Salvatore Ceccarelli | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Salvatore Ceccarelli | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Bioversity International | Italy

Dr. Salvatore Ceccarelli is a distinguished agricultural scientist and plant breeder recognized globally for his pioneering contributions to participatory and evolutionary plant breeding. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, he has been instrumental in developing innovative breeding strategies tailored for marginal environments and resource-poor farmers. From 1984 to 2008, he served as Director of the Barley Breeding Program at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), where he designed and implemented breeding approaches that emphasized farmer participation, sustainability, and adaptability to local conditions across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. His leadership at ICARDA helped transform traditional breeding methodologies into more inclusive and resilient systems that addressed the challenges of climate change and food security. Following his tenure as program director, he continued as a consultant and later as a freelance expert, collaborating with international and Italian organizations on research, project design, scientific reporting, and training programs focused on participatory and evolutionary genetic improvement. Dr. Ceccarelli has been deeply involved in international initiatives such as the European SOLIBAM project, promoting biodiversity, agroecology, and genetic resilience through farmer-led experimentation. His work seamlessly integrates scientific rigor with social engagement, empowering farming communities to take an active role in crop improvement. Over the years, he has authored numerous scientific papers and reports, contributing significantly to the global discourse on sustainable agriculture and genetic diversity. Through his lifelong dedication to participatory research, Dr. Ceccarelli has established himself as a leading advocate for farmer-centered innovation, bridging the gap between science and society while advancing agricultural systems that are both equitable and ecologically sound.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Raggi, L., Negri, V., & Ceccarelli, S. (2016, August 1). Morphological diversity in a barley composite cross-derived population evolved under low-input conditions and its relationship with molecular diversity: Indications for breeding. Journal of Agricultural Science, 154(8), 1210–1224.

Shakhatreh, Y., Baum, M., El Haddad, N., Alrababah, M. A., & Ceccarelli, S. (2016, June 1). Assessment of genetic diversity among Jordanian wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) genotypes revealed by SSR markers. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 63(6), 927–937.

Rahmanian, M., Razavi, K., Haghparast, R., Salimi, M., & Ceccarelli, S. (2016, January 1). Evolutionary plant breeding: A method for rapidly increasing on-farm biodiversity to support sustainable livelihoods in an era of climate change. Journal of Crop Improvement, 30(1), 1–17.

Raggi, L., Ceccarelli, S., & Negri, V. (2016, January 1). Evolution of a barley composite cross-derived population: An insight gained by molecular markers. Journal of Agricultural Science, 154(1), 23–39.

Dwivedi, S. L., Ceccarelli, S., Blair, M. W., Upadhyaya, H. D., Kumar, A. A., & Ortiz, R. (2015, November 7). Landrace germplasm for improving yield and abiotic stress adaptation. Trends in Plant Science, 21(1), 31–42.

Campanelli, G., Acciarri, N., Campion, B., Delvecchio, S., Leteo, F., Fusari, F., Angelini, P., & Ceccarelli, S. (2015). Participatory tomato breeding for organic conditions in Italy. Euphytica, 204(1), 179–197.

Alexander Ferreira | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Review Article Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Alexander Ferreira | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Review Article Award

Laboratório de Ciências do Mar / Universidade Federal do Ceará | Brazil

Prof. Alexander Ferreira is an accomplished marine and aquatic ecologist whose career spans more than three decades of research and teaching in oceanography and estuarine biology. Earning a degree in Hydrobiology from the Facultad de Ciencias del Uruguay in 1992, a Master’s in Aquatic Ecology from the Department of Oceanography and Limnology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in 1998, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from the same institution in 2013, Dr. [Name] has built a distinguished academic foundation in marine sciences. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of estuarine and mangrove ecosystems, with particular emphasis on the ecology, taxonomy, and functional roles of Brachyura (Decapoda: Crustacea). His work on mangrove ecology and restoration has contributed to the sustainable management and conservation of these critical coastal habitats, integrating field-based ecological assessments with experimental and theoretical approaches. He has also explored higher-order interactions in ecological communities, providing novel insights into species coexistence and ecosystem resilience under changing environmental conditions. Following the completion of his postdoctoral research at the Laboratório de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR) at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in 2018, Dr. [Name] joined the same institution as a professor and researcher. At LABOMAR, he continues to mentor students, lead interdisciplinary research projects, and collaborate with national and international networks focused on coastal ecosystem dynamics and restoration strategies. His scholarly output includes numerous scientific articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, reflecting his commitment to advancing marine ecological science and contributing to the preservation of coastal and estuarine biodiversity in tropical and subtropical regions.

