Supantha Rivu | Microbiology | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Supantha Rivu | Microbiology | Research Excellence Award

Notre Dame University Bangladesh | Bangladesh

Mr. Supantha Rivu is an emerging microbiologist whose research focuses on pathogens, infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and genomic epidemiology, with a strong emphasis on foodborne and environmental microorganisms of public health concern. His work centers on the molecular characterization of high-risk bacterial pathogens, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in livestock and farm environments, and genome-based investigations that reveal virulence determinants, evolutionary patterns, and potential zoonotic threats. Through his extensive laboratory experience in microbial biotechnology and clinical microbiology, he has contributed significantly to understanding the prevalence, distribution, and genomic features of Listeria species, Cronobacter sakazakii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and chromium-resistant bacteria, providing evidence important for national food safety and public health risk assessments. He is skilled in next-generation sequencing data analysis, computational vaccinology, bioinformatics pipelines, and experimental microbiology, enabling him to investigate pathogens from both phenotypic and genomic perspectives. His research has resulted in publications in reputable international journals, and his studies have advanced knowledge of virulent Listeria innocua strains and rare Cronobacter lineages circulating in Bangladesh. His scientific contributions also include conference presentations that highlight emerging antimicrobial resistance trends in farm environments and wastewater systems. Supantha’s work is supported by recognized research fellowships and competitive scientific awards, reflecting the impact and promise of his scholarship. His citation record demonstrates steady academic visibility, with Google Scholar reporting 7 citations, an h-index of 2 and i10-index of 0, while Scopus-indexed outputs further validate the reach and credibility of his research contributions. His growing publication profile, combined with expertise in laboratory microbiology and genome-based analysis, positions him as a promising researcher for the Research Excellence Award, contributing meaningfully to the fields of microbial genomics, pathogen surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance research.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Bhowmik, S., Rivu, S., Bari, M. L., & Ahmed, S. (2025). Genome mining of Cronobacter sakazakii in Bangladesh reveals the occurrence of high-risk ST83 and rare ST789 lineages. Pathogens, 14(12), 1220.

  • Rivu, S., Hasib Shourav, A., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Whole genome sequencing reveals circulation of potentially virulent Listeria innocua strains with novel genomic features in cattle farm environments in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 126, 105692.

  • Rivu, S., Smith, E., Stafford, G., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Draft genome sequence of Listeria aquatica strain SG_BD1 isolated from a cow dung sample in Bangladesh. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 13(11), e00729-24.

  • Rivu, S., Rahman, S. M. M., & Ahmed, S. (2025). Environmental surveillance of Listeria spp. in cattle farms in Bangladesh: Prevalence, distribution, and hemolytic diversity. Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology, 41, 1–11.

  • Rivu, S., Raihan, M. A., & Ahmed, S. (2025). First draft genome sequence data report of Listeria innocua SA_AR with Listeria pathogenicity island 3 virulence genes isolated from raw chicken in Bangladesh. Data in Brief, 61, 111767.

Lilya Boucelha | Biology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha | Biology | Women Researcher Award

University Of Science And Technology Houari Boumediene | Algeria

Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha is a plant physiologist and academic researcher specializing in seed priming, abiotic stress tolerance, and plant physiological adaptation to water deficit conditions. Her scientific contributions focus on understanding the molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms underlying seed vigor, aging, and germination responses in legume species, particularly Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek). Through her innovative studies, Dr. Boucelha has advanced the field of seed physiology by exploring redox regulation, antioxidant defense systems, and the signaling role of molecules such as silicon, proline, and ascorbate in improving plant resilience under drought and oxidative stress. Her work integrates biochemical assays, molecular markers, and eco-physiological analyses to link laboratory findings with agronomic improvement strategies, contributing to sustainable crop productivity and food security. She has actively collaborated on national and international research projects, including programs focusing on the enhancement of drought tolerance and physiological responses through priming and silicon treatments. Dr. Boucelha’s scientific productivity is reflected in her growing research impact, with 16 peer-reviewed international publications, including several in high-impact journals such as Functional Plant Biology, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, and Plants. According to Google Scholar, her work has been cited over 80 times, with an h-index of 5 and an i10-index of 3, while her Scopus profile records comparable citation metrics, underscoring the scientific visibility and influence of her studies in plant physiology and seed science. Recognized for her excellence as a woman researcher, she was honored with a Women Researcher Award, acknowledging her sustained contribution to advancing knowledge in plant stress physiology and her leadership in promoting women in science. Her publications consistently address the biochemical and physiological determinants of seed vigor, aiming to improve germination performance and stress tolerance—crucial for crop adaptation to climate change and arid environments.

Publication Profile

Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2021). Is protein carbonylation a biomarker of seed priming and ageing? Functional Plant Biology, 48(6), 611–623.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2019). Vigna unguiculata seed priming is related to redox status of plumule, radicle and cotyledons. Functional Plant Biology, 46(6), 584–594.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Benlahrech, S. (2025). The ambiguous role of silicon in the pregermination treatment of Vigna unguiculata seeds. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., Gueridi, S., & Merah, O. (2025). Modifications in carbon and nitrogen metabolites of Vigna unguiculata L. seed organs induced by different priming treatments. Plants, 14, 3218.

Beggah, S., Ellouzi, H., Boucelha, L., Zorrig, W., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2023). Ascorbate attenuates damages caused by paraquat-induced oxidative stress in fenugreek seedlings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23(1), 1185–1199.

 

 

 

Mahdi Hosseini Bafghi | Microbiology Award | Best Researcher Award

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