Bakhtiyor Karimov | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Professor at Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers | Uzbekistan

Prof. Dr. Bakhtiyor Karimov is a renowned ecologist and ichthyologist with over four decades of experience in aquatic ecology, hydrobiology, ecotoxicology, and fisheries. As a full professor at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME), Uzbekistan, he has contributed extensively to environmental protection and sustainable water management, particularly in the Aral Sea Basin. His multidisciplinary approach bridges academia, field research, and policy. He has collaborated with international organizations including FAO, UNESCO, and the European Union, and has led major research projects that have significantly influenced environmental and ecological frameworks in Central Asia.

Profile:

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Education:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the State Lake and River Fisheries Institute, Russia, with a thesis focused on the comparative toxic resistance of fish species. He earned his first degree in Biology and Chemistry from Tashkent State University, he was awarded a Doctor of Science in Biology for his research on ecological and toxicological issues in the Aral Sea Basin. His academic journey further includes appointments as a Senior Research Worker, full Professor, and Academician of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences.

Experience:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s professional career spans academia, governmental advisory roles, and international project leadership. He has served in prominent positions such as Head of Hydroecology at the Institute of Water Problems and Director of Laboratories in Hydrobiology and Aquaculture. He worked in Germany under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowship and coordinated FAO projects across Central Asia. As national scientific supervisor for the EU Horizon “Hydro4U” project, he pioneered ecological innovations in hydropower. He has also advised parliamentary committees and scientific councils, influencing ecological policies and water resource management throughout Uzbekistan.

Research Interests:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s primary research interests include aquatic ecology, desert and arid zone aquaculture, ichthyology, water pollution, and biodiversity conservation. His investigations address the ecological impact of climate change, agricultural runoff, and hydropower on freshwater systems. He emphasizes integrative methodologies involving ecotoxicological assessments, habitat restoration, and ecosystem services analysis. With significant expertise in the Aral Sea Basin, he has advanced sustainable fisheries and ecological risk assessments. His work often bridges applied environmental science and policy, and his leadership in bioeconomic curriculum development further demonstrates his commitment to environmental sustainability and education.

Awards and Honors:

Prof. Bakhtiyor Karimov’s exceptional career has been recognized with numerous accolades. He graduated with a Gold Medal from secondary school and received a Distinction Diploma from Tashkent State University. His prestigious fellowships include the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Germany,the Matsumae International Foundation Japan, and the Cariplo Lombardia Foundation Italy. He also received the Humboldt-Alumni Award for his ongoing scientific contributions. He is an elected Academician of IAELPS and a member of prominent ecological and zoological associations, including IUCN SSC, SETAC, and EWRA.

Publications:

Title: Saving freshwater from salts

Citation: 341

Year of Publication: 2016

Title: A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Citation: 200

Year of Publication: 2022

Title: Health risks from large-scale water pollution: trends in Central Asia

Citation: 164

Year of Publication: 2011

Title: Status, trends, and future dynamics of freshwater ecosystems in Europe and Central Asia

Citation: 128

Year of Publication: 2019

Title: Overview of past, current, and future ecosystem and biodiversity trends of inland saline lakes of Europe and Central Asia

Citation: 100

Year of Publication: 2020

Title: One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

Citation: 89

Year of Publication: 2025

Title: Challenges for the sustainable use of water and land resources under a changing climate and increasing salinization in the Jizzakh irrigation zone of Uzbekistan

Citation: 58

Year of Publication: 2020

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Bakhtiyor Karimov stands as a pioneering force in aquatic environmental science. His career reflects a profound commitment to solving ecological challenges through science, education, and policy. His publications in top-tier journals, leadership in global projects, and impact on biodiversity conservation in arid zones make him a compelling nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to ecological restoration, especially in the context of the Aral Sea and Central Asia, highlights his lasting contributions to both regional and global environmental science. Prof. Karimov exemplifies research excellence with real-world impact.

Luis Tamassia | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Luis Tamassia | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Global Innovation ruminants lead at dsm-firmenich, Switzerland.

Luis Fernando Monteiro Tamassia is a Brazilian‑Italian veterinarian whose career bridges science and agribusiness. After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, he immersed himself in pasture management and animal nutrition, steadily ascending from feedlot consultant to global innovation leader in Switzerland 🇨🇭. Two decades of guiding multidisciplinary teams—from R&D labs to commercial front lines—have honed his talent for turning bench discoveries into practical solutions that boost cattle performance, farmer profitability and worldwide livestock sustainability efforts ♻️. Fluent in English and Spanish, with German in progress, Luis thrives in multicultural settings, forging alliances across academia, industry and digital‑tech start‑ups. Today, as Global Head of Innovation for Ruminants at dsm‑firmenich, he channels his passion for humane, climate‑smart food production into next‑generation vitamins, enzymes and data‑driven feed strategies, inspiring colleagues to pair scientific rigor with entrepreneurial spirit. 🌟

Professional Profile:

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Suitability For Best Researcher Award – Dr. Luis Tamassia

Dr. Luis Fernando Monteiro Tamassia stands out as a multidisciplinary leader whose contributions bridge veterinary science, animal nutrition, agribusiness innovation, and sustainability. With over 25 years of experience, he has transformed scientific insights into commercial solutions that improve livestock health, environmental outcomes, and global food systems. His journey from feedlot consultant in Brazil to Global Head of Innovation for Ruminants at dsm-firmenich in Switzerland showcases his international influence, strategic vision, and scientific rigor.

Education 🎓📚

Luis built a robust scientific foundation at three leading Brazilian institutions. He first completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Uberlândia, mastering anatomy, physiology and herd health. Seeking deeper production insight, he undertook an Animal Scientist Specialization at the Federal University of Goiás, where he evaluated feedlot bulls for genetic merit 📊🐂. His academic journey culminated in an M.Sc. in Agronomy (Animal Nutrition & Pasture) at USP‑ESALQ, investigating Rhodes‑grass morphology, chemistry and digestibility 🌾🔬. Continuous leadership programs and international management courses now complement these degrees, equipping him to translate complex nutrition science into market impact.

Professional Development 🚀

Over a 25‑year span, Luis has cultivated a rare blend of scientific acuity and commercial savvy, evolving from regional technical advisor to C‑suite innovation strategist 🌟. He sharpened frontline skills at Tortuga, steering feedlot sales teams across São Paulo, Rio and Espírito Santo before managing two research centers and quality programs serving four factories 🔧🏭. Promoted to Director of Innovation & Applied Science for Latin America at DSM, he supervised 25 scientists, delivered 45+ projects annually and drove double‑digit innovation‑sales growth 📈. Since 2019, Switzerland has been his base for global influence: first as Innovation Lead and now as Global Head of Innovation for Ruminants at dsm‑firmenich. There he orchestrates cross‑functional squads that fuse digital tools, precision farming, feed additives and sustainability analytics into market‑ready packages, championing open‑innovation networks with universities and startups 🌐🤝. Frequent symposium keynotes and multicultural immersion continually refine his professional edge.

