Ahmed Abdelkhalek | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdelkhalek | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications | Egypt 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdelkhalek is a distinguished Egyptian scientist currently serving at the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt. With a profound academic background in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Plant Virology, Biotechnology, and Biological Control, Dr. Abdelkhalek has established himself as a leading figure in the field of plant–microbe interactions and sustainable disease management. He earned his higher education degrees specializing in plant pathology and biotechnology, focusing his research on molecular mechanisms underlying plant resistance to pathogens. Over the years, he has accumulated extensive professional experience through research collaborations, publications, and supervision of scientific projects centered on eco-friendly agricultural practices. His research interests include biological control of plant pathogens, plant immunity induction, nanobiotechnology applications in plant protection, and molecular approaches for combating viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases. Demonstrating outstanding research skills in molecular diagnostics, bio-nanotechnology, microbial biocontrol development, and gene expression analysis, he has published numerous impactful papers in reputed international journals. According to Scopus metrics, Dr. Abdelkhalek has achieved over 2,900 citations, authored more than 80 documents, and holds an impressive h-index of 31, highlighting the influence and quality of his scientific output. His studies on green-synthesized nanoparticles, Trichoderma-based biocontrol, and plant-derived antiviral compounds have significantly advanced eco-safe plant protection strategies. Throughout his career, he has received several awards and honors for his contributions to plant biotechnology and sustainable agriculture, reflecting his dedication to innovation and scientific excellence. Dr. Abdelkhalek’s work emphasizes integrating biotechnology with environmental sustainability to enhance crop productivity and global food security. In conclusion, his remarkable achievements, scholarly leadership, and continued commitment to advancing biotechnological solutions for plant health make him a highly respected and influential figure in modern agricultural research.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  1. Abdelkhalek, A., & Al-Askar, A. A. (2020). Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles mediated by Mentha spicata extract induce plant systemic resistance against Tobacco mosaic virus. Applied Sciences, 10(15), 5054. Cited by: 207.

  2. Shamseldin, A., Abdelkhalek, A., & Sadowsky, M. J. (2017). Recent changes to the classification of symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing, legume-associating bacteria: A review. Symbiosis, 71(2), 91–109. Cited by: 121.

  3. Abdelkhalek, A., Salem, M. Z. M., Kordy, A. M., Salem, A. Z. M., & Behiry, S. I. (2020). Antiviral, antifungal, and insecticidal activities of Eucalyptus bark extract: HPLC analysis of polyphenolic compounds. Microbial Pathogenesis, 147, 104383. Cited by: 96.

  4. Abo-Zaid, G. A., Matar, S. M., & Abdelkhalek, A. (2020). Induction of plant resistance against Tobacco mosaic virus using the biocontrol agent Streptomyces cellulosae isolate Actino 48. Agronomy, 10(11), 1620. Cited by: 75.

  5. Kamel, S. M., Elgobashy, S. F., Omara, R. I., Derbalah, A. S., Abdelfatah, M., … & Abdelkhalek, A. (2022). Antifungal activity of copper oxide nanoparticles against root rot disease in cucumber. Journal of Fungi, 8(9), 911. Cited by: 74.

 

YN. Venkatesh | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. YN. Venkatesh | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Scientist | ICAR-IIHR | India

Dr. Y. N. Venkatesh, an accomplished researcher from the ICAR–Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI), Jhansi, India, is recognized for his valuable contributions to the fields of agroforestry, entomology, and sustainable pest management. With 32 citations, 11 research documents, and an h-index of 3 as listed in Scopus, his work integrates ecological insights with advanced molecular tools to develop effective and sustainable agricultural solutions. Dr. Venkatesh holds a strong academic background in agricultural and biological sciences, with specialized training in entomology, molecular taxonomy, and agroecology, which forms the foundation of his multidisciplinary research. His professional experience at ICAR–CAFRI has allowed him to contribute extensively to national research programs focusing on pest–host interactions, biodiversity conservation, and integrated pest management within agroforestry systems. His recent publication on the morpho-molecular identification of Barioscapus cordiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)—a significant pest of Cordia myxa—demonstrates his expertise in combining morphological and genetic techniques for pest identification and management. Dr. Venkatesh’s research interests encompass agroforestry-based pest ecology, sustainable farming systems, insect biodiversity, and the application of molecular tools in crop protection. His research skills include molecular diagnostics, insect taxonomy, field survey methodologies, and the design of pest control frameworks suited to India’s diverse agro-climatic zones. He has also actively collaborated with scientists across various ICAR institutes and academic organizations, contributing to knowledge exchange and applied agricultural innovation. Throughout his career, Dr. Venkatesh has received recognition for his dedication to sustainable agriculture and research excellence, participating in scientific conferences and contributing to institutional capacity-building initiatives. In conclusion, Dr. Y. N. Venkatesh’s growing body of work and commitment to environmentally sound pest management highlight his role as a promising researcher driving forward sustainable agroforestry and integrated pest control strategies for resilient agricultural ecosystems in India.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  1. Venkatesh, Y. N., Ashajyothi, M., Uma, G. S., Rajarajan, K., & Handa, A. K. (2023). Diseases and insect pests challenge to meet wood production demand of Tectona grandis (L.), a high-value tropical tree species. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 130(5), 929–945. Citations: 11

  2. Saini, V., Singh, S., Rawal, R., & Venkatesh, Y. N. (2017). Species diversity and distribution of Cnaphalocrocis and Scirpophaga (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) species complex in rice in Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 5(4), 1308–1313. Citations: 11

  3. Ashajyothi, M., Mahadevakumar, S., Venkatesh, Y. N., Sarma, P. V., & others. (2024). Comprehensive genomic analysis of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus paralicheniformis associated with the pearl millet panicle reveals their antimicrobial potential. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), 197. Citations: 9

  4. Srinivasa, N., Chander, S., Sagar, D., & Venkatesh, Y. N. (2020). Rice brown planthopper prediction model with sweepnet catches. Indian Journal of Entomology, 82(3), 568–571. Citations: 9

  5. Venkatesh, Y. N., Neethu, T., Ashajyothi, M., Kumar, V., & Hiremath, C. (2024). Pollinator activity and their role on seed set of medicinal and aromatic Lamiaceae plants. Journal of Apicultural Research, 63(5), 1136–1144. Citations: 8

 

Zhaoxia Duan | Robotics and Automation | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhaoxia Duan | Robotics and Automation | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Hohai University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhaoxia Duan is a distinguished researcher whose academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Automation (2007-2011) and a Ph.D. in Control Science and Engineering (2011-2017) from Nanjing University of Science and Technology, including a visiting research fellowship at Shibaura University of Technology in Japan (2013-2014). Currently a tenured associate professor at the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Hohai University, she earlier served as a lecturer in the College of Energy and Electrical Engineering (2017-2023) and has also been a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Mathematics, Southeast University since 2019. Her research interests encompass multi-agent network systems, path planning for robots and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), multi-dimensional / 2D system theory and applications, switching system theory, and positive system theory; she has developed strong research skills in stability analysis, finite-frequency control, fuzzy hybrid system modeling, fault detection observers, optimization via machine-learning (e.g. multi-objective PSO + Q-learning), and observer/controller synthesis for 2D positive / Markov jump / delayed / hybrid systems. Over her career, she has led multiple funded projects including national, postdoctoral, and central university grants, supervised research, and contributed to theoretical advances in control and automation. Her publication record is robust, with over 30+ journal articles, two authorized invention patents, and the compilation of a university textbook. She has been recognized with numerous awards and honors such as teaching excellence, thesis supervision awards, lecture competition prizes, and reviewer excellence. According to Scopus metrics, she has authored approximately 64 documents, has received around 710 citations, and has an h-index of 17. In conclusion, Dr. Duan is a well-rounded scholar who bridges rigorous theoretical research with practical intelligent automation applications, and continues to make impactful contributions to control theory, robotics and multi-agent systems.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Duan, Z., Zhang, Y., Xu, Z., & Xiang, Z. (2025). Path planning problem in rough terrain by multi-objective PSO algorithm combined with Q-learning and crossover operator. Applied Soft Computing Journal, 184, 113798.

Duan, Z., Fu, Y., Wang, R., & Xiang, Z. (2025). l₁-gain control for delayed 2-D Markov jump positive systems in the Fornasini–Marchesini model. Journal of the Franklin Institute, 362(13), 107907.

Duan, Z., Zhang, Y., Wang, R., Xu, Z., & Xiang, Z. (2025). Robot path planning in rough terrain based on multi-objective crossover-mutation particle swarm optimization. Evolutionary Intelligence, 18, 64.

Duan, Z., Shao, Z., & Xiang, Z. (2025). A collaborative command and allocation model for manned and unmanned maritime forces. Journal of Army Engineering University of PLA, 3(4), 98–104. (In Chinese).

Duan, Z., Chu, C., Ghous, I., & Xiang, Z. (2024). On the l∞-gain of 2-D positive Roesser systems with bounded time-varying delays. Journal of the Franklin Institute, 361, 106819.

