Shoba D | Genetics and Genomics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Dr. Shoba D | Genetics and Genomics | Best Researcher Award

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | India

Dr. D. Shoba has made significant research contributions in plant breeding and genetics with a strong focus on rice, black gram, and groundnut improvement. Her Google Scholar record shows an h-index of 15, i-10 index of 19, and a total of over 740 citations, reflecting a high level of research influence and sustained scholarly impact. She has authored numerous national and international publications in reputed journals such as Euphytica, Legume Research, Rice (Springer), and Plant Science Today. Her innovations include the development of herbicide-tolerant rice mutant HTM N22 (Robin mutant) and black gram varieties KKM 1 and VBN 12, along with several mung bean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV)-resistant lines. She has also designed a weed remover machine certified by the Patent Office of India and contributed to breeder seed production in rice and pulses to enhance seed security and productivity. Her collaborative research with IRRI Philippines, IIRR Hyderabad, and ICMR Hyderabad underscores international partnerships. Through these advancements, Dr. Shoba has demonstrated leadership in sustainable crop development, molecular breeding, and genetic diversity analysis, strengthening the link between scientific innovation and agricultural resilience.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Shoba, D., Manivannan, N., Vindhiyavarman, P., & Nigam, S. N. (2012). SSR markers associated for late leaf spot disease resistance by bulked segregant analysis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Euphytica, 188(2), 265–272.

Shoba, D., Raveendran, M., Manonmani, S., Utharasu, S., Dhivyapriya, D., Subhasini, G., Ramchandar, S., Valarmathi, R., Grover, N., Gopala Krishnan, S., Singh, A. K., Jayaswal, P., Kale, P., Ramkumar, M. K., Amitha Mithra, S. V., Mohapatra, T., Singh, K., Sarla, N., Sheshshayee, M. S., … Sharma, R. P. (2017). Development and genetic characterization of a novel herbicide (Imazethapyr) tolerant mutant in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice, 10(1), 10.

Shoba, D., Vijayan, R., Robin, S., Manivannan, N., Iyanar, K., Arunachalam, P., Nadarajan, N., Arumugam Pillai, M., & Geetha, S. (2019). Assessment of genetic diversity in aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm using PCA and cluster analysis. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 10(3), 1095–1104.

Shoba, D., Manivannan, N., & Vindhiyavarman, P. (2009). Studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 1, 74–77.

Shoba, D., Manivannan, N., & Vindhiyavarman, P. (2012). Correlation and path coefficient analysis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Madras Agricultural Journal, 99(1–3), 18–20.

Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

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.