Hicham Fatnassi | Protected Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr Hicham Fatnassi | Protected agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Senior horticulture scientist at  research for Agriculture, Food and Environment – INRAE, France

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi is a Senior Horticulture Scientist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, UAE, since January 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in environmental physics applied to greenhouse climate characterization and modelling, obtained through a joint supervision from INRAE Avignon, France, and Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.

 

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓

📚 Education:

  • Ph.D. in environmental physics applied to greenhouse climate characterization and modeling.
  • Dissertation under co-supervision of INRAE Avignon, France, and Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.

👨‍🔬 Work Experience:

  • Senior Horticulture Scientist at ICBA, Dubai, UAE (Jan 2021 – Present)
  • Doctor Engineer at INRAE, Sophia-Antipolis, France (Aug 2002 – Dec 2020)

🔬 Research Activities:

  • Over 23 years of experience in designing environmentally sustainable greenhouse systems.
  • Expert in Computational Fluid Dynamic models for optimizing greenhouse ventilation.
  • Specialized in microclimate and pest interactions for greenhouse management.
  • Focus on climate control in greenhouses with insect-proof screens.
  • Pioneering work in the design and optimization of photovoltaic greenhouses.

 

Research Focus:

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi is a distinguished Senior Horticulture Scientist 🌿 with a research focus on advancing greenhouse technologies and closed plant growth systems. His expertise lies in utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) tools to model the intricate coupling of plant canopy activity and climate in controlled environments. Dr. Fatnassi’s contributions span diverse areas, from optimizing microclimates in greenhouses with thermal storage systems to modeling the impact of algae production raceway ponds on greenhouse microclimates. He also explores the study of microclimate and plant transpiration in various greenhouse setups, including citrus tunnel greenhouses. His innovative work integrates sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies to enhance plant growth environments.

 

Citations:

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi’s research impact, as reflected in citations and indices, showcases his significant contributions to the scientific community:

📚 Citations:

  • All-time: 2463
  • Since 2019: 1418

🌐 h-index:

  • All-time: 26
  • Since 2019: 21

🔍 i10-index:

  • All-time: 39
  • Since 2019: 31

These metrics underscore Dr. Fatnassi’s substantial influence and recognition within his field, emphasizing the widespread acknowledgment and utilization of his research by peers and scholars.

 

Publications Top Notes:

Nicholas Kiggundu | Cattle farming systems | Excellence in Research

Dr Nicholas Kiggundu: Cattle farming systems
Assoc. Professor at Makerere University, Uganda

Dr. Nicholas Kiggundu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Makerere University, Uganda. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from the University of Florida, USA, he boasts over 20 years of experience at Makerere University, contributing significantly to teaching, research, and outreach in areas such as Hydrology, Irrigation, Water resources, Watershed management, and Renewable Energy. Dr. Kiggundu holds key roles, including being a member of Makerere University’s Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Project Implementation Committee and the Steering Committee for the Appropriate Technology Centre for water, sanitation, and environment in Uganda. He is also a member of the prestigious Tau Beta Phi Engineering Honor Society in the USA.

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓
Education

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 2010 🎓. MSc. Agricultural Engineering, University of Nairobi, 1998. BSc. Agricultural Engineering, Makerere University, 1994

Employment

Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University (from July 2021) 🎓. Senior Lecturer (July 2017-June 2022), Lecturer (July 2011-June 2017), Asst. Lecturer (July 2001-June 2011)

Research & Management

Over 20 years at Makerere University 🏫. Specializations: Hydrology, Irrigation, Water Resources, Renewable Energy. Member of Steering Committee for Appropriate Technology Centre (Uganda). Coordinates Erasmus+ Mobility and Education Cooperation programs 🌐. Projects worth over $15 Million 💰

Projects

Key member in EU-funded projects: PrAEctiCe (€6,985,000) and SophiA (€7,800,000) 🌱💡. Team Leader for ESIA of Bugungu YP Prison Irrigation Farm (2020/2021). Principal Investigator for FAO-funded research on livestock sustainability

Recognition & Awards

PhD Graduate Research Assistantship, University of Florida, 2006 🏆. Various scholarships and awards for academic excellence and research contributions 🎖️

🍇 Research Focus:

Dr. Nicholas Kiggundu’s research spans diverse areas crucial for sustainable development in tropical environments. His work covers irrigation strategies, as evidenced by the study on Napier yield response under different irrigation methods (Ntege et al., 2023). In the realm of environmental impact, his collaborative efforts, such as the research on organic micropollutants in aquatic environments (Wang et al., 2022), showcase his commitment to water quality and ecosystem health. Additionally, his contributions extend to evaluating climate data reliability for water resource management (Garibay et al., 2021) and exploring smallholder farmers’ perceptions of agricultural drought adaptation technologies (Mfitumukiza et al., 2020). Dr. Kiggundu’s multidisciplinary approach includes assessing greenhouse gas emissions in farming systems (Kiggundu et al., 2019) and employing modeling for rainfed maize growth (Mibulo and Kiggundu, 2018). His dedication to understanding land use changes in critical areas like the Murchison Bay Catchment (Kiggundu et al., 2018) underscores his commitment to sustainable agricultural and environmental practices. Overall, his research endeavors contribute significantly to the intersection of agriculture, water resources, and environmental sustainability. 🌍🌱

Publications Top Notes:🌐🔬