Shengze Yan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Mr.Shengze Yan | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Research Fellow at Sanming Academy of Agricultural Sciences | China

Mr. Shengze Yan is an accomplished researcher and Assistant Research Fellow at the Edible Fungi Research Institute of the Sanming Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fujian Province, China, recognized for his significant contributions to agricultural and biological sciences. With a strong academic foundation in agricultural research, his career focuses on advancing edible fungus cultivation and genetic breeding to improve sustainability and productivity in mushroom farming. Since joining the Sanming Academy of Agricultural Sciences, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation by leading and participating in 13 provincial and municipal research projects, including the Science and Technology Plan Project of Fujian Province. His research has resulted in the publication of 15 scientific papers in respected national and international journals, showcasing his expertise in molecular biology, genetic analysis, and fungal physiology. Among his notable achievements is the development and patenting of a novel cultivation method for Stropharia rugosoannulata using fermentation tunnels, a breakthrough that enhances resource efficiency and production yields. His published work, “Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Critical Genes Involved in the Response of Stropharia rugosoannulata to High Temperature and Drought Stress,” highlights his commitment to understanding environmental stress responses in fungi and developing adaptive strategies for sustainable agriculture. Mr. Shengze Yan’s research interests extend to the exploration of genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying fungal adaptation, innovation in cultivation technologies, and the integration of biological research with agricultural applications for climate resilience and food security. His work exemplifies the intersection of science and sustainability, aiming to contribute to global agricultural development and ecological balance. Through his dedication to excellence in research, innovation, and collaboration, Mr. Shengze Yan continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the frontiers of agricultural biotechnology, promoting sustainable food systems, and contributing valuable insights that strengthen the scientific understanding of edible fungi in a rapidly changing world.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications:

Yan, S.; Wang, S.; Zhan, M.; Huang, X.; Xie, T.; Wang, R.; Lu, H.; Luo, Q.; Ye, W. (2025). Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Critical Genes Involved in the Response of Stropharia rugosoannulata to High Temperature and Drought Stress. Current Issues in Molecular Biology.

Aakansha Kanojia | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Aakansha Kanojia | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral scientist at Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, Bulgaria.

🌍Dr. Aakansha Kanojia is a highly accomplished postdoctoral scientist with extensive expertise in plant molecular biology, stress physiology, phenotyping, and omics-based data analysis. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Massey University and has made significant contributions to understanding plant responses to abiotic stress and ageing. Her work spans academia, industry, and collaborative EU-funded projects, focusing on advancing crop resilience to environmental challenges. Dr. Kanojia has an impressive track record of publications in prestigious journals, leadership roles in research projects, and international recognition for her science-art exhibitions and conference presentations.

Profile👤

Education 🎓

🎓Dr. Kanojia earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Massey University, New Zealand (2013-2018), where her research unveiled the molecular and metabolic causes of stress tolerance loss in aging monocarpic plants. She holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Bangalore University, India (2009-2011), and a B.Sc. in Chemistry (honors) with Biotechnology (subsidiary) from the Institute for Excellence in Higher Education, India (2006-2009). Her doctoral research integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics to explore plant stress responses, establishing her as a leader in plant physiology and molecular biology.

Experience💼

🩺Dr. Kanojia is a research scientist at CPSBB, Bulgaria (2019–present), leading projects on enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in crops using multi-omics analysis and seaweed biostimulants. She collaborated with BioAtlantis Ltd., Ireland (2019–2024), to study biostimulant-mediated crop resilience. Her academic tenure includes a visiting scientist role at the University of Potsdam, Germany (2015–2016), focusing on stress response in Arabidopsis mutants. She also demonstrated labs on plant biology and biochemistry at Massey University. Her efforts extend to sustainable agriculture through Aloe vera tissue culture techniques during her time at Grow Tips Biotech, India.

