Abdul Hadi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Govt Degree College Zanskar, Ladakh | India

Dr. Abdul Hadi is an accomplished botanist, educator, and early-career researcher whose work focuses on plant reproductive biology, conservation, and biodiversity of the Himalayan region. He earned his Integrated Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Kashmir under the joint supervision of Dr. Seema Singh and Prof. Irshad Ahmad Nawchoo, completing a significant research contribution on the reproductive biology and conservation strategies of Aconitum violaceum, a threatened medicinal plant of the Ladakh Himalaya. His academic foundation also includes an M.Sc. in Botany from Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University and a B.Ed. from the University of Kashmir. Dr. Hadi has qualified multiple national and state-level competitive examinations, including CSIR-NET-JRF, JK-SET/SLET, and CTET, showcasing strong academic merit and disciplinary expertise. Professionally, he serves as an Assistant Professor at Govt. Degree College Zanskar and has held several teaching positions across higher secondary institutions in Ladakh, contributing to science education at grassroots levels. He has also engaged in research as a Junior Research Fellow in a Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded project on apricot germplasm characterization and conservation. Alongside teaching and research, Dr. Hadi has taken on administrative and leadership roles, serving on institutional committees and leading educational initiatives, including founding the Ibex Academy in Kargil. His professional memberships include the National Environmental Science Academy (NESA), and he possesses strong technical proficiency across a wide range of scientific and data-analysis software. With an emerging publication record and measurable academic impact reflected through citation indices on ResearchGate, Scopus, and Google Scholar, Dr. Hadi continues to advance plant science research while fostering academic growth and scientific awareness in the remote Himalayan region.

Profile: Orcid | Scopus | Google scholar

Featured Publications

Ali, S., Singh, S., Shah, M. A., Hadi, H., Akhone, I. A., Khatoon, Z., & Rafiq, R. (2025). Green-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles enhance in vitro regeneration in Artemisia dracunculus L. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 162, 70.

*Rafiq, R., Malla, B. A., Wagay, N. A., Kaloo, Z. A., Mahajan, R., & Hadi, A. ** (2025). Genetic diversity assessment of Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes, a critically endangered and endemic medicinal plant of Kashmir Himalaya, using ISSR markers. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 72, 255–269.

Malla, B. A., Rafiq, S., Hadi, A., Ali, A., Kaloo, Z. A., Wagay, N. A., & Dar, N. A. (2023). Downregulation of pro-inflammatory markers NF-κB1, RelA and COX-2 using Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes—in vitro and in silico study. Industrial Crops and Products, 197, 116564.

Hadi, A., Rafiq, S., Singh, S., Ali, S., & Nawchoo, I. A. (2022). Seed viability, seed germination, and micropropagation of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf—A rare and threatened medicinal plant of Ladakh Himalaya. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant, 59, 315–328.

Hadi, A., Singh, S., Rafiq, S., Nawchoo, I. A., & Wagay, N. A. (2022). In vitro propagation of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf through seed culture and somatic embryogenesis. Horticulturae, 8(7), 599.

Rafiq, S., Wagay, N. A., Elansary, H. O., Malik, M. A., Bhat, I. A., Kaloo, Z. A., Hadi, A.*, Alataway, A., Dewidar, A. Z., El-Sabrout, A. M., Yessoufou, K., & Mahmoud, E. A. (2022). Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antifungal activities of Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes wild rhizome extracts. Antioxidants, 11(6), 1052.

Hadi, A., Singh, S., Nawchoo, I. A., Rafiq, S., & Ali, S. (2022). Impacts of habitat variability on the phenotypic traits of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf at different altitudes and environmental conditions in the Ladakh Himalaya, India. Plant Science Today, 9(3), 546–554.

Masoud Sultan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Article Award

Mr Masoud Sultan, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, TARI, Tanzani

Mr. Masoud Salehe Sultan is a Tanzanian agricultural scientist specializing in plant breeding and agronomy. Born on August 15, 1984, he currently serves at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) as the Center Coordinator of Research and Innovation at the Kihinga Center in Kigoma. With a strong background in agronomic research, Masoud has contributed to several national and regional projects focused on improving oil palm production, drought tolerance in groundnut, and sustainable agricultural practices. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications and participation in numerous international conferences and study tours across Africa. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, further expanding his expertise in plant science. His leadership in research coordination, proposal writing, and technology dissemination demonstrates his dedication to advancing food security and agricultural innovation in Tanzania and beyond. Mr. Sultan is married and reachable.

