Chetan Shinde | Genetics and Plant Breeding | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Chetan Shinde | Genetics and Plant Breeding | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Chetan Shinde, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India

Mr. Shinde Chetan Subhash is a dedicated and passionate agricultural researcher from India with a strong academic foundation and significant contributions to plant genetics and breeding. Known for his positive thinking, excellent presentation skills, and remarkable stage courage, he has demonstrated leadership from his undergraduate days, including his involvement in NSS and technical councils. With a keen interest in crop improvement and biotechnology, Mr. Shinde has co-authored two books and published over 15 peer-reviewed research articles in reputed journals. His work focuses on genetic diversity, molecular characterization, and breeding strategies for crops like soybean, rice, and millet. He shows great promise as a young scientist committed to advancing agricultural innovation. His academic excellence, practical exposure, and publication record make him a valuable contributor to the scientific community.

Publication Profile: 

Google scholar

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Outstanding Academic Performance

    • Secured 89.60% in M.Sc. (Agri.) and 88.70% in B.Sc. (Agri.), both with First Class Distinction from prestigious institutes under Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.

  2. Robust Research Publication Profile

    • Co-authored 15+ research articles in reputed, peer-reviewed national and international journals.

    • Authored 2 academic books on Plant Breeding and Genetics and Biotic Stress Resistance, published by respected publishers.

  3. Diverse and Applied Research Focus

    • Research spans crop improvement, genetic diversity, molecular marker-assisted selection, stress resistance, and microbial consortia, with applications to rice, soybean, pearl millet, finger millet, and moringa.

  4. Technical and Leadership Engagement

    • Served as an NSS volunteer and participated in rural development activities.

    • Member of the All India Council for Technical Skill Development, reflecting commitment to national agricultural capacity building.

  5. Professional Strengths

    • Demonstrates positive thinking, presentation skills, and stage courage—key traits for academic dissemination and leadership in research.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Global Exposure & Collaborations

    • Can benefit from engaging in international conferences, research networks, or joint publications to enhance global scientific presence.

  2. Advanced Data Analytics

    • Opportunity to deepen skills in bioinformatics, genomics data analysis, and AI applications in plant breeding for future-ready research.

  3. Research Commercialization or Field Application

    • Encouraged to explore technology transfer, patent filings, or on-ground trials that connect his research to real-world farming outcomes.

Education:

Mr. Shinde Chetan Subhash holds an M.Sc. (Agri.) in Genetics and Plant Breeding (2022) from the College of Agriculture, Pune, under Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, securing 89.60% with first class distinction. He earned his B.Sc. (Agri.) in 2020 from Shramashakti College of Agriculture, Maldad, also affiliated with MPKV Rahuri, graduating with 88.70% and first class with distinction. His strong academic record is complemented by active co-curricular participation, including serving as an NSS volunteer and engaging in technical skill development activities. Throughout his academic career, he has consistently excelled in both theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural science. His education has laid a solid foundation for his current research pursuits in crop genetics, plant breeding, and biotechnology, with a specific interest in improving genetic traits and addressing challenges related to biotic stress in crops.

Experience:

Mr. Shinde has an impressive background in both academic and applied agricultural research. During his M.Sc. and B.Sc. studies, he gained hands-on experience in field trials, molecular marker analysis, and statistical evaluation of crop performance. His involvement in multiple research projects has allowed him to collaborate with reputed scientists across India. He has actively participated in NSS rural development programs and is a member of the All India Council for Technical Skill Development. Mr. Shinde’s practical experience is evident from his diverse publication portfolio, including topics on genetic variability, microbial consortia, land use implications, and drought tolerance in crops. His contributions span both classical breeding techniques and modern molecular tools. He has also co-authored two books on plant breeding and biotic stress resistance, showcasing his versatility and scholarly engagement. He is well-prepared for independent research and future leadership in plant science innovation.

Research Focus:

Mr. Shinde’s research is centered on Genetics and Plant Breeding, with an emphasis on improving crop performance under stress conditions. His work spans molecular characterization, development of microbial consortia for nutrient management, and genetic diversity analysis in major crops like rice, soybean, pearl millet, drumstick, and finger millet. He utilizes classical breeding methods and integrates modern biotechnological approaches, including marker-assisted selection. His interest in drought tolerance, biotic stress resistance, and sustainable crop productivity addresses critical agricultural challenges. Notably, he has contributed to molecular research on Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor and lipoxygenase genes in soybean, ecological land use dynamics, and nutrient optimization in legumes. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Mr. Shinde has positioned himself at the forefront of agricultural innovation. His work is aligned with the goals of food security, climate resilience, and genetic conservation. He aspires to contribute further to national and global agricultural research as a young scientist.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1. 📘 Plant Breeding and Genetics: Present Concepts and Approaches – Volume 2 (Book)

  2. 📗 Biotic Stress Resistance in Horticultural Crops (Book)

  3. 📝 Evaluation of Wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] Genotypes in Response to Late Sown Conditions

  4. 🌱 Development of Microbial Consortia for Nutrient Supplementation to Chickpea

  5. 🌍 Ecological Implications of Land Use Dynamics in Western Maharashtra

  6. 🌾 Estimation of Genetic Variability in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

  7. 🌿 Association of Characters and Path Coefficient Analysis in Fodder Drumstick

  8. 🌾 Evaluation of Genetic Divergence in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

  9. 🧬 Identification of Soybean Segregants for Kunitz and Lipoxygenase Genes via Molecular Markers

  10. 🌱 Genetic Variability Studies in Fodder Drumstick (Moringa oleifera L.)

Conclusion:

Mr. Shinde Chetan Subhash is highly suitable for the Research for Young Scientist Award. His academic excellence, multi-dimensional research contributions, and commitment to agricultural innovation strongly align with the award’s purpose—to encourage and recognize emerging researchers. His work bridges traditional breeding and modern biotechnology with a clear focus on sustainable and productive agriculture.

With continued mentorship and strategic research direction, he holds the potential to become a leading young scientist in India’s agri-biotech and crop improvement ecosystem.

Feng-Zhu Wang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang , Sun Yat-sen University , China

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang is an Associate Professor at the School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, China. He earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the same institution under Prof. Shi Xiao and has focused his research on plant immunity and mycorrhizal symbiosis. After his Ph.D., Dr. Wang pursued postdoctoral research with Prof. Jian-Feng Li, contributing significantly to CRISPR-based gene editing and plant-pathogen interactions. With over 7 co-first-author publications and experience as a corresponding author, he demonstrates both innovation and leadership in plant biology. His research has been published in esteemed journals, including Nature Communications and Trends in Plant Science. Now leading his lab, Dr. Wang is committed to advancing agricultural biotechnology through molecular tools and sustainable practices. His achievements in plant immunity, stress tolerance, and CRISPR tools place him as a key figure in contemporary plant science.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  • 🧬 Extensive expertise in plant immunity and symbiotic relationships, critical for sustainable agriculture.

  • 🧪 Consistent high-impact publications in journals like Nature Communications and Trends in Plant Science.

  • 💡 Developed innovative tools like dual-function CRISPR systems, highlighting technological creativity.

  • 👩‍🏫 Strong academic foundation with continuous roles in postdoc, research, and teaching, demonstrating leadership and growth.

  • ✍️ Serves as corresponding or co-first author in multiple works, showing project ownership and contribution depth.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  • 🌍 Could benefit from international collaborations to increase global visibility.

  • 🎓 Expanding mentorship activities and outreach could enhance influence on future scientists.

  • 🗣️ More presence in conferences or workshops would elevate public engagement and field leadership.

🎓 Education:

Feng-Zhu Wang completed both his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Sun Yat-sen University, China, a prestigious institution known for life science research. He earned a B.Sc. in Biotechnology between 2009 and 2013, where he developed foundational knowledge in molecular biology and genetics. His Ph.D., pursued from 2013 to 2018 in the Department of Botany under Prof. Shi Xiao, focused on plant stress responses, particularly involving immunity and symbiosis. His educational journey emphasized hands-on lab techniques, scientific writing, and experimental design. Through intensive academic training and mentorship, Dr. Wang cultivated skills in gene regulation, CRISPR-Cas systems, and plant-microbe interactions. This solid academic foundation provided the groundwork for his impactful research contributions and prepared him for advanced exploration into genetic mechanisms driving plant resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang’s academic career is firmly rooted in Sun Yat-sen University, where he has continuously advanced through roles in education and research. After completing his Ph.D. in 2018, he undertook postdoctoral training from 2018 to 2024 under Prof. Jian-Feng Li, focusing on advanced molecular biology tools, plant-pathogen interactions, and CRISPR gene editing. He contributed to developing innovative dual-function CRISPR systems and molecular assays for plant biology. In May 2024, he was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. His experience spans project leadership, scientific writing, collaboration, and mentoring young researchers. As both a co-first and corresponding author on multiple papers, Dr. Wang demonstrates a proactive role in scientific innovation and dissemination. His experience reflects a seamless integration of research development, experimental practice, and academic progression within one of China’s leading universities.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Wang’s research revolves around two main areas: plant immunity mechanisms and mycorrhizal symbiosis, both crucial to improving plant resilience and productivity. He investigates how plants detect and defend against fungal pathogens through receptor-mediated signaling pathways and how beneficial fungi assist plants in nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. His work also dives deep into genetic engineering using CRISPR-Cas systems, developing tools for efficient multigene editing and Cas9-free selection in model organisms like Arabidopsis thaliana. By combining bioinformatics, molecular genetics, and cell biology, Dr. Wang aims to understand how immune responses are regulated and how plants can balance defense and symbiosis. This dual focus supports sustainable agriculture and provides insight into fundamental plant biology. His contributions are not only theoretical but also technological, offering tools that can be used in practical breeding and crop enhancement strategies worldwide.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧪 Nepenthes chitinase NkChit2b-1 confers broad-spectrum resistance to chitin-containing pathogens and insects in plantsAdvanced Biotechnology, 2025

  2. 🧬 A dual-function selection system enables positive selection of multigene CRISPR mutants and negative selection of Cas9-free progeny in ArabidopsisaBIOTECH, 2024

  3. 🔍 Hidden prevalence of deletion-inversion bi-alleles in CRISPR-mediated deletions of tandemly arrayed genes in plantsNature Communications, 2023

  4. 🍄 Hide-and-seek: Chitin-triggered plant immunity and fungal counterstrategiesTrends in Plant Science, 2020

  5. 🔗 Split Nano luciferase complementation for probing protein-protein interactions in plant cellsJournal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2020

  6. 🌾 Alternative splicing and translation play important roles in hypoxic germination in riceJournal of Experimental Botany, 2019

  7. 💧 Natural variation in the promoter of rice Calcineurin B-like Protein10 affects flooding tolerance during seed germination among rice subspeciesPlant Journal, 2018

  8. ☣️ OsARM1, an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, is involved in regulation of the response to arsenic stress in riceFrontiers in Plant Science, 2017

🔚 Conclusion:

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang stands out as a promising and accomplished researcher. With an impressive portfolio of impactful publications and strong academic roots in plant biology, they are highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. A few enhancements in outreach and collaboration could further elevate their global scientific profile.

Zahoor Ahmad | Crop Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr Zahoor Ahmad |  Crop Physiology |  Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at  University of Central Punjab, Pakistan

Associate Professor, Campus Coordinator University of Central Punjab, Constituent Punjab College Bahawalpur.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

  • Post-Doctorate: Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey (January 17 – September 17, 2020)
  • Ph.D. in Crop Physiology: University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan (Completed on December 13, 2015)
    • Thesis Title: Maize (Zea mays L.) Responses to Supplemental Foliar Applied Phosphorus under Drought Stress
  • M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (Agronomy/Crop Physiology): University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan (2011)
    • Thesis Title: Response of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to Foliar Applied Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4)
  • B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (Agronomy/Crop Physiology): University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan (2009)
  • Intermediate (F.Sc. Pre-medical): BISE Bahawalpur (2005)
  • Matric (Science): BISE Bahawalpur (2002)

Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Head of Botany Department: Constituent College of University of Central Punjab, Bahawalpur (October 2, 2020 – Present)
  • Post-Doctoral Researcher: Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey (January 17 – September 17, 2020)
  • Visiting Faculty Member: Department of Life Sciences (Botany), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (October 4, 2017 – January 10, 2020)
  • Lecturer: Allama Iqbal College Bahawalpur (September 15, 2017 – December 31, 2019)
  • Assistant Professor: Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan (July 19, 2016 – July 18, 2017)

Research Interests:

  • Understanding the physiological limitations to crop productivity under field and controlled conditions.
  • Exploring abiotic stress tolerance (drought, salinity, heavy metals, heat) through foliar application of nutrients and trace elements.
  • Identifying morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits for enhanced stress tolerance in crops.
  • Screening germplasm for stress tolerance traits and developing methodologies for productivity enhancement under abiotic stress conditions.

Conclusion:

Considering Dr. Zahoor Ahmad’s research focus, academic background, professional experience, publication record, and contribution to crop physiology under abiotic stress conditions, he seems to be a suitable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” His work is significant for improving crop resilience and productivity, making him a valuable contributor to agricultural sciences.

Citations:

  • 1,729 Citations from 1,395 documents
  • 91 Documents authored
  • h-index of 22

Publication Top Notes:

  • Modulating Physiological and Antioxidant Responses in Wheat Cultivars via Foliar Application of Silicon Nanoparticles (SiNPs) Under Arsenic Stress Conditions
    Ahmad, Z., Younis, R., Ahmad, T., Alharby, H.F., Alsamadany, H. (2024). Silicon, 16(12), 5199–5211.
  • Silicon-Mediated Improvement in Maize (Zea mays L.) Resilience: Unrevealing Morpho-Physiological, Biochemical, and Root Attributes Against Cadmium and Drought Stress
    Sabir, A., Waraich, E.A., Ahmad, M., Ahmad, Z., Bibi, S. (2024). Silicon, 16(7), 3095–3109. (1 Citation)
  • Improving Alkaline Stress Tolerance in Maize through Seed Priming with Silicon Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Investigation of Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidants, and Ion Balance
    Alsamadany, H., Alharby, H.F., Ahmad, Z., Alzahrani, Y.M., Almaghamsi, A. (2024). Silicon, 16(5), 2233–2244.
  • Enhancing the Physiological and Biochemical Potential of Praecitrullus fistulosus L. through Synergistic Action of Biochar and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
    Sana, S., Binyamin, A., Ramzan, M., Avila-Quezada, G.D., Abd-Allah, E.F. (2024). Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.
  • Perspectives of Nanoparticles as Priming Agents for Amelioration of Abiotic Stresses in Crops
    Ahmad, Z., Waraich, E.A., Iqbal, M.A., Ahmed, S., Bano, S. (2024). In The Nanotechnology Driven Agriculture: The Future Ahead (pp. 117–137).
  • Prospects of Nanotechnology for Abiotic and Biotic Stresses Amelioration in Field Crops
    Ahmad, Z., Waraich, E.A., Barutçular, C., Ahmad, M., Bano, S. (2024). In The Nanotechnology Driven Agriculture: The Future Ahead (pp. 67–84).
  • Effect of Form of Silicon and the Timing of a Single Foliar Application on Sugar Beet Yield
    Siuda, A., Artyszak, A., Gozdowski, D., Ahmad, Z. (2024). Agriculture (Switzerland), 14(1), 86.
  • Ecofriendly Management of Insect Pests for Sustainable Agriculture
    Abbasi, A., Asif, A., Ahmad, Z., Saleha, A., Zafar, Z. (2023). In Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Volume 2, pp. 931–957. (1 Citation)
  • Climate Change and Global Crop Production
    Ahmad, Z., Ahmad, T., Abbasi, A., Sana, S., Jameel, J. (2023). In Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Volume 1, pp. 27–56. (1 Citation)
  • Silicon-Mediated Growth, Physiological, Biochemical and Root Alterations to Confer Drought and Nickel Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)
    Ishaq, H., Waraich, E.A., Hussain, S., Ahmad, Z., Saifullah. (2023). Silicon, 15(15), 6579–6589. (1 Citation)

