Rajesh Kumar Soothar | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Rajesh Kumar Soothar | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Sindh Agriculture Uiversity | Pakistan

Engr. Dr. Rajesh Kumar Soothar is an accomplished researcher and Assistant Professor in the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. His research focuses on the sustainable management of soil and water resources, irrigation efficiency, and crop water productivity under varying climatic and salinity conditions. He has significantly contributed to developing innovative irrigation strategies, alternate water use systems, and drought mitigation techniques to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security in arid and semi-arid regions. Dr. Soothar’s scientific work integrates experimental research, modeling, and field-based approaches to improve water use efficiency and optimize crop performance under stress conditions such as drought and salinity. His studies have been widely recognized, with over 430 citations on Google Scholar (h-index: 12; i10-index: 16) and additional indexing on Scopus, reflecting his scholarly influence in agricultural water management and environmental sciences. His collaborative publications with international scholars have contributed to advancing understanding in areas such as saline water irrigation, drought priming, and soil-plant-water interactions. He is known for his excellence in teaching, mentorship, and leadership in research projects, promoting innovation and sustainable engineering solutions in agriculture. His impactful research and academic dedication position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award in the field of Agricultural Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Tankari, M., Wang, C., Ma, H., Li, X., Li, L., Soothar, R. K., Zaman-Allah, M., & Cui, N. (2021). Drought priming improved water status, photosynthesis and water productivity of cowpea during post-anthesis drought stress. Agricultural Water Management, 245, 106565.

Soothar, R. K., Zhang, W., Liu, B., Tankari, M., Wang, C., Li, L., Xing, H., & Gong, D. (2019). Sustaining yield of winter wheat under alternate irrigation using saline water at different growth stages: A case study in the North China Plain. Sustainability, 11(17), 4564.

Soothar, R. K., Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., Tankari, M., Mirjat, U., & Wang, Y. (2019). Evaluating the performance of SALTMED model under alternate irrigation using saline and fresh water strategies to winter wheat in the North China Plain. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(33), 34499–34509.

Singha, A., Soothar, R. K., Wang, C., Marín, E. E. T., Tankari, M., Hao, W., & Wang, Y. (2022). Drought priming alleviated salinity stress and improved water use efficiency of wheat plants. Plant Growth Regulation, 1–12.

Chachar, A. N., Mirjat, M. U., Soothar, R. K., Shaikh, I. A., Mirjat, M. H., & Dahri, S. A. (2020). Effects of irrigation frequencies on soil salinity and crop water productivity of fodder maize. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 40(4), 277–282.

Sibusisiwe Nkomonde | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Sibusisiwe Nkomonde | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Durban University of Technology | South Africa

Ms. Sibusisiwe Nkomonde is an emerging researcher specializing in microbiology and post-harvest biotechnology, with a focus on sustainable biocontrol strategies for agricultural and food systems. Her research integrates applied biological sciences and microbial ecology to explore the potential of natural yeasts and their metabolites as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides. Through her innovative studies, she has identified several phyllospheric yeast strains with strong antagonistic effects against key post-harvest pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium fujikuroi, marking the first documented evidence of yeast antagonism against F. fujikuroi. Her findings contribute to the advancement of environmentally responsible post-harvest disease management and align with global goals for sustainable food production and waste reduction. Sibusisiwe collaborates internationally with institutions including the Durban University of Technology, Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, and Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania, enhancing the interdisciplinary impact of her work. She is a member of the South African Society for Microbiology (SASM) and actively participates in research initiatives fostering innovation in microbial biocontrol. Her recent publication in Fermentation has attracted citations in Google Scholar and Scopus, reflecting growing academic recognition. Her citation metrics demonstrate an increasing research impact, with a developing h-index based on her growing number of referenced works and international collaborations. Sibusisiwe’s dedication to eco-innovation and biotechnological advancement positions her as a promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award, recognizing excellence in sustainable scientific discovery.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Featured Publications

Nkomonde, S. N., du Plessis, H. W., Bhagwat, P., Amobonye, A., Gomomo, Z., Mewa-Ngongang, M., Hoff, J. W., & Pillai, S. (2025). Biocontrol potential of selected phyllospheric yeasts against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium fujikuroi. Fermentation, 11(10), 606.

Jingshu Chen | Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Jingshu Chen | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Tarim University | China

Mr. Jingshu Chen is an emerging researcher specializing in the interdisciplinary integration of biology and molecular materials science, with a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms and biotransformation processes of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in selenium-enriched environments. His current research emphasizes the systematic characterization of Xinjiang-endemic LAB strains, particularly their selenium enrichment potential, optimized cultivation parameters, and molecular adaptations to high-selenium soils. Through multi-omics approaches, he investigates selenium–sulfur substitution mechanisms, contributing significantly to the understanding of selenium metabolism and probiotic functionality in unique microbial ecosystems. His innovative studies bridge microbiology, bioengineering, and nutritional science, offering insights into the development of functional foods and biofortification strategies. Mr. Chen’s research is recognized in indexed journals such as Foods (MDPI), and his publication metrics reflect growing academic impact—Google Scholar reports a citation count of over 250, an h-index of 8, and a Scopus citation index of 132 with an h-index of 6, demonstrating his consistent scholarly contribution to biological sciences. His collaborations with multidisciplinary research teams have further advanced the field of probiotic biotechnology and environmental adaptation of microorganisms. Mr. Chen continues to explore the molecular-level interactions between selenium and microbial systems to enhance human health and sustainable nutrition. His exemplary research achievements and publication record make him a worthy candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Featured Publications

Chen, J., Jia, Y., Chensheng, H., Feng, L., Li, Y., Jian, T., Han, X., Niu, X., & Xu, Q. (2025). Study on the probiotic properties of Xinjiang-characteristic selenium-enriched lactic acid bacteria and the distribution of selenium element. Foods, 14(20), 3577.