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

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.

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

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.