David Tavi Agbor | Agroecology | Young Scientist Award

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Mr David Tavi Agbor | Agroecology | Young Scientist Award

M.Sc graduate and adjunct lecturer at  Catholic University Institute Buea Cameroon

David Tavi Agbor is a Cameroonian soil scientist with a diverse academic background spanning multiple continents. He holds an M.Sc. in Soil Science from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program, complemented by degrees in Agronomy from the University of Buea, Cameroon. Throughout his academic journey, David has maintained an impressive GPA, reflecting his commitment to excellence.

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓

🎓 Education:

  • M.Sc. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Soil Science (Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria, and Jordan)
  • M.Sc. Agronomy (Crop Production) – University of Buea, Cameroon
  • B.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy) – University of Buea, Cameroon

🔬 Research Interests:

  • Plant-Soil interactions, Plant-Microbes interactions
  • Agroecology, Agronomy, Soil Science
  • Ecosystem modeling, remote sensing, and land use/land cover change
  • Forest Ecology and Sustainable Forest

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Adjunct Lecturer at Catholic University Institute Buea, Cameroon
  • Cofounder and Team Leader at Global Youth Connect for Sustainable Agriculture
  • Junior Soil Scientist Researcher at ekolive company, Slovakia
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Science

🏆 Awards & Grants:

  • Winner of various grants including EJP SOIL Access to Infrastructure Call, Stimulus Fund Grant, Erasmus+ Scholarship, and more
  • Recipient of academic excellence awards

🛠️ Skills:

  • Proficient in languages: English (Fluent), French (Elementary)
  • Experienced in GIS, remote sensing, data analysis, and soil analysis techniques

🔬 Research Focus:

David Tavi Agbor’s research focus primarily revolves around sustainable agricultural practices and crop production enhancement 🌾. He investigates various aspects including intercropping techniques for pest management and yield improvement, as evidenced by his work on maize-legume intercropping with botanical Piper. Additionally, his studies delve into the adaptability of crop cultivars, such as okra, and explore innovative methods like vegetative propagation of tomato hybrids. Agbor also contributes to understanding soil dynamics and land use changes through techniques like GIS and remote sensing. Overall, his research endeavors contribute significantly to sustainable farming practices and ecosystem management 🌱.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Maize-legume Intercropping and Botanical Piper Mitigating Effect on Pest Populations while Enhancing the Yield of Maize Authors: Agbor, D.T., Eboh, K.S., Sama, D.K., Tanyi, G.T., Nkongho, R.N. Published in: Journal of Natural Pesticide Research, 2023, 6, 100060Abstract: This study explores the synergistic effects of maize-legume intercropping and the application of botanical Piper in mitigating pest populations while simultaneously enhancing maize yields.
  2. Vegetative Propagation of F1 Tomato Hybrid (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Using Different Rooting Media and Stem-nodal Cuttings Authors: Nkongho, R.N., Ndam, L.M., Akoneh, N.N., Ojongakpa, O.T., Ngone, A.M. Published in: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2023, 11, 100470Abstract: Investigates various methods of vegetative propagation for F1 tomato hybrid, assessing the efficacy of different rooting media and stem-nodal cuttings.
  3. Seed Production System and Adaptability of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Cultivars in Buea, Cameroon Authors: Nkongho, R.N., Efouba-Mbong, J.T., Ndam, L.M., Etchu-Takang, E.G., Agbor, D.T. Published in: PLoS ONE, 2022, 17(12 October), e0278771Abstract: Explores the seed production system and adaptability of various okra cultivars in the Buea region of Cameroon.

Selin Ceren Balsak | Sustainable Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Selin Ceren Balsak: Sustainable Agriculture
Dr at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University, Turkey

Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak is a plant virologist with a rich academic background. She earned her PhD in Virology from Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, focusing on the population structure of Tomato spotted wilt virus and the resistance response of pepper genotypes to reassortant isolates. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed a Master’s degree in Virology, conducting research on the genetic diversity of grape viruses in autochthonous grape varieties. Dr. Balsak’s academic journey began at Çukurova University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Protection. She further enriched her education through Erasmus exchanges, spending time at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection in Italy and Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland.

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓
Education

🌿 Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak, a passionate scholar in the realm of plant protection and virology, completed her academic journey with flying colors. She obtained her PhD from Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, specializing in Virology within the Faculty of Agriculture (2016-2020). Her groundbreaking thesis delved into the intricate world of the population structure of the Tomato spotted wilt virus, exploring the resilience of pepper genotypes against reassortant isolates.

🔬 Building on this foundation, Ceren pursued a Master’s degree in Virology at the same institution from 2014 to 2016. Her research during this period focused on unraveling the genetic diversity of viruses in the genus vitivirus (GVA, GVB) and nepovirus (GVFL). Her investigations took her to the vineyards of the eastern Mediterranean and southeast Anatolia regions, contributing valuable insights to the understanding of autochthonous grape varieties.

🎓 Ceren embarked on her academic journey at Çukurova University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Protection from the Faculty of Agriculture (2008-2013). Her commitment to scholarly pursuits and her invaluable contributions to the field showcase her dedication to advancing our understanding of plant health and protection. 🌱💡

Projects:

🔍 Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak has been actively involved in cutting-edge research projects, contributing her expertise to advance the understanding of plant diseases. In the TÜBİTAK-1001 project (Project Number: 221O411), she played a crucial role as a researcher. Her focus was on the molecular and biological characterization of Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd) in pistachio trees. Additionally, she was instrumental in developing a pioneering one tube-one step multiplex RT-qPCR protocol for the detection of two viroids in two genera (Cocadviroid, Hostuviroid), showcasing her commitment to innovative methodologies in plant virology.

🌱 Another noteworthy project, PIA-Bosphorus-France (221N050), saw Dr. Balsak taking on the role of a researcher in exploring a novel approach to screen pepper resistance to Beet western yellows virus (BWYV). Her involvement in this project highlights her dedication to finding innovative solutions for enhancing pepper plant resilience against viral threats.

Through her active participation in these projects, Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak continues to contribute significantly to the field of plant protection and virology, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. 🌿🔬 #ResearchProjects #PlantVirology #InnovationInScience

 

🍇 Research Focus:

🌱 Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak is a distinguished researcher with a multifaceted focus on plant virology, evident in her diverse body of work. Her research spans the detection of emerging threats, such as the first report of Kyuri green mottle mosaic virus in Turkey, showcased in Australasian Plant Disease Notes. With a keen eye on pepper crops, she explores the distribution and phylogenetic analysis of Broad bean wilt virus-2, as seen in Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology.

🔬 Dr. Balsak delves into the intricate world of molecular and biological characterization, evident in her work on Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus isolates and the first report of apple dimple fruit viroid in fig trees in Turkey. She extends her expertise to grapevines, uncovering the prevalence and genetic variability of Grapevine virus A in Turkish autochthonous grapevine varieties.

🌿 In the realm of tree crops, she contributes to the understanding of viroids affecting Pistachio and explores the genetic diversity of Hop stunt viroid in Pistachio trees. Additionally, her work encompasses the detection of Cucumber mosaic virus in cyclamen, marking a first report in Turkey.

🍇 Dr. Balsak’s contributions extend globally, with studies on the distribution and population diversity of Australian grapevine viroid in Turkish autochthonous grapevine varieties, as well as the occurrence of Beet western yellows virus in spinach in Turkey. Her dedication to advancing knowledge is evident in her exploration of Grapevine virus D in autochthonous grapevine varieties.

👩‍🔬 Overall, Dr. Selin Ceren Balsak’s research reflects a holistic approach to plant virology, covering a wide spectrum of plant species and viruses, contributing significantly to the field. #PlantVirology #ResearchDiversity #ScientificExploration

 

Publications Top Notes:🌐🔬

Sonia Dhouadi | Agroecology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr  Sonia Dhouadi: Agroecology 
Teacher researcher at  Higher Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technologies University of Carthage, Tunisia

Sonia Dhaouadi, born on December 3, 1965, is a married individual with two children aged 19 and 29. Residing at Place Keïreddine No. 35, Grombalia, Tunisia. Professionally, Sonia is an Assistant Professor and Head of the research unit for Limnic Hydrobiology at the Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory (LR01ES14.FSB) since 2011. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences, focusing on the ecobiological study of Atyaephyra desmaresti in Tunisian dam lakes. Her academic journey includes a DEA in Animal Ecology and a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences.

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓
🎓 Education:
  • 🎓 PhD in Biological Sciences (2003)
  • 📜 DEA of Animal Ecology (1995)
  • 📚 AEA in Ecology (1992)
  • 🎓 Master of Natural Sciences (1991)
  • 🎓 D.U.E.S in Natural Sciences
  • 🎓 Baccalaureate in Mathematics and Sciences (1986)
👩‍🎓 Previous Research:

🦐 PhD Thesis: Ecobiological Study of Atyaephyra desmaresti in Tunisian dam lakes. 📖 Master’s Thesis: Contribution to the study of population dynamics of ectoparasites in the Cap-Bon region.

📖 Pedagogic Contributions:

📚 Courses at HIEST: Biotic Resources, Environmental Monitoring, Applied Ecology, and more. 📚 Courses at HIBM: Animal Biology, Descriptive Embryology, Reproduction and Development.

🍇 Research Focus:

Sonia Dhaouadi’s research spans the intricate ecosystems of Tunisia, with a primary focus on Limnic Hydrobiology and Environmental Biomonitoring. 🌊 Her extensive work includes ecological risk assessments of heavy metal accumulation in soil and plants, as well as evaluating heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of water bodies. 🌿 Her commitment to biodiversity conservation is evident in studies combining distribution data and molecular analyses for prioritizing conservation efforts amid climate change. 🦐 Sonia’s expertise extends to the impact of heavy metal pollution on invertebrates and the documentation of new insect species, showcasing her dedication to understanding and preserving Tunisia’s diverse ecosystems. #EcologyExplorer

 

Publications Top Notes:🌐🔬