Renata | Land Use Policy | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Dr. Renata | Land Use Policy | Excellence in Research Award

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | Poland

Prof. Dr.  hab. Renata Marks-Bielska is a distinguished full professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, recognized for her leadership in agricultural economics, land management, sustainable development and innovation in the agricultural sector. She completed her academic pathway at the same university, progressing from doctoral studies to senior academic positions in economic sciences and management, steadily developing expertise in agricultural policy, renewable energy use, environmental economics and agribusiness development. Her professional experience includes heading a research project co-financed by the National Support Centre for Agriculture on agricultural real estate trade, as well as contributing to international initiatives focused on agricultural waste upcycling, farm development within the European Green Deal, and climate resilience enhancement in rural regions through Horizon-Europe funding. Her publications span topics such as green agriculture, agroecosystem services, energy security, agricultural land leasing and cooperation between science and industry, published in renowned journals including Land Use Policy, Economic Research, Energies and Agriculture. Her research interests involve agricultural policy, economic sustainability, farm innovation, green resource management, renewable energy in agriculture and market-driven development strategies. She brings strong research skills in policy analysis, econometrics, sustainability assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her honors include national academic scholarships, multiple rector’s awards for achievements in research and teaching, recognition as a science personality supporting business and the Woman of Success of Warmia and Mazury. Her contributions continue to influence sustainable agricultural development, economic policy innovation and the integration of science with industry for environmentally driven progress.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

Marks-Bielska, R., Bielski, S., Pik, K., & Kurowska, K. (2020). The importance of renewable energy sources in Poland’s energy mix. Energies, 13(18), 4624.

Marks-Bielska, R. (2013). Factors shaping the agricultural land market in Poland. Land Use Policy, 30(1), 791–799. [88 citations]

Kurowska, K., Kryszk, H., Marks-Bielska, R., Mika, M., & Leń, P. (2020). Conversion of agricultural and forest land to other purposes in the context of land protection: Evidence from Polish experience. Land Use Policy, 95, 104614.

Kurowska, K., Marks-Bielska, R., Bielski, S., Kryszk, H., & Jasinskas, A. (2020). Food security in the context of liquid biofuels production. Energies, 13(23), 6247. [68 citations]

Chao Zhu | Agricultural informatization | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chao Zhu | Agricultural informatization | Best Researcher Award

Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University |China

Dr. Chao Zhu is a lecturer at the School of Mathematics and Computer Science of Zhejiang A&F University, specializing in agricultural information technology with a focus on advanced computational methods for plant phenotyping and environmental data analysis. He earned his doctoral degree from Shenyang Agricultural University, where he developed expertise in deep learning, point cloud processing, and agricultural intelligent information systems. His professional experience includes research and teaching in digital agriculture, computational modeling, and high-throughput measurement technologies, contributing to national research in soil respiration measurement and phenotypic data analysis. His research interests cover 3D point cloud processing, deep learning for agricultural applications, multiscale phenotyping, soil gas transport mechanisms, environmental monitoring, and heterogeneous agricultural data modeling. He has strong technical skills in computer vision, point cloud algorithms, skeleton-based segmentation, deep neural networks, and intelligent sensing systems, demonstrated through publications on maize phenotyping, 3D population reconstruction, and high-throughput measurement technologies. His work has appeared in respected journals such as Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, GigaScience, and ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, reflecting his role as first author and key collaborator in multiple scientific studies. His participation in innovative national and provincial research projects highlights his growing contribution to smart agriculture and digital crop monitoring. Through multidisciplinary research integrating computer science and agronomy, he continues to promote intelligent agricultural development with impactful scientific innovation and technological advancement.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

Zhu, C., Miao, T., Xu, T., Li, N., Deng, H., & Zhou, Y. (2021). Skeleton-based 3D point cloud segmentation of corn tassels and extraction of phenotypic parameters. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 37(6), 295–301.

Zhu, C., Miao, T., Xu, T., Li, N., Deng, H., & Zhou, Y. (2021). Segmentation and phenotypic trait extraction of maize point-cloud stem-leaf based on skeleton and optimal transportation distances. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 37(4), 188–198.

Miao, T., Zhu, C., Xu, T., Yang, T., Li, N., Zhou, Y., & Deng, H. (2021). Automatic stem-leaf segmentation of maize shoots using three-dimensional point cloud. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 187, 106310.

