Insights of Agricultural Technologies

Prof. Gerard E D Souza is a Professor for the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at West Virginia University, USA. He completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, 1983. He achieved Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University (1982-1983). Prof. Gerard E D Souza research interest includes sustainable development with an emphasis on the role of niche agricultural products within the context of natural, financial, and human capital development at various levels, from local to international.

Dr. Prasanta K Kalita is a Professor in Department of Soil and Water Resources Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. Dr. Prasanta K Kalita completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University. His research interests includes Hydrology, watershed quality, modeling erosion and sediment control, environmental protection, water resources, Watershed water-quality management and non-point source pollution control, Soil erosion, chemical and microbial transport processes modeling.

Dr. C B Rajashekar is a Professor in Department of Horticulture at Kansas State University, USA. Rajashekar completed his Ph.D. at Colorado State University working on mechanism of injury and tolerance to environmental stresses in plants followed by post-doctoral research in freezing tolerance and injury in vegetable crops at University of Minnesota in USA. Dr. C B Rajashekar research interest includes efforts to understand mechanisms and causes by which plants switch from primary metabolism to secondary metabolism. As many of the products of secondary metabolism are also phytochemicals which have a number health-promoting qualities, He have been exploring possibilities of enhancing phytochemicals in many vegetables including tomatoes, lettuce and pac-choi. His studies have focused on using abiotic stresses in turning on the secondary metabolism and have examined key genes involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and vitamins. Light characteristics have a large effect on up regulating some of these genes which can impact on the accumulations of several phytochemicals.

Dr. Oghenekome U Onokpise is a professor in department of Agriculture and Food Sciences in Florida A & M University, USA. Oghenekome is a Distinguished Researcher and former Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A & M University where he has been teaching, conducting research and outreach activities for more than twenty nine years. He obtained his Ph.D degree in Forest Biology and Wood Science (specializing in Tree Breeding and Forest Genetics) from Iowa State University. Dr. Onokpise research interest includes Agroforestry Systems concentrating on agrosilvopastoral systems, rubber tree breeding and genetics, forage crop breeding, biological control of invasive species, germplasm collection, plant genomic research in corn, and ecological restoration of different forest ecosystems including mahogany tree species. Dr. Onokpise has over 150 refereed journal, conference, workshop and symposium papers and several book chapters. He is the author of two books and co-author of three books. He has received a US Patent No. 8,278,248 for his research on cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L) and has generated over seven million dollars in external grants for Florida A & M University.

Dr. Prem Jauhar is internationally recognized for his contributions in agricultural science. His monumental contributions in genetics, cytogenetics, and plant breeding have a direct bearing on crop improvement. He is a Senior Research Geneticist with the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Fargo, North Dakota, USA. He is Professor of Cytogenetics with the University. Dr Jauhar’s academic career spans over 45 years on three continents – Asia, Europe, and North America. He started his research career in India in 1965 and has shown sustained productivity and academic excellence. His pioneering research has formed the basis of new concepts, which have stimulated research on chromosome pairing and genomic relationships in crop plants with a strong bearing on crop improvement. Jauhar has adopted innovative approaches to solving challenging research problems in agricultural science. Based on the research done in New Delhi, India, Dr. Jauhar was invited to work in the United Kingdom, 1972-1975, and was given the position of Senior Scientific Officer at the University of Wales. Dr. Jauhar discovered, for the first time in 1974, a novel regulatory mechanism that controls chromosome pairing and has major implications in evolution and plant breeding. This paper was published in highly prestigious international journal Nature (London). In 1976, Professor Prem Jauhar moved to the United States under the category of “Scientists of Exceptional Ability.” His research accomplishments include the Genetic Transformation of Durum Wheat; he produced the world’s first transgenic durum wheat and standardized the technique of direct gene transfer into tits plant cells. He also produced new durum wheat by transferring genes from a wild grass.

Dr. Artemi Cerda received hid Ph. D in 1993 from the University of Valencia in the Department of Physical Geography. He received his degree in 1989 in the Department of Geography from University of Valencia. He is working as a Professor from May 2000. Dr. Artemi Cerda research interests includes Soil erosion, land degradation, desertification, agriculture managements, Mediterranean, soil hydrology, effect of agriculture, forest fires and roads on soil erosion.

Dr. Borhan has received his Master of Engineering and PhD degrees degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from Asian Institute of Technology (Bangkok, Thailand) and North Dakota State University (ND, USA), respectively. Dr. Borhan has started his carrier as a Research Scientist at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. He was heavily involved in the designing, evaluating, improving, and testing of various farm machinery research projects as a principal investigator. Previously, he has held several positions as postdocs and research scientist at different universities in US and Canada. Dr. Borhan is currently a Research Specialist at North Dakota State University and in-charge of livestock waste management laboratory. His current research focuses on the characterization and mitigation of air and water pollutants generated from livestock production facilities. His research interests include air and water quality, greenhouse vegetable production, and machine vision and precision farming technologies.

