Committee Members

Nadia sajjad is doing PhD since 2022 from Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China from College of Horticulture. She did her M.Phil (Horticulture) 2017  from PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She has published many papers in reputed journals. other details  are below:

Susanne Herfort, Dipl.-Ing., is a dedicated researcher and specialist at the Institute of Agronomy and Urban Plant Production (IASP) at Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany. Her work focuses on developing sustainable, nature-based solutions for urban and agricultural environments, with an emphasis on using renewable raw materials such as sheep’s wool. She has played a key role in the development of innovative perennial and vegetation mats made from raw sheep’s wool and other biodegradable materials. These mats support extensive and intensive roof greening, slope stabilization, and track bed greening, contributing to climate-resilient urban infrastructure. Her expertise includes the care and maintenance of green roofs, ground-based façade greening, and navigating funding opportunities for roof and façade greening across Germany.

Alessio Cappelli is an Associate Professor at San Raffaele University of Rome. He specializes in his field of expertise (you may tell me the exact field if you want it included). As a faculty member, he is actively involved in teaching, research, and academic development within the university. His work contributes to advancing knowledge and supporting student learning in Italy’s higher education sector.

Dr. Abderrahim Lakhouit is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His academic and research work focuses on developing sustainable engineering solutions that address environmental challenges, with particular expertise in air quality management and pollution control technologies.

Dr. Zishan Ahmad is an Assistant Professor at the College of Life Science, Nanjing Forestry University, China. His research focuses on Plant Biotechnology, with emphasis on advancing molecular approaches for plant improvement, genetic transformation, and the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions for agriculture and forestry.

Claudinei da Cruz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (1998), a Master’s degree in Aquaculture focusing on the biology of aquatic organisms (2001), and a PhD in Aquaculture (2005) from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP). He also completed postdoctoral studies in Phytosanitary Defense at UNESP in 2009. He has served as Research Laboratory Coordinator at UNESP since 2005 and has been a Professor of Pesticide Ecotoxicology at UNIFEB – University Center of the Barretos Educational Foundation since 2011. He currently coordinates the Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Efficacy of Pesticides (LEEA) at UNIFEB.

Bung-Orn Hemung is an Associate Professor at Khon Kaen University’s School of Applied Science, Thailand. She earned her Ph.D. in Food Technology from Suranaree University of Technology (2008) through a joint program with University of British Columbia, Canada. She received a Brain Korea 21 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Chonnam National University, South Korea (2011). With 24 Scopus publications in science and technology focusing on fishery and meat products, her current research emphasizes valorizing agro-industrial waste from fruit, vegetable, meat, and fisheries industries for novel food product development. She has registered 4 patents from her research.

Dr. Waleed Al-Marzooqi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal & Veterinary Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. His research encompasses multiple aspects of meat production in farm animals, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal tract development and growth performance in both exotic and indigenous breeds. He also examines the use of agricultural by-products in the nutrition of poultry and small ruminants and applies molecular techniques to investigate how feed additives and nutrients shape the diversity and functional roles of the gastrointestinal microbiota. His scholarly work reflects a sustained dedication to advancing research, enriching academic practice, and supporting the development of future scientists within his institution and the wider academic community.

Professor Ramesh Singh is a highly accomplished academic and leader, known for his distinguished career in academia, research, and consultancy. He has held top administrative roles in various universities, published over 500 papers, supervised over 85 postgraduate students, and secured millions in research grants. Renowned for his innovative work in advanced materials development and applications, he has received numerous awards, including recognition as a top 2% scientist globally since 2022 and more recently as the recipient of the Professional Engineer of the Year 2025 (International) by Engineers Australia. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Science Malaysia, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), and the Institution of Engineers Australia, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia, and is a registered professional and chartered engineer in Malaysia, UK, and Australia.

Pelse Modrite (Dr. Modrīte Pelše) is a Professor of Economics at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), affiliated with the Institute of Economics and Finance. Her research focuses on regional economics, sustainable development, and the economic aspects of bioeconomy. She has authored numerous publications and participates in international research projects, while also teaching and mentoring students in sustainable development and regional economic planning.

