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.

 

Leila Monjazeb marvdashti | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Global Impact in Research Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Leila Monjazeb marvdashti | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Global Impact in Research Award

University of california san diego United States

Dr. Leila Monjazeb Marvdashti is a distinguished scientist and academician specializing in food microbiology and biotechnology. Since 2024, she has been serving as a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Pathology Department of the Medical School at the University of California San Diego, under the mentorship of Dr. Steven Gonias. Her career encompasses significant roles in academia, research, and industry, reflecting her commitment to advancing food safety and health sciences.​

Profile

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

  • 2024-Present: Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California San Diego, Pathology Department of Medical School, San Diego, California, USA.​

  • 2012-2016: Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Her doctoral research focused on producing antimicrobial film from Alyssum homolocarpum seed gum and Nisin.​

  • 2010-2012: M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Shiraz University, Iran, where she identified phytase-producing microorganisms from natural sources and characterized the enzyme.​

  • 2005-2009: B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology at Shiraz University, Iran.​

Experience 🧑‍🏫

  • 2022-Present: Assistant Professor and Scientist Researcher at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.​

  • 2022-Present: Senior Scientist Policy Advisor & Regulatory Affairs and Vice-President of the Board Member Committee in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Iran.​

  • 2023-Present: Advisor Scientist at various Codex committees in Tehran, Iran, including Food Contaminants, Nutrition (CCCF), and Special Diet Foods (CCNFSDU).​

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Monjazeb Marvdashti’s research encompasses food microbiology, biotechnology, and public health. She has contributed to projects on antimicrobial packaging, enzyme production, and the application of cold plasma technology in food safety. Her work also includes health risk assessments related to food contaminants and the development of probiotic products for celiac disease management.​

Awards 🏆

Dr. Monjazeb Marvdashti has received numerous international honors, including:​

  • 2022: Gold Medal at INNOVERSE Invention & Innovation Expo in Atlanta, USA, for her invention of new generation systems based on bio-gold production reactors.​

  • 2022: Gold Medal at the 25th World Inventions Competition (ARCHIMEDES) in Moscow, Russia, for innovations in bio-gold production reactors for medical and industrial applications.​

  • 2021: Gold Medal at the World Inventions Competition (IIIF 2021) in Hyderabad, India, for spacecraft electricity and water production innovations.​

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Dr. Monjazeb Marvdashti has an extensive publication record. Below are selected publications with hyperlinks, published year, journals, and citation counts:​

Assessment of prevalence, concentration, and risks of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in corn (Zea mays) in Iran (2025). International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 18(4), 1-17. Cited by 5 articles.​

Evaluation of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in kefir samples by using magnetic chitosan coated with polyaniline (Fe₃O₄@CHI@PANI)/GC–MS method: A health risk assessment study (2024). Microchemical Journal, 207, 111801. Cited by 8 articles.​

The concentration and prevalence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in imported rice (Oryza sativa) samples from Iranian market: a probabilistic dietary risk assessment (2024). International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 1-18. Cited by 3 articles.​

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review of Interventional Studies (2024). Brain and Behavior, 14(10), e70098. Cited by 10 articles.​

Concentration and human health risk attribute to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in fillet of carp and tilapia fish: systematic review and meta-analysis (2024). Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 106671. Cited by 6 articles.​

Effect of Vicia villosa protein isolate-based edible coating incorporated with ZnO nanoparticles on the shelf-life of chicken breast meat during cold storage (2024). Food Hydrocolloids for Health, 5, 100176. Cited by 4 articles.​

Curiosity in the Girl with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Case Report and Literature Review about Vaginal Button Battery Insertion (2024). Journal of Pediatrics Review, 12(2). Cited by 2 articles.​

The concentration of pesticides in onion samples from Iran: a non-carcinogenic health risk assessment (2024). International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 1-16. Cited by 5 articles.​

Phytase-Producing Fungi from Processed Cheese: Isolation, Screening, and Optimization of Production Parameters (2024).

Athar Mahmood | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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

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🎓 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

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

Here are his recent impactful publications with links, publication years, journal names, and citations:

Mahmood, A. et al. (2025). Transforming field crops with CRISPR/Cas: a new era in genome editing. Rendiconti Lincei: Scienze Fisiche e Naturali.
Cited by: 5

Mahmood, A. et al. (2025). Impact of nitrogen, sulphur, and foliar applied thiourea on growth, oil yield, and fatty acid profile of canola. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 34(3), 2337–2347.
Cited by: 2

Mahmood, A. et al. (2025). Silicon-mediated modulation of maize growth, metabolic responses, and antioxidant mechanisms under saline conditions. BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 3.
Cited by: 3

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Morphophysiological and biochemical assessment of cotton germplasm under salt stress. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1).
Cited by: 4

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and salinity stress in Citrus limon. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 62.
Cited by: 1

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Salicylic acid improves salinity tolerance in barley. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), 1–16.
Cited by: 6

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Thiourea boosts tomato yield under salt stress. Plants, 13(23), 3318.
Cited by: 2

Trehalose: A promising osmo-protectant against salinity stress—physiological and molecular mechanisms and future prospective

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Glutathione and zinc improve maize photosynthesis under water stress. Brazilian Journal of Botany, 47(3), 795–808.
Cited by: 1

Mahmood, A. et al. (2024). Heat stress responses and mitigation strategies in crops [link pending publication].

Liliana Mihalcea | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Liliana Mihalcea | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. University Dunarea de Jos of Galati , Faculty of Food Science and Engineering Romania

Dr. Liliana Mihalcea is a distinguished Associate Professor and researcher at the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Romania. Her expertise lies in advanced extraction methods, modern processing technologies, and food industry equipment. With a prolific career in teaching, research, and project management, Dr. Mihalcea has contributed significantly to food science and engineering.

Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering (2007), Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher (2011), exploring enzymatic reactions in supercritical fluids.
  • Completed various international fellowships, including programs at the University of Valladolid, Spain, and the University of Burgos, Spain.

Professional Experience 💼

  • Associate Professor (2014 – Present): Courses, labs, and research mentoring in food science and engineering.
  • Vice-Dean (2016 – 2020): Coordinated student activities and faculty research documentation.
  • Head of Laboratory (2020 – Present): Overseeing physico-chemical and microbiological analyses of food products.
  • Project Manager: Leads innovative projects on bioactive compounds and food by-products, with substantial EU funding.

Research Interests 🔬

  • Supercritical Fluid Extraction
  • Modern Processing Technologies
  • Bioactive Compound Encapsulation
  • Functional Ingredients and Food Sustainability

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

  • Marie Curie Fellowship (2007): For groundbreaking research in enzymatic reactions within supercritical fluids.
  • Multiple grants from the EU and Romanian funding bodies for innovation in food science.

Publications Top Notes:📚

Transglutaminase mediated microencapsulation of sea buckthorn supercritical CO2 extract in whey protein isolate and valorization in highly value added food products

CO2 Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Oleoresins from Sea Buckthorn Pomace: Evidence of Advanced Bioactive Profile and Selected Functionality

Microencapsulation of red grape juice by freeze drying and application in jelly formulation

Fostering lavender as a source for valuable bioactives for food and pharmaceutical applications through extraction and microencapsulation

Characterization of walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk extract obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction