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

ROBERTA PARADISO | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof ROBERTA PARADISO, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

🌱 Prof. Roberta Paradiso is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) 🌍. With a PhD in Herbaceous Crops (2002) 🎓, her research spans eco-physiology of crops, sustainable horticulture, and innovative greenhouse technologies, including LED lighting 💡 and soilless cultivation. Prof. Paradiso has extensive expertise in Bioregenerative Life-Support Systems (BLSSs) for space 🌌, collaborating with ESA and ASI. She has co-led multiple international projects, authored impactful publications 📚, and mentors students globally 👩‍🏫. Her work bridges terrestrial agriculture and space exploration 🚀, driving sustainability and innovation.

Education

Prof. Roberta Paradiso is an accomplished Associate Professor with a passion for academic excellence 🌱📚. Her teaching focuses on plant production and greenhouse horticulture 🌿🏡, showcasing her dedication to advancing agricultural knowledge and sustainable practices 🌍✨. With a strong commitment to fostering student growth and innovation, she integrates cutting-edge research into her lectures and inspires future leaders in the field 🧑‍🔬🌟. Her expertise contributes significantly to the development of sustainable agricultural solutions, emphasizing the importance of environmentally friendly techniques 🌾♻️. Prof. Paradiso’s work reflects her dedication to bridging the gap between theory and practical applications in horticulture 🌷📖.

Experience

Prof. Roberta Paradiso is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) since 2018. She teaches courses on Plant Production for the Food Industry and Greenhouse Horticulture 🌱🏡. Her research focuses on the eco-physiology of vegetable and flower crops, soilless cultures, sustainable horticulture, and advanced greenhouse technologies 💡🌿. She specializes in artificial lighting with LEDs, photosynthesis modeling, and cultivation in controlled environments for Bioregenerative Life-Support Systems (BLSSs) in space 🚀. Collaborating with ESA’s MELiSSA project, she co-created the Laboratory of Crop Research for Space and the Plant Characterization Unit, advancing space horticulture 🌍🌌.

Research Projects

Prof. Roberta Paradiso is a distinguished researcher leading innovative projects in agriculture and space botany. As PI of the PRIN 2022 PNRR project “Smart-Light” 🌱💡, she advances artificial light efficiency in controlled agriculture. She managed WP1400 in ASI’s MICROx2 🌍🚀, defining light parameters for microgravity plant growth. Her contributions include eco-compatible cultivation in Campania (ECOVIV) 🌾🌿, ESA’s PaCMan project on life support systems 🛰️🌱, and biostimulant evaluation in soilless crops 🌷. Notable projects span photosynthesis in flowers, space farming (Tom-Rad 🍅🛸), and sustainable ornamental plant production 🌺🌳, showcasing her expertise in eco-friendly, high-tech agriculture.