Prof. Chongfeng Guo is a Full Professor at Northwest University, China. He holds a Ph.D. and has established himself as a dedicated scholar and researcher in his field. Prof. Guo has published widely in reputable journals, contributed to major academic projects, and participated in national and international conferences. His work reflects a strong commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering academic excellence, and supporting the next generation of researchers. Through his teaching, research, and professional service, he continues to make meaningful contributions to both his university and the broader academic community

Prof. Mohamed Kharrat is a senior researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT) / Carthage University. From 2015 to 2024, Prof. Kharrat directed the Field Crops Laboratory at INRAT. He was previously appointed at ICARDA from 2012 to 2014 as coordinator of a regional project on the legumes–cereals system, involving 12 countries and financed by the European Commission. He obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences from Rennes University (France) in 1999 and his Master’s degree in Plant Breeding and Seed Production from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (Spain) in 1988. In 1985, he obtained a diploma of Agronomy Engineer from the National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INRAT). He was responsible for the release and registration in the national catalogue of plant varieties of more than 20 food legume varieties. He worked at INRAT as researcher for more than 35 years (1988-2012; 2014-2025). He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as several book chapters and extension documents. He has also coordinated several national and international projects and supervised several PhD and Master’s theses. He organised and co-organised several seminars and events. He was a member of the international steering committee of the 8th International Food Legume Research Conference organized in September 2025 in Perth, Australia.

José Boaventura‑Cunha is an Associate Professor with Habilitation in the Department of Engineering at the School of Science and Technology, University of Trás‑os‑Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal, and a senior researcher at INESC‑TEC. His research focuses on modeling, instrumentation, system identification, and adaptive and predictive control, with applications in industrial and agro‑forestry processes. He has participated in numerous national and international research projects and has an extensive record of publications. Dr. Boaventura‑Cunha holds a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Aveiro and a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UTAD.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabine Baumgart is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the Technical University of Dortmund. She studied architecture at the Technical University of Hannover and earned her doctorate from the University of Stuttgart. Her professional career includes academic positions in Hannover and Hamburg, and co-founding BPW Stadtplanung. From 2002 to 2018, she led the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at TU Dortmund. She has served in several leadership roles within the ARL, including President (2019–2022). Her expertise covers sustainable urban and regional development, small and medium-sized cities, integrated settlement and infrastructure planning, gender-sensitive urban design, and urban redevelopment.

Nurit Argov-Argaman is an Associate Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, serving as the Women’s League for Israel Senior Lecturer in Nutrition within the Department of Animal Sciences. Her research focuses on animal nutrition, lactation biology, and the metabolic mechanisms that regulate milk composition and quality. She investigates how nutrients, physiological pathways, and environmental factors influence dairy production and animal health, contributing significantly to the advancement of sustainable livestock management.

Ali Ali Redha is a PhD Candidate at the QUEX Institute, a joint research partnership between The University of Queensland (Australia) and the University of Exeter (United Kingdom). He is supervised by Dr. Luciana Torquati (UoE), Prof. Mike Gidley (UQ), Prof. Geoff Nash (UoE), and Dr. Daniel Cozzolino (UQ). His research focuses on enhancing the bioavailability of health-promoting bioactive compounds in broccoli. His work includes developing green analytical techniques using infrared spectroscopy for rapid identification of bioactive compounds, enabling the food industry to monitor and optimise post-harvest treatments while preserving nutritional quality. In addition, his project explores encapsulation strategies to protect sensitive bioactives and improve their bioaccessibility through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, as well as their bioavailability using Caco-2-HT29-MTX-E12 cell models.

María Serrano is a Professor of Plant Physiology at Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and Deputy Director of the Institute of Agri-Food and Environmental Research and Innovation (CIAGRO-UMH). Her research focuses on plant physiology and biotechnology, with particular emphasis on postharvest quality, plant responses to environmental stress, and the sustainability of agricultural systems. She has led and participated in numerous national and international research projects and has an extensive record of publications in leading scientific journals. Dr. Serrano also works closely with the agri-food sector to promote innovation and knowledge transfer in sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Tamara Gajić is a Research Associate at the Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Organizational Studies Eduka, University Business Academy in Novi Sad. Her research focuses on tourism, hospitality, sustainable and rural development, agritourism, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitality and destination management. Recognized among the top 10% of scientists in Serbia by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Dr. Gajić is also a visiting professor at several international institutions and an active contributor to global research projects, conferences, and high-impact journals as an editor and reviewer.