 

Shinichiro Sawa | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shinichiro Sawa | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Kyushu University | Japan 

Dr. Shinichiro Sawa is a highly accomplished Japanese immunologist and medical researcher renowned for his pioneering work in immune regulation, autoimmunity, and inflammation. He currently serves as a Professor at the Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Japan, where he leads innovative studies in molecular and cellular immunology. Dr. Sawa began his academic journey at Osaka University, earning his Medical Degree (M.D.) in 2000 and subsequently his Ph.D. in Medicine in 2006 from the same institution, where he developed a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and experimental medicine. His professional trajectory includes significant academic roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo (2011–2016) and Associate Professor at Hokkaido University’s Institute for Genetic Medicine (2016–2018) before joining Kyushu University in 2019. Dr. Sawa’s research interests center on understanding how immune cells, such as γδ T cells, fibroblasts, and plasma cells, interact with tissue environments to regulate immune tolerance, autoimmunity, and inflammatory diseases. His studies, published in prestigious journals such as Nature Immunology, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Journal of Investigative Dermatology, have shed light on how fibroblasts contribute to central immune tolerance and how plasma cells promote osteoclastogenesis in autoimmune arthritis. His research skills encompass cellular immunology, molecular signaling analysis, animal modeling of immune diseases, flow cytometry, and translational immunopathology, demonstrating both depth and precision in experimental design and interpretation. Recognized for his scientific contributions, Dr. Sawa has received numerous academic honors and research recognitions throughout his career, reflecting his influence in the global immunology community. In conclusion, Dr. Shinichiro Sawa stands as a leading figure in immunological research, bridging basic science and clinical application to advance our understanding of immune homeostasis and to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies against autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Nonaka, D., Yoshida, S., Nakano, K., Li, X., Okamura, T., Umemoto, E., Yamada, T., Watanabe, M., Jinno, S., Ito, M., Tsuda, M., Noguchi, N., Jiang, X.-J., Sumiya, E., & Sawa, S. (2025). Fibroblast-derived CSF1 maintains colonization of gut mucosal macrophage to resist bacterial infection. Mucosal Immunology.

  2. Onji, M., Sigl, V., Lendl, T., Novatchkova, M., Ullate-Agote, A., Andersson-Rolf, A., Kozieradzki, I., Koglgruber, R., Pai, T.-P., Lichtscheidl, D., Nayak, K., Zilbauer, M., Carranza García, N.-A., Sievers, L., Falk-Paulsen, M., Cronin, S. J. F., Hagelkruys, A., Sawa, S., Osborne, L. C., Rosenstiel, P., Pasparakis, M., Ruland, J., Takayanagi, H., Clevers, H., Koo, B.-H., & Penninger, J. M. (2025). RANK drives structured intestinal epithelial expansion during pregnancy. Nature, 637(8044), 156–166.

  3. Nitta, T., Tsutsumi, M., Nitta, S., Muro, R., Suzuki, E. C., Nakano, K., Tomofuji, Y., Sawa, S., Okamura, T., Penninger, J. M., & Takayanagi, H. (2020). Fibroblasts as a source of self-antigens for central immune tolerance. Nature Immunology, 21(10), 1172–1180.

  4. Nagashima, K., Sawa, S., Nitta, T., Tsutsumi, M., Okamura, T., Penninger, J. M., Nakashima, T., & Takayanagi, H. (2017). Identification of subepithelial mesenchymal cells that induce IgA and diversify gut microbiota. Nature Immunology, 18(6), 675–682.

  5. Onder, L., Mörbe, U., Pikor, N., Novkovic, M., Cheng, H.-W., Hehlgans, T., Pfeffer, K., Becher, B., Waisman, A., Rülicke, T., Gommerman, J., Müller, C., Sawa, S., Scandella, E., & Ludewig, B. (2017). Lymphatic endothelial cells control initiation of lymph node organogenesis. Immunity, 47(1), 80–92.

 

Hugh Sampson | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hugh Sampson | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor of Pediatrics | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | United States

