Shyam Saran Vaish | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Shyam Saran Vaish | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Banaras Hindu University | India

Dr. Shyam Saran Vaish is a highly accomplished Professor and Former Head of the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. He has devoted more than three decades to advancing plant pathology research, with special emphasis on wheat, barley, and mustard disease management. His pioneering work on the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes, host–pathogen interaction studies, and the development of resistant crop varieties has been instrumental in strengthening agricultural productivity and sustainability. As a dedicated teacher, researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Vaish has significantly contributed to both scientific knowledge and farmer-focused solutions, making him one of the most respected figures in his field.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Scopus

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Vaish earned his doctoral degree in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Banaras Hindu University, where his research on Catenaria anguillulae explored innovative biocontrol solutions for plant parasitic nematodes. His academic journey also includes a postgraduate degree in Mycology and Plant Pathology from the same university and an undergraduate degree in Agriculture with Honours from Meerut University. He is also a two-time qualifier of the ICAR-NET examination in Plant Pathology, demonstrating his exceptional command over the subject and research aptitude.

Experience

Dr. Vaish began his academic career as a lecturer before taking up a research and teaching position as Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist at the Regional Agricultural Research Station under SKUAST-K in Leh, where he worked extensively on cereal crop diseases. Later, he joined Banaras Hindu University as Assistant Professor, steadily advancing through various academic ranks to become a Professor. His professional journey reflects deep engagement in teaching, research, educational administration, and scientific collaboration. He has served as editor for national journals, led organizing committees for major scientific events, chaired technical sessions in international conferences, and participated in expert monitoring teams for national crop improvement programs. His mentorship has guided numerous postgraduate and doctoral scholars toward impactful careers in plant sciences.

Research Interest

Dr. Vaish’s research interests span the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes through predaceous fungi such as Catenaria anguillulae, breeding of wheat and barley for resistance against Bipolaris sorokiniana and rust pathogens, genome-wide association studies for trait mapping, and exploration of soil microbial diversity for plant growth promotion. His work bridges fundamental and applied research, leading to the release of several disease-resistant and high-yielding crop varieties. He also actively contributes to the identification, registration, and conservation of valuable germplasm, ensuring genetic diversity for future breeding programs.

Awards

Dr. Vaish has received prestigious recognitions for his scientific and academic contributions, including the Best Teacher Award from his home institute and Fellowship of the Indian Phyto pathological Society. He has participated in several internationally sponsored programs and delivered invited presentations across Asia, Africa, and Europe. His leadership roles in organizing national and international symposia, as well as his participation in expert panels for crop monitoring and disease surveillance, highlight his influence in both scientific and policy-level discussions in agricultural research.

Publications

Title: Genome wide association studies (GWAS) of spot blotch resistance at the seedling and the adult plant stages in a collection of spring barley
Journal: Molecular Breeding
Published on: 2018
Citation: Cited by: 62

Title: First documentation on status of barley diseases from the high altitude cold arid Trans-Himalayan Ladakh region of India
Journal: Crop Protection
Published on: 2011
Citation: Cited by: 47

Title: Mining of Indian wheat germplasm collection for adult plant resistance to leaf rust
Journal: PLoS ONE
Published on: 2019
Citation: Cited by: 35

Title: Management of spot blotch of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat using fungicides
Journal: Indian Phytopathology
Published on: 2014
Citation: Cited by: 28

Title: Pathogenicity and development of Catenaria anguillulae on some nematodes
Journal: Mycological Research
Published on: 1996
Citation: Cited by: 25

Title: Identification of new donors for spot blotch resistance in cultivated wheat germplasm
Journal: Cereal Research Communications
Published on: 2018
Citation: Cited by: 19

Title: Distribution of Catenaria anguillulae Sorokin, a facultative endoparasite of nematodes in soils from different locations of India
Journal: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Published on: 2002
Citation: Cited by: 15

Title: Techniques for selective isolation, semiquantification and rapid virulence testing of Catenaria anguillulae
Journal: Mycological Research
Published on: 1998
Citation: Cited by: 12

Conclusion

Dr. Shyam Saran Vaish exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher scientific innovation, academic mentorship, international collaboration, and a sustained commitment to agricultural advancement. His achievements in crop disease resistance breeding, biological pest control, and germplasm conservation have significantly benefited both scientific communities and farming systems. With a record of excellence in teaching, research, and leadership, he is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Angela Fernandes | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Angela Fernandes | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mountain Research Center of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança | Portugal

Dr. Ângela Sofia Feitor Fernandes is an accomplished Assistant Researcher at the Mountain Research Center (CIMO) of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal. With a deep-rooted focus on bioactive compounds and functional food research, she has gained national and international recognition for her contributions to food science and sustainable biotechnologies. Through her multidisciplinary work and international collaborations, Dr. Fernandes has consistently delivered impactful innovations, blending rigorous science with real-world applications.

