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

Published on by Life Science

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

Jayateertha Diwan | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jayateertha Diwan | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

University of Agricultural Sciences | India

Dr. Jayateertha R. Diwan has made exceptional contributions to agricultural genetics and plant breeding, focusing on rice crop improvement, molecular breeding, and the integration of genomic tools in agronomic research. His Scopus profile lists an h-index of 5, over 17 peer-reviewed documents, and more than 98 citations, reflecting his strong scientific influence in plant molecular genetics and crop biotechnology. He has published widely in reputed journals such as Frontiers in Physiology, Crop and Pasture Science, and Current Genetics, with recent papers addressing genome-wide association studies, quantitative trait loci mapping, and the genetic basis of stress tolerance and nutrient efficiency in rice. He has also authored book chapters on genome editing and phytoremediation and participated in collaborative projects with institutions including the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad. Beyond his research output, Dr. Diwan has guided numerous postgraduate and doctoral students and led nationally funded projects from DST-SERB, DBT, and RKVY focusing on molecular characterization and sustainable agricultural systems. His consistent record of scholarly excellence, mentorship, and scientific leadership places him among the leading researchers in the field of genetics and plant breeding in India.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Diwan, J. R., Mahadevaswamy, Patil, S., Bhanu, D., Devi, K. L., Hegde, S. N., Krishnaraj, P. U., Namitha, R., Pradhan, B. B., & Vashisht, D. (2025). Genome characterization of Acinetobacter species from the rice rhizosphere: A potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).

Kavyashree, N. M., Diwan, J. R., Mahantashivayogayya, K., Lokesha, R., & Naik, N. M. Micro-morphological diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as seen under foldscope.

Kariyanna, B., Prabhuraj, A., Mohan, M., Bheemanna, M., Kalmath, B., Pampanna, Y., & Diwan, J. R. Insecticide usage pattern and evolution of resistance in eggplant shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in India. ,

Umar Farooq, M. S., Diwan, J. R., Mahantashivayogayya, K., Kulkarni, V. V., & Shakuntala, N. M. Genetic evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for yield and nutritional quality traits. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences,

Muniswamy, S., Lokesha, R., Yamanura, R., Ramesh, R., & Diwan, J. R. Stability for disease, genotype × environment interaction for yield and its components in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.].