Shahid Iqbal | Agricultural Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Shahid Iqbal | Agricultural Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Shahid Iqbal, University of Florida, United States

Dr. Shahid Iqbal is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Florida, specializing in horticulture and stress physiology. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Nanjing Agricultural University, China, and has conducted advanced research on molecular mechanisms in plants under cold and drought stress. His work focuses on citrus resilience, crop diversification, and sustainable agricultural practices. With multiple international awards and publications, Dr. Iqbal integrates basic science with practical solutions to enhance crop productivity. He is also an active mentor, guiding students in research and professional development, and contributing to innovations in cold-hardy fruit production in North Florida.

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👨‍🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS:

Dr. Shahid Iqbal began his academic journey with a strong foundation in agricultural sciences. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, in July 2014. Building upon this, he pursued a M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (Horticulture) from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, in November 2016. His passion for plant sciences and sustainable agriculture led him to achieve a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the prestigious Nanjing Agricultural University, China, in June 2021. During his Ph.D., he received the Chinese Government Award for his academic excellence, showcasing his early promise in scientific research.

🧪 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:

Dr. Iqbal’s professional career reflects a balance of academic depth and field relevance. He served as a Research Fellow at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, for a brief period in 2016. Presently, he is working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Florida, NFREC-Quincy, where he began in December 2022. His work focuses on stress resilience in citrus crops, nutrient management, and the introduction of new crop varieties in Florida’s unique climate.

🌍 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES:

Dr. Iqbal has demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend basic science with practical applications. His key research areas include:

  • Abiotic stress physiology—especially cold and drought tolerance in crops

  • Molecular mechanisms and gene regulation during stress responses

  • Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) for crop improvement

  • Phenotyping, modeling, and precision agriculture for sustainable management systems

During his Ph.D., he conducted cutting-edge research on pistil development under cold stress, specifically focusing on miR319a, TCP4, and lncRNA interactions, which provided insights into floral organ development and potential yield losses. In Florida, his postdoctoral projects focus on cold-hardy citrus, rootstock evaluation, drought-priming mechanisms, and diversifying fruit crops like kiwi, pomegranate, and persimmon.

🏆 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE:

Dr. Iqbal’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has:

  • Won third prize at the American Society of Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) 2025 Annual Conference in the Leaflet/Factsheet category

  • Received awards for best publications during his graduate studies

  • Earned a prestigious Chinese Government Scholarship for his Ph.D.

He has played a pivotal role in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, assisting them with research methodology, academic writing, and professional development. His collaborative approach with growers and his hands-on involvement in field trials exemplify his commitment to translational research.

📚 ACADEMIC CITES:

Dr. Iqbal’s research has been cited in multiple studies addressing:

  • Cold stress physiology in horticultural crops

  • Gene expression analysis related to flower development

  • Practical guides for nitrogen management and citrus growth

  • Rootstock-scion compatibility studies

His published work in RNA sequencing, metabolic profiling, and molecular regulation is widely referenced by researchers in both basic plant science and applied agriculture.

🔮 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS:

Dr. Shahid Iqbal is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the realm of sustainable horticulture and stress-resilient crop production. His future goals include:

  • Developing innovative breeding strategies and management practices for crops under climate stress

  • Expanding research on novel fruit crops to ensure food security and crop diversity

  • Furthering his role as an educator and mentor to build future generations of plant scientists

His integrated approach of combining molecular tools with field practices ensures his work remains at the forefront of applied agricultural science.

 🌟CONCLUSION:

Dr. Shahid Iqbal stands out as a dedicated researcher whose work bridges molecular biology and applied horticulture. His innovative contributions to understanding plant stress responses—particularly in citrus and temperate fruits—are paving the way for more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. With a strong publication record, international recognition, and a passion for mentoring young scientists, Dr. Iqbal continues to make a meaningful impact on global food security and crop improvement. His future endeavors promise to advance scientific knowledge while supporting farmers and researchers alike in adapting to changing climate challenges.

TOP NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Comparative analysis of the complete chloroplast genome among Prunus mume, P. armeniaca, and P. salicina
Authors: S Xue, T Shi, W Luo, X Ni, S Iqbal, Z Ni, X Huang, D Yao, Z Shen, Z Gao
Journal: Horticulture Research
Year: 2019

Carboxymethyl cellulose coating delays ripening of harvested mango fruits by regulating softening enzymes activities
Authors: S Ali, MA Anjum, AS Khan, A Nawaz, S Ejaz, G Khaliq, S Iqbal, S Ullah, …
Journal: Food Chemistry
Year: 2022

Omics and CRISPR-Cas9 Approaches for Molecular Insight, Functional Gene Analysis, and Stress Tolerance Development in Crops
Authors: MK Razzaq, M Aleem, S Mansoor, MA Khan, S Rauf, S Iqbal, …
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2021

Melatonin in micro-tom tomato: Improved drought tolerance via the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus, membrane stability, osmoprotectants, and root system
Authors: N Mushtaq, S Iqbal, F Hayat, A Raziq, A Ayaz, W Zaman
Journal: Life
Year: 2022

Exogenous Melatonin Improves Cold Tolerance of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) through Modulation of DREB/CBF-COR Pathway and Antioxidant …
Authors: F Hayat, Z Sun, Z Ni, S Iqbal, W Xu, Z Gao, Y Qiao, MA Tufail, MS Jahan, …
Journal: Horticulturae
Year: 2022

An insight into dwarfing mechanism: contribution of scion-rootstock interactions toward fruit crop improvement
Authors: F Hayat, S Iqbal, D Coulibaly, MK Razzaq, MA Nawaz, W Jiang, T Shi, …
Journal: Fruit Research
Year: 2021

Genome-wide discovery and characterization of flower development related long non-coding RNAs in Prunus mume
Authors: X Wu, T Shi, S Iqbal, Y Zhang, L Liu, Z Gao
Journal: BMC Plant Biology
Year: 2019

Nanoparticles and their potential role in plant adaptation to abiotic stress in horticultural crops: A review
Authors: F Hayat, F Khanum, J Li, S Iqbal, U Khan, HU Javed, MK Razzaq, MA Altaf, …
Journal: Scientia Horticulturae
Year: 2023

Pollen Viability an Index of Abiotic Stresses Tolerance and Methods for the Improved Pollen Viability.
Authors: MK Razzaq, S Rauf, M Khurshid, S Iqbal, JA Bhat, A Farzand, A Riaz, …
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research
Year: 2019

γ Aminobutyric acid (GABA): a key player in alleviating abiotic stress resistance in horticultural crops: current insights and future directions
Authors: F Hayat, U Khan, J Li, N Ahmed, F Khanum, S Iqbal, MA Altaf, J Ahmad, …
Journal: Horticulturae
Year: 2023

Bojana Petrovic | Organic Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Bojana Petrovic | Organic Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

🌱 Mrs. Bojana Petrovic, Agriculture university, Czech Republic

Dr. Bojana Petrovic is an accomplished agricultural scientist specializing in organic and precision agriculture. With a Ph.D. from Mendel University, Brno (2020) and a Master’s in Organic Agriculture from Novi Sad University, Serbia (2015), she has made significant contributions to sustainable farming practices. Her professional journey spans academia and industry, where she has worked as a researcher, assistant professor, and senior process engineer. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the Hungarian University of Agriculture, focusing on precision agriculture in the Visegrad group countries. Dr. Petrovic has collaborated on numerous funded projects, emphasizing innovations in organic agriculture, zero-pesticide farming, and AI applications in livestock monitoring. Her dedication to sustainable agriculture is evident through her active involvement in international journals and interdisciplinary research networks. Fluent in multiple languages and skilled in programming, she seamlessly combines technology and agriculture to address global food sustainability challenges.

Professional Profile

Orcid

🌟 Mrs. Bojana Petrovic, Summary of Suitability for the Award

Dr. Bojana Petrovic is a highly suitable candidate for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” based on her extensive experience, multidisciplinary contributions, and demonstrated excellence in research, education, and applied science. Her professional journey spans various roles in academia and industry, showcasing her expertise in precision agriculture, sustainable development, and data analysis.

Her postdoctoral research at the Hungarian University of Agriculture reflects her active engagement in data collection, analysis, and precision agriculture implementation across Visegrad Group countries. The publication of her findings in Q1 journals highlights her ability to conduct impactful and high-quality research. Additionally, her role as an assistant professor at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice involved teaching, mentoring international students, and contributing to projects in livestock precision agriculture. This indicates her ability to merge teaching with cutting-edge research effectively.

