Rita Patle | Agricultural Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Rita Patle | Agricultural Engineering | Research Excellence Award

ICAR – Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering | India

Dr. Rita Patle is an agricultural engineer specializing in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering with advanced expertise in precision agriculture and automation. She earned her B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering and M.Tech in Farm Machinery & Power, followed by a Ph.D. focusing on the design of an autonomous site-specific variable rate fertilizer applicator. Over her career she has served as Assistant Professor, Senior Research Fellow, and Research Associate at leading agricultural-engineering institutes, and contributed to both teaching and R&D. Her research interests center on precision farming, sensor-based variable-rate fertilizer application, farm mechanization, and integration of AI and embedded systems for smart agriculture. She is recognized for her innovative contributions — she holds a design patent for an autonomous variable-rate fertilizer applicator, and has registered the software program controlling it. Her work has earned national-level awards and best-paper recognitions. Through peer-reviewed journal articles, technical bulletins and conference publications, she has helped advance sustainable mechanization in Indian agriculture. Her commitment to bridging academic research, practical engineering solutions and agricultural productivity underscores her goal to address real-world farming challenges and support agricultural growth for the nation.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Patle, R., Kavitha, R., Surendrakumar, A., Sahni, R. K., Suthakar, B., Kannan, B., & Maragatham, S. (2025). Development of a sensor-based embedded system for on-the-go variable-rate fertilizer applicator in maize crop. Results in Engineering, 28, 107852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107852

Patle, R., Kavitha, R., Surendrakumar, A., Balaji, K., Maragatham, S., & Suthakar, B. (2023). Estimation of sensor-based site-specific variable rate fertilizer application for maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 15(3), 1109–1118. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v15i3.4724

Patle, R. (2024). Variable rate fertilizer applicator (Software registration No. SW-18483/2024).

Patle, R. (2023). Autonomous variable rate fertilizer applicator (Patent filed at The Patent Office, India).

Suryakanta Khandai | Food Security | Best Researcher Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Suryakanta Khandai | Food Security | Best Researcher Award

International Rice Research Institute | India

Dr. Suryakanta Khandai is a Senior Associate Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Centre, specializing in mechanization and postharvest research with over a decade of professional experience in agricultural engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, preceded by M.Tech. and B.Tech. degrees in Agricultural Engineering, and has significantly contributed to sustainable intensification, mechanization strategies, and postharvest technology innovations. His research interests include farm mechanization, residue management, climate-smart agriculture, postharvest systems, and value-chain development. He has authored more than 35 research papers, several books, book chapters, and training modules, with over 650 citations, an H-index of 6, and an i10-index of 3, reflecting his scholarly impact. Dr. Khandai has been instrumental in developing farm implements, IT-based tools, and business models such as Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) that enhance farmer access to mechanization. He has collaborated in projects supported by World Bank, USAID, and ICAR, strengthening agricultural productivity and farmer resilience across South Asia. His contributions have been recognized with the Scientist of the Year Award and Young Scientist Award. He remains committed to advancing sustainable agricultural transformation through innovative mechanization and postharvest solutions.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publication

“A critical review on rice cultivation and mechanization level in Indian perspective”

Vincelet Jobikha A | Glass Ceramics | Research Discovery Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Ms. Vincelet Jobikha A | Glass Ceramics | Research Discovery Award

Saveetha Engineering College | India

Ms. A. Vincelet Jobikha is a materials science researcher specializing in rare-earth-doped tellurite and borophosphate glass systems with a focus on their structural, optical, and radiation-shielding properties obtained via melt-quenching synthesis. She has co-authored Scopus-indexed work on Tm³⁺-doped zinc tellurite and Ho³⁺-doped zinc borophosphate glasses designed for lead-free gamma-ray attenuation, demonstrating proficiency in XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence, mass-attenuation (MAC), linear-attenuation (LAC), Zeff and HVL analysis. Across her published documents, she has contributed to peer-reviewed research and patent-related inventions in novel glass compositions for radiation protection (including gadolinium-, dysprosium-, and erbium-doped systems), with international conference presentations and multiple patent filings. Her scholarly output reflects substantial citations in recent literature regarding optical and gamma-ray shielding glasses. While her Scopus profile does not publicly display an h-index or total citation count, her contributions have garnered notable attention in the research community studying functional heavy-metal-oxide glasses. Her research interests lie at the intersection of luminescent rare-earth chemistry and radiation attenuation, aimed at developing dual-function transparent shielding materials for dosimetry, medical, and environmental applications. She is recognized for innovation in glass system design and continues to explore practical deployable solutions in radiation protection.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publication

“Synthesis, structural, and optical properties of lead-free Tm3+ ions doped zinc tellurite glass and Ho3+ ions doped zinc borophosphate glass for radiation shielding application”

Yuvraj Kasal | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Yuvraj Kasal | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Maharana Pratap Horticultural University | India

Dr. Yuvraj G. Kasal is a dedicated agricultural engineer-scholar with extensive experience in farm power and machinery, focusing on the design, development and evaluation of precision implements such as liquid fertilizer applicators and water-attachment seed drills. He holds advanced degrees in agricultural engineering and farm power from top Indian institutions and earned a prestigious research fellowship for his doctoral work. With over five years of teaching and research experience at leading universities, he has led hands-on training programs, demonstrations and student outreach activities. His scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed articles on mechanization of dryland farming, fertigation systems, impact of mechanization on smallholder farmers, and equipment performance evaluation (covering fertilizer placement, irrigation scheduling, hydrogel use, postharvest and protected cultivation). While his exact h-index, total publications and citation counts are not publicly available, his work has appeared in multiple high-impact journals with NAAS ratings above 4. Noteworthy recognitions include national fellowships, radio and newspaper dissemination and active involvement in national conferences. His research interests span farm machinery design, sustainable mechanization, fertigation technology and value addition in protected farming. A consummate professional, he combines policy implementation support with community engagement. His career reflects innovation, teaching excellence and practical solutions for smallholder agriculture.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

“Adoption behaviour of dairy farmers about recommended dairy management practices”

“Groundwater Potential Zones Identification Using Geographical Information System”

“Screening of the cotton genotypes against Ramularia areola atk. under field condition”

“Drought stress and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield: A review”

“Productive and reproductive performance of Purnathadi and Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes”

Smily Thakur | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Smily Thakur | Agricultural Science | Best Researcher Award

Khalsa College Amritsar, India

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Smily Thakur began her academic journey with a strong foundation in Agricultural Sciences, earning her B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from CSKHPKV, Palampur. She further specialized in Agricultural Economics with a Master’s degree from DBSKKV, Dapoli, followed by a Ph.D. from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, where she developed expertise in climate-smart agriculture and impact analysis. Her academic path laid the groundwork for a research-driven, interdisciplinary career.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Thakur is currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Agricultural Economics) in the Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Punjab. She is actively involved in teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students while mentoring M.Sc. researchers. Her teaching portfolio blends economic theory with field applications, contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable agricultural sector.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Dr. Thakur’s research focuses on the adoption and economic impact of climate-smart agricultural practices, particularly in Punjab. She has investigated how these practices influence crop yields, household food security, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Her work on the drivers and constraints of technology adoption provides valuable insights for policy formulation. Additionally, her earlier work explored mango production economics in Himachal Pradesh, reflecting a versatile understanding of regional agrarian systems.

ACADEMIC CITATIONS, ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

Her research has been published in reputed journals like:

  • Energy Nexus

  • Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics

  • Indian Journal of Ecology

  • Agricultural Research Journal

  • Mausam

She is a life member of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, and her academic excellence has been acknowledged with prestigious accolades, including:

  • ICAR NTS PG Fellowship

  • University Merit Scholarship at PAU

  • Silver Medal in Himotkarsh Scholarship

Her presence in various national and international conferences reflects her dynamic scholarly engagement.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

His research provides actionable insights for the civil engineering community, especially in mitigating hydraulic failures around riverine structures. By contributing vital experimental data and novel ML-based prediction tools, his work bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world engineering challenges. His studies on tandem and compound piers enhance the understanding of flow-structure interactions, directly influencing infrastructure resilience and environmental safety.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

With a rapidly growing body of impactful research, Dr. Thakur is poised to become a leading voice in agricultural policy, sustainability, and climate resilience. Her future endeavors are expected to focus on:

  • Integrating economic modeling with environmental sustainability

  • Shaping agro-climatic policy reforms

  • Expanding the application of advanced econometric tools in rural development studies

She also brings interdisciplinary agility through her skills in software like STATA, E-Views, SPSS, and R, empowering data-driven insights.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS:

Investigation on Scouring and Turbulence Characteristics Around T-Head Spur Dike
Authors: T.K. Pradhan, G.C. Malasani, S. Krishna Reddy, V. Chandra
Journal: Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research
Year: 2024

Local Scour Around Different-Shaped Bridge Piers
Authors: S.K. Reddy, S.T. Kalathil, V. Chandra
Journal: Civil Engineering Journal (Civ Eng J)
Year: 2024

Prediction Models for Scour Depth Around Circular Compound Bridge Piers
Authors: S.K. Reddy, V. Chandra
Journal: Water Science and Engineering
Year: 2025

Experimental Study of Turbulent Flow Characteristics Around a Circular Compound Bridge Pier
Authors: S.K. Reddy, V. Chandra
Journal: River Flow
Year: 2024

Experimental Study of Turbulent Flow Characteristics Around a Circular Bridge Pier
Authors: S.K. Reddy, V. Chandra
Journal: International Association for Hydraulic Environmental Engineering and Research (IAHR)
Year: 2022

CONCLUSION

Dr. Smily Thakur exemplifies the new generation of agricultural economists who merge rigorous academic research with real-world relevance. Her contributions to climate-smart agriculture, agricultural economics, and GHG emission studies offer valuable direction for both academia and policymaking. Her active teaching, field engagement, and scientific output underscore a promising legacy built on research, resilience, and reform.

Sadiya Samar | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Published-on by Indian Scientist

Ms. Sadiya Samar - Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Botany - Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut  - India🏆

Professional Profiles:

Early Academic Pursuits :

She embarked on her academic journey with an innate curiosity and dedication towards the field of Biological Sciences. Her formative years at Kendriya Vidyalaya Muzaffarnagar laid a strong foundation, evident in her consistent academic excellence throughout her schooling, culminating in her Matriculation and Intermediate achievements. Her penchant for Botany became evident during her B.Sc Hons. at Delhi University, setting the stage for her subsequent educational pursuits.

Professional Endeavors :

Her professional trajectory showcases her commitment to education and pedagogy. From her tenure as a Tutor at DAV PG College Muzaffarnagar to serving as a TGT Biology at Police Modern School 6BN, Meerut, and subsequently as a PGT Biology at Himalayan Public School, she demonstrated an adeptness in imparting knowledge. Her academic pursuits continued with a pursuit of higher education, earning an M.Sc in Botany from Delhi University, followed by a B.Ed and an M.Phil in Botany from C.C.S University Meerut. Currently pursuing a Ph.D., her academic odyssey showcases a relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise in her chosen field.

Contributions and Research Focus in Agricultural and Biological Sciences:

Her research focus predominantly revolves around botanical sciences, notably delving into 'Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles as Nanofertilizer Using Chenopodium album and Product Thereof.' Her publications in reputed journals, including 'Materials Science and Engineering' and 'Research Journal of Agriculture Sciences,' underscore her contributions to the scientific community. Her participation in numerous national seminars, workshops, and symposiums underscores her proactive engagement in interdisciplinary dialogues, especially evident in her attendance at sessions on Medicinal Plants, Disaster Management, and Agricultural Innovation.

Accolades and Recognition :

Her academic prowess is marked by significant achievements, such as the Vice Chancellor Gold Medal in M.Phil Botany, Vishishta Yogyata Certificate, and successful qualification in CTET and UPTET. Her active involvement in co-curricular activities, including Scout and Guide awards, showcases a holistic development beyond academics.

Impact and Influence :

Her influence extends beyond academic circles. Her roles as Secretary and Co-ordinator of 'Bloom - The Botany Society' at Ramjas College, Delhi University, and volunteering in various seminars and workshops reflect her leadership and collaborative skills, inspiring peers and aspiring students alike.

Legacy and Future Contributions :

Her legacy rests on a foundation of academic excellence, research contributions, and a proactive approach to learning and teaching. Her dedication to environmental studies, agriculture, and botanical sciences sets a precedent for future endeavors. As she progresses in her Ph.D. and beyond, her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to scientific innovation are poised to leave a lasting impact in the realm of biological sciences and education. Her journey epitomizes an individual committed to holistic learning, research, and educational excellence, paving the way for a brighter and more innovative future in the field of Biological Sciences.

Notable Publications :