Antonio Santos Rufo | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Antonio Santos Rufo | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, University of Huelva, Spain

Dr. Antonio Santos Rufo is an accomplished Assistant Professor at the University of Huelva, Spain 🇪🇸, specializing in plant pathology, bioformulations, and precision agriculture. With over a decade of academic and research experience, he has contributed significantly to the mitigation of Verticillium stress in olive trees 🌿. He combines fieldwork with cutting-edge data mining and machine learning tools to explore stress dynamics in crops like olives and strawberries 🍓. Dr. Rufo is actively involved in national and international projects and remains committed to advancing Mediterranean crop health through digital innovation 🌐📊.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Antonio holds a Ph.D. in Biosciences and Agri-Food Sciences (2017) from the University of Córdoba, Spain 🎓. His educational journey includes a Master’s in Digital Transformation of the Agri-Food and Forestry Sector (2020), a Master in Plant Production and Protection (2011), and a degree in Agricultural Engineering (2010), all from the same university 🌾. He also completed a predoctoral research stay at the University of Athens in 2014 🇬🇷. His solid academic background forms the foundation of his multidisciplinary expertise in sustainable agriculture and crop stress management 📘🌱.

🧑‍🏫 Experience

Dr. Rufo began his career in 2009 as a scholarship student at the University of Córdoba’s Rural Engineering Department 🛠️. Over the years, he has held research and teaching positions across top Spanish institutions, including IFAPA and UCO 📍. He served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at IFAPA (2017–2020) and UCO (2020–2022), followed by a role as Adjunct Professor at the University of Huelva (2021–2024). In 2024, he was appointed Assistant Professor at UHU, where he now leads projects, supervises theses, and collaborates on agri-food research 🧪🍇.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Rufo’s research is centered on plant pathology, with special focus on Verticillium dahliae 🦠, biotic stress, and digital agricultural practices. He is passionate about integrating machine learning, PLS modeling, and data mining into crop health monitoring and irrigation strategies 💧🌿. His current work investigates the effects of drought on red fruits and explores eco-friendly bioformulates for pathogen control. He is also advancing digital tools in precision farming and teaching crop protection digitalization 📈🤖.

🏆 Awards & Distinctions

Antonio has been a principal investigator in university-funded projects and a key contributor to several national contracts and European programs 🇪🇺. He has received multiple fellowships, directed numerous final degree projects and theses, and co-founded the AISMEV non-profit to support digital innovation in Mediterranean crops 🌍. He is also a reviewer for 40 indexed journals and guest editor in two academic publications 📚, reflecting his respected status in the scientific community.

📚 Publications

Machine learning unveils phenolic action in olive rooting – Scientia Horticulturae, 2024, 🔗 DOI, Cited by: 0

Blueberry cultivar phenolic analysis – Scientia Horticulturae, 2024, 🔗 DOI, Cited by: 6

Predicting Verticillium risk in olive – Agriculture-Basel, 2023, 🔗 DOI, Cited by: 2

Soil properties and V. dahliae – Journal of Fungi, 2022, WOS Citations: 4

Irrigation & cultivar susceptibility – Plant Pathology, 2021, 🔗 DOI, Cited by: 6

Hyperspectral UAVs in olive farming – Remote Sensing, 2020, WOS Citations: 28

Irrigation & Verticillium wilt response – Plant Pathology, 2018, 🔗 DOI, Cited by: 9

Irrigation and pathogen persistence – Plant Pathology, 2017, Cited by: 15

Disinfestants in irrigation water – Crop Protection, 2016, Cited by: 14

Beta-amylase gene roles in resistance – Plant Pathology, 2015, Cited by: 18

Conclusion

Dr. Antonio Santos Rufo is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive research, strong academic contributions, leadership in projects, and focus on addressing critical challenges in agricultural sustainability are noteworthy. While there is room to expand his influence through broader collaborations and practical applications of his research, his achievements to date make him a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.

Assist Prof. Dr. Mariana Petkova | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Assist Prof. Dr. Mariana Petkova | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof. Dr. Mariana Petkova, Agriculture University-Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Mariana Krasimirova Petkova, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, within the Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecological Biotechnology. She has been actively involved in research and academia, focusing on microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Her work spans microorganisms that produce biologically active substances, such as lactic acid bacteria and yeast with antimicrobial effects, contributing to advancements in functional foods and sustainable agriculture.