Publication Profile

orcid

Education

Mr. Masoud Sultan’s educational journey reflects a steady progression in the agricultural sciences. He is currently a PhD student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where he also earned his Master of Science in Plant Breeding (2016–2018). His undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, was obtained from the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania (2010–2013). Prior to his university education, he completed his Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSEE) at Karatu Boys Secondary School in Arusha (2008–2010) and the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) at Kanadi Secondary School in Simiyu (2004–2007). His foundational education began at Halawa Primary School in Simiyu (1995–2002). This academic path equipped him with a strong scientific foundation, leading to specialization in plant breeding, genetics, and sustainable agriculture—skills he has effectively applied in both national and international research initiatives.

Experience

Mr. Masoud Sultan has over a decade of progressive experience in agricultural research and management. He began his career in 2013 as a Farm Manager at African Plantation Kilimanjaro Ltd (APKL), where he was responsible for planning and managing farm operations. In 2014, he joined the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) as an Agricultural Research Officer at Tumbi Center, Tabora. There, and later at Kihinga Center in Kigoma, he led research initiatives, analyzed data, and disseminated technologies. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the Center Coordinator of Research and Innovation at TARI-Kihinga, overseeing all research activities, coordinating projects, writing proposals and reports. His contributions span multiple funded projects focusing on oil palm development, nutrient management, and sustainable agriculture, backed by hands-on participation in international consultancies and study tours. His leadership and field expertise have significantly advanced research outputs within Tanzania’s agricultural landscape.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Masoud Salehe Sultan has gained significant recognition for his contributions to agricultural research and innovation in Tanzania. He has been entrusted with leadership roles such as the Center Coordinator of Research and Innovation at TARI-Kihinga, highlighting institutional confidence in his abilities. His selection to participate in prestigious international workshops and study tours—such as the Oil Palm Development Tours in Uganda, Ghana, and Benin—demonstrates his regional impact and expertise. Additionally, Mr. Sultan has collaborated on major research projects funded by esteemed organizations like FAO, COSTECH, APNI, and ICRAF, often serving as either a coordinator or key contributor. These roles reflect his proven track record in developing sustainable agricultural models and advancing plant breeding in East Africa. His ability to bridge research with actionable field solutions continues to earn him professional respect and opportunities in the plant breeding and agronomy sectors.

Research Focus

Mr. Masoud Sultan’s research focuses on crop improvement, sustainable agriculture, and resilience building through genetic enhancement. His primary interest lies in plant breeding, particularly in oil palm and groundnut crops, where he studies genetic variability, drought tolerance, and farmer-preferred traits. He emphasizes the integration of classical and modern breeding tools, including genomics, to enhance crop productivity and climate adaptability. His work extends to soil fertility management through Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) frameworks, targeting increased profitability and food security. Additionally, Masoud is deeply engaged in developing sustainable palm oil models by strengthening seedling production and local distribution systems. He has conducted needs assessments and farmer participatory research, ensuring that innovations are aligned with community needs. His collaborative approach and leadership in multi-stakeholder projects have significantly contributed to agricultural transformation in Kigoma and other regions, promoting both scientific advancement and community impact.

Publication Top Notes

📘 An Appraisal of the Constraints, Opportunities, and Farmers’ Needs and Preferences of Oil Palm for Sustainable Production and Improvement in Tanzania (2025) – Sustainability, 17(8): 3546 🌴🌱📊

📗 The Effects of Midseason and Terminal Drought Stress on Morphological, Physiological and Seed Yield Attributes in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for Malawian Genotypes (2024) – IJRESM, 7(7): 74–85 🌾💧🧪

📙 Genetic Variability and Association Studies for Drought Tolerance in Groundnut (2020) – Journal of Genetics, Genomics and Plant Breeding, 4(4): 159–170 🌿🧬📈

Abdul Hadi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Abdul Hadi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award