Asif Iqbal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Most Cited Article Award

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Asif Iqbal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Most Cited Article Award

Department of Agriculture, Hazara University Mansehra | Pakistan

Dr. Asif Iqbal is an accomplished agronomist specializing in crop production, plant nutrition, and plant stress physiology. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. (Hons) in Agronomy with a Gold Medal and completed his Ph.D. on nitrogen use efficiency in cotton from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship on phosphorus use efficiency in cotton. He has held academic and research positions, including Associate Professor at Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, and is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Hazara University. His research focuses on genetic evaluation of crop germplasm and adaptive mechanisms under biotic and abiotic stresses. He has received multiple prestigious scholarships and awards and has contributed extensively to scientific literature with numerous journal articles, books, and conference publications, while also serving as a reviewer and editorial board member for international journals.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

1100825

550

275

0

Citations
1,069
Documents
44
h-index
19

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Featured Publications


Sustainable enhancement of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) yield through foliar application of potassium silicate and glycine

– Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2026

Exogenous silicon enhances the salt tolerance of cotton seedlings by regulating water status through abscisic acid and aquaporin

– Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2026

Soil alkalinity and cotton production: Challenges, physiological effects, and sustainable solutions

– Review Article, 2026

Root-microbiome synergy drives phosphorus acquisition in cotton: Genotype-specific recruitment of beneficial taxa under low phosphorus stress

– Industrial Crops and Products, 2026

Azzouz Zahra | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Azzouz Zahra | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University of Bejaia, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences | Algeria

Dr. Zahra Azzouz is a dedicated teacher-researcher in microbiology at the University of Bejaia, Algeria, with a strong academic background and research focus in industrial and environmental microbiology. She earned her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Bejaia, where her research centered on the production and optimization of fungal cellulases and xylanases through solid-state fermentation, including their characterization, enzymatic synergies, and application in the saccharification of lignocellulosic materials. Her work contributes to advancing sustainable biotechnological solutions for biomass conversion and industrial enzyme applications. In addition to her research, she is actively engaged in teaching and continuously enhancing her academic communication skills through advanced English language training.

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)
350
250
150
50
0
Citations
312
h-index
9
i10-index
9

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Featured Publications

Abdul Hadi | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Wieslaw Oleszek | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Publication Profile

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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 🌎