Melike Bakir | Legume Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melike Bakir | Legume Genetics | Best Researcher Award 

Erciyes University | Turkey

Dr. Melike Bakır, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Erciyes University, Turkey, is a distinguished researcher specializing in plant biotechnology, molecular genetics, and crop improvement. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Ankara and has since advanced research in lentil and chickpea genomics, focusing on cold tolerance, hybrid incompatibility, and molecular marker development. Dr. Bakır has successfully led and co-led multiple national and international funded projects, including TUBITAK and Erciyes University initiatives. Her scholarly achievements are reflected in 38 scientific documents, 576 citations, and an impressive h-index of 15, highlighting her research impact and global recognition. She has also contributed as a visiting scholar at the University of Vermont, USA, and as a visiting researcher at the Public University of Navarre, Spain, collaborating with global experts to enhance crop resilience through genomic innovation. Dr. Bakır’s work bridges molecular biology and applied agricultural science, contributing significantly to sustainable crop improvement strategies and advancing genetic resources in legume species, positioning her as one of Turkey’s leading scientists in agricultural biotechnology research.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications 

Koboyi, B. W., Keklik, M., Doğanay, Ö., & Bakır, M. (2025). Transferability of genomic SSR markers in Lens species for genus characterization and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) breeding. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 30(1), 223–234.

von Wettberg, E., Banks, C. R., Chakraborty, D., Getahun, T., Bakır, M., Sassi, G., Hart, J. A., Kretzler, B., Layegh-Nikravesh, N., Kantar, B. M., Chen, Y. H., Tobin, D., Kraft, J., Khoury, C. K., & King, G. J. (2025). But does it taste good? A plea to consider the importance of flavor in managing plant genetic resources. Plants, People, Planet.

Butnor, J. R., Wilson, C. P., Bakır, M., D’Amato, A. W., Flower, C. E., Hansen, C. F., & Murakami, P. F. (2024). Cold tolerance assay reveals evidence of climate adaptation among American elm (Ulmus americana L.) genotypes. Forests, 15(11), 1843

Hua Xie | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Hua Xie | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Hua Xie, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China.

🌱 Dr. Hua Xie is a Professor at the Institute of Biotechnology, BAAFS, China, specializing in plant genomics, genetics, and pathology. With a Ph.D. in Crop Genetics and Breeding, she has published in top-tier journals like Nature Communications 📚. Her research enhances crop improvement and disease resistance, contributing to global food security 🌾. Dr. Xie has also conducted collaborative research in Canada and the USA, showcasing her international impact and scientific excellence. 🌍✨

Profile

SCOPUS ID 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Hua Xie embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy/Crop Sciences from Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province (1991–1995). She deepened her expertise by earning a Master’s in Crop Planting and Cultivation (1996–1999) from the same institution. Demonstrating a strong commitment to plant science, she pursued a Ph.D. in Crop Genetics and Breeding at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1999–2002), where she cultivated a foundation for her future groundbreaking research.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Xie’s professional trajectory reflects steady progress in plant sciences. She began her career as a Research Assistant at BAAFS in 2002, moving through ranks as Associate Professor, and now serves as a full Professor at the Institute of Biotechnology, BAAFS. Her global experience includes postdoctoral and visiting scholar positions in Canada (Agricultural & Agri-Food Canada, 2008–2009) and the USA (Purdue University, 2009–2010), enriching her international perspective and collaborative capabilities.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Agricultural 

Dr. Xie specializes in Genomic Bio-breeding Technology, Plant Genetics and Breeding, Plant Genomics, and Plant Pathology. Her studies have led to significant advancements in crop genetic improvement, soft rot pathogen identification, and resistance gene mapping. Her work integrates fundamental biology with practical breeding techniques, addressing critical challenges in agricultural productivity and plant health.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through her pioneering work on peach genome variation, rice bean landraces, and the molecular epidemiology of Pectobacterium, Dr. Xie has influenced both the academic and applied agricultural domains. Her findings on genome re-sequencing and plant-pathogen interactions have been instrumental in guiding breeders and plant pathologists toward sustainable solutions.

🧠 Research Skills

Dr. Xie possesses a robust skill set in functional genomics, molecular plant pathology, bioinformatics, and marker-assisted breeding. She is adept at both laboratory and field experimentation, skilled in advanced DNA sequencing technologies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and pathogen diagnostics. These skills allow her to translate genetic knowledge into crop improvement strategies.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While specific awards were not listed, Dr. Xie’s elevation to full professorship and her international fellowships and visiting roles at globally respected institutions underscore her recognition within the scientific community. Her repeated role as a senior and corresponding author highlights her leadership and expertise in collaborative research.

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Hua Xie stands as a beacon of excellence in plant science. Her legacy includes mentoring the next generation of scientists and driving innovation in sustainable agriculture. Looking forward, she is poised to further influence global food security through advanced breeding technologies, molecular diagnostics, and integrated disease management solutions tailored for climate-resilient crops.

Publications Top Notes

📊 The PeachSNP170K array facilitates insights into a large-scale population relatedness and genetic impacts on citrate content and flowering time
📚 Journal: Communications Biology
📅 Year: 2025
🧬 Focus: Genomics, fruit development

🦠 The combined application of Bacillus velezensis BCP6 and Jinggangmycin to control soft rot on Amorphophallus konjac
📚 Journal: Plant Protection Science
📅 Year: 2024
🌿 Focus: Biological plant disease control

🧪 A genome-wide association study reveals that epistasis underlies the pathogenicity of Pectobacterium
📚 Journal: Microbiology Spectrum
📅 Year: 2023
🧫 Focus: Pathogen virulence mechanisms

🧬 Occurrence and qPCR-based identification of Pectobacterium versatile causing soft rot in Chinese cabbage
📚 Journal: Plant Disease
📅 Year: 2023
🥬 Focus: Disease diagnostics

🧲 Role of Zinc uptake regulator (Zur) in the virulence of Pectobacterium odoriferum
📚 Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
📅 Year: 2023
🧪 Focus: Molecular plant pathology

🌾 Genomic analyses of rice bean landraces for adaptation and yield-related loci
📚 Journal: Nature Communications
📅 Year: 2022
🌱 Focus: Crop breeding & adaptation

🍑 Peach genome analyses reveal selection patterns and fruit flavor biochemistry
📚 Journal: Nature Communications
📅 Year: 2021
🍑 Focus: Fruit quality & genomics

🔁 Genome structure variation and causal inversion for fruit shape in peach
📚 Journal: Genome Biology
📅 Year: 2021
🧬 Focus: Structural genomics

🧫 Detection of Pectobacterium polaris causing soft rot in Chinese cabbage
📚 Journal: Plant Disease
📅 Year: 2021
🧪 Focus: Pathogen detection

🌿 Jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling in defense response to Pectobacterium
📚 Journal: Journal of Integrative Agriculture
📅 Year: 2021
🧬 Focus: Plant immune response

🧪 Rapid diagnosis of Pectobacterium carotovorum in vegetable soft rot
📚 Journal: Plant Disease
📅 Year: 2020
🥦 Focus: Pathogen diagnostics

🧬 Comparative genomics of 84 Pectobacterium genomes
📚 Journal: BMC Genomics
📅 Year: 2018
🧫 Focus: Pathogen evolution

🍑 Genome resequencing reveals evolutionary history of peach fruit edibility
📚 Journal: Nature Communications
📅 Year: 2018
📈 Focus: Genomics and evolution

🌱 First report of Pseudomonas marginalis in celery stem rot
📚 Journal: Journal of Plant Pathology
📅 Year: 2018
🥬 Focus: Disease report

🥬 First report of Pectobacterium aroidearum in Chinese cabbage
📚 Journal: Plant Disease
📅 Year: 2018
🔬 Focus: Plant pathology

🌳 Molecular characterization of PpMADS1 gene from peach
📚 Journal: Tree Genetics and Genomes
📅 Year: 2012
🧬 Focus: Gene function in peach

🧫 Rapid identification and phylogenetic analysis of Pectobacterium carotovorum
📚 Journal: Journal of Plant Pathology
📅 Year: 2010
🧪 Focus: Plant bacteriology

Bo Ling | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bo Ling | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bo Ling, Northwest A&F University, China.

