Tadele Buraka | Agricultural science | Editorial Board Member

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Tadele Buraka | Agricultural science | Editorial Board Member

Researcher | Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tadele Buraka is an emerging scholar in environmental science with a focus on soil degradation, watershed dynamics, and land-use change impacts in Ethiopia’s vulnerable landscapes. His research advances the understanding of how shifting land-cover patterns influence soil erosion risks, hydrological processes, and ecological sustainability, particularly within highland watershed systems. Through the integration of GIS, remote sensing, geospatial modelling, and field-based assessments, he develops practical, data-driven insights that support sustainable land management and erosion mitigation strategies. His notable contribution includes examining soil erosion susceptibility in complex terrains, offering evidence-based recommendations for conserving natural resources and guiding policy interventions. His scientific work appears in recognized international journals and has received growing academic attention, reflected in citations from interdisciplinary research communities. In addition to his publication record, he collaborates with researchers across environmental geology, landscape ecology, and natural resource management, strengthening the multidisciplinary relevance of his work. He is committed to generating impactful knowledge that informs decision-making for climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable watershed planning, and environmental protection. His professional experience includes academic roles in teaching and research, where he mentors students, contributes to departmental research initiatives, and engages in community-focused environmental problem solving. Through his applied research, he aims to address pressing environmental challenges by linking scientific evidence with practical land management solutions, positioning his work as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policy developers working toward the sustainable use of Ethiopia’s natural resources.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Buraka, T,. (2024). Assessment of soil erosion risks in response to land-use and land-cover changes in Coka watershed, Southern Ethiopia. Geology, Ecology and Landscapes.

Álvaro López Zaplana | Plant Biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Álvaro López Zaplana | Plant Biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

R+D Manager at 3A BIOTECH,S.L, Spain

Álvaro López Zaplana is a Spanish molecular biologist and biotechnologist specializing in plant and industrial biotechnology. He earned his Biotechnology degree (2013–2017), Master’s in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2017–2018), and PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2018–2022, summa cum laude with international mention) from the University of Murcia, with part of his doctoral research conducted at the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • 🎓 Bachelor’s in Biotechnology – University of Murcia (2017)

  • 🧠 Master’s in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – IMIB (2018)

  • 🎓 PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – University of Murcia & CEBAS-CSIC (2022)

  • 📚 Pursuing Double Master’s: Project Management & MBA – ENEB (2025)

🧪 Research Focus:

Álvaro’s expertise centers on aquaporins, transcriptomics, and fermentation bioprocesses. He has contributed to 5 research projects (led 3), authored 12+ scientific articles, and collaborated across Europe, including Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and IBMCP-CSIC.

💼 Current Roles:

  • 🧬 R&D Manager – 3A Biotech

  • 🎓 External Collaborator & Thesis Supervisor – International University of Valencia (VIU)

  • ✍️ Guest Editor – MDPI (Journal: Agriculture)

🧑‍🏫 Teaching & Mentorship:

He has supervised 9 Master’s theses in bioinformatics, neurobiology, pharmacology, and omics, actively mentoring students in academic and lab settings since 2018.

📊 Entrepreneurial Spirit:

Beyond science, Álvaro has a strong business inclination:

  • 🏆 Winner of 5 university innovation awards (2020–2022)

  • 💡 Trained in entrepreneurship, leadership & finance

  • 🧠 Courses in cardiogenetics, nutrition, medical care, and digital marketing

🌍 Languages & Skills

  • 🇬🇧 English (B2), 🇫🇷 French (A2)

  • 💻 Bioinformatics, structural modeling, molecular diagnostics

🔬 H-Index: 8 (Google Scholar, 2024)

  • Published in journals like Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and Scientific Reports

📊 Citation Metrics (as per Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 298

  • Citations Since 2020: 296

  • h-index: 8

  • h-index Since 2020: 8

  • i10-index: 8

  • i10-index Since 2020: 8

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Interrelations of Nutrient and Water Transporters in Plants Under Abiotic Stress
    G. Barzana, J.J. Rios, A. Lopez‐Zaplana, J. Nicolas‐Espinosa, …
    Physiologia Plantarum, 171(4), 595–619, 2021.
    Citations: 71

