Maria Afzal | Plants | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Food Scientist

Ms. Maria Afzal | Plants | Best Researcher Award

Recently graduated at PMAS Aric Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Maria Afzal is a motivated and skilled botanist with a strong background in plant genomics, molecular biology, and functional genetics. With an MPhil in Botany (Plant Sciences) from PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, she specializes in genomic approaches for enhancing crop stress tolerance, particularly in rice and cotton. Her research integrates classical botany with modern genomic tools and bioinformatics to address critical challenges in plant science, including salinity stress, metal toxicity, and gene function characterization. She has contributed to high-impact publications and is proficient in both wet-lab and computational techniques, making her a versatile early-career scientist with great potential in plant biotechnology and agricultural research.

Publications Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education Details

  • MPhil in Botany (Plant Sciences)
    PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
    Sept. 2022 – Nov. 2024 (Expected)
    Thesis: Salt Tolerance Mapping in Rice: GWAS Insights and Genomic Patterns

  • Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Botany
    Government Gordon College, affiliated with University of Gujarat
    Aug. 2016 – Aug. 2020
    Relevant Coursework: Plant Systematics, Molecular Biology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience

  • Research Experience
    Hands-on expertise in functional genomics and molecular biology including:

    • DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qRT-PCR

    • Primer design, gene docking, phenotypic data collection

    • Genetic transformation and gene editing

    • Hydroponics and infusion cloning

    • Bioinformatics tools (TBtools, Cytoscape, MEGA7, ClustalX, SMART, NCBI, Pfam, Phytozome)

  • Internship

    • National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
      Internship Duration: Dec 2019 – Jan 2020 (1 Month)

🌱 Research Interests

  • Functional Genomics & Gene Editing in Crops

  • Stress Tolerance Mechanisms in Plants (Salinity, Heavy Metals)

  • Molecular Breeding and Trait Mapping using GWAS

  • ABC Transporters and Plant Defense Mechanisms

  • Evolutionary Genomics and Bioinformatics Applications in Agriculture

  • Nanotechnology in Plant Tissue Culture

🏆 Awards and Honors

  • Selected Participant in multiple international seminars and webinars hosted by prestigious universities and international organizations.

  • Contributor to peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors (up to 6.0).

  • Recognized for scientific writing and data analysis contributions to plant genomics publications.

🔍 Conclusion

Maria Afzal is a forward-thinking plant scientist whose multidisciplinary training in plant biology, genomics, and molecular biotechnology equips her to tackle global agricultural challenges. With strong research credentials, diverse technical skills, and active engagement in scientific communities, she is well-positioned to contribute to academic, research, and industry roles in plant science, genetics, and environmental sustainability.

Publications 📚

📘 1. Research Article
Malik W.A., Afzal M., Chen X., Cui R., Lu, Wang S., Wang J., Mahmood I., Ye W.
🔬 Systematic Analysis and Comparison of ABC Proteins Superfamily Confer Structural, Functional and Evolutionary Insights into Four Cotton Species.
📄 Industrial Crops & Products, 177 (2022): 114433.
📈 Impact Factor: 5.6

🧬 2. Nanotechnology in Plant Science
Malik W.A., Mahmood I., Razzaq A., Afzal M., Shah G.A., Iqbal A., Zain M., Ditta A., Asad S.A., Ahmad I., Mangi N., Ye W.
⚗️ Exploring Potential of Copper and Silver Nanoparticles to Establish Efficient Callogenesis and Regeneration System for Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
📄 GM Crops & Food Biotechnology (2021): 1917975.
📈 Impact Factor: 3.1

🌿 3. Environmental Stress & Plant Metabolism
Malik W.A., Afzal M., et al.
🧪 Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Mediated Alkaline Stress Tolerance, Induced by Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Enzymes in Cotton.
📄 Journal of Environmental Informatics (Accepted).
📈 Impact Factor: 6.0

🧪 4. Heavy Metal Tolerance in Crops
Malik W.A., Afzal M., et al.
🌱 Oxidizing the Odds: FAD-linked Oxidase Flavoenzymes Empower Cotton for Cadmium-Free Harvests.
📄 Industrial Crops & Products (Under Review).
📈 Impact Factor: 5.6

🧬 5. Scientific Commentary
Malik W.A., Afzal M., et al.
🔄 A New Consensus Required for a Unified Nomenclature System of ABC Transporters.
📤 Under Submission.

📊 6. Structural Biology & Evolution
Malik W.A., Afzal M., et al.
🧠 Domain-Based Reorganization of ABC Transporters Confer Novel Structural, Functional and Evolutionary Approaches in Plants.
📤 Under Submission.

Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan | plant nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Food Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan | plant nutrition | Best Researcher Award

member of faculty at university of Birjand, Iran

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan is an esteemed Iranian soil scientist specializing in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and saline-alkaline soil management. With extensive research in micronutrients, biofertilizers, and soil chemistry, he has significantly contributed to the field of agronomy. His work has been published in numerous international conferences and journals, focusing on soil amendment strategies and nutrient efficiency.

Publications Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

🎓 Education Details

  • Ph.D. in Soil Science Engineering – Georg-August University (Goettingen University), Germany (2005-2008)

  • M.Sc. in Soil Science Engineering – University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran (1992-1996)

  • B.Sc. in Soil Science Engineering – University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran (1987-1991)

  • Diploma in Science – Mustafa Khomeini High School, Mashhad, Iran (1983-1987)

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience

  • Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand (2014 – Present)

  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand (2012 – 2014)

  • Manager of Free Education and International Students, University of Birjand (2009 – 2011)

  • Head of Department, Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand (2000 – 2002)

🌱 Research Interests

  • Soil fertility and plant nutrition

  • Soil chemistry and nutrient uptake kinetics

  • Management of saline and alkaline soils

  • Biofertilizers and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn)

  • Phosphorus availability and soil amendments

🏆 Awards and Honors

  • 1993: Awarded a scholarship by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology for M.Sc. studies

  • 2003: Awarded a scholarship by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology for Ph.D. studies

🔍 Conclusion

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan has played a pivotal role in soil science research, particularly in addressing soil salinity, nutrient efficiency, and sustainable soil management. With a strong academic background, leadership roles, and numerous contributions to scientific literature, his work continues to impact soil fertility and agricultural practices globally.

Publications 📚

📄 Short-term changes of soil physicochemical properties affected by organic modifier type and its application method
📕 Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science (2023)
🔗 DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2023.2194639
✍️ Authors: Vahidi, M.J.; Sayyari Zahan, M.H.; Bayat, H.; Parsa, Z.

🌱 A Survey of Soil Carbon Stocks and Effective Soil Properties in Almond Orchards of Borujerd, West of Iran
📘 Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (2022)
🔗 DOI: 10.1007/s42729-021-00694-8
✍️ Authors: Jami Al-Ahmadi, M.; Byranvand, P.; Mahdavi Damghani, A.; Sayyari Zahan, M.H.

🌸 Influence of some pre and post-harvest practices on quality of saffron stigmata
📗 Scientia Horticulturae (2021)
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109846
✍️ Authors: Fallahi, H.-R.; Aghhavani-Shajari, M.; Sahabi, H.; Behdani, M.A.; Sayyari-Zohan, M.H.; Vatandoost, S.

🍏 Effects of NaCl salinity on some leaf nutrient concentrations, non-photochemical quenching and the efficiency of the PSII photochemistry of two Iranian pomegranate varieties under greenhouse and field conditions: Preliminary results
📙 Journal of Plant Nutrition (2016)
🔗 DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2016.1201686
✍️ Authors: Khayyat, M.; Tehranifar, A.; Davarynejad, G.H.; Sayyari-Zahan, M.H.

🌳 Vegetative growth, compatible solute accumulation, ion partitioning and chlorophyll fluorescence of ‘Malas-e-Saveh’ and ‘Shishe-Kab’ pomegranates in response to salinity stress
📔 Photosynthetica (2014)
🔗 DOI: 10.1007/s11099-014-0034-9
✍️ Authors: Khayyat, M.; Tehranifar, A.; Davarynejad, G.H.; Sayyari-Zahan, M.H.

🗺 Soil classification and genesis in part of Khorasan province
📖 Developments in Soil Classification, Land Use Planning and Policy Implications (2013) – Book Chapter
🔗 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5332-7_22
✍️ Authors: Hassan Sayyari-Zahan, M.

🌻 Effect of drought stress and zinc sulfate on the yield and some physiological characteristics of sunflower (Helianthus. Annuus L.)
📙 Advances in Environmental Biology (2012)
✍️ Authors: Shahri, Z.B.; Zamani, G.R.; Sayyari-Zahan, M.H.

🌾 Interaction effect of saline irrigation water, mycorrhiza fungi, and phosphorus fertilizer on yield and yield components of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
📘 Advances in Environmental Biology (2011)
✍️ Authors: Motlagh, B.P.; Mahmoodi, S.; Hassan Sayyari-Zahan, M.; Naghizadeh, M.

🥦 Manganese efficiency and manganese-uptake kinetics of raya (Brassica juncea), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and oat (Avena sativa) grown in nutrient solution and soil
📕 Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science (2009)
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/jpln.200800149
✍️ Authors: Sayyari-Zahan, M.H.; Sadana, U.S.; Steingrobe, B.; Claassen, N.