Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia | Tunisia

Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur is a plant production and biotechnology researcher whose work focuses on biostimulants, seed coating technologies, stress physiology, and sustainable crop protection strategies. Her research explores beneficial microbes, plant extracts, and natural bioactive compounds as innovative tools to enhance crop resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses, with strong emphasis on wheat, maize, potato, strawberry, and tomato. She has developed and evaluated microbial consortia, essential-oil-based treatments, and plant growth-promoting bacteria for applications in seed priming, biocontrol, and yield improvement. Her expertise spans microbial genotyping, morphophysiological and biochemical trait analysis, metabolic physiology techniques, and greenhouse and laboratory experimentation. She has contributed to multidisciplinary projects on stress tolerant maize germplasm, microbiome-based agroecosystem restoration, PGPR applications, mycorrhizal symbioses, and biostimulant formulation for cereal improvement. Dr. Ben Jabeur has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, with studies covering drought and heat stress mitigation, systemic resistance induction, biofungicidal properties of essential oils, biopriming effects on seed physiology, and performance of natural biostimulants across diverse crop systems. She is also actively involved in supervising undergraduate and graduate students in topics such as beneficial microbes, plant defense mechanisms, biocontrol strategies, PGPR-mediated stress tolerance, and valorization of aromatic plant extracts. Alongside her research, she has extensive teaching experience in plant biology, botany, plant physiology, cellular biology, and metabolic physiology techniques, contributing to academic training and capacity building. Her profile reflects a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture through nature-based solutions, international collaboration, and impactful scientific dissemination.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Kthiri, Z., Ben Jabeur, M., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2025). Yeast to the rescue: Meyerozyma guilliermondii primes tomato vigor and resistance to Fusarium crown and root rot. Plant Signaling & Behavior.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Djébali, N., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). A case study of seed biopriming and chemical priming: Seed coating with two types of bioactive compounds improves the physiological state of germinating seeds in durum wheat. Cereal Research Communications.

Chaouch, R., Kthiri, Z., Soufi, S., Ben Jabeur, M., & Bettaieb, T. (2023). Assessing the biostimulant effect of micro-algae and thyme essential oil during in-vitro and ex-vitro rooting of strawberry. South African Journal of Botany.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Essid, M. F., Moussa, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). The potential of coating half-cut tubers with natural biostimulants in improving yield components and inducing resistance against grey mold and black scurf in potato. Potato Research.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Chamekh, Z., Jallouli, S., Ayadi, S., Serret, M. D., Araus, J. L., Trifa, Y., & Hamada, W. (2022). Comparative effect of seed treatment with thyme essential oil and Paraburkholderia phytofirmans on growth, photosynthetic capacity, grain yield, δ15N and δ13C of durum wheat under drought and heat stress. Annals of Applied Biology.

 

Iliya Mallam | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Iliya Mallam | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Kaduna State University Nigeria

Dr. Iliya Mallam is a Nigerian animal scientist and researcher specializing in Animal Breeding and Genetics. Currently serving as a lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus, Dr. Mallam has made significant academic and research contributions in rabbit genetics, livestock performance evaluation, and genotype-environment interactions. A passionate academic and an active member of Nigeria’s agricultural science community, he has participated in numerous national conferences and published extensively in reputable journals.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Mallam’s academic journey reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Nasarawa State University, Keffi in 2024. He previously obtained his M.Sc. in Animal Science (2016) and B.Agric. (Animal Science), Second Class Upper Division (2012) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His foundational education includes an SSCE from Government Secondary School Army Barracks, Keffi (2006) and First School Leaving Certificate from Kawo 1 Primary School (1999). He also holds a Diploma in Data Processing and Desktop Publishing (2011).

🧑‍🏫 Experience

With a robust background in animal science and genetics, Dr. Mallam currently lectures at Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus. His responsibilities include teaching, supervising research, and conducting field-based studies on livestock performance. His involvement in peer-reviewing for journals such as the Nigerian Journal of Animal Science (NJAS) and Biotechnology Journal International demonstrates his dedication to advancing scientific standards in agricultural research.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Mallam’s primary research interest lies in Animal Breeding and Genetics, particularly focusing on genotype performance, phenotypic correlations, growth traits in rabbits, and reproductive biology of livestock. He has investigated cross-breeding techniques, feed interactions, and genetic polymorphisms to enhance livestock productivity, emphasizing rabbits, sheep, and donkeys.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Though specific awards are not listed, Dr. Mallam has been recognized through his professional memberships, including being a Registered Animal Scientist (RAS) since 2022. He is also a dedicated member of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN). His regular participation in national conferences and peer review activities is a testament to his scholarly impact.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

Below are selected peer-reviewed publications by Dr. Iliya Mallam, including publication years, journals/conference proceedings, and citation information where available:

Semen Profile and Morphology of Friesian × Bunaji Bull (2017) – Proceedings of 42nd NSAP Conference [Cited by 5 articles]
🔗 View Publication

Pre-weaning Performance of Different Genotypes of Rabbit (2017) – 6th ASAN-NIAS Joint Meeting Proceedings [Cited by 3]
🔗 View on ResearchGate