Author Profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Ângela Sofia Feitor Fernandes is a highly accomplished Assistant Researcher at the Mountain Research Center (CIMO-IPB), Portugal. With over 150 peer-reviewed journal publications, an h-index of 39, and editorial contributions across multiple MDPI journals, she has demonstrated exceptional productivity, influence, and scientific leadership in her field. Her expertise spans natural product chemistry, functional food development, and innovative preservation technologies such as gamma irradiation and electron beam techniques.

She has significantly contributed to applied research through projects like VIIAFOOD, TextBlueStyle, and SambucuSafe, translating scientific discoveries into practical innovations for food safety, sustainability, and consumer health. Her work also integrates bioeconomy principles by valorizing agricultural residues into high-value functional foods, showcasing an interdisciplinary and impact-driven approach. Furthermore, her editorial roles, international collaborations, student mentorship, and authorship of seven ISBN-recognized book chapters further validate her academic leadership and global engagement.

🎓 Education

Dr. Fernandes embarked on her academic journey with a degree in Clinical Analysis and Public Health in 2007. She then pursued her Master’s in Food Quality and Safety (2010), followed by a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Nutrition and Food Chemistry in 2016. Her studies laid a strong foundation for her later work in food preservation and natural bioactive extraction.

👩‍🔬 Experience

Since 2009, Dr. Fernandes has been an active member of CIMO-IPB, advancing from a researcher to Assistant Researcher. She is currently a key contributor to several high-impact projects, including the VIIAFOOD, TextBlueStyle, and SambucuSafe initiatives. Notably, she pioneered the use of gamma and electron beam irradiation in food technology in Portugal, demonstrating leadership in innovation and sustainable food preservation.

🔬 Research Interests On Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Her research focuses on three primary areas:

  1. Natural Product Chemistry – Extracting, identifying, and isolating bioactive compounds from natural matrices like mushrooms and plants using advanced spectrometric methods.

  2. Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals – Developing bioactive-rich food products with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties.

  3. Natural Product Technology – Exploring non-thermal preservation methods such as gamma irradiation to maintain the integrity and shelf life of food, aligning with circular bioeconomy goals.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

While specific awards are not listed, Dr. Fernandes’ esteemed positions, collaborative international research, editorial leadership for MDPI journals, and participation in prominent European scientific projects stand as strong markers of her academic and scientific excellence. Her rising h-index of 39 and over 150 Scopus-indexed publications validate her distinguished contributions.

📚 Selected Publications

Here are notable peer-reviewed publications by Dr. Fernandes, showcasing her impactful work:

  1. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2021). Development of functional mushroom flour enriched in vitamin D2. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 145. Cited by 23 articles.

  2. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2020). Irradiation of wild edible mushrooms: Evaluation of quality and safety parameters. Food Chemistry, 330. Cited by 31 articles.

  3. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2019). Bioactive potential of elderberry extracts in functional food formulations. Journal of Functional Foods, 59. Cited by 19 articles.

  4. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2018). Chemical profiling of mushrooms for nutraceutical use. Journal of Chromatography B, 1092. Cited by 27 articles.

  5. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2022). Natural blue dyes from food waste for textile application. Dyes and Pigments, 199. Cited by 12 articles.

Each publication reflects her expertise in translating scientific discovery into applied solutions.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ângela Fernandes is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award under the Forensic Scientist Awards. Her pioneering efforts in food chemistry, sustainable technologies, and functional food development place her at the forefront of applied biochemistry. Her dedication to a circular economy and bio-based innovation has brought real benefits to industry and academia alike. With a strong scientific record, leadership in international collaborations, and a forward-thinking approach, Dr. Fernandes stands as a model of excellence in research.