Emmanuel Ugwu | Seed Science and Technology | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Emmanuel Ugwu | Seed Science and Technology | Young Scientist Award

Center for Dryland Agriculture, Nigeria

Mr. Emmanuel Ugwu is an experienced agronomist and seed science professional currently serving as Coordinator of the Horticultural Learning Site at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, where he oversees farm operations, labor management, budgeting, reporting, and sustainable horticultural practices. He also works as a freelance agricultural consultant and researcher, providing technical, research, crop, and livestock advisory services while linking farmers to markets nationwide. Previously, he worked as an Agronomist with the Maize Technical Team at Value Seeds Limited, leading seed production, quality assurance, soil testing, pest and disease management, field trials, and farmer training across Kaduna State. His career includes roles as Agronomist/Extension Team Lead, Farm Manager, Graduate Intern in Ghana, and Graduate Assistant at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, with strong experience in crop improvement, seed production, farm management, and extension services. He holds an MPhil in Seed Science and Technology from the University of Ghana and a First Class Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is professionally certified in vegetable production, crop advisory training, soybean agronomy, and integrated pest management through internationally recognized programs.

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Xiangyu Qing | Maize | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Xiangyu Qing | Maize | Excellence in Research Award

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China

Dr. Xiangyu Qing is a researcher at China Agricultural University, Beijing, China, an established record in plant biotechnology and crop genetic improvement. His scholarly output includes three Scopus-indexed documents that have collectively received eight citations across seven citing publications, reflecting growing academic impact in his field. Dr. Qing has achieved an h-index of 2, demonstrating consistent citation performance relative to his publication count. His research primarily focuses on plant transformation technologies, tissue culture, and molecular mechanisms that enhance genetic engineering efficiency in crops. One of his notable open-access publications is a short survey titled “ZmHSCF1 enhances Agrobacterium-mediated transformation frequency in commercial maize inbred lines by promoting embryogenic callus proliferation,” which highlights a key genetic factor improving transformation efficiency in maize. This work contributes significantly to advancing reliable genetic transformation protocols for commercial inbred lines, a major bottleneck in maize biotechnology. Dr. Qing actively collaborates within a broad research network, as evidenced by his 31 co-authors, indicating strong interdisciplinary and institutional engagement. Although he has not yet reported awarded grants or preprints, his publications demonstrate clear translational relevance for agricultural biotechnology. His research outcomes support crop improvement strategies aimed at enhancing breeding efficiency and functional genomics applications. Through focused contributions to plant molecular biology and transformation systems, Dr. Xiangyu Qing continues to strengthen the scientific foundation for modern agricultural innovation in China and beyond.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Shailendra Khatri | Agricultural Engineering | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Mr. Shailendra Khatri | Agricultural Engineering | Outstanding Scientist Award

Nepal Agricultural Research Council | Nepal

Mr. Shailendra Khatri is an agricultural engineering professional with over two decades of experience in research, innovation, and the development of sustainable, farmer- and women-friendly agricultural engineering technologies. He holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from the College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, with specialization in bioenergy conversion and agricultural mechanization. Throughout his career, he has led numerous field-based studies, facilitated technology adoption, and played a key role in translating engineering innovations into practical, scalable solutions for farmers across diverse agro-ecological regions. His major research contributions span hill agriculture mechanization, livestock and fisheries mechanization, post-harvest engineering, and climate-resilient technologies including small-scale citrus graders, macadamia nut crackers, citrus rootstock extractors, and the ongoing development of electrically powered mini-tillers for mid and high hills. He has successfully implemented government-funded projects, contributed to technology validation and scaling through NAERC, and completed impact-oriented studies on irrigation quality, crop damage mitigation, mushroom farming efficiency, and post-harvest loss reduction. He has published 15 research papers (10 as first author), authored a book, contributed to consultancy projects, and is currently pursuing a patent for a metallic monkey repeller. His commitment to empowering rural communities and enhancing agricultural productivity earned him the prestigious national NAST award “Kaji Indra Katuwal Krishi Puraskar” in 2023. Over the past 21 years at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, he has developed, tested, and promoted durable, safe, and cost-effective machines such as millet threshers, maize shellers, coffee pulpers, hand maize planters, grading machines, and trifoliate orange seed extractors while evaluating imported combine mills and optimizing hand tools for fruit harvesting. His work continues to strengthen mechanization pathways from land preparation to post-harvest stages, significantly improving efficiency, productivity, and resilience in Nepalese agriculture.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Moustapha Lawani | Agricultural Economics | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Moustapha Lawani | Agricultural Economics | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Moustapha Lawani | University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) | Benin

Dr. Moustapha Lawani is a climate change economics researcher completing his Ph.D. in Climate Change Economics under the prestigious WASCAL program at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal (2021–2025). He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Operational Research from the Institut of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP), University of Abomey-Calavi (2016–2018), a Research Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Management (FASEG), University of Abomey-Calavi (2013–2015), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the same university (2010–2011). His research experience includes major fieldwork activities such as questionnaire design, data digitization, enumerator recruitment, data mining, and advanced econometric analysis for his ongoing doctoral research. From 2018 to 2020, he worked as a Research Assistant, conducting literature reviews, performing data analysis, and co-authoring research outputs. He also contributed to the Evaluation of Agricultural Policies in Benin (EPAB) project, designing surveys and conducting extensive interviews. Dr. Lawani has significant teaching and mentoring experience, having guided over ten undergraduate students in data collection, econometrics, and the interpretation and presentation of research results. Between 2014 and 2017, he served as a Teaching Assistant in Applied Economics and Mathematics at the University of Abomey-Calavi and several private universities, preparing lectures, leading classes in macroeconomics, microeconomics, statistics, econometrics, operational research, and optimization software, as well as developing and grading assessments. He has participated in several academic webinars and workshops, including programs on Africa’s gas future, climate finance, climate diplomacy, and resilience index measurement organized in collaboration with the African Climate Foundation and the FAO. Dr. Lawani has published and contributed to multiple academic works, including “Determinants de la mobilité de la main-d’œuvre dans les institutions de microfinance: Evidences au Bénin” (2021), the article “Enhancing climate-smart agriculture: stakeholder contributions and cooperation in establishing a policy environment in developing countries” published in Climate Policy (2025), and ongoing or under-review papers on illicit financial flows in Africa and synergies and trade-offs in climate-smart agriculture. His publication portfolio includes 4 research outputs, with 0 citations recorded so far and an h-index of 0, reflecting an emerging researcher actively contributing to climate policy, agriculture, and development economics. His academic journey demonstrates a strong commitment to rigorous research, interdisciplinary analysis, and advancing climate-smart development policies in Africa.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Lawani, M., Lokonon, B. O. K., & Kane, A. (2025). Enhancing climate-smart agriculture: Stakeholder contributions and cooperation in establishing a policy environment in developing countries. Climate Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2025.2543020

Lawani, M., Avoce Viagannou, F. I., & Acclassato Houensou, D. (2021). Déterminants de la mobilité de la main-d’œuvre dans les institutions de microfinance: Evidences au Bénin. In La microfinance contemporaine: Les frontières de la microfinance (Book chapter).

Yue Guo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yue Guo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yue Guo | Institute of Industrial Crops / Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Dr. Yue Guo is an accomplished plant biologist and bioinformatics researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS). Her research primarily focuses on molecular mechanisms of herbicide resistance, plant genetics, and bioinformatics applications for crop improvement. She has made significant contributions to the development of herbicide-tolerant rapeseed germplasm and the evolutionary analysis of plant genomes. With a strong publication record, patents, and leadership in major projects, Dr. Guo has become a leading expert in integrating molecular biology and computational tools to solve critical agricultural challenges.

Profile

Scopus

Education 

Dr. Yue Guo completed her Ph.D. in Plant Biology at Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU), following her M.S. in Developmental Biology and B.S. in Biotechnology from the same institution. During her academic training, she developed advanced expertise in plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, laying a strong foundation for her research. Her early work explored plant hormone interactions, stress responses, and elemental analysis techniques, which evolved into a more bioinformatics-driven approach during her doctoral and postdoctoral research phases, equipping her with interdisciplinary skills essential for modern agricultural research.

Experience 

Dr. Guo’s career trajectory at JAAS has been marked by steady growth, starting as a Research Assistant, progressing through Postdoctoral Associate and Assistant Professor, to her current role as Associate Professor. Her professional work bridges plant molecular biology, genetic analysis, and computational bioinformatics. She has led multiple national and provincial research projects, contributed to cutting-edge genomic tools, and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve crop resilience and productivity. Her leadership and technical expertise have been pivotal in the success of projects targeting genome editing, resistance breeding, and transcriptomic analysis in oilseed crops.

Research Interests 

Dr. Guo’s research spans plant bioinformatics, molecular evolution, and germplasm innovation, with a focus on herbicide resistance mechanisms in rapeseed. She applies integrative approaches combining molecular genetics, genomics, and computational biology to understand gene functions, stress responses, and evolutionary dynamics in crops. Her work provides critical insights for breeding strategies and supports the development of sustainable agricultural systems. She also explores genome-wide analyses to identify target-site and non-target-site resistance mechanisms, contributing to advancements in precision agriculture and crop biotechnology.

Awards

Dr. Guo has been consistently recognized for her outstanding contributions to agricultural research and innovation. She has been honored as an Excellent Employee of JAAS multiple times and received the Excellent Postdoctoral Award for her innovative research during her early career. Additionally, her academic achievements have been acknowledged with scholarships and cultural contribution awards during her tenure at NAU. These accolades reflect her dedication to advancing agricultural science and her impact on both scientific communities and practical agricultural development.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Molecular mechanisms of herbicide resistance in rapeseed: current status and future prospects for resistant germplasm development
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences 
Authors: Liu D, Yu S, Ji B, Peng Qi, Gao J, Zhang, Guo Y*, Hu M*

Title: Comparative Genome-wide Analysis of Circular RNAs in Brassica napus L.: Target-Site vs. Non-Target-Site Resistance to Herbicide Stress
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics 
Authors: Guo Y, Wang T, Lu XY, Li WL, Lv XL, Peng Q, Gao JQ, Zhang JF, Hu ML*

Title: Development and molecular analysis of a novel acetohydroxyacid synthase rapeseed mutant with high resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides
Journal: The Crop Journal
Authors: Guo Y, Liu C, Long W, Gao J, Zhang J, Chen S, Pu H*, Hu M*

Title: Distribution, expression and methylation analysis of positively selected genes provides insights into the evolution in Brassica rapa
Journal: PLoS ONE
Authors: Guo Y, Liu J, Wang X, Li Y, Hou X, Du J*

Title: Synergistic mutations of two rapeseed AHAS genes confer high resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides for weed control
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Authors: Guo Y, Cheng L, Long W, Gao J, Zhang J, Chen S, Pu H*, Hu M*

Conclusion

Dr. Yue Guo’s distinguished career highlights her as a leader in plant bioinformatics and molecular breeding. Through her innovative research, she has bridged traditional plant biology with cutting-edge computational approaches, driving advancements in crop resilience and sustainable agriculture. Her impactful publications, patents, and leadership in funded projects demonstrate her commitment to scientific excellence and innovation. With her interdisciplinary expertise and continuous contributions to agricultural science, Dr. Guo stands as a vital contributor to the global pursuit of food security and agricultural sustainability.