Aras Turkoglu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aras Turkoglu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Necmettin Erbakan University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aras Turkoglu, at the Faculty of Agriculture, Necmettin Erbakan University, is a distinguished plant geneticist and breeder renowned for his extensive expertise in crop improvement, molecular genetics, and plant biotechnology. His research focuses on uncovering the genetic basis of key agronomic traits in cereals and legumes, including wheat, barley, quinoa, cowpea, and forage crops, employing advanced approaches such as QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and molecular marker-assisted selection. He has made significant contributions to understanding genetic diversity, population structure, and epigenetic variation under abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and cold. By integrating conventional breeding with molecular techniques, including CRISPR-based gene editing and transgenic approaches, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aras Turkoglu develops stress-resilient, high-yielding cultivars. His pioneering work also explores the use of nanotechnology, plant growth-promoting bacteria, and exogenous bioactive compounds to enhance crop performance under environmental stresses. Leveraging high-throughput phenotyping, tissue culture systems, and machine learning algorithms, he has developed predictive models for growth, callus induction, and yield traits, bridging experimental and computational plant science. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, his research has garnered 1,294 citations overall (1,236 since 2020), an h-index of 19, and an i10-index of 48 (46 since 2020), highlighting his global influence. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aras Turkoglu’s work significantly advances sustainable agriculture by providing innovative solutions for global food security through the development of resilient, high-yielding crop varieties, combining fundamental genetic insights with practical applications in modern plant breeding.

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Featured Publications

  • Türkoğlu, A. P. A. P. P., Haliloglu, K., Cinisli, K. T., & Özkan, G. (2020). Application of zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant growth promoting bacteria reduces genetic impairment under salt stress. Agriculture, 10(521), 1–14.

  • Nalci, O. B., Nadaroglu, H., Pour, A. H., Gungor, A. A., & Haliloglu, K. (2019). Effects of ZnO, CuO and γ-Fe3O4 nanoparticles on mature embryo culture of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 136(2), 269–277.

  • Zeinalzadehtabrizi, H., Hosseinpour, A., Aydin, M., & Haliloglu, K. (2015). A modified genomic DNA extraction method from leaves of sunflower for PCR based analyzes. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 7, 222–225.

  • Hosseinpour, A., Ilhan, E., Özkan, G., Öztürk, H. İ., Haliloglu, K., & Cinisli, K. T. (2022). Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) and copper (II) oxide (CuO) nanoparticle ameliorates DNA damage and DNA methylation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to NaCl stress. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 31(4), 751–764.

  • Kutlu, M., Cakmakci, R., Hosseinpour, A., & Karagöz, H. (2019). The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)’s effect on essential oil rate, essential oil content, some morphological parameters and nutrient uptake of Turkish oregano. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 17(2), 1–14.

Mahendra Aryal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mahendra Aryal | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Tribhuvan University | Nepal

Dr. Mahendra Aryal is a highly accomplished chemist and environmental scientist from Nepal, renowned for his innovative work in environmental remediation, biosorption, and bioremediation. He is currently a lecturer at Tri-Chandra College and NIST Higher Education in Kathmandu, where he teaches advanced courses in physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, and biotechnology. His academic journey has been marked by prestigious international research experiences, including postdoctoral research at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, where he focused on converting winery wastes into high-value products using sustainable and eco-friendly technologies. In addition to his extensive teaching career, Dr. Aryal plays a vital role in international scholarly publishing, serving on editorial boards, reviewing for leading journals, and contributing to the advancement of environmental chemistry and sustainable technologies.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Aryal earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Bio-organic Chemistry from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. His doctoral research investigated the removal of toxic inorganic and organic substances from aqueous solutions using microbial processes, integrating advanced chemical engineering techniques with microbiology. He holds a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and has also completed a Master’s-level program in Biotechnology at Aristotle University. His academic training is complemented by advanced foreign language studies in modern Greek, enabling him to engage deeply with international research communities.

Experience

Dr. Aryal has an extensive teaching career spanning multiple levels of education, from high school science instruction to university-level lectures for undergraduate and postgraduate students. At Tri-Chandra College, he has taught courses in chemical kinetics, surface chemistry, and catalysis, while at NIST Higher Education he has lectured on instrumental analysis, biophysical chemistry, and bioprocessing techniques. He has served as an external examiner for numerous thesis projects in biochemistry, environmental science, and nanotechnology, guiding and evaluating student research with a focus on scientific rigor. His professional journey also includes leadership roles in organizing scientific conferences and contributing to research initiatives aimed at improving environmental quality.

Research Interests

Dr. Aryal’s research focuses on environmental pollution control, with particular emphasis on biosorption and biodegradation processes for toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants. He has investigated the use of microbial and plant-based systems for the remediation of contaminated water and soil, explored phytoremediation strategies for sustainable pollutant removal, and examined rhizomicrobiome dynamics to enhance bioremediation efficiency. His work also encompasses waste management, water quality monitoring, and the valorization of industrial by-products into useful materials. His research approach blends theoretical analysis, laboratory experimentation, and applied field studies to create practical solutions for environmental challenges.

Awards

Dr. Aryal has received multiple national and international recognitions for his academic and research excellence. His achievements include prestigious governmental honors for scholarly contributions, competitive research fellowships that supported his doctoral and postdoctoral work in Greece, and awards for outstanding peer review contributions from leading international journals. These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing science, his high standards of academic integrity, and his impact on both the national and global research community.

Publications

Dr. Aryal has authored numerous influential publications in high-impact international journals, covering topics such as groundwater arsenic contamination, phytoremediation strategies, rhizomicrobiome interactions, solid waste management, and advanced biosorption techniques. Examples include:

Title: Study on arsenic biosorption using Fe (III)-treated biomass of Staphylococcus xylosus
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Published on: 2010
Citation: 193

Title: Bioremoval of heavy metals by bacterial biomass
Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Published on: 2015
Citation: 176

Title: A comprehensive study on the bacterial biosorption of heavy metals: materials, performances, mechanisms, and mathematical modellings
Journal: Reviews in Chemical Engineering
Published on: 2021
Citation: 74

Title: Biodegradation and Kinetics of Phenanthrene and Pyrene in the Presence of Nonionic Surfactants by Arthrobacter Strain Sphe3
Journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
Published on: 2013
Citation: 62

Title: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies on phosphate biosorption from aqueous solutions by Fe (III)-treated Staphylococcus xylosus biomass: Common ion effect
Journal: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Published on: 2011
Citation: 59

Title: Comparison of Cr (VI) and As (V) removal in single and binary mixtures with Fe (III)-treated Staphylococcus xylosus biomass: Thermodynamic studies
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Published on: 2011
Citation: 57

Title: Characterization of Mycobacterium sp. strain Spyr1 biomass and its biosorption behavior towards Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in single, binary and multi‐ion aqueous systems
Journal: Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
Published on: 2014
Citation: 36

Conclusion

Dr. Mahendra Aryal’s professional journey demonstrates a rare combination of deep scientific knowledge, innovative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication to environmental protection. His research has addressed critical issues such as water contamination, waste management, and resource recovery, offering sustainable solutions that have both local and global relevance. Through his teaching, mentorship, and extensive contributions to academic literature, he has inspired the next generation of scientists and advanced the frontiers of environmental chemistry. His body of work and its impact make him an outstanding nominee for the Best Researcher Award.