Forouzandeh Soltani | Plant Stress | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani | Plant Stress | Women Researcher Award

Associate professor, University of Tehran, Iran

Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani Salehabadi is an Associate Professor of Vegetable Genetics and Breeding at the University of Tehran, Iran. She is also currently a Research Associate at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. With expertise in vegetable crop physiology and breeding, Dr. Soltani has an exceptional academic and research career. She has contributed significantly to agricultural science through international collaborations and cutting-edge research. As a recognized leader, Dr. Soltani has held prominent roles, including Deputy of the Horticultural Science Department at the University of Tehran, where she mentored numerous students. Her work is focused on improving the genetic quality and stress tolerance of crops, especially melon and cucumber varieties. She has extensive international collaborations with institutions in Germany, France, Japan, and other countries. Dr. Soltani has earned recognition in the form of prestigious awards, grants, and high-impact publications.

Profile

Education

Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani Salehabadi holds a Ph.D. in Horticultural Science, specializing in the physiology and breeding of vegetable crops, which she completed in 2010 at the University of Tehran, Iran. Before that, she earned a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Horticultural Science from the same university in 2003, and a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Horticultural Science from Valiasr University, Iran, in 2001. Her education provided her with a strong foundation in plant science, focusing on vegetable crops’ breeding, physiology, and genetic improvement. Through her academic journey, Dr. Soltani has developed expertise in vegetable breeding, crop stress physiology, and biotechnology, making substantial contributions to both her home country and internationally. Her academic path has supported her later research career, where she has pushed boundaries in the genetic improvement of crops, particularly under stress conditions like drought and salinity.

Experience

Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani Salehabadi has over a decade of experience in academia and research. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Horticultural Science Department at the University of Tehran, where she has made significant contributions to research and teaching. Prior to this, she served as an Assistant Professor from 2011 to 2022 and also held the role of Graduate and Undergraduate Program Director at the university. Between 2022 and 2023, Dr. Soltani was the Deputy of the Horticultural Science Department. In addition to her position in Tehran, Dr. Soltani is currently a Research Associate at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, where she continues her international collaborations. Over her career, Dr. Soltani has worked extensively with international research teams from Germany, France, Japan, and more, engaging in projects that advance crop breeding, stress tolerance, and genetics, particularly in melons, cucumbers, and aubergines.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani Salehabadi has received numerous grants and awards for her groundbreaking research in vegetable breeding and genetics. She has been awarded fully funded grants for her greenhouse cucumber inbred lines breeding program and has received recognition from the University of Tehran and the Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute for the registration and commercialization of Cantaloup hybrid varieties. Her work on the genetic improvement of melon and other vegetable crops has earned her recognition in the scientific community, with high citation rates for her publications. The international recognition of her research and contributions to global agricultural science further exemplifies her excellence in the field. Dr. Soltani’s leadership and mentorship in academia have also garnered accolades, highlighting her influence on shaping the next generation of scientists and researchers, particularly women, in agricultural science.

Research Focus

Dr. Forouzandeh Soltani Salehabadi focuses on vegetable genetics and breeding, particularly on improving drought and salinity stress tolerance in vegetable crops. Her research aims to enhance the nutritional quality, yield, and resilience of crops such as melon, cucumber, and aubergine. A significant part of her work involves understanding and regulating the carotenoid metabolism in colored vegetables like cauliflower, which impacts their nutritional value. Additionally, her work on the genetic diversity of melons and other crops using molecular markers is pivotal in developing superior breeding lines. Dr. Soltani’s studies on magnetic fields and their impact on seed germination, along with the application of biofertilizers to improve crop yields, have contributed to sustainable agriculture practices. By collaborating internationally with renowned institutions in Germany, France, and Japan, Dr. Soltani is advancing global efforts in the genetic improvement of vegetable crops under environmental stress.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Characterization of Iranian melon landraces of Cucumis melo L. Groups Flexuosus and Dudaim by analysis of morphological characters and random amplified polymorphic DNA (Breeding Science, 2010) 🌱
  2. Effect of magnetic field on Asparagus officinalis L. seed germination and seedling growth (Seed Science and Technology, 2006) 🌾
  3. Evaluation of combining ability in Cucurbita pepo L. and Cucurbita moschata Duchesne accessions for fruit and seed quantitative traits (Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2018) 🍉
  4. Genetic diversity of Cucurbita pepo L. and Cucurbita moschata Duchesne accessions using fruit and seed quantitative traits (Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2018) 🍈
  5. The effect of nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solvent bacteria on growth physiology and vitamin C content of Capsicum annum L. (Iranian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2013) 🌶️
  6. Morphological and Physio-Biochemical Responses of Watermelon Grafted onto Rootstocks of Wild Watermelon (Horticulturae, 2021) 🍉
  7. Selenium Fortification Alters the Growth, Antioxidant Characteristics and Secondary Metabolite Profiles of Cauliflower (Plants, 2021) 🥦
  8. Effect of magnetic field on Ocimum basilicum seed germination and seedling growth (International Symposium on the Labiatae, 2006) 🌿
  9. Growth, yield and enzyme activity response of watermelon accessions exposed to irrigation water deficit (International Journal of Vegetable Science, 2018) 🍉
  10. Analysis of general and specific combining ability of postharvest attributes in melon (Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2020) 🍈

 

 

Manman Dai | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

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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

  1. “Revealing novel and conservative T-cell epitopes with MHC B2 restriction on H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV)” 🦠💉
  2. “Analysis of H5N8 influenza virus infection in chicken with mApple reporter genes in vivo and in vitro” 🐔🧬
  3. “Application and exploration of blended learning with BOPPPS teaching model in a veterinary infectious diseases course” 📚💡
  4. “Dissection of key factors correlating with H5N1 avian influenza virus driven inflammatory lung injury of chicken identified by single-cell analysis” 🦠🔬
  5. “Duck CD8+ T Cell Response to H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection In Vivo and In Vitro” 🦆🦠
  6. “Genomic Sequence and Pathogenicity of the Chicken Anemia Virus Isolated From Chicken in Yunnan Province, China” 🐣🔬
  7. “Endogenous retroviruses transcriptomes in response to four avian pathogenic microorganisms infection in chicken” 🦠📊
  8. “Chicken Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Response to Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J Infection Assessed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing” 🐔💉
  9. “Survivability of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus on raw chicken meat in different environmental conditions” 🐔🌡️
  10. “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” 🧬💉