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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Featured Publications

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

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.

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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.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meryem Şenay Şengül Demirak | Molecular Biology | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meryem Şenay Şengül Demirak | Molecular Biology | Women Researcher Award

Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University | Turkey

M. Senay Sengul Demirak, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics with expertise in insect molecular genetics, chemical ecology, and molecular systematics. She completed a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and advanced postdoctoral training in Chemical Ecology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, where she worked on mosquito olfaction, odorant-binding proteins, and vector biology. Her academic career includes faculty roles in molecular biology laboratories, extensive teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels, and coordination responsibilities in international research and exchange programs. She has contributed to multiple research projects supported by national and international funding bodies, including NIH, FORMAS, TUBITAK, and university research coordination units, with a focus on mosquito genomics, barcoding genes, OBP gene characterization, and molecular identification of insects and macrofungi. She has supervised graduate theses in molecular taxonomy and insect genetics and has received recognitions such as scholarships from Virginia Tech, Keystone Symposia, and the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey. Her research aims to advance molecular tools for species identification and genetic analysis that support disease vector management and biodiversity studies. She remains dedicated to developing molecular biology capacity and fostering collaborative research in vector biology and genomics.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Şengül Demirak, M. Ş., & Canpolat, E. (2022). Plant-based bioinsecticides for mosquito control: Impact on insecticide resistance and disease transmission. Insects, 13(2), 162.

Sengul, M. S., & Tu, Z. (2010). Identification and characterization of odorant-binding protein 1 gene from the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi. Insect Molecular Biology, 19(1), 49–60.

Sengul, M. S., & Tu, Z. (2010). Expression analysis and knockdown of two antennal odorant-binding protein genes in Aedes aegypti. Journal of Insect Science, 10(1), 171.

Sengul, M. S., & Tu, Z. (2008). Characterization and expression of the odorant-binding protein 7 gene in Anopheles stephensi and comparative analysis among five mosquito species. Insect Molecular Biology, 17(6), 631–645.

Şengül Demirak, M. Ş., Işık, H., & Türkekul, İ. (2022). Molecular and morphological identification of Cortinarius eucaeruleus Rob. Henry (Subgenus Phlegmacium) from Türkiye. Anatolian Journal of Botany, 6(1), 27–33.

Demirak, M. Ş. Ş., & Türkekul, İ. (2021). Cortinarius lilacinovelatus (Agaricales, Cortinariaceae) – A new record for Turkey. Nova Hedwigia, 113(1–2), 217–227.

Sengul Demirak, M. S., Turkekul, I., & Isik, H. (2021). Conocybe romagnesii and Gerronema subclavatum (Basidiomycota: Agaricales) in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. Nordic Journal of Botany, 39(12).

Demirak, M. Ş. Ş., Işık, H., & Türkekul, İ. (2020). Morphological and molecular phylogeny of Cortinarius rufo-olivaceus (Pers.) Fr. (Subgenus Phlegmacium sect. Calochroi) collected from Tokat region. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi, 23(3), 600–605.

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.