Jes Rust | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Jes Rust | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Jes Rust | Bonner Institut fur Organismische Biologie (BIOB) | Germany

Prof. Dr. Jes Rust is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with an impressive scholarly record: he has published  41 documents, garnered 1,800 citations, and holds an h-index of about 46, evidence of both consistent productivity and strong impact in invertebrate palaeontology and evolutionary biology. His work, covering the evolution, phylogeny and paleobiology of insects, the early evolution of arthropods, molluscs, and theoretical aspects of phylogeny and systematics, has not only enriched fundamental scientific understanding but also shaped disciplinary debates. Since his habilitation, and especially in his long tenure as Professor at the University of Bonn, Jes Rust has combined rigorous field and laboratory research with high-quality publications and editorial leadership (e.g. editorship of Palaeontographica A), further amplifying his influence in the scientific community. His citation count and h-index reflect that many of his papers are regularly referenced, confirming their lasting relevance. In addition, his leadership roles in scientific societies and committees demonstrate recognition by peers. Taken together, his documents, citations, and metric indicators make Prof. Dr. Jes Rust an eminently suitable laureate for the Best Researcher Award.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Jiang, H., Moulds, M. S., Blank, S. M., Rust, J., Wedmann,  Wang, B. (2025). Sounds from the Eocene: The first singing cicada from the Messel Pit, Germany. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 12826.

Rust, J., & McCoy, V. E. (2025). Fossilisation ecology – A more complete concept of taphonomy. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. Advance online publication.

Jiang, H., Szwedo, J., Labandeira, C. C., Chen, J., Moulds, M. S., Mähler, B., Muscente, A. D., Zhuo, D., Nyunt, T. T., Zhang, H., Wei, C., Rust, J., & Wang, B. (2024). Mesozoic evolution of cicadas and their origins of vocalization and root feeding. Nature Communications, 15(1), Article 376.

Gibson Makamure | Life Science Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Gibson Makamure | Life Science Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Gibson Makamure |  University of South Africa | South Africa

Dr. Gibson Makamure has established himself as a dedicated scholar and gender specialist with significant contributions to research and higher education. His academic journey, spanning a PhD in Gender and Social Justice Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, along with advanced degrees in Education Management and Gender Studies, reflects his multidisciplinary expertise. Professionally, he has served as Lecturer, Head of Department, Consultant, and Postdoctoral Fellow at institutions such as the University of South Africa and Eswatini College of Theology, where he led academic programs and supervised research. His publication record includes peer-reviewed journal articles in areas such as gender-responsive pedagogy, curriculum and gender spaces, and gender-based violence in high schools, with several additional articles accepted for publication. Based on Scopus and Google Scholar indexing, his scholarly outputs consist of 6 published documents, with more under review, yielding over 45 citations and an h-index of 4, indicating the growing recognition and impact of his research in gender and education studies. His ability to combine teaching, research, and consultancy in areas like gender equality, policy formulation, and social justice highlights both academic excellence and societal engagement. With consistent productivity and expanding citation impact, Dr. Makamure demonstrates strong potential for continued scholarly influence.

Profiles:  Research Gate | Orcid

Featured Publications

Makamure, G. (2025). Promoting gender-responsive pedagogies in open education at Eswatini’s higher education institutions. SN Social Sciences, 5, 162.

University of Limpopo. (n.d.). Gendered spaces: Students’ experiences of the social school spaces in high schools in Hhohho region, Eswatini [Unpublished master’s thesis]. University of Limpopo.

University of KwaZulu-Natal. (n.d.). Space, geography and gendered experiences of children: A narrative study of four high schools in Hhohho region, Eswatini [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Author Unknown. (n.d.). Curriculum and gender spaces in high schools in Eswatini. International Journal of Educational Management & Development Studies, 2719–0633.

Author Unknown. (n.d.). Patriarchal agents of gender socialisation: The role of high schools in Eswatini [Unpublished manuscript].

Tahar Mechichi | Soil Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Tahar Mechichi | Soil Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Tahar Mechichi | National school of Engineering of Sfax | Tunisia

Professor Tahar Mechichi is an accomplished researcher in microbiology and biological engineering, currently serving as a Full Professor at the National School of Engineering of Sfax, Tunisia. His research spans anaerobic and aerobic microbiology, enzyme purification, fermentation technology, solid waste and wastewater treatment, and bioremediation of dyes, hydrocarbons, antibiotics, and micropollutants. Over his career, he has authored 113 peer-reviewed papers that have collectively attracted 6,259 citations, demonstrating the broad influence of his work in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. His strong h-index of 42 and i10-index of 87 reflect both the impact and sustainability of his contributions, with numerous studies continuing to be widely cited. Professor Mechichi has successfully supervised more than 15 PhD students, over 10 Master’s students, and 50 engineering theses, further amplifying his academic legacy. His projects include international collaborations with France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, and Lebanon, focusing on fungal laccases, antibiotic degradation, and bio-inoculants for agriculture. In addition to his publications and mentoring, he holds patents in bioinoculant formulation, biofuel production, and yeast biomass valorization, underlining his applied scientific innovation. His extensive citations, publication record, and h-index confirm his standing as a leading authority in applied microbiology and environmental biotechnology

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Abdelkefi, N., Sayahi, N., Zouari-Mechichi, H., Hanin, M., & Mechichi, T. (2025). Comparative genomics of three rhizobacteria strains indicate functional complementarity for inoculum development. Rhizosphere, 36, 101184.

Ghariani, B., Zouari-Mechichi, H., Alessa, A. H., Alqahtani, H., Alsaigh, A. A., & Mechichi, T. (2025). Biotransformation of antibiotics by Coriolopsis gallica: Degradation of compounds does not always eliminate their toxicity. Antibiotics, 14(9), 897.

Dammak, I., Khallaf, A., Lamine, M., Lasram, S., Ben Atitallah, I., Hamdi, Z., Chenenaoui, S., Zaghden, H., Mechichi, T., Mliki, A., Sayadi, S., & Gargouri, M. (2026). Potential evaluation of volatile organic compounds produced by Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as bio-fumigants for controlling Aspergillus flavus spoilage and aflatoxin contamination in dates. Food Control, 181, 111693.

Akrout, I., Staita, K., Armengaud, J., Kielbasa, M., Navarro, D., Turbé-Doan, A., Lambert, J., Lomascolo, A., Faulds, C. B., Zouari-Mechichi, H., Sciara, G., Alessa, A. H., Mechichi, T., & Record, E. (2025). Investigation into the potential of Bjerkandera adusta to biotransform the recalcitrant fluoroquinolone antibiotic norfloxacin. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 40, 104414.

Befenzi, H., Ezzariai, A., Baghor, J., Arrach, H., Armengaud, J., Kielbasa, M., Doan, A., Lambert, J., Lomascolo, A., Albert, Q., Faulds, C. B., Sciara, G., Mechichi, T., Kouisni, L., Hafidi, M., El Fels, L., & Record, E. (2025). Bjerkandera adusta TM11 for the bioremediation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics spiked in wastewater: A sustainable approach to pharmaceutical contaminant biotransformation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 291, 117898.

Hamid Mozafari | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hamid Mozafari | Crop Science | Best Researcher Award

Islamic Azad University | Iran

Dr. Hamid Mozafari, Associate Professor of Crop Physiology at Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, is a distinguished researcher with extensive contributions to agronomy, crop physiology, and plant stress studies. His academic profile reflects strong research credentials, with an h-index of 23, over 150 scientific documents, and more than 1,400 citations to his credit. These metrics highlight both the impact and consistency of his scholarly output. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications in reputed international and national journals, covering areas such as drought stress, crop yield optimization, plant physiology, and the application of bio-organic and inorganic treatments in sustainable agriculture. His works not only focus on theoretical crop physiology but also emphasize practical solutions to enhance food security under challenging environmental conditions. In addition to his research, Dr. Mozafari has served in various leadership roles, including Head of Faculty of Agriculture and Head of Department of Agrotechnology-Crop Physiology, where he contributed to academic development and student mentorship. His contributions to teaching, supervising MSc and PhD theses, and journal reviewing further demonstrate his influence in the scientific community. The combination of his h-index, document count, and citation record underscores his position as a productive and impactful researcher in the field of agricultural sciences.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Effect of drought stress on oil content and fatty acids composition of some safflower genotypes.

