Lekan Amusan | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

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Lekan Amusan | Environmental Science | Research Excellence Award

Covenant University | Nigeria

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lekan M. Amusan is an academic and researcher with recognized contributions in engineering science and technology, particularly in construction and building technology, sustainable human settlements, and interdisciplinary areas spanning environmental sciences and business-related aspects of the built environment. He is affiliated with Covenant University, Nigeria, and has collaborative associations with the University of Johannesburg, including work linked to centers of excellence in sustainable human settlements. His scholarly output, published under various name formats, reflects a strong focus on sustainability-driven research and applied innovation, and his contributions to the academic community have been acknowledged through distinctions such as an Excellent Reviewer recognition.

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Aris Sudomo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Academic Citation Impact Award

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Aris Sudomo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Academic Citation Impact Award

Gadjah Mada University | Indonesia

Mr. Aris Sudomo, S.Hut., M.Si. is a dedicated researcher specializing in silviculture and agroforestry, with a strong focus on sustainable management of community forests and tree plantations. As a Senior Researcher at the Research Center for Ecology, Life and Environmental Sciences Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), he has accumulated extensive experience in forestry research and development. His academic foundation was built through a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and a master’s degree from Hasanuddin University (Unhas), focusing on spatial planning and agroforestry systems. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in advancing sustainable forestry practices, starting with cutting propagation techniques for eucalyptus and mulberry in Gunungkidul, followed by research on Acacia mangium plantations in Riau, and later, private forest systems in Java and Sulawesi. His research has explored intercropping systems involving ginger, shade-tolerant tuber species, cardamom, and other understory crops, demonstrating the potential of agroforestry to enhance land productivity and biodiversity. He has also led participatory action research in Gunungkidul, emphasizing the integration of timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to support local livelihoods. With a strong publication record and growing citation impact, Aris continues to contribute to the development of innovative silvicultural strategies that align with ecological principles and community needs. His vision is to strengthen the role of agroforestry as a sustainable land management approach that balances environmental conservation with economic empowerment for forest-dependent communities across Indonesia.

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Salvatore Ceccarelli | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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.

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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.

Dragana Tomašević Pilipović | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dragana Tomašević Pilipović | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad | Serbia

Dragana Tomašević Pilipović, a Serbian national born in Croatia, is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, with over 15 years of distinguished academic and research experience in environmental chemistry. She specializes in sediment remediation, water quality assessment, and the development of green nanomaterials for sustainable pollution management. Throughout her career, she has authored 40 SCI-indexed publications,  and has led multiple national and international research projects as Principal Investigator. Professor Tomašević Pilipović has a strong teaching record, developing innovative curricula and delivering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral courses in Environmental Protection and Chemistry, consistently earning top student evaluations. She holds a BSc in Chemistry with a focus on quality control and environmental management, an MSc in Chemistry specializing in water metal content analysis, and a PhD in Environmental Protection Science, where her research advanced the application of stabilized nano zero-valent iron and commercial immobilization agents for sediment remediation. Her professional experience includes roles as Associate and Assistant Professor, research assistant, and analytical chemist in accredited laboratories, where she gained expertise in advanced analytical techniques such as AAS, ICP-MS, IC, and TOC. Actively engaged in scientific exchange and professional organizations, she has collaborated with international institutions, serves on multiple scientific boards, and contributes to policy and outreach programs. Her work integrates research excellence, innovative teaching, and impactful science communication to advance environmental protection and sustainable solutions across Europe.

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Featured Publications

  • Radenović, D., Kerkez, D., Tomašević Pilipović, D., Dubovina, M., Šeljiša, M., Tenodi, S., & Peško, I. (2024). The beneficial reuse of contaminated sediment: Long-term assessment of fly ash and lime-based mixtures. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 20, e02711.

  • Tenodi, S., Krčmar, D., Pejin, Đ., Rađenović Veselić, D., Slijepčević, N., Zrnić Tenodi, K., & Tomašević Pilipović, D. (2025). Application of the FUCOM-SAW model for comprehensive risk assessment of contaminated sediments: A case study of the Great Bačka Canal and Begej River. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 274, 104644.

  • Tomašević Pilipović, D., Slijepčević, N., Rađenović Veselić, D., Šešlija, M., Bulatović, V., & Duduković, N. (2025). Utilization of phosphogypsum and sediment in subgrade material for pavement construction. Applied Sciences, 15(347).

