Kare Mahmud | Innovation | Innovative Research Award

Innovative Research Award

Kare Mahmud
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Australia

Kare Mahmud
Affiliation NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Country Australia
Scopus ID 58255033200
Documents 12
Citations 101
h-index 6
Subject Area Innovation
Event International Research Hypothesis Excellence Award
ORCID 0000-0002-8902-2702

Kare Mahmud is a researcher affiliated with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Australia whose documented research activity focuses on horticultural production, orchard intensification, tree canopy management, pruning, training systems, planting density, and plant growth regulator applications. His publication record includes studies of citrus and mango production systems, with recent work examining practical approaches for improving canopy structure and productivity. These contributions provide a research profile aligned with applied agricultural innovation and evidence-based horticultural management. [1][2]

Abstract

Kare Mahmud’s research profile reflects an applied approach to horticultural innovation, particularly in the management of perennial fruit-tree production systems. His documented publications address citrus canopy development, plant growth regulators, pruning strategies, trellis and training systems, planting density, and cultivar-related effects on fruit production. Recent studies include a review of plant growth regulator applications for citrus canopy management and investigations into high-density orchard systems. [1][2][3] Together, these works demonstrate an emphasis on evaluating orchard-management interventions under practical production conditions rather than relying solely on theoretical assumptions.

Keywords

Kare Mahmud; horticultural innovation; citrus production; mango production; canopy management; plant growth regulators; pruning; high-density orchards; trellis systems; tree training; fruit production; agricultural research.

Introduction

Modern horticultural production requires management systems capable of balancing vegetative growth, light interception, orchard architecture, fruit production, and long-term economic performance. Canopy management is consequently an important component of intensive fruit production because pruning, training, planting density, and growth-regulating practices can alter the structure and productivity of orchard trees. Mahmud’s publication record addresses these interconnected factors across citrus and mango production systems. [1][4]

Research Profile

Mahmud’s documented research is centered on applied horticulture and orchard-system innovation. The available publication record comprises 12 documents, with 101 citations and an h-index of 6 in the supplied researcher profile. His work spans peer-reviewed journal and conference literature concerning citrus and mango tree production, with particular attention to canopy architecture, pruning, training, planting density, trellis systems, and plant growth regulators.

Research Contributions

A notable contribution of Mahmud’s work is the systematic consideration of orchard architecture as a determinant of production performance. The review Managing Citrus Canopy Growth for Higher Productivity: A Review of Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Applications examines the use of plant growth regulators in relation to citrus canopy management, providing a synthesis of approaches relevant to productive and manageable tree structures. [1]

Publications

The following selected publications represent the principal research themes documented in the supplied record:

  1. Managing Citrus Canopy Growth for Higher Productivity: A Review of Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Applications. Horticulturae, 2026.
  2. Five different pruning strategies were not able to improve productivity of a densely planted ‘Salustiana’ common orange block in the short term. Acta Horticulturae, 2026.
  3. High-density navel pruning and trellis: first four seasons of results. Acta Horticulturae, 2026.
  4. The Effects of Planting Density, Training System and Cultivar on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production in Young Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Trees. Horticulturae, 2024.
  5. Intensifying citrus tree crops and modifying tree canopies: a brief review. Acta Horticulturae, 2024.

Research Impact

The supplied researcher profile records 101 citations across 12 documents and an h-index of 6. These indicators provide quantitative evidence of scholarly dissemination, while the publication topics demonstrate a clear applied orientation toward horticultural production challenges. Citation metrics should be interpreted alongside publication quality, research context, authorship contributions, and practical relevance rather than as independent measures of research quality.[2][3]

Award Suitability

Kare Mahmud’s documented research is relevant to an Innovative Research Award because it addresses practical questions concerning the design and management of contemporary horticultural production systems. The combination of experimental evaluation, review-based synthesis, and longitudinal orchard research provides a coherent research direction focused on improving understanding of tree architecture and production management. [1][3]

Conclusion

Kare Mahmud’s research profile presents a focused contribution to horticultural innovation, with particular emphasis on orchard canopy management, citrus intensification, pruning, trellis systems, planting density, training, and mango production. His recent publications demonstrate continued investigation of how management practices affect tree structure and productivity, including both positive research opportunities and findings that caution against assuming immediate productivity gains. [1][2][3]

References

  1. Mahmud, K., Cronje, P., & Monks, D. (2026). Managing Citrus Canopy Growth for Higher Productivity: A Review of Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Applications. Horticulturae, 12(9), 1140.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12091140
  2. Mahmud, K., Creek, A., & Monks, D. (2026). Five different pruning strategies were not able to improve productivity of a densely planted ‘Salustiana’ common orange block in the short term. Acta Horticulturae.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2026.1448.41
  3. Falivene, S., Mahmud, M., & Monks, D. (2026). High-density navel pruning and trellis: first four seasons of results. Acta Horticulturae.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2026.1448.51
  4. Mahmud, K. (2024). The Effects of Planting Density, Training System and Cultivar on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production in Young Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Trees. Horticulturae, 10(9), 937.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090937
  5. Mahmud, K., Monks, D., Donovan, N., & Warren-Smith, A. (2024). Intensifying citrus tree crops and modifying tree canopies: a brief review. Acta Horticulturae.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2024.1399.24

Lea Petrovic | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Lea Petrovic | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr Lea Petrovic, Boston Children’s Hospital, United States

Dr. Lea Petrovic is a multilingual licensed psychologist with a strong background in trauma-informed care, specializing in supporting children, adolescents, and their families. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology with a trauma specialization from Tulane University. Dr. Petrovic has extensive experience in community mental health and clinical psychology, having worked at the Boston Child Study Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association. Her research focuses on trauma’s impact on schools and educators, with published works on trauma-informed practices and mental health in marginalized communities. 🌍📚🩺

