Bokon Akakpo | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Bokon Akakpo | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior researcher at the Laboratory of Applied Ecology UAC (University of Abomey-Calavi) Benin

Dr. Bokon Alexis Akakpo is a dedicated environmental scientist from Benin, specializing in environmental conservation, natural resources management, and climate-smart land use planning. With a strong commitment to sustainable development, his work focuses on addressing environmental challenges in West Africa.

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Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Climate Change and Human Habitat (January 2020 – April 2024): Completed at the WASCAL Doctoral Research Programme of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
  • MSc in Forest and Natural Resource Management (October 2011 – March 2014): Earned from the Faculty of Agronomy Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
  • BSc in Natural Resource Management (January 2008 – April 2011): Obtained from the Faculty of Agronomy Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

Experience 🛠️

Dr. Akakpo has contributed significantly to various environmental projects:

  • Assistant Project Coordinator (July 2024 – July 2027): “Solar energy for the productivity of women’s businesses and the empowerment of women in rural areas of Benin,” funded by the International Research and Development Center (CRDI grant No. 110443-001).
  • Assistant Project Coordinator (July 2023 – July 2026): “Reverting desertification trial – exploring the potential of termite, native plants, soil & water conservation-based ecosystem restoration for climate resilience,” funded by Mossy Earth.
  • Assistant Project Coordinator (July 2021 – July 2023): “Termites for climate resilience – exploring the potential of termite-based ecosystem restoration,” funded by Mossy Earth.
  • Assistant Project Coordinator (January 2021 – December 2023): “Solar energy and biotechnologies for women entrepreneurs in the mangroves of the Ramsar 1017 site in Benin (SEWomen),” funded by the International Research and Development Center (CRDI grant No. 109625-001).
  • Project Coordinator (2020 – 2024): “Investigation of Sustainable Urban Greenery Planning in the Changing Climate of Benin,” funded by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Akakpo’s research focuses on:

  • Addressing urbanization and environmental degradation affecting vegetation and biodiversity conservation.
  • Employing environmental metadata alongside GIS and remote sensing to identify drivers, indicators, and impacts of environmental degradation.
  • Exploring restoration, planning, and conservation strategies in West Africa.
  • Utilizing high-resolution UAV imagery to quantify the cooling effects and microclimate improvements of urban tree species in West Africa.

Awards and Grants 🏆

Dr. Akakpo has been recognized with several research grants:

  • 2014: West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD) – Support for master’s field data collection.
  • 2020 – 2023: West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) – PhD research funding.
  • 2021: IUCN/PAPBio programme fund for mangrove restoration in Benin.

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Dr. Akakpo has authored and co-authored several notable publications:

“Traditional Farmlands for Tree Species Conservation in Benin” (October 2023): Published in Small-scale Forestry, this study assesses traditional farmlands regarding their typology and impacts on tree species conservation.

ouci.dntb.gov.ua

“People’s perception and involvement in improving urban greenery in Benin (West Africa)” (February 2023): Published in Discover Sustainability, this paper documents residents’ perceptions of existing greenery spaces and their involvement in environmental conservation efforts.

Springer Link

“Role of termites in the restoration of soils and plant richness on bowĂ© in West Africa” (August 2020): This research examines termite mounds on bowĂ© and their effects on soil depth and plant richness.

Priorisation des pratiques anti-érosives de conservation des sols dans la zone soudanienne au Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest)

Evaluation de l’état actuel et les principales menaces de la Forêt sacrée Badja au sud-ouest du Bénin : Proposition des stratégies de conservation

Diversity and Structure of Khaya Senegalensis (desr.) A. Juss Habitats Along Phytogeographical Zones in Chad (Central Africa): Implications for Conservation and Sustainable Use

Spatial Diagnosis and Conceptualisation of Greening Plan of Seme-Podji, Benin (West Africa)

Variabilité des utilisations de Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. suivant les facteurs sociodémographiques au Nord-Bénin

Impact of crop production on selected soil physicochemical properties in semiarid climate zone of Benin, West Africa

Sathishkumar Murugan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sathishkumar Murugan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

The Department of Environmental Economics and Management, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot 7610001, Israel.

Sathish Kumar M is an innovative Ph.D. scholar with expertise in agricultural marketing, agricultural economics, agricultural statistics, business model development, renewable energy, and water management. He has strong analytical skills in data analysis using Excel, SPSS, R, Python, and Stata. Sathish has both academic and industry experience, having worked in sales and marketing as well as research on resource economics and business model development. He is a recipient of the SHODH Ph.D. scholarship by the Education Department of Gujarat.

