Remy Kindanloun Bationo | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Remy Kindanloun Bationo | Phytochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST) | Burkina Faso

Dr. Rémy K. Bationo is an accomplished organic chemist at the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST-IRSAT), Burkina Faso, specializing in phytochemistry, natural product chemistry, and bioactive compound development. He obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and Master’s in Phytochemistry  from Joseph KI-ZERBO University, where he also served as a Teaching and Research Assistant in organic chemistry. Over the past decade, Dr. Bationo has made significant contributions to the chemical characterization and biological evaluation of medicinal plants, aiming to harness natural resources for health, food security, and sustainable development. His research focuses on bioactive compounds, essential oils, antioxidants, and natural product-based pharmaceuticals. Through projects funded by Burkina Faso’s Research and Innovation for Development Fund (FONRID), Dr. Bationo has led pioneering initiatives, including the development of food supplements using plant extracts, pharmaceutical applications of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil, and the creation of a national herbarium and chemical library of medicinal plants. His publications in leading journals such as Chemistry of Natural Compounds, Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Malaria Journal, and Asian Journal of Chemical Sciences reflect his multidisciplinary expertise in phytochemical analysis, HPLC-MS profiling, antioxidant assays, and antidiabetic evaluations. Dr. Bationo’s recent studies highlight the chemical fingerprinting of Cyperus species, antifungal potential of Cymbopogon giganteus, and HPTLC/HPLC-MS characterization of phenolic acids and anthocyanins in Burkinabe flora. His work not only enhances the understanding of plant bioactivity but also supports local pharmaceutical innovation and agricultural value addition. Recognized as a One Planet Fellow by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) initiative, he has also undertaken international training in Belgium, France, and Ivory Coast, strengthening his scientific collaborations. Through his dedication to natural product chemistry and sustainable innovation, Dr. Rémy K. Bationo stands as a pioneer in bioresource valorization and phytochemical research in West Africa, contributing profoundly to science-driven development in Burkina Faso.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

Bationo, R. K., Bazie, B., Noba, A., Dabiré, C. M., Abdoulaye, Y., Toe, M., Sawadogo, I., Palé, E., & Nebié, R. H. C. (2025). Chemical fingerprints and antioxidant properties of two Cyperus species in Burkina Faso. Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 61(5), 760–766.

Bationo, R. K., Kaboré, D. S., Abdoulaye, Y., Noba, A., Toe, M., Dabiré, C. M., Palé, E., & Nebié, R. H. C. (2024). Phytochemical constituents and cumulative or antagonistic effects of crop plant organ combinations on free radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant compound content. Asian Journal of Chemical Sciences, 14(6), 10–28.

Nebié, R. H. C., Dabiré, C. M., Bationo, R. K., et al. (2024). Investigation on chemical composition and insecticidal activity against Anopheles gambiae of essential oil obtained by co-distillation of Cymbopogon citratus and Hyptis suaveolens from Western Burkina Faso. Malaria Journal, 23, 339.

Abdoulaye, Y., Dabiré, C. M., Bationo, R. K., Ganamé, A., Noba, A., Koala, M., Palé, E., Nebié, R. H. C., Duez, P., & Nacro, M. (2024). Antioxidant activities, HPTLC and HPLC/MS characterization of some phenolic acids of Grangea maderaspatana root extracts from Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 18(3), 1152–1165.

Noba, A., Dabiré, C. M., Bationo, R. K., Bazié, B. S. R., Ouôba, P., Koala, M., Hema, A., Kabré, E., Palé, E., & Nacro, M. (2024). Free radical scavenging activity and HPLC-MS identification of major anthocyanin in ripe Ziziphus mucronata fruit collected in Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 18(2), 691–705.

Sibel Dikmen Kucuk | Chemical Engineering | Best Industrial Research Award

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Dr. Sibel Dikmen Kucuk | Chemical Engineering | Best Industrial Research Award

