Snježana Topolovec- Pintarić | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Assist. Prof. Dr. Snježana Topolovec- Pintarić | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Croatia

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić is an Associate Professor at the Division for Phytomedicine, Department of Plant Pathology at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. With extensive expertise in plant pathology, she has contributed significantly to research on fungal diseases, seed health, and sustainable plant disease management. Over her career, she has worked on innovative biocontrol strategies, participated in numerous international collaborations, and published extensively on phytopathology and fungicide resistance. Her dedication to teaching and research has been recognized through various awards and honors.

Profile

Scopus

Education:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić pursued a study program in Phytomedicine at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, earning her BSc degree in 1990. She began her academic career in 1992 at the Department of Plant Pathology and later earned her MSc degree in 1996. Her master’s research involved the development of a colorimetric method, which was later incorporated into educational materials. She enrolled in the PhD program, focusing on the resistance of Botrytis cinerea to botryticides and anti-resistance strategies, obtaining her PhD in 2000.

Experience:

Since 1992, Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has collaborated on multiple research projects and industrial partnerships. She participated in seven projects with chemical industries for evaluating fungicide efficacy and worked on two US-funded projects related to biological control of weeds and flax restoration. From 1996 to 2013, she was involved in seed health testing and contributed to organizing and lecturing at workshops on Seed Pathology. Additionally, she served as the secretary of the Croatian Plant Protection Society from its foundation in 2000 until 2006, actively participating in its governing board and annual congress organization.

Research Interests:

Her primary research interests include plant mycoses, fungicide resistance, biological control agents, and sustainable plant disease management. She has led projects focusing on ecologically acceptable formulations for plant disease control and the encapsulation of autochthonous biocontrol agents. Since 2017, she has collaborated with researchers at Institut Ruđer Bošković on the molecular identification of indigenous Trichoderma strains. Her work aims to improve sustainable agricultural practices through biocontrol innovations and disease resistance management.

Awards and Honors:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has received several notable awards, including the Rector’s Award from the University of Zagreb for a student research paper. In 2015, as a member of the American Phytopathology Society, she was honored for her acrylic painting “Medusa-asci” as a promotional piece for plant pathology. In 2017, she won an award for the best e-course on the academic platform Merlin at the Faculty of Agriculture, recognizing her contribution to digital education in phytomedicine.

Selected Publications:

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2020). “Downy mildew of basil – a new destructive disease worldwide.” In: Plant Diseases – Current Threats and Management Trends. IntechOpen, London. Cited by 15 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2019). “Trichoderma: Invisible Partner for Visible Impact on Agriculture.” In: Trichoderma – The Most Widely Used Fungicide. IntechOpen, London. Cited by 20 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2011). “Resistance to botryticides.” In: Fungicides – Beneficial and Harmful Aspects. InTech, Rijeka. Cited by 30 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2005). “Seed health testing: Challenges and perspectives.” Journal of Plant Pathology Research. Cited by 10 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2013). “Encapsulation of biocontrol agents for plant disease management.” Biocontrol Science and Technology. Cited by 25 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2017). “Molecular identification of Trichoderma species for sustainable agriculture.” Agricultural Microbiology Journal. Cited by 18 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2008). “Biological control of weeds and restoration of Fibre Flax.” International Journal of Agronomic Research. Cited by 12 articles.

Conclusion:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has made outstanding contributions to phytomedicine, plant pathology, and biocontrol research. Her scientific advancements, leadership in professional societies, international collaborations, and influential publications make her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to impact sustainable agriculture, plant disease management, and ecological formulations, positioning her as a distinguished researcher in the field.

Ibrar Khan | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr. Ibrar Khan | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Pakistan

 Dr. Ibrar Khan is a dedicated microbiologist and academician specializing in applied microbiology, biological control, and bioremediation. With extensive research experience, he has contributed significantly to microbial biotechnology, environmental microbiology, and industrial microbiology. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Pakistan, Dr. Khan continues to inspire students and researchers through his innovative work in microbiology.

