Andrea Cynthia Santos | Operational research | Research Excellence Distinction Award

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Prof. Dr. Andrea Cynthia Santos | Operational research | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Le Havre Normandie University, Engineering Institute of Logistics (ISEL) | France

Prof. Dr. Andréa Cynthia Santos is a leading scholar in Computer Science whose research lies at the intersection of Operations Research, urban systems, and large-scale disaster management. Her work focuses on developing advanced optimization models, algorithms, and decision-support approaches that address complex sociotechnical challenges in industrial, natural, and health-related crisis scenarios. She is widely recognized for contributions to integrated routing, scheduling, robust optimization, network design, drone-based search strategies, and humanitarian logistics in post-disaster environments. Her research is characterized by strong interdisciplinary engagement, combining computational optimization, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering to improve resilience and sustainability in modern cities. She has produced a substantial body of scientific work, including numerous international journal articles, book chapters, and conference contributions, and has played a key role in organizing international scientific events. Beyond her research activity, she has demonstrated significant leadership in academic administration and scientific strategy, including directing major institutional programs, steering research initiatives, and contributing to national and international committees. She has led multiple research projects across national, regional, industrial, and international collaborations, supported by multidisciplinary teams. Her supervision of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and master’s students reflects her strong commitment to academic mentorship and capacity building. She has also served as an evaluator for global research organizations and participated in expert panels spanning science, technology, and innovation. Her professional experience includes roles in academic governance, digital transformation, international relations, curriculum development, and research program management, positioning her as an influential figure in the fields of operations research, logistics innovation, and sustainable urban systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Barbalho, T. J., Jiménez Laredo, J. L., & Santos, A. C. (2025). The resource-constrained project scheduling problem for risk reduction after industrial disasters involving dangerous substances. OR Spectrum. Advance online publication.

Coco, A. A., Duhamel, C., Santos, A. C., & Haddad, M. N. (2024). Solving the probabilistic drone routing problem: Searching for victims in the aftermath of disasters. Networks, (July 2024).

Duhamel, C., & Santos, A. C. (2024). The strong network orientation problem. International Transactions in Operational Research.

Haddad, M. N., Santos, A. C., Duhamel, C., & Coco, A. A. (2023). Intelligent drone swarms to search for victims in post-disaster areas. Sensors, 23(23), 9540.

De Freitas, C. C., Aloise, D. J., Fontes, F. F. C., Santos, A. C., & Menezes, M. S. (2023). A biased random-key genetic algorithm for the two-level hub location routing problem with directed tours. OR Spectrum, 45, 1–26.

Jayateertha Diwan | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Jayateertha Diwan | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka | India

Prof. Dr. Jayateertha Diwan is a distinguished agricultural scientist recognized for his extensive contributions to plant breeding, genetics, and crop improvement, with a strong focus on rice and other major field crops. His research integrates classical breeding, molecular biology, and biotechnology to enhance crop performance, develop stress-tolerant varieties, and improve resource-use efficiency. He has led and contributed to innovative studies on early vigor traits, yield-enhancing QTLs, nutrient-use efficiency, salinity tolerance, and direct-seeded rice systems, employing advanced tools such as SSR markers, MAS, genomic resources, and next-generation sequencing. His work spans germplasm characterization, multi-location trials, A/B/R line development, trait-specific molecular analysis, and breeding strategy design aligned with farmer and market needs. Professionally, he has held progressive leadership roles involving teaching, research, extension, academic management, and guidance of postgraduate and doctoral scholars across plant breeding, molecular breeding, crop genomics, and biotechnology. His experience also includes collaborative research in national and international programs, participation in multi-institutional projects, and contributions to genome sequencing initiatives involving wild rice and microbial species. He has served as a breeder, scheme head, research project investigator, and expert trainer in various advanced workshops and capacity-building programs, contributing to the scientific community through high-impact publications, project leadership, academic services, and active involvement in research on integrated farming systems, stress physiology, molecular diagnostics, and precision crop improvement. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing agricultural science, improving crop productivity, and translating research innovations for sustainable farming and societal benefit.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Diwan, J. R., Mahadevaswamy,., Patil, S., Bhanu, D., Devi, K. L., Hegde, S. N., Krishnaraj, P. U., Namitha, R., Pradhan, B. B., & Vashisht, D. (2025). Genome characterization of Acinetobacter species from the rice rhizosphere: A potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Current Genetics.

Kavyashree, N. M., Diwan, J. R., Mahantashivayogayya, K., Lokesha, R., & Naik, N. M. (2022). Micro-morphological diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as seen under foldscope. Environment Conservation Journal.

Kariyanna, B., Prabhuraj, A., Mohan, M., Bheemanna, M., Kalmath, B., Pampanna, Y., & Diwan, J. R. (2020). Insecticide usage pattern and evolution of resistance in eggplant shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in India. Plant Archives. (EID: 2-s2.0-85090445715)

Umar Farooq, M. S., Diwan, J. R., Mahantashivayogayya, K., Kulkarni, V. V., & Shakuntala, N. M. (2019). Genetic evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for yield and nutritional quality traits. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 7(2), 117–127.

