Dr. Henlay Magara | Food Security Awards | Innovative Research Award

Dr. Henlay Magara | Food Security Awards | Innovative Research Award 

Dr. Henlay Magara, Madagascar Biodiversity Center, Madagascar

Dr. Henlay Juma Otieno Magara is a Kenyan agricultural entomologist and food security expert currently affiliated with the Madagascar Biodiversity Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Security from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, where his research focused on edible cricket species, their feed substrates, and nutritional content. He earned his M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology from Kenyatta University and a B.Sc. in Agricultural Education and Extension from Egerton University. Dr. Magara has extensive experience in academic and research institutions, including serving as a university lecturer, high school teacher, and research fellow. He has also held leadership roles such as Head of Science Departments and Chairperson of a School Board of Management. Beyond academia, he is deeply committed to community service, volunteering as an agricultural extension worker and working to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. His broad skill set spans scientific research, quality control, education, community outreach, and project management, making him a dedicated contributor to both scientific advancement and societal development.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for the Innovative Research Award:

Dr. Henlay Juma Otieno Magara is a highly suitable candidate for the Innovative Research Award owing to his unique and impactful contributions to the field of food security and agricultural entomology. His research on the nutritional profiling and environmental optimization of edible crickets—specifically Scapsipedus icipe—marks a novel approach to alternative protein sources, addressing both food security and sustainable agriculture.

🎓 Education

  • 🥇 Ph.D. in Food Security (2022)
    Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
    Thesis: Cricket species composition, feed substrates, optimal temperature & nutritional content of edible cricket Scapsipedus icipe

  • 🌾 M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology (2013)
    Kenyatta University
    Thesis: Effect of Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles on maize pest Chilo partellus

  • 🌱 B.Sc. in Agricultural Education and Extension (2004)
    Egerton University – Second Class Honours Upper Division

  • 🧠 Diploma in Human Resource Management (2007)
    Kenya Institute of Management – Upper Credit

  • 💻 Certificate in Computer Systems & Applications (1998)
    Skynet Computer College

  • 🐄 Certificate in Animal Nutrition

💼 Work Experience

  • 🧑‍🏫 University Lecturer – Lecturing and mentoring students

  • 🧬 Research FellowMadagascar Biodiversity Center & icipe

  • 🏫 High School TeacherMoteiribe and Tala High Schools

  • 🌾 Agricultural Extension Officer (Volunteer) – Gucha South Sub-County

  • 🧑‍🔬 Head of Feed Development Department – Madagascar Biodiversity Center

  • 🧑‍🔧 Science Department Head – Multiple high schools

  • 🎓 Board Chairperson – Monianku High School

🏆 Achievements

  • 🧑‍🔬 Mentored students to national & international science fairs

  • 📊 Led quality audits and performance improvements in science departments

  • 🤝 Organized a regional scientific conference for 69+ participants

  • 🌍 Active in community health and agriculture through jigger treatment and farm support

  • 📖 Weekly reading tutor for children with difficulties

  • 🧑‍🏫 Inducted and trained new science teachers

  • 🧠 Led collaborative teams of over 20 professionals

🎖️ Awards & Honors

  • 🏅 Recognized for community service and mentorship in education and agriculture

  • 🏫 Honored leadership roles in school boards and departments

  • 🧑‍🔬 Earned respect as a key researcher in edible insect studies and food security innovation

Publication Top Notes:

Growth Performance and Nutritional Content of Tropical House Cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus (Walker, 1969)) Reared on Diets Formulated from Weeds and Agro By-Products

Weeds and agro by-products for sustainable farming of edible field cricket, Gryllus madagascarensis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Effect of Feed on the Growth Performance, Nutrition Content and Cost of Raising the Field Cricket (Gryllus madagascarensis) as a Sustainable Nutrient Source in Madagascar

Impact of temperature on the bionomics and geographical range margins of the two-spotted field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus in the world: Implications for its mass farming

 

Assoc Prof Dr. Jiangang Liu | Plant Phenotyping Award | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Jiangang Liu | Plant Phenotyping Award | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Jiangang Liu, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, china

Dr. Jiangang Liu is a prominent researcher specializing in smart agriculture technologies, with a particular focus on potatoes. He has made significant contributions to enhancing phenotyping processes by integrating field experiments, proximal remote sensing, and crop modeling. His innovative strategies for rapid and accurate phenotyping utilize UAV remote sensing, multi-source sensors, and CT-visible light imaging. Dr. Liu is also recognized for establishing China’s first digital potato breeding system, highlighting his leadership in agricultural research. He has successfully led over 10 national research projects aimed at yield optimization and nitrogen use efficiency, and has published 16 articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals, showcasing the impact of his work. Dr. Liu holds a Ph.D. in Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems from China Agricultural University, a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science and Technology from Qingdao Agricultural University, and has expanded his research perspectives as a visiting student at the University of California, Davis. His commitment to advancing smart agriculture technologies demonstrates his dedication to improving agricultural practices and sustainability, both in China and globally.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Career Summary