Dr. Hugh A. Sampson, MD, is a distinguished physician-scientist and pediatric immunologist best known for his pioneering contributions in food allergy and immunopathogenesis, and is currently the Kurt Hirschhorn Professor of Pediatrics and Director Emeritus of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He earned a B.A. in Biology from Hamilton College in 1971, then obtained his M.D. from SUNY Buffalo in 1975, followed by a pediatric residency at Northwestern University / Children’s Memorial Hospital and an allergy/immunology fellowship at Duke University (1978–1980). Over his career, he has held leadership roles including chairing the Section on Allergy & Immunology of the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving as past President of AAAAI, holding editorial board positions in leading allergy/immunology journals, and directing national food allergy research consortia. His research interests encompass the pathogenesis of food-induced anaphylaxis, the molecular and immunologic characterization of allergenic food proteins and epitopes, genetics and immune regulation in food allergy, development of precision diagnostics (e.g. epitope-specific IgE/IgG4 profiles), and immunotherapy strategies (oral, epicutaneous, sublingual, and biologics such as anti-IgE) as well as novel therapeutic approaches. His research skills include translational and clinical trial design, immunologic assays (e.g. epitope mapping, serologic biomarkers), mechanistic in vitro and in vivo models, bioinformatics integration, large cohort epidemiologic and registry studies, and mentoring interdisciplinary teams. Among his many awards and honors are election to the National Academy of Medicine (Institute of Medicine) in 2003, the Brett Ratner Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Distinguished Scientist Award of AAAAI, memberships in honorary societies (Alpha Omega Alpha, Sigma Xi), and repeated recognitions from Research.com as a top immunology scientist. According to his institutional profile, his h-index (based on Scopus/Pure) is listed at ~85,982 (which appears anomalous and may reflect internal counting metrics), while bibliometric sources more conservatively report an h-index of ~147 with over 800+ publications; traditional citation counts exceed 100,000 across his work. In conclusion, Dr. Sampson’s career exemplifies a remarkable integration of basic immunology and clinical translation: his leadership, mentorship, and sustained high-impact scholarship have shaped the modern field of food allergy research, spawning diagnostic and therapeutic innovations and training generations of investigators in allergy and immunology.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

  1. Rose, N. R., Milisauskas, V., & Sampson, H. A. (1975). Species-specific tissue antigens. III. Immunological relationships of enzymic antigens in various species. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 20, 359–370.

  2. Sampson, H. A., & Buckley, R. H. (1981). Human IgE synthesis in vitro: A reassessment. Journal of Immunology, 127, 829–834.

  3. Rich, K. C., Sampson, H. A., Edwards, N. L., & Fox, I. H. (1981). Familial hypogammaglobulinemia with variable serum immunoglobulins: Concordance with lymphocyte ecto-5′-nucleotidase deficiency. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 135, 795–798.

  4. Sampson, H. A., Walchner, A., & Baker, P. (1981). Recurrent pyogenic infections in individuals with absence of the second component of complement. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2, 39–45.

  5. LoGalbo, P. R., Sampson, H. A., & Buckley, R. H. (1982). Symptomatic giardiasis in three patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Journal of Pediatrics, 101, 78–80.

 

 

Yigit Akin | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Yigit Akin | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Yigit Akin | Izmir Kâtip Celebi University School of Medicine | Turkey

Professor Yigit Akin is a distinguished urologist and academic leader specializing in uro-oncology, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive laparoscopy. He earned his M.D. from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 2004 and completed advanced training in robotics, laparoscopy, and uro-oncology at Klinikum Heilbronn, Germany, between 2013 and 2014. Currently, he serves as Head of Urology at Izmir Katip Celebi University, Turkey, leading one of the country’s premier uro-oncology centers. With over 210 peer-reviewed publications, 14 book chapters, and editorial board memberships in international journals, his contributions are well recognized in PubMed and IEEE-indexed forums. He has directed multiple multidisciplinary and international research projects, notably pioneering the extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using 3 trocars (#3trocarsELRP), with more than 1300 successful procedures. A global mentor in laparoscopic surgery, Prof. Akin has conducted live surgical workshops and training in over 10 countries, while also supervising international clinical fellows. His leadership extends to community-based medical training, editorial contributions, and professional memberships in leading medical and surgical associations. Prof. Akin is strongly positioned to lead next-generation cancer genetics and surgical innovation research. His expertise in developing novel laparoscopic techniques, combined with mentorship of global fellows, demonstrates the potential to advance robotic uro-oncology surgery, elevate Q1 journal contributions, and strengthen international collaborations that will shape the future of minimally invasive urology worldwide.

Profile: ORCID 

Featured Publications

orulmaz, E. M., Dönmez, K., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Penil fraktür nedeniyle opere edilen hastaların klinik sonuçları ve komplikasyonlarla ilişkili faktörler: 10 yıllık sonuçlarımız. Androloji Bülteni.

Tekinaslan, H., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Malekot kateter kırığına bağlı retroperitoneal yabancı cisim: Nadir bir olgu sunumu. Endouroloji Bülteni.

Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Özcan, S., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). AISI, SIRI, and MLR in predicting surgical outcomes after radical cystectomy: Revisiting inflammatory risk markers. Medicina, 61(10), 1756.

Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Özcan, S., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Optimising imaging strategies in suspected urolithiasis: Effects on diagnostic and therapeutic timelines. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi.

Özcan, S., Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and postoperative dysuria: A 20-year bibliometric perspective. Trends in Surgical Sciences.