Elif Baris | Pharmacology | Excellence in Research Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Baris | Pharmacology | Excellence in Research Award

İzmir University of Economics | Turkey

Elif Baris is an Assistant Professor of Medical Pharmacology at Izmir University of Economics, specializing in molecular pharmacology with a strong focus on inflammation, pain physiology, and cholinergic anti-inflammatory mechanisms. She holds a pharmacy degree and a doctoral qualification in medical pharmacology from Dokuz Eylül University, and has developed expertise in cytokine signaling, oxidative stress, neuroimmune modulation, molecular oncology, stem cell immunoregulation, and sepsis models. Her professional experience includes leading and contributing to numerous multidisciplinary research projects supported by national and institutional scientific bodies, alongside collaborations with prominent medical and biotechnology institutions. Her research interests extend to autonomic nervous system pharmacology, neuroimmune interactions, mechanotransduction through TRPV4 channels, and innovative drug repurposing strategies. She possesses strong research skills in qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, cytokine arrays, flow cytometry, and real-time cell analysis, supported by extensive publications in indexed journals and multiple patents involving varenicline- and choline-based therapeutic applications. She has received recognition through collaborative roles in funded research, chapter authorship in academic publications, and contributions to translational pharmacology. Her professional memberships include national societies in pharmacology and physiology, reflecting her commitment to scientific advancement. With her growing contributions to drug innovation, inflammation therapeutics, and molecular pharmacology, she continues to advance impactful research aimed at improving mechanisms of pain management and immune regulation.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Baris, E., Efe, H., Gumustekin, M., Arici, M. A., & Tosun, M. (2021). Varenicline prevents LPS-induced inflammatory response via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8, 721533. [15 citations]

Baris, E., Simsek, O., Arici, M. A., & Tosun, M. (2023). Choline and citicoline ameliorate oxidative stress in acute kidney injury in rats. Bratislava Medical Journal / Bratislavské Lekárske Listy, 124(1). [12 citations]

Baris, E., Simsek, O., Efe, H., Oncu, S., Gelal, A., Hamurtekin, E., Tosun, M., … (2021). Effects of CDP-choline and choline on COX pathway in LPS-induced inflammatory response in rats. International Journal of Pharmacology, 17(2), 84–96. [10 citations]

Baris, E., Arici, M. A., & Tosun, M. (2024). Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated effects of varenicline on LPS-elevated prostaglandin and cyclooxygenase levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 11, 1392689. [4 citations]

 

Lopamudra Parida | Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

Ms. Lopamudra Parida | Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

ICAR-Central Institute Of Freshwater Aquaculture | India

Lopamudra Parida is a dedicated young researcher at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, working on fish immunology and molecular disease mechanisms with a focused interest in cytoskeletal proteins and their role in disease regulation in aquatic organisms. She is pursuing her doctoral research at Utkal University with a thesis on cloning and functional characterization of septin genes in rohu under the mentorship of Dr. P. K. Sahoo, after completing her master’s degree in biotechnology with distinction from Khallikote University and her bachelor’s degree in botany from Khallikote Autonomous College. Her professional journey includes roles as a DST-INSPIRE Fellow, Junior Research Fellow, Young Professional and trainee at renowned institutes, contributing to national fish disease surveillance, molecular studies on banana fruit ripening and cytoskeletal protein purification. Her research interests span molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, host–pathogen interaction, protein characterization, immunomodulation and development of experimental disease models in fish. She possesses extensive skills in molecular biology, proteomics, immunology, histopathology, virology, microbiology, parasitology, bioinformatics and animal handling, along with experience in CRISPR-based gene editing and diagnostics. She has received the DST-INSPIRE award and earned honors for best oral presentations at scientific events. Overall, she stands as a promising aquaculture scientist contributing novel insights into fish immunity and molecular disease control.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

Parida, L., Paul, A., Mohanty, J., & Sahoo, P. K. (2025). Molecular insights into septin 2 protein in rohu (Labeo rohita): revealing expression dynamics, antimicrobial activity and functional characteristics. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 293, 139353.

Parida, L., Paul, A., Mohanty, S., & Sahoo, P. K. (2025). Molecular and functional characterization of septin 6 in rohu (Labeo rohita) reveals a strong immunopotentiating role and involvement in broad-spectrum disease protection. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 148821.

