Honghao Zhao | Agricultural Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Honghao Zhao | Agricultural Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Doctor at College of fisheries | Tianjin Agricltural University | China

Dr. Honghao Zhao is a distinguished researcher at Tianjin Agricultural University specializing in sustainable aquaculture, fish nutrition, and aquatic physiology. Her research focuses on developing eco-friendly feed strategies using alternative protein sources such as defatted black soldier fly larvae and functional additives including bile acids and Chinese herbal compounds to enhance fish growth, health, and flesh quality. By integrating multi-omics techniques such as metabolomics and transcriptomics, she elucidates the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying nutrient utilization and muscle development in aquatic species. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Zhao has successfully led multiple research projects funded by national and provincial programs, contributing significantly to the advancement of aquaculture nutrition science. Her prolific scholarly output includes numerous publications in high-impact international journals like Applied Food Research, Aquaculture, Frontiers in Physiology, and GigaScience, with her studies widely cited for their innovation and relevance to sustainable aquaculture practices. Her research excellence is further reflected in her Scopus record, with 566 citations, an h-index of 10, and a growing influence across global aquaculture and biotechnology communities. Through her interdisciplinary approach and applied research outcomes, Dr. Zhao continues to bridge scientific discovery and industry application, promoting environmentally sustainable and nutritionally optimized aquaculture systems that support global food security and resource conservation.

Profile: ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

Zhao, H.*, Fu, Y., Zheng, X. J., Sun, X. L., Shen, J. W., & Fang, Z. Z. (2025). Gut microbiota mediates the improved growth, flesh quality and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal. Applied Food Research, 101456.

Zhao, H.*, Fu, Y., Zheng, X. J., Huang, X. R., & Yan, K. (2025). The improvement of adding bile acid to high-level black soldier fly larvae meal-based diet on quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Aquaculture Nutrition, 2218372.

Duan, Y. N., Zhao, H., Qin, C. J., Ma, L., Bi, X. D., Song, T., & Sun, X. L. (2024). Astragalus polysaccharides, cinnamaldehyde and their complexes affected growth, physicochemical parameters, histomorphology and flesh quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Aquaculture Reports, 35, 101989.

Zhao, H., Chong, J., & Li, D. P. (2023). Integrated multiple-omics reveals the regulatory mechanism underlying the effects of artificial feed and grass feeding on growth and muscle quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). Aquaculture, 562, 738808.

Li, X. T., Qin, C. J., Fang, Z. Z., Sun, X. L., Shi, H. Y., Wang, Q. K., & Zhao, H.* (2022). Replacing dietary fish meal with defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal affected growth, digestive physiology and muscle quality of tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 855957.

Binod Panthi | Agricultural Biotechnology | Biotechnology Advancement Award

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Mr. Binod Panthi | Agricultural Biotechnology | Biotechnology Advancement Award

Graduate Student at Tribuvan University | Nepal

Mr. Binod Panthi is a dedicated agricultural researcher whose academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing crop science and sustainable farming practices. With expertise in agronomy, plant breeding, and genetics, he has focused his work on the development of climate-resilient crops, particularly wheat, while also promoting the conservation and improvement of local landraces. His research combines modern scientific approaches with the preservation of biodiversity, aiming to enhance productivity and food security in vulnerable farming communities. Through scholarly contributions and active participation in research projects, he has established himself as a promising young scientist in agricultural sciences.

Profile

Orcid | Google Scholar

Education

Mr. Binod Panthi earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University. During his studies, he specialized in agronomy, plant breeding, and genetics, gaining a comprehensive understanding of crop production, soil science, horticulture, and agricultural economics. His undergraduate thesis focused on the performance and stability of elite wheat genotypes under abiotic stress conditions, providing him with practical expertise in evaluating genetic potential and environmental adaptability. This academic background has equipped him with the analytical skills and technical knowledge needed to pursue advanced research in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.

Experience

Mr. Binod Panthi has gained valuable research and professional experiences that demonstrate his versatility and dedication. He has actively participated in projects involving the evaluation of wheat genotypes for resistance against diseases and tolerance to abiotic stress factors such as drought and heat. His roles included designing field layouts, implementing agronomic practices, conducting data collection, and preparing manuscripts. He has also contributed to studies beyond crop breeding, including surveys on fish feed markets and problem identification in rural schools, where he played a leadership role in data analysis and reporting. In addition, he has been involved in biodiversity fairs, climate-smart agriculture workshops, integrated nutrient management programs, and pest management training for farmers. These experiences highlight his ability to bridge academic research with practical applications that benefit both science and rural communities.

Research Interest

Mr. Binod Panthi’s research interests are centered on crop breeding and genetic improvement with a particular focus on developing high-yielding and stress-tolerant crops. He is passionate about advancing plant breeding strategies that enhance the resilience of crops to both biotic and abiotic stress factors while conserving the genetic diversity of neglected and underutilized species. His work emphasizes trait-based selection, genotype by environment interactions, and climate-resilient breeding approaches that directly contribute to global food security. By focusing on both staple crops like wheat and local landraces, his research creates opportunities to combine scientific innovation with the preservation of agricultural biodiversity.

Awards

Mr. Binod Panthi has received recognition through scholarships and research grants that reflect his academic excellence and research potential. He was awarded a full undergraduate scholarship by Tribhuvan University, an achievement that highlights his outstanding merit. He has also been supported by competitive research grants for his thesis and for community-based projects, including rural school assessments and agricultural market surveys. His ability to secure academic and research funding demonstrates his potential to contribute meaningfully to agricultural science and rural development initiatives.

