Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme | Computational Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme | Computational Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

University of South Africa | South Africa

Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme is a dedicated researcher in biology and biotechnology whose work spans microbial ecology, metagenomics, and drug discovery. She earned her PhD in Biology from North-West University, South Africa, focusing on metagenomic analyses of microbial communities and functional genes in maize rhizosphere soils. She also holds an MSc in Biology (cum laude) from the same institution, where she studied the role of actinomycetes in alleviating drought stress in maize, and earlier completed degrees in Microbiology and Industrial Chemistry. Her professional journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of South Africa, where she investigates the therapeutic potential of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids against human and viral protein targets, and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vaal University of Technology, where she applied advanced sequencing technologies to cancer research. She has also contributed to malaria drug target discovery as a Research Associate at North-West University and published extensively in microbial biotechnology. Her research interests encompass metagenomics, microbial-plant interactions, molecular drug discovery, and computational biology. Recognized with several awards, including NRF postdoctoral grants and international travel fellowships, she continues to advance impactful research aimed at improving agriculture, health, and drug discovery.

Author Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Chukwuneme, C.F., & Babalola, O.O. (2025). “Microbial diversity and function in the rhizosphere microbiome: Driving forces and monitoring approaches.” Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment.

Chukwuneme, C.F., & Gildenhuys, S. (2025). “Systems analysis of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids unveils their functional synergy and drug-like potential.” Computational Biology and Chemistry.

Adeniji, A.A., Chukwuneme, C.F., Conceição, E.C., Ayangbenro, A.S., Wilkinson, E., Maasdorp, E., de Oliveira, T., Babalola, O.O., & Núñez-Montero, K. (2025). “Unveiling novel features and phylogenomic assessment of indigenous Priestia megaterium AB-S79 using comparative genomics.” Microbiology Spectrum.

Rayise, S.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Takaidza, S., & Ssemakalu, C. (2024). “A holistic view on erectile dysfunction: South African medicinal plants as sustainable alternative therapies.” Journal of Natural Remedies.

Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayangbenro, A.S., Venturi, V., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2024). “Potential innovations from the application of beneficial soil microbes to promote sustainable crop production.” Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia.

Amoo, A.E., Olanrewaju, O.S., Babalola, O.O., Ajilogba, C.F., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ojuederie, O.B., & Omomowo, O.I. (2023). “The functionality of plant-microbe interactions in disease suppression.” Journal of King Saud University – Science.

Ayangbenro, A.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayilara, M.S., Kutu, F.R., Khantsi, M., Adeleke, B.S., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2022). “Harnessing the rhizosphere soil microbiome of organically amended soil for plant productivity.” Agronomy.

Mr. Manish Yadav | Nanomaterials | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Manish Yadav | Nanomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Ariel University | Israel

Manish Yadav is a dedicated researcher in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, with expertise in advanced nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy solutions. He recently completed his PhD in Chemistry at Ariel University, Israel, where his doctoral work focused on understanding the nature of laser-processed, metal-doped carbon-based materials for CO₂ electro-reduction into valuable commodity products. His research involved the synthesis of highly graphitized reduced carbon nanodots through laser irradiation, controlled doping of copper nanomaterials in carbon supports, and the development of laser-assisted single-atom catalysts. Prior to this, he pursued his BS-MS Integrated degree at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, where his thesis explored the kinetic stability of halogenated azobenzene isomers through structural, kinetic, and computational studies. His academic journey is marked by multiple recognitions, including the prestigious Excellence Award in Doctoral Research in 2023 and 2025. His findings have been presented in several international conferences across Israel, France, Spain, and Germany, and he has contributed high-impact publications in journals such as Carbon and ACS Applied Energy Materials. With strong skills in spectroscopy, microscopy, electrochemistry, and computational modeling, he continues to advance the design and mechanistic understanding of catalysts for clean energy and environmental sustainability.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Porat, H., Lal, A., Dutta, A., Yadav, M.K., Sesu, D.C., Minnes, R., & Borenstein, A. (2025). Nickel-oxide embedded laser-induced graphene for high-performance supercapacitors. Nanoscale.

