Dr. Valentina Prikhodko | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko is a leading researcher at the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Pushchino, Russia. With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, she has made significant contributions to soil science, geoscience, and Holocene climate research. Her expertise lies in soil chemistry, organic matter evolution, and the impact of anthropogenic activities on landscapes. Prof. Prikhodko has authored over 240 scientific publications, including 3 monographs and 82 refereed journal articles, and has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Prize for Best Publication in J. Eurasian Soil Science (2013).

Profile

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🎓 Education

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko earned her PhD in Soil Science from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1979, specializing in soil chemistry, evolution, and organic matter. She later attained a Doctor of Science (Dr. Sc.) in Soil Science from the same institution in 2004, further solidifying her expertise in soil formation and environmental impact assessment. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Soil Science from Lomonosov Moscow State University between 1968 and 1978, where she developed a strong foundation in geoscience and soil analysis. Her extensive education has been instrumental in shaping her distinguished career in soil research and geoarchaeology.

🧑‍🏫 Experience

Prof. Valentina Prikhodko has had a distinguished career in soil science research, spanning over four decades. Since 2004, she has been serving as a Leading Researcher at the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, where she focuses on soil chemistry, climate reconstruction, and heavy metal contamination. Before this, she worked as a Senior Researcher (1992–2004) and Researcher (1980–1992) at the same institute, contributing to groundbreaking studies on soil evolution and geoscience. Her early career began as a Minor Researcher (1978–1983), laying the foundation for her extensive expertise. Additionally, she was a Visiting Scientist at the University of California, Davis, USA (1999–2000), where she conducted research under a prestigious Fulbright Award, expanding her international collaborations in soil science and environmental studies.

🔬 Research Interests

Soil Science & Geoscience – Evolution, chemistry, and organic matter in soils

Holocene Climate & Anthropogenic Impact – Soil evolution and climate reconstruction

Geoarchaeological Archives – Analysis of ancient soils for historical landscape studies

Heavy Metal Pollution – Assessing contamination in industrial areas, including China

GIS & Mapping Technologies – Spatial analysis of archaeological sites and soil properties

🏆 Awards & Grants

Prize for Best Publication in J. Eurasian Soil Science (2013)

Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (1997)

Fulbright Award – University of California, Davis (1999–2000)

Grants from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (1995, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020)

Grant RFBR-CSIC, Spain (2009–2010)

Japan-Russia Joint Project № 09-05-92106 (2009–2010)

📚 Selected Publications

1️⃣ Complex Study of Settlements Dating from the Paleolithic to Medieval Period in the Ural Mountains on the Border of Europe and Asia
📖 Geosciences, 2025
👥 Contributors: Valentina Prikhodko, Nikita Savelev, Viacheslav Kotov, Sergey Nikolaev, Evgeny Ruslanov, Михаил Румянцев, Elena Manakhova

2️⃣ Reconstruction of Climate and Landscapes of the Medieval Period on the Basis of Palynological Study of Paleosols Buried under Kurgans and Dendrochronological Data from Altai (South of Western Siberia)
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2020
👥 Contributors: M. V. Mikharevich, V. S. Myglan, V. E. Prikhodko

3️⃣ Reconstruction of the Climate of the Medieval Epoch Based on Soil and Geochemical Studies of Kurgans of the Srostki Culture in the South of Western Siberia
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2020
👥 Contributors: V. E. Prikhodko, Yu. A. Azarenko, M. R. Shayakhmetov, A. A. Tishkin, V. V. Gorbunov, E. G. Pivovarova

4️⃣ Synlithogenic Evolution of Floodplain Soils in Valleys of Small Rivers in the Trans-Ural Steppe
📖 Eurasian Soil Science, 2019
👥 Contributors: I. V. Ivanov, V. E. Prikhodko, I. V. Zamotaev, D. V. Manakhov, E. Yu. Novenko, P. I. Kalinin, L. M. Markova, A. L. Plaksina

5️⃣ Vegetation and Climate Reconstruction Based on Pollen and Microbial Records Derived from Burial Mounds Soil in Tuva Republic, Central Asia
📖 Quaternary International, 2019
👥 Contributors: Tatiana Blyakharchuk, Valentina Prikhodko, Marina Kilunovskaya, Hong-Chun Li

Prof. Estefanía García-Luque | Agricultural and biological sciences | Women Researcher Award

EVEGA/Granxa D’Outeiro, Spain.

Estefanía García Luque is a passionate molecular biologist, researcher, and scientific disseminator. She has focused her research on the application of molecular techniques to study genetic diversity, biotechnology in the food industry, and biodiversity conservation. Estefanía has worked with prestigious institutions like the University of Malaga and the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency. As a founder and CEO of GrowMeat, an innovative startup focused on sustainable lab-grown meat production, she is committed to advancing science for a sustainable future.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Estefanía holds a Degree in Biology and a Master’s in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Malaga, where she completed her Master's Thesis on tumor cell lines of the NCI-60 panel. She further expanded her expertise with a Master’s in Biological Diversity and Environment, focusing on genetic diversity through molecular techniques.

Experience 💼

Estefanía García Luque has made significant contributions through her diverse roles in the scientific community. As a Researcher at EVEGA (Galician Viticulture and Enology Station), she collaborated with the company Granxa D'Outeiro to identify and isolate autochthonous yeasts, aiming to enhance the production of unique wines that reflect the local terroir. As the Founder and CEO of GrowMeat, she leads an innovative startup dedicated to producing lab-grown meat, providing a more sustainable and efficient food source. Estefanía also contributes to environmental sustainability through her work as a Researcher at the University of Malaga’s SmartCampus Project, where she helps bring the university's scientific initiatives to the public. Furthermore, as an International Collaborator at the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency (ABG), she has been involved in biodiversity conservation efforts, utilizing molecular techniques to identify invasive species that pose a threat to the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.

Research Interests 🔬

Molecular Biology

Estefanía’s work in molecular biology focuses on the application of advanced techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms in living organisms, particularly in the context of genetic diversity and environmental adaptation.

Genetic Diversity

Her research explores the vast diversity within species, studying how genetic variations contribute to the survival and resilience of organisms in changing environments. This work has important implications for biodiversity conservation and agricultural applications.

Biotechnology

Estefanía is committed to leveraging biotechnology to develop solutions for a wide range of industries, including food production, health, and environmental management. Her focus is on using molecular techniques to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of biotechnological processes.

Biodiversity Conservation

As a strong advocate for biodiversity, Estefanía contributes to conservation efforts through innovative research. She has worked on projects such as the identification of invasive species in the Galapagos Islands, aiming to protect the unique ecosystems there.

Food Biotechnology

Estefanía’s interest in food biotechnology focuses on developing sustainable and efficient food production methods, such as lab-grown meat, which offer solutions to global food security and environmental challenges by reducing reliance on traditional farming practices.

Awards 🏆

SpinOff 2023 Award for her startup GrowMeat.

First Prize in Flash Session Hackathon for innovative projects.

Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at the University of California.

International Cooperation Scholarship for her work in the Galapagos Islands.

Publications 📚

"Using Active Learning Methodologies to Teach Sequence Analysis and Molecular Phylogeny"

Journal: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

Published: 2025, 53(1), pp. 21–32

"Diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Strains in Granxa D’Outeiro Winery (DOP Ribeiro, NW Spain): Oenological Potential"

Journal: Fermentation

Published: 2024, 10(9), 475