Publications Top Notes

Title: Drought stress effect, tolerance, and management in wheat–a review.
Year: 2024
Citations: 72

Title: Identification of drought tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes using stress tolerance indices in the western terai region of Nepal.
Year: 2023
Citations: 08

Title: Agromorphological analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under combined heat and drought stress conditions.
Year: 2023
Citations: 07

Title: Drought stress effect, tolerance, and management in wheat–a review. Cogent Food & Agriculture.
Year: 2024
Citations: 05

Title: Yield performance and stress tolerance indices of wheat genotypes under irrigated and rainfed condition.
Year: 2023
Citations:05

Title:Response of wheat to different abiotic stress conditions: A review.
Year: 2023
Citations: 04

Title: Present Status, Importance and Challenges of Neglected and Underutilized Crops Species (NUCS) in Nepal.
Year: 2021
Citations: 04

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mr. Binod Panthi is an emerging scholar in agricultural sciences who has already demonstrated significant academic, research, and professional achievements. His work in crop improvement, plant breeding, and biodiversity conservation reflects his dedication to solving challenges in sustainable food production and climate resilience. His contributions through research projects, publications, and community engagement show his ability to balance scientific rigor with practical impact. With a strong foundation in agriculture, a record of impactful publications, and recognition through awards and grants, he continues to establish himself as a promising researcher whose work will contribute to food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural development.

Irfat Jan | Agricultural Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Irfat Jan | Agricultural Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Post Doctoral Fellow | SKUAST Kashmir | India

Dr. Irfat Jan is a dedicated plant scientist currently serving as a Women Scientist under the WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF), supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Her primary domain lies within genetics and plant breeding, with a distinct focus on disease resistance and crop improvement in wheat. Through a series of prestigious fellowships and funded projects, she has accumulated extensive expertise in molecular breeding, bioinformatics, and advanced genomics. Her work is well recognized in both national and international academic platforms, where she has made significant contributions to wheat improvement programs through gene pyramiding and marker-assisted selection.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Irfat Jan has achieved notable academic milestones, beginning with a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from the University of Kashmir. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut, graduating. Her academic trajectory continued with an M.Phil. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the same university, where she was recognized as a faculty topper. She completed her Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from CCSU. Her academic background laid a strong foundation in genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology, equipping her with skills essential for cutting-edge research in crop science.

Experience

Dr. Jan has gathered diverse research experience through her involvement in national-level projects funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). As a Research Fellow, she contributed to genomic-based germplasm characterization and trait discovery initiatives focused on enhancing climate resilience and nutritional quality in wheat. During her Ph.D., she conducted a comprehensive study on pyramiding rust resistance genes into high-quality wheat lines under the guidance of eminent scientists, including Prof. P.K. Gupta and Prof. H.S. Balyan. Her work extended to in silico studies of gene families, meta-QTL analysis, and the practical application of marker-assisted breeding. Currently, she is spearheading a WISE-PDF project aimed at introgressing multiple disease resistance meta-QTLs into elite wheat cultivars specific to the Kashmir valley.

Research Interest

Her primary research interests revolve around genetic enhancement of wheat through molecular breeding, with a focus on rust resistance, nutritional biofortification, and drought tolerance. She is particularly engaged in exploring QTL meta-analysis, gene pyramiding, and bioinformatic modeling of functional genes. Dr. Jan is proficient in employing a variety of tools including qRT-PCR, genotyping, genome-specific primer design, and protein modeling. The integration of molecular biology with field-based plant breeding has defined her interdisciplinary approach, enabling the development of resilient and high-performing wheat genotypes suited for regional agro-ecologies.

Award

Dr. Jan’s contributions have been consistently acknowledged through several awards and fellowships. Most recently, she was honored with the WISE-PDF award by the DST. She received the Young Achiever Award in from the Institute of Scholars (InSc). Earlier, she held JRF and SRF positions under DBT-funded projects. Her academic excellence was previously recognized with the Former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal and Vice-Chancellor Gold Medal. She also cleared the ICAR NET and was awarded the National Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.

Publication

Dr. Jan has authored and co-authored numerous high-impact scientific papers. Selected seven include:

Pyramiding of Genes/QTL for Resistance Against Three Rusts, High Grain Protein Content and Pre‐Harvest Sprouting Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using Marker‐Assisted Selection
Year: 2025

Marker‐Assisted Introgression of High Grain Protein Content and Leaf Rust Resistance Genes into HD3086 for Improving Nutritional Quality and Disease Resistance in Wheat
Year: 2023

Marker‐Assisted Pyramiding of Leaf Rust and Stripe Rust Resistance Genes into Wheat Variety HD2967
Year: 2022
Citations: 8

Marker‐Assisted Pyramiding of Genes for Resistance Against Leaf Rust and Karnal Bunt in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Year: 2022
Citations: 4

Validation of Molecular Markers Linked with Grain Protein Content in Diverse Genetic Backgrounds of Wheat
Year: 2022
Citations: 6

Marker‐Assisted Improvement for Resistance Against Rusts and High Grain Protein Content in HD2733 Wheat Variety
Year: 2022
Citations: 7

Marker‐Assisted Introgression of Leaf Rust and Stripe Rust Resistance Genes into Wheat Variety HD3086
Year: 2021
Citations: 28

Conclusion

Dr. Irfat Jan stands out as a promising young scientist in the realm of genetics and plant breeding, with her work directly contributing to agricultural sustainability and food security. Her research has bridged theoretical knowledge with practical breeding solutions through advanced molecular techniques. By integrating bioinformatics with field-based breeding, she aims to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat cultivars tailored for vulnerable agro-ecological zones. Her robust academic background, extensive project involvement, and a strong publication record underscore her eligibility for scientific recognitions and awards, as she continues to make impactful contributions to the agricultural biotechnology sector.