Stein T Holden | Cognitive Biases | Cognitive Bias Awareness Award

Prof. Stein T Holden | Cognitive Biases | Cognitive Bias Awareness Award

School of Economics and Business, NMBU | Norway

Stein T. Holden is a distinguished Norwegian professor of Development and Resource Economics at the School of Economics and Business, NMBU, recognized for influential research on land tenure, agricultural development, climate economics and behavioral and experimental economics. He earned advanced academic qualifications in development and crop science at the Agricultural University of Norway, building a strong foundation for his expertise in land governance, food security and natural resource management. His professional journey includes service as a researcher and advancement to senior academic leadership, where he established graduate programs and supervised numerous doctoral researchers who now serve in international institutions. Holden’s research interests span land tenure reforms, transaction costs in land markets, food systems, climate-smart agriculture, youth access to land, risk behavior, agricultural policies and rural development economics, and he has worked with global organizations on development consultancy including contributions to land reforms and food security initiatives in developing regions. His research skills include behavioral experiments, impact assessment, resource economics modeling, survey design and policy analysis. His career is decorated with high citation rankings, global recognitions and leadership of international research and capacity-building projects, highlighting his impact on development policy and academic training. Overall, he stands as a globally respected scholar whose work continues to shape sustainable agricultural development and land governance research worldwide.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

Holden, S. T., Tione, S., Tilahun, M., & Katengeza, S. (2025). Elicitation Bias in Multiple Price Lists: A Field Experiment. CLTS Working Papers.

Zhang, H., & Holden, S. T. (2025). Disability types and children’s schooling in Africa. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 72(4), 763–783. (Citations: 15)

Tione, G., Westengen, O. T., Holden, S. T., Katengeza, S. P., & Makate, C. (2025). Contribution of community seed banks to farmer seed systems and food security in Northern and Central Malawi. Food Policy, 133, 102792. (Citations: 3)

Zhang, H., & Holden, S. T. (2025). Disparity in school children’s reading skills in 11 African countries. PLOS ONE, 20(4), e0320688. (Citations: 1)

Rashid Mehmood | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Rashid Mehmood | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

Bahauddin zakariya university | Pakistan

Rashid Mehmood is a dedicated Pakistani researcher in Zoology with strong academic and research accomplishments, currently based in Multan, Punjab. He completed both his advanced and undergraduate degrees in Zoology from Bahauddin Zakariya University with outstanding academic performance supported by merit-based scholarships, focusing his research on genetic polymorphisms associated with human diseases. His professional experience as an assistant researcher at the Molecular and Parasitological Laboratory has enabled him to work on molecular epidemiology, host–pathogen interactions, and genetic markers linked to various health conditions. His research interests include molecular genetics, parasitology, genomics, disease susceptibility, and epidemiological investigations, contributing to scientific literature through publications on genetic diversity and pathogen detection in animals and humans. He possesses advanced laboratory skills including DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, phylogenetic analysis, microscopy, biochemical assays, animal handling, and professional data acquisition, along with proficiency in statistical tools such as MEGA, GenBank, BLAST, and primer designing. He has attended scientific conferences, presented research, and completed multiple international MOOCs related to genomics, immunology, cancer biology, stem cell science, and infectious diseases. His outstanding academic journey earned him prestigious honors including merit scholarships and recognition for excellence. Overall, he is a promising rising researcher contributing to molecular zoology with a strong commitment to advancing scientific understanding in genetics and disease research.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

  • Ullah, R., Afgan, S., Akhtar, M., Asif, M., Latif, M., Mehmood, R., Naeem, M., … (2023). Absence of GSTT1 and polymorphisms in GSTP1 and TP53 are associated with the incidence of acne vulgaris. Skin Research and Technology, 29(4), e13333. (Citations: 3)

  • Yasin, S., Ayesha, A., Rahman, H. U., Murtaza, I., Manzoor, H., Aqdas, A., … (2025). Molecular detection and genetic diversity of blood-borne pathogens infecting domestic donkeys (Equus asinus). Tropical Animal Health and Production, 57(4), 202. (Citations: 1)

  • Shakoor, S., Latif, M., Kam, K. H., Nasir, A., Mehmood, R., Akhtar, M., Akhlaq, M., … (2025). Association of genotypes at single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-28B, TGF-β1, TP53, MTHFR and GSTP1 gene and their combinations with ischemic stroke: a case-control study. IBRO Neuroscience Reports.

 

Qibing Gu | Veterinary Medicine | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Qibing Gu | Veterinary Medicine | Excellence in Research Award