Plant yield, antioxidant capacity and essential oil quality of Satureja mutica supplied with cattle manure and wheat straw in different plant densities

Changes in yield, protein, minerals, and fatty acid profile of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under fertilizer management involving application of nitrogen, humic acid.

Abhijeet Das | Ecosystem Health | Next-Gen Science Innovation

Dr. Abhijeet Das | Ecosystem Health | Next-Gen Science Innovation 

C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar | India

Dr. Abhijeet Das has established a solid academic profile with contributions across water resources engineering, watershed hydrology, climate change impact assessment, and the integration of machine learning with geospatial sciences. His Scopus Author ID (57849079400) reflects a growing body of work indexed in reputed databases, comprising numerous conference papers, journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes that collectively highlight his multi-disciplinary expertise. With a steadily increasing h-index, his research demonstrates measurable impact through cumulative citations, showcasing the relevance and recognition of his work in both national and international platforms. His scholarly output includes more than 50 documents spanning peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and collaborative projects, which together have garnered a significant number of citations, evidencing the utility of his findings in advancing water quality assessment, hydrological modeling, and environmental sustainability. In addition to publications, Dr. Das has co-edited and authored several books on civil engineering, research methodology, cancer biology, and artificial intelligence applications, further expanding the reach of his scholarship. His citation metrics underscore a consistent pattern of influence, where his research has been referenced by diverse groups of scholars and practitioners. This growing academic footprint, measured through documents, citations, and h-index, reflects his commitment to impactful research and global collaboration

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

An optimization based framework for water quality assessment and pollution source apportionment employing GIS and machine learning techniques for smart surface water governance

Reimagining biofiltration for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment

A data-driven approach utilizing machine learning (ML) and geographical information system (GIS)-based time series analysis with data augmentation for water quality assessment in Mahanadi River Basin, Odisha, India

Divya Udayan J | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Divya Udayan J | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | India

Dr. Divya Udayan J, Ph.D., currently serving as Assistant Professor (Sl.Gr) at the School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, has established herself as a dynamic researcher in the fields of computer vision, robotics, machine learning, human–computer interaction, augmented and virtual reality, and geospatial technologies. She holds a Ph.D. in Internet and Multimedia Engineering from Konkuk University, South Korea, where she secured the highest, along with an M.Tech in Embedded Systems from Amrita University and a B.Tech in Information Technology from the University of Kerala. Dr. Divya’s research contributions have gained significant recognition globally. Her publications and projects span topics such as 3D procedural modeling, medical and cultural heritage visualizations, terrain fusion, and urban governance applications through CityGML. She has successfully led and collaborated on multiple funded projects supported by institutions in South Korea and India, and her innovative works have earned her accolades such as the IRDP Best Researcher & Innovation Award (2019), NVIDIA GPU and Intel research grants, and best paper awards at major international conferences. With her strong interdisciplinary expertise and impactful contributions, she continues to advance the boundaries of computing research.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Technological advances for digital twins in the metaverse for sustainable healthcare: A rapid review

Deep learning in monocular 3D human pose estimation: Systematic review of contemporary techniques and applications

Application of Unsupervised Learning in Detecting Behavioral Patterns in E-commerce Customers

Xin Du | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xin Du | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

University of Cambridge | United Kingdom

Xin Du has demonstrated a strong academic and research profile, reflected in both publication records and citation impact. According to available bibliometric data, she has authored and co-authored over 20 research documents, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and manuscripts under review, spanning topics such as deep learning, transfer learning, image processing, and computational biology. Her work has gained notable recognition in the scientific community, with a citation count exceeding 600 across platforms such as Scopus and Google Scholar, which highlights the relevance and influence of her contributions in interdisciplinary research areas. Importantly, her h-index stands at 12, signifying that at least 12 of her publications have each received a minimum of 12 citations, underscoring both consistency and impact in her research output. Many of her works, such as the 2020 Nature Communications Biology article on transfer learning across species and the 2021 Entropy paper on information bottleneck theory, are widely cited and form key references in their fields. The combination of an increasing number of publications, growing citation trends, and a steadily rising h-index reflects her expanding influence, making her a promising researcher with potential for even higher impact in future scientific contributions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Transfer Learning Across Human Activities Using a Cascade Neural Network Architecture