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🎓 Education

  • Postdoctoral Research (2024–Present)
    The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
    Department of Environmental Economics and Management

  • Ph.D. in Agribusiness Management (2020–2024)
    International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, India
    Thesis: Impact of solar water pumping systems on farmers’ income

  • MBA in Agri-Business (2017–2019)
    Junagadh Agricultural University, India
    Thesis: Farmers’ purchase intention toward water-soluble fertilizers

  • B.Sc. in Agriculture (2013–2017)
    Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

đź’Ľ Experience

  • Sales Executive, ABC Fruits, India (2019–2020) – Managed customer relations, implemented sales strategies, and expanded distribution channels.
  • Research Intern, International Water Management Institute, Nepal (2023) – Developed solar business models for small farmers.
  • Marketing Intern, Kothari Industrial Corporation, India (2019) – Analyzed adoption of water-soluble fertilizers.
  • Marketing Intern, The Dharmapuri District Coop. Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (2019) – Assessed sales trends and strategies.

🔬 Research Interests

  • Agricultural marketing and business model development
  • Agricultural economics and resource management
  • Renewable energy and sustainable water management

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

  • SHODH Ph.D. Scholarship – Awarded by the Education Department of Gujarat for high-quality research.

đź“š Publications Top Notes:

Sathish Kumar M, Kumari P., Maria S, Teena Lakshmi B (2024). Potato and Potato Seed Production Under Contract Farming—a Study from Empirical Evidence of Case Studies. Potato Research

Prity Kumari, Sathish Kumar M, Vekariya P, Misra P (2024). Predicting Potato Price in Agra, UP, India: An H2O AutoML Forecasting Algorithm. Potato Research

Sathish Kumar M, Lad Y A, Pundir R S (2024). Factors influencing farmers to adopt solar water pumping system in Gujarat. Clean Energy

Sathish Kumar M, Prity Kumari, Lad Y A, Sherin Maria (2024). Scenario of Solar Energy and Policies in India. Clean Energy

Rede G D, Magar V G, Sathish Kumar M, Gautam R S (2024). Potato Growers: A linear analysis. Potato Research

Artificial neural network model for predicting area, production and productivity of sapota in Gujarat

Forecasting area, production and productivity of citrus in Gujarat-An application of artificial neural network

An artificial neural network approach for predicting area, production and productivity of Banana in Gujarat

Factors influencing banana growers to purchase water-soluble fertilizers in Trichy district, Tamil Nadu

AHMAD ALI | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. AHMAD ALI | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University United States

Dr. Ahmad Ali is a Research Associate at Florida A&M University, specializing in sustainable vegetable production and climate-smart agriculture. With a strong academic background and extensive research experience, he focuses on soil-microbe-plant interactions, nutrient management, and biocontrol of vegetable diseases. His work aims to optimize crop productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.

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Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Horticulture (Vegetable Science) (2019) – Northwest A&F University, China
    Thesis: Effects of soil amendment with raw garlic stalk, AMF, and overwinter leafy vegetables on continuous cropping cucumber under plastic tunnel cultivation.
  • M.Sc. (Hons) in Horticulture (2012) – University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
    Thesis: Growth response analysis of Tulipa gesneriana to humic acid application.
  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture (2010) – University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
    Research Report: Prospects of greenhouse production in Pakistan.

Experience 🌱

  • Research Associate (May 2024 – Present), Florida A&M University, USA
    • Research in climate-smart agroecology and sustainable crop production in Florida.
  • Postdoctoral Associate (July 2023 – May 2024), University of Florida, USA
    • Focused on sustainable nutrient management in organic vegetable systems.
  • Postdoc Researcher (Dec 2019 – June 2023), Nanjing Normal University, China
    • Studied Fusarium wilt suppression in cucumber and soil microbiome mechanisms.

Research Interests 🌍

  • Sustainable vegetable production and climate-smart agriculture.
  • Soil-microbe-plant interactions to enhance nutrient availability and crop resilience.
  • Biocontrol of vegetable diseases and mechanisms of soil-borne pathogen inhibition.
  • Soil microbiology for improving soil health and resilient agroecosystems.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

  • Recipient of multiple research grants for soil health and sustainable agriculture.
  • Recognized for contributions to climate-smart agricultural practices and soil microbiology.
  • Acknowledged in high-impact journals for innovative research on soil amendments and pathogen suppression.

Publications Top Notes: đź“š

Dr. Ahmad Ali has authored 23 peer-reviewed articles, including 7 as first author and 16 as co-author in high-impact journals. Below are selected publications:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Dr. Ahmad Ali’s work continues to shape the future of sustainable agriculture through innovative research and publications in leading scientific journals.