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.

Somanatha Jena | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Somanatha Jena | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Trident Academy of Creative Technology | India

Dr. Somanatha Jena is a highly accomplished researcher in plant biotechnology with a strong record of publications, patents, and academic leadership. His research focuses on plant genetic engineering, plant–microbe interactions, and the development of bioactive compounds with antidiabetic and antioxidative properties. With an h-index of 6, 38 documents, and over 168 citations, his scholarly influence is recognized across international platforms. He has authored multiple papers in reputed journals such as Current Science, Physiologia Plantarum, and Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (Springer Nature), demonstrating consistent contributions to sustainable agriculture and medicinal plant biotechnology. Dr. Jena’s innovations are further reflected in two Indian patent publications (2025), emphasizing his translational research capabilities. His academic career spans over a decade, serving as an Assistant Professor at the Trident Academy of Creative Technology and previously as Research Associate at ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. He has guided 58 students through B.Sc. and M.Sc. dissertations and coordinated national workshops supported by DST-SERB. His research impact, reflected in publication quality, citation strength, and interdisciplinary reach, positions him as a promising leader in biotechnological innovations aimed at improving crop resilience, health-promoting natural products, and environmental sustainability.

Featured Publications

Priyadarshini, S., Sulava, S., Bhol, R., & Jena, S. (2019). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaf extract: Optimization of the process and anti-microbial activity against bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections. Current Science, 117(8), 1300–1307.

Sarangi, A., Jena, S., Sarangi, A. K., & Swain, B. (2013). Anti-diabetic effects of Withania somnifera root and leaf extracts on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Journal of Cell and Tissue Research, 13(1), 3597–3601.

Panda, A., Jena, S., Sahu, P. K., Nayak, S., & Padhi, P. (2013). Effect of polyherbal mixtures on the treatment of diabetes. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013(1), 934797.

Sahu, L., Jena, S., Swain, S. S., Sahoo, S., & Chand, P. K. (2013). Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of a multi-medicinal herb, Boerhaavia diffusa L.: Optimization of the process and anti-microbial activity against bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections. Frontiers in Life Science, 7(3–4), 197–209.

Das, B. C., Panda, A., Sahoo, P. K., Jena, S., & Padhi, P. (2014). Effect of chromium (VI) on wheat seedlings and the role of chelating agents. Current Science, 106(10), 1387–1393.

Abate Yesigat Taye | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Abate Yesigat Taye | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Hawassa University | Ethiopia

Dr. Abate Yesigat Taye, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Hawassa University, has demonstrated remarkable scholarly productivity and impact through his extensive research contributions. With an h-index of 1, 15 peer-reviewed publications, and over 220 citations, Dr. Abate’s work reflects consistent academic engagement in the fields of financial inclusion, gender and development, digital finance, and macroeconomic policy. His publications in reputed journals such as Diaspora Studies, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, and Advances in Agriculture highlight his expertise in econometric modeling, policy evaluation, and inclusive development strategies. Beyond publication output, Dr. Abate has served as principal investigator and consultant on numerous national and international projects, collaborating with government institutions, donor organizations, and academic partners to translate research into actionable policy. His leadership roles in academic coordination, curriculum development, and training programs further amplify his contribution to capacity building and socioeconomic advancement in Ethiopia. With strong quantitative research skills and an expanding citation footprint, Dr. Abate’s academic influence continues to grow, positioning him as a promising researcher whose future work is poised to contribute significantly to sustainable economic development and evidence-based policy innovation across Africa.

Featured Publications

Abebe, R., Yesigat, A., Afesha, N., Fedilu, A., Girma, M., Abayneh, Y., Welearegay, H., Mulatu, M., & Xiao, X. (2025). A cross‐sectional descriptive study on the challenges and prospects in livestock production and marketing in the pastoral areas: The case of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2025(1), Article 5454471. https://doi.org/10.1155/aia/5454471

Bogale, M., Yesigat, A., Jibat, N., Hadis, S., & Tafese, T. (2024, December 18). How do governance conditions influence knowledge diaspora engagement in the development agenda of Ethiopia? Diaspora Studies. https://doi.org/10.1163/09763457-bja10131

Yesigat, A., & Awoke, W. (2024, November 9). Determinants of rural women economic empowerment: The case of Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 16(7), 929–939. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2024.2398295

Yesigat, A., Bogale, M., Jibat, N., Hadis, S., & Tafese, T. (2024, July 11). Needs and potentials of professional diaspora engagement in knowledge, skills and technology transfer in Ethiopia. Diaspora Studies, 17(1), 1–23.