Jorge Delfim | Soil science | Best Paper Award

Dr. Jorge Delfim | Soil science | Best Paper Award

Jorge Delfim | Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP | Brazil

Short Bio 🌱

Jorge João Delfim is a dedicated researcher specializing in Agronomy, with a focus on soil science and sustainable agricultural practices. Originally from Dracena, São Paulo, Brazil, Jorge’s academic journey has been marked by a profound commitment to enhancing crop productivity through innovative research and practical applications. His passion for soil management and agricultural sustainability has driven his academic pursuits and professional contributions in both Brazil and Angola.

Profile

ORCID

Education 📚

Jorge embarked on his academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in Agronomy (Soil Science) from 2019 to 2023 at the State University of Londrina, located in Londrina, Brazil. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Adônis Moreira, his doctoral thesis titled “Foliar fertilization with N, Co, and Mo and use of salicylic acid on soybean yield and grain quality” explored novel approaches to improve soybean yields and grain quality sustainably. During this period, Jorge honed his skills in soil management, experimental design, and data analysis, laying a solid foundation for his future research endeavors.

Prior to his doctoral studies, Jorge completed a Master’s in Agronomic Sciences (Soil Science and Natural Resources) from the University of Concepción in Chillán, Chile, from 2016 to 2017. His dissertation focused on phosphorus availability and its uptake in wheat grown in volcanic soils inoculated with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. This experience equipped him with valuable insights into soil microbiology and nutrient management strategies critical for enhancing agricultural productivity in diverse environmental conditions.

Jorge’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomist Engineering from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at José Eduardo dos Santos University in Chianga, Huambo, Angola. From 2010 to 2014, he immersed himself in the fundamentals of agronomy, gaining expertise in sustainable crop management, soil and water conservation, and the practical application of agricultural technologies.

Experience 🌱

Currently serving as a Post-doctoral Researcher at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Dracena, São Paulo, Brazil, since 2023, Jorge focuses on advancing sustainable bioeconomy initiatives for agriculture in the Cerrados region. Under the mentorship of Profª. Dra. Carolina Bonini, his research addresses critical issues such as soil recuperation and carbon storage in agricultural and forested areas. His role involves designing and overseeing experiments in greenhouse and field settings, conducting soil and plant sampling, and preparing scientific manuscripts for publication.

Before his post-doctoral position, Jorge gained valuable research experience as a Volunteer Researcher at EMBRAPA Soybean in Londrina, Brazil, from 2019 to 2023. Working under the supervision of Dr. Adônis Moreira and Dra. Larissa Moraes, he contributed to projects focused on optimizing crop production under different tillage systems. His responsibilities included experimental design, soil and plant analyses, and data interpretation using statistical tools.

Earlier in his career, Jorge served as a Research Assistant at the Agronomic Research Institute, Experimental Agricultural Station of Chianga in Huambo, Angola, from 2011 to 2015. Here, he conducted research on soil fertility, crop systems management, and soil degradation assessment. Jorge’s contributions included designing and executing field and greenhouse experiments, analyzing soil and plant samples, and collaborating with local farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices.

Research Interest 🔬

Jorge João Delfim’s research interests lie at the intersection of soil fertility, nutrient management, and sustainable agricultural practices. His work focuses on developing innovative strategies to enhance crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Jorge is particularly passionate about exploring the efficacy of no-till systems, nutrient inoculation techniques, and soil amendment strategies in optimizing soil health and agricultural sustainability. His research aims to contribute valuable insights that support the transition towards more resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural systems.

Award 🏆

Jorge Delfim has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to agricultural science, including the Best Paper Award from the Journal of Plant Nutrition for his research on soil phosphorus availability impacting chickpea production. This accolade underscores his dedication to advancing knowledge in agronomy and soil science through rigorous research and publication.

Publications 📖

Jorge Delfim has published extensively in reputable journals:

  • Wheat growth, yield, nutrient concentration, and soil chemical properties influenced by liming in an acid soil (2024). Journal of Plant Nutrition. Link
  • Potassium application impacts chickpea yield and nutritional status (2024). Communication in Soil Sciences and Plant Analysis. Link
  • Soil Phosphorus Availability Impacts Chickpea Production and Nutritional Status in Tropical Soils (2024). Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. Link
  • Nitrogen management in common bean cultivars in soil infected by Meloidogyne incognita (2024). Semina: Ciências Agrárias. Link
  • Silicate rock with different granulometry as a potassium source for alfalfa and centrosema crops (2023). Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira. Link

 

Trevan Flynn | Digital soil mapping | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Trevan Flynn | Digital soil mapping | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | University of Sydney | Australia

Short Bio 🌍

Trevan Flynn is a seasoned researcher and lecturer specializing in geostatistics and soil science. Based in Aspen, Colorado, Trevan collaborates with academics globally—from the USA to Pakistan—producing reliable soil and environmental data for land-use management. Utilizing advanced digital soil mapping techniques and Google Earth Engine in R, he supervises graduate students and contributes to a free database of soil information.

Profile

ORCID

Education 🎓

Trevan’s academic journey began at Stellenbosch University, where he earned his BSc in Soil Science and Horticulture with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2015. He pursued an MSc in Soil Science at the same institution, which was upgraded to a PhD in 2017. His dissertation focused on “Digital Soil Mapping Techniques Across Multiple Landscape Scales in South Africa.” Following his PhD, Trevan completed multiple postdoctoral fellowships, including Ecosystem Modeling at the Biological Centre CAS and Dynamic Soil Carbon Modeling at the Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences. He is currently a researcher at the University of the Free State, studying mineral and water resources in South Africa under Dr. Martin Clark.

Experience 💼

Trevan Flynn’s professional experience is extensive and varied. He is the Director of Rafikisol Soil Mapping for Africa, making soil spatial information accessible to African nations. As a Geospatial Analyst at Phyla Regeneration Systems, he develops spatial models for natural resources and consults on soil organic carbon improvements. Trevan also lectures at the Zambia Institute of Agriculture, teaching soil and crop sciences, sustainable agriculture, and smallholder farming. Additionally, he provides consultancy services through Phyla Ntaka Soil Health Advisory Services, specializing in hyper-local spatial models using Mid-Infrared spectroscopy. His earlier roles include being a Junior Lecturer at Stellenbosch University and a Geospatial Analyst at SASSCAL.

Research Interests 🔬

Trevan’s research interests are centered on digital soil mapping, geostatistics, and the use of advanced modeling techniques in environmental and soil science. He is passionate about developing reliable soil information for land-use management and improving hydrological models in arid regions. His work often involves coding in R and utilizing Google Earth Engine for large-scale environmental data analysis.

Awards 🏆

Trevan Flynn has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2022, he received the Best Paper Award from the South African Journal of Plant and Soil for his manuscript on high-resolution digital soil mapping. He was also awarded the National Research Foundation Innovation Bursary from 2017 to 2020, the Stellenbosch Merit Bursary from 2013 to 2019, and the Stellenbosch Travel Grant in 2017. In 2015, he received the Perold Medal, the Soil Science Society Silver Medal, and the Hortgro Science Prize for his academic excellence.

Publications 📚