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 đŸ‡§đŸ‡« 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 ProfileđŸ‘€

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 đŸ’Œ

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 BagrĂ© (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.

Curtis VanderSchaaf | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Curtis VanderSchaaf | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mississippi State University | United States

Dr. Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf is a Certified ForesterÂź with a prolific career spanning research, academia, and forest resource management. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, he is widely recognized for his work in forest biometrics, growth and yield modeling, and forest carbon markets. With decades of dedication across multiple states, including Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Dr. Vanderschaaf has become a leading figure in forestry extension and decision support systems. His cross-sector expertise bridges technical innovation and on-the-ground forest management, positively impacting both landowners and the academic community.

Author ProfileđŸ‘€

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✹

Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf, Certified Forester¼ and Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, stands out as a deeply accomplished forest biometrician and silvicultural modeler. His extensive academic background—Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech, M.S. in Forest Management from the University of Idaho, and a B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University—has laid a rigorous foundation for over two decades of high-impact contributions. His career includes academic positions and applied research roles with organizations like the Minnesota Division of Forestry, the Texas Forest Service, and Louisiana Tech University.

Curtis’s research strengths lie in growth and yield modeling, carbon sequestration modeling, forest inventory systems, and timber decision support systems (TDSSs). He has developed and implemented numerous advanced forest modeling tools, including LONGeOFIELD, LOBtech, and others for pine species management. His work has supported both academic communities and forest industries, ensuring sustainable forest productivity through applied science.

🎓 Education

Dr. Vanderschaaf earned his Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech University (2006), where he specialized in modeling size-density relationships in loblolly pine plantations under the guidance of Dr. Harold Burkhart. His Master’s in Forest Management was completed at the University of Idaho (1999), focusing on operational fertilization effects on understory vegetation. He began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Forest Management from Stephen F. Austin State University (1996), where he received an academic scholarship from the International Society of Arboriculture.

đŸ§‘â€đŸ’Œ Experience

Dr. Vanderschaaf’s diverse professional experience includes academia, government, and extension. At Mississippi State University, he leads forest modeling initiatives, teaches landowner workshops, and develops forest carbon market tools. Previously, he held a faculty role at Louisiana Tech University, where he taught forestry courses and developed various Timber Decision Support Systems (TDSS). He served as a biometrician with the Minnesota Division of Forestry, contributing to state-level forest management plans using strategic models like Remsoft Woodstock. Earlier, at the Texas Forest Service, he worked on forest inventory systems and bioenergy economics.

🔬 Research Interests On Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Dr. Vanderschaaf’s research centers on forest growth and yield modeling, forest carbon accounting, biometric analyses, and decision support tools for landowners. He actively develops simulators for southern pine species and works on carbon estimation in different pools—biomass, soil, and harvested wood products. His work spans from optimizing thinning and reforestation to integrating forest economics and climate resilience into long-term management.

🏆 Awards

  • 2012 Conservation Enhancement Employee Recognition Commissioner’s Award, MN DNR Extended Rotation Forestry Policy Team

  • Twice nominated for Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences Teaching and Research Awards

  • Recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture Academic Scholarship
    These accolades reflect his unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and education.

📚 Publications

  • Regional mixed-effects height–diameter models for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations
    Authors: G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
    Year: 2007
    Citations: 163

  • Comparison of methods to estimate Reineke’s maximum size-density relationship species boundary line slope
    Authors: C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
    Year: 2007
    Citations: 90

  • The effect of density on the height-diameter relationship
    Authors: B. Zeide, C. Vanderschaaf
    Year: 2002
    Citations: 90

  • A multilevel individual tree basal area increment model for aspen in boreal mixedwood stands
    Authors: Y. Yang, S. Huang, S.X. Meng, G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf
    Year: 2009
    Citations: 77

  • Evaluation of population-averaged and subject-specific approaches for modeling the dominant or codominant height of lodgepole pine trees
    Authors: S.X. Meng, S. Huang, Y. Yang, G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf
    Year: 2009
    Citations: 55

  • Assessing the impacts of species composition, top height and density on individual tree height prediction of quaking aspen in boreal mixedwoods
    Authors: S. Huang, D.P. Wiens, Y. Yang, S.X. Meng, C.L. Vanderschaaf
    Year: 2009
    Citations: 51

  • Determining productivity gains from herbaceous vegetation management with ‘age-shift’ calculations
    Authors: D.B. South, J.H. Miller, M.O. Kimberley, C.L. Vanderschaaf
    Year: 2006
    Citations: 50

  • Using segmented regression to estimate stages and phases of stand development
    Authors: C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
    Year: 2008
    Citations: 36

  • Winter nitrogen fertilization of loblolly pine seedlings
    Authors: C. VanderSchaaf, K. McNabb
    Year: 2004
    Citations: 32

  • Growth of graded sweetgum 3 years after root and shoot pruning
    Authors: K. McNabb, C. VanderSchaaf
    Year: 2005
    Citations: 29

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf is a visionary forest scientist whose expertise spans academic research, practical forestry, and landowner education. His dedication to advancing forest biometrics, sustainable forest management, and carbon market readiness makes him a compelling nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His career demonstrates a perfect blend of quantitative modeling, community service, and applied forest science that supports both policy and practice.