Meda Theodory | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 14/10/202514/10/2025 by Popular Scientist

Dr. Meda Theodory | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | Moshi Co-operative University | Tanzania

Dr. Meda Theodory is a highly dedicated academic and researcher in the field of agricultural economics, with particular expertise in post-harvest loss reduction, bio-processing, technology adoption, and econometric analysis. As a Lecturer at Moshi Co-operative University, he has made substantial contributions to advancing knowledge and practice in agricultural value chains, focusing on enhancing efficiency and profitability for smallholder farmers. His research integrates economic modelling tools such as cost-benefit analysis, net present value, and benefit-cost ratio to assess the economic performance of post-harvest and processing technologies for key crops like rice and cassava. He has led and participated in research projects that address critical agricultural challenges in Tanzania, including post-harvest loss quantification and evaluation of indigenous versus modern technologies. Through his work, he provides evidence-based policy recommendations that support sustainable agricultural development and food security. In addition to his academic contributions, he has been actively involved in consultancy assignments related to agricultural value chains, grain management, and technology dissemination. His leadership as Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics at Moshi Co-operative University has been instrumental in strengthening academic programs, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring students and early-career researchers. He maintains active collaborations with national and international institutions, such as Sokoine University of Agriculture, and contributes to peer review for journals in agricultural economics and post-harvest technology. Dr. Theodory’s commitment to research excellence, applied economics, and innovation continues to have a meaningful impact on agricultural sustainability and rural development in Tanzania.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Theodory, M. (2025). Typology of technical options employed in postharvest grain management along rice value chain in Kilombero and Mbarali Districts, Tanzania. Sustainable Futures.

Satyam saxena | Agriculture Economics | Young Researcher Award

Published on 09/10/2025 by Popular Scientist

Mr. Satyam saxena | Agriculture Economics | Young Researcher Award

Research Associate | International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center- CIMMYT | India

Mr. Satyam Saxena is an economist specializing in food system economics, sustainability, and empirical economic analysis, with extensive experience in bridging critical research gaps through data-driven approaches. His work focuses on the intersections of climate change, food insecurity, and rural development, critically evaluating policies to promote sustainable and equitable outcomes. He has contributed to high-impact projects at institutions such as CIMMYT-India and IIM Ahmedabad, working on themes including climate change impact assessment, sustainable food and land-use transitions, integrated assessment modeling, and food systems economics. At CIMMYT, he led drought impact assessments, developed large-scale datasets, and applied advanced statistical and econometric methods to inform agricultural policy. In collaboration with international organizations, he has contributed to the FABLE-FOLU project, designing strategic models for food systems and land-use transitions, applying partial equilibrium models, and conducting comparative analyses of dietary recommendations for sustainable nutrition pathways. Beyond research, he has experience teaching at the university level, delivering courses on agribusiness management, operational management, and international trade policy, reflecting his commitment to fostering the next generation of changemakers. His publications span peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, policy briefs, and reports, addressing topics from drought impacts and biofuels to sustainable food and land-use transitions. Through his interdisciplinary work, which integrates theory and applied research, Saxena has advanced both national and global conversations on sustainable food systems, contributing to evidence-based policymaking, open-access data initiatives, and the dissemination of actionable insights for climate-resilient agricultural and rural development.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

1. Saxena, S. (2024, September 15). Drought impact assessment in Bihar – August 2024 [Report]. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.

2. Das, P., Jha, C. K., Saxena, S., & Ghosh, R. K. (2024). Can biofuels help achieve sustainable development goals in India? A systematic review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 204, 114246.

3. Saxena, S. (2024, February 12). Data on assessment of impacts of drought in Bihar during 2022 [Dataset]. CIMMYT Research Data & Software Repository Network.

4. Jha, C. K., Ghosh, R. K., Saxena, S., Singh, V., Mosnier, A., Pérez Guzman, K., Stevanović, M., Popp, A., Lotze-Campen, H., & Saxena, S. (2023). Pathway to achieve a sustainable food and land-use transition in India. Sustainability Science, 18(1), 123–140.

5. Poncet, J., Mosnier, A., Schmidt-Traub, G., Obersteiner, M., DeClerck, F., Jones, S., Pérez-Guzmán, K., Douzal, C., & François, C. (2020). Pathways to sustainable land-use and food systems: 2020 report of the FABLE Consortium [Report]. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) & Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Athar Mahmood | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on 11/03/202511/03/2025 by Popular Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahmood | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan

Dr. Athar Mahmood is a seasoned agronomist and Associate Professor at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan 🇵🇰. With a robust academic and research background spanning over 15 years, he has made substantial contributions in the domains of sustainable agriculture, biofertilizers, and bioenergy. Dr. Mahmood’s dedication to improving crop productivity under climate-stressed conditions has earned him national and international recognition, fellowships, and project funding. 🌱 His scholarly work bridges traditional agricultural practices with modern biotechnology, reflecting a commitment to sustainable food systems and environmental resilience. 🌍

Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Mahmood earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany (2007–2012), where he focused on sorghum as an energy crop. He completed his M.Sc. in Agronomy (2005–2007) and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (2001–2005) at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Earlier, he pursued intermediate (pre-medical) at Government Science College, Faisalabad (1999–2001) and matriculation in science from Government High School Salarwala (1996–1998). 📚

👨‍🏫 Experience

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at UAF, Dr. Mahmood has previously worked as an Assistant Professor at University of Sargodha (2012–2013). He undertook postdoctoral research at Southern University of Queensland (SUQ), Australia, supported by the Endeavor Fellowship (2016–2017), where he also held a visiting academic position. 🌏 His career also includes mentoring students, curriculum development, and active involvement in campus leadership and scientific committees.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Mahmood’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture, biofertilizer development, biogas production, and climate-smart farming. 🌾 He is particularly interested in biosaline agriculture, organic waste management, and the physiological response of crops under abiotic stresses. His multidisciplinary approach bridges agronomy, environmental sciences, and renewable energy, aiming to build more resilient agricultural systems.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Athar Mahmood has received numerous accolades including:

🥇 Talented Young Scientist Program Award for Postdoctoral Study in China (2018–2019)
🥈 Endeavor Fellowship (Australia) for postdoctoral studies at SUQ (2016–2017)
🎓 HEC-DAAD Ph.D. Scholarship in Germany (2007–2012)
🎖️ Visiting Academic position at University of Southern Queensland
✅ Recognized as an HEC Approved Supervisor in Pakistan