Sunil Gangurde | Plant Molecular Biology | Young Scientist Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sunil Gangurde | Plant Molecular Biology | Young Scientist Award

Shandong Agricultural University | China

Sunil S. Gangurde is a maize and peanut molecular geneticist whose work integrates genomics, molecular breeding, and pathogen–host interaction studies to accelerate crop improvement. His research spans quantitative genetics, high-throughput genotyping, genomic selection, and pan-genomics, with applications in maize, peanut, and vegetable pathosystems. He has contributed significantly to dissecting complex traits related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, particularly resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and heat stress in peanut. His projects include decoding genomic regions controlling pod shell and seed-coat–mediated resistance, developing a pan-genome of A. flavus to understand fungal diversity, and establishing genomic selection pipelines to enhance breeding efficiency. He has also worked on identifying susceptible growth stages in broccoli for improved disease management using fungicide-based strategies. Earlier work involved rapid generation advancement through single-seed high-throughput genotyping, enabling faster genetic gains in groundnut breeding programs. His contributions have been recognized through competitive grants and scientific awards, reflecting his role in developing innovative molecular tools and improving crop resilience. Across global research environments—including CGIAR centers, international universities, and multi-institutional collaborations—he continues to advance genomics-driven solutions for sustainable crop improvement.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications: 

Gangurde, S. S.*, Chenglai, W., Zhang, J., & Zhang, X. (2025). Divergent selection in moisture-responsive root-branching pathways between tropical and temperate maize germplasm. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. (In press)

Gangurde, S. S., Asija, S., Bajaj, P., Fountain, J. C., Abbas, H. K., Holbrook, C. C., Kemerait, R. C., & Guo, B. (2025). Draft genome assemblies of 38 Aspergillus parasiticus isolates collected from South Georgia crop fields. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 12, e00083-25.

Shah, P., Gangurde, S. S., Senthil, R., Singam, P., Peerzada, O. H., Janila, P., Singh, K., Mayes, S., & Pandey, M. K. (2025). Identification of high blanchability donors, candidate genes, and markers in groundnut. BMC Plant Biology. (In press)

Mohinuddin, D. K., Gangurde, S. S., Khan, H., Bomireddy, D., Sharma, V., Shah, P., Sagar, U. N., Dube, N., Senthil, R., Tembhurne, B. V., & Nayak, V. H. (2025). Genomic analysis reveals the interplay between ABA-GA in determining dormancy duration in groundnut. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

Gangurde, S. S.*, Kaur, N., Guo, B., & Dutta, B. (2025). Leaf epicuticular wax and hormone-mediated resistance to Alternaria brassicicola in broccoli. Physiologia Plantarum, 177(2), e70172.

Sahu, N., Naik, B., Padmavathi, G., Gangurde, S. S., Pandey, M., Bentur, J. S., & Divya, D. (2025). Identification of novel QTL associated with whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) and brown planthopper (BPH) resistance in the rice line RP2068. Gene, 149742.

Moghiya, A., Munghate, R. S., Sharma, V., Mishra, S. P., Jaba, J., Gaurav, S. S., Gangurde, S. S., & Pandey, M. K. (2025). Dissecting genomic regions and candidate genes for pod borer resistance and component traits in pigeonpea minicore collection. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16, 1630435.

Veerendrakumar, H. V., Sudini, H. K., Kiranmayee, B., Devika, T., Gangurde, S. S., Vasanthi, R. P., Kumar, A. N., Bera, S. K., Guo, B., Liao, B., & Varshney, R. K. (2025). Dissecting genomic regions, candidate genes, and pathways using multi-locus genome-wide association study for stem rot disease resistance in groundnut. The Plant Genome, 18(3), e70089.

Rangari, S. K., Dube, N., Sharma, V., Gangurde, S. S., Sharma, M., et al. (2025). InDels in an intronic region of gene Ccsmd04 coding for dormancy/auxin-associated protein control sterility mosaic disease resistance in pigeonpea. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 145777.

Roychowdhury, R., Das, S. P., Das, S., Biswas, S., Patel, M. K., Kumar, A., Sarker, U., Choudhary, S. P., Das, R., Yogendra, K., & Gangurde, S. S.* (2025). Advancing vegetable genetics with gene editing: A pathway to food security and nutritional resilience in climate-shifted environments. Functional & Integrative Genomics, 25(1), 1–32.

