Kaouthar Feki | Plants Gene Transformation | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Kaouthar Feki | Plants Gene Transformation | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax | Tunisia

Dr. Kaouthar Feki is an accomplished Associate Professor at the Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Tunisia. Her expertise lies in plant biotechnology, molecular genetics, stress response, genome-wide analysis, plant transformation, and protein purification. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms under abiotic stress through her extensive research on wheat, legumes, and other model plants. Dr. Kaouthar Feki has a strong academic background with advanced degrees in biological, molecular, and cellular sciences from the University of Sfax. As a passionate educator, she has taught and supervised graduate students in genetics, microbiology, and plant sciences at several Tunisian universities, guiding numerous master’s and doctoral researchers. She has participated in several international workshops focusing on genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics, enhancing her interdisciplinary research capabilities. A respected scholar, Dr. Kaouthar Feki serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Plant Sciences and is an active peer reviewer for multiple high-impact journals. Her research achievements include 672 citations across 546 documents, with 29 publications and an h-index of 14, reflecting her strong academic impact and recognition. Her international publications and book chapters highlight her dedication to advancing sustainable agricultural practices through biotechnological innovation. Multilingual and collaborative, she continues to foster scientific excellence and mentorship within the global research community, contributing profoundly to the field of plant molecular biology and stress physiology.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar | Researchgate

Featured Publications

Feki, K., Quintero, F. J., Khoudi, H., Leidi, E. O., Masmoudi, K., Pardo, J. M., & Brini, F. (2014). A constitutively active form of a durum wheat Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1 confers high salt tolerance to transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Reports, 33(2), 277-288.

Saibi, W., Feki, K., Ben Mahmoud, R., & Brini, F. (2015). Durum wheat dehydrin (DHN-5) confers salinity tolerance to transgenic Arabidopsis plants through the regulation of proline metabolism and ROS scavenging system. Planta, 242(5), 1187-1194.

Feki, K., Tounsi, S., Mrabet, M., Mhadhbi, H., & Brini, F. (2021). Recent advances in physiological and molecular mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in plants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(46), 64967-64986.

Feki, K., Quintero, F. J., Pardo, J. M., & Masmoudi, K. (2011). Regulation of durum wheat Na+/H+ exchanger TdSOS1 by phosphorylation. Plant Molecular Biology, 76(6), 545-556.

Kaouthar, F., Ameny, F. K., Yosra, K., Walid, S., Ali, G., & Faical, B. (2016). Responses of transgenic Arabidopsis plants and recombinant yeast cells expressing a novel durum wheat manganese superoxide dismutase TdMnSOD to various abiotic stresses. Journal of Plant Physiology, 198, 56-68.

Gabriela Mühlbachová | Agronomy | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

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.