Huai-Jen Tsai | Transgenesis | Excellence in Research Award

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Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai | Transgenesis | Excellence in Research Award 

Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai | Transgenesis | Chair Professor at Fu Jen Catholic University | Taiwan

Transgenesis Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai is a distinguished scientist whose career spans over five decades in molecular biology, marine biotechnology, developmental biology, and particularly gene transgenesis in aquatic organisms. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai obtained his B.Sc. in Biology from Fu-Jen Catholic University, followed by an M.Sc. in Marine Biology and Fisheries Science from National Taiwan University, where his master’s thesis analyzed blood and muscle proteins of blenny fish via electrophoresis — grounding him firmly in marine biology and protein biochemistry. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon State University, USA, completing a dissertation on “Conjugal transfer of plasmid genes between lactic Streptococcus and Leuconostoc starter cultures,” which provided him with rigorous training in gene transfer, plasmid biology and microbial genetics. This strong educational foundation supported a prolific professional journey: beginning as a research assistant, then serving as a teaching assistant, and eventually becoming a researcher in biotechnology and fermentation in the U.S., before returning to Taiwan to engage in academia and research. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai progressed from Associate Professor to Professor — holding significant roles at the Institute of Fisheries Science and the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology at National Taiwan University, and later serving as Professor and Director of these institutes. He also held adjunct and visiting professorships, including at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Mackay Medical College, and serves as Chair Professor in the Department of Life Science at Fu-Jen Catholic University. Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai has combined marine biology, molecular biology, and biotechnology to pioneer the development of transgenic aquatic animals, especially using fish models. His research interests center on gene transgenesis in aquatic materials, developmental biology using model fish, molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, tissue-specific gene expression, environmental biotechnology applications, and the use of transgenic fish as biosensors for environmental toxicants. His lab has developed a wide range of transgenic lines — for example, fluorescent-protein–tagged zebrafish where muscle, heart, eye or ovary tissues are marked, as well as transgenic medaka and other aquaculture species — to study gene regulation, embryonic development, organogenesis, regeneration, and environmental responses. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai’s research skills cover a broad array of molecular biology and biotechnology techniques: gene cloning, promoter analysis, microinjection and electroporation gene transfer methods, transgenesis, germ-line transmission, use of fluorescent reporter genes (GFP/RFP) for live imaging, developmental gene expression studies, protein biochemistry, and the use of aquatic model organisms. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and secured patents for “Novel transgenic zebrafish, gene fragments and methods for producing transgenic zebrafish.” His honors and awards reflect his scientific leadership and teaching excellence, including the MOST Outstanding Research Award, Excellent Teaching Award, recognition as Distinguished Professor, the Y. Z. Hsu Technology Invention Award (Biotechnology Category) for a patent on “Novel Gene Fragment for Use in Golden Zebrafish,” and multiple Outstanding Research Awards, as well as inclusion in the prestigious directories Marquis Who’s Who in various categories — highlighting his global recognition. In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai stands as a pioneering and visionary scientist whose integration of marine biology, molecular techniques, and transgenic technologies has significantly advanced aquatic biotechnology and developmental biology. His lifelong commitment to gene transgenesis in fish, his development of transgenic aquatic models, and his mentorship of students position him as a foundational figure shaping the future of marine biotechnology, environmental monitoring using transgenic organisms, and developmental biology research.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Zeng, C.-W., & Tsai, H.-J. (2023). The Promising Role of a Zebrafish Model Employed in Neural Regeneration Following a Spinal Cord Injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(18), 13938. 
Tsai, H.-J. (2000). Electroporated Sperm Mediation of a Gene Transfer System for Finfish and Shellfish. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 56, 281–284. 
Tsai, H.-J., Chen, Y.-H., Lin, Y.-J., & Wang, Y.-H. (2006). Spatiotemporal Expression of Zebrafish Keratin 18 During Early Embryogenesis and the Establishment of a Keratin 18:RFP Transgenic Line. Gene Expression Patterns, 6(4), 335–339. 
Hsiao, C.-D., & Tsai, H.-J. (2003). Skin-specific Expression of ictacalcin, a Homolog of the S100 Genes, During Zebrafish Embryogenesis. Developmental Dynamics, 228(4), 745–750.
Chou, C.-Y., Horng, L.-S., & Tsai, H.-J. (2001). Uniform GFP-Expression in Transgenic Medaka (Oryzias latipes) at the F0 Generation. Transgenic Research, 10, 303–315. 