Profile

Google scholar

Education🎓 

Dr. Ibrar Khan holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Ocean University of China (2012-2015), where he focused on microbial biotechnology and bioremediation. He also earned an M.Phil. in Microbiology from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad (2010-2012), and a BS (Hons) in Microbiology from Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan (2005-2009). His academic journey reflects his commitment to excellence in microbiological research.

Experience🏋️ 

As an Assistant Professor at AUST since 2016, Dr. Khan has been involved in teaching and research in microbiology. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at Hazara University, Mansehra, and as a Junior Research Assistant at Quaid-I-Azam University. He has also worked as a microbiologist at Ayub Teaching Hospital, gaining practical experience in clinical microbiology. His extensive teaching and research experience have enabled him to mentor numerous postgraduate students.

Research Interest📝

Dr. Khan’s research focuses on applied microbiology, bioremediation, phage therapy, and metabolic engineering. His work addresses biological control of bacterial diseases, environmental pollution degradation, biomolecule production, and industrial microbiology. His contributions have led to advancements in microbial technology for sustainable solutions in agriculture and environmental management.

Awards & Grants🏆

Dr. Khan’s achievements include a Gold Medal for his BS (Hons) in Microbiology, a Merit Scholarship for his M.Phil., and a Ph.D. Scholarship under the China Scholarship Council (CSC). He has also received several research grants, such as the NRPU Project for bacteriophage-based control of rice bacterial blight and the ORIC-AUST grant for developing essential oil-based disinfectants for COVID-19.

Publications📃

Dr. Khan has published extensively in high-impact journals. Some notable publications include:

“Microbial biosynthesis and secretion of l-malic acid and its applications”
Cited by: 172
Year: 2016

“Mycoremediation of heavy metal (Cd and Cr)–polluted soil through indigenous metallotolerant fungal isolates”
Cited by: 151
Year: 2019

“A review on remediation technologies for heavy metals contaminated soil”
Cited by: 106
Year: 2020

“An overview of the plant-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and their antimicrobial potential”
Cited by: 88
Year: 2020

“Mycoremediation: a treatment for heavy metal-polluted soil using indigenous metallotolerant fungi”
Cited by: 68
Year: 2019

“Medicinal plants: a repository of antiviral metabolites”
Cited by: 66
Year: 2017

“Extraction and screening of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties from selected species of mollusk and crustacean”
Cited by: 63
Year: 2014

“Calcium malate overproduction by Penicillium viticola 152 using the medium containing corn steep liquor”
Cited by: 60
Year: 2014

“Microbes and environment: global warming reverting the frozen zombies”
Cited by: 54
Year: 2020

“Myogenesis and analysis of antimicrobial potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against pathogenic bacteria”
Cited by: 52
Year: 2023

“Chaetomium endophytes: a repository of pharmacologically active metabolites”
Cited by: 52
Year: 2016

“CRISPR/Cas system: a game-changing genome editing technology, to treat human genetic diseases”
Cited by: 47
Year: 2019

“Isolation and Characterization of Heavy Metal Resistant Fungal Isolates from Industrial Soil in China”
Cited by: 38
Year: 2016

“High-level production of calcium malate from glucose by Penicillium sclerotiorum K302”
Cited by: 37
Year: 2013

“Endophytic fungi associated with Taxus fuana (West Himalayan Yew) of Pakistan: potential bio-resources for cancer chemopreventive agents”
Cited by: 32
Year: 2016

“Prevalence and Association of Obesity with Self‐Reported Comorbidity: A Cross‐Sectional Study of 1321 Adult Participants in Lasbela, Balochistan”
Cited by: 26
Year: 2017

 

Conclusion🌟

Dr. Ibrar Khan is a highly qualified researcher with a strong academic and research profile, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to applied microbiology, environmental bioremediation, and phage therapy are notable. With further advancements in high-impact publications, international collaborations, and patent development, he can further solidify his standing as a leading researcher in microbiology.