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Lea Petrovic holds a B.S. in Psychology, Spanish, and Public Health (cum laude) from Boston University, an M.S. in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in School Psychology with a specialization in trauma from Tulane University. She completed her postdoctoral training in Clinical Psychology at the Boston Child Study Center, where she focused on trauma and its impact on child development. 🌟 Her work integrates her diverse background in psychology, Spanish, and public health, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating trauma. 🌈

Academic Appointments

She has served as an instructor at Tulane University and is currently an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Additionally, she has held positions as a staff psychologist and attending psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. Her work focuses on providing clinical care and psychological support to children and families, contributing significantly to child psychology research and treatment. 🌟📚🧠

Honors and Prizes

Dr. Lea Petrovic received the 2020 Society for the Study of School Psychology Dissertation Award, recognizing scholarly achievement on her doctoral dissertation. Additionally, she was honored with The C. Chrisman Wilson Award for Graduate Student Teaching in Psychology by the Tulane University Psychology Department for her excellence in teaching among graduate students. 🌟📚🎓

Presentations

Dr. Lea Petrovic has presented extensively at regional, national, and international conferences, focusing on trauma and its implications in educational settings. Notable presentations include “Exploring Facilitators and Barriers to Evidence-Based Practices in School Systems” at Harvard University and “Mental Health in Schools: Building Systems of Care” at the Mental Health Institute. Dr. Petrovic also addressed “Mind in Distress: Trauma’s Impact on Executive Functioning” at the 39th Annual Executive Functioning Conference. Her national presentation, “The Social Justice Implications of Trauma-Sensitive Schools: A Critical Dialogue,” was held at the American Psychological Association in Chicago, IL. All presentations reflect her commitment to advancing understanding and dialogue on trauma-sensitive approaches in education. 💡📚

Research Focus

Dr. Lea Petrovic specializes in trauma-focused school psychology, focusing on integrating trauma-informed practices within educational settings to enhance support for students. Her research includes examining the transition to telehealth services during COVID-19, exploring challenges and opportunities, and assessing the impact on trauma-informed approaches in schools. Additionally, she investigates the effects of secondary traumatic stress among school educators in marginalized communities and the quality of teacher-student relationships. Dr. Petrovic’s work contributes significantly to understanding and improving mental health care for youth in real-world settings. 🌟🧠📚

Publication Top Notes

Transitioning to Telehealth During COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities for Trauma-Focused School Psychology

Centering trauma-informed approaches in schools within a social justice framework

Compassion Satisfaction, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Burnout: A Mixed Methods Analysis in a Sample of Public-School Educators Working in Marginalized Communities

An Examination of the Associations Among Teacher Secondary Traumatic Stress, Teacher–Student Relationship Quality, and Student Socio-Emotional Functioning

The Function of Power: A Herstorical Model of Power, Trauma, and Policing African Americans

Building Evidence-Based Interventions for the Youth, Providers, and Contexts of Real-World Mental-Health Care

 

 

Ajad Shrestha | Experimental Design | Innovative Research Award

Ajad Shrestha | Experimental Design | Innovative Research Award

Mr Ajad Shrestha, Global Engineering Associates, P., Ltd. Nepal

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

Ajad Shrestha holds a Master’s degree in Civil and Hydraulics Engineering from Tongji University (2021–2024) and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Institute of Engineering, Thapathali Campus (2015–2019). His educational background has provided him with a solid foundation in structural engineering, which is critical for innovative research in this field.

Research Projects

Ajad has contributed to multiple significant research projects, such as studying the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 3D printable mortar, investigating the flexural and shear performance of HS-ECC beams, and exploring autogenous shrinkage mitigation in high-strength engineered cementitious composites (HS-ECC). His ability to manage complex variables and deliver measurable results, like reducing shrinkage by 40%, showcases his technical expertise and problem-solving skills.

Work Experience

Ajad has substantial research experience as a Research Student at Tongji University, focusing on HS-ECC material and structural applications. He also worked as a Civil Engineer and Research Assistant at Global Engineering Associates, gaining hands-on experience in FEM analysis, bridge damage research, and structural calculations. This combination of academic and professional experience makes him a strong candidate for the Innovative Research Award.

Publications

Ajad’s contributions to scholarly publications are extensive, including papers on high-performance concrete, machine learning models, and advanced structural analysis. His research on the mechanical properties of cementitious composites and UHPC highlights his commitment to developing innovative, real-world solutions.

Research focus

The research focus of this individual is on advanced materials in civil engineering, particularly engineered cementitious composites and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Their work explores the mechanical and shrinkage properties of these materials, emphasizing the use of iron sand to develop high-strength cementitious composites. Additionally, they employ hybrid machine learning models to predict the mechanical properties of UHPC, validated through experiments. This interdisciplinary approach integrates material science, construction technology, and AI-driven predictive modeling to enhance the performance and sustainability of modern construction materials. 🏗️🔬💡

Awards and Scholarships

Ajad has earned the Departmental Scholarship from Tongji University, a recognition based on his academic performance and research contributions. This accolade, along with his proven track record in research, reflects his dedication and potential for future innovation.

Conclusion

Based on Ajad Shrestha’s extensive research in structural engineering, innovative use of materials like recycled PET and HS-ECC, and his solid academic background, he appears to be a highly suitable candidate for the Innovative Research Award. His demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, combined with a focus on real-world applications, makes him a promising innovator in the field of civil engineering.

Publication top notes

Development of high-strength engineered cementitious composites using iron sand: Mechanical and shrinkage properties

Hybrid machine learning model to predict the mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with experimental validation