Profile: Scoups | Orcid 

Featured Publications

  • Villavicencio, C. B., Ferreira, A. C., Costa, R. C. da, Machado, J. V., Freitas, C. V. C., Moro, M. F., & Bezerra, L. E. A. (2024). Facilitation in mangrove ecosystem: The role of herbaceous species in seedling recruitment and growth patterns of Avicennia germinans in a recovering mangrove in Northeastern Brazil. Acta Botanica Brasilica, 38, 1–12.

  • Ferreira, A. C., Ashton, E. C., Ward, R. D., Hendy, I., & Lacerda, L. D. (2024). Mangrove biodiversity and conservation: Setting key functional groups and risks of climate-induced functional disruption. Diversity, 16, 423.

  • Lacerda, L. D., Ferreira, A. C., Borges, R., & Ward, R. (2024). Challenges to mangroves of the semiarid equatorial coast of Brazil in the Anthropocene. Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures, 2, 1–24.

  • Ferreira, A. C., de Lacerda, L. D., Rodrigues, J. V. M., & Bezerra, L. E. A. (2023). New contributions to mangrove rehabilitation/restoration protocols and practices. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 31, 89–114.

  • Ferreira, A. C., & Lacerda, L. D. (2022). Can sustainable development save mangroves? Sustainability, 14, 1263.

  • Ferreira, A. C., & de Lacerda, L. D. (2022). Mangrove restoration in NE Brazil: A unified contribution to adapting to global climate change. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar, 55, 219–230.

Saad Hussein | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Citation Achievement Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Saad Hussein | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Citation Achievement Award

Mansoura University | Egypt

Prof. Dr. Saad Farouk Mohamed Hussein is a distinguished Egyptian scholar and Full Professor at the Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Botany from Mansoura University, with research focused on plant physiological responses to salinity and osmoregulation, following his B.Sc. in Horticulture, where he graduated first in his class with distinction. Over his extensive academic career, Prof. Hussein has held several key leadership and academic positions, including Head of the Agricultural Botany Department at Mansoura University, Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Science and Art, Sinop University, Turkey, Agricultural Expert at the National Organic Agriculture Center, Qassem, Saudi Arabia, and Head of the Plant Production Department at Sirte University, Libya. He has also contributed significantly to higher education quality assurance, serving as both Manager and Deputy Manager of the Quality and Accreditation Unit at Mansoura University. Prof. Hussein’s scientific portfolio includes over 63 research papers published in high-impact international and national journals, covering Q1 to Q4 categories, and numerous conference contributions. His research excellence is complemented by his active role as a reviewer for international journals, and his mentorship in over 15 MSc and Ph.D. theses as supervisor and examiner. Recognized for his scholarly impact, he received multiple awards, including the Mansoura University Encouragement Award, the Best M.Sc. Thesis Award , and several undergraduate excellence awards. His professional affiliations include memberships in the Egyptian Horticulture Society and the Mansoura University Journal of Agricultural Sciences editorial board. Prof. Hussein’s expertise encompasses plant physiology, stress biology, quality assurance in education, and statistical analysis, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing agricultural science and education.

Profile: Scoups | Orcid | Google  Scholar             

Featured Publications

  • Farouk, S., & Amany, A. R. (2012). Improving growth and yield of cowpea by foliar application of chitosan under water stress. Egyptian Journal of Biology, 14, 14–16.

  • Farouk, S., Mosa, A. A., Taha, A. A., Ibrahim, H. M., & El-Gahmery, A. M. (2011). Protective effect of humic acid and chitosan on radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus) plants subjected to cadmium stress. Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, 7(2), 99–116.

  • Farouk, S. (2011). Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol minimize salt-induced wheat leaf senescence. Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, 7(3), 58–79.

  • Farouk, S., Elhindi, K. M., & Alotaibi, M. A. (2020). Silicon supplementation mitigates salinity stress on Ocimum basilicum L. via improving water balance, ion homeostasis, and antioxidant defense system. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 206, 111396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111396

  • Farouk, S., & Al-Amri, S. M. (2019). Zinc and paclobutrazol mediated regulation of growth, upregulating antioxidant aptitude and plant productivity of pea plants under salinity. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 180, 349–359.

