Marina Vranić | Animal Nutrition | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Prof. Dr. Marina Vranić | Animal Nutrition | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Professor | University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture | Croatia

Prof. Dr. Marina Vranić is a distinguished Croatian scholar and full professor at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Forage and Grassland. Her academic journey began with a degree in agriculture specializing in livestock production, followed by a master’s in animal nutrition and a doctorate in grassland studies, all from the University of Zagreb. Before entering academia, she gained valuable professional experience as an adviser in governmental offices, as well as through roles in agricultural policy and commercial enterprises, which shaped her multidisciplinary perspective. Her primary research interests include forage conservation, animal nutrition, in vivo research methods, and the application of advanced NIR spectroscopy for predicting forage nutritive value. She has authored and co-authored more than one hundred publications, contributing significantly to the fields of animal nutrition and forage science, with her work widely recognized both nationally and internationally. Her scholarly impact is reflected in 114 citations by 91 documents, 34 documents, and an h-index of 7. In addition to research, she has actively contributed to international scientific collaborations and projects, including those supported by the Croatian Science Foundation and the World Bank. She has been involved in numerous studies addressing the improvement of forage quality, sustainable livestock production, and nutritive modulation of fatty acids in animal diets. Known for her strong communication skills, she excels in collaborative research environments and has mentored students and young researchers in the agricultural sciences. Her contributions extend beyond academia through her engagement in policy development, scientific societies, and applied agricultural practices, reflecting her dedication to advancing sustainable food production and livestock nutrition in Croatia and beyond.

Featured Publications

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Perčulija, G., Grbeša, D., Leto, J., Bošnjak, K., & Rupić, I. (2004). Quality of bulky forages on family farms in the Republic of Croatia. Mljekarstvo, 54(3), 175–186.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Bošnjak, K., Leto, J., & Perčulija, G. (2007). Feeding value of low quality grass silage supplemented with maize silage for sheep. MTT Agrifood Research Finland.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Bošnjak, K., Leto, J., Perčulija, G., & Matić, I. (2008). Effects of replacing grass silage harvested at two maturity stages with maize silage in the ration upon the intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention in wether sheep. Livestock Science, 114(1), 84–92.

Vranić, M., Knežević, M., Leto, J., Perčulija, G., Bošnjak, K., Kutnjak, H., & Maslov, L. (2005). Quality of bulky forages on family farms in the Republic of Croatia: Monitoring of grass silage quality during two winter feeding seasons of dairy cows. Mljekarstvo, 55(4), 297–312.

Mašek, T., Krstulović, L., Brozić, D., Vranić, M., Maurić, M., Bajić, M., & Starčević, K. (2014). Cow colostrum and early milk enriched with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acid. European Food Research and Technology, 238(4), 635–640.

Prof. NACEUR MHAMDI | Animal sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. NACEUR MHAMDI | Animal sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. NACEUR MHAMDI, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Unversity of Carthage, Tunisia

Professor Naceur Mhamdi is a seasoned expert in Animal Biotechnology and Biostatistics with a remarkable career as an advisor, consultant, and educator. His contributions to sustainable agriculture and animal welfare have shaped his expertise in climate change adaptation and biostatistics. He serves as an adviser at the International Foundation for Sciences and is a consultant in data analysis, MEAL, and sustainable development. With an academic focus on quantitative genetic variation in livestock, his work has influenced both national and international agricultural strategies.

Profile

Googlescholar

Strengths for the Award

Extensive Academic Background: The candidate holds a Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture/Animal Production and an HDR in Biotechnology and Data Analysis, with strong interdisciplinary knowledge in animal biotechnology, genetics, and biostatistics.

Significant Research Contributions: Their work on genetic indicators of adaptation and welfare in livestock, especially dairy cattle, aligns with global agricultural sustainability challenges, making it highly relevant to modern research trends.

Project Leadership: The candidate has coordinated several prestigious international projects, notably in climate change adaptation for livestock, and is involved in Mediterranean and Tunisian research collaborations.

Teaching and Mentorship: With over a decade of experience in training researchers and supervising Ph.D. and Master’s students, the candidate demonstrates a commitment to education and knowledge dissemination.

International Expertise: The candidate’s role as a consultant in MEAL, statistics, sustainable development, and climate change further enhances their profile as a global expert.

Peer Recognition: Serving as an associate editor and reviewer for renowned journals solidifies their reputation in academia.

Areas for Improvement

Broader Publication Impact: While the candidate has a strong academic and reviewer background, there is a need to focus on publishing in more high-impact international journals to gain wider visibility in the scientific community.

Collaboration Expansion: Extending collaborations beyond the Mediterranean region and engaging in more global cross-disciplinary research could enhance the candidate’s contributions to fields such as climate-smart agriculture and animal welfare.

Innovative Data Application: Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning and AI, in data analysis and biostatistics could advance the candidate’s methodologies in experimental design and modeling in agricultural research.

🎓 Education

Professor Mhamdi holds a Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture and Animal Production from the University of Sousse, Tunisia, completed in 2011, with a focus on genetic indicators of adaptation in dairy cattle. He further solidified his expertise with an HDR from the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia in 2021, specializing in Biotechnology and Data Analysis. His academic journey began with an Engineering degree in Animal and Fodder Production from the University of Carthage, Tunisia, in 2002.

💼 Experience

Professor Mhamdi’s professional experience spans over two decades, including roles as a data analyst at UNICEF Tunisia, expert trainer at the Deloitte office, and lecturer at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia. His teaching portfolio includes courses in statistics, animal biotechnology, and livestock management. He has also consulted on various environmental and climate change projects, focusing on livestock production and sustainable development.

🔬 Research Interests

His research centers on quantitative genetic variation in farm species, especially dairy cattle, along with biostatistics and data analysis. His work addresses animal welfare, climate change adaptation, and the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Additionally, he is keenly interested in the application of linear model methodology and large dataset analysis for improving farm species’ resilience and productivity.

🏆 Awards

Professor Mhamdi has been recognized for his contributions to the field of animal science and biotechnology. His work on climate change adaptation in livestock and data analysis has garnered attention from various academic and environmental institutions. He continues to be an active contributor to national and international research projects.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Environmental factors and genetic parameters of growth traits in Tunisian local sheep

Farm animal welfare and climate change: methods of assessment and mitigation

Natural Heat Stress Affects Physiological, Hematological and Hormonal Parameters in North African Ram Breeds

On-Farm Assessment of Broiler Welfare in Tunisia Using Welfare Quality® Broiler Protocol

Solid-Phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water samples using CTAB-TIO2 modified nanotubes

Temperature-Humidity Index Values and Their Significance on the Daily Production of Dairy Cattle in the North African Arid Region

Insects as an alternative protein source for poultry nutrition: a review

Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide (NS-TiO 2)

Physicochemical properties, antioxidant markers, and meat quality as affected by heat stress: a review

Određivanje glavnih čimbenika koji utječu na prinos i sastav kozjeg mlijeka u sjeverozapadnoj regiji Tunisa

Conclusion

Given the candidate’s extensive experience, interdisciplinary research, and leadership in significant projects, they are highly suitable for the “Best Researcher Award.” Their focus on sustainable agriculture and animal welfare resonates with current global priorities, positioning them as a strong contender. Further strengthening their publication and technological engagement would enhance their impact on the field.