Southwest Minzu University | China

Qibing Gu, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Southwest Minzu University specializing in preventive veterinary medicine with a strong research focus on bacterial antibiotic resistance, tolerance mechanisms, toxin–antitoxin regulation, and the molecular basis of toxin activity affecting transcription and protein synthesis. He completed his academic training in veterinary medicine at Southwest University followed by advanced doctoral research at Nanjing Agricultural University under the mentorship of Prof. Huochun Yao. His academic experience combines molecular biology teaching with intensive laboratory research centered on bacterial gene regulation and host–pathogen interactions. He possesses advanced skills in bacterial gene editing, protein biochemistry, enzymology, and molecular interaction studies, alongside expertise in protein purification, protein–DNA binding assays, enzymatic characterization, structural modeling, and protein–protein interaction systems. His research also extends to mammalian cell culture and animal infection models, supported by certifications such as licensed veterinary practitioner and CET-6. His work has produced impactful publications in PLOS Pathogens, Frontiers in Microbiology, BMC Veterinary Research, and other peer-reviewed journals, including contributions to studies on gene regulation, drug resistance, and bacterial virulence. His achievements are recognized through honors such as the Best Paper Award at the Yangtze River Delta Preventive Veterinary Medicine Doctor Forum. Overall, his research and teaching contributions highlight a growing leader in advanced microbiological and veterinary molecular research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Qibing Gu; Xiayu Zhu; Yong Yu; Tao Jiang; Zihao Pan; Jiale Ma; Huochun Yao; Type II and IV toxin-antitoxin systems coordinately stabilize the integrative and conjugative element of the ICESa2603 family conferring multiple drug resistance in Streptococcus suis, PLOS Pathogens, 2024, 20(4).

Qibing Gu, Xiayu Zhu, Qiankun Bai, Chengyuan Ji, Yue Zhang, Jiale Ma, Huochun Yao, Zihao Pan, Bioinformatics analysis of type II toxin–antitoxin systems and regulatory functional assessment of HigBA and SS-ATA in Streptococcus suis, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(5).

 Qibing Gu; Peijuan He; Dan Wang; Jiale Ma; Xiaojun Zhong; Yinchu Zhu; Yue Zhang; Qiankun Bai; Zihao Pan; Huochun Yao; An Auto-Regulating Type II Toxin-Antitoxin System Modulates Drug Resistance and Virulence in Streptococcus suis, Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021, 12.

Junkang Zheng | Fault diagnosis | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Junkang Zheng | Fault diagnosis | Best Researcher Award

Zhejiang Industry Polytechnic College | China

Junkang Zheng is a dedicated teacher at Zhejiang Industry Polytechnic College, specializing in the integration of artificial intelligence with industrial applications, particularly in intelligent fault diagnosis and numerical simulation. He has built his academic training and professional experience around computational analysis and smart diagnostic systems, applying AI-driven models to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and predictive analysis in industrial fault detection. His work demonstrates strong engagement with intelligent diagnosis research, producing peer-reviewed publications that contribute to developing more reliable and automated maintenance systems. His research interests include artificial intelligence algorithms, simulation-based equipment monitoring, and data-driven fault prediction, reflecting a commitment to improving industrial safety and performance through advanced computational tools. He possesses research skills in machine learning, numerical modeling, algorithm optimization, data processing, and diagnostic model implementation, enabling him to contribute to innovative solutions in equipment fault analysis. Zheng has also showcased his innovative capabilities through multiple patent contributions, supporting the practical translation of AI-based diagnostic technologies. His research outputs and patents have earned citations and recognition for their relevance in intelligent industrial systems. Overall, Zheng exemplifies a researcher who combines theoretical expertise with applicable innovations, helping advance intelligent condition monitoring and strengthening the role of AI in engineering reliability and industrial development.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Zheng, J., Han, S., Xue, M., Hu, H., & Wu, M. (2025). Numerical simulation-based intelligent fault detection for rotary vector reducers with imbalanced classes. Results in Engineering.

 

De-Wei Gao | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. De-Wei Gao | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

ShanghaiTech University | China

De-Wei Gao is an accomplished chemist serving as an assistant professor and principal investigator at ShanghaiTech University, where he leads research programs in synthetic organic chemistry, asymmetric catalysis, and organoboron chemistry. He built his academic foundation through studies in chemistry and advanced training in organic synthesis at leading Chinese institutions before expanding his expertise through postdoctoral appointments in biochemistry and organic chemistry at internationally recognized research centers. His work focuses on catalytic asymmetric transformations, boron-based reagent design, stereoselective bond construction, organometallic reactivity, and mechanistic exploration of complex synthetic pathways. Gao is skilled in asymmetric synthesis, catalytic methodology development, organometallic catalysis, multistep organic synthesis, reaction mechanism analysis, and the design of stereochemically rich molecular architectures. His professional contributions extend to editorial and advisory roles that support the advancement of early-career chemists. He has received multiple distinguished honors from national chemical societies, academic institutions, and international publishers in recognition of his contributions to chiral synthesis and innovative organoboron chemistry. Gao’s growing body of research, publications, and patents highlights his influence in modern synthetic methodology, and his ongoing work continues to advance precision chemical synthesis with broad implications for pharmaceutical, materials, and catalytic science.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications