Hua Li | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Dr. Hua Li | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Lifetime Achievement Award

College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, China

Prof. Dr. Hua Li is a distinguished authority in viticulture and enology, widely recognized for founding China’s Grape and Wine Engineering discipline and establishing Asia’s first College of Enology. With a Ph.D. from Bordeaux Second University in France, he has been instrumental in transforming China’s wine industry through groundbreaking research, talent cultivation, and the development of a quality control system that brought Chinese wine to international standards. As a professor and mentor, he has trained numerous professionals who now lead the industry. His leadership roles include Vice President of Northwest A&F University and honorary dean of its College of Enology. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Famous Teacher Award and the National Science and Technology Progress Award. Prof. Hua Li’s visionary contributions have shattered long-held doubts about China’s potential in wine production, earning him a legacy as a pioneer and transformative figure in modern Chinese agricultural science.

ORCID Profile

Education

Prof. Dr. Hua Li began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Pomology from Sichuan Agricultural College in China, where he laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to horticultural and agricultural sciences. He further pursued advanced studies in France, earning both his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Enology from the prestigious College of Enology at Bordeaux Second University. His education in Bordeaux—a globally respected hub for wine science—equipped him with cutting-edge knowledge in viticulture and enology, which he later adapted and localized to the Chinese context. This international academic exposure allowed him to blend Western wine-making expertise with China’s unique agricultural environment. His educational background not only enabled him to build China’s first comprehensive academic programs in grape and wine engineering but also helped bridge the gap between traditional Chinese agricultural practices and modern global standards in wine production and quality control.

Professional Experience

Prof. Hua Li has held several influential academic and administrative roles over the course of his career. Most notably, he served as Vice President of Northwest A&F University, one of China’s leading agricultural institutions. He later became the founding dean and now serves as the lifetime honorary dean of the College of Enology at the same university. His efforts led to the creation of China’s first viticulture and enology major and the establishment of the first Enology College in Asia. In addition to his academic leadership, Prof. Hua holds key industry roles, including President of the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology Wine Branch and Director of the China Wine Industry Technology Institute. Through these positions, he has actively influenced national policy, industry standards, and academic frameworks, while also fostering industry-academia collaboration. His career is marked by an exceptional blend of institutional leadership, industry engagement, and a dedication to educational reform.

Research Interest

Prof. Hua Li’s research interests center around viticulture, enology, wine quality control, and sustainable wine production systems. He has been a pioneering force in developing the scientific foundations of China’s wine industry. His research has led to significant breakthroughs, including the establishment of the “from land to table” quality control system, which ensures the consistent production of high-quality wine grapes and wines across various Chinese regions. He is especially interested in optimizing grape varieties to suit diverse Chinese climates and terroirs, developing modern wine processing technologies, and integrating traditional knowledge with international best practices. His work also involves technology promotion and wine culture communication, ensuring that scientific advances benefit both producers and consumers. His practical research applications have had widespread impact, helping transform China from a non-traditional wine country into a globally recognized wine producer. His contributions have laid a solid theoretical and practical framework for future research in this domain.

Award and Honor

Prof. Hua Li has received numerous prestigious awards and honors that reflect the depth and impact of his contributions. Among the most significant are the National Famous Teacher Award and the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award (2016). He was honored with the National May 1st Labor Medal and named a National Advanced Science and Technology Worker. His early contributions were also recognized through awards like the Outstanding Contribution Award and the title of “Young and Middle-aged Expert with Remarkable Contributions.” He was among the “60 Prominent Persons” for promoting China’s wine industry and one of the “30 Leading Figures” in wine during the 30 years of China’s Reform and Opening-Up. Furthermore, he has held memberships in important national bodies, including the Food Safety Expert Committee of the State Council and multiple academic societies. These accolades affirm his role as a leader and visionary in Chinese agriculture and enology.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Hua Li’s lifelong dedication to viticulture and enology has made him a transformative figure in both academic and industrial sectors. His groundbreaking efforts in founding China’s first wine-related academic programs, promoting scientific research, and leading industry-wide technological innovations have reshaped the perception and capabilities of China’s wine industry. With an educational background that bridges East and West and a professional portfolio spanning academia, policy, and enterprise, Prof. Hua has elevated China to the ranks of global wine-producing nations. His extensive list of awards and influential leadership roles underscores his enduring impact. Beyond his tangible achievements, he has mentored generations of experts who continue to drive the field forward. Prof. Hua Li exemplifies the values of vision, innovation, and service, making him not only a deserving candidate for a Lifetime Achievement Award but also a symbol of China’s potential in integrating tradition with modern scientific excellence.

Publications Top Notes

  1. Title: Review on Legal Supervision System of the Chinese Wine Industry

    • Authors: Chenlu Yang, Rui Song, Yinting Ding, Liang Zhang, Hua Wang, Hua Li

    • Year: 2022

    • Citation:
      Yang, C., Song, R., Ding, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, H., & Li, H. (2022). Review on Legal Supervision System of the Chinese Wine Industry. Horticulturae, 8(5), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050432

  2. Title: Identification and Regionalization of Cold Resistance of Wine Grape Germplasms (V. vinifera)

    • Authors: Zhilei Wang, Ying Wang, Dong Wu, Miao Hui, Xing Han, Tingting Xue, Fei Yao, Feifei Gao, Xiao Cao, Hua Li, et al.

    • Year: 2021

    • Citation:
      Wang, Z., Wang, Y., Wu, D., Hui, M., Han, X., Xue, T., Yao, F., Gao, F., Cao, X., Li, H., et al. (2021). Identification and Regionalization of Cold Resistance of Wine Grape Germplasms (V. vinifera). Agriculture, 11(11), 1117. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11111117

  3. Title: A Sustainable Viticulture Method Adapted to the Cold Climate Zone in China

    • Authors: Xing Han, Tingting Xue, Xu Liu, Zhilei Wang, Liang Zhang, Ying Wang, Fei Yao, Hua Wang, Hua Li

    • Year: 2021

    • Citation:
      Han, X., Xue, T., Liu, X., Wang, Z., Zhang, L., Wang, Y., Yao, F., Wang, H., & Li, H. (2021). A Sustainable Viticulture Method Adapted to the Cold Climate Zone in China. Horticulturae, 7(6), 150. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060150

  4. Title: Carbon Storage Distribution Characteristics of Vineyard Ecosystems in Hongsibu, Ningxia

    • Authors: Liang Zhang, Tingting Xue, Feifei Gao, Ruteng Wei, Zhilei Wang, Hua Li, Hua Wang

    • Year: 2021

    • Citation:
      Zhang, L., Xue, T., Gao, F., Wei, R., Wang, Z., Li, H., & Wang, H. (2021). Carbon Storage Distribution Characteristics of Vineyard Ecosystems in Hongsibu, Ningxia. Plants, 10(6), 1199. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061199

  5. Title: Combating Desertification through the Wine Industry in Hongsibu, Ningxia

    • Authors: Liang Zhang, Zhilei Wang, Tingting Xue, Feifei Gao, Ruteng Wei, Ying Wang, Xing Han, Hua Li, Hua Wang

    • Year: 2021

    • Citation:
      Zhang, L., Wang, Z., Xue, T., Gao, F., Wei, R., Wang, Y., Han, X., Li, H., & Wang, H. (2021). Combating Desertification through the Wine Industry in Hongsibu, Ningxia. Sustainability, 13(10), 5654. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105654

Saule kenzhebayeva | Agricultural | Best Research Article Award

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.