Mr. Bio Gazali Sanni | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) | Benin

Gazali Bio Sanni is a passionate agricultural scientist and PhD candidate in Biotechnology and Plant Breeding at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin. With hands-on experience in crop genetics, plant physiology, and molecular biology, Gazali has contributed significantly to the advancement of agricultural sciences in West Africa. His dedication to improving crop productivity and sustainability is reflected through his work with Sesame, Soybean, Pumpkin, and other essential crops 🌱.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

1. Diverse Research Experience:
   Gazali has demonstrated consistent involvement in agronomic research, particularly in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology. His hands-on work with crops like Sesame, Soybean, Cowpea, and Pumpkin shows practical relevance and alignment with regional agricultural priorities.

2. International Exposure:
   His fellowship at the University of Cologne, Germany and participation in interdisciplinary plant science seminars reflect global engagement, skill development in cutting-edge molecular techniques, and an ability to adapt to international research environments.

3. Publication Record:
   With six publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles in International Journal of Agronomy, Scientifica, Heliyon, Oil Crop Science, and CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, he has contributed to both fundamental and applied aspects of plant breeding and agronomy. The focus on genetic characterization and agro-morphological traits strengthens his academic footprint.

4. Awards & Recognition:
   The Jeff Schell Fellowship by the Bayer Foundation is a prestigious award that underlines his potential and credibility as a young scientist in agricultural biotechnology.

5. Technical Proficiency:
   Skills in DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, qPCR, and bioinformatics (R, SPSS, SAS) are particularly valuable in today’s interdisciplinary plant science landscape.

🎓 Education

Gazali began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science (2013–2016), followed by a Master’s in Biotechnology and Plant Breeding (2018–2021), both from FSA/UAC 🎓. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the same institution (2022–present), focusing on plant genetic improvement using modern biotechnological tools.

💼 Experience

Since March 2019, Gazali has served as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, UAC, assisting in high-impact research on staple crops and supporting students in plant physiology and ecophysiology 📘. He undertook a prestigious fellowship at the University of Cologne, Germany (Feb–Aug 2024), where he mastered advanced molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing 🧪. He also gained early experience as a Laboratory Technician at INRAB (2017) and as an Agronomy Technician at GBioS (2016–2017), building a strong foundation in fieldwork and lab analysis 🌾.

🔬 Research Interest On Agriculture

Gazali’s research revolves around plant biotechnology, crop improvement, genetic diversity, molecular characterization, and sustainable agriculture 🌍. His focus lies in understanding the genetic and morphological variability in key African crops to enhance yield and resilience through modern breeding techniques and genomic tools 🔍.

🏆 Award

In 2023, Gazali was honored with the Jeff Schell Fellowship for Agricultural Science by the Bayer Foundation 🌟. This competitive international award enabled him to conduct part of his PhD research at the Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, recognizing his academic excellence and research potential in agricultural biotechnology 🎖️.

📚 Publications

Gazali has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in respected journals, reflecting his strong research productivity. His works are already being cited and making a significant impact in the academic community :

• “Characterization of Genetic and Agromorphological Variation in 30 Soybean (Glycine max) Accessions in Northern and Southern Benin”

  • Authors: Vincent Ezin, Fatimata Bachabi, Florida Corolle Mintodè Dubogan, Wassiou Ahanchede, Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Mohamed Salim Moussa, Adam Ahanchede, Mohamed Abdelsalam​

  • Publication Year: 2025​

• “Genetic and Agromorphological Characterization of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes for Dehiscence‐Related Traits and Grain Yield Performances”

  • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Antoine Abel Missihoun, Quenum Florent, Adam Ahanchede, Mohamed Addi​

  • Publication Year: 2025​

• “Production and Achievements in Sesamum indicum Industry in the World: Past and Current State”

  • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Ifagbémi Bienvenue Chabi, Antoine Abel Missihoun, Quenum Florent, Zangui Hamissou, Mareme Niang, Adam Ahanchede​

  • Publication Year: 2024​

• “Farmers’ Knowledge, Practices and Use of Sesame Genetic Resources in the Production Systems of Benin: Case Study of Agro-Ecological Zone IV”

  • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Adam Ahanchede​

  • Publication Year: 2022​

• “Ethnobotanical Study of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) Landraces in Benin”

  • Authors: Vincent Ezin, Ulrich Herbert Gbemenou, Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Adam Ahanchede​

  • Publication Year: 2021​

• “Fiche Technique Synthétique pour la Production de la Corète Potagère (Corchorus olitorius L.)”

  • Authors: Gazali Bio Sanni, Lègba C. E., Aglinglo A. L., Djido U., Francisco R., Fassinou Hotègni V. N., Achigan-Dako G. E.​

  • Publication Year: 2018​

✅ Conclusion

With a strong foundation in agricultural science, notable research contributions, and international recognition, Gazali Bio Sanni stands out as a promising young scientist in Africa’s agricultural transformation 🌟. His dedication to sustainable crop development and genetic research continues to support food security and scientific advancement both locally and globally 🌾🌍.