Ian Dubery | Biology and Life Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Prof Ian Dubery, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Prof. Ian Dubery is a distinguished biochemist specializing in plant biochemistry, molecular biology, and agricultural biotechnology 🌱🔬. With a Ph.D. (cum laude) from Rand Afrikaans University, he has held esteemed roles, including Research Professor and Director of the Research Centre for Plant Metabolomics 🌾. His research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, defense mechanisms, and metabolomics, boasting over 216 journal publications 📚✨. An NRF-rated scientist with an h-index of 52 (Google Scholar), he has supervised 50+ M.Sc. and 23 Ph.D. students 🎓. His accolades include the Boehringer Mannheim Prize and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowships 🏆🌍.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Academic Background

Prof. Ian Dubery 🎓 earned all his academic qualifications in biochemistry with distinction (cum laude) from Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), Johannesburg, South Africa. He completed his B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Chemistry in 1975 🧪, followed by a B.Sc. Hons. in Biochemistry in 1976 📜. He achieved his M.Sc. in Biochemistry in 1981 🥼 and culminated his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1986 🧬. Prof. Dubery’s outstanding academic performance reflects his dedication and expertise in the field of biochemistry, laying the foundation for his illustrious career as a researcher and educator. 🌟

Awards and Recognition

Professor Ian Dubery, a distinguished scientist, has received numerous accolades throughout his career 🌟. He was the highest academic achiever in Biochemistry and Chemistry (1975) 🧪 and earned B.Sc. (1975) and B.Sc. Hons. (1976) degrees with top honors 🎓. His awards include the Boehringer Mannheim Prize 🏅, Alexander von Humboldt Fellowships 🇩🇪, and the SA Biochemical Society Gold Medal (2016) 🥇. A globally recognized researcher with an h-index of 52 📊, he has been an NRF-rated scientist since 1998 🔬. Recent achievements include the Hertzog Prize for Science & Technology (2024) and NSTF finalist recognition in 2020 🌍.

Experience

Prof. Ian Dubery has been a distinguished educator and researcher in biochemistry and molecular biology since 1982, teaching at the University of Johannesburg. 📚👨‍🏫 He has supervised 50 M.Sc. and 23 Ph.D. students, fostering academic growth. 🌟 As a scientist, he has contributed extensively, publishing 216+ articles in international journals. 📝🔬 His research collaborations span prestigious institutions, including the Max Planck Institute and Salk Institute. 🌍💡 With leadership roles as Chair of Biochemistry and committee memberships in ethics and research, he has excelled in academic management and scientific innovation. 🏢📈 Prof. Dubery remains a prominent figure in biochemical research. 🧬✨

Mentorship and Impact

Prof. Ian Dubery is a dedicated academic and mentor, shaping the next generation of scientists with excellence. 🌟 Over his illustrious career, he has supervised 50 M.Sc. and 23 Ph.D. students, guiding them toward impactful research and scientific achievements. 📚🔬 His mentorship emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and scientific rigor, empowering students to excel in their respective fields. 🌱✨ With a passion for fostering academic growth and nurturing young talent, Prof. Dubery continues to inspire the scientific community. 🧪🎓 His legacy as an educator and mentor reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge and building future leaders in science. 🌍👏

Innovative Focus

Prof. Ian Dubery is a distinguished scholar in metabolomics, plant protection, and biochemistry, whose groundbreaking work addresses contemporary agricultural and environmental challenges. 🌱🔬 His research explores the intricate biochemical mechanisms in plants, advancing our understanding of their defense systems and resilience. 🌿🛡️ Prof. Dubery’s contributions have significant implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation, providing innovative solutions to global challenges. 🌍💡 With numerous publications and impactful research, he remains a leading figure in the scientific community, inspiring advancements in plant sciences and beyond. 📚✨ His dedication to knowledge and innovation is shaping the future of agricultural sustainability. 🚜🌾

