Assoc. Prof. Dr Maria Elisabeth Pereita | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Maria Elisabeth Pereita | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

GOVCOPP & DEGEIT – University of Aveiro, Portugal

Prof. Dr. Elisabeth T. Pereira is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and a senior researcher at the Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP). She holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from the University of Aveiro, an MSc in Economics from the University of Coimbra, and a degree in Economics from the University of Aveiro. With more than two decades of academic and research experience, she has held several leadership and coordination roles in higher education, including vice-directorship of a doctoral programme, coordination of international dual-degree programmes, and leadership of multiple Erasmus+ strategic partnership projects. Her research interests span competitiveness, international and macroeconomics, monetary and financial economics, gender economics, tourism and real estate economics, entrepreneurship, innovation, and entrepreneurial education. She has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s theses and served as an external examiner at national and international universities. Prof. Pereira is the author and editor of several academic books and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and international conferences indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Her scholarly contributions and academic leadership have earned recognition through prestigious editorial roles, project leadership, and scientific committee appointments. Overall, her work demonstrates a sustained commitment to high-quality research, academic excellence, and societal impact.

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Dr. Bilal Yıldırım | Cancer Biology & Oncology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Bilal Yıldırım | Cancer Biology & Oncology | Research Excellence Award

Marmara University Internal Medicine Department | Turkey

Dr. Bilal Yıldırım is a physician and internal medicine resident with a strong academic foundation and growing expertise in clinical research and multidisciplinary patient care. He completed his medical education at Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa Medical School with high academic distinction, reflecting a solid grounding in core medical sciences and clinical practice. His professional experience includes service as a general practitioner in an emergency department setting, where he gained broad exposure to acute care and complex clinical decision-making, followed by advanced specialty training in internal medicine at a leading academic institution. He has further enriched his clinical perspective through international observerships and training experiences in hematology-oncology and cardiology at prestigious medical centers in the United States. His research interests focus on hematology, oncology, genomics-guided medicine, prognostic biomarkers, and personalized treatment strategies in complex diseases. He has contributed to national and international scientific meetings through poster and e-poster presentations and is a published author in a peer-reviewed international journal, highlighting his commitment to academic medicine and evidence-based practice. Recognized by strong performance in standardized medical examinations, his profile reflects both clinical competence and research-oriented thinking. Overall, his work demonstrates a dedication to advancing internal medicine through clinical excellence, translational research, and continuous professional development within modern, patient-centered healthcare.

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Dr. MARIA BELEN GUIJARRO DIAZ OTERO | Plant Biology | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. MARIA BELEN GUIJARRO DIAZ OTERO | Plant Biology | Excellence in Research Award

INIA-CSIC (National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology – Spanish National Research Council)
Spain

Dr. Belén Guijarro Díaz-Otero is a senior researcher in Plant Protection at INIA-CSIC, Spain, with extensive expertise in phytopathology, biocontrol, and the management of fungal plant diseases. She obtained her academic training in Agricultural Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and completed her PhD with a strong focus on plant protection and biocontrol agents. Her professional experience includes international postdoctoral research in Australia, where she worked on plant genomics, plant pathology, and integrated disease management strategies, as well as applied research roles addressing alternatives to chemical fumigants and soil health improvement in horticultural systems. Since joining INIA-CSIC, her research has centered on fungal plant diseases, biopesticides, epidemiology, fungicide resistance, and soilborne pathogens, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management. She has participated in numerous national and European competitive R&D projects, including Horizon Europe and EFSA-related initiatives, and actively contributes to regulatory science through her involvement with European Commission and OECD expert groups on biopesticides. Her scientific output includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and extensive participation in international conferences. Recipient of the Australian Endeavour International Postdoctoral Fellowship, her work bridges fundamental research, applied innovation, and regulatory frameworks, supporting the development of safe, effective, and sustainable plant protection solutions for modern agriculture.

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Dr. Thangavel Murugan | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Thangavel Murugan | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

United Arab Emirates University | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Thangavel Murugan is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of Computer Science and Information Systems, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Information Systems and Security. He earned his PhD from Anna University, Chennai, after completing his postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in engineering from reputed institutions in Tamil Nadu. With over a decade of academic experience across leading universities in India and the United Arab Emirates, he has contributed significantly to teaching, curriculum development, and research-driven education. His core research interests span information security, cybersecurity, blockchain technologies, high-performance computing, ethical hacking, cyberforensics, data science for cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and educational technology. Dr. Murugan has an extensive publication record, including books, edited volumes, book chapters, and high-impact journal and conference papers indexed in reputed international databases. His research emphasizes secure systems, intelligent healthcare solutions, AI-driven education, IoT security, and emerging digital technologies. He has received multiple recognitions, including institutional and national-level awards for academic excellence, quality initiatives, and contributions to technology-enhanced learning. A Senior Member of IEEE and active professional society contributor, Dr. Thangavel Murugan continues to advance interdisciplinary research, mentor students, and support innovation in secure and intelligent computing systems.

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Dr. Simran Motwani | Systems Biology | Young Researcher Award |

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Dr. Simran Motwani | Systems Biology | Young Researcher Award

National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India

Dr. Simran Motwani is a life sciences researcher specializing in molecular genetics, metabolism, and ageing biology using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. She completed her Ph.D. in Life Sciences at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi (2020–2025), where her doctoral research focused on deciphering diet-dependent regulation of stress tolerance and lifespan mediated by RICTOR/mTORC2 signaling, one-carbon metabolism, and the p38-MAPK pathway. She holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Delhi, graduating as a University Gold Medalist. Dr. Motwani has extensive research experience in genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, metabolomics, mitochondrial biology, and advanced imaging techniques, with strong expertise in lifespan, stress, behavioral, and metabolic assays. Her work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications, preprints, and presentations at national and international scientific meetings. She has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship, CSIR-Lectureship rank, DBT BioE3 Challenge Top-10 Award, and multiple academic merit scholarships. In addition to her research contributions, she has actively mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research interests center on nutrient sensing, metabolic signaling, stress resilience, ageing, and inter-tissue communication, with the broader goal of advancing translational insights into healthspan regulation.

