Mercy Rugendo | Farmers | Young Scientist Award

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Ms Mercy Rugendo | Farmers | Young Scientist Award

 Masters Student at University of Embu, Kenya

Mercy Kangai Rugendo is a dedicated environmentalist and conservationist from Magumoni, Chuka, Kenya. Born in 1994, she pursued her education with a focus on environmental protection and conservation. In 2015, Mercy completed her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management at the University of Embu. Her coursework covered a diverse range of subjects, including environmental auditing, remote sensing, ecological laboratory techniques, and wildlife management.

 

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓

📚 Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management
    • University of Embu, Kenya
    • Fields of Study: Environmental Auditing, Remote Sensing, Environmental Impact Assessment, and more.
    • Graduated: April 2019
  • Certificate of Secondary Education
    • Njuri High School, Chuka
    • Graduated: November 2014

💼 Work Experience:

  • Administrative Assistant in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office
    • University of Embu
    • July 2021 to Present
  • Masters Student – Vliruos Project
    • March 2021 to Present
    • Project implementation, compliance, reporting, and organizing workshops.
  • Intern in the Registrar Vice-Chancellor’s Office
    • University of Embu
    • October 2020 to June 2021
  • Intern in the School of Agriculture
    • University of Embu
    • October 2019 to October 2020
  • Attachee, County Government of Embu
    • Ministry of Environment, Irrigation, and Natural Resources
    • May 2018 to August 2018

👩‍🔬 Research Focus:

Mercy Kangai Rugendo, an accomplished environmentalist, channels her passion for conservation into impactful community initiatives. Through active participation in tree planting, blood donation drives, and donations to children’s homes and prisons, she exemplifies a commitment to social responsibility. As a representative of the University of Embu on World Environmental Day, Mercy showcases her dedication to environmental advocacy. Her involvement in organizing the Embu town clean-up reflects a hands-on approach to fostering a cleaner, greener community. Through diverse community engagements, she consistently promotes sustainable practices, making her a valuable advocate for both environmental and societal well-being. 🌱🌍

Publications Top Notes:

 

Michiel Daam | Agroecology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Michiel Daam |  Agroecology | Best Researcher Award

Invited Professor at  Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Brazil

Michiel Adriaan Daam is a Dutch environmental scientist and Assistant Professor at the NOVA University Lisbon’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering. Born on February 3, 1976, he holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Wageningen Environmental Research, with specializations in Biology and Toxicology.

 

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓

📚 Education:

  • PhD: Biology, Wageningen Environmental Research (2008)
  • MSc: Environmental Sciences, University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands (2001)
  • MSc: Biomedical Health Sciences, University of Nijmegen (2001)

📝 Research Projects (Selected):

  • Ongoing projects funded by FAPESP on microplastics and pesticide impacts.
  • Invited expert for UN Environment Program report on pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Involved in projects assessing environmental effects of pesticide use in Brazil and Europe.

Employers & Experience:

  • Worked at NOVA University Lisbon, University of Aveiro (Portugal), Chemical Regulation Directorate (UK), University of Lisbon, and more.
  • Background includes roles as a postdoctoral researcher, research scientist, and regulatory ecotoxicologist.

 

Research Focus 📝:

  • Expertise in ecological risk assessment of contaminants like pesticides, metals, and emerging concerns.
  • Current projects on microplastics and pesticides in agricultural contexts.
  • Research topics include biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, chemical stress ecology, and ecological effect modeling.

 

Citations:
  • Citations: 1,720
  • Documents: 1,217
  • h-index: 24

The h-index is a measure that considers both the number of publications and their respective citation counts. In this case, an h-index of 24 suggests that Michiel Adriaan Daam has published 24 papers, each of which has been cited at least 24 times. This metric provides a balanced view of both the quantity and impact of a researcher’s work.

 

Publications Top Notes:
  1. Residual determination and acute toxicity of the neonicotinoid clothianidin in the neotropical stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula Latreille, 1811 (Apidae: Meliponini)
    • Authors: Biscassi, G.F., Rabêlo, W.F., Sardeli, R., …, Moscardi dos Santos, D., Vieira, E.M.
    • Published in: Chemosphere, 2024, 349, 140878
  2. Ecological risk assessment for metals in sediment and waters from the Brazilian Amazon region
    • Authors: Gomes, D.F., da Silva Pinto, T.J., Raymundo, L.B., …, Moreira, R.A., Rocha, O.
    • Published in: Chemosphere, 2023, 345, 140413
  3. Drinking water treatment residuals, a low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of hormones – A review
    • Authors: Dias, R., Daam, M.A., Diniz, M., Maurício, R.
    • Published in: Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2023, 56, 104322
  4. Abamectin and difenoconazole monitoring in strawberry flowers and pollen sampled from Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) hives located in crop vicinities
    • Authors: Burgarelli, J.A.M., dos Santos, D.M., Prado, F.S.R., …, Daam, M.A., Vieira, E.M.
    • Published in: Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023, 30(24), pp. 65401–65411
  5. Toward a tiered regulatory framework for the prospective aquatic effect assessment of pesticides in (Neo)tropical areas
    • Author: Daam, M.A.
    • Published in: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 2023, 19(3), pp. 638–647
    • Citations: 3

Lovely Mahawar | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Lovely Mahawar: Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at  Umea University, Sweden

Dr. Lovelymahawar is a skilled Postdoctoral Researcher at the Slovak University of Agriculture, Slovakia. With a Ph.D. in Botany (Plant Biotechnology) from Jai Narain Vyas University, India, and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Banasthali University, she boasts a rich academic background.

Publication Profile:🌟👨‍🎓

🏫 Education:

🌱 Ph.D. Botany (Plant Biotechnology) – Jai Narain Vyas University, India (2014-2019) 🌿 M.Sc. Biotechnology (Plant Biotechnology) – Banasthali University, India (2011-2013) 🌾 B.Sc. Biotechnology – Rani Durgawati University, India (2008-2011)

🔍Training / Workshops:

🔬 Workshop on Research Methodology and Statistics (SPSS) at Jai Narain Vyas University, India. (Feb 8-9, 2016) 💻 Training in Computer Graphics and Networking at Jai Narain Vyas University, India. (Feb 10-14, 2014) 🧬 Training in Molecular Biology Techniques at Animal Biotechnology Center, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, India. (June 1-30, 2012) 🌲 Training in Forest Biotechnology at Tropical Forest Research Institute, India. (Aug 2-6, 2010)

Honor/Awards

🌟 Visiting Researcher for 9 months at the Slovak University of Agriculture, Slovakia, under the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (Dec 2021). 🎓 Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-doctoral Fellowship awardee by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for a triumphant three-year journey starting in September 2021. 🏆 Dr. R.P.S Dhakarey Memorial Young Researcher Award in Biotechnology for Sustainable Development at AKS University, India (2019). 🏅 Prof. Prasanna Mohanty Memorial Award for Best Oral Presentation in Molecular Biology of Stress Responses in Phototrophs (MBSR-2016), IGNTU, India (2016). 📚 Triple-qualified in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIRNET) in June 2014 (Rank 35), June 2015 (Rank 39), and June 2016 (Rank 35). A hat-trick of excellence! 🌾 Double success in the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board National Eligibility Test (ASRB-NET) in Agriculture Biotechnology, scoring 51% in November 2014 and 53% in December 2015. 🔬 Mastered the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Life Science (January 2015) with a stellar percentile of 92.75, paving the way for a journey in Master of Technology or Doctor of Philosophy.

Skills and Expertise

🌱 Plant Biotechnology Maestro: A virtuoso in Tissue culture (micropropagation, callus culture, cell suspension culture, stem and root culture), synthetic seed preparation, and protoplast culture. Hydroponic technique? Nailed it! 🧬 Molecular Biology Sorcerer: Masters the magic of genomic and plasmid DNA isolation, RNA isolation, cDNA preparation, semiquantitative RT PCR, q-RT PCR, cloning, transformation, and the enchanted art of DNA sequencing (16S/18S rRNA sequencing). A true DNA whisperer. 🦠 Microbial Maestro: Cultivating microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) from terrestrial and marine realms, engaging in microscopic duels, and unveiling the secrets through staining techniques. 🔬 Microscopy Maven: A virtuoso of Confocal, Fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Peeking into the microscopic wonders with finesse. 🌾 Plant Biochemistry Guru: Proficient in the alchemical arts of estimating protein, carbohydrate, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Evaluates stress and antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) parameters. Masters chromatography (TLC, HPLC, gel filtration, ion exchange) and the spectrophotometric analysis of antioxidant enzymes. A true enzyme whisperer. 🌈 Spectroscopy Savant: Commands UV-Vis spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and atomic absorption spectroscopy for metal/element detection. Unveiling the colors of the unseen. 💻 Bioinformatics Wizard: Multiple sequence alignment with Clustal W and Clustal X, crafting primers, and unraveling genomes using bioinformatics tools. A digital biologist in the vast sea of data. 🌐 Nanotechnology Alchemist: Synthesizes (green and chemical) and characterizes carbon and metal nanoparticles. Dabbles in nanotoxicity and crafts nano formulations of agrochemicals for crop improvement. A true nano-artist in the field.

Research Focus 🌱🔬:

Lovely Mahawar’s research focuses on the intricate dance between plants and their environment. 🌿 Her work delves into the physiological mechanisms of plants under stress, exploring topics like salt stress, Cd+2 tolerance in Eruca sativa, GABA signaling, and iron homeostasis. She collaborates on projects like phyto-cleaning of polluted air and the role of hemin in enhancing Cd2+ tolerance. With expertise in plant biotechnology, her studies bridge the gap between nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and plant biochemistry. 🌱 Her dedication to understanding plant responses to environmental challenges makes her a true guardian of the botanical realm, unlocking nature’s secrets for a greener future. 🌍

 

Publications Top Notes: