Soon-Jae Lee | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Soon-Jae Lee | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University of Lausanne & African Genome Center | Switzerland

prof. Soon-Jae Lee is a microbiome scientist affiliated with the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Microbiomes in Switzerland and based at the University of Lausanne, where his work focuses on advancing the understanding of microbial communities and their interactions with hosts and environments. His research integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and systems-level approaches to uncover how microbiomes influence health, disease, and ecosystem functioning. With a strong publication record that includes 18 scientific articles and 12 comprehensive review papers, he has made significant contributions to synthesizing complex microbiome knowledge and translating it into conceptual and practical advances for the field. His innovative research activities have also resulted in one patented invention, reflecting his engagement with applied science and technology transfer. In addition to his peer-reviewed work, he is an active contributor to the scientific community through conference participation, having delivered seven conference presentations that disseminate his findings to international audiences. He is widely recognized for his expertise, as demonstrated by his frequent invitations to speak, including 11 invited and keynote lectures at scientific meetings and academic institutions.

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

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Citations
378

Documents
16

h-index
11


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Barbara Laddomada | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

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Barbara Laddomada | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

CNR ISPA | Italy

Dr. Barbara Laddomada, PhD, is a senior researcher at CNR-ISPA whose career since 1999 has centered on advancing the nutritional and technological quality of Mediterranean foods through integrated approaches in food science, plant genetics, and bioactive compound research. Her work focuses on understanding and improving the genetic basis of health-promoting components in crops, with particular emphasis on wheat, pulses, and other staples of the Mediterranean diet. She has developed extensive expertise in food science and technology, the traceability of Mediterranean food supply chains—including extra-virgin olive oil, wheat, and pulses—and the characterization of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Her research also contributes to the valorisation of plant biodiversity and the sustainable use of food by-products. Laddomada plays an active international role as a member of the Wheat Initiative’s Expert Working Groups on improving wheat quality for processing and health, as well as on durum wheat genomics and breeding. With an academic foundation in agricultural sciences and a doctoral degree in plant genetics, she has conducted influential research experiences, including dissecting the genetic basis of yield and quality traits in durum wheat under FAO sponsorship and serving as a visiting scientist at Kansas State University, where she contributed to projects on protein content and plant health. She currently leads major national and international research projects, including the PRIMA MEDWHEALTH initiative aimed at enhancing the functional and health value of wheat-based foods, and additional collaborative projects funded by European and national agencies targeting grain loss reduction, sustainable wheat cultivation, and agro-food chain innovation. In addition to her scientific leadership, she contributes to research evaluation as a reviewer for national funding bodies and supports scholarly communication as an editor for the journal Foods and a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals in food science, food chemistry, and food technology.

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Featured Publications

Sgaramella, N., Nigro, D., Pasqualone, A., … Blanco, E., Simeone, R., & Blanco, A. (2023). Genetic mapping of flavonoid grain pigments in durum wheat. Plants, 12(8), 1674.

Scarano, A., Laddomada, B., Blando, F., … Verna, G., Chieppa, M., & Santino, A. (2023). The chelating ability of plant polyphenols can affect iron homeostasis and gut microbiota. Antioxidants, 12(3), 630.

Romano, G., Del Coco, L., Milano, F., … Jilal, A., Fanizzi, F. P., & Laddomada, B. (2022). Phytochemical profiling and untargeted metabolite fingerprinting of the MEDWHEALTH wheat, barley and lentil wholemeal flours. Foods, 11(24), 4070.

Del Coco, M., Laddomada, B., Romano, G., Carcagnì, P., Kumar, S., & Leo, M. (2022). Characterization of a collection of colored lentil genetic resources using a novel computer vision approach. Foods, 11(24), 3964.

Calabriso, N., Scoditti, E., Massaro, M., … Chieppa, M., Laddomada, B., & Carluccio, M. A. (2022). Non-celiac gluten sensitivity and protective role of dietary polyphenols. Nutrients, 14(13), 2679.

Laddomada, B., & Wang, W. (2022). Multiple approaches to improve the quality of cereal-based foods. Foods, 11(13), 1849.

Amanpreet K. Sidhu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Amanpreet K. Sidhu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Khalsa College for Women | India

Dr. Amanpreet Kaur Sidhu is an accomplished Assistant Professor and researcher with over fourteen years of academic experience in biotechnology, spanning teaching, research, and departmental leadership across reputed institutions in India. Her expertise lies in bio-nanotechnology, bioprocess engineering, and recombinant DNA technology, with significant contributions to nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and their applications in agriculture and environmental sustainability. She is highly proficient in advanced molecular techniques, including DNA isolation, PCR, Southern blotting, RFLP, transformation, and in handling fermenters for the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, and other valuable metabolites. Her diverse research portfolio encompasses enzyme purification and characterization, enzyme-based bioremediation, endophytic fungi with biotechnological potential, metabolite production through fermentation, antidiabetic studies of medicinal plants, and biological control applications involving invasive species such as water hyacinth. With a strong publication record that includes impactful research articles, reviews, and book chapters, she has earned over 800 citations with notable h-index and i10-index scores, reflecting her scientific influence. She has served as Guest Associate Editor for Frontiers in Nanotechnology and continues to contribute as an editor and reviewer for leading international journals. A dedicated mentor, she has guided numerous postgraduate and undergraduate research projects and has played vital roles in organizing national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, and academic events. She has also contributed to academic development through her involvement in curriculum committees, laboratory management, value-added course coordination, and initiatives under the DBT Star College Scheme. Recognized for her strong administrative capabilities, innovative academic contributions, and commitment to scientific advancement, Dr. Sidhu remains a driving force in fostering research excellence and interdisciplinary growth in the field of biotechnology.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Sidhu, A. K., Sharma, M., Shah, P., & Sandhu, S. K. (2025). CRISPR and RNA interference: Revolutionary tools for extending food shelf life and ensuring safety. Frontiers in Food Science and Technology, 5, 1609948.