 

 

Ahmad Sharifi | Plant Biotechnology | BioAgri Innovator Excellence Award

Assist Prof Dr Ahmad Sharifi |  Plant Biotechnology  |  BioAgri Innovator Excellence Award

Research Institute for Industrial Biotechnology, Iranian Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)- Khorasan Razavi Branch at  Horticultural Plants Biotechnology Department,  Iran

Dr. Ahmad Sharifi is a dedicated faculty member at the Ornamental Plant Biotechnology Department of the Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture & Research (ACECR). With a PhD in Agricultural Biotechnology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2015), Dr. Sharifi also holds an MSc (2003) and a BSc (2000) in Agricultural Sciences from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Gorgan, respectively.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

🎓 BSc: Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Gorgan, 2000
🎓 MSc: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 2003
🎓 PhD: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 2015

 

Areas of Expertise:

🌿 Plant Biotechnology
🌱 Plant Tissue Culture

 

Research Focus: Plant Biotechnology

  • Plant Tissue Culture:
    • Development and optimization of in vitro culture techniques for ornamental plants.
    • Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in various plant species.
    • Micropropagation protocols for large-scale production of disease-free plants.
  • Genetic Engineering:
    • Genetic transformation methods to enhance desirable traits in ornamental plants, such as disease resistance and improved flower quality.
    • CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene-editing technologies for targeted genetic modifications.
  • Molecular Biology:
    • Analysis of gene expression patterns and molecular pathways involved in plant growth and development.
    • Use of molecular markers for plant breeding and genetic diversity studies.
  • Biotechnological Applications:
    • Production of secondary metabolites and phytochemicals through biotechnological approaches.
    • Application of biotechnology for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.
  • Bioreactor Systems:
    • Utilization of bioreactor systems for the mass propagation of ornamental plants.
    • Scaling up plant tissue culture techniques for commercial applications.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Optimization of the in-vitro culture protocol of Haworthiopsis viscosa and Haworthia truncata var. truncate

  • Authors: Kharrazi, M., Sargazi Moghaddam, Z., Moradian, M., Khadem, A., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: South African Journal of Botany, 2024, 169, pp. 506–514

2. Micropropagation and ex vitro rooting of three ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl.) cultivars

  • Authors: Kharrazi, M., Moradian, M., Moghaddam, Z.S., Khadem, A., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant, 2023, 59(1), pp. 129–139

3. Role of AGAMOUS Gene in Increasing Tepals of Amaryllis

  • Authors: Dastmalchi, S., Moshtaghi, N., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2023, 25(4), pp. 975–988

4. Auxin sensitivity improves production of rosmarinic acid in transformed hairy roots of Lavandula angustifolia

  • Authors: Khadem, A., Bagheri, A., Moshtaghi, N., Akhar, F.K., Sharifi, A.
  • Journal: Biological Communications, 2022, 67(3), pp. 160–167

5. In vitro propagation and callus induction of medicinal endangered plant meadow rue (Thalictrum minus L.) for producing berberine

  • Authors: Moghaddam, Z.S., Moshtaghi, N., Sharifi, A., Zahedi, A., Khadem, A.
  • Journal: Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2022, 21(81), pp. 92–101