Michela Ciccarelli | Theriogenology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Michela Ciccarelli | Theriogenology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor at Washington State University | United States

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli is a veterinarian, researcher, and academic specializing in comparative theriogenology, reproductive physiology, and advanced stem cell applications in animal reproduction. With extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience across the United States and Europe, she has significantly contributed to veterinary translational science, reproductive biotechnology, and germline engineering in livestock and companion animals. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists and currently serves as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Comparative Theriogenology.

Professional Profile:

Education: 

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary and Translational Science at Washington State University, focusing on “Surrogate Sires: donor-derived spermatogenesis in NANOS2 knockout mice and livestock via spermatogonial stem cell transplantation.” She holds an M.S. in Veterinary Clinical Sciences from Washington State University, where she investigated the effect of exogenous oxytocin on alpaca luteal function. She began her academic journey with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree at the University of Camerino, Italy, completing a thesis on the in vitro effects of GnRH on Leydig cells of adult alpacas.

Experience:

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Comparative Theriogenology, while also serving as Affiliate Faculty in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University and in Theriogenology at Tuskegee University. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Washington State University and held multiple clinical and academic appointments, including a Residency in Comparative Theriogenology at WSU. Her veterinary career also spans equine and mixed-animal private practice in Italy.

She is a certified practitioner in Italy and a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT).

Research Interests:

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli research integrates reproductive physiology, stem cell biology, germline editing, and advanced assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in both livestock and companion animals. She is particularly focused on spermatogonial stem cell transplantation, CRISPR-Cas9 genetic engineering in embryos, fertility preservation, and the application of reproductive biotechnologies for both animal production and conservation of endangered species.

Publications Top Noted:

  1. Donor-derived spermatogenesis following stem cell transplantation in sterile NANOS2 knockout males – Year: 2020 | Citations: 99

  2. Simplified pipelines for genetic engineering of mammalian embryos by CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation – Year: 2019 | Citations: 65

  3. Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation: insights and outlook for domestic animals – Year: 2019 | Citations: 57

  4. Effect of age and castration on serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in male alpacas – Year: 2018 | Citations: 15

  5. Enhanced sperm production in bulls following transient induction of hypothyroidism during prepubertal development – Year: 2019 | Citations: 14

Conclusion:

Dr. Michela Ciccarelli exemplifies innovation, excellence, and leadership in the field of theriogenology and reproductive biotechnology. Her pioneering research on stem cell applications, assisted reproductive technologies, and fertility preservation contributes significantly to veterinary science, animal production, and biodiversity conservation. With a strong foundation in both clinical practice and translational research, she continues to advance the frontiers of animal reproduction science. Her commitment to academic excellence and global collaboration makes her a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award under the Global Network & Technology Excellence Awards.

Mohamed Zarid | Agri-Tech Apps | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mohamed Zarid | Agri-Tech Apps | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University | Morocco

Dr. Mohamed Zarid is a multidisciplinary researcher in food science, plant genetics, and agro-food engineering, specializing in fruit quality, aroma volatiles, and genetic improvement of horticultural crops. He has conducted advanced research in Spain, France, Switzerland, and Morocco, with expertise spanning postharvest technology, plant physiology, molecular genetics, and agro-food quality management. Currently, he serves as a Maître de Conférences (Lecturer-Researcher) at the Université Ibn Tofail, Morocco, while also collaborating internationally on genetics and breeding of fruits and vegetables. His contributions have been recognized with the Extraordinary PhD Award from the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Spain, and multiple international research appointments.

Professional Profile:

Education: 

Dr. Mohamed Zarid earned his Ph.D. in Agro-Food Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Spain, graduating Cum Laude with publications and receiving the Extraordinary PhD Award. His doctoral thesis, completed in collaboration with École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, focused on the genetic aspects of melon aroma, breeding, and quality, particularly the association among aroma volatiles and other traits in near-isogenic lines with firm flesh texture.
He also holds a Master in Sciences and Techniques in Quality Management of Agro-Food Industries from the Université Sultan Moulay Slimane (Morocco), accredited jointly with UPCT and EPFL, and a Bachelor of Science and Techniques in Agro-Food Product Quality Control from the same university. Earlier, he earned a DUT in Biological Engineering, Agro-Food Option, and a Baccalauréat in Experimental Sciences.

Experience:

Dr. Mohamed Zarid he was Teaching and Research Staff (PDI) at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain in the Department of Agronomic Engineering, and an Invited Researcher / Postdoctoral Fellow at INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement), France, where he worked on genetics and improvement of fruits and vegetables. He also served as Adjunct Lecturer at Université d’Avignon France, teaching plant biology and physiology in the context of agroecological transition.
Earlier in his career, he contributed as Researcher at UPCT in the Postharvest & Refrigeration Group, focusing on fruit quality and postharvest physiology, and as a Research Assistant under the EM-EU Mare Nostrum Mobility program, working on transcriptomic and QTL analysis in melon fruit across institutions in Spain (UPCT, CSIC), Switzerland (EPFL), and France.

Research Interests:

  • Genetic improvement of fruits and vegetables (melon aroma, texture, firmness, quality traits).

  • Postharvest biology and physiology of horticultural crops.

  • Fruit aroma volatiles and metabolomic analysis for quality improvement.

  • Agro-food quality control and management systems.

  • Sustainable agricultural practices and agroecological transition.

Publications Top Noted:

  1. Transcriptomic analysis of a near‐isogenic line of melon with high fruit flesh firmness during ripening – Year: 2021 | 11 citations

  2. Methodology to remove strong outliers of non-climacteric melon fruit aroma at harvest obtained by HS-SPME GC-MS analysis – Year: 2018 | 9 citations

  3. Aroma volatiles during non-climacteric melon ripening and potential association with flesh firmness – Year: 2016 | 7 citations

  4. Seasonal effect on selected quality traits of a melon near-isogenic line – Year: 2016 | 6 citations

  5. Seasonal effects on flesh volatile concentrations and texture at harvest in a near-isogenic line of melon with introgression in LG X – Year: 2020 | 5 citations

Conclusion:

Dr. Mohamed Zarid embodies the qualities of a forward-thinking researcher, integrating advanced genetics, postharvest biology, and agro-food quality systems to address pressing challenges in food science and agriculture. His innovative research on fruit aroma, quality, and sustainability bridges academic excellence with real-world agricultural needs. With international collaborations and recognition, he is contributing to the future of agri-tech innovation and sustainable food systems. His leadership, dedication, and scientific achievements make him a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award under the Global Network & Technology Excellence Awards.