Research Interests 🔬

🔬Dr. Kanojia specializes in abiotic stress physiology, plant phenotyping, and metabolomics. Her work emphasizes enhancing stress tolerance in crops using seaweed-based biostimulants and comprehensive multi-omics analysis. She has led several EU-funded projects, such as RESIST and BOOSTER, focusing on drought tolerance and stress mitigation in crops like maize, tomato, and lettuce. Her contributions extend to plant aging and the role of reactive oxygen species, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms governing plant resilience under stress conditions.

Awards and Honors 🏆

🏆Dr. Kanojia has received multiple accolades, including the Massey University Doctoral Completion Grant and travel funding for presenting at international conferences. Her poster presentations have been featured at prestigious events like ComBio 2017 and the International Symposium on Plant Senescence (2019). She has also been recognized for her innovative science-art exhibitions organized by CPSBB during the European Researcher’s Night in 2020 and 2023. Her multidisciplinary achievements showcase her commitment to advancing plant science and engaging the public through creative dissemination.

Skills 🛠️

Dr. Kanojia is adept at phenotyping, genotyping, qRT-PCR, and library preparation for DNA and RNA sequencing. She is proficient in bioinformatics tools like Galaxy, MetaboAnalyst, and Genevestigator, alongside programming basics in RStudio. Her hands-on expertise spans plant tissue culture, greenhouse experiments, and transformation techniques in crops like maize and tomato. A strong communicator and leader, she excels in project planning and mentoring, while her analytical skills and multitasking ability make her an exceptional researcher.

Conclusion 🔚 

Dr. Aakansha Kanojia’s expertise, leadership in high-impact research, and commitment to science communication make her an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her innovative approach to plant science, combined with her contributions to both academia and industry, aligns well with the award’s objectives. Addressing the suggested areas for improvement could further elevate her influence and ensure long-term success in her field.

Publications Top Notes 📚

Molecular insights into plant–microbe interactions for sustainable remediation of contaminated environment

Authors: NR Rane, S Tapase, A Kanojia, A Watharkar, ES Salama, M Jang

Citations: 73

Year: 2022

Abiotic stress responses are governed by reactive oxygen species and age

Authors: A Kanojia, PP Dijkwel

Citations: 61

Year: 2018

An Ascophyllum nodosum-Derived Biostimulant Protects Model and Crop Plants from Oxidative Stress

Authors: NS Staykov, M Angelov, V Petrov, P Minkov, A Kanojia, KJ Guinan

Citations: 27

Year: 2020

Developmentally controlled changes during Arabidopsis leaf development indicate causes for loss of stress tolerance with age

Authors: A Kanojia, S Gupta, M Benina, AR Fernie, B Mueller-Roeber, T Gechev

Citations: 22

Year: 2020

Primary metabolic processes as drivers of leaf ageing

Authors: A Kanojia, DK Shrestha, PP Dijkwel

Citations: 15

Year: 2021

Constructed wetland system and its engineered designs for the treatment of textile industry effluent

Authors: BHJ Niraj R. Rane, Aakansha Kanojia, Swapnil M. Patil, Rahul Khandare, Kisan

Citations: 4

Year: 2023

Identification of Postharvest Senescence Regulators Through Map-Based Cloning Using Detached Arabidopsis Inflorescences as a Model Tissue

Authors: DA Hunter, R Jibran, P Dijkwel, D Chagné, K Sullivan, A Kanojia

Citations: 3

Year: 2018

Ethylene as a plant aging modulator

Authors: A Kanojia, X Xu, DP Paul

Citations: 2

Year: 2023

Physiological and molecular insights into the effect of a seaweed biostimulant on enhancing fruit yield and drought tolerance in tomato

Authors: K Aakansha, L Rafe, S Neerakkal, A Saleh, FJ Martínez-Rivas, AR Fernie

Year: 2024

Stress adaptation and ageing is controlled by senescence-inducing age-related changes in Arabidopsis thaliana: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Ph.D.

Authors: A Kanojia

Year: 2018