Dr. Nazar Gul | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Deputy Director at Drainage and Reclamation Institute of Pakistan (DRIP), Tando Jam; Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Dr. Nazar Gul is a dedicated agricultural engineer with a Ph.D. in Land and Water Management and over ten years of research experience focused on sustainable water resource management in arid and semi-arid regions. He has published 13 peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals, with a total impact factor of 14.17, alongside several technical research reports and conference presentations. His work spans innovative irrigation techniques, groundwater assessment, salinity management, and climate change adaptation. Dr. Gul has actively contributed to national and international research projects and has trained over 1,000 students and professionals through workshops, internships, and field training. He has also co-supervised graduate students and engaged in community outreach by publishing articles in local languages to disseminate knowledge. Currently serving as Deputy Director at DRIP-PCRWR, his leadership, academic rigor, and practical contributions to agricultural water management make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile

ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Nazar Gul holds a strong academic background in agricultural engineering with a focused specialization in water resources. He earned his Ph.D. in Land and Water Management from Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam in 2024, preceded by an M.E. in the same field in 2016 and a B.E. in Agriculture in 2014, all with first-division honors. His academic journey reflects consistent excellence and a commitment to addressing critical water-related challenges in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. Prior to his university studies, he achieved a “B” grade in Intermediate (Pre-Engineering) and an “A-1” grade in Matriculation (Science) from the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Hyderabad. Dr. Gul’s academic foundation has equipped him with strong analytical, technical, and research capabilities. His specialization in irrigation technologies, groundwater management, and climate impact studies forms the basis of his applied and academic research contributions aimed at improving agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions.

Professional Experience

Dr. Nazar Gul has accumulated over a decade of professional experience in the field of agricultural water management. He currently serves as Deputy Director at the Drainage and Reclamation Institute of Pakistan (DRIP), a regional office of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), under the Ministry of Water Resources. His role involves leading research projects, supervising field stations, writing scientific reports, and executing donor-funded initiatives. From 2014 to 2021, he served as a Research Associate at DRIP, gaining hands-on experience in lysimetric studies, irrigation efficiency trials, and groundwater monitoring. Throughout his career, Dr. Gul has been involved in both development and non-development research projects across Sindh and Tharparkar. He has supervised postgraduate students, mentored over 1,000 interns, and organized professional and farmer training sessions. His professional trajectory reflects a blend of academic research, field implementation, project management, and technical training in water conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Research Interest

Dr. Nazar Gul’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and climate resilience. He focuses on optimizing irrigation practices in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly through high-efficiency irrigation systems like drip, sprinkler, and bubbler technologies. His work includes evaluating crop water requirements, soil salinity mitigation, groundwater dynamics, and evapotranspiration modeling. He has a strong interest in integrating technology into farming practices, such as using chameleon sensors, tensiometers, and lysimeters to assess field-level water productivity. Dr. Gul is also passionate about climate change impacts on crop water demand and groundwater resources. His field-based studies are designed not only for academic publication but also for practical application by local farmers and policymakers. His applied research philosophy is evident in his extensive community outreach, including training programs and newspaper articles in local languages. His work is critical for ensuring water security and sustainable agricultural development in vulnerable regions of Pakistan.

Award and Honor

While specific individual awards are not listed in the provided CV, Dr. Nazar Gul has earned professional recognition through his leadership roles and contributions to high-impact national and international research projects. His promotion to Deputy Director at DRIP-PCRWR itself reflects institutional recognition of his technical expertise, research productivity, and administrative capability. He has co-authored and contributed to several government-published research reports and has presented his work at international conferences such as the International Conference on Climate Change and the International Water Conference. Dr. Gul has been entrusted with training professionals and farmers under internationally sponsored projects by USDA, ICARDA, and ACIAR, a recognition of his credibility and communication skills. His consistent academic performance—graduating with first-division honors at all levels—and his position as a resource person for over two dozen training sessions further underscore his standing as a respected and impactful researcher in Pakistan’s agricultural water management landscape.

Conclusion

Dr. Nazar Gul is a highly competent and impactful agricultural engineer whose contributions to water resource management make him a strong candidate for prestigious recognition. His educational achievements, coupled with over a decade of hands-on research and leadership experience at PCRWR, reflect both academic and professional excellence. His work has addressed critical issues like water use efficiency, irrigation technologies, groundwater assessment, and salinity management, with real-world benefits for farmers in arid and semi-arid zones of Pakistan. Through 13 research publications with an impressive impact factor, national technical reports, extensive training activities, and community engagement, Dr. Gul has advanced both scientific understanding and practical application of sustainable agriculture practices. His commitment to mentoring students and empowering local communities positions him as not just a researcher, but a leader and educator. Dr. Gul exemplifies the qualities sought in a Best Researcher Award recipient—rigorous, relevant, and resolutely dedicated to solving real-world problems.

Publications Top Notes

Title: Effect of alternating canal and marginal groundwater irrigation on banana yield, water use efficiency, and soil salinity under furrow plantation
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2025
Citation: Agricultural Water Management (DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109603)
Title: Quantifying the impacts of varying groundwater table depths on cotton evapotranspiration, yield, water use efficiency, and root zone salinity using lysimeters
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2024
Citation: Agricultural Water Management (DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108933)
Title: Water requirements of banana and papaya under different water table depths and soil types in the Lower Indus Basin of Pakistan
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2024
Citation: Irrigation and Drainage (DOI: 10.1002/ird.2892)
Title: Exploring Groundwater Dynamics: A Comprehensive Investigation and Spatial Mapping in Canal Command Areas of Sindh
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2023
Citation: PCRWR Report (2023-12-31)
Title: Beneath the Sands: A Comprehensive Study of Groundwater in Tharparkar Region
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2023
Citation: PCRWR Report (2023-09-04)
Title: Response of Different Fish Species to Highly Saline Water under Desert Climate Condition – Finding Options for Local Food Security
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2023
Citation: (Journal article, 2023-08-12)
Title: Potential Impacts of Climate Change Using Long-Term Historical Climate Data on Evapotranspiration (ET) and Groundwater Contribution to Wheat and Cotton Crop
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2023
Citation: International Journal of Environment and Climate Change (2023-04-29)
Title: Effect of Sprinkler and Basin Irrigation Systems on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Canola Crop
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2021
Citation: Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (2021-04-03)
Title: Scheduling of Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application for Growing Cabbage on Raised-Beds
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2020
Citation: Pakistan Journal of Agriculture Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Sciences (2020-01-28)
Title: Water Requirements of Banana and Papaya in Sindh
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2019
Citation: PCRWR Report (2019-09-01)
Title: Assessing the Effect of Different Water Table Depths on Water Use, Yield and Water Productivity of the Okra Crop
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2018
Citation: Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (2018-01-19)
Title: Water Requirements of Major Crops in Sindh
Authors: Nazar Gul
Year: 2016
Citation: PCRWR Report (2016-12-02)

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. 🌾

Strengths for the Award:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Scientometric Growth: Focusing on increasing the frequency of high-impact publications and collaborating with highly cited researchers may help boost her citation profile.

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.