Research Focus 🔬🐂

Luis’s research orbit centers on sustainable ruminant nutrition—the nexus where animal physiology, feed chemistry and environmental stewardship converge 🌍. He interrogates how vitamins, minerals, enzymes and eubiotics modulate rumen microbiota, oxidative stress and nutrient utilization, striving to boost meat and milk yields while shrinking methane footprints ♻️. His teams prototype precision‑feeding algorithms and digital decision tools that transform on‑farm data into custom ration strategies 📲📊. Another avenue explores mineral matrices and plant‑based bio‑actives as antibiotic alternatives, safeguarding animal health without compromising productivity 🚫💊✅. Fertility enhancement, heat‑stress mitigation and trace‑element bioavailability complete his holistic agenda, weaving genetics, pasture dynamics and gut‑health biomarkers into actionable blueprints. He collaborates with climatologists and data scientists to map emission hotspots and quantify life‑cycle impacts 🌡️🧬. Field trials across Europe and Brazil validate insights, empowering stakeholders to accelerate climate‑smart livestock systems and advance UN SDG 12 🌱📑.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Recognition has accompanied Luis’s path from ranch to boardroom. He earned the coveted “Best in Beef Cattle Production” BeefExpo Award in 2015 🐂🥇, celebrating the tangible gains he delivered in feedlot efficiency and carcass quality. As a sought‑after speaker at international congresses and symposia 🌐🎤, he routinely receives top‑rated speaker badges and invitations to scientific steering committees. Leadership of innovation teams has secured internal accolades at DSM and dsm‑firmenich for revenue‑driving product launches 🚀💡, while peer communities frequently cite his book chapters and 50+ publications for advancing sustainable ruminant farming 📚🌱—each honor underscoring his commitment to uniting animal welfare, producer prosperity and environmental stewardship.

Publication Top Notes

1. Nutritional strategies in ruminants: A lifetime approach

Authors: J McGrath, SM Duval, LFM Tamassia, M Kindermann, RT Stemmler, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Research in Veterinary Science, Vol. 116, Pages 28–39
Cited by: 170
Year: 2018
Summary:
This comprehensive review explores nutritional strategies for ruminants across different stages of life—from neonatal to adult stages. It emphasizes the importance of early-life nutrition, precision feeding, and sustainable practices to improve health, productivity, and environmental outcomes in ruminant livestock. Key focus areas include gastrointestinal development, feed efficiency, immune function, and long-term metabolic programming.

2. Feeding the combination of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase increases performance and carcass production of finishing beef cattle

Authors: MAP Meschiatti, VN Gouvêa, LA Pellarin, CDA Batalha, MV Biehl, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 97(1), Pages 456–471
Cited by: 64
Year: 2019
Summary:
This study investigates the synergistic effects of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase on beef cattle. Results showed significant improvements in feed efficiency, average daily gain, and carcass yield. The inclusion of these additives enhanced nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation.

3. Effect of selected feed additives to improve growth and health of dairy calves

Authors: LFL Salazar, LA Nero, MEM Campos-Galvão, CS Cortinhas, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: PLOS ONE, Vol. 14(5), Article e0216066
Cited by: 54
Year: 2019
Summary:
This research evaluates the impact of various feed additives—including prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids—on the health and development of dairy calves. Findings revealed improved weight gain, reduced incidence of diarrhea, and enhanced gut health markers.

4. Effects of a blend of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase in diets containing different roughage sources for finishing beef cattle

Authors: LB Toseti, RS Goulart, VN Gouvêa, TS Acedo, GSFM Vasconcellos, et al.
Journal: Animal Feed Science and Technology, Vol. 269, Article 114643
Cited by: 37
Year: 2020
Summary:
This paper examines how different roughage types interact with feed additives like essential oils and α-amylase in beef cattle diets. The study found that these additives enhance nutrient absorption and performance across various forage bases, supporting dietary flexibility in feedlot operations.

5. Effect of organic sources of minerals on fat-corrected milk yield of dairy cows in confinement

Authors: TA Del Valle, EF Jesus, PG Paiva, VP Bettero, F Zanferari, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, Vol. 44(3), Pages 103–108
Cited by: 20
Year: 2015
Summary:
The study evaluates the efficacy of organic vs. inorganic mineral sources in dairy cow diets under confinement. It concludes that organic minerals improve milk yield, particularly 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and support better reproductive performance and mineral bioavailability.

Conclusion

Luis Fernando Monteiro Tamassia exemplifies the qualities of a Best Researcher Award recipient. His distinguished career demonstrates scientific depth, innovation leadership, and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture. His influence spans continents and disciplines, making him not only a leading researcher but a visionary catalyst for global agri-food transformation. Awarding him would recognize not just past accomplishments, but also his ongoing contribution to a more sustainable and ethical future in animal science.