Lin Guo | Plant Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Lin Guo | Plant Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lin Guo | Jiangxi Agricultural University | China

Dr. Guo Lin is a dedicated agricultural researcher and lecturer specializing in rice cultivation and nutrient management. She currently serves as a Lecturer at Jiangxi Agricultural University and a Resident Expert at the Shanggao Rice Science and Technology Backyard. Recognized as a “Future Star” by the university, Dr. Guo earned her Ph.D. in Agronomy from China Agricultural University in 2018. Her expertise spans stress physiology, root exudates, and phosphorus efficiency in rice under environmental stresses such as cadmium exposure and low light intensity. She has led and participated in multiple national and provincial research projects and published widely in high-impact journals. Dr. Guo also plays a key role in bilingual education reform and student innovation programs, helping bridge academic research with practical applications in modern agronomy. Her efforts significantly contribute to sustainable rice production and educational excellence.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Education:

Dr. Guo Lin’s educational journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation in agronomy and literature. She began her academic career at Shandong Agricultural University, where she pursued a double bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Literature. She then advanced to China Agricultural University, earning her Ph.D. in Agronomy from the College of Resources and Environment (2013–2018). During her doctoral studies, Dr. Guo expanded her global perspective through two visiting scholar appointments at the Institute of Crop Science, University of Göttingen in Germany. Her academic path has been focused on the intricate interactions between soil, plants, and the environment, laying the groundwork for her current research on rice physiology and sustainable cultivation techniques. This solid educational background has enabled her to lead high-level research projects and integrate modern scientific insights with practical agricultural solutions.

Experience:

Since July 2018, Dr. Guo Lin has served as a Lecturer in Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems at Jiangxi Agricultural University. She is also actively engaged as a Resident Expert at the Shanggao Rice Science and Technology Backyard, promoting knowledge transfer and applied research in rice production. Her experience spans over a decade of academic training and field-based research. In addition to teaching and mentoring, she has been the principal investigator for several national and provincial projects focusing on rice stress resistance, nutrient management, and education reform. Dr. Guo has also guided multiple student innovation and entrepreneurship projects, fostering the next generation of agricultural scientists. Her hands-on experience in both laboratory and field conditions makes her an expert in linking theory with practice. Her work on bilingual course development further demonstrates her commitment to globalizing China’s agricultural education under the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Research Focus:

Dr. Guo Lin’s research primarily focuses on rice cultivation techniques, stress physiology, and nutrient management under challenging environmental conditions. Her work emphasizes the role of light intensity, cadmium stress, and phosphorus availability in rice root development and exudate secretion. By integrating physiological, biochemical, and agronomic approaches, she investigates the mechanisms by which rice adapts to low-phosphorus environments and weak solar radiation. Her research has uncovered novel insights into the interactions between hormone regulation (particularly auxins), carbon allocation, and nutrient uptake. She also explores innovative rice production systems such as water-saving and film-mulched cultivation models to improve yield stability and quality. Through numerous national and provincial projects, Dr. Guo aims to develop sustainable cultivation strategies that balance productivity with environmental responsibility. Her interdisciplinary research blends molecular, ecological, and agricultural perspectives, making meaningful contributions to global food security and climate-resilient agriculture.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1. Several rice root exudates from low-phosphorus tolerant cultivar induced by light intensity could be promising candidates in resisting phosphorus deficiency.

  2. Light intensity modulates phosphorus adaptation strategies in contrasting rice cultivars through photosynthetic carbon allocation.

  3. An indole-3-acetic acid inhibitor mitigated mild cadmium stress by suppressing peroxide formation in rice seedling roots.

  4. Weak Solar Radiation Significantly Decreased Rice Grain Yield and Quality—Simulated Shading Could Be a Foretell for Climate Change.

  5. Changes in the Grain Yield and Quality of Early Indica Rice from 2000 to 2020 in Southern China.

  6. Potassium fertilizer improves drought stress alleviation potential in sesame by enhancing photosynthesis and hormonal regulation.

  7. Innovative water-saving ground cover rice production system increases yield with slight reduction in grain quality.

  8. Yield differences get large with ascendant altitude between traditional paddy and water-saving ground cover rice production system.

  9. Effects of light intensity and phosphorus supply on rice root architecture and secretion metabolism.

  10.  Effects of indole-3-acetic acid inhibitor PPBa on sugar metabolism and hormone content in rice young roots under Cd stress.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Guo Lin possesses a strong and balanced research portfolio, combining academic rigor, applied innovation, and teaching excellence. Her focused expertise in rice cultivation, her role in driving provincial and national research, and her contributions to educational reforms make her highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. While there is scope to further internationalize her research and extend interdisciplinary collaborations, her current achievements already position her as a rising leader in agronomic sciences. Given her track record, ongoing projects, and evident potential, Dr. Guo Lin is a worthy and commendable nominee for the Best Researcher Award.