YuegangZuo is currently a Full Professor in analytical and environmental chemistry and Director of Graduate Programs at Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He received his BS degree from Wuhan University, MS from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and PhD from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. One of his recent research areas has focused on separation, identification and quantification of phenolic antioxidants in plants and examine their bioavailability in humans and animals. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious international scientific journals such as Science, and JAFC.

Separation, identification and quantification of phenolic antioxidants in plants

Nnadozie Oraguzie received his PhD in Plant breeding and genetics at Lincoln University, New Zealand and worked for a year as a Post-Doctoral researcher at Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand, before joining Plant and Food Research (PFR) Institute, New Zealand as Research Scientist in 1998. At PFR, he was the Manager of the national pome fruit germplasm collection and an Objective Leader in the Pome fruit breeding consortium program. With the help of a fellowship from the Science and Technology Agency (STA) of Japan in 2001, he led an international collaboration including PFR, Hirosaki University and the National Institute of Tree Fruit Science, Morioka, Japan, that first linked an allele of the Md-ACS1 gene to fruit softening in apple. He was also the recipient of an Invitation Fellowship from the Japan Ministry of Science and Technology in 2006. He joined the faculty of Washington State University (WSU) in 2008 as Associate Professor. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal publications and a book, and currently serves on the editorial board of two journals.

His current research interests are at the interface of breeding and genomics. He leads the stone fruit breeding, genetics and extension program at WSU with emphasis on developing new sweet cherry varieties suited for growing in the PNW regions of the USA. He also has research interests in the genetics and genomics of traits that govern consumer appreciation of fresh fruit products in apple and pear.

Waled Elkhoby currently working at Agricultural Research Center, Field Crops Research Institute, Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Egypt

Crop Science

Shyam S Yadav completed his Bachelor Degree in agriculture at the University of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1964, and a Master Degree in Genetics & Plant Breeding from University of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1967. He completed a PhD in Genetics & Plant Breeding from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, in 1987. Dr. Yadav has a very wide working experience at different research organizations. During 1969 to 2006, he worked at Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi on various capacities. In 2008 to 2010, he was working with National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), PNG as Chief Scientist. During 2010 to 2012 he was holding the position of International Advisor in Agriculture for Capacity Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL), Kabul, Afghanistan. At different occasions, he also worked as a short time consultant with FAO, UNDP, ACIAR, DPI-Victoria, Australia, State University of Montana, USA etc. Dr Shyam S Yadav is working as Freelance International Research Consultant in Agriculture. Simultaneously, Dr. Yadav is also working as President, Manav Foundation at Manav Yadav Memorial Trust, Vikaspuri, New Delhi, India. He is also engaged as a part time International Research Advisor in Agriculture on Capacity Development in Agriculture at Agriculture Research Institute of Afghanistan (ARIA), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan. Dr Yadav has a wide working experience as an agriculture scientist, consultant, and expert in different countries across the continents ranging from Australia, United States, Asia, and the Pacific Region. His primary interest of research has been focused on plant breeding, development of integrated crop production and management technologies and their dissemination among farming communities at village levels in diversified ecologies, mentoring and coaching of graduate and post graduate students, agricultural personnel, NGOs, and different stakeholders. Dr. Yadav has worked as Chief Editor for books on Crop Wild Relatives & Climate Change in 2015, A Publication of Wiley - Blackwell Inc. USA, Crop Adaptation to Climate Change in 2011, A Publication of Wiley – Blackwell Inc. USA, Climate Change and Management of Cool Season Grain Legume Crops in 2010, A Publication of Springer, The Netherlands, Chickpea Breeding and Management in 2007, A Publication of CABI, UK, and Lentils: An Ancient Crop of Modern Times in 2007, A Publication of Springer, The Netherlands.

Plant Breeding, Integrated Crop Production

Raveendra H Patil completed his PhD from Copenhagen University, Denmark and has worked as Post-Doctoral Researcher at Yangzhou University, China, University of Nottingham, UK, Aarhus University, Denmark, and University of Florida, USA. Now Dr. Patil is based in India at UAS, Dharwad involved in teaching and supervision of Graduate students, undertaking research on climate change impact and adaptation studies in agriculture, precision agriculture, sustainable production systems, among others. He is a recipient of Young Scientist award from the Indian Government (ICAR, New Delhi) and ISCA, Kolkata, India for his work on agro-forestry, and over the years he has received number of national and international fellowships. For instance, ICAR Junior & Senior Fellowship, Chinese Govt. Fellowship, The Royal Society, London, UK Fellowship, The Danish Government Post-Doc Fellowship and NSF, USA Post-Doc Research Associate Fellowship. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member and reviewer to number of reputed journals. He is one of the organizing committee members of this agri-2015 conference in Beijing.

