Rudo Musango | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Rudo Musango | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Haramaya University | Zimbabwe

Mrs. Rudo Musango is an accomplished agricultural researcher with over two decades of experience advancing climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems in Zimbabwe and beyond. Her expertise lies in agronomy, plant genetic resource management, and community-based conservation of climate-resilient crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, and Bambara groundnut. Throughout her career, she has contributed to projects funded by international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), focusing on the conservation, utilization, and management of indigenous and underutilized crop species. Mrs. Rudo Musango has played a key role in the Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Institute, where she led molecular and field-based research on germplasm characterization, seed systems, and biodiversity strategies. Her scholarly contributions include publications in international journals like Heliyon, Cogent Food & Agriculture, and Agriculture (MDPI), addressing themes such as crop–parasite interactions, genetic diversity, and sustainable biotechnology applications. A recipient of prestigious scholarships from the World Bank and the Italian government, she exemplifies leadership in agricultural innovation, gender-inclusive research, and rural development. As a member of professional scientific networks, she continues to drive research that strengthens food security, enhances ecosystem resilience, and supports climate adaptation in smallholder farming systems across Sub-Saharan Africa. Her multidisciplinary approach, combining molecular biology, field agronomy, and community engagement, positions her as a leading advocate for integrating science-based solutions with local agricultural practices.

Profiles: Orcid | LinkedIn | Researchgate

Featured Publications

Musango, R., Tana, T., Mabasa, S., Gasura, E., Pasipanodya, J. T., Mandumbu, R., & Tauro, T. P. (2024). Influence of Alectra vogelii inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer application on phenology, yield components and grain yield of Bambara groundnut genotypes. Heliyon, 10, e40973.

Musango, R., Tana, T., Mabasa, S., Gasura, E., Pasipanodya, J. T., Mandumbu, R., & Tauro, T. P. (2024). Interactions of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) genotypes and phosphorus fertilizer rates in controlling Alectra vogelii. Cogent Food & Agriculture, Soil & Crop Science Journal, 0(1), 2416499.

Musango, R., Pasipanodya, J. T., Tamado, T., Mabasa, S., & Makaza, W. (2022). Alectra vogelii: A threat to Bambara groundnut production under climate change: A review paper. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 11, 83–105.

Pasipanodya, J. T., Horn, L. N., Achigan-Dako, E. G., Musango, R., & Sibiya, J. (2022). Utilization of plant genetic resources of Bambara groundnut conserved ex situ and genetic diversification of its primary genepool for semi-arid production. Agriculture, 12, 492.

Chinasho, A., & Musango, R. (2019). Synergies and trade-offs of biotechnology and climate smart agriculture: Review. Biodiversity International Journal, 3(6).

Esther Delphine Makamte Pegalepo | Plant Breeding | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Esther Delphine Makamte Pegalepo | Plant Breeding | Women Researcher Award

Africa Rice | Ivory Coast

Dr. Esther Delphine Makamte Pegalepo is a seasoned Cameroonian plant breeder and seed systems expert with over 15 years of experience. She currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Coordinator of the AfricaRice Breeding Task Force network, contributing to rice genetic improvement across 28 African nations. Passionate about sustainable agriculture, she has led seed system innovations, capacity-building programs, and variety evaluation initiatives. Her mission is to develop pesticide-free, high-yielding rice varieties suited to diverse African agro-ecologies. Dr. Pegalepo combines academic excellence with hands-on expertise in breeding, research coordination, and seed technology to ensure food security in Africa.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Pegalepo earned her Ph.D. in Phylogenetic Resources and Crop Protection (2020) from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, with a thesis on Piper guineense-based biopesticides for rice protection. She holds two Master’s degrees: one in Seed Industry Seed Technology (2006), and another in Plant Biotechnology (2004), both from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Natural Sciences (2001), following her high school graduation in Mathematics and Natural Sciences in 1997. Her education laid the groundwork for her strong research in plant protection and breeding innovation.

Experience

Dr. Pegalepo currently works at AfricaRice as a PDF Plant Breeder and Coordinator of the Breeding Task Force (BTF), leading capacity-building efforts and rice seed evaluation across 28 African countries. From 2014–2022, she supported breeding operations and seed systems, training women’s associations and partners across West Africa. Earlier, she served at AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center and EICD in Cameroon and Central African Republic, specializing in seed multiplication, vegetable seed systems, and community capacity development. Her responsibilities span varietal development, seed distribution, trial management, and partnership coordination.