Dr. Marton Lasziilo received his Ph. D. in 2000 from Pannon University Keszthely, His key experience includes Wide experience of undertaking and supervision agrochemistry extension programmes including training and set-up of trials and demonstration plots under semi-arid and arid /tropical soil conditions. Wide experience of undertaking and supervision in semi-arid and arid/tropical-soil fertility, recultivation and remediation research and practice projects. Estabilishing soil and crop quality criteria and risk (fertilizer, heavy metal, climate) assessment under semi-arid and arid/tropical soil conditions. Experience of preparing and supervision yield of plant transforming industrial programmes under semi-arid and arid/tropical soil conditions. Wide experience of undertaking and supervision climate-soil-plant systems under different climate: temperate/tropical conditions. His research interests includes Soil-Crop-Climate interactions.

Prof. Alejandro Rodriguez Pascual is a professor in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at University of Cordoba, spain. Prof. Pascual recieved his Ph.D from the University of Cordoba in 2002. Prof. Pascual completed his bachelors at University of Cordoba in the department of chemistry in 1999 and also his bachelors in science and technology of foods in 2001. Prof. Alejandro Rodriguez Pascual research interest includes the Emerging Aid Groups, Use of non-food plant for the production of paper pulp and byproducts. Pulping and refining, Biorefinery of alternatives raw materials to conventional ones. Preparation of cellulose pulp and other products fractionation. Biorefinery of agricultural residues. Benefit of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.

Prof. Miklas Scholz is working as a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at University of Salford, UK. He also worked as a Professor in Water Resources Engineering at Lund University, Sweden. Prof. Scholz is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Prof. Scholz has shown individual excellence evidenced by world leading publications, postgraduate supervision and research impact. His main research areas in terms of publication output are as follow: treatment wetlands, integrated constructed wetlands (ICW), sustainable flood retention basins (SFRB), permeable pavement systems, decision support systems, ponds and capillary suction time.

Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari is a Professor in the Department of Water Resources and Environment in the University of Technology, Sweden. Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari received his Ph.D at Dundee University in 1976. Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari completed his M.Sc. at Baghdad University in 1973. Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari completed his B.Sc. at Honours Baghdad University in 1968. Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari was awarded for Mesopotamia prize for water resources engineering in 1994. Iraqi prize for scientific papers in Agriculture and Water Resources engineering sector, 1994. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research prize for best postgraduate supervisor, 1993/1994. Ministry of Water and Irrigation (Jordan) prize at the International Water Day for scientific contribution and local community services, 1998. Prof. Nadhir Al Ansari research interest includes Water Resources Engineering Management, Sediment Budget Studies in Rivers, Siltation in Reservoirs.

Prof. Salmah Binti Ismail is working as a Professor in Department of Faculty of Science at University of Malaya, Malaysia. In 2006-2011 She worked as Senior Lecturer at University Malaya, Malaysia. Prof. Salmah received her PhD in 1998-2000 at University of Malaya, Malaysia. Prof. Salmah research includes in Effects of Biofertilizer on Elaeis Guineensis Jacq Growth and Yield Quality and Intranasal Inoculation of ABA392 Vaccine in Rat Model towards Haemorrhagic Septicaemia Disease Prevention. Prof. Salmah Binti Ismail Specialization includes in Biological Sciences and Agricultural Sciences.

Dr. Thaddeus Chukwuemeka Ezeji is a associate professor in Department of animal sciences at The Ohio State University, USA. He received his B.S. in Food Science and Technology at University of Nigeria Nsukka, M.S. in Food Technology at University of Ibadan, and Ph.D. in Microbiology at University of Rostock, Germany. His 6 years postdoctoral and Research Assistant Professor efforts at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign focused on fermentation technologies, metabolic engineering of solventogenic (butanologenic) Clostridium species, and downstream processing of fermentation products. In 2007, Dr. Ezeji joined the Animal Science Department at The Ohio State University and Ohio State Agricultural and Development Center (OARDC) as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Ezeji’s research laboratory focuses on isolation, identification and characterization of microorganisms of biotechnological importance, pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass and conversion into biofuels and chemicals, development of superior microbial strains for efficient metabolism of lignocellulosic hydrolysates, and design of advanced fermentation systems. His laboratory at the Ohio State University is also engaged in research activities on anaerobic digestion, probiotic, metabolomics, genetic and metabolic engineering of bacteria for enhanced butanol and butanediol production.