Profile

Googlescholar

Dr. Mariana Krasimirova Petkova, based on her extensive research experience, academic background, and contributions, could be considered a suitable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Here are her strengths and areas for improvement for the award:

Strengths for the Award

Diverse Research Expertise: Dr. Petkova has a broad research portfolio covering microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and the study of microorganisms with antimicrobial properties, contributing to both scientific advancement and practical applications.

International Collaboration: Her numerous international specializations and collaborations with universities and research institutes in Japan, Hungary, and Greece reflect her ability to engage in global scientific discourse and projects.

Publications and Citations: With over 41 scientific publications, 36 of which have impact factors, and 135 citations, her work demonstrates significant impact within the scientific community.

Conferences and Presentations: Dr. Petkova’s participation in international conferences and symposiums highlights her active role in disseminating her research findings and engaging with the global academic community.

Recognition and Awards: Her involvement in award-winning research, such as supervising student projects that won first prizes, further validates her leadership in advancing scientific knowledge.

Areas for Improvement

H-index: Dr. Petkova’s current H-index is 6, which while notable, could be further improved by continuing to publish in high-impact journals and increasing citation counts.

Expanding Research Networks: Increasing collaborations with a more diverse range of institutions or fields could further enhance the reach and impact of her work.

Innovation Focus: Exploring more cutting-edge or disruptive technologies within her field could potentially boost her contributions to future trends in research and innovation.

🎓 Education

  • Master’s in Plant Protection – Agricultural University, Bulgaria (1996)
  • Doctorate in Molecular Biology – University of Kobe, Japan (2002)

💼 Experience

Dr. Petkova has been an Assistant Professor at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv since 2014, specializing in microbiology and ecological biotechnology. Her international experience includes research collaborations in Japan, the USA, Hungary, and Greece, focusing on advanced biotechnological techniques such as cloning, genomics, and the functional analysis of microorganisms.

🔬 Research Interests

Her research is primarily centered around microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. She explores microorganisms that produce biologically active substances, such as lactic acid bacteria and yeast, and their applications in antimicrobial treatments and functional foods. Dr. Petkova is also involved in the study of endophytic fungi and the development of bio-based agricultural solutions.

🏅 Awards

  • First prize at the Youth Forum “Science, Technology, Innovation, Business” (2023), for supervising a project on phosphorus dissolution and nitrogen fixation by rhizospheric microorganisms.
  • Member of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria since 2011.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Dr. Petkova has authored over 41 scientific publications, with 36 of them being indexed with an impact factor. She has been cited 135 times, contributing to the field of microbiology and biotechnology. Below are selected publications:

Petkova, M., Tahsin, N., Yancheva, S., & Yancheva, H. (2018). “Development of the production of aromatic oil crops in Bulgaria.” In PROCEEDINGS China-Bulgaria Rural Revitalization Development Cooperation Forum. [Cited by 5 articles]

Gotcheva, V., Petrova, G., Petkova, M., Kuzmanova, Y., & Angelov, A. (2018). “Molecular and in vitro assessment of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strains.” Engineering in Life Sciences. [Cited by 18 articles]

Ma, L., Zhang, N., Li, S., Wang, H., Petkova, M., & Yao, L. (2019). “An overview of oil-bearing roses in China.” Agricultural Sciences. [Cited by 12 articles]

Petkova, M., Stefanova, P., Gotcheva, V., Kuzmanova, I., & Angelov, A. (2020). “Microbiological and physicochemical characterization of traditional Bulgarian sourdoughs.” Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy. [Cited by 15 articles]

Petkova, M., Spasova-Apostolova, V., Masheva, V., & Tahsin, N. (2020). “Comparison of Endophytic Colonization of Tobacco by Beauveria bassiana.” Ecologia Balkanica. [Cited by 9 articles]

Penkov, D., Petkova, M., & Petkova, P. (2020). “Study on biological performance of mule ducks with discontinued probiotic treatment.” Trakia Journal of Sciences. [Cited by 7 articles]

Petkova, M., Naydenov, M., Mitkov, A., Neshev, N., & Yanev, M. (2020). “Soil microorganisms degrading Isoxaflutol herbicide.” Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy. [Cited by 6 articles]

Petkova, M., Stefanova, P., Gotcheva, V., & Angelov, A. (2021). “Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts from sourdoughs.” Microorganisms. [Cited by 10 articles]

Conclusion

Dr. Petkova has a strong academic and research background, demonstrating significant contributions to her field through publications, international collaboration, and recognition. While there is room for further growth in terms of her H-index and research network, her strengths position her as a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.”