Agro-forestry and Sustainable production systems
Crop production under changing climate and plant nutrition
Soil nutrient cycling and GHG emissions from agro-ecosystems
Crop model application to assess climate change impacts and identify adaptation strategies

Awarded with PhD (Horticulture) in 1991 and PDF (Visiting Scientist) from AVRDC (TAIWAN) in 1994-1995. Handled 21 externally funded schemes as Principal Investigator with the budget of Rs. 448.94 lakhs. Completed 15 schemes with the budget of Rs. 575.94 lakhs funded by various government, private and foreign agencies. Acted as backbone and catalyst for releasing more than 21 varieties and numerous horticultural techniques. Worked as the Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Published 32 books, 39 book chapters, 127 research papers,etc. Editor of two seminar proceedings and delivered 23 radio talks. Totally there are 679 publications. Guided (15) MSc (Hort.) and (18) PhD (Hort.) students. Received Dr. G.S. Venkata Ram Memorial Award for the best research and oral paper presented at PLACROSYM XIV. Receipient of foreign Examiner, Dr. K.G. Shanmugavelu, Dr. S. Muthuswami medals, Golden Jubilee Symposium of Horticulture award for Best PhD research, Junior and Senior ICAR fellowship. Received TNAU Scientist Award (2010 & 2011) for research contribution by obtaining externally funded schemes (6 awards 2011 and 5 awards in 2012). Received Rastriya Gaurav Award, Bharat Jyoti Award and Best citizen of India from India International Friendship Society, New Delhi for the contribution to Horticultural Science. Also received MASU award (2012) for best technical bulletin in Tamil. Received Fellowship of CHAI (Confederation of Horticulture Associations of India) Award 2012 for meritorious service and outstanding performance in the field of Horticultural sciences. Served as a QRT member for oil palm and pomegranate. Chairman in Assessment Committee of ICAR for technical positions, Member in various committees in different universities, ICAR, Govt. of India. Recently Golden wings award for outstanding performance in Horticulture by Kalai Ilakkiya mandram of Theni and Best oral presentation award in Noni Search 2012. Awarded with in 2013 Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam life time achievement and best college award for academic excellence, in 2014 received best and highest number of horticulture book writer award in TNAU Coimbatore, India.

Horticulture

Mahendra P Srivastava born in 1942, obtained PhD in 1967 from University of Allahabad and subsequently joined Pb/Haryana Agricultural University, served as Rice/Cotton Pathologist, Extension Plant Pathologist, Professor, Head Plant Pathology, and Director Planning, Monitoring till 2002. He is considered an architect of Extension Plant Pathology and remembered for his contribution and innovative periodicals -- Plant Disease Warning & Plant Pathology Courier among others. He is known worldwide for his contribution in technology transfer and plant clinic. He has played a pivotal role in popularization of plant clinic by delivering invited lectures in India, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Italy, and Germany. He organized and chaired an ‘Evening Session on Plant Health Clinic’ in 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology at Turin, Italy in 2008, and delivered an invited keynote address on ’Plant clinics hold key to food security and organized Key note Session-5 in 10th ICPP at Beijing, 2013. He is recipient of several honors and awards, which include ‘Fellowship of The National Academy of Sciences’ in 1988, ‘Best Extension National Award’ 1996, Keynote speaker in 8th ICPP, New Zealand in 2003, and invited speaker on Knowledge transfer in 10th ICPP, 2013 at Beijing, Dr Radhakrishnan Award 2013, and International Technological Achievement Award on 9th February 2014. He has been President of Indian Society of Plant Pathologists, Chief Editor, Indian Journal of Plant Pathology, and Member Pesticide Panel of DST, GOI, and Technical Advisor of Pestology.

Technology Transfer, Plant Health Clinic, Integrated Pest Management and Fungicides

Awnindra Kumar Singh, presently posted as Senior Scientist (Plant Breeding) at Central Island Agricultural research Institute, Port Blair is working on the genetic improvement of food legumes. He did his PhD. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He started his academic career from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and also served SKUAST-Jammu in the capacity of Assistant Professor-cum-Jr. Scientist. He is recipient of ISPRD Fellow and AABS Award for Best Research Paper. Dr. Singh is associated with more than 8 international and national scientific societies and more than 98 publications in his credit comprises of research papers, abstracts, technical bulletins and book chapters.

Crop Breeding, Genetics