Patrick Rakau | Mutation Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Patrick Rakau | Mutation Breeding | Best Researcher Award 

Researcher | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Mr. Patrick Ngwako Rakau is an accomplished agricultural researcher specializing in forage and range science, with expertise in pasture management, forage breeding, and sustainable agricultural systems. He serves as a Junior Researcher in Range and Forage Sciences at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa, and is pursuing a PhD in Crop Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the response of ethyl-methane sulphonate (EMS) mutagenized teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] for dual-purpose traits that enhance its suitability for both animal feed and human consumption. His research advances the development of climate-smart and high-yield forage varieties that improve livestock productivity and soil health across diverse agro-ecological systems. As project leader of the National Cover Crop Program funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, he has coordinated multi-provincial collaborations to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Mr. Rakau has authored numerous scientific papers, conference abstracts, and semi-scientific articles in prominent outlets including Farmers Weekly, AgriAbout, StockFarm, and the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology. A long-standing member of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) and a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), he actively contributes to professional knowledge networks and agricultural policy development. Through collaborations with national and international seed companies such as PGW Seeds (New Zealand) and DLF Seed International, he has advanced forage improvement programs emphasizing resilience, nutritional quality, and genetic diversity. His dedication to farmer education, postgraduate supervision, and community outreach reflects his enduring commitment to knowledge transfer, sustainable food systems, and agricultural innovation in Africa.

Profile: ORCID 

Publication

1. Mbambalala, L., Mpanza, T. D. E., Tjelele, T. J., Ncisana, L., Mkhungo, S., Sithole, L., Nzeru, M. S., Rakau, P. N., Rani-Kamwendo, Z. T., & Mkhize, N. R. (2025). Dryland fodder radish genotypes: Planting date effects on nutritive value and in-vitro dry matter degradability in Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

 

Mr. Patrick Ngwako Rakau’s research advances sustainable livestock production through the development of climate-resilient and nutrient-rich forage crops. His work supports food security and environmental sustainability by improving the productivity and adaptability of pasture systems under changing climatic conditions.

Achilleas Livieratos | Infectious Diseases Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Achilleas Livieratos | Infectious Diseases Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

Medical Researcher | Stanford University | Greece

Dr. Achilleas Livieratos, PhD, MRSB, is a distinguished biomedical researcher whose work bridges immunology, infectious diseases, circadian biology, and artificial intelligence applications in health sciences. His research integrates advanced computational methods, including machine learning and multi-agent transformer frameworks, to enhance evidence generation, vaccine immunology, and drug safety analytics. He has published extensively in leading journals such as Vaccines, Pathogens, Viruses, eClinicalMedicine, and Value in Health, contributing to global understanding of immune response dynamics, precision medicine, and outcomes research. Notably, his development of MetaMind, an AI-driven framework for automated network meta-analyses, and his studies on circadian influences on influenza vaccine immunity have been recognized as groundbreaking contributions. His investigations into immune durability across respiratory viruses, including RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza, as well as his exploration of alternative therapies for long COVID, have significantly advanced clinical and translational knowledge. As a lead collaborator with Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Livieratos has directed international research initiatives on infectious disease modeling, biomarker discovery, and the application of AI in health outcomes research. His earlier work at the University of Oxford produced landmark discoveries in neurogenetics and circadian disruption, underpinning his multidisciplinary expertise. Through leadership in European Pharma and AI consortia, he continues to drive innovation in predictive health analytics and precision therapeutics, demonstrating an exceptional fusion of biomedical insight, computational innovation, and translational research impact.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publication

Oliver, P. L., Sobczyk, M. V., Maywood, E. S., Edwards, B., Lee, S., Livieratos, A., et al. (2012). Disrupted circadian rhythms in a mouse model of schizophrenia. Current Biology, 22(4), 314–319.

Taylor, T. N., Potgieter, D., Anwar, S., Senior, S. L., Janezic, S., Threlfell, S., Ryan, B., et al. (2014). Region-specific deficits in dopamine, but not norepinephrine, signaling in a novel A30P α-synuclein BAC transgenic mouse. Neurobiology of Disease, 62, 193–207.