Düzce University | Turkey

Dr. Sibel Dikmen Küçük is a distinguished researcher and lecturer at Düzce University, where she has been serving in the Rectorate. With a strong academic foundation in chemical and composite materials engineering, she has developed a dynamic research portfolio focused on sustainable materials, nanotechnology, and bio-based cosmetic applications. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Hacettepe University. Driven by a passion for advanced materials, she pursued her graduate studies at Düzce University’s Institute of Science, completing a thesis-based Master’s program in Composite Material Technologies. Her master’s thesis examined the impact of ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers on rubber-based automotive sealing profiles. Continuing her academic journey in the same field, she obtained her Ph.D. in Composite Material Technologies (Interdisciplinary). Her doctoral thesis explored the development of an innovative composite facial mask containing natural nanocellulose with stain-removing and ultra-moisturizing properties. Dr. Küçük has actively contributed to numerous national scientific research projects, including TÜBİTAK-supported studies. She has taken on both researcher and coordinator roles in over ten projects, reflecting her leadership and collaborative expertise. Her work spans various topics such as biopolymer-based EPDM profiles, botanical extract-infused cosmetics, activated carbon production from agricultural waste, and the development of dual-phase hair sprays for treating androgenic alopecia. She holds a national patent for a stain-removing facial serum containing bacterial nanocellulose, showcasing her commitment to practical innovation and product development. Her publication record includes several articles in respected international journals like South African Journal of Botany, BioResources, and the Journal of Rubber Research, alongside multiple national publications and conference proceedings. Her research contributions often bridge the gap between materials science and biotechnology, with an emphasis on green chemistry and sustainable product design. In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Küçük has served as a consultant on cosmetic formulation projects involving bacterial nanocellulose and plant-based actives, further reflecting the translational impact of her research. Through her interdisciplinary work, she continues to advance the fields of composite materials, nanocellulose applications, and natural product-based innovations. With a growing reputation in both academic and industrial circles, Dr. Sibel Dikmen Küçük exemplifies the integration of scientific excellence, innovation, and societal relevance in research.

Profiles : ORCID | Scopus | Google Scholar | Research Gate

Featured Publications

  • Dikmen Küçük, S. (2025). Development and characterization of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber reinforced by green material lignin. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(3), 1–8.

  • Kucuk, S. D., Grosso, A., Collet, G., Daniellou, R., & Koca Çalışkan, U. (2024). Effect of bacterial nanocellulose and plant-containing facial serum on hyperpigmentation in in-vitro conditions. BioResources, 19(2), 3208–3233.

  • Dikmen Küçük, S., & Uğraş, H. İ. (2024). Chemical modification of carbon black for coloring. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 9(4), 832–838.

  • Dikmen Küçük, S., Tozluoğlu, A., Güner, Y., Arslan, R., & Sertkaya, S. (2022). Nano-fibrillenmiş selüloz / EPDM kompozitlerin mekanik, reolojik ve yaşlanma özellikleri. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1), 1–12.

Rosaria Saletti | Chemical Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Rosaria Saletti | Chemical Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Catania | Italy

Prof. Rosaria Saletti is an Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Catania, where she leads the Organic Mass Spectrometry Laboratory within the Department of Chemical Sciences. Graduating cum laude in Chemistry from the same university, Prof. Saletti has established herself as an expert in mass spectrometry, proteomics, and protein structural characterization. Her research is centered on the application of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques for the analysis of proteins in various biological and food matrices. Her investigations have contributed significantly to the comparative proteomics of cereal kernels, characterization of milk proteins, and the study of VDAC (Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel) proteins. Notably, her work has helped clarify the molecular underpinnings of allergenicity in milk and advanced the understanding of disulfide bonding and post-translational modifications in mitochondrial proteins. Prof. Saletti has participated in numerous national and European research projects, including the Italian Human ProteomeNet (FIRB), SAMOTHRACE, and multiple PRIN projects (2006, 2022). She also contributes to international networks such as the European Network CHRX CT94-0425 and FAIR CT96-1170. Her industry collaborations include partnerships with SIFI SpA, Wyeth-Lederle, and Zoetis Manufacturing Italia. She is the author of over 100 publications indexed in Scopus, with 2,008 citations and an h-index of 29 (Scopus) and 2,650 citations with an h-index of 31 on Google Scholar. Prof. Saletti has also co-authored several book chapters on mass spectrometry and proteomics and holds editorial roles in journals like Foods and Current Clinical Pharmacology. Her international collaborations span renowned institutions such as the University of Mainz, Technical University of Denmark, and Rothamsted Research, UK. She is an active member of the Italian Chemical Society, Italian Proteomic Association, and European Proteomics Association. Prof. Saletti’s scientific rigor and contributions to analytical chemistry have made her a respected figure in proteomic research worldwide.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google scholar

Featured Publications

Pittalà, M. G. G., Cucina, A., Conti-Nibali, S., Cunsolo, V., Di Francesco, A., Saletti, R., & Reina, S. (2025). Structural characterization of intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds in voltage-dependent anion channel 3 (VDAC3) protein from Rattus norvegicus by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 1–16.

Di Francesco, A., Lanzoni, A., De Santis, M. A., Pittalà, M. G. G., Saletti, R., Cunsolo, V., & Righetti, P. G. (2025). In-depth shotgun proteomic characterization of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): A case study on the genotype Pascià grown using two water regimes. ACS Agricultural Science & Technology.

Pittalà, M. G. G., Reina, S., Cucina, A., Cunsolo, V., Guarino, F., Di Francesco, A., Saletti, R., & De