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Zebrafish Early Stage Developmental Defects as Indicator of Site-Specific Water Composition of River Yamuna
– DU Journal of Undergraduate Research and Innovation, 2016

Prof. Dr. Fatma Çiğdem Güldür | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Fatma Çiğdem Güldür | Biotechnology & Industrial Applications | Research Excellence Award

Gazi University | Turkey

Prof. Dr. Fatma Çiğdem Güldür is a distinguished professor of Chemical Engineering with more than three decades of academic, research, and leadership experience in environmental and energy-related chemical engineering. She earned her doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Gazi University after completing her postgraduate studies at Middle East Technical University, building a strong foundation in reaction engineering and catalysis. She has served in progressive academic roles at Gazi University, including Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, and also held an international visiting professorship at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on catalysis, fuel cells, hydrogen and renewable energy systems, electrochemical processes, nanomaterials, wastewater treatment, and sustainable chemical technologies, with particular emphasis on PEM fuel cells, CO oxidation, and catalyst design. Prof. Güldür has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s theses, led and contributed to a large number of nationally and internationally funded research projects, and published extensively in high-impact SCI and Scopus-indexed journals. She has played key roles in accreditation, Bologna process implementation, and academic quality assurance, while serving as an expert evaluator and journal reviewer. Through her sustained contributions to education, research innovation, and clean energy technologies, she continues to advance chemical engineering solutions for environmental sustainability and future energy systems.

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Dr. Zafar Iqbal | Molecular Biology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Zafar Iqbal | Molecular Biology | Research Excellence Award

King Faisal University | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Zafar Iqbal is a biotechnologist and academic researcher with extensive expertise in plant molecular virology, biotechnology, and bioinformatics. He obtained his PhD in Biotechnology from the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, following advanced degrees in biochemistry. Currently serving as Assistant Professor at Central Laboratories, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, he brings over a decade of experience in university-level teaching, research leadership, laboratory quality management, and international collaboration. His research interests encompass plant–virus–vector interactions, whole-genome and microbiome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-based resistance development, nanoparticle-mediated stress mitigation, biofuels, and sustainable agricultural innovations. He has led and contributed to more than 25 funded research projects, including prestigious RDIA support for establishing a Hi-Tech Next Generation Sequencing facility, and has published extensively in high-impact international journals with more than 1100 citations. Dr. Iqbal actively contributes to the scientific community as a peer reviewer, trainer, and mentor, while playing key roles in ISO 17025 laboratory quality systems and capacity-building programs. Through an integrated approach combining molecular biology, computational analysis, and applied biotechnology, he continues to advance translational life science research and sustainable solutions for agriculture and environmental resilience.

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Dr. Pricilla Mbiri | Molecular Biology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Pricilla Mbiri | Molecular Biology | Research Excellence Award

University of Namibia | Namibia

Dr. Pricilla Mbiri is a Namibian-based veterinarian and academic with over seventeen years of progressive experience in animal disease control, veterinary public health, and One Health research. She holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (University of Zimbabwe), an MSc in Animal/Human/Ecosystem Health (University of Pretoria), and is completing a PhD in One Health, complemented by a 2024 certificate in Health & Veterinary Professions Education. Her career spans service as a State Veterinarian in disease surveillance, FMD and CBPP control, rabies education, and export abattoir operations before transitioning to academia as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Namibia. She has made significant contributions in curriculum development, research-led teaching, student mentorship, and bioinformatics capacity building through the Centre of Excellence in One Health. Her research focuses on tick-borne zoonotic pathogens, molecular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, and livestock health, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and ongoing manuscripts. As a recognized leader, she has coordinated national rabies campaigns, contributed to policy development, and supported laboratory and field investigations. She continues to advance veterinary public health through interdisciplinary research and capacity building, aiming to strengthen Namibia’s preparedness for zoonotic threats and enhance One Health collaboration.

Profile:

  • DNA Structure and Function

Featured Publications

Mbiri, P., Muleya, W., Moyo, E., Samkange, A., Matomola, O. C., Charamba, V., Ujava, U., Hoebes, E. E., Chitate, F., Neshindo, F. W. T., et al. (2025). Molecular detection and prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in ticks from Namibia: A regional and genus-specific analysis. Pathogens.

Samkange, A., Chitanga, S., Mbiri, P., Matomola, O. C., Neves, L., & Matjila, P. T. (2025). Molecular investigation of Neospora caninum in cattle in the Khomas region of Namibia. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research.

Mbiri, P., Matomola, O. C., Muleya, W., Mhuulu, L., Diegaardt, A., Noden, B. H., Changula, K., Chimwamurombe, P., Matos, C., Weiss, S., et al. (2024). Molecular detection and characterization of Rickettsia species in ixodid ticks from selected regions of Namibia. Microorganisms.

Samkange, A., Mbiri, P., Matomola, O. C., Zaire, G., Homateni, A., Junias, E., Kaatura, I., Khaiseb, S., Ekandjo, S., Shoopala, J., et al. (2024). Serological evidence of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever in livestock in the Omaheke region of Namibia. Microorganisms.

Kandiwa, E., Mbiri, P., Samkange, A., Madzingira, O., Maseke, A., Kamwi, J. A., & Mushonga, B. (2021). Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia. Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene.