SALAM SAWADOGO | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. SALAM SAWADOGO | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

INERA | Burkina Faso

Sawadogo Salam 🇧🇫 is a dedicated researcher in the field of aquaculture, currently affiliated with the Institute for Environmental and Agricultural Research (INERA) in Burkina Faso. With a solid academic background in biochemistry and aquaculture, he has contributed significantly to sustainable fish production and nutrition practices in West Africa. His passion for advancing aquaculture has led him to collaborate on impactful agricultural and environmental projects both locally and internationally.

Author Profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Extensive Academic Background 
    Sawadogo Salam has built a solid educational foundation in biochemistry and aquaculture, with credentials from reputable international institutions such as National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and currently pursuing a PhD in Aquaculture at University NAZI BONI. This shows his continuous academic progression and specialization in a niche but crucial domain for global food security.

  2. Rich Professional Experience 
    With over a decade of professional involvement, notably as a Researcher Engineer at INERA since 2014, Salam has made consistent contributions in environmental and agricultural research. His technical roles as an aquaculture engineer and technician show a deep understanding of the practical and research aspects of the field.

  3. Expertise in High-Impact Areas 
    His expertise spans fish nutrition, aquaculture project planning, fish feed formulation, and production, aligning with national and international priorities in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

  4. Global Exposure and Recognition 
    His receipt of international awards such as the Orange Knowledge Program (Netherlands) and the ICDF Scholarship (Taiwan) reflect his recognition at a global level, indicating the relevance and quality of his research capacity.

Education 🎓

Salam began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry (Natural Substances) from the University of Ouagadougou (2004–2007), followed by a Master’s degree in the same field (2007–2008). He furthered his expertise by earning a Master of Science in Aquaculture from National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) (2009–2011), supported by the prestigious ICDF scholarship. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Aquaculture at the University NAZI BONI (UNB), starting in July 2022, focusing on innovative approaches to fish nutrition and aquaculture systems.

Experience đź’Ľ

With over a decade of hands-on experience, Sawadogo Salam has served as a Research Engineer at INERA since December 2014, leading critical aquaculture research initiatives. Prior to that, he worked as an Aquaculture Engineer at UPAK (2012–2014), where he designed and implemented sustainable fish farming strategies. He began his professional career as an Aquaculture Technician in the Fish Farming Project at Bagré (2008–2009), laying a strong foundation for his technical and operational skills in aquaculture systems.

Research Interest On Agricultural and Biological Sciences 🔬

Salam’s research centers around aquaculture innovation, particularly in the areas of fish nutrition, fish feed production, and project feasibility and planning. He aims to improve productivity and sustainability in aquaculture through the application of biochemistry and local resource optimization. His work contributes to food security and income generation in Burkina Faso and across the West African region.

Awards 🏅

Sawadogo Salam has been recognized internationally for his academic excellence and research potential. He received the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Scholarship from the Netherlands and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) Scholarship from Taiwan—both highly competitive and globally respected awards that underscore his commitment to excellence in aquaculture.

Publications 📚

1. Nutritional Value and Antinutritional Factors of Balanites aegyptiaca Seed Oils and Cakes for Animal Feed: A Review

  • Authors: Salam SAWADOGO, Compaore Inoussa, Bazongo Patrice, Sere Firmin, Bere Sompagnimdi FrĂ©deric, Hien Mipro

  • Journal: Food Science & Nutrition

  • Year: 2025

  • DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70478

2. Pesticide residues in three fishing sites in Burkina Faso

  • Authors: Firmin SERE, Inoussa COMPAORE, Salam SAWADOGO, SoumaĂŻla KONATE, Saybou SAVADOGO

  • Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

  • Year: 2024

  • DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13544-8

3. Biochemical Compositions and Antinutritional Factors of Parinari curatellifolia Planch. Ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae) Seeds Kernel

  • Author: Salam SAWADOGO

  • Journal: American Journal of Food Science and Technology

  • Year: 2024

4. Effects of fish meal replacement by maggot meal in diets for Nile Tilapia fingerling (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Burkina Faso

  • Authors: Compaore Inoussa, Sourabie Cheick Idriss, Sawadogo Salam

  • Journal: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies

  • Year: 2023

  • DOI: 10.22271/fish.2023.v11.i5a.2847

Conclusion ✨

In summary, Sawadogo Salam is a distinguished aquaculture researcher with a profound dedication to enhancing sustainable fish farming practices in Burkina Faso and beyond. His strong academic foundation, international collaborations, and impactful publications position him as a valuable contributor to food security, environmental sustainability, and the advancement of aquaculture science in Africa.

