Eugen Kokin | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr Eugen Kokin, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

Eugen Kokin, born on May 4, 1953, is a distinguished researcher in energy applications and biotechnology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. With a Doctorate earned in 2003, his work has significantly contributed to agricultural energy efficiency, data analytics, and sustainability. He has led multiple high-impact projects focused on smart farming, precision livestock management, and sustainable energy systems. His career spans decades of research, fostering innovation in environmental and agricultural engineering. As a principal investigator, he has driven initiatives funded by prominent institutions, enhancing environmental management and digital transformation in agriculture. His expertise bridges engineering and biotechnology, ensuring improved sustainability in agricultural processes.

Publication Profile

scopus

Education

Eugen Kokin graduated summa cum laude from the Estonian Agricultural Academy in 1976, specializing in energy applications in agriculture. He completed high school at Tartu High School No. 4 in 1971, also with honors. His Research Master’s Degree, obtained in 1992 under Jaan Lepa’s supervision, focused on electricity demand modeling in agricultural processes. In 2003, he earned his Doctorate from the Estonian University of Life Sciences under Kuno Jürjenson’s mentorship, with a dissertation on agricultural measurements, data analysis, and modeling. His academic journey has been dedicated to precision agriculture, energy optimization, and environmental sustainability, forming the foundation for his groundbreaking research in digital agricultural solutions and smart energy applications. His education laid the groundwork for pioneering data-driven agricultural engineering and sustainable energy management, making a profound impact on the field.

Experience

Eugen Kokin has had an extensive career at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, contributing to energy applications, smart farming, and precision agriculture. As a principal investigator, he has led projects focusing on ICT-driven environmental sustainability and dairy farm management. He has played a key role in research collaborations, including the development of zero-energy buildings and automated livestock welfare assessments. His expertise spans decades in academia, fostering interdisciplinary research between biotechnology and engineering. His leadership in national and international research projects has shaped advancements in agricultural sustainability and digital transformation. Throughout his career, he has mentored students and researchers, driving forward innovations in precision livestock farming, environmental monitoring, and data-driven decision-making in agriculture. His contributions continue to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in agricultural systems.

Awards & Honors

Eugen Kokin’s outstanding contributions to agricultural engineering and energy applications have been recognized with multiple research grants and awards. His leadership in ICT-based environmental sustainability projects has earned him funding from the Estonian Ministry of Rural Affairs. His work in precision livestock farming and data management for smart agriculture has been supported by institutions like the Estonian Science Foundation and the Ministry of Education and Research. His role in high-impact projects, such as zero-energy buildings and smart dairy farm management, highlights his excellence in sustainability research. His achievements in precision livestock farming and ICT integration in agriculture have positioned him as a leading researcher in Estonia. His dedication to data-driven environmental management and smart farming continues to drive innovation in agricultural technology and engineering.

Research Focus

Eugen Kokin’s research is centered on precision livestock farming, energy applications in agriculture, and smart environmental management. His work integrates data-driven approaches, IoT-enabled sensors, and ICT technologies to enhance sustainability and transparency in dairy farming. He has explored the automation of livestock welfare assessments, focusing on improving animal health monitoring. His contributions to zero-energy and resource-efficient buildings reflect his commitment to sustainable energy solutions. His projects emphasize removing barriers to adopting digital agriculture solutions, ensuring widespread implementation of ICT in farming practices. His interdisciplinary research spans biotechnology and engineering, leveraging data analytics to optimize agricultural production. With a focus on environmental sustainability, his work continues to push the boundaries of innovation in energy-efficient agricultural practices and smart farm management.

Publication Top Notes

📖 Measurements, Data Analysis, and Models in Agriculture – Doctoral Dissertation (2003)
📖 Study and Modelling of Electricity Demand in Agricultural Technological Processes – Research Master’s Thesis (1992)
📖 Development of a Practical Data Management System with Embedded Sensors for Improved Environmental Management and Transparency of Dairy Farming (2023–2026)
📖 Investigation of Cows’ Automatic Welfare Assessment Possibilities (2005–2008)
📖 Cattle Health and Welfare – Aspects of Precision Livestock Farming (2008–2012)
📖 Zero Energy and Resource-Efficient Buildings and Districts (2015–2023)
📖 Enhancing Environmental Sustainability of Livestock Farms by Removing Barriers for Adopting ICT Technologies (2021–2023)

