University of Göttingen | Germany
Sayed Jalal Moosavi, is a passionate researcher specializing in forest genetics and conservation biology. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Göttingen, Germany, with a focus on the conservation of endangered conifer species through population genomics. With deep roots in agronomy and biotechnology, Sayed brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his work, combining field-based ecological data with advanced genetic and bioinformatic analysis.
Professional profile👤
ORCID
Google Scholar
Scopus
Strengths for the Awards✨
-
Strong Academic Background & International Exposure
-
PhD from the University of Göttingen with a DAAD scholarship – a highly competitive and prestigious award.
-
Education spans Afghanistan, Iran, and Germany, showing a global academic journey.
-
Interdisciplinary expertise in forest genetics, conservation biology, and biotechnology.
-
Meaningful and High-Impact Research
-
Focus on endangered and threatened conifer species (Pinus gerardiana and Taxus baccata) highlights his contribution to conservation genomics.
-
Use of cutting-edge methods (SSR markers, population genomics, spatial analysis, bioinformatics).
-
The research has real-world applications in conservation management and biodiversity policy.
-
Published in Peer-Reviewed International Journals
-
First-author publications in European Journal of Forest Research, Plant Ecology and Evolution, and Ecology and Evolution indicate strong scientific output.
-
Participation in international conferences and symposia as a speaker enhances his visibility and academic impact.
-
Leadership, Outreach & Volunteering
-
Roles such as organizing committee member for international symposiums and reviewer for a journal demonstrate leadership and community involvement.
-
Collaboration with IUCN adds value to his profile with practical conservation impact.
-
Deputy director role at GWAESO shows experience beyond academia in NGO project management and proposal writing.
🎓 Education
Sayed’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy (2011) from the University of Kabul, where he developed a solid foundation in sustainable agriculture. He then earned his Master’s in Biotechnology (2016) from Imam Khomeini International University, Iran 🇮🇷, with a thesis on increasing vitamin E content in sesame via genetic transformation. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (2019–2024) at the University of Göttingen 🇩🇪. His dissertation explores genetic diversity in Pinus gerardiana (Afghanistan) and Taxus baccata (Germany) to develop conservation strategies using genomic tools.
💼 Experience
Sayed has gathered rich academic and professional experience across three countries. He served as a trainer in tissue culture and genetic engineering at the University of Kabul (2017–2019), training the next generation of Afghan scientists 🧪. Earlier, he was the Deputy Director at GWAESO (2012–2013), where he managed project budgets and wrote grant proposals. He began his professional journey as an intern at the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture (2011–2012), conducting soil and crop research for nationwide field trials.
🔬 Research Interests On Genetics
Sayed is particularly interested in population genomics, conservation genetics, forest biodiversity, and applied bioinformatics 🌐. His work involves understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow in threatened tree species, identifying microsatellite markers, and analyzing spatial genetic structures using advanced tools like ArcGIS and R. His goal is to apply molecular research for tangible conservation outcomes across diverse ecological settings 🌍.
🏆 Awards & Scholarships
Sayed has received multiple competitive awards recognizing his academic potential and commitment to research. He is a DAAD Scholarship recipient (2019–2024) for his doctoral studies in Germany 🎓🇩🇪, and he earlier received the MSRT Scholarship from Iran’s Ministry of Science (2013–2016) for his Master’s education. He has also participated in several certified training programs on PCR, primer design, ecological geoprocessing, and research safety 🧾.
📚 Publications
Sayed Jalal Moosavi has published several peer-reviewed papers that contribute significantly to forest conservation genetics:
-
Moosavi S.J., Budde K.B., Heurich M., Mueller M., Gailing O. (2024). Genetic variation of English yew (Taxus baccata L.) in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany. European Journal of Forest Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-024-01687-9 – Cited by 3 articles
-
Moosavi S.J., Budde K.B., Mueller M., Gailing O. (2022). Genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the near-threatened Pinus gerardiana in Gardiz, Afghanistan. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 155(3): 363–378. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.95754 – Cited by 7 articles
-
Moosavi S.J., Mueller M., Gailing O. (2025). Development of new chloroplast microsatellites for Pinus gerardiana and their application in genetic diversity analyses. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71185 – Cited by 1 article
✅ Conclusion
Through his work in genomics and conservation, Sayed Jalal Moosavi has made important strides toward understanding and protecting biodiversity in fragile ecosystems. His cross-continental research, multilingual skills, and dedication to scientific collaboration make him a valuable asset to the global scientific community 🌱🌏. His achievements and commitment position him as a worthy nominee for this award recognizing impactful research by emerging scholars.
