Josefina Patricia Fernandez Moreno | Plant Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Josefina Patricia Fernandez Moreno | Plant Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Cordoba | Spain

Dr. Josefina Patricia Fernández Moreno is a plant biologist and biotechnologist whose research focuses on crop improvement through molecular, physiological, and biochemical approaches. Her work explores the genetic and metabolic regulation of bioactive compounds and stress responses in plants. During her master’s research, she investigated the functional role of the Sl-MYB12 transcription factor in the biosynthesis of polyphenols in tomato fruit using Virus-Induced Gene Silencing, contributing to the understanding of secondary metabolism regulation. Her current collaborations involve elucidating the role of ethylene signaling, particularly the EIN3 transcription factor, in early nodulation processes of Medicago truncatula, aiming to improve nitrogen-fixing efficiency. Additionally, she contributes to a comprehensive review on glycine betaine’s multifaceted roles in plant defense, emphasizing its influence on abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in crops. Beyond her academic contributions, she has applied her expertise in biotechnology as an adviser for an agricultural start-up focused on in-vitro culture and specialized metabolite production. Her research integrates molecular biology, plant physiology, and biotechnology to develop sustainable strategies for enhancing crop resilience and productivity under environmental stress conditions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

Fernandez-Moreno, J.-P., Yaschenko, A. E., Fenech-Torres, M., Zhao, C., Neubauer, M., Brumos, J., Davis, H., Marchi, A. J., Concannon, R., Keren, A., Levitsky, V., Ascencio-Ibanez, J. T., Goldshmidt, A., Zemlyanskaya, E., Alonso, J. M., & Stepanova, A. N. (2025). EBSnew, a robust synthetic reporter for monitoring ethylene responses in plants. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 0, 1–19. Müller, S., Stegmann, T., Adema, K., Holmer, R., van Seters, A., van Velzen, R., Kulikova, O., Wijsman, T., Klein, J., Fernandez-Moreno, J.-P., Stepanova, A. N., Alonso, J. M., Franssen, H., Larrainzar, E., van Zeijl, A., & Kohlen, W. (2025). Spatiotemporal dynamics of ethylene biosynthesis shape infection and nodule initiation in Medicago truncatula. Plant Cell. (Submitted).

Balakireva, A. V., Karataeva, T. A., Karampelias, M., Mitiouchkina, T. Y., Morozov, V. V., Macháček, J., Shakhova, E. S., Perfilov, M. M., Belozerova, O. A., Palkina, K. A., Drazna, N., Vondrakova, Z., Kalachova, T., Fleiss, A., Fernandez-Moreno, J.-P., Alonso, J. M., Stepanova, A. N., Fakhranurova, L. I., Markina, N. M., … Sarkisyan, K. S. (2025). Non-invasive imaging of salicylic and jasmonic acid activities in planta. Nature Communications. (Submitted).

Biswal, A. K., Banasiak, A., Fernandez-Moreno, J.-P., Mitra, M., Harholt, J., Derba-Maceluch, M., Majda, M., Kushwah, S., Kumar, V., Abreu, I., Sivan, P., Pattathil, S., Immerzeel, P., Gorzsás, A., Moritz, T., Hahn, M. G., Scheller, H. V., Aharoni, A., & Mellerowicz, E. J. (2025).* Cuticle deposition in the leaf epidermal cells depends on integrity of homogalacturonan. iScience, 25, 113963.

Fernandez-Moreno, J.-P., Yaschenko, A. E., Neubauer, M., Marchi, A. J., Zhao, C., Alonso, J. M., & Stepanova, A. N. (2024). A rapid and scalable approach to build synthetic repetitive hormone-responsive promoters.

RICHARD ARNAUD YOSSA KAMSI | Plant Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. RICHARD ARNAUD YOSSA KAMSI | Plant Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. RICHARD ARNAUD YOSSA KAMSI , University of Bertoua , Cameroon

Dr. Yossa Kamsi Richard Arnaud is a highly skilled physicist specializing in Mechanics, Materials, and Structures with a focus on Materials Science. He is a permanent lecturer at the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences at ISABEE-B, University of Bertoua, Cameroon. Dr. Kamsi has over eight years of experience in secondary and university education and has published extensively in scientific journals. He is involved in student supervision for Master’s and Doctoral projects and has contributed to the scientific community through multiple research articles. With a PhD in Physics from the University of Yaoundé 1, he has participated in international workshops and seminars related to electronic structure and computational studies. Fluent in English and German, he continuously seeks to improve his programming skills, particularly in Python and C++.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Strengths for the Award 🌟

Dr. Yossa Kamsi Richard Arnaud stands out as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his extensive academic background, significant research contributions, and teaching experience. With a PhD in Physics, specializing in Mechanics, Materials, and Structures, his expertise in Materials Science, computational studies, and DFT simulations is exceptional. Dr. Kamsi has demonstrated consistent productivity with a notable list of publications in highly regarded scientific journals such as Scientific Reports, Heliyon, and Computational and Theoretical Chemistry. His focus on computational methods to explore molecular properties, nanostructures, and their applications in diverse fields (from pharmacology to electronics) is a testament to the depth and relevance of his research.

Furthermore, his involvement in the education of Master’s and Doctoral students and the supervision of projects for over eight years reflects his leadership and mentoring capabilities, enriching the next generation of scientists.

Areas for Improvement 🔧

While Dr. Kamsi’s academic and research performance is exemplary, one area for growth could be the enhancement of his programming skills in Python and C++ through more advanced training or projects. Expanding his programming capabilities could further elevate his research, particularly in simulations and computational methods. Engaging in interdisciplinary research or collaborating with international research labs could also broaden the scope of his work and increase its global impact.

Education 🎓

Dr. Yossa Kamsi obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon, in 2020. His research focused on the “Ab initio and DFT simulations of structural and electronic properties of heptacene and limonoids Rubescin D and E molecules.” Prior to this, Dr. Kamsi received specialized training in Python programming at ENSPY, Cameroon, in 2018. He also completed English language courses at the British Council in Yaoundé in 2015, obtaining the TOEFL iBT certification. Furthermore, he studied German at the Institute für Deutsche Sprache (IFDS) in Yaoundé during 2013-2014. His diverse academic background enriches his teaching and research capabilities, making him a valuable member of the scientific and academic community.

Experience  🏫

Dr. Yossa Kamsi brings over eight years of experience in secondary and university education. He is currently a permanent lecturer at the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences at ISABEE-B, University of Bertoua, where he also heads the sectors for Wood Sciences and Specialized Techniques in Wood Transformation. He teaches a variety of courses, including Solid Mechanics, Electrostatics, Point Mechanics, General Physics, and Continuous Media Mechanics. Dr. Kamsi is also a visiting lecturer at the Department of Physics at the University of Bertoua, where he teaches subjects such as Special Relativity and Matter Properties. In addition to teaching, he has supervised numerous Master’s and Doctoral student projects, providing expert guidance in the field of Materials Science. His academic leadership is further reflected in his contributions to scientific publications and international workshops.

Research Focus🔬

Dr. Yossa Kamsi’s research interests lie in the intersection of Materials Science, Mechanics, and Physics, with a particular focus on computational studies using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Ab initio simulations. His work explores the structural, electronic, and optical properties of various molecules, particularly those relevant to materials used in energy, electronics, and pharmacology. His research aims to uncover new insights into the properties of heptacene, limonoids, and carbon nanostructures, as well as to study the effects of doping and functionalization on the properties of nanomaterials. Dr. Kamsi’s computational work has broad applications, ranging from photovoltaic materials to drug delivery systems. His innovative contributions to the field are reflected in his numerous publications, making him an active researcher in the area of electronic and optical properties of materials.

 Publications Top Notes: 📑

  1. Comparative study of physicochemical properties of some molecules from Khaya Grandifoliola plant, Scientific Reports, 2025.

  2. DFT study of co-doping effects on the electronic, optical, transport, and thermodynamic properties of (5,5) SWCNTs for photovoltaic and photonic applications, Chemical Physics Impact, 2025.

  3. Ab-initio and density functional theory (DFT) computational study of the effect of fluorine on the electronic, optical, thermodynamic, hole, and electron transport properties of the circumanthracene molecule, Heliyon, 2023.

  4. Application of carbon nanostructures toward acetylsalicylic acid adsorption: A comparison between fullerene ylide and graphene oxide by DFT calculations, Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 2023.

  5. DFT studies of physico-chemical, electronic and nonlinear optical properties of interaction between doped-fullerenes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Physica B: Condensed Matter, 2023.

  6. Computational study of physicochemical, optical, and thermodynamic properties of 2,2-dimethylchromene derivatives, Journal of Molecular Modeling, 2023.

  7. Structural, electronic and nonlinear optical properties, reactivity and solubility of the drug dihydroartemisinin functionalized on the carbon nanotube, Heliyon, 2023.

  8. Contribution of Geoelectricity and Remote Sensing to Study the Basement Fractured Zones in the Bandjoun Region (Cameroon), American Journal of Physical Chemistry, 2022.

  9. DFT studies of the structural, chemical descriptors, and nonlinear optical properties of the drug dihydroartemisinin functionalized on C60 fullerene, Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 2021.

  10. Computational studies of reactivity descriptors, electronic and nonlinear optical properties of multifunctionalized fullerene ylide with acetylsalicylic acid, Journal of Molecular Modeling, 2021.

Conclusion 🏆

Dr. Yossa Kamsi Richard Arnaud’s research contributions, combined with his academic leadership and teaching experience, make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative approach to studying materials through computational simulations, his active role in educating future scientists, and his dedication to advancing the field of Materials Science all highlight his potential as a leading researcher in his domain. With some improvements in programming and broader international collaboration, Dr. Kamsi’s research can continue to grow in influence and importance.