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.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

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.

Wan-Yu Liu | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

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Wan-Yu Liu | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

National Chung Hsing University | Taiwan

Dr. Wan-yu Liu is a distinguished scholar in environmental economics and forest resource management, widely recognized for his extensive contributions to climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration, natural carbon sinks, and environmental resource planning. With academic training spanning financial management, agricultural economics, and environmental economics, he has built a multidisciplinary foundation that shapes his rigorous and solutions-oriented research. His career includes faculty positions in natural resources and forestry, culminating in his early promotion to full professor and subsequent appointment as Distinguished and later Tenured Distinguished Professor at National Chung Hsing University, reflecting his exceptional academic achievements. Dr. Liu’s award-winning research honored by major academic societies in land economics, rural economics, and rural development has advanced understanding of afforestation incentives, carbon sink mechanisms, and economic strategies for environmental conservation. He has published more than 100 journal articles and conference papers in influential international journals across applied science and environmental science. His leadership extends to service as director or board member of multiple professional societies, while his work has been repeatedly recognized through prestigious awards, including multiple first-place honors at national academic conferences, the Outstanding Young Scholar Research Achievement Award, and notable distinctions from international publishers. He has also received top teaching and service awards from his institution, demonstrating excellence across research, education, and academic leadership. In recent years, he has earned some of the highest honors in Taiwanese agriculture and forestry, including recognition as one of the National Top Ten Outstanding Agricultural Experts and major academic society awards. His expertise has further led to national policy roles, including appointment to the National Sustainable Development Council. His global impact is acknowledged through his inclusion among Stanford University’s “World’s Top 2% Scientists,” underscoring his sustained influence on environmental sustainability research and policy.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Liu, C.-L., & Liu, W.-Y. (2025). Assessing tourism pressure on wildlife in a protected area: A social big data approach using photo-sharing data and species distribution modeling. Ecological Informatics.

Lin, C.-C., Zhang, S.-Y., Chou, Y.-L., & Liu, W.-Y. (2025). Energy management scheduling of a smart factory with carbon capture and storage, carbon emission quota cap-and-trade, and green energy trading. Energy.

Yu, H. W., & Liu, W.-Y. (2025). Strategic decision-making in wildfire risk management: Risk attitudes, strategy shifts, and policy implications in Taiwan. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.

Liu, W.-Y., Yen, C.-C., Lee, R. S. K., & Lin, C.-C. (2025). Navigating crowds: Reconsidering visitor recreational experience and crowding preference for a forest park in Taiwan. Forest Policy and Economics.

Chen, Y.-C., & Liu, W.-Y. (2025). Market opportunities for forest-based products: A case study of understory-cultivated bamboo mushrooms. Agroforestry Systems.

Liu, C.-L., & Liu, W.-Y. (2025). Sacred heritage and environmental sustainability: Carbon and biodiversity insights from Taiwan’s Fo Guang Shan Monastery and Buddha Museum. npj Heritage Science.

Asri, A. K., Chang, H.-T., Yu, C.-P., Liu, W.-Y., Chern, Y.-R., Xie, R.-H., Lung, S.-C. C., Chi, K. H., Chen, Y.-C., Cheng, S.-S., et al. (2025). Spatiotemporal estimation of ambient forest phytoncides: Unveiling patterns through geospatial-based machine learning approach. Ecological Indicators.

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.