Research Focus

Prof. Ian A. Dubery’s research focuses on plant metabolomics, particularly in response to biotic stresses and defense mechanisms. His work integrates targeted metabolome and transcript profiling to understand plant chemical responses to pathogens like Pseudomonas syringae and Puccinia striiformis. He explores metabolite profiling of crops such as oats, sorghum, wheat, and barley, investigating the biochemical pathways triggered by infections and plant interactions with microorganisms. His studies contribute to improving plant resistance, understanding biosynthesis, and advancing crop protection strategies through the use of chemical and molecular profiling techniques. 🌱🔬🌾🧬

Publication Top Notes

Integration of targeted metabolome and transcript profiling of Pseudomonas syringae-triggered changes in defence-related phytochemicals in oat plants

Hordatines, dimerised hydroxycinnamoylagmatine conjugates of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): an appraisal of the biosynthesis, chemistry, identification and bioactivities

Data-Driven Characterization of Metabolome Reprogramming during Early Development of Sorghum Seedlings

Exploration of chemical interactions between Viscum combreticola Engl. and its hosts through a metabolic profiling approach and molecular networking

Metabolite profiling of susceptible and resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars responding to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici infection

Mengmeng Liu | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Ms Mengmeng Liu, Shandong University, China

Mengmeng Liu, Ph.D. 🎓, is a postdoctoral researcher at Shandong University’s State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, mentored by Prof. Qingsheng Qi. 🌱🧬 She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS, and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Jilin University. Her research focuses on metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for sustainable β-carotene and terpene production 🌿🧪, employing NHEJ-mediated mutagenesis and high-throughput screening. Proficient in advanced genetic, molecular biology, and analytical techniques 🔬💻, she has published extensively in high-impact journals and holds patents in microbial biotechnology. 📜⚗️

Education and Experience

Ms. Mengmeng Liu is a dedicated researcher in microbiology and biochemistry. She has been a postdoctoral fellow at the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, under Prof. Qingsheng Qi since September 2019 🧬📚. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under Prof. Junchao Huang in 2019 🌱🔬. Ms. Liu completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology (Plant Sciences) from Jilin University in 2013 🎓🌿. Her academic journey highlights her commitment to advancing knowledge in microbial and plant biotechnology, contributing to impactful research in these fields. 🌟🧪

Research direction

Mengmeng Liu is a postdoctoral researcher focusing on designing and constructing Yarrowia lipolytica cell factories. Using traditional and cell morphology metabolic engineering, she optimizes yeast metabolism for the green bioproduction of terpenoids like β-carotene using inexpensive substrates. She explores the application of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in metabolic engineering of Y. lipolytica, develops methods for mutant library construction, and establishes high-throughput screening for terpenoid compounds. During her Ph.D., Mengmeng worked on designing Shewanella oneidensis cell factories for producing terpenoid compounds (like lutein and astaxanthin) using cheap industrial byproducts. She also contributed to constructing and modifying metabolic pathways in marine microalgae.📦🔬🚀

Representative papers

Mengmeng Liu is an accomplished researcher focused on metabolic and morphological engineering of microbial strains. Her work includes optimizing β-carotene production in Yarrowia lipolytica and mapping nonhomologous end joining-mediated integration for genome-scale mutagenesis. Liu has also explored the high-throughput screening of gene targets for enhancing carotenoid production in oleaginous yeast. Additionally, her research extends to engineering Sphingobium sp. to accumulate various carotenoids using agro-industrial byproducts, and enhancing coproduction of cell-bound zeaxanthin and exopolysaccharides through metabolic engineering. 🌱🔬📊

Research Focus

Mengmeng Liu’s research focuses on genetic and metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica, an unconventional yeast, for biotechnological applications. Her work includes the development of genetic markers, genome-scale trackable mutagenesis, and efficient production of important compounds like 2′-fucosyllactose and β-carotene. She applies high-throughput screening techniques like flow cytometry to enhance yield and optimize metabolic pathways. Her studies aim to improve the strain’s productivity and sustainability for industrial applications using agro-industrial byproducts and by manipulating cellular processes. 🌱🔍🧬

Conclusion

Mengmeng Liu’s research is characterized by innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to sustainable biotechnological solutions. Her outstanding achievements in metabolic engineering, impactful publications, and practical innovations position her as an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. 🌱📚 Her work embodies the spirit of pushing boundaries and advancing knowledge in the field, making significant contributions to sustainable biotechnology. 🚀🌍