Wobst, H. J., Denk, F., Oliver, P. L., Livieratos, A., Taylor, T. N., Knudsen, M. H., et al. (2017). Increased 4R tau expression and behavioural changes in a novel MAPT-N296H genomic mouse model of tauopathy. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 43198.

Livieratos, A., Gogos, C., & Akinosoglou, K. (2024). Impact of prior COVID-19 immunization and/or prior infection on immune responses and clinical outcomes. Viruses, 16(5), 685.

Livieratos, A., Gogos, C., & Akinosoglou, K. (2024). Beyond antivirals: Alternative therapies for long COVID. Viruses, 16(11), 1795.

Snezhana Rusinova-Videva | Biotechnology | Best Research Article Award

Snezhana Rusinova-Videva | Biotechnology | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Snezhana Rusinova-Videva, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology-BAS, Bulgaria.

Dr. Snezhana Rusinova-Videva is a distinguished researcher in Biotechnology, recognized for her contributions to advancing scientific knowledge in this field. With a focus on innovative biotechnological applications, Dr. Rusinova-Videva has earned significant accolades for her groundbreaking research, which has had a substantial impact on both academic and industrial biotechnology. She holds a doctoral degree in Biotechnology and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles that explore sustainable solutions in bioengineering and bioprocess optimization. Her dedication to high-quality research and her commitment to fostering scientific innovation have led to her recent recognition with the Best Research Article Award.

Profile:

Scopus  Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Education and Training

Dr. Snezhana Rusinova-Videva pursued her Ph.D. at The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, part of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 2008 to 2013. She holds a Master’s degree in Microbial Biotechnology, awarded in 2007 by Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski,” where she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry in 2005.

 

Experience 

Dr. Snezhana Rusinova-Videva has been a Senior Assistant Professor in Microbiology at The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, Bulgaria, since 2014. Prior to this role, she served as an Assistant Professor from 2012 to 2014 at the same institute, with additional work conducted in Plovdiv. Her research and teaching focus on advancing microbiological studies within the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, where she continues to contribute her expertise in the field.

 

Courses

Dr. Snezhana Rusinova-Videva is a dedicated academic and researcher who was actively involved in the Faculty of Biology at Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” from 2014 to 2018. During this time, she delivered both lecture and exercise courses across multiple subjects. She led a lecture course in Mycology at the university’s Kardzhali branch from 2016 to 2018. Simultaneously, she conducted exercise courses in Mycology and Hydrobiology at the main faculty from 2014 to 2018, along with an exercise course in Plant Ecology in the 2014-2015 academic year. Her dedication to scientific collaboration is also evident in her role as a member of the Organizing Committee for the International Conference on the Rational Use of Natural Products, held in 2013, 2015, and 2017, which brought together participants from over 50 countries.

Top Note Publications

Title: Rosehip Seed Oil-Incorporated Chitosan Films for Potential Fruit Packaging Applications

Authors: Marudova, M., Zsivanovits, G., Viraneva, A., Gechev, B., Rusinova-Videva, S.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Analysis of Wild Edible Mushrooms in the Regions Strandzha and the Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria

Authors: Radoukova, T., Stoyanov, P., Mladenova, T., Todorov, K., Rusinova-Videva, S.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Biosynthetic capabilities of Antarctic yeast Sporobolomyces roseus AL103: Temperature influence on intracellular metabolites and characterization of the exopolysaccharide

Authors: Rusinova-Videva, S., Ognyanov, M., Alipieva, K., Paunova-Krasteva, T., Mateev, D.
Year: 2024
Citations: 0

Title: Extremophiles as a “green source” of new exopolysaccharides with ecological importance and multifunctional applications

Authors: Radchenkova, N., Rusinova-Videva, S.
Year: 2024
Citations: 2

Title: Chemical characterization and biological effect of exopolysaccharides synthesized by Antarctic yeasts Cystobasidium ongulense AL101 and Leucosporidium yakuticum AL102 on murine innate immune cells

Authors: Rusinova-Videva, S., Ognyanov, M., Georgiev, Y., Dimitrova, P., Kambourova, M.
Year: 2023
Citations: 7