Kawther Akbar | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Kawther Akbar | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Kuwait university | Kuwait

Kawther Akbar is a passionate Kuwaiti biotechnology researcher with a background in both biomedical engineering and genetic research. With a solid academic foundation and hands-on experience in molecular genetics and fiber trait analysis in dromedary camels, she has become a notable contributor to camel genomics and functional trait characterization. Her commitment to excellence in scientific exploration is highlighted by her growing publication record and multiple research awards.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Focused and Emerging Research Niche:

    • Kawther has specialized in a unique and impactful niche: the genetics of fiber traits in dromedary camels, which combines biotechnology, animal genetics, and industrial relevance.

    • This is an underexplored but valuable area, particularly important for the Arabian Peninsula and similar regions where camel-based industries have economic and cultural importance.

  2. Publication Record:

    • She has published two peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals (Kuwait Journal of Science and Small Ruminant Research)—demonstrating early productivity in research.

    • These publications show an ability to take experimental work through to completion and dissemination.

  3. Recognition and Awards:

    • The Graduate Students Research Excellence Award (2025) and Prof. Ahmad Al-Bustan Academic Excellence Award (2023) affirm her academic dedication and peer recognition.

  4. Scientific Engagement and Visibility:

    • Strong record of poster presentations, including at international venues like the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG) in San Diego. This reflects both scientific rigor and global outreach.

    • Her participation in workshops and coordination activities highlights her leadership and commitment to the scientific community.

  5. Interdisciplinary Background:

    • Her undergraduate degree in Medical Engineering and MSc in Biotechnology provide her with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation, allowing her to integrate engineering with molecular genetics.

🎓 Education

Kawther earned her MSc in Biotechnology from Kuwait University (2020–2024), where she delved into the molecular and genetic aspects of camel fiber variation. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor’s in Medical Engineering from Cardiff University, UK (2009–2013). Her academic path reflects a unique blend of engineering precision and biological sciences integration, paving the way for interdisciplinary research.

đź§Ş Experience

Her research journey began in 2013 with an undergraduate project at Cardiff University focused on micro-engineered polymer capsules for tissue repair under Prof. David Barrow. In 2022, she contributed to a mini research project under Dr. Hasan Alhaddad at Kuwait University, using genotyping by sequencing to explore genetic variations in camel hair types. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for her advanced genomic studies.

🔍 Research Interests On Biotechnology

Kawther’s research interests lie at the intersection of animal genomics, molecular biology, and trait inheritance—specifically in camelid species. She focuses on genes like KRT71 and FGF5 to understand variations in hair shape and texture, aiming to improve classification and utilization of camel fibers for industrial and genetic applications. Her work addresses both scientific curiosity and regional agricultural needs.

🏆 Awards

Kawther’s dedication to research excellence has been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the Graduate Students Research Excellence Award (2025) and the Prof. Ahmad Al-Bustan Academic Excellence Award (2023). These accolades reflect her academic performance, impactful research, and growing leadership in the Kuwaiti scientific community.

📚 Publications

1. “Fiber Characteristics of the Dromedary Camel in the Arabian Peninsula”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Bader H. Alhajeri, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: May 2024

2. “Sequencing KRT71 as a Candidate Gene for Hair Shape Variation in Dromedary Camels”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Bader H. Alhajeri, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: April 2025

3. “Hair Color at Different Camel Body Regions”

  • Authors: Bader H. Alhajeri, Kawther Akbar, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: February 2025

4. “Do Camels Have Ear Furnishings? Hairs of Inner and Outer Surfaces of Camel Pinna and FGF5 Longhair Variants”

  • Authors: Tasneem Maraqa, Amna A. Alrashid, Kawther Akbar, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: February 2024

5. “Superior Camel Fibers Due to FGF5 Variants”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Tasneem Maraqa, Bader H. Alhajeri, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: February 2024

6. “Sequencing KRT71 as a Candidate Gene for Curly Hair in Dromedary Camels”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Bader H. Alhajeri, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: January 2024

7. “Fiber Characteristics of the Dromedary Camel in the Arabian Peninsula” (Preprint)

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Bader H. Alhajeri, Hasan Alhaddad

  • Publication Year: January 2024

8. “Optimizing the PCR Conditions for the Amplification of KRT71 Exons in the Dromedary Camel”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Hasan Alhaddad, Bader H. Alhajeri

  • Publication Year: March 2023

9. “Multi-Level Analysis of Dromedary Camel Hair Attributes Across Different Body Parts”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Hasan Alhaddad, Bader H. Alhajeri

  • Publication Year: March 2023

10. “Characterization of Dromedary Camel Fibers for Genetic and Industrial Uses”

  • Authors: Kawther Akbar, Hasan Alhaddad, Bader H. Alhajeri

  • Publication Year: January 2023

đź§ľ Conclusion

Kawther Akbar stands out as a rising talent in the field of animal biotechnology. With her strong educational background, hands-on genomic research, and dedication to academic excellence, she is well-positioned to lead future innovations in camel fiber genetics. Her active participation in conferences and poster presentations reflects her commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing scientific dialogue. She is a worthy candidate for any award recognizing research innovation and dedication.