  • Tomić, T., Jurca, T., Rađenović Veselić, D., Slijepčević, N., Krčmar, D., Bečelić-Tomin, M., & Tomašević Pilipović, D. (2025). An integrated approach to assessing the quality of sediments in the Great Bačka and Bega canals, Serbia. Environmental Sciences Europe, 37, 25.

  • Tomašević Pilipović, D., Bečelić-Tomin, M., Krčmar, D., Tenodi, S., Kerkez, D., Slijepčević, N., & Šešlija, M. (2025). Methodological framework for sediment management in developing countries: Shifting the paradigm from waste to resource. Water, 17, 618.

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.

Sudabeh Gharemahmudli | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Sudabeh Gharemahmudli | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Department of Watershed Management Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) | Iran

Dr. Sudabeh Gharemahmudli is an accomplished environmental scientist specializing in soil and water conservation, salinity management, and microbial biotechnology for erosion control. She is currently completing her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Tarbiat Modares University (2025), having earned her Ph.D. in Soil Science from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, where she conducted pioneering research titled “Controllability of Soil and Water Loss in Saline Soils Using Microorganisms.” Her doctoral work, supervised by Professor Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, explored the innovative use of soil cyanobacteria to biologically stabilize saline and alkaline soils, demonstrating a sustainable approach to reducing erosion and surface runoff under simulated rainfall conditions. Dr. Gharemahmudli also holds an M.Sc. from Tarbiat Modares University a B.Sc., and an A.Sc. from Gonbad Kavous University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Her scientific contributions lie at the intersection of biological soil management, environmental restoration, and eco-engineering, with a focus on developing long-term, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional soil stabilizers. She continues to advance her research on bio-based strategies for watershed management and environmental sustainability. Dr. Gharemahmudli is known for her dedication to applying microbial technologies in addressing global challenges related to soil degradation, salinization, and water resource conservation.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

  • Rouhani, H., Gharemahmudli, S., Torkashvand, T., & Kashani, M. (2017). Granulometric variation of river suspended sediments due to sand and gravel mining: Case study of Vaz River. Watershed Management Research, 30(1), 2–13.

  • Sadeghi, S. H. R., Gharemahmudli, S., Kheirfam, H., Khaledi Darvishan, A., Kiani Harchegani, M., Saeidi, P., Gholami, L., & Vafakhah, M. (2018). Short-term temporal variations in runoff and sediment concentration in different land uses under two rainfall intensities. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6(2), 184–193.

  • Gharemahmudli, S., Najafinejad, A., Sadeghi, S. H. R., Zarei Darkid, B., Mohammadian Behbahanie, A., & Kheirfam, H. (2020). Effects of type, level and time of sand and gravel mining on particle size distributions of suspended sediment. Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 27(3), 163–180.

  • Sadeghi, S. H. R., Najafinejad, A., Gharemahmudli, S., Zarei Darkid, B., Mohammadian Behbahanie, A., & Kheirfam, H. (2021). Reducing surface runoff from soils subjected to a freezing–thawing cycle using soil cyanobacteria. Applied Soil Ecology, 157, 103770.

  • Gharemahmudli, S., Sadeghi, S. H. R., Sadeghi, V. S., Najafinejad, A., & Jafarpoor, A. (2022). Reduction in soil loss caused by a freeze–thaw cycle through inoculation of endemic soil microorganisms. Catena, 213, 106150.

  • Sadeghi, S. H. R., & Gharemahmudli, S. (2022). Morphometrical analysis of cracks and crevices on a cyanobacterized soil surface subjected to a freeze–thaw cycle using image processing. Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 29(1), 1–30.

Guoping Zhang | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Most Cited Article Award

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Guoping Zhang | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Most Cited Article Award

Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Guoping Zhang, is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Zhejiang University, China, with a prolific career in plant science spanning over four decades. He earned his Bachelor and Master degrees from Zhejiang Agricultural University and his Ph.D.  from Zhejiang University. Beginning his academic journey as an Assistant Lecturer, he rapidly advanced to Professor  and has been a leading faculty member at Zhejiang University. Dr. Zhang’s research primarily focuses on the molecular physiology of stress tolerance in crops, development and evaluation of barley germplasm with high nutrient use efficiency and tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and acidic soils, as well as the molecular mechanisms governing heavy metal accumulation and tolerance in plants. Over the past two decades, he has successfully led more than research projects, including funded by the China Natural Science Foundation, and published over peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals such as Nature and PNAS, accumulating citations with an h-index of 69. Beyond his research, Dr. Zhang has contributed significantly to the scientific community, serving as chairman of the International Barley Genetics Symposium and as an editorial board member for leading journals, including Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, Plant Growth Regulation, and Journal of Integrative Agriculture. His work bridges fundamental molecular research and applied crop improvement, with a strong emphasis on phytoremediation and sustainable crop production, making him a globally recognized leader in plant stress biology and agronomy.

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Featured Publications

  • Fu, L. B., Shen, Q. F., Kuang, L. H., Wu, D. Z., & Zhang, G. P. (2019). Transcriptomic and alternative splicing analyses reveal mechanisms of the difference in salt tolerance between barley and rice. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 166, 103810.

  • Ye, L. Z., Wang, Y., Long, L. Z., Luo, H., Shen, Q. F., Broughton, S., Wu, D. X., Shu, X. L., Dai, F., Li, C. D., & Zhang, G. P. (Year). A trypsin family protein gene regulates tillering and leaf shape in barley. Plant Physiology, 181, 701–713.

  • Huang, L., Kuang, L. H., Wu, L. Y., Shen, Q. F., Han, Y., Jiang, L. X., Wu, D. Z., & Zhang, G. P. (2020). The HKT transporter HvHKT1;5 negatively regulates salt tolerance. Plant Physiology, 182, 584–596.

  • Shen, Q. F., Fu, L. B., Su, T. T., Ye, L. Z., Huang, L., Kuang, L. H., Wu, L. Y., Wu, D. Z., Chen, Z. H., & Zhang, G. P. (2020). Calmodulin HvCaM1 negatively regulates salt tolerance via modulation of HvHKT1s and HvCAMTA4. Plant Physiology, 183, 1650–1662.

  • Cai, S. G., Shen, Q. F., Huang, Y. Q., Han, Z. G., Wu, D. Z., Chen, Z. H., Nevo, E., & Zhang, G. P. (2021). Multi-omics analysis reveals the mechanism underlying the edaphic adaptation in wild barley at evolution slope (Tabigha). Advanced Science.

Mekides Gardi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Mekides Gardi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Cimmyt | Ethiopia

Dr. Mekides Woldegiorgis Gardi, an Ethiopian system agronomist and crop modeler, is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), based at the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, where her research focused on the impacts of climate change and variability on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). With over a decade of research and project coordination experience, Dr. Gardi has developed strong expertise in crop simulation modeling using DSSAT and APSIM, climate change impact assessment, and climate-resilient agriculture. Her professional journey includes research roles at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, ICARDA, and DAB Development Research and Training, where she contributed to field data collection, climate-crop interaction studies, and multi-country agricultural projects. At CIMMYT, she leads modeling efforts to evaluate climate change effects on maize and wheat, supports digital agriculture initiatives, and develops adaptation strategies to strengthen climate-resilient breeding and food security systems in Africa. Dr. Gardi is highly skilled in data management, scientific writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on developing sustainable, data-driven agricultural solutions. Her work integrates advanced modeling with on-ground agricultural development to guide policy and improve farming resilience under changing climatic conditions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Gardi, M. W., Memic, E., Zewdu, E., & Graeff‐Hönninger, S. (2022). Simulating the effect of climate change on barley yield in Ethiopia with the DSSAT‐CERES‐Barley model. Agronomy Journal, 114(2), 1128–1145.

  • Gardi, M. W., Haussmann, B. I. G., Malik, W. A., & Högy, P. (2022). Effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ and its interaction with temperature and nitrogen on yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): A meta-analysis. Plant and Soil, 475(1), 535–550.

  • Wamatu, J., Alkhtib, A., & Woldegiorgis, M. G. (2019). Leveraging traditional crops for food and feed: A case of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare) landraces in Ethiopia. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 7(1), 42–50.

  • Gardi, M. W., Malik, W. A., & Haussmann, B. I. G. (2021). Impacts of carbon dioxide enrichment on landrace and released Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars. Plants, 10(12), 2691.

  • Gardi, M. W., Zewdu, E., & Sida, T. S. (2021). Modeling sorghum yield response to climate change in the semi-arid environment of Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Article 102143.