Sidhu, A. K., Patil, S. N., & Gaikwad, V. B. (2025). Enhanced glyphosate degradation using laccase-immobilized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: A comparative study. Journal of Environmental and Water Nanotechnology, 10(2), 1–11.

Sidhu, A. K., Verma, N., Kaushal, P., & Agrawal, S. (2025). Fungal-mediated synthesis of multimetallic nanoparticles: Mechanisms, unique properties, and potential applications. Frontiers in Nanotechnology, 7, 1549713.

Sharma, M., Sidhu, A. K., Samota, M. K., Shah, P., Pandey, M. K., & Gangurde, S. S. (2024). Technological advancements in the CRISPR toolbox for improving plant salt tolerance. Discover Agriculture, 2(1), 1–31.

Kaur, K., Sidhu, A. K., & Brar, N. K. (2024). Bioactives in soybean: Health implications and transgenic improvement. Agrica.

Sidhu, A. K., Sharma, M., Agrawal, S. B., Bhavsar, P. P., & Samota, M. K. (2024). Nanomaterial strategies for enhancing plant resilience in the face of temperature stress. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 5(1), 60.

Anand Prakash Singh | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Anand Prakash Singh | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Michigan | United States

Dr. Anand Prakash Singh is a Research Investigator at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, where he leads translational studies in cardio-oncology, cardio-immunology, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and exercise-induced cardiac regeneration. He earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology from the University of Lucknow (2007), M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of Allahabad, and Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Following his doctorate, he completed postdoctoral training at prestigious institutions including South Asian University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, while also serving as a visiting scholar at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His research focuses on understanding the molecular pathways of cardiac inflammation, senescence, and regeneration, particularly in the context of metabolic stress and cancer therapy–induced cardiotoxicity. Dr. Singh is the recipient of multiple competitive grants, including the Frankel Cardiovascular Center Inaugural Grant Award and VA IPA funding, and has contributed as Co-Investigator to major NIH and AHA projects exploring heart–brain interactions and exercise-mediated cardioprotection. Recognized for his scholarly excellence, he has received honors such as the First Prize for Oral Presentation at the International Conference on Innovation & Technologies in Medicine and Healthcare and the Outstanding Reviewer Award from Experimental Biology and Medicine. His ongoing research aims to bridge basic molecular mechanisms with clinical therapeutics for cardiovascular disease prevention and recovery.

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Featured Publications

Guo, H. L. Y., Gupte, M., Umbarkar, P., Singh, A. P., et al. (2017). Entanglement of GSK-3β, β-catenin and TGF-β1 signaling network to regulate myocardial fibrosis. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 174, Article 107–118.

Singh, A. P., Glennon, M. S., Umbarkar, P., Gupte, M., Galindo, C. L., Zhang, Q., et al. (2019). Ponatinib-induced cardiotoxicity: Delineating the signalling mechanisms and potential rescue strategies. Cardiovascular Research, 115(5), 966–977.

Umbarkar, P., Tousif, S., Singh, A. P., Anderson, J. C., Zhang, Q., Tallquist, M. D., et al. (2022). Fibroblast GSK-3α promotes fibrosis via RAF-MEK-ERK pathway in the injured heart. Circulation Research, 131(7), 620–636.

Singh, A. P., Umbarkar, P., Tousif, S., & Lal, H. (2020). Cardiotoxicity of the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Emphasis on ponatinib. International Journal of Cardiology, 316, 214–221.

Umbarkar, P., Singh, A. P., Gupte, M., Verma, V. K., Galindo, C. L., Guo, Y., Zhang, Q., et al. (2019). Cardiomyocyte SMAD4-dependent TGF-β signaling is essential to maintain adult heart homeostasis. JACC: Basic to Translational Science, 4(1), 41–53.

Tousif, S., Singh, A. P., Umbarkar, P., Galindo, C., Wheeler, N., Toro Cora, A., et al. (2023). Ponatinib drives cardiotoxicity by S100A8/A9-NLRP3-IL-1β mediated inflammation. Circulation Research, 132(3), 267–289.

Antonio Borghese | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Distinguished Scientist Award

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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.

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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.

Zhixu Zhang | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

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Zhixu Zhang | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

Hunan Agricultural University | China

Dr. Zhixu Zhang, a distinguished scholar at the College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, is recognized for his significant contributions to food science, particularly in the evaluation of functional foods, the deep processing of agricultural by-products, and innovative product development. His research focuses on the screening and evaluation of functional factors in plant-based raw materials, the processing characteristics and adaptability of food resources, and the intricate mechanisms linking nutritional components with human health. He has successfully presided over seven major research projects funded by provincial science and education departments and has played a pivotal role in more than ten national and international projects, including the National Major Special Project, the National Key Research and Development Plan, and international cooperation initiatives. Professor Zhang has published more than influential papers in esteemed journals such as Carbohydrate Polymers, Metabolites, LWT-Food Science and Technology, and Chinese Herbal Medicines. His innovative contributions are further reflected in six authorized invention patents and four software copyrights, underscoring his role in bridging research and practical applications. Notably, he received the Hunan Provincial Technology Award  for his pioneering work in functional food industrialization. His representative research covers diverse areas including functional dietary fiber, cholesterol-lowering plant sterols, fermented food technologies, and novel detection systems for food safety. In addition, he has contributed to the advancement of intellectual property transformation in universities, earning team innovation awards for his leadership in plant-based bioactive component utilization. With his dedication to interdisciplinary research and innovation, Professor Zhang continues to make impactful contributions to food science, functional nutrition, and agricultural product development.