Dr. Jiangang Liu is a leading researcher in the field of smart agriculture technologies, particularly focused on potatoes. His innovative work integrates field experiments, proximal remote sensing, and crop modeling to enhance phenotyping processes. Notably, he has established effective strategies for rapid and accurate phenotyping using UAV remote sensing, multi-source sensors, and CT-visible light imaging. Furthermore, Dr. Liu has spearheaded the development of China’s first digital potato breeding system, demonstrating his leadership in advancing agricultural research.

Research Achievements 🏆

  • Project Leadership: Dr. Liu has successfully led over 10 national research projects, demonstrating his ability to secure funding and manage extensive scientific endeavors focused on critical aspects of agriculture, such as yield optimization and nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Publications: He has published 16 articles in reputable domestic and international peer-reviewed journals, significantly contributing to the scientific community. His impactful research has garnered considerable citations, underscoring the relevance of his work in the field. 📚🔍
  • Innovation in Agriculture: His development of the Intelligent Potato Breeding System exemplifies his commitment to innovation, helping to modernize and improve agricultural practices.

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Crop Cultivation and Farming System from China Agricultural University.
  • Visiting Student at the University of California, Davis, broadening his research perspectives.
  • Bachelor’s in Plant Science and Technology from Qingdao Agricultural University.

Research Grants 💰

Dr. Liu has served as the Principal Investigator on several impactful research grants, including:

  • Physiological Mechanism of Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (2024-2027).
  • Developing Intelligent Potato Breeding System (2019-2023).
  • Field-based High-Throughput Phenotyping in Soybean Breeding (2015-2017).

Publication top Notes:

CITED: 721
CITED: 355
CITED: 140
CITED: 74
CITED: 70
CITED: 61

Dr. Bingwen Qiu | Crop Monitoring Award | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Bingwen Qiu | Crop Monitoring Award | Women Researcher Award 

Dr. Bingwen Qiu, Fuzhou University, China.

Dr. Qiu Bingwen is a Research Professor at the Key Laboratory of Spatial Data Mining & Information Sharing of the Ministry of Education, based at Fuzhou University in Fujian, China. He holds a Ph.D. in Cartology and GIS from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he conducted multi-scale analyses of regional land use patterns. Dr. Qiu’s research interests center on mapping cropping systems at large scales using optical and radar time series datasets, integrating spatial data for environmental assessment. He has held visiting scholar positions at the Carnegie Institution for Science and the University of Cambridge, working under renowned scientists such as Joe Berry and Robert Haining. His academic background includes a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Huazhong Agricultural University and a Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science from Hunan Agricultural University.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability for Women Researcher Award:

Dr. Qiu Bingwen, a Research Professor with extensive experience in GIS, cartology, and environmental engineering, has significantly contributed to mapping large-scale cropping systems using optical and radar datasets. She has multiple high-impact publications in the fields of agricultural systems, crop mapping, and sustainability, indicating a strong research portfolio. Dr. Qiu’s academic path includes a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and multiple visiting scholar appointments at prestigious institutions like the Carnegie Institution for Science and the University of Cambridge.

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Cartology and GIS
    Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
    Sept 2002 – Jun 2006
    Dissertation: Multi-scale analysis of regional land use patterns and its change modeling
    Supervisor: Tianhe Chi
  • Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
    Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
    Sept 1997 – Jun 2000
    Thesis: Water & Land Resource analysis and Assessment in South Lake and Shizi Mountain area of Wuhan city Based on GIS
  • Bachelor of Agronomy in Soil Science
    Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
    Sept 1993 – Jun 1997

Work Experience:

  • Visiting Scholar
    Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Global Ecology
    Sept 2018 – March 2021
    Supervisors: Joe Berry, Gregory P. Asner
  • Visiting Scholar
    University of Cambridge, Department of Geography
    Aug 2009 – Aug 2010
    Supervisor: Robert Haining

Publication top Notes:

National-scale 10-m maps of cropland use intensity in China during 2018–2023

A temporal-spatial deep learning network for winter wheat mapping using time-series Sentinel-2 imagery

National-scale 10 m annual maize maps for China and the contiguous United States using a robust index from Sentinel-2 time series

Mapping upland crop–rice cropping systems for targeted sustainable intensification in South China

Unveiling grain production patterns in China (2005–2020) towards targeted sustainable intensification

Where is tea grown in the world: A robust mapping framework for agroforestry crop with knowledge graph and sentinels images