Influence of Genotype on Post-Weaning Growth Performance of Domestic Rabbits (2018) – Nigerian Journal of Animal Science (NJAS)
🔗 Download PDF

Distributions of Qualitative Traits in Donkeys (2017) – Journal of Animal Production Research, 29(2):231-237
🔗 Publisher Website

Effect of Feed Restriction in Weaner Rabbits (2018) – 43rd NSAP Conference Proceedings

Phenotypic Correlation in New Zealand White and Chinchilla Rabbits (2018) – 43rd NSAP Conference Proceedings

Interaction Between Rabbit Genotypes and Feeding Regimes (2018) – 43rd NSAP Conference

Effect of Vitamin C in Chicken Egg Yolk Extender (2018) – 43rd NSAP Conference Proceedings

Body Measurement in Crossbred Rabbits (2018) – 7th ASAN-NIAS Meeting

Analisis factorial de componentes principales con rotacion varimax de características zootécnicas de la oveja Uda

Predicting the effects of non-synonymous amino acid variants on protein function in prolactin receptor of cattle and chicken using the MEGA-MD algorithm

Pedro Crugeira | Biotechnology | Innovator of the Year Achievement Award

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Dr. Pedro Crugeira | Biotechnology | Innovator of the Year Achievement Award

Researcher Polytechnic Institute of Braganca Portugal

Pedro Jorge Louro Crugeira (b. 28 March 1972) is a seasoned biotechnologist with a rich academic and research trajectory spanning biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, and photobiomodulation. With over two decades of experience in academia and industry, he has contributed significantly to sustainable bioprocesses for producing high-value bioactives using photostimulation techniques. He currently serves as a researcher at the Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, where he contributes to the OleaChain Project focused on innovation in the traditional olive grove value chain.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Pedro holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2016) and a Master’s in Biotechnology from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil, and completed a post-doctorate in Biotechnology focusing on photostimulation for bioactive production. He also earned a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior de Humanidades e Tecnologia and a Degree in Biotechnological Engineering from Universidade Lusófona, Portugal. Additionally, he specialized in Innovation and Quality at the Portuguese Industrial Association.

🧪 Experience

Pedro has worked across Brazil and Portugal in academic and industrial capacities. He held teaching positions at Salvador University Center (UNICEUSA) and SALVADOR COLLEGE (FACSAL). He is currently a Polytechnic Teacher at both the School of Agriculture and the School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Braganca . His prior industrial roles include being Technical Director at ATOM Scientific and a consultant at GUIRRE Cosmetics Industry, Brazil. He led innovative projects funded by PETROGAL, FAPEX, and COMPETE2030.

🔬 Research Interest

His research spans industrial and environmental biotechnology, bioprocess microbiology, biophotonics, and bioactive production through photostimulation. He is particularly invested in sustainable strategies for utilizing industrial by-products and developing photostimulated microbial biopolymers. He is also engaged in bioremediation, medical biotechnology, and bioproduct engineering for health and environmental applications.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Pedro has been consistently recognized for his contributions to sustainable biotechnology innovation. He was appointed as the Principal Investigator for national and European-funded projects such as INOVOlive and RARISS, under COMPETE2030 and NORTE2020 programs, aimed at value-adding bioresources and improving traceability in agro-industrial systems.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

Pedro has authored multiple book chapters and journal articles that reflect his innovative contributions:

📘 Photostimulation Applied to the Production of Biopolymers (Exopolysaccharides), in Progress in Hydrogen Energy, Fuel Cells, Nano-Biotechnology and Advanced Bioactive Compounds, Springer, 2024.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-75984-0_16
Cited by: 2 articles

📘 Exploring Innovative Exogenous Green Stimulus Methods for Boosting Bioprocesses: Electric, Magnetic and Ultrasound Stimulation Techniques, in Trends and Innovations in Energetic Sources, Functional Compounds and Biotechnology, 2023.
Published in the United States
Cited by: 1 article

📘 Surfactant/Alkali Stress Effect in Exopolysaccharide Production by Xanthomonas and Enterobacter Strains, in Functional Properties of Advanced Engineering Materials and Biomolecules, Springer, 2021.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-62226-8_24
Cited by: 3 articles

📘 Effect of Light Stimulation on a Thermo-Cellulolytic Bacterial Consortium Used for the Degradation of Cellulose of Green Coconut Shells, in Emerging Research in Science and Engineering Based on Advanced Experimental and Computational Strategies, Springer, 2020.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-31403-2_8
Cited by: 4 articles

📘 Disclosing the potential of Cupressus leylandii A.B. Jacks & Dallim, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Aloysia citrodora Paláu, and Melissa officinalis L. hydrosols as eco-friendly antimicrobial agents

📘 Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue: in vitro and in vivo studies

📘 Copper-induced exopolysaccharide production by Lelliottia amnigena strain LABEM

📘 Exploring Innovative Exogenous Green Stimulus Methods for Boosting Bioprocesses: Electric, Magnetic and Ultrasound Stimulation Techniques