Dr. Zhengrong Gu is a Associate Professor in Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University, USA. Dr. Zhengrong Gu received his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. Dr. Gu's research interest includes synthesis of functional carbon nanomaterials for applications, such as energy storage, catalysis, separation, bio-sensing and biomedical therapy. He has published more than 30 journal articles of bio renewable materials, bio fuel, agricultural technology and received more than 20 research projects funds from different funding agencies.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABEN) at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Dr. Rahman has published 45 peer reviewed articles either as the lead author or as co-author. He is extensively involved with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineer (ASABE). Currently, he is serving as an Associate Editor in the Structures and Environment Division (currently PAFS-05) since 2010, and reviewing manuscripts in different high-quality journals including ASABE journals. He is also serving as the Manuscript Editor of Journal of Animal Science and Technology (JAST). Currently, he is serving as USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Forced (AAQTF) member, which is the highest recognition of his expertise. He has served several times on the NSF, EPA, and USDA/NIFA grant review panels and other grant review process. Dr. Rahman has extensive experience training undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory and field settings. He has supervised several visiting scientists from China, Turkey and S. Korea and continuing collaboration with them.For the last 20 years, he has been conducting research on agricultural waste management, water quality, and air quality areas. His research interests includes measurement and reduction of nutrient runoff pollution from feedlot operations, environmental impact assessment of land application of manure, monitoring air quality and greenhouse gases from livestock production facilities; Particulate Matter (PM) quantification and characterization, manure and livestock carcass composting, and conversion of manure into a renewable energy source (biogas).

Dr. Khalid ul Rehman Hakeem is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at King Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Khalid completed his Ph.D in botony at jamia hamdard in 2011, india. Dr. Khalid completed his Msc (Environmental botony) atjamia hamdard in 2006. Dr. Khalid complted his Msc.(Ecology & Environment) at Sikkim manipal university of health, medical& technological sciences, Gangtok in 2005, india. Dr. Khalid honored with Recipient of University Grants Commission’s (Govt. Of India) fellowship (JRF) for meritorious students in science (2008-2011). Recipient of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Fellowships for Visiting Scientists (May-June, 2014). Dr. Khalid ul Rehman Hakeem research interest includes Plant Eco-Physiology, Plant Molecular biology, Pollution research, Environmental studies, Medicinal plant research, Plant pathology, Ecological and Forestry studies.

Dr. Fei Yu is woking as a Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Mississippi State University, USA. Dr. Fei Yu received his Ph.D in the department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2007. Dr. Fei Yu completed his M.s. in the department of Fermentation Engineering at Dalian Polytechnic University in 1997. Dr. Fei Yu completed his B.S. in the department of Fermentation Engineering at Hubei University of Technology in 1994. Dr. Fei Yu was awarded for Mississippi State University MAFES Grantsmanship Award in 2014. Mississippi State University MAFES Excellence in Research Faculty Award in 2014. Dr. Fei Yu research interest includes Biomass and Bioenergy, Chemical Reaction Engineering.

Dr. Huipeng Pan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, China. Dr. Huipeng Pan research interests include plant-insect-plant virus interactions, environmental risk assessment of RNAi-based transgenic crops on the non-target organisms, using RNAi for the pest control, insect endosymbiont.

Dr. Klanarong Sriroth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at University of Kasetsart, Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Sriroth completed his doctor of engineering in the department of (biotechnology), at Technical university of Berlin, Germany (1983). Dr. Sriroth completed his master of engineering in (biotechnology), at Technical university of Berlin, Germany in 1975-1976. Dr. Sriroth completed his master of science (Food technology) at University of The Philippines at Los Banos in 1973. Dr. Sriroth completed his bachelor of science (Food science) at Kasetsart University, Thailand. Dr. Sriroth research activities and achievements has involved in sugar and starch industry for more than 35 years after his graduation “Doctor of Engineering in Sugar Technology/Biotechnology” from the Technical University of Berlin in 1986.Consequently, with the collaboration between National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Kasetsart University, Cassava and Starch Technology Research Unit, a specialized unit on cassava, starch and sugar technology, was established in 1995 and he has been active as the unit director since then. He is very prominent in starch and sugar processing. Dr. Sriroth reasearch interest includes in Biotechnology, Food Carbohydrate, Starch and Sugar Technology, Biofuel, Biomass and Ethanol Production.

Prof. Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa is working as a Professor inthe Department of Chemistry at the Federal University ofSanta Maria, south of Brazil. Prof. Marcelo Barcellos da Rosareceived his Ph.D in the department of Natural Sciences aGottfried Wilhelm LeibnizUniversitatHannover,Germany. Prof. Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa completed his Master of Science in the department of Chemistry at the Federal University of Santa Maria. Prof. Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa research interest includes Separation methods - HPLC, Phytochemistry of Bioactive Natural Products, Control and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products and Inputs, Optical Methods of Analysis (macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals, Rare Earth Elements in organic matrices) and Polycyclic Hydrocarbon Adsorption Kinetics (HPA).

Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah is a senior lecturer in the department of Science in the Institute of Biological Sciences, Malaysia. Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah is the principal investigator for a project that to investigate the application of biofertilizer for oil palm growth andutilization of biochar as soil amendment and for remediation of heavy metals in the contaminated soil. Apart from that, she has started her research initiative to explore the molecular based approach on rice seedlings grown under extremely acidic soil conditions. Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah research interest includes Agricultural Sciences (soil fertility and crop nutrition, soil contamination, soil remediation, composting and biochar).