactions and tested remediation strategies using both organic and inorganic soil amendments. Additionally, his studies explore phytoremediation and saline agriculture, with special emphasis on nutrient and water management in saline soils. His recent projects have included assessing pesticide risk in urban agricultural systems and evaluating biochar’s role in greenhouse gas reduction. By integrating laboratory experiments, field studies, and advanced modeling approaches, Dr. Irfan contributes solutions for heavy metal pollution, soil degradation, and sustainable food production, aligning his research with global environmental challenges.

Publications

  • Heavy metals immobilization and improvement in maize (Zea mays L.) growth amended with biochar and compost.

  • Exploring the potential effect of Achnatherum splendens L. derived biochar treated with phosphoric acid on bioavailability of cadmium and wheat growth in contaminated soil.

  • Evaluating the efficacy of activated carbon in minimizing the risk of heavy metals contamination in spinach for safe consumption.

  • Zinc foliar application mitigates cadmium-induced growth inhibition and enhances wheat growth, chlorophyll contents, and yield.

  • Effect of wheat straw derived biochar on the bioavailability of Pb, Cd, and Cr using maize as test crop (Journal of Saudi Chemical Society

  • Impact of biochar interlayer on surface soil salt content, salt migration, and photosynthetic activity and yield of sunflowers: Laboratory and field studies.

Conclusion

Dr. Muhammad Irfan is an accomplished soil scientist whose expertise bridges environmental sustainability, soil chemistry, and agricultural productivity. His research on biochar has opened new pathways for remediating heavy metal contamination, reclaiming saline soils, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, contributing directly to solutions for global environmental challenges. With a strong foundation in teaching and mentoring, he has guided students in advanced soil and environmental sciences while producing impactful research recognized internationally. His postdoctoral research at Auburn University and Tuskegee University underscores his role as a global collaborator in developing sustainable agricultural practices and environmental risk management strategies. By publishing in prestigious journals and advancing applied soil science, Dr. Irfan has established himself as a respected voice in biochar and soil remediation research. His career demonstrates a commitment to both advancing scientific knowledge and addressing urgent environmental concerns, making him a valuable contributor to agricultural and environmental sciences.