Research Interests

Dr. Pegalepo’s research interests focus on plant breeding, seed systems, and ecofriendly pest-resistant rice varieties. Her work emphasizes biotic and abiotic stress resilience, varietal adaptability, and integration of genetic resources from AfricaRice’s genebank. She is involved in the AGGRi2 and B4T projects, which aim to accelerate genetic gain and varietal deployment. Through breeding programs, she supports the delivery of climate-smart, pesticide-free rice cultivars that improve yields, environmental sustainability, and food security across Africa’s diverse agro-climatic zones.

Awards

Dr. Pegalepo was honored as one of the hard-working contributors at AfricaRice in 2014. She has received extensive training in gender-responsive research (GREAT-IRRI, 2019), phytogenetic resource policies (ICARDA, 2017), seed pathology (AVRDC, Tanzania), and data management (AfricaRice). Her dedication to agricultural transformation is further reflected in her membership in the Excellence in Breeding (EIB) team and reviewer role with the European Scientific Journal (ESJ). These recognitions highlight her commitment to excellence in agricultural research and development.

Top Noted Publications

Title: Rice varietal selection using AMMI modeling
Year: 2025
Cited by: 5 articles

Title: Field evaluation for drought and heat adaptability
Year: 2025
Cited by: 4 articles

Title: Infochemical cues for Diopsis apicalis control
Year: 2025
Cited by: 3 articles

Title: Effet de la poudre de Piper guineense
Year: 2019

Title: Review on the use of black and red pepper
Year: 2018

Title: Genetic variation of NERICA and O. sativa
Year: 2018

Conclusion

Dr. Esther Pegalepo’s commitment to agricultural transformation, women empowerment, and climate-resilient rice breeding makes her a compelling candidate for the Women Research Award. Her leadership in pan-African agricultural networks, hands-on seed system development, and eco-friendly innovations position her as an impactful scientist advancing food security and sustainability. With further global engagement and academic dissemination, her contributions could gain even broader recognition.

Gabriela Mühlbachová | Agronomy | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Gabriela Mühlbachová | Agronomy | Women Researcher Award

Senior Researcher, Czech Agrifood Research Center, Czech Republic 

Dr. Gabriela Mühlbachová is a Senior Researcher at the Czech Agrifood Research Center in Prague, Czech Republic. With a professional journey rooted in soil science, she has contributed extensively to sustainable agriculture through conservation tillage, CO₂ emission reduction, and nutrient optimization. Her work supports the European Green Deal goals by advancing carbon sequestration and sustainable farming methods. 🌿🌍

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Mühlbachová completed her graduation from the University of Agriculture in Prague in 1986 and earned her Ph.D. from the same university in 2003. She enhanced her academic portfolio through prestigious research fellowships in Italy, particularly at the University of Udine, during 1993–1995 and again in 2003–2004, totaling 34 months. 📚🇨🇿🇮🇹

💼 Experience

With decades of experience in agricultural research, Dr. Mühlbachová leads national and international projects, including those funded by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture and the EU’s Horizon program. She collaborates with institutions such as Mendel University and Wageningen Research, ensuring a strong academic and practical foundation in agronomy and soil management. 🤝🔬

🔬 Research Interest

Her core research interests include reducing CO₂ emissions from soils through conservation tillage, carbon sequestration, microbial activity, nutrient availability, and the role of straw decomposition in sustainable agriculture. Formerly, she explored heavy metal mobility in contaminated soils, making significant contributions to soil health and food safety. 🌾🌱🧪

🏆 Award

Nominated in the Women Research Award category, Dr. Mühlbachová’s pioneering efforts in soil conservation and climate-smart agriculture are widely recognized. Her involvement in multiple national and EU-funded research projects positions her among the leading women in agricultural science. 🏅👩‍🔬🇪🇺

📘 Publications

Nutrient Distribution in the Soil Profile Under Different Tillage Practices During a Long-Term Field Trial
Authors: Gabriela Mühlbachová, Pavel Růžek, Helena Kusá, Radek Vavera, Martin Káš
Journal: Agronomy, 2024
🔗 View article
📉 Citations: 0

Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilization and Hoeing on Soil Quality and Sugar Beet Root Yield
Authors: Helena Kusá, Gabriela Mühlbachová, Martin Káš, Pavel Růžek
Journal: Listy Cukrovarnicke a Reparske, 2024
🔗 View journal
📈 Citations: 1

CO₂ Emissions from Soils under Different Tillage Practices and Weather Conditions
Authors: Gabriela Mühlbachová, Pavel Růžek, Helena Kusá, Radek Vavera
Journal: Agronomy, 2023
🔗 View article
📈 Citations: 1

Conclusion ✅

Dr. Gabriela Mühlbachová is highly suitable for the Women Researcher Award. Her decades-long contributions to sustainable soil management, carbon emissions reduction, and agricultural practices not only align with global environmental goals but also demonstrate significant national and international engagement. Strengthening her patent portfolio and international visibility would further enhance her already strong candidacy.

Vesna Rastija | agronomy | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Vesna Rastija | agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia

Prof. Vesna Rastija is a distinguished Croatian scientist and full professor at the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek. With over two decades of academic experience, she has made significant contributions in the fields of chemistry and agrobiotechnology. Her work spans chemical synthesis, QSAR modeling, molecular docking, and computational chemistry, with an impactful presence in scientific publishing and international collaboration. 🌿🔬📚

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Rastija completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2007 from the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. She earned her M.Sc. in Chemistry in 2001 from the same institution. Her academic journey began with a VII degree in Chemistry and Biology from the Faculty of Education Osijek, University of Osijek, in 1994. Her deep-rooted academic training forms the backbone of her multidisciplinary research and teaching excellence. 🧪🎓📘

💼 Experience

Prof. Rastija’s academic career began in 1997, progressing through various positions including Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, to her current role as Full Professor since 2021. She also spent time teaching biology and chemistry in elementary education. Her career reflects her lifelong commitment to education, scientific discovery, and mentorship within Croatia’s academic and scientific communities. 👩‍🏫📈🧫

🔍 Research Interests

Her research interests include computational chemistry, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), molecular docking, and chemical synthesis. Prof. Rastija’s interdisciplinary work bridges experimental and computational methods, targeting advancements in drug discovery, environmental chemistry, and plant-derived bioactives. She is also passionate about exploring novel compounds with therapeutic and agrochemical potential. 🧬🧪🌿💊

🏆 Awards

Prof. Vesna Rastija is widely recognized for her scholarly achievements. Though specific awards are not listed here, her prolific publication record, citations, and research collaborations highlight her impact in scientific research. She is an active member of the Croatian Chemistry Society and regularly contributes to national and international scientific discourse. 🏅🌍

📚 Publications

Analyzing Oxygen Atom Distribution in FDA-Approved Drugs (2025) – Chemical Biology & Drug Design – cited by 4 articles.

The Antidiabetic Effect of Grape Skin Extracts (2024) – Foods – cited by 6 articles.

Design of New 7-Chloroquinoline–Benzimidazole Hybrids (2024) – Molecules – cited by 5 articles.

Coumarin-1,2,4-triazole Hybrid Compounds Study (2024) – Journal of Taibah University for Science – cited by 3 articles.

Synthesis in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (2024) – Journal of Molecular Structure – cited by 7 articles.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase III Inhibitors Study (2023) – Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics – cited by 9 articles.

Novel Quinoline–Benzimidazole Hybrids (2023) – Molecules – cited by 6 articles.

Green Synthesis of Coumarin-Triazole Hybrids (2023) – Current Organic Chemistry – cited by 4 articles.

Anti-Tumor Activity of Sulfonylpurine Derivatives (2023) – Molecules – cited by 5 articles.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Quinazoline Derivatives (2023) – Chemistry & Biodiversity – cited by 2 articles.

Conclusion 🏆

Dr. Vesna Rastija is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, owing to her extensive and high-quality research contributions, teaching commitment, and advanced expertise in modern scientific methods. With a consistent publication record, interdisciplinary focus, and impactful research outputs, she stands as a role model in academic excellence. With slight enhancement in global exposure and leadership roles, her profile would be further elevated on the international stage.