Yadav, M.K., Dutta, A., Lal, A., Porat, H., Zidki, T., & Borenstein, A. (2025, September 8). Laser-Induced Synthesis of Copper-Based Nanomaterials for CO₂ Electroreduction into Methanol. ACS Applied Energy Materials.

Lal, A., Porat, H., Dutta, A., Yadav, M.K., & Borenstein, A. (2025, June 25). Laser‐Induced HKUST‐1 Derived Porous Electrocatalyst: An Innovative Approach to Boost Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis. Advanced Sustainable Systems.

Dutta, A., Manjunath, K., Porat, H., Lal, A., Yadav, M.K., Mandić, V., Laikhtman, A., Zak, A., Makrinich, G., & Borenstein, A. et al. (2024). Plasma-Treated 1D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

Yadav, M.K., & Borenstein, A. (2022, October). Is precarbonization necessary for effective laser graphitization? Carbon.

Das, D., Yadav, M.K., Singla, L., Kumar, A., Karanam, M., Dev, S., & Choudhury, A.R. (2020, November 30). Understanding of the kinetic stability of cis-isomer of azobenzenes through kinetic and computational studies. ChemistrySelect.

 

Prof. Dr. K. Yamuna Rani | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. K. Yamuna Rani | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology | India

Prof. Dr. K. Yamuna Rani is a distinguished chemical engineering professional whose academic journey reflects consistent excellence and innovation. She earned her B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University with distinction, followed by an M.Tech. in Process Control from IIT Madras, where she secured the first rank and was awarded the prestigious Dr. Subba Raju Memorial Medal. She later completed her Ph.D. at IIT Madras, focusing on the optimization and control of semi-batch processes using artificial neural networks. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, she has advanced through progressive scientific leadership roles, from Scientist B to Chief Scientist and Chair. Her research interests lie in process control, optimization, artificial neural networks, and plantwide control design, contributing significantly to both fundamental and applied aspects of chemical engineering. She has been recognized with numerous honors, including the CSIR Young Scientist Award, Kuloor Memorial Award, DAAD Fellowship, Distinguished Professional Accomplisher Award (IIChE HRC Chemical Ratna), and fellowships from prestigious professional bodies. She also serves as an editor and reviewer for reputed journals, highlighting her academic influence. Prof. Rani’s career epitomizes excellence, dedication, and leadership, making her a trailblazer and inspiration in the field of chemical engineering.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Viswanath, D. S. (2007). Viscosity of liquids: Theory, estimation, experiment, and data. Springer Verlag.

Sarmah, N., Revathi, D., Sheelu, G., Rani, K. Y., Sridhar, S., Mehtab, V., & Sumana, C. (2018). Recent advances on sources and industrial applications of lipases. Biotechnology Progress

Prasad, N. S., Moulik, S., Bohra, S., Rani, K. Y., & Sridhar, S. (2016). Solvent resistant chitosan/poly (ether-block-amide) composite membranes for pervaporation of n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/water mixtures. Carbohydrate Polymers

Alam, S., Kumar, J. P., Rani, K. Y., & Sumana, C. (2017). Self-sustained process scheme for high purity hydrogen production using sorption enhanced steam methane reforming coupled with chemical looping combustion. Journal of Cleaner Production

Rani, K. Y., & Gangiah, K. (1991). Adaptive generic model control: Dual composition control of distillation. AIChE Journal

Sunitha, K., Rani, K. Y., Moulik, S., Satyanarayana, S. V., & Sridhar, S. (2013). Separation of NMP/water mixtures by nanocomposite PEBA membrane: Part I. Membrane synthesis, characterization and pervaporation performance. Desalination

Kamesh, R., & Rani, K. Y. (2016). Novel formulation of adaptive MPC as EKF using ANN model: Multiproduct semibatch polymerization reactor case study. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems