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.

Publication Profile

Scopus

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.

Research Focus

Prof. Roberta Paradiso’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture 🌱, plant physiology 🌿, and innovative cultivation strategies. Her studies explore optimizing crop growth and quality in controlled environments, including smart greenhouses and space farming 🚀. Key projects include nutrient dynamics in compost-amended Mars regolith simulants 🪐, the sustainable reuse of organic by-products as natural fertilizers ♻️, and the effects of LED irradiation on postharvest produce quality 💡. Additionally, she examines metabolic and antioxidant profiles in crops like potatoes 🥔, cherry tomatoes 🍅, and citrus fruits 🍊. Her work aims to enhance food production sustainability while addressing global agricultural challenges. 🌍

Publication Top Notes

Assessment of Fertility Dynamics and Nutritional Quality of Potato Tubers in a Compost-Amended Mars Regolith Simulant

Integrating Smart Greenhouse Cover, Reduced Nitrogen Dose and Biostimulant Application as a Strategy for Sustainable Cultivation of Cherry Tomato

Sustainable Reuse of Expresso Coffee By-products as a Natural Fertilizer to Improve Growth and Photosynthesis in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Plants

Space farming: supporting human life beyond earth

Metabolic Profiling in Tuberous Roots of Ranunculus asiaticus L. as Influenced by Vernalization Procedure

Photosynthesis, Yield and Quality in Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) under Photoluminescent Greenhouse Covers

Modulation of Antioxidant Compounds in Fruits of Citrus reticulata Blanco Using Postharvest LED Irradiation

Interaction between bulb cold treatment and plant genotype regarding flowering and metabolism in cut flower tulip

Education

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Agriculture Engineering at Henan Agriculture University, China (2019-present) 🌾📚. Earned a Diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing from NISTE, Islamabad, in 2017 🌍🛰️. Completed an M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, in 2017 🌱👨‍🎓, where they also obtained a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture in 2015 🌿. Earlier education includes an F.Sc. (Pre-Medical) from FBISE in 2011 🧬🔬 and matriculation in Science from FBISE in 2009 🔭🔢. Their academic journey reflects a strong dedication to advancing agricultural knowledge and practices 🌾📊.

Experience

From 2018 to 2019, I served as the Sales Area Manager at Jaffer Agro Services Private Limited, where I honed my leadership and sales expertise 📈. Prior to this, from 2016 to 2018, I worked as a Research Assistant at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, focusing on agricultural research 🌾. During 2017-2018, I was also a Visiting Lecturer at the University Institute of Information Technology at PMAS-AAUR, sharing my knowledge with students 💻. In 2015, I completed an internship at the National Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad, gaining valuable hands-on experience in agricultural research 🧑‍🔬.

Advanced Research

His research focus includes UAV-based precision agriculture, remote sensing, and plant hormone detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. These cutting-edge methods make him a pioneer in digital agriculture, especially with his work in chlorophyll and yield estimation using multispectral UAVs.

Collaboration and Impact

His involvement in publications with international co-authors, including high-impact journals, reflects a strong collaborative network. His work on precision agriculture applications in 5G/6G technologies and molecular communication networks further demonstrates his interdisciplinary approach and innovation in agricultural sciences.

Research Contributions

His diverse range of research extends to improving agricultural monitoring through GIS and remote sensing technologies, making significant contributions to modernizing agricultural practices.

With numerous publications, his participation in professional trainings, and his experience in teaching and managing agricultural services, Mr. Naqvi’s portfolio shows a deep commitment to advancing agricultural technologies and sustainability, positioning him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.