Tesfa Nega Gesese | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Tesfa Nega Gesese | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer and Bioenergy research group coordinator | Bahir Dar University | Ethiopia

Mr. Tesfa Nega Gesese is a Lecturer and Bioenergy Research Group Coordinator at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, with over seven years of teaching and research experience. He holds an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and has built a strong academic foundation in renewable energy, waste valorisation, and greenhouse gas mitigation. His professional experience includes serving as a lecturer, course chair, and project leader, where he has coordinated large-scale research initiatives such as the mega project on integrated production of bioethanol, bio-hydrogen, and biogas from sesame stalk feedstock, as well as thematic research on computational modelling of anaerobic digestion and photosynthetic algae integration. His research interests span biomass valorisation, biofuels, pyrolysis, gasification, bio-composite materials, and sustainable energy systems. He has demonstrated advanced research skills in biomass pyrolysis kinetics, waste-to-energy conversion, and the development of renewable energy pathways tailored to local resources. Mr. Tesfa has authored and co-authored more than 15 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, focusing on biomass conversion technologies, bio-based materials, and environmental sustainability. His leadership role as a bioenergy research coordinator has enabled him to foster collaborative research, mentor young scholars, and deliver impactful solutions addressing Ethiopia’s energy challenges. He has also contributed to the scientific community as a reviewer for international journals and as a member of the Society of Ethiopian Chemical Engineers. His dedication to research excellence has earned recognition through funded research projects and academic achievements that align with global sustainability goals. Overall, Mr. Tesfa is committed to advancing bioenergy innovation, expanding international collaborations, and influencing policy toward clean energy transitions. Mr. Tesfa Nega Gesese’s growing academic impact is reflected in 26 citations, 10 documents, and an h-index of 3, demonstrating his emerging influence in the field of bioenergy and sustainable engineering.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Mersha, D. A., Gesese, T. N., Sendekie, Z. B., Admase, A. T., & Bezie, A. J. (2024). Operating conditions, products and sustainable recycling routes of aminolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)–A review. Polymer Bulletin, 81(13), 11563–11579. Cited by: 20

2. Bantie, Z., Tezera, A., Abera, D., & Nega, T. (2024). Nanoclays as fillers for performance enhancement in building and construction industries: State of the art and future trends. In Developments in Clay Science and Construction Techniques. Cited by: 11

3. Gesese, T. N., Fanta, S. W., Mersha, D. A., & Satheesh, N. (2022). Physical properties and antibacterial activity of cotton fabric treated with methanolic extracts of Solanum incanum fruits and red onion peels. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 113(2), 292–302. Cited by: 6

4. Gesese, T. N., Getahun, E., & Getahun, A. A. (2024). Investigation of thermal degradation properties and chemical kinetic characteristics of biomass pyrolysis via TG/DTG and FTIR techniques: Sesame stalks as a potential source. International Journal of Energy Research, 2024(1), 8891126. Cited by: 4

5. Gesese, T. N., Getahun, E., & Getahun, A. A. (2025). Pyrolysis kinetics, thermodynamics, and reaction performance of wheat straw and water hyacinth using TGA‐DTG analysis: Bioenergy potential in Ethiopia. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 19(3), 705–729.  Cited by: 2

 

Valeria Cafaro | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Valeria Cafaro | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Post – Doc researcher | National Research Council of Italy – Institute of BioEconomy| Italy

Dr. Valeria Cafaro is a dedicated Post-Doctoral Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy – Institute of BioEconomy (CNR–IBE), Catania, Sicily, specializing in crop physiology, sustainable agronomic practices, and genetic improvement of Mediterranean crops under abiotic stress. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (Doctor Europaeus, University of Catania), where her research focused on strategies to improve crop resilience and productivity under challenging climate conditions. Professionally, she contributes to the Agritech PNRR project on tomato adaptation to climate change and collaborates on research initiatives including Multicanapa and Ricinolio. Her research interests encompass plant adaptation to drought, salinity, and climate variability, seed biology, sowing optimization, and integrating molecular tools with field experimentation to improve yield, quality, and nutraceutical properties. Dr. Cafaro’s research skills include advanced plant phenotyping, statistical data analysis, experimental design, and development of sustainable crop management protocols. She has authored 11 peer-reviewed articles in Scopus/WoS-indexed journals, with one under review, and presented over 20 contributions at international conferences such as SIA, SOI, EUBCE, and ISHS, earning multiple awards for excellence in plant physiology and agronomy research. She serves as Guest Editor for Horticulturae (Special Issue: “Seed Biology in Horticulture: From Dormancy to Germination”) and peer reviewer for reputed journals including Agronomy, Plants, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Professionally, she is a member of the Società Italiana di Agronomia (SIA) and holds formal qualifications as Agronomist and Biologist. Dr. Cafaro’s growing academic impact is reflected in 59 citations, 15 documents, and an h-index of 5, demonstrating her significant and sustained influence in the field of crop physiology and climate-resilient agriculture.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn 

Featured Publications

1. Badagliacca, G., Testa, G., La Malfa, S. G., Cafaro, V., Lo Presti, E., & Monti, M. (2024). Organic fertilizers and bio-waste for sustainable soil management to support crops and control greenhouse gas emissions in Mediterranean agroecosystems: A review. Horticulturae, 10(5), 427. Cited by: 28

2. Arlotta, C., Ciacciulli, A., Strano, M. C., Cafaro, V., Salonia, F., Caruso, P., & Others. (2020). Disease resistant citrus breeding using newly developed high resolution melting and CAPS protocols for Alternaria brown spot marker assisted selection. Agronomy, 10(9), 1368. Cited by: 24

3. Cafaro, V., Alexopoulou, E., Cosentino, S. L., & Patanè, C. (2023). Germination response of different castor bean genotypes to temperature for early and late sowing adaptation in the Mediterranean regions. Agriculture, 13(8), 1569. Cited by: 12

4. Lippolis, A., Gezan, S. A., Zuidgeest, J., Cafaro, V., van Dinter, B. J., Elzes, G., & Others. (2025). Targeted genotyping (90K-SPET) facilitates genome-wide association studies and the prediction of yield-related traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.). BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 558. Cited by: 3

5. Cafaro, V., Alexopoulou, E., Cosentino, S. L., & Patanè, C. (2023). Assessment of germination response to salinity stress in castor through the hydrotime model. Agronomy, 13(11), 2783. 
Cited by: 6