🎓 Education 

Dr. Petrovic’s academic journey is rooted in her passion for sustainable agriculture. She earned her Ph.D. in Horticulture from Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic, in 2020, where her research focused on advanced agricultural techniques. Prior to this, she completed her Master’s in Organic Agriculture at Novi Sad University, Serbia, in 2015, laying a strong foundation in sustainable farming practices. Her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, also from Novi Sad University, was completed in 2012, where she gained essential insights into traditional farming systems. Complementing her academic qualifications, Dr. Petrovic has acquired advanced skills in programming languages such as Python and R, which she utilizes in her research on precision agriculture. Multilingual and adaptable, her education reflects a harmonious blend of science, technology, and global collaboration, preparing her to tackle complex challenges in organic and precision agriculture effectively.

🌾 Professional Experience

Dr. Petrovic has a rich professional portfolio, bridging academia, research, and industry. Since September 2023, she has served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Hungarian University of Agriculture, where she collects and analyzes farmer data to advance precision agriculture in the Visegrad countries. From 2021 to 2023, she was an assistant professor at the University of South Bohemia, focusing on Python applications in agriculture and teaching international students. Earlier, she contributed as a researcher at the same institution, working on projects related to livestock production. Between 2020 and 2021, she transitioned to industry as a senior process engineer at Infosys, managing ITSM customer services. Dr. Petrovic’s professional roles demonstrate her ability to integrate innovative technologies into sustainable farming, backed by her extensive experience in teaching, data analysis, and scientific publishing.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions 

Dr. Bojana Petrovic’s work has been recognized through numerous accolades and collaborations. She has led and contributed to groundbreaking projects funded by esteemed organizations such as TAČR and the Visegrad Fund, focusing on innovations in organic agriculture, precision farming, and AI in livestock monitoring. Notable projects include “Towards Zero Pesticide Agriculture” and “Sustainable Use of Salt-Affected Lands.” She is also an active editorial board member of reputable journals like the American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry and Özal Journal of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Her global impact is further evidenced by her participation in interdisciplinary research networks, such as COST Actions. These recognitions reflect her dedication to advancing sustainable agricultural practices through collaborative and innovative approaches.

🔬 Research Skills On Organic Agriculture 

Dr. Petrovic’s research expertise spans organic and precision agriculture, sustainability, and AI applications in farming. She is adept at leveraging programming languages like Python and R for data analysis and modeling, which she applies to her work in precision agriculture. Her skills include developing multimodal language models, analyzing point cloud data, and designing systems for livestock monitoring using AI. Dr. Petrovic’s collaborative projects often address pressing challenges in agriculture, such as reducing pesticide reliance and increasing resilience in plantation ecosystems. Her strong foundation in statistical tools, including Excel and statistical software, ensures accuracy and efficiency in her work. Fluent in English, Serbian, and Czech, she is a global researcher capable of navigating multilingual and multicultural environments. Dr. Petrovic’s skills align with her mission to create innovative and sustainable solutions for modern agricultural systems.

📖 Publication Top Notes

Adoption of drone, sensor, and robotic technologies in organic farming systems of Visegrad countries
    • Authors: Bojana Petrovic, Yevhen Kononets, László Csambalik
    • Citation: Heliyon, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41408
    • Year: 2025
Application of precision agriculture technologies in Central Europe—review
    • Authors: Bojana Petrović, Roman Bumbálek, Tomáš Zoubek, Radim Kuneš, Luboš Smutný, Petr Bartoš
    • Citation: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101048
    • Year: 2024
A Review: Comparison of Approaches to the Approval Process and Methodology for Estimation of Ammonia Emissions from Livestock Farms under IPPC
    • Authors: Radim Kunes, Zbynek Havelka, Pavel Olsan, Lubos Smutny, Martin Filip, Tomas Zoubek, Roman Bumbalek, Bojana Petrovic, Radim Stehlik, Petr Bartos
    • Citation: Atmosphere, DOI: 10.3390/atmos13122006
    • Year: 2022
Biofertilizers Enhance Quality of Onion
    • Authors: Bojana Petrovic, Agnieszka Sękara, Robert Pokluda
    • Citation: Agronomy, DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10121937
    • Year: 2020