Wieslaw Oleszek | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof Wieslaw Oleszek, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Poland

Wiesław Oleszek, born on February 27, 1948, in Bełżyce, Poland, is a distinguished agricultural biochemist and professor. He serves as the Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute in Pulawy, Poland. With extensive expertise in plant glycosides, allelopathy, and natural antioxidants, he has significantly contributed to agricultural biochemistry. Throughout his career, he has held key positions in professional societies, including the Phytochemical Society of Europe and the Polish Phytochemical Society. He has been a visiting researcher at Cornell University, the Food Research Institute in the UK, and INRA in France. A member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, his research focuses on natural bioactive compounds in plants, food quality, and functional foods. With over 8,450 citations and an H-index of 50 (Scopus), his work has greatly influenced the fields of biochemistry and agricultural sciences.

Education

Wiesław Oleszek earned his Master of Science (MS) in 1975 from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland. He pursued a PhD in Agricultural Sciences with a specialization in Biochemistry at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG) in Pulawy, completing it in 1985. His research focused on plant biochemistry, particularly the study of glycosides and their agricultural applications. In 1992, he obtained his Habilitation in Biochemistry from IUNG Pulawy, marking his advancement as an independent researcher in the field. His academic excellence led to his appointment as a Full Professor in 1998, a title conferred by the President of Poland. His education laid a strong foundation for his pioneering work in plant biochemistry, natural toxicants, and bioactive compounds in agriculture, making him a globally recognized expert in his field.

Experience

Wiesław Oleszek has had a prolific career in plant biochemistry. He worked as a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University (1979–1980, 1987), researching glycoalkaloids in tomatoes and phenolic compounds in apples. In 1989, he was a Visiting Scientist at the Food Research Institute in Norwich, UK, focusing on alfalfa saponins and NMR techniques. In 1992, he was a Postdoctoral Trainee at INRA, Avignon, France, studying pear phenolics. That same year, he became Head of the Biochemistry and Crop Quality Department at IUNG Pulawy, Poland. In 2010, he was appointed Director of IUNG Pulawy, where he leads groundbreaking research on plant-based bioactive compounds. His expertise spans allelopathy, natural pesticides, and functional foods, shaping advancements in agricultural sciences worldwide.

Awards & Honors

Full Professor Title (1998) – Awarded by the President of Poland 🇵🇱

Committee Member, Phytochemical Society of Europe (1994–1998) 🌿

General Secretary, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2002–2007) ✉️

Vice-Chairman, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2008–2010) 🔬

Chairman, Phytochemical Society of Europe (2010–2012) 🏅

Secretary, Polish Phytochemical Society (1995–Present) 📖

Member, Polish Academy of Sciences 🧬

Editorial Board Member, Allelopathy Journal 📑

Founding Member, International Allelopathy Society 🌾

Member, COST Domain Committee “Food and Agriculture,” Brussels 🌍

Research Focus

Wiesław Oleszek specializes in the isolation, purification, and structural analysis of plant glycosides, including saponins, phenolics, glycoalkaloids, glucosinolates, and cyanogenic glucosides. His research explores the role of natural toxicants in plant allelopathy, the development of natural pesticides, and the enhancement of post-harvest agricultural product quality. He investigates bioactive compounds for their antioxidant, anticancer, and nutraceutical properties, contributing to functional food and feed additive development. His work bridges agricultural biochemistry and human health by identifying plant-derived compounds with potential applications in medicine, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. His expertise in secondary metabolite biosynthesis has positioned him as a global leader in plant biochemistry and natural product research.

Publications

Glycoalkaloid content in wild Solanum species and its effect on enzymatic browning of fruits 🍅

Phenolic compounds from apples and their influence on fruit browning 🍏

Membrane activity of alfalfa saponins and their structural characterization using NMR techniques 🌿

Pear phenolics and their impact on post-harvest quality and nutrition 🍐

Natural toxicants in plants: Implications for food safety and agriculture 🌾

Allelopathic effects of plant-derived bioactive compounds on weed suppression 🌱

Saponins as natural pesticides: A sustainable approach for crop protection 🛡️

Antioxidant and anticancer properties of plant-derived secondary metabolites 🧪

Nutraceutical potential of glucosinolates in functional food applications 🍽️

Biosynthesis of resorcinols and their role in plant defense mechanisms 🌎