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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Featured Publications

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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Featured Publications

Mr. Kamran Haider | Life Sciences Innovation | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Kamran Haider | Life Sciences Innovation | Young Researcher Award

Huazhong Agricultural University | Wuhan, China

Kamran Haider is an emerging researcher in agricultural entomology with a strong focus on insect–plant interactions, biological control, and molecular approaches for pest management. He completed his M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture Entomology and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, where his research centered on the management of Fall armyworm using sodium silicate and Trichogramma integration for sustainable maize protection. Kamran gained international research exposure as a Research Trainee at Huazhong Agricultural University, China, working on insect–plant molecular interactions and gaining practical skills in insect rearing, RNA/DNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RNA interference, and gel electrophoresis. His additional experience includes internships in pest monitoring, pesticide quality analysis, and field surveys using modern diagnostic tools. He has co-authored research and review papers on topics such as silicon-based insect management, plant melatonin metabolism, and the role of gut microbiota in insect immunity and adaptation. Kamran has completed several certified courses in plant bioinformatics and insect biology and participated in international scientific conferences and workshops. He has received academic awards, including scholarship support and recognition for scientific engagement. He aims to contribute to innovative pest management strategies and sustainable agriculture through advanced entomological research.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ahmed, W., Safdar, U., Ali, A., Haider, K., Tahir, N., Sajid, S., Ahmad, M., … (2022). Sustainable water use in agriculture: A review of worldwide research. [Journal name and volume not provided].

Ikram, M., Mehran, M., ur Rehman, H., Ullah, S., Bakhsh, M. Z. M., Tahira, M., … (2024). Mechanistic review of melatonin metabolism and signaling pathways in plants: Biosynthesis, regulation, and roles under abiotic stress. Plant Stress, 14, 100685.

Zaib, M., Aryan, M., Khaliq, A., Haider, K., Ahmad, S., Zeeshan, A., Haq, E. U., … (2023). Essential insights for effective environmental management and human well-being: Strategies for remediation in soil-plant-environment systems. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 12(3), 1453–1469.

Zaib, M., Farooq, U., Adnan, M., Sajjad, S., Abbas, Z., Haider, K., Khan, N., … (2022). Remediation of saline soils by application of biochar: A review. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 24, 29–36.

Zaib, M., Farooq, U., Adnan, M., Abbas, Z., Haider, K., Muhay-Ul-Din, M. F., … (2023). Water stress in crop plants: Implications for sustainable agriculture. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 25(1), [page numbers not provided].

Haider, K., Abbas, D., Galian, J., Ghafar, M. A., Kabir, K., Ijaz, M., Hussain, M., … (2025). The multifaceted roles of gut microbiota in insect physiology, metabolism, and environmental adaptation: Implications for pest management strategies. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 41(3), 75.

Saurabh Pandey | Plant Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Saurabh Pandey | Plant Biology | Best Researcher Award

Indira Gandhi Agricultural University | India

Dr. Saurabh Pandey, Assistant Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, is a distinguished plant biotechnologist with a Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi (awarded by JNU). His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance, RNA helicases, and genome editing for crop improvement. Dr. Pandey has made significant contributions to understanding plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, publishing over 40 high-impact research papers and book chapters in reputed journals such as Physiologia Plantarum, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and Functional & Integrative Genomics. He has also co-edited several international books including Toward Sustainable Plant Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate-Resilient Agriculture under CRC Press and Springer. According to verified databases, his research record reflects an h-index of 17, with over 1147 citations across 59 Scopus-indexed documents, demonstrating his strong scientific influence in plant molecular biology. Dr. Pandey’s pioneering work on the role of RNA helicases in tomato-virus interactions gained national recognition, being featured by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and covered in The Hindu and Rajya Sabha TV. His contributions exemplify innovation, leadership, and global impact in agricultural biotechnology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | LinkedIn 

Featured Publications

Pandey, E., Kumari, R., Faizan, S., & Pandey, S. Linking the interaction of salicylates and jasmonates for stress resilience in plants. Stress Biology. Advance online publication.

Meena, V. K., Thribhuvan, R., Dinkar, V., Bhatt, A., Pandey, S., Abhinav, Ahmad, D., Kumar, A., & Singh, A. aplotype breeding: Fast-track the crop improvements. Planta.

Kumar, P., Pandey, S., & Pati, P. K. Interaction between pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and phytohormone signaling pathways in conferring disease tolerance in plants. Physiologia Plantarum.

Singh, S. K., Jha, R., Pandey, S., Mohan, C., Chetna, Ghosh, S., Singh, S. K., Kumari, S., & Singh, A. Artificial intelligence-based tools for next-generation seed quality analysis. Crop Design, 100094.

Dev, D., Antre, S. H., Nandni, S., Pandey, S., Singh, M. K., & Singh, A. Accelerated crop domestication: Candidates, advanced tools and prospects. South African Journal of Botany, 171, 237–244.

Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

University of California San Diego | United States

Dr. Andrea L. Smidler is an accomplished molecular entomologist and genetic engineer whose research focuses on innovative CRISPR-based tools for vector control, particularly in Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector. According to her Scopus profile (Author ID: 36626227000), she has published 18 scientific documents, achieving an impressive h-index of 14 and accumulating over 2008 citations, reflecting her growing influence in genetic biocontrol research. Her recent high-impact works include “Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae” (Scientific Reports, 2025), “CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes” (Parasites and Vectors, 2025), and “Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males” (PNAS, 2024). Through collaborations with leading scientists such as Omar Akbari, George Church, and Flaminia Catteruccia, Dr. Smidler has advanced CRISPR-mediated gene drive and sterilization systems that aim to eradicate malaria at its source. Her consistent publication record across top-tier journals—including Science, PNAS, and Cell—and her citation metrics underscore her pioneering contributions to synthetic biology, public health genetics, and entomological engineering. Dr. Smidler continues to be a key innovator in developing genetic solutions for vector-borne disease elimination.

Featured Publications

Smidler, A., Abernathy, D., Marrogi, E., Mameli, E., Akbari, O., Church, G., Esvelt, K., & Catteruccia, F. (2025, October 8). Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.

Smidler, A., & Akbari, O. (2025, July 3). CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes. Parasites and Vectors.

Gendron, W. A. C., Raban, R., Mondal, A., Sánchez, C. H. M., Smidler, A., Zilberman, D., Ilboudo, P. G., D’Alessandro, U., Marshall, J. M., & Akbari, O. S. (2025, July 18). Evaluating the cost of malaria elimination by Anopheles gambiae precision guided SIT in the Upper River region, The Gambia. PLOS Global Public Health.

Smidler, A., Apte, R., Pai, J., Chow, M., Chen, S., Antoshechkin, I., & Akbari, O. (2024, June 25). Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Smidler, A., Marrogi, E., Kauffman, J., Paton, D., Westervelt, K., Church, G., Esvelt, K., Shaw, W., & Catteruccia, F. (2024, February 19). CRISPR-mediated germline knockouts for genetic sterilization of male Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.