Antonio Borghese | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Distinguished Scientist Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Antonio Borghese | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Distinguished Scientist Award

International Buffalo Federation | Italy

Professor Dr. Antonio Borghese, is an eminent Italian scientist renowned for his pioneering contributions to animal production and buffalo research. He earned degrees in Biological Sciences and Veterinary Medicine with top honors, followed by a professional qualification as a veterinarian  and a teaching diploma in Animal Production. His distinguished career began at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome and continued as a researcher and later Research Director at the Animal Production Research Institute (Istituto Sperimentale per la Zootecnia) in Monterotondo, where he also served as General Director and Director of the Animal Management and Buffalo Department. Professor Borghese has coordinated numerous national and international projects on livestock development, reproduction, and buffalo improvement, significantly advancing animal production systems. A prolific author, he has published over 413 scientific papers and six influential books, including the FAO monograph Buffalo Production and Research and Buffalo Livestock and Products. He has also edited the IDF Bulletin on Milking Management of Dairy Buffaloes and organized major global congresses in buffalo science. As General Secretary of the International Buffalo Federation (IBF) and Coordinator of the FAO Inter-Regional Cooperative Research Network on Buffalo, he has played a central role in promoting buffalo development worldwide through research, education, and international collaboration. Professor Borghese’s lifelong dedication has made him one of the world’s foremost authorities in buffalo science and sustainable animal production.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Sgro, L. A., Basile, G., Barone, A. C., D’Anna, A., Minutolo, P., Borghese, A., … (2003). Detection of combustion formed nanoparticles. Chemosphere, 51(10), 1079–1090.

Borghese, A., & Merola, S. S. (1998). Time-resolved spectral and spatial description of laser-induced breakdown in air as a pulsed, bright, and broadband ultraviolet–visible light source. Applied Optics, 37(18), 3977–3983.

Sgro, L. A., Borghese, A., Speranza, L., Barone, A. C., Minutolo, P., Bruno, A., … (2008). Measurements of nanoparticles of organic carbon and soot in flames and vehicle exhausts. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(3), 859–863.

Borghese, A., D’Alessio, A., Diana, M., & Venitozzi, C. (1989). Development of hot nitrogen kernel, produced by a very fast spark discharge. Symposium (International) on Combustion, 22(1), 1651–1659.

D’Alessio, A., Di Lorenzo, A., Borghese, A., Beretta, F., & Masi, S. (1977). Study of the soot nucleation zone of rich methane-oxygen flames. Symposium (International) on Combustion, 16(1), 695–708.

Borghese, A., Canevari, R., Donati, V., & Garifo, L. (1981). Unstable–stable resonators with toroidal mirrors. Applied Optics, 20(20), 3547–3552.

Poonam Singhal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Poonam Singhal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Hyderabad | India

Dr. Poonam Singhal is a distinguished academic and nutrition expert with over 18 years of experience in teaching, research, consulting, and policy engagement in food and nutrition sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, with a strong research focus on functional foods, food safety, and nutrition informatics. Currently serving as Principal Scientist at the DST-Centre for Policy Research, University of Hyderabad, she works at the intersection of science communication, grassroots innovation, and start-up ecosystems. She has previously served as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at reputed institutions including St. Ann’s College for Women, St. Francis College for Women, and St. Joseph Degree & PG College for Women, mentoring hundreds of Master’s and Bachelor’s students, supervising thesis work, and coordinating academic-industry collaborations. Beyond academia, Dr. Singhal has contributed to national and international projects with UNICEF, IIM Calcutta, ISB Hyderabad, IIT Delhi, and the Ministry of Rural Development, producing impactful publications, case studies, and technical manuals. She has also offered professional consultations in clinical and community nutrition, both in India and abroad. A gold medalist and award-winning researcher, she continues to integrate education, research, and innovation to address public health challenges.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Poonam Singhal pursued her B.Sc. (Hons.) in Home Science from Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi in 2004, graduating with distinction. She went on to complete her M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition from the same institution, securing the Gold Medal as University Topper, alongside receiving multiple academic awards. During her Master’s, she represented India in a prestigious student exchange program at Michigan State University, USA, where she gained international exposure to food and nutrition research. Her postgraduate research included projects on low-cost recipe standardization for the ICDS Supplementary Nutrition Program and experimental recipe development with natural sweeteners under industry collaborations. She earned her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), also from Lady Irwin College, equipping her with pedagogical expertise to lead higher education courses. Her academic journey culminated with a Doctorate in Food Science & Nutrition from IIT Delhi, where she specialized in functional foods and bamboo-based nutrition systems. Her Ph.D. work, supported by IIT Delhi and DST, resulted in high-impact publications, international conference presentations, and contributions to sustainable food security research. These academic milestones, enriched with awards and international exposure, provided the foundation for her distinguished teaching, research, and consulting career.

Experience

Dr. Poonam Singhal has held diverse academic, research, and consulting roles across leading institutions in India. She is presently Principal Scientist at DST-Centre for Policy Research, University of Hyderabad, focusing on science communication, innovation systems, and policy engagement. She previously served as Assistant Professor of Nutrition at St. Joseph Degree & PG College for Women, St. Francis College for Women, and St. Ann’s College for Women, where she taught Master’s and Bachelor’s students, coordinated outreach, supervised research theses, and initiated collaborations such as a MoU on Nutrition Informatics. Earlier, as Visiting Faculty at University of Hyderabad, she taught international students, blending classroom teaching with field visits. She also worked as Faculty at NITHM Hyderabad, and as Guest Faculty at IHM Pusa and IGNOU, where she trained diploma, postgraduate, and distance-learning students in nutrition and dietetics. Beyond academia, Dr. Singhal contributed to UNICEF projects at NIRDPR Hyderabad, authored management case studies at ISB, assisted research at IIM Calcutta, and served as Project Associate at IIT Delhi for MoRD projects. Additionally, she has served as a Nutrition Consultant for Cure.fit and Sanat Products and as a freelance mentor for global students. Her career reflects a balanced blend of teaching, policy research, and applied nutrition consulting.

Honors and Awards

Dr. Poonam Singhal has been consistently recognized for her academic excellence and professional contributions with numerous prestigious awards. She secured the Laxmi Devi and Basant Rai Gold Medal and the B. Tara Bai Award for ranking first in M.Sc (Food and Nutrition) at Lady Irwin College. She also received the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad Award for academic excellence on International Women’s Day. Her early research on bamboo earned her the Best Poster Award at the National Seminar on Bamboo, and she was supported with a travel grant from IIT Delhi to present research in Thailand. she cleared the UGC-NET for Lectureship, qualifying her for faculty roles across India. Later, her strong publication record won her the Dr. Nirmala Xavier Gold Medal at St. Ann’s College for Women. She was selected for the Summer Faculty Research Fellow Programme (IIT Delhi) and received the National Nutrition Award from the Nutrition and Natural Health Science Association, New Delhi. she received multiple honors including the RND Sadhana Award, Grand Queens Global Leadership Award, and a Travel Grant for World Bamboo Congress, Taiwan. She was also nominated for a Research Award by the Republic of Rwanda, underscoring her global impact.

Research Focus

Dr. Poonam Singhal’s research interests lie at the intersection of functional foods, nutrition informatics, sustainable food systems, and public health nutrition. Her doctoral research at IIT Delhi pioneered the exploration of bamboo shoots, seeds, and leaves as novel functional foods, focusing on their nutritional properties, antioxidant potential, and role in food security. She has examined the impact of domestic cooking methods on bamboo’s nutritional profile and toxicity, generating knowledge to promote safe consumption practices aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work extends to trans fats and their disease implications, contributing review papers to strengthen dietary guidelines. She has also researched changing consumption patterns in traditional food systems, bridging modern nutrition science with indigenous practices. In addition, she has contributed to UNICEF projects on nutrition education, developing training modules, brochures, and outreach materials. As an early promoter of Nutrition Informatics, she spearheaded academic-industry collaborations to integrate data-driven approaches in nutrition education and practice. Her professional consulting has emphasized clinical and community nutrition, addressing conditions such as obesity, PCOD, and cardiovascular disorders. Through her publications, patents, and policy engagements, Dr. Singhal continues to push the boundaries of nutrition research, advocating for evidence-based, sustainable, and community-focused interventions.

Publications

  • The Physico-chemical properties of Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos Seeds: An Unexplored Functional Food

  • Bamboo leaves: Exploring the nutritional and antioxidant profile of the new age functional food in Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa tulda

  • Effects of domestic cooking methods on the functional profile and cyanogenic toxicity of bamboo shoot: An Insight on achieving the food security and SDGs

  • Bamboo Leaves: An Emerging Multi-functional Food

  • Trans Fats and their Effects on Various Diseases: A Review

  • Changing Consumption Patterns of Bamboo Shoots: A Case Study of Traditional Food-Related Knowledge Systems

Conclusion

Dr. Poonam Singhal’s professional journey reflects an inspiring blend of academic excellence, research innovation, and impactful contributions to food and nutrition sciences. With a solid academic foundation from Lady Irwin College and a doctorate from IIT Delhi, she has consistently bridged the gap between research, education, and community engagement. Her work on bamboo-based functional foods, nutrition informatics, and sustainable food systems has opened new dimensions in nutritional research, aligning with global priorities such as food security and the Sustainable Development Goals. In academia, she has shaped the careers of countless students through teaching, mentoring, and curriculum innovation, while also initiating collaborations that integrated technology and evidence-based nutrition practices into higher education. Her contributions extend beyond classrooms, as reflected in her leadership of UNICEF projects, authorship of research publications, patents, and technical manuals that serve both scientific and rural communities. Recognized with multiple national and international awards, she has established herself as a leader who combines research with advocacy for healthier, more sustainable diets.