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.

Profile: Google Scholar

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.

SALAM SAWADOGO | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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 💼

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 Fréderic, 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, Soumaïla 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.

Bio Gazali Sanni | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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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 🌾🌍.