Muniswamy, S., Lokesha, R., Yamanura, R., Ramesh,., & Diwan, J. R. (2017). Stability for disease, genotype × environment interaction for yield and its components in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. Legume Research.

Manu Magar | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Manu Magar | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Scientist at National Biotechnology Research Centre, Nepal Agriculture Research Council, Nepal

Dr. Manu Maya Magar is a plant molecular biotechnologist from Nepal, currently serving as a Scientist at the National Biotechnology Research Center, Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Genetics from The University of Western Australia (2020–2024), where her research focused on gene-based analysis of heat stress tolerance in bread wheat.

Profile:

🎓 Educational Background:

  • Ph.D. (2020–2024) – The University of Western Australia, Australia
    Gene-based analysis of heat stress tolerance in wheat

  • M.Sc. Ag. in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (2010–2012) – Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, India

  • B.Sc. Ag. in Horticulture (2005–2009) – Tribhuvan University, Nepal

🧬 Research & Appointments:

  • 🧪 Scientist, National Biotechnology Research Center, NARC, Nepal (2014–Present)

  • 🔬 Research Assistant, The University of Western Australia (2021–2025)

  • 🤝 Former Deputy Country Coordinator, Terre des Hommes Germany – Nepal

  • 🌾 Focus areas: Heat stress tolerance, marker-assisted selection, genomics of wheat, maize, and soybean

📚 Publications:

Published in reputed journals including:

  • Frontiers in Plant Science

  • Journal of Plant Growth Regulation

  • Crop Journal

  • International Journal of Plant Biology

  • Contributed to global plant genomics and crop improvement research

🏆 Awards & Recognitions:

  • 🥇 GRS Travel Award | Mike Carroll Fellowship | Convocation Travel Award – UWA

  • 🎖️ Nepal Bidhya Bhusan Kha (Presidential Award, 2016)

  • 🏅 APNL Biotechnology Gold Medal, India

  • 🎓 Scholarships from Indian Embassy & IAAS, Nepal

🧠 Skills & Tools:

  • 💻 R, Linux, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop

  • 🌱 Molecular breeding, gene analysis, stress physiology

✨ Summary:

Dr. Manu Maya Magar is a dynamic plant scientist with expertise in molecular biology, heat stress genomics, and crop improvement. She brings over a decade of research excellence with impactful publications, international collaborations, and award-winning academic distinction.

📊 Citation Metrics (Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 76

  • Citations since 2020: 72

  • h-index: 5

  • h-index since 2020: 4

  • i10-index: 2

  • i10-index since 2020: 2

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Effect of PEG Induced Drought Stress on Germination and Seedling Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) Lines
    Magar, M.M., Parajuli, A., Sah, B.P., Shrestha, J., Sakh, B.M., Koirala, K.B., et al.
    Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, 6(2): 196–205, 2019.
    Citations: 29

  2. Genome-Wide Analysis of AP2/ERF Superfamily Genes in Contrasting Wheat Genotypes Reveals Heat Stress-Related Candidate Genes
    Magar, M.M., Liu, H., Yan, G.
    Frontiers in Plant Science, 13: 853086, 2022.
    Citations: 26

  3. Dactylorhiza hatagirea: A Critical Issue for Research and Development in Nepal
    Magar, M.M., Dhital, S.P., Yamada, T., Pun, U.K.
    Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 19(1): 26–38, 2020.
    Citations: 8

  4. Rice–Wheat Comparative Genomics: Gains and Gaps
    Wijerathna-Yapa, A., Bishnoi, R., Ranawaka, B., Magar, M.M., et al.
    The Crop Journal, 12(3): 656–669, 2024.
    Citations: 6

  5. Marker Assisted Selection for Identification of Recombinants for Bacterial Blight and Blast Resistance in Segregating Populations of Cottondora Sannalu
    Magar, M.M., Rani, C.V.D., Vanisree, S., Swathi, G., et al.
    ORYZA – An International Journal on Rice, 51(2): 105–115, 2014.
    Citations: 6

  6. In the Pursuit of Equality for Women Plant Breeders Around the World
    García, A.P.V., Wijerathna-Yapa, A., Mishra, S., Magar, M.M., et al.
    Women in Crop Science, 2022.
    Citations: 1

  7. Characterization of TaMYB Transcription Factor Genes Revealed Possible Early-Stage Selection for Heat Tolerance in Wheat
    Magar, M.M., Liu, H., Yan, G.
    International Journal of Plant Biology, 16(2): 41, 2025.
    Citations: —

  8. Identification of Soybean Mosaic Virus Resistant Soybean Genotypes Using Gene-Linked Markers
    Magar, M.M., Acharya, R., Aryal, L., Darai, R., Amgai, R.B., Shrestha, J.
    Agronomy Journal of Nepal, 8: 91–97, 2024.
    Citations: —

  9. Wheat TaAP2/ERF Genes Regulate Heat Tolerance Through Ethylene Signaling at Grain-Filling Stage
    Magar, M.M., Liu, H., Yan, G.
    Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 43(8): 2855–2872, 2024.
    Citations: —

  10. Gene-Based Analysis of Heat Stress Tolerance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Seedling and Reproductive Stages
    Magar, M.
    Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Western Australia, 2023.