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