Rebecca Zengeni | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientific World Research Awards

Dr. Rebecca Zengeni | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior lecturer | University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

Dr. Rebecca Zengeni is a distinguished soil scientist and lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a strong academic background including a BSc and MPhil in Soil Science from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, where her research focused on soil carbon dynamics and carbon dioxide efflux under different vegetation environments. She began her professional career as a researcher at the Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe and later served as a lecturer at Bindura University of Science Education before joining UKZN. At UKZN, she teaches courses in soil science, waste management, and indigenous knowledge systems, while her research interests encompass soil fertility, soil and water conservation, field experiments, soil analysis, waste management, and nutrient management. Dr. Zengeni has authored 32 documents indexed in Scopus, with her work cited 454 times and an h-index of 10, reflecting her significant scholarly impact. Her research skills include expertise in soil analysis, experimental design, soil fertility assessment, and sustainable waste management. She has received recognition for her contributions to soil science through awards and professional acknowledgments, demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge in agricultural and environmental sciences. Overall, Dr. Zengeni’s career represents a blend of rigorous research, effective teaching, and meaningful contributions to sustainable soil and environmental management.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Mbava, N., Zengeni, R., & Muchaonyerwa, P. (2025). Carbon dioxide emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization patterns from soil amended with shoot and root residues of different wheat genotypes. Frontiers in Agronomy, 7, 1576878.

  2. Vambe, M., Zengeni, R., Arthur, G., Singh, K., Amoo, S., Naidoo, K., & Coopoosamy, R. M. (2024). Moringa oleifera leaf powder influenced the chemical profile of Leonotis leonurus essential oils. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 5(6).

  3. Vambe, M., Singh, K., Coopoosamy, R. M., Naidoo, K., & Zengeni, R. (2024). Vermicompost leachates enhance morpho-physiological properties in Pelargonium sidoides DC. Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development, 8(1), a256. https://doi.org/10.4102/jomped.v8i1.256

  4. Ntonta, S., Zengeni, R., Muchaonyerwa, P., & Chaplot, V. (2024). Variability in decomposition rate of sorghum cultivar residues linked to lignin content. Rhizosphere, 29, 100850.

  5. Zengeni, R., & Hlatshwayo, N. (2023). Non-agricultural soil uses by communities in uMgungundlovu District and their safety for use. Inkanyiso, 15(1), a70.

 

Ahmed Abdelkhalek | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientific World Research Awards

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.