  2. Confronting Secondary Metabolites With Water Uptake and Transport in Plants Under Abiotic Stress
    J. Nicolas-Espinosa, P. Garcia-Ibañez, A. Lopez-Zaplana, L. Yepes-Molina, …
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2826, 2023.
    Citations: 51

  3. Discerning the Mechanism of the Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Effect on Root Cell Water and Nutrient Transport
    M.C. Martinez-Ballesta, N. Chelbi, A. Lopez-Zaplana, M. Carvajal
    Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 146, 23–30, 2020.
    Citations: 49

  4. Relationships Between Aquaporins Gene Expression and Nutrient Concentrations in Melon Plants (Cucumis melo L.) During Typical Abiotic Stresses
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, N. Martinez-Garcia, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
    Environmental and Experimental Botany, 195, 104759, 2022.
    Citations: 31

  5. Foliar Mineral Treatments for the Reduction of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, A. Agudelo, M. Carvajal
    Agronomy, 10(11), 1815, 2020.
    Citations: 27

  6. Genome-Wide Analysis of the Aquaporin Genes in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
    Scientific Reports, 10(1), 22240, 2020.
    Citations: 25

  7. Foliar Application of Boron Nanoencapsulated in Almond Trees Allows B Movement Within Tree and Implements Water Uptake and Transport Involving Aquaporins
    J.J. Rios, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, A. Martinez-Alonso, M. Carvajal
    Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 752648, 2021.
    Citations: 17

  8. Aquaporins Involvement in the Regulation of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking Under Different Nutrient (Ca, B and Zn) Treatments
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, L. Ding, F. Chaumont, M. Carvajal
    Environmental and Experimental Botany, 201, 104981, 2022.
    Citations: 15

  9. Water Relations After Ca, B and Si Application Determine Fruit Physical Quality in Relation to Aquaporins in Prunus
    F. Quirante-Moya, A. Martinez-Alonso, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, …
    Scientia Horticulturae, 293, 110718, 2022.
    Citations: 7

  10. Gut Microbiota: An Immersion in Dysbiosis, Associated Pathologies, and Probiotics
    V. Origüela, A. Lopez-Zaplana
    Microorganisms, 13(5), 1084, 2025.
    Citations: 2

  11. Deciphering Arabidopsis Aquaporin Networks: Comparative Analysis of the STRING and BioGRID Interactomes
    A. Lopez-Zaplana
    International Journal of Plant Biology, 16(1), 28, 2025.
    Citations: 1

  12. Exploring the Mechanism of Blindness Physiopathy in Brassica oleracea var. italica L. by Comprehensive Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, L. Albaladejo-Marico, M. Carvajal
    Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 206, 108304, 2024.
    Citations: 1

  13. Relationship Between Aquaporins Expression and B Concentration for Conferring Cold Stress Tolerance in Broccoli Cultivars
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
    Environmental and Experimental Botany, 187, 104466, 2021.
    Citations: 1

  14. The Impact of Semi‐Transparent Solar Panels on Tomato and Broccoli Growth
    A. Lopez‐Zaplana, L. Yepes‐Molina, P. Garcia‐Ibañez, …
    Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, 5(5), 2300175, 2024.

  15. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Aquaporins as Molecular Markers of Resistance to Abiotic Stresses and Physiopathies
    Á. Lopez-Zaplana
    Proyecto de Investigación, 2022.

  16. Interrelations of Nutrient and Water Transporters in Plants Under Abiotic Stress (Book Chapter or Report)
    G. Bárzana González, J.J. Ríos Ruiz, Á. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolás Espinosa, …
    John Wiley & Sons, 2021.

  17. Aquaporins Involvement in the Regulation of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking Under Different Nutrient (Ca, B and Zn) Treatments (Preprint)
    M. Carvajal, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, L. Ding, F. Chaumont
    Available at SSRN: 4088643