Dr. Seltene Abady | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Dr. Seltene Abady Tesfamariam is a dedicated plant breeder committed to enhancing agricultural resilience in Eastern and Southern Africa. He earned a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of KwaZulu‑Natal (2018–2021), supported by an OFID scholarship under CGIAR. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the African Centre for Crop Improvement (since 2023), he previously led the National Groundnut Research Program in Ethiopia and served as Assistant Professor at Haramaya University. With over two decades of experience in research and teaching, Dr. Tesfamariam specializes in breeding drought‑tolerant groundnut, sorghum, maize, and wheat, integrating genetics, field trials, and advanced statistical tools. He has secured multiple grants and training awards, making him a recognized leader in agricultural innovation, capacity building, and sustainable food systems in Africa.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Tesfamariam’s academic path combines solid foundational training with rigorous postgraduate specialization. He completed a BSc in Plant Sciences (2003–2006) and an MSc in Plant Breeding (2011–2013) at Haramaya University, Ethiopia, focusing on crop genetics and breeding under local agronomic conditions. He went on to earn a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa (2018–2021), supported by an OFID/CGIAR scholarship. His doctoral work employed genome-wide association studies and advanced statistical analysis to dissect drought tolerance traits in groundnut. During this period, he also participated in numerous high‑level trainings—such as ASReml‑R modeling, meta‑analysis of research, and demand‑led variety design—shaping both theory and practice in modern plant breeding.

Professional Experience

Dr. Tesfamariam has more than 17 years of progressive agricultural research and academic experience. From 2007 to 2013, he worked as an Assistant Researcher at the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute, including leading SIMLESA projects at Pawe Research Center. He then transitioned to Haramaya University, serving as Lecturer (2013–2016) and Assistant Professor (2017–2023), where he taught plant breeding, supervised students, conducted field trials, and led local crop improvement initiatives. He coordinated Ethiopia’s National Groundnut Research Program (2015–2017), driving variety development and stakeholder engagement. Since 2023, he has been a Postdoctoral Fellow at the African Centre for Crop Improvement at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, focusing on enhancing stress resilience in African staple crops. His experience spans applied genomics, extension outreach, and leadership of multi‑institutional research teams.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Tesfamariam has earned recognition through competitive grants and training awards tied to innovation and crop improvement. He received the OFID scholarship under CGIAR to support his doctoral studies. In 2019, he was awarded funding from the International Foundation for Sciences (IFS), Stockholm. In 2021, he secured a Haramaya University research grant on transpiration efficiency in groundnut. In 2023, he received an Africa UniNet award on gender‑inclusive peanut production and aflatoxin mitigation. He has participated in prestigious international training programs—including ACIAR’s ASReml‑R workshop (2024), ICRISAT’s drought‑tolerance breeding initiative (2018–2020), and meta‑analysis and demand‑led variety design courses at KwaZulu‑Natal and Makerere. Professional memberships include the Southern Africa Plant Breeders’ Association and the Crop Science Society of Ethiopia.

Research Focus

Dr. Tesfamariam’s research is centered on breeding climate‑resilient cultivars to improve food security in drought‑prone regions of Africa. He specializes in groundnut, sorghum, maize, and wheat, targeting traits such as drought tolerance, early maturity, water‑use efficiency, harvest index, and carbon storage. His approach integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS), SNP markers, advanced statistical modeling (e.g. ASReml‑R), and field experimentation across diverse agro‑ecologies. He examines physiological traits—transpiration efficiency, proline accumulation, nitrogen use—and their genetic basis. His work also addresses aflatoxin contamination and gender‑inclusive peanut production strategies. Collaboration with institutions like ICRISAT, Cranfield University, and regional universities has enabled multidisciplinary innovation. His goal is development and deployment of improved varieties that support nutrition, farm resilience, and sustainable intensification under climate stress.

Publication Top Notes

Breeding for resistance to maize streak virus: Challenges, progress and future directions

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2025. Contributors: Mushayi, Malven; Shimelis, Hussein; Derera, John; Tesfamariam, Seltene Abady.
Summary: A comprehensive review of breeding efforts against maize streak virus, synthesizing progress in genetic resistance and outlining future breeding strategies tailored to African maize systems.

Genetic diversity and population structure analyses of tropical maize inbred lines using SNP markers

PLOS ONE, 2025. Contributors: Rodreck GununduID; Hussein Shimelis; Seltene Abady Tesfamariam.
Summary: This study uses SNP genotyping to dissect population structure in tropical maize, highlighting key diversity patterns to inform parent selection in breeding programs.

Progress in Sorghum Improvement for Early Maturity, Harvest Index, and Water‑Use Efficiency

Food and Energy Security, 2025. Contributors: Byamungu Lincoln Zabuloni; Hussein Shimelis; Seltene Abady Tesfamariam; Maryke Labuschagne; Elize Botha.
Summary: Evaluates sorghum genotypes for proxy traits associated with drought tolerance; identifies early‑maturing lines with superior harvest index and water‑use efficiency.

Genetic Parameters and Trait Associations in Wheat Under Drought and Low Nitrogen Conditions

Nitrogen, 2024. Contributors: Sbongeleni Warren Duma; Hussein Shimelis; Seltene Abady Tesfamariam; Toi Tsilo.
Summary: Examines wheat under water and nitrogen stress, quantifying trait correlations—vital for selection of dual‑stress tolerant lines under resource‑limited settings.

Genetic variation and association of yield, yield components, and carbon storage in sorghum genotypes

BMC Genomic Data, 2024. Contributors: Asande Ngidi; Hussein Shimelis; Seltene Abady; Vincent Chaplot; Sandiswa Figlan.
Summary: Links yield and biomass traits in sorghum with carbon storage potential, informing breeding for both productivity and soil carbon offset benefits.

Genome‑wide association analysis for drought tolerance and component traits in groundnut gene pool

Euphytica, 2024. Contributors: Abady, Seltene; Shimelis, Hussein; Janila, Pasupuleti; Wankhade, Ankush; Chimote, Vivek P.
Summary: Identifies marker-trait associations for key drought adaptive traits in groundnut germplasm; supports marker-assisted selection for stress resilience.

Response of Sorghum bicolor genotypes for yield and carbon storage in shoot and root systems

Scientific Reports, 2024. Contributors: Asande Ngidi; Hussein Shimelis; Seltene Abady; Sandiswa Figlan; Vincent Chaplot.
Summary: Field trial assessment of sorghum varieties for biomass partitioning and organic carbon storage under varying management regimes.

Conclusion

Dr. Seltene Abady Tesfamariam exemplifies the qualities of a Best Researcher Award recipient. His research directly addresses pressing challenges in African agriculture—climate change adaptation, food security, and sustainable crop production. With an exceptional blend of scientific rigor, leadership, training, and international engagement, he has significantly advanced the field of plant breeding and made lasting contributions to the agricultural development of the region. He is, without doubt, a highly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Prof. Manman Dai | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Professor, South China Agricultural University, China

Dr. Manman Dai is a Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University. With a strong background in veterinary medicine and preventive veterinary medicine, Dr. Dai’s research focuses on avian antiviral immune response and T-cell immunology. Over the course of their career, they have made substantial contributions to understanding avian diseases, particularly viral infections like avian influenza, through both experimental and immunological approaches. Dr. Dai’s work has been widely recognized for its innovation, and they have received prestigious awards and substantial research funding. As a professor, they continue to mentor the next generation of veterinary scientists, with a passion for improving both animal and public health through their research.

Profile

Education

Dr. Manman Dai completed a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and Administrative Management at South China Agricultural University (SCAU) from 2008 to 2012. They then pursued a Doctor of Science in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, a joint training program between SCAU and La Trobe University in Australia from 2012 to 2017. This cross-cultural academic experience enriched their understanding of global veterinary medicine and contributed to their expertise in avian immunology. Their rigorous educational background has shaped their research endeavors, focusing on viral pathogenesis and immune response in poultry. Dr. Dai’s education serves as the foundation for their ongoing work in advancing veterinary science and improving avian health through innovative research.

Experience

Dr. Manman Dai’s academic journey began with a postdoctoral position at the College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, from January 2018 to March 2020. During this time, they honed their research skills, contributing significantly to the understanding of avian viral immune responses. Following this, they advanced to Associate Professor in March 2020, and later, to Professor in May 2024 at the same institution. As a faculty member, Dr. Dai has become an influential figure in veterinary research, leading groundbreaking studies in avian immunology and viral infections. Their leadership extends to overseeing multiple research projects funded by national and provincial grants. In addition to their research roles, Dr. Dai has also been integral in the education and mentoring of graduate and postdoctoral students, ensuring the continuity of high-level research in the veterinary sciences.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Manman Dai has received numerous prestigious awards for their contributions to veterinary science. In March 2019, they were awarded the First Prize of Guangdong Science and Technology Progress Award, recognizing their significant research impact in the field. Later that year, in December, Dr. Dai received the First Prize of the Guangdong Agricultural Technology Promotion Award, further cementing their status as a leading researcher in veterinary medicine. These accolades, along with numerous grants and recognitions, highlight the exceptional quality of their work. Their studies on avian immune responses and viral pathogenesis have been widely acknowledged by both local and international peers. Dr. Dai’s consistent excellence in research and education demonstrates their commitment to advancing veterinary science and improving animal health on a global scale.

Research Focus

Dr. Manman Dai’s primary research focuses on avian antiviral immune responses and T-cell immunology. They explore the role of immune cells, particularly T-cells, in combating viral infections such as avian influenza, a critical area of study for both animal and public health. Through advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, Dr. Dai has dissected immune responses to various pathogens, contributing to a deeper understanding of how birds respond to infection. Their work on T-cell epitopes and immune regulation in avian species aims to identify potential vaccine targets and therapies for controlling avian diseases. This research not only addresses the fundamental mechanisms of immunity but also has significant implications for the prevention and management of viral outbreaks in poultry, ensuring food security and reducing zoonotic risks.

Publication Top Notes

“Revealing novel and conservative T-cell epitopes with MHC B2 restriction on H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV)” 🦠💉

“Analysis of H5N8 influenza virus infection in chicken with mApple reporter genes in vivo and in vitro” 🐔🧬

“Application and exploration of blended learning with BOPPPS teaching model in a veterinary infectious diseases course” 📚💡

“Dissection of key factors correlating with H5N1 avian influenza virus driven inflammatory lung injury of chicken identified by single-cell analysis” 🦠🔬

“Duck CD8+ T Cell Response to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection In Vivo and In Vitro” 🦆🦠

“Genomic Sequence and Pathogenicity of the Chicken Anemia Virus Isolated From Chicken in Yunnan Province, China” 🐣🔬

“Endogenous retroviruses transcriptomes in response to four avian pathogenic microorganisms infection in chicken” 🦠📊

“Chicken Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Response to Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J Infection Assessed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing” 🐔💉

“Survivability of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus on raw chicken meat in different environmental conditions” 🐔🌡️

“The Transcriptional Differences of Avian CD4+CD8+ Double-Positive T Cells and CD8+ T Cells From Peripheral Blood of ALV-J Infected Chickens Revealed by Smart-Seq2” 🧬💉