Prof. Saule kenzhebayeva | Agricultural | Best Research Article Award

Genetic improvement of wheat to abiotic and biotic stress, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan

👩‍🔬 Kenzhebayeva Saule Sagindykovna is a professor at the Department of Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Her expertise lies in wheat mutation breeding, improving grain quality, and developing molecular markers to enhance agronomic traits. She has made significant contributions to research on physiological and biochemical aspects of stress tolerance in cereals. 🌾

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Expertise: Kenzhebayeva Saule Sagindykovna has a strong academic foundation with a Doctor of Science degree, highlighting her deep knowledge in biotechnology and mutation breeding. Her research focuses on improving wheat quality, disease resistance, and stress tolerance, which aligns with the award’s focus on impactful research.
2. Innovative Research Contributions: Her work in molecular genetics and mutation breeding for enhancing key agronomic traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutrient content in wheat is highly relevant in addressing global food security and sustainability challenges.
3. High-Impact Publications: Several of her publications are indexed in reputable journals (e.g., PeerJ, Crop and Pasture Science, Curr Issues Mol Biol), with some having strong citation potential. Her research has been recognized as contributing to the scientific community, particularly in leaf rust resistance, iron homeostasis, and biofortification of wheat, which are critical for agriculture.
4. International Research Projects: Kenzhebayeva has led and participated in several high-profile national and international projects funded by institutions like the IAEA, showcasing her ability to manage complex research initiatives. These projects focus on wheat improvement using nuclear and molecular techniques, demonstrating her capability in multidisciplinary approaches.
5. Leadership and Recognition: As a professor and principal investigator in numerous research grants, she has demonstrated leadership and has contributed to the development of biofortified wheat lines that are of practical importance in Kazakhstan and globally.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Citation Impact: While Kenzhebayeva has been a part of many prestigious research efforts, her H-index (5) and citation count (15) for 2023 might be relatively low compared to other potential candidates for the award. Increasing the visibility and citation of her research through collaborations, conferences, and networking could enhance her profile.
2. Broader International Exposure: Although her work has international dimensions, increased global collaboration and publications in higher-impact journals could elevate the reach of her findings and further boost her academic recognition.
3. Scientometric Growth: Focusing on increasing the frequency of high-impact publications and collaborating with highly cited researchers may help boost her citation profile.

Education:

🎓 Kenzhebayeva earned her Master’s degree in Biology from Moscow State University in 1976, followed by a postgraduate course at the same institution from 1976-1979. She holds a Doctor of Science degree and is a recognized professor in the field of biotechnology and crop improvement. 🌱

Experience:

📚 With decades of experience, Kenzhebayeva has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, focusing on wheat improvement, tolerance to abiotic stresses, and enhanced grain quality. She has served as both a principal investigator and responsible executor for many key projects funded by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education and Science. 🌾🔬

Research Focus:

🔍 Kenzhebayeva’s research delves into mutation breeding of wheat, grain quality improvement, resistance to rust disease, and the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on cereals. She is particularly interested in developing molecular markers for valuable agronomic traits and enhancing drought tolerance in wheat. 🌾💧

Awards and Honours:

🏆 Kenzhebayeva has been a national coordinator and principal investigator for numerous international projects, including collaborations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Her work has earned her widespread recognition in the field of biotechnology. 🌟

Publication Top Notes:

📄 Phenotyping and exploitation of kompetitive allele-specific PCR assays for genes underpinning leaf rust resistance in new spring wheat mutant lines (2024) – Current Issues in Molecular Biology, cited by 10 articles.
📄 Organ-specific expression of genes involved in iron homeostasis in wheat mutant lines with increased grain iron and zinc content (2022) – PeerJ, cited by 5 articles.
📄 Rice Plants (Oryza sativa L.) under Cd Stress in Fe Deficiency Conditions (2022) – BioMed Research International, cited by 3 articles.
📄 Iron-deficiency response and differential expression of iron homeostasis-related genes in spring wheat mutant lines (2022) – Crop and Pasture Science, cited by 8 articles.
📄 Improved iron and zinc bioavailability in spring wheat mutant lines (2018) – Journal of Biotechnology, cited by 12 articles.

Conclusion:

Kenzhebayeva Saule Sagindykovna’s research is highly relevant to the criteria for the “Research for Best Research Article Award.” Her contributions to mutation breeding, biofortification, and stress resilience in wheat have significant global implications for food security. However, improvements in citation impact and broader international exposure could further solidify her candidacy. Despite these areas for growth, her established leadership in high-level projects and innovative research make her a strong candidate for recognition.