Aras Turkoglu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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.

Xuegui Wang | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Xuegui Wang | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Sichuan Agricultural University | China

Prof. Dr. Xuegui Wang, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor and doctoral supervisor at Sichuan Agricultural University, widely recognized for his pioneering work in pesticide science, insect resistance management, and sustainable crop protection. With academic training from South China Agricultural University and Huazhong Agricultural University, followed by international collaborations at China Agricultural University and Auburn University, he has combined molecular biology, resistance risk assessment, and CRISPR-Cas9-based methods to advance innovative solutions in agricultural science. His research emphasizes monitoring and managing insect resistance, uncovering molecular resistance mechanisms, and developing green nano-pesticides that enhance efficiency while reducing ecological risks. Dr. Xuegui Wang published 67 documents, accumulated 958 citations from 767 articles, and holds an h-index of 20, according to Scopus (Scopus ID: 36018772500). He has contributed extensively to leading journals such as Pest Management Science, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Chemosphere, and Frontiers in Microbiology, with his studies being widely cited and influencing pest management practices. In addition to his research excellence, he is deeply committed to education, having mentored undergraduate and graduate students who have earned prestigious national awards and produced high-quality publications. Through his leadership in scientific innovation and talent development, Dr. Xuegui Wang continues to make a significant impact on sustainable agriculture and global food security.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Zhang, S. R., Gu, F. C., Du, Y., Li, X. Y., Gong, C. W., Pu, J., Liu, X. M., & Wang, X. G. (2022). Risk assessment and resistance inheritance of triflumezopyrim resistance in Laodelphax striatellus. Pest Management Science.

Gong, C. W., Ruan, Y. W., Zhang, Y. M., Wang, Q. L., Wu, Y. T., Zhan, X. X., He, Y. F., Liu, X. X., Liu, X. M., Pu, J., & Wang, X. G. (2022). Resistance of Sogatella furcifera to triflumezopyrim mediated with the overexpression of CYPSF01 which was regulated by nuclear receptor USP. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 238, 117535.

Gong, C. W., …, & Wang, X. G. (2022). Maf regulates the overexpression of CYP307A1, which is involved in the fitness advantage of bistrifluron-resistant Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

Ruan, Y. W., …, & Wang, X. G. (2021). Cloning and functional verification of CYP408A3 and CYP6CS3 related to chlorpyrifos resistance in the Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Biology, 10(8), 795.

Gong, C. W., …, & Wang, X. G. (2021). Fitness costs of chlorantraniliprole resistance related to the SeNPF overexpression in the Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(9), 5027.

Gong, C. W., …, & Wang, X. G. (2021). The fitness advantages of bistrifluron resistance related to Chitin synthase A in Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Pest Management Science.

Liu, S. H., …, & Wang, X. G. (2021). Fitness costs associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pest Management Science.

Ruan, Y. W., …, & Wang, X. G. (2020). Status of insecticide resistance and biochemical characterization of chlorpyrifos resistance in Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Sichuan Province, China. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 168, 104723.