Lorenzo Fruscella | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Lorenzo Fruscella | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Campaign Lead at Animal Law Italia,  Italy

Lorenzo Fruscella is a dedicated researcher in biotechnology and sustainable aquaculture with extensive international experience in academia, industry, and policy advocacy. His work focuses on advancing organic aquaponics, sustainable food production, and environmental conservation. With hands-on experience in marine biology, aquaculture, and ecosystem restoration, he has contributed to scientific advancements through peer-reviewed publications, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. His research spans multiple countries, including the UK, USA, Italy, Ireland, and Madagascar, demonstrating a global perspective on sustainability challenges. Lorenzo has actively participated in scientific conferences, workshops, and campaigns to promote ethical and sustainable agricultural practices. His ability to integrate research, policy, and practical applications makes him a key contributor to the field. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, he continues to push the boundaries of sustainable aquaponics and organic agriculture.

Professional Profile

Education

Lorenzo Fruscella is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biotechnology at the University of Greenwich, UK, focusing on organic accreditation of aquaponic produce. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of Stirling, Scotland, where he also served as a Course and Faculty Representative. His research explored the effects of water flow speed on the energy demands of King salmon. Lorenzo completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Aquatic Biology with a minor in Earth Science. His diverse academic background has provided him with strong expertise in sustainable food systems, marine biology, and environmental research. His education reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, combining biological sciences with ecological sustainability, making him a leading figure in aquaponics and sustainable agriculture research.

Professional Experience

Lorenzo has built a dynamic career across academia, industry, and policy. Currently, he serves as a Career Advisor at Animal Advocacy Careers, mentoring aspiring professionals in the field. He also leads campaigns at Animal Law Italia, working on enhancing legal protections for decapod crustaceans in the EU. His previous roles include research and technical positions at Bantry Marine Research Station, LandIng Aquaculture, and Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, where he specialized in fish husbandry, aquaculture system maintenance, and research on salmon energy expenditure. He has worked globally, including internships in Madagascar, the USA, Italy, and Ireland, gaining expertise in aquaponics, sustainable fisheries, and conservation. Additionally, he has teaching experience in biology and languages, reflecting his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively. His diverse professional background highlights his expertise in sustainable aquaculture, environmental advocacy, and interdisciplinary research.

Research Interests

Lorenzo’s research interests lie at the intersection of aquaponics, sustainable agriculture, and environmental biotechnology. His work primarily focuses on the potential for organic certification of aquaponic systems, aiming to improve sustainability in food production. He investigates how fish effluents can be used as organic fertilizers, optimizing plant growth while reducing agricultural waste. His interdisciplinary approach also extends to policy and regulatory frameworks, addressing the challenges of integrating organic principles into modern aquaculture systems. Additionally, he has explored the physiological responses of fish to different environmental conditions, contributing to our understanding of aquaculture efficiency. His broader interests include ecosystem restoration, ethical food production, and climate-resilient agriculture. Through his research, he strives to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical sustainability, ensuring environmentally responsible practices in food production systems worldwide.

Awards and Honors

Lorenzo has received numerous accolades for his academic and research achievements. He was awarded the prestigious Vice-Chancellor PhD Scholarship at the University of Greenwich, worth £48,000, and the Postgraduate MSc Merit Scholarship at the University of Stirling. His research excellence has been recognized through various awards, including the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, where he won both the Faculty and University prizes. He was also a Science Slam participant at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2023 in Berlin. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the semi-finals of the Mayor of London’s Entrepreneur Competition and the finals of the University of Greenwich Enterprise Challenge. Additionally, he has secured over £5,000 in funding to present his PhD research at international conferences. These achievements underscore his dedication to advancing sustainable agriculture and aquaponics through research, innovation, and public engagement.

Conclusion

Lorenzo Fruscella is a highly competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His academic excellence, extensive research experience, and contributions to sustainable aquaponics and policy make him a strong contender. Strengthening his leadership in major research projects and securing additional funding could further enhance his profile. Nonetheless, his current achievements are highly commendable and align well with the award’s criteria.

Publications Top Noted

  • Feeding Mars: A pilot study growing vegetables using aquaponic effluent fertiliser in simulant and analogue Martian regoliths
    • Authors: Benz Kotzen, Marcos Paradelo Perez, Lorenzo Fruscella
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Ecocycles, Volume 10, Issue 1, Pages 1–17
    • DOI: 10.19040/ecocycles.v10i1.391
    • Citations: 0
  • Investigating the effects of fish effluents as organic fertilisers on onion (Allium cepa) yield, soil nutrients, and soil microbiome
    • Authors: Lorenzo Fruscella, Benz Kotzen, Marcos Paradelo, Sarah Milliken
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Scientia Horticulturae, Volume 321, Article 112297
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112297
    • Citations: 8
  • Organic aquaponics in the European Union: towards sustainable farming practices in the framework of the new EU regulation
    • Authors: Lorenzo Fruscella, Benz Kotzen, Sarah Milliken
    • Year: 2021
    • Journal: Reviews in Aquaculture, Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages 1661–1682
    • DOI: 10.1111/raq.12532
    • Citations: 25

 

Zeinab Asgari | Animal breeding | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zeinab Asgari | Animal breeding | Best Researcher Award

Dr, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran

Dr. Zeinab Asgari is a distinguished researcher specializing in genetic and animal breeding. She earned her master’s degree at Tarbiat Modares University, ranking first among her peers. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in genetic and animal breeding at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), where she has also been recognized for academic excellence. Her passion for innovation drives her interest in data analysis, machine learning, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Dr. Asgari has contributed significantly to the scientific community through her research and publications. She aims to explore advanced methodologies and collaborate internationally to make meaningful contributions to genetics and animal breeding.

Profile

Scopus

Education 

Dr. Zeinab Asgari completed her master’s degree in genetic and animal breeding engineering at Tarbiat Modares University, where she achieved first place among her cohort. She began her Ph.D. studies in genetic and animal breeding in 2018 at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), maintaining her status as an excellent student. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation. Throughout her education, she has focused on integrating cutting-edge statistical and computational techniques into genetic studies, particularly Bayesian methodologies and machine learning. These skills have empowered her to address complex challenges in animal breeding, such as improving economic traits in livestock and conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Research Focus 

Dr. Asgari’s research centers on genetic and animal breeding with an emphasis on data analysis and machine learning. Her expertise includes genome-wide association studies (GWAS), leveraging Bayesian methodologies to uncover genetic markers influencing traits such as body weight in chickens and health traits in dairy cows. Her work addresses practical challenges in agriculture, aiming to enhance economic and genetic traits in livestock. Dr. Asgari is passionate about applying computational tools and advanced statistical methods to improve breeding programs and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Her ongoing efforts involve identifying genetic markers for economically important traits, utilizing retrospective data, and integrating innovative approaches for actionable insights.

Publications

  1. 🌾 Risk factors and population attributable fractions for displaced abomasum in Iranian dairy cattle: A retrospective analysis of field data.
  2. 🐓 Bayes factors revealed selection signature for time to market body weight in chicken: A genome-wide association study using BayesCpi methodology.

Nagla Al Ashkar | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nagla Al Ashkar | Plant Physiology | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, NRC Egypt, Egypt

Nagla Mohamed Al Ashkar is a distinguished researcher in the Botany Department at the National Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt. With a robust academic background and extensive experience in agricultural sciences, her career has been marked by significant contributions to ethnobotanical studies and sustainable agricultural practices. Born on July 12, 1970, in El-Behaira, Egypt, she has dedicated her professional life to advancing knowledge in botany and agriculture.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Nagla Mohamed Al Ashkar’s educational journey is both impressive and diverse. She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences from Complutense University of Madrid in 2013 with a focus on the ethnobotanical study of Matrouh Governorate. Earlier, she completed a DAS in Production, Prevention, and Sustainable Treatment of Agricultural Media from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2003. Her academic foundation was laid with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Cairo, Egypt, in 1998, and a Bachelor’s degree in Dry Agriculture from the Faculty of Science at Al-Azhar University in 1990.

💼 Experience

Nagla has accumulated extensive professional experience at the National Research Centre in Cairo. Since 2014, she has been serving as a Researcher in the Botany Department. Prior to this role, she was a Research Assistant from 1998 to 2014, and an Assistant Researcher from 1993 to 1998. Her work primarily focuses on botany and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing significantly to the research community.

🔬 Research Interests

Nagla’s research interests lie in ethnobotany, sustainable agriculture, and the application of modern herbicides. She is particularly interested in the effects of agricultural practices on crop growth and weed management. Her work aims to develop sustainable agricultural techniques that can improve crop yields and ensure environmental conservation.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Nagla Mohamed Al Ashkar has been recognized for her contributions to the field of agricultural sciences through various awards and honors. Her innovative research and dedication to sustainable agricultural practices have earned her a respected position within the scientific community.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Delgado, FMG, Oliveira, MR, González Coloma, A., Mohamed, N., Soria, AC, Sanz, J., & Reina, M. (2007). Adaptación al Cultivo y Valorización de Lavandulaluisieri. II Coloquio Nacional de Plantas Aromáticas y Medicinais.

Gonzalez-Coloma A, Martin-Benito D, Mohamed N, Garcia Vallejo MC, Soria AC (2006). Antifeedant effects and chemical composition of essential oils from different populations of Lavandulaluisieri L.. BiochemSystEcol, 34:609–616.

Moiteiro C, Joao M, Curto OM, Mohamed N, Bailen M, Martı´nez-Dı´az R, Gonzalez-Coloma A (2006). Biovalorization of friedelanetriterpenes derived from cork processing industry byproducts. J. Agric Food Chem, 54:3566–357.

Coloma, G., Guadano, A., Santana, O., Martín, N., Mohamed, N., Cabrera, R., & Fraga, BM (2002). Bioexploración y diversidad química. 2. Jornadas Científicas sobre Medio Ambiente. Madrid (España). 16-17 de abril de 2002.

El-Bassiouny, H. M. S., Abdallah, M. M. S., Al-Ashkar, N. M., & Bakry, B. A. (2023). Potential impacts of chitosan on growth, yield, endogenous phytohormones, and antioxidants of wheat plant grown under sandy soil conditions. Agronomy Research, 21(1).