Dr. Ling Bo (👨‍🔬), an Associate Professor at Northwest A&F University, specializes in agri-food processing technologies using radio frequency, microwave, and ultrasound 🌾⚡. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering, he has published in top journals 📚, holds national patents 🧪, and received a National Science & Technology Progress Award 🏆. He also serves on editorial boards of Q1 journals, showcasing his global academic leadership 🌍. His work promotes sustainable, efficient, and green food innovation. 🌱💡

🧠 Early Academic Pursuits

Ling Bo embarked on a strong academic path rooted in food science and agricultural engineering. 🎓 He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Food Quality and Safety from Gansu Agricultural University (2005–2009), followed by a Master’s in Food Science from Southwest University (2009–2012). Eager to specialize further, he pursued a Ph.D. in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering at Northwest A&F University (2012–2016), demonstrating early dedication to interdisciplinary agricultural innovation. 🌱

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Ling Bo’s academic career began at the College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, where he served as a Lecturer from 2016 to 2019. In December 2019, he advanced to Associate Professor, a role he continues to hold, leading pioneering research and mentoring the next generation of agricultural engineers. 🏫 His postdoctoral work from 2016 to 2018 in Food Science and Engineering further solidified his scientific grounding. 🔬

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Agricultural 

Ling Bo’s research stands at the intersection of engineering and food science, focusing on emerging physical field-based technologies like radio frequency, microwave, and ultrasound. His work emphasizes sustainable valorization of agri-food by-products, efficient drying techniques, and eco-friendly disinfestation and pasteurization methods. 🌾 His innovative systems improve food processing quality, reduce energy use, and add value to agricultural waste—advancing the green food technology frontier. 🍎⚡

🌍 Impact and Influence

Ling Bo has significantly influenced agricultural food engineering through cutting-edge publications, patents, and funded research projects. His systems for solid-liquid extraction and fluid heating are poised to reshape post-harvest processing across China. His work on radio frequency heating technologies has applications in both industrial-scale food processing and traditional Chinese medicinal materials, bridging ancient knowledge with modern science. 🧪📈

📚 Academic Citations

Dr. Ling Bo has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including Food and Bioprocess Technology, Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, and Food Research International. His papers have been widely cited for their methodological rigor and practical applicability in food engineering. 📖 His review on pectin extraction using physical fields is particularly acclaimed. ✍️

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ling Bo’s excellence has earned him national recognition, including the Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize) from the State Council of the People’s Republic of China in 2017 for innovations in dried nut processing technologies. 🏆 He also serves on the editorial boards of Food Physics and Food Quality and Safety (JCR Q1), underscoring his influence in academic publishing. 📰

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Ling Bo is paving the way for a sustainable and technology-driven future in agri-food processing. His continued work promises advances in green energy applications, nutrient preservation, and agri-waste valorization. As a scholar, mentor, and innovator, his legacy lies in making food processing smarter, safer, and more sustainable. 🚜🌿 The coming years will likely see him lead transformative collaborations both nationally and internationally. 🌐✨

📚Publications Top Notes

📘 Recent advances in the drying of medicinal herb by novel physical field-based techniques: A review
Journal of Stored Products Research2025 🌿

🍴 Recent advances in food processing by radio frequency heating techniques: A review of equipment aspects
Journal of Food Engineering2023 ⚙️

🍊 Roles of physical fields in the extraction of pectin from plant food wastes and byproducts: A systematic review
Food Research International2023 🧪

🌾 Performance evaluation of the double screw conveyor in radio frequency systems: Heating uniformity and quality of granular foods
Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies2022 🔥

🍏 Radio frequency assisted extraction of pectin from apple pomace: Process optimization and comparison with microwave and conventional methods
Food Hydrocolloids2021 🍎

🌽 Recent developments in applications of radio frequency heating for improving safety and quality of food grains and their products: A review
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition2020 🌟

🍚 Effect of radio frequency treatment on functional, structural and thermal behaviors of protein isolates in rice bran
Food Chemistry2019 🧬

🌾 Radio-frequency treatment for stabilization of wheat germ: Storage stability and physicochemical properties
Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies2019 🧃

🌾 Radio-frequency treatment for stabilization of wheat germ: Dielectric properties and heating uniformity
Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies2018