Transfer learning efficiently maps bone marrow cell types from mouse to human using single-cell RNA sequencing

SemAudio: Semantic-Aware Streaming Communications for Real-Time Audio Transmission

Fabio Dennstadt | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fabio Dennstadt | AI in Life Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Center for Artificial Intelligence in Radiation Oncology | Switzerland

Fabio Dennstadt is an emerging researcher and physician-scientist whose academic and clinical career integrates oncology, artificial intelligence, and biomedical data science. His publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications across original research, reviews, and perspective articles. His work spans translational immunology, clinical oncology, and AI-based applications in healthcare, including the use of large language models for decision support and clinical trial analysis. With an h-index of 12, his contributions have been recognized through over 620 citations, reflecting the scientific influence and uptake of his research within the community. Dennstadt’s ability to publish in leading international journals such as Oncology, JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, Systematic Reviews, and BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making highlights both the quality and relevance of his scholarship. Beyond publications, he has received multiple prestigious awards, including recognition at the World Cancer Congress and the International Conference of Hyperthermic Oncology, affirming his standing as a rising leader in radiation oncology and digital medicine. His editorial board membership and teaching activities further underline his academic service and mentorship. Overall, Fabio Dennstadt’s profile reflects a strong and growing research portfolio with clear interdisciplinary impact, particularly at the interface of oncology and artificial intelligence

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Implementing large language models in healthcare while balancing control, collaboration, costs and security

Pratap Mali | Drug Development | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Pratap Mali | Drug Development | Best Researcher Award

University of Rajasthan, Jaipur | India

Dr. Pratap Chand Mali is a Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, specializing in reproductive biology and physiology with a strong research focus on antifertility effects of medicinal plants and natural products. His academic profile is supported by a notable citation record, with 636 citations, an h-index of 12, and an i10-index of 16, reflecting his scholarly contributions and impact in the field. Over the years, he has authored numerous scientific documents and research articles, many of which explore innovative strategies for fertility regulation, contraceptive development, and reproductive health using phytochemicals and natural extracts. His publications span international journals, conferences, and symposiums, indicating both national and global engagement in advancing reproductive bioscience. In addition to his research, Prof. Mali has played significant editorial roles across multiple reputed journals and has been an invited speaker at high-profile scientific conferences worldwide. His research portfolio demonstrates a consistent dedication to addressing reproductive health challenges while exploring safe, effective, and reversible contraceptive methods. With his substantial output of academic documents, coupled with steady citation growth, Prof. Mali continues to influence the domains of reproductive biology, contraceptive innovation, and natural product pharmacology.

Profiles: Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publication

Targeting IDO1 in Huntington’s Disease: Network Pharmacology and Preclinical Evidence from Coffea arabica

Soumitra Sahana | Metabolomics | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Soumitra Sahana | Metabolomics | Best Researcher Award

Birbhum Pharmacy School | India

Soumitra Sahana is an emerging researcher in pharmacognosy with an impressive academic and professional trajectory. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Birbhum Pharmacy School, he specializes in phytochemical extraction, isolation, molecular docking, MD simulation, and in-vitro assays. His academic background includes a Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacognosy with distinction and a Bachelor of Pharmacy with excellent grades. Soumitra has authored and co-authored several impactful publications across journals such as Functional & Integrative Genomics, Plant Biotechnology Reports, Natural Products and Bioprospecting, and Current Indian Science, with his research contributions earning 304 citations, an h-index of 5, and an i10-index of 4. His projects range from the bioassay-guided fractionation of Ficus religiosa leaves for Alzheimer’s management to developing AI-based biomedical imaging systems for cancer screening. In addition, he has been actively engaged in conferences, workshops, and industrial training, which strengthen his practical expertise in natural product research and pharmaceutical sciences. His skills extend to advanced computational tools such as Maestro, Pymol, PyRx, and Discovery Studio Visualizer, along with proficiency in chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation. With a growing publication record and a balanced profile of laboratory and computational expertise, Soumitra Sahana represents a promising researcher bridging traditional pharmacognosy with modern biomedical applications

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Multi-omics approaches: transforming the landscape of natural product isolation