Shunan Zhang | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Best Achievements

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shunan Zhang | Agricultural | Research Excellence Award 

Nanjing Agricultural University | China

Associate Professor Shunan Zhang of Nanjing Agricultural University is an accomplished plant scientist whose work centers on nitrogen use and its biological functions in major crops. With a strong academic background spanning a Bachelor’s degree, PhD, postdoctoral training, and international research experience as a Visiting Researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he has built a robust foundation in crop physiology and molecular biology. His research primarily investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which nitrogen regulates crop growth periods, flowering time, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), while also exploring how plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere contribute to nitrogen uptake and utilization. He has authored 11 documents, accumulated 397 citations, and holds an h-index of 9, reflecting the growing impact and recognition of his scientific contributions. His publications in leading journals including Advanced Science, Plant Physiology, Plant Biotechnology Journal, Plant and Soil, Journal of Experimental Botany, Crop Journal, and Current Biology have advanced understanding of transcriptional networks, nitrogen signaling pathways, and nutrient–developmental crosstalk in rice. Through his discoveries on key transcription factors, nitrogen-responsive genes, and mechanisms linking carbon–nitrogen balance, Dr. Zhang aims to provide a strong theoretical framework for breeding high-yield, resource-efficient crop varieties. His work not only deepens the fundamental knowledge of plant nutrient regulation but also supports global agricultural sustainability by targeting improved nitrogen use, reduced fertilizer dependency, and enhanced crop performance under varying environmental conditions.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications 

Jin, Y., Deng, L., Wang, T., Wang, Z., Jing, Y., Du, M., Li, X., Qu, H., Ding, W., Liu, Y., Gu, M., Zhang, S., & Xu, G. (2025). The Nhd1–MYB110–MADS15 transcription factor module regulates flowering time in rice. Plant Physiology.

Tingting Chen | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Best Achievements

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tingting Chen | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tingting Chen, China National Rice Research Institute, China.

Tingting Chen is an Associate Professor at the Research and Development Center of Rice Cropping Technology, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI). With a Ph.D. from Yangzhou University, her research focuses on drought stress physiology, water management, and chemical regulation in rice. She has led significant projects funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and published extensively in top-tier journals, advancing agricultural science with a focus on improving rice yield and quality under stress conditions.

Profile

Scopus Profile

Orcid Profile

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tingting Chen’s academic journey began at Yangzhou University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Biotechnology in 2009. She continued to pursue higher education at the same institution, receiving her Master’s degree in Agriculture in 2011 and completing her Ph.D. in 2014, specializing in agricultural sciences.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Research and Development Center of Rice Cropping Technology, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI), Dr. Chen has contributed significantly to the field of rice cultivation. With a focus on drought stress, water management, and chemical regulation of high-yield crops, her expertise is integral to advancing sustainable rice production in China.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on understanding the physiological mechanisms of drought stress, optimizing water management for high-yield rice, and investigating chemical regulation to improve resistance to abiotic stress. Notable research includes studies funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and several Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundations aimed at enhancing rice yield and quality under stressful environmental conditions.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Chen’s work has profoundly impacted agricultural practices, particularly in enhancing rice productivity under varying environmental stressors. Her findings on drought resistance, salicylic acid regulation, and grain filling mechanisms are instrumental in improving rice cultivation methods, offering farmers valuable strategies for boosting resilience and crop quality.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tingting Chen has earned significant recognition for her groundbreaking contributions to rice research. Her work has been acknowledged through multiple prestigious research grants, including the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation. Dr. Chen’s innovative research on drought resistance and high-yield cultivation has garnered widespread acclaim, solidifying her position as a leader in agricultural science and a key figure in the field of sustainable rice production.

📚 Academic Cites

Dr. Chen’s published papers have gained wide recognition, with several works featured in renowned journals such as Frontiers in Plant Science, Agronomy, and Rice Science. Her highly-cited works include research on ATPase activity promoting heat resistance and the strengthened assimilate transport improving rice yield and quality. These publications showcase her contribution to advancing agricultural science, with an ever-growing citation count.

💪 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Chen’s legacy lies in her innovative approaches to rice crop management and stress resilience. Looking ahead, her continued research promises further breakthroughs in sustainable rice farming, with a focus on integrating climate resilience and enhancing yield efficiency. Her work will likely play a pivotal role in future agricultural policies and practices, contributing to global food security.

Publications Top Notes

Energy Deficiency and Misdistribution Leads to Disrupted Formation in Grain Yield and Rice Quality

Authors: Yiding Wang, Guangyan Li, Jiaying Ma, Jie Xiong, Tingting Chen

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Year: 2024

Research Progress of Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Functioned in Plant Growth and Development and Its Response to Abiotic Stress

Authors: Wenhui Yan, Tingting Lu, Huanran Wang, Zhihai Wu, Guanfu Fu

Journal: Zhiwu Shengli Xuebao / Plant Physiology Journal

Year: 2024

MiR408 Balances Plant Growth and Heat Response in Rice

Authors: Fengting Wen, Yu Gao, Yuxiang Zeng, Jie Xiong, Guanfu Fu

Journal: Environmental and Experimental Botany

Year: 2024

Citations: 2 📅🌱

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Cold Tolerance in Rice Seedling Plants

Authors: Huanran Wang, Tingting Lu, Wenhui Yan, Zhihai Wu, Baohua Feng

Journal: Agronomy

Year: 2024

Citations: 1 📅❄️

RGA1 Negatively Regulates Thermo-tolerance by Affecting Carbohydrate Metabolism and the Energy Supply in Rice

Authors: Baohua Feng, Yongqiang Xu, Weimeng Fu, Tingting Chen, Guanfu Fu

Journal: Rice

Year: 2023

Citations: 8 📅🌾

RGA1 Alleviates Low-light-repressed Pollen Tube Elongation by Improving the Metabolism and Allocation of Sugars and Energy

Authors: Hubo Li, Baohua Feng, Juncai Li, Longxing Tao, Guanfu Fu

Journal: Plant, Cell & Environment

Year: 2023

Citations: 17 📅🌱