 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sinan DEMİR | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Sinan DEMİR | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sinan DEMİR | Biological Sciences – Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Turkey

Dr. Sinan Demir is an Assistant Professor at the Isparta University of Applied Sciences, where he specializes in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. His academic journey is marked by significant achievements in agricultural technology and remote sensing, focusing on the development of innovative methodologies for monitoring agricultural productivity and land use. Dr. Demir has contributed extensively to the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and machine learning algorithms to enhance the efficiency of agricultural practices. With a comprehensive background in soil science, plant nutrition, and agricultural engineering, his work continues to impact both the academic community and practical applications in agriculture.

Profile:

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Demir’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Master’s degree in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition from Suleyman Demirel University. His PhD, completed in 2021 at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, was centered around “The Monitoring of Isparta Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) Gardens using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the Development of Yield Prediction Models.” This thesis was guided by Prof. Dr. Levent Başayığit. His formal education has equipped him with a strong foundation in soil science, plant protection, and remote sensing technologies, which he applies in his research and teaching.

Experience:

Dr. Demir has a rich research and teaching portfolio. In his role as Assistant Professor, he has undertaken leadership roles in multiple national and international projects related to agriculture, land use, and environmental monitoring. These include significant contributions to the development of yield prediction models for oil rose farming using UAV images and the application of machine learning algorithms for soil data analysis. He has also been a key researcher in several TUBITAK and EU-funded projects aimed at improving sustainable farming practices and climate change resilience. His teaching contributions span undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a focus on remote sensing, digital agriculture, and UAV-based crop monitoring.

Research Interests:

Dr. Demir’s research interests lie at the intersection of agricultural technology and environmental science. He focuses on the integration of remote sensing technologies, particularly UAVs, in precision agriculture. His research aims to improve the efficiency of crop monitoring, yield prediction, and land use management. Additionally, he explores the use of hyperspectral data and machine learning techniques to address challenges in soil quality, vegetation health, and climate impact assessments. He is particularly interested in the application of these technologies in regions with semi-arid climates and the development of models to optimize agricultural practices.

Awards:

Dr. Demir’s work has been recognized both in academia and in practical applications. He was awarded several research grants, including support for projects investigating the impact of UAV technology on organic farming practices and the application of machine learning in soil science. His contributions to agricultural research were acknowledged in multiple national and international conferences, where he has presented groundbreaking work on topics such as digital mapping of soil erosion and evaluating land use changes with satellite imagery.

Publications:

Dr. Demir has authored several influential publications in peer-reviewed journals. Notable among them are:

  1. “Determination of suitable agricultural areas and current land use in Isparta Province, Türkiye, through a linear combination technique and geographic information systems” (2024) – Environment, Development and Sustainability 🌱
  2. “Assessment of pre- and post-fire erosion using the RUSLE equation in a watershed affected by the forest fire on Google Earth Engine: the study of Manavgat River Basin” (2024) – Natural Hazards 🔥
  3. “Yield prediction models of organic oil rose farming with agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) images and machine learning algorithms” (2024) – Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 🚁
  4. “Digital Mapping Burn Severity in Agricultural and Forestry Land over a Half-Decade Using Sentinel Satellite Images on the Google Earth Engine Platform” (2024) – Trees, Forests and People 🌳
  5. “Determining burned areas using different threshold values of NDVI with Sentinel-2 satellite images on GEE platform: A case study of Muğla Province” (2023) – International Journal of Sustainable Engineering and Technology 🌍

Conclusion:

Dr. Sinan Demir’s academic and professional trajectory is marked by a dedication to advancing agricultural sciences through the use of cutting-edge technologies such as UAVs and machine learning. His research continues to drive improvements in the management of agricultural systems, particularly in sustainable farming practices and land use optimization. As an educator and researcher, Dr. Demir is committed to sharing his knowledge and contributing to the global discourse on the intersection of technology and agriculture. His work not only enriches academic literature but also offers practical solutions to real-world challenges in the agricultural sector.