Chiara Amitrano | Plant Science | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Chiara Amitrano | Plant Science | Young Scientist Award

researcher, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.

Chiara Amitrano is a dedicated Researcher in Environmental and Applied Botany at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II” (UNINA-DiA), Italy. Her work focuses on understanding plant morpho-anatomical and physiological adaptations to environmental stresses in natural, polluted, and controlled environments. She integrates eco-physiological approaches with advanced plant hydraulic studies to enhance sustainable agriculture and space farming systems. As a lecturer, she teaches courses on plant adaptations to environmental stress and contributes actively to international research collaborations and scientific dissemination.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Amitrano earned her Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Systems and Food Security (2018–2021) at UNINA, in collaboration with The University of Arizona and Kayser Italia, with a thesis on plant water flow characterization in controlled environments. She completed her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences (2014–2016, cum laude) and Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (2010–2014) from the same institution. Additionally, she holds a professional qualification as a Chartered Biologist obtained in 2017.

💼 Experience

Chiara’s experience spans postdoctoral research at UNINA, where she contributed to projects on sustainable viticulture and space farming funded by ASI (Italian Space Agency). She also completed internships at Kayser Italia Srl, working on prototypes for space plant cultivation. Internationally, she served as a Visiting Researcher at IPK (Germany) and CEAC (University of Arizona, USA) and as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Currently, she is a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at California State University, Los Angeles.

🔬 Research Interests

Her research interests include eco-physiology, plant hydraulics, and morpho-functional adaptations under abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and radiation. 🌿 She explores controlled environment agriculture, sustainable food production, and space biology to ensure future food security. Her work combines traditional botany with cutting-edge plant phenotyping and smart sensor technology for precision agriculture.

🏅 Awards

Dr. Amitrano is a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Best Young Researcher Under 35 Award (2024), the International Award for Best PhD Thesis (2023), and the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Award (2025). She received the ISHS Young Minds Award (2021) and the Seals of Excellence from the European Commission for her innovative research proposals. Her contributions to space agriculture earned her recognition at international conferences and competitions.

📚 Top Noted Publications

1️⃣ Balzano A., Amitrano C., De Micco V. (2025). Does Pre-Acclimation Enhance the Tolerance of Quercus ilex and Arbutus unedo Seedlings to Drought? Plants, 14(3), 388.
Cited by 8 articles

2️⃣ De Francesco S., Amitrano C., De Micco V. (2025). Combined Effects of Microgravity and Chronic Low-Dose Gamma Radiation on Brassica rapa Microgreens. Plants, 14(1), 64.
Cited by 5 articles

3️⃣ Amitrano C., De Micco V. (2024). Morphological and Photosynthetic Pigment Screening of Four Microgreens Species Exposed to Heavy Ions. Plants, 13(24), 3541.
Cited by 4 articles

4️⃣ De Micco V., Amitrano C., Leys N. (2023). Plant and microbial science and technology as cornerstones to Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in space. npj Microgravity, 9(1), 69.
Cited by 15 articles

5️⃣ Amitrano C., De Pascale S. (2023). Defining growth requirements of microgreens in space cultivation via biomass production, morpho-anatomical and nutritional traits analysis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14.
Cited by 12 articles

Conclusion

Based on her exceptional academic credentials, impactful research in controlled environments and space biology, strong publication record, and international recognition, Dr. Chiara Amitrano is highly suitable for the Research for Young Scientist Award. Her career trajectory reflects a combination of scientific excellence, innovation, and global collaboration, making her a strong candidate who exemplifies the qualities this award aims to recognize.

Margarita Ishmuratova | botany | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Margarita Ishmuratova | botany | Outstanding Contribution Award

Professor, Karaganda Buketov University, Kazakhstan 

Dr. Ishmuratova Margarita Yulayevna is a distinguished biologist and the Head of the Research Center of Biotechnology and Eco-Monitoring at Ye.A. Buketov Karaganda University, Kazakhstan. She also serves as a Professor-Researcher in the Department of Botany. With a PhD in Biology, she has significantly contributed to plant science, ecological monitoring, and phytochemical studies across Kazakhstan and beyond. 🌿🔬

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Ishmuratova earned her PhD (Candidate of Biological Sciences) with a specialization in plant biology and ecology. Over the years, she enriched her academic and research profile through international training at institutions like Newcastle University (UK), Altai State University (Russia), Czech Technical University, and Novosibirsk State University. 📘🌍

💼 Experience

With decades of research and academic service, Dr. Ishmuratova leads innovative projects in plant biotechnology and eco-monitoring. As Head of the Research Center and a dedicated professor, she has supervised numerous research activities and guided young scholars in exploring plant pharmacognosy, arid flora, and botanical morphology. She has also actively collaborated with international universities through professional development programs. 🌱👩‍🏫

🔬 Research Interests

Her research spans multiple domains, including medicinal and essential oil plant resources, introduction of plant species, plant anatomy and morphology, and pharmacognosy. She is deeply involved in studying the flora of Kazakhstan’s arid zones, plant cryobiology, and ecological interactions, contributing valuable insights to environmental and botanical sciences. 🌾🧪

🏆 Awards

Dr. Ishmuratova is a multi-time laureate of prestigious awards, including the “Young Scientist Championship of the Phytochemistry Institute” (2000–2002), and the State Award “The Young Talented Scientist” from the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan (2004–2010). She was honored as the best researcher of Karaganda University “Bolashaq” in 2013 and received the “Best Teacher of Universities” award in 2019. 🏅🎓

📚 Publications

Isolation and In Silico Anti‐COVID‐19 Main Protease (Mpro)…Journal of Chemistry, 2021 — Cited by 36

In Vitro and In Silico Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities…Journal of Chemistry, 2021 — Cited by 35

Component Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of CO2 Extract…The Scientific World Journal, 2021 — Cited by 32

Jusanin, a New Flavonoid from Artemisia commutata…Molecules, 2022 — Cited by 29

One‐step Multiple Component Isolation from Crinitaria tatarica…Journal of Separation Science, 2012 — Cited by 29

Isolation and In Silico Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease…Molecules, 2022 — Cited by 28

Constituents of Artemisia tschernieviana…Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 2015 — Cited by 25

Isolation and In Silico SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibition…Molecules, 2022 — Cited by 24

Phylogenetic Taxonomy of Artemisia L. Species…Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2018 — Cited by 22

CO2-Extracts of Scabiosa isetensis and S. ochroleuca…Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 2017 — Cited by 22

Antimicrobial Activity of Thymus serpyllum Chemotypes…Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021 — Cited by

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Ishmuratova Margarita Yulayevna is a highly commendable nominee for the Outstanding Contribution Award. Her deep-rooted expertise in biological sciences, particularly in Kazakhstan’s arid flora, plant pharmacognosy, and cryo biology, has made a lasting impact on ecological research and botanical studies in the region. Her leadership, consistent recognition, and evolving academic presence reflect an outstanding scientific career worthy of international appreciation and honor. 🏆🌿