Soresa Shuma | Animal biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Soresa Shuma | Animal biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Soresa Shuma Abdisa is an accomplished lecturer and researcher at Dambi Dollo University, Ethiopia, with a strong academic and professional background in agriculture and animal science. He holds advanced qualifications culminating in a Ph.D. track specialization in sustainable agricultural productivity, animal health, and food security. His research integrates modern precision agriculture techniques with advanced genomic selection tools, focusing on optimizing water and fertilizer use through sensor monitoring, reducing antibiotic reliance by improving animal resilience to stress and diseases, and identifying alternative animal feed sources to lower the environmental footprint of farming. With a citation record of 108 (23 citations by 23 documents, h-index 3), more than 20 published journal papers indexed in SCI and Scopus, and contributions to six completed or ongoing research projects, Dr. Soresa demonstrates consistent research excellence and global relevance. Professionally, he has provided consultancy expertise within Dambi Dollo University, extending his impact beyond academia by connecting scientific advancements with practical applications in farming systems. His research skills include sensor-based monitoring, data-driven agricultural modeling, genomic selection, sustainable feed innovation, and agricultural system resilience assessment. In terms of awards and honors, Dr. Soresa has earned recognition as a promising scholar through his contributions to food security and climate-resilient agriculture, and he continues to grow his profile toward broader recognition such as the Young Scientist Award. His active involvement in research, coupled with his collaborations and professional memberships, reflects his commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that new scientific insights translate into real-world benefits for farmers and communities. With more than ten research innovations, ongoing contributions to sustainable agricultural development, and aspirations to expand his collaborations and global impact, Dr. Soresa is positioned as a future leader in agricultural sciences. In conclusion, Assist. Prof. Dr. Soresa Shuma Abdisa is highly deserving of recognition for his pioneering efforts in advancing sustainable agriculture and animal science; his proven ability to integrate technology, biology, and environmental management highlights his transformative role in addressing pressing challenges of food security, animal welfare, and climate resilience, with strong potential to expand his leadership, research outputs, and international collaborations in the years ahead.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Eticha, T. K., Rikiti, A. K., Abdisa, S. S., & Ejeta, A. G. (2021). Assessing effects of rainfall on farming activities as the predictor of climate changes in Sadi Chanka District of Kellem Wolega, Oromia, Ethiopia. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 12(7), 3297–3307.

Shuma, S., & Gurmessa, K. (2021). A study on management systems and performances of local chicken kept under smallholder farmers: The case of Jimmahorro district of Kelem Wollega Zone Western Oromia. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology, 7(1), 92–98.

Degefa, I., Abraham, A., & Shuma, S. (2021). Evaluating yield and related trait of Haricot Bean varieties at Dambi Dollo University Research Site Ethiopia. Plant Science Today, 8(3), 669–673.

Shuma, S., & Dinsa, N. G. (2020). The challenges and opportunities of honey production systems in Jimma Horro District Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 29(2), 22314–22320.

Abdisa, S. S., Challa, A. A., & Igazu, H. (2021). Rapid assessment of COVID-19 impact on livestock sector in Kellem Wollega Oromia Region, Ethiopia. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 9(1), 57–61.

Abdisa, S. S., Challa, A. A., & Yohanis, B. (2022). Assessments of honey manufacture technique in Jima Horo Woreda, Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(3), 5227–5233.

Abdisa, S. S., Challa, A. A., & Yohanis, B. (2022). Indigenous poultry reproduction and yield of indigenous poultry in Jimma Horro Area of Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(3), 5234–5241.

Binod Panthi | Agricultural Biotechnology | Biotechnology Advancement Award

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

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.