Doctor of Economics (2001) Irina Pilvere is currently working as a Professor at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. She has 342 scientific publications, including seven monographs and 230 papers in internationally reviewed editions. Ninety-six publications are included in the SCOPUS database, and ninety-one are in the Web of Science.She has experience in 25 international and 94 national research projects, with a scientific focus on Agricultural and Rural Development, Land Use Efficiency, the Common Agricultural Policy, Food Processing Development, Bioeconomy, and other related areas.She has led the successful defense of 12 Doctoral Theses and 17 Master’s Theses.Irina Pilvere is a True Member of the Latvian Academy of Science, a True Member and Vice President of the Latvian Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, and the Manager of the Latvia Bioeconomy Management Group.  She is a Member of the European Union Rural Networks’ Assembly, the Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists (NJF), and a member of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR).

Dr. Feyda Srarfi is a specialist in environmental sciences and remote sensing. In 2007, she had her PhD in environmental geology. Currently, she is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunisia. Coordinator and member in several national and international research projects. Numerous indexed publications (>20) focused on the biomaterials valorisation for domestic and industrial phosphates wastewater treatment. Recently, her researches focus on the soil salinization modelling and heavy metal soil pollution. Member of the International Network of Salt-affected Soils (INSAS). Several participations as a member of scientific committee and/or organization in international congresses related to water and the environment.

Ana M. Tarquis is a professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and researcher at CEIGRAM. Her work focuses on risk management in agriculture, the application of digital technologies to climate adaptation, and sustainable soil and water management. She has published extensively and collaborated on European and international projects addressing the challenges of climate change in agriculture.

Prof. Tatianne holds a Bachelor’s in Food Engineering from UFG (2004), an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Institut National Agronomique, Paris (2008), and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Orléans, France (2011) . She serves as Coordinator of the UFG’s Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology (PPGCTA), leads the Brazil–France Agricultural Exchange project (Brafagri), and is an active member of UFG’s internationalization committee. Her research addresses sustainability and innovation in the agroindustry, with emphases on agro-industrial waste valorization, development of new products and processes, treatment of agro-industrial residues, micropollutants in food, liquid-solid separation, adsorption, unit operations, and quality control

Prof. Guo received his Ph.D. from Sun Yat-sen University in 2004. His expertise lies in the development of rare-earth luminescent and optoelectronic materials for applications in lighting, displays, energy, and biophotonics. Since joining Northwest University in 2011, he has published over 150 high-impact SCI articles, holds 16 patents, and has received multiple provincial and university-level technology awards.

Althiéris de Souza Saraiva is a Professor at the Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Campus Campos Belos, specializing in entomology and environmental sciences. He serves as the Director-General of the campus since January 2024. His research focuses on ecotoxicology, aquatic pollution, and the impact of agrochemicals on non-target organisms such as bees and planarians, alongside studies on Cerrado biodiversity. Saraiva has authored over 30 scientific publications, actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, and leads initiatives promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including the project “Mais Agro Menos Tóxico”.

Dr. Supat holds dual Ph.D. degrees—in Plant Physiology from Blaise Pascal University (Clermont-Ferrand II), France, and in Agronomy from Khon Kaen University—alongside a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Horticultural Science from Kasetsart University . His research specializes in plant ecophysiology, particularly transpiration dynamics and nutrient management in fruit and rubber species such as mango, pomelo, jujube, papaya, banana, and rubber trees . Notably, he developed the “Water Demand Estimation Program for Economic Fruit Trees,” a tool recognized at Farm Expo 2024 for its impact on optimizing irrigation and enhancing sustainable fruit production

Richard Raphael Madege is a dedicated academic and researcher serving as a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. He holds a Doctorate and has built a strong professional career in higher education, agricultural research, and community-focused development initiatives.

Dr. Andrea Visca is a researcher at ENEA’s Casaccia Research Centre within the Division of Biotechnologies and Agroindustry. He holds a degree in Genomic Biotechnologies, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, and a Master’s in Bioinformatics and Data Science. His research focuses on environmental microbiology with a One Health perspective, particularly the fate and effects of emerging contaminants on soil microbial communities. He specializes in molecular microbiology, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics applied to soil and agroecosystem health.

Dr. Da-Long Guo is a Professor of Horticulture at Henan University of Science and Technology, China. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of fruit and flower quality and development in grape, tree peony, and watermelon. He has served as Associate Editor for Scientia Horticulturae, Fruit Research, and the New Zealand Journal of Crop & Horticultural Science, and is on the editorial board of BMC Plant Biology. He has also been a visiting scholar at Cornell University (USA), USDA-ARS, and Massey University (New Zealand).

Prof. Nomali Ngobese is an Associate Professor at North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus, within the School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences. She holds a PhD in Bioresources Systems and is part of the Sub-programme of Crop Production and Soil Management in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Dr. inż. Dawid Skrzypczak is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology (PWr), Poland. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2021. His research focuses on sustainable solutions in agriculture through the valorization of agricultural and industrial waste. He specializes in designing eco-friendly fertilizers, seed coatings, and biostimulants. Dr. Skrzypczak develops innovative hydrogel-based systems for controlled nutrient release. His work often integrates natural biopolymers and biosorption techniques. He is actively involved in converting biomass and waste into value-added soil conditioners. His projects aim to reduce environmental impact while enhancing agricultural productivity. He explores the use of biochar derived from tannery and other industrial wastes. These materials are used in improving soil health and supporting precision agriculture. He has published over 30 scientific articles in international journals. The cumulative impact factor of his publications exceeds 198. Dr. Skrzypczak has participated in numerous national and EU-funded R&D projects. He is also a co-author of 13 patents and patent applications. His work bridges the gap between science and industry. He is a member of Academia Iuvenum, a group of young talented researchers at PWr. His current research promotes sustainable, circular economy practices. He continues to explore innovative materials for greener farming. His interdisciplinary approach involves chemistry, materials science, and agronomy. Dr. Skrzypczak is recognized for advancing eco-engineering in agriculture. His contributions aim to support future food security and environmental protection.

Professor Ten Feizi, FRS FMedSci, is the Director of the Glycosciences Laboratory at Imperial College London’s Faculty of Medicine. She is a leading expert in glycobiology, pioneering carbohydrate microarray technology to study glycan–protein interactions in immunity, infection, and cancer. Her groundbreaking work includes sequencing the glycans on the HIV envelope protein, which has significantly advanced vaccine research. Professor Feizi has received numerous prestigious awards and is a Fellow of both the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences. Her research continues to deepen understanding of the vital roles glycans play in health and disease.

Professor Miklas Scholz is a distinguished water resources engineer and environmental scientist, serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor in Civil Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Holding multiple doctorates and professional charters, he is internationally recognised for his work in sustainable drainage, water quality management, and environmental protection. A Fellow of leading institutions including FICE, FCIWEM, FHEA, and IWA, he has received prestigious awards such as the Humboldt, Marie Curie, and VINNOVA Fellowships. His vision is simple yet powerful: Sufficient clean water for everyone.

He received the PhD degree in Signal Processing in 2000 and his Habilitation to Supervise Research in 2005, both from the Faculty of Sciences at Ibnou Zohr University, Morocco. In 2015, he was appointed Full Professor in Intelligent Embedded Systems. He currently holds a full professorship in the Department of Industrial & Electrical Engineering at National School of Applied Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco. His research interests encompass intelligent embedded systems, hardware/software co-design, water quality monitoring, remote vegetation quality assessment using embedded artificial intelligence, IoT-based approaches, and UAV/Drone-mounted camera modules. He also focuses on remote monitoring of physiological and behavioral indicators in various case studies, including patients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, automotive driver safety, and premature infants. Additionally, he investigates the complexity and acceleration of embedded vision and AI algorithms and works extensively on high-level synthesis (HLS) and heterogeneous embedded platforms such as OpenMP, OpenCL, OpenACC, CUDA, ARM technologies, ARM-FPGA, and ARM-GPU. From 2006 to 2014, he led the Signals, Systems, and Computer Science group (ESSI). He founded and directed the LISTI Laboratory in December 2014 and has served as the head of the Master’s program in Intelligent Embedded Systems for Industrial Applications. Professor Rachid LATIF is the founder and current president of the Moroccan Society of Embedded Systems (MSES), established in 2018 at ENSA Agadir. Since 2007, he has been responsible for numerous R&D and innovation projects. He served as a member and expert for the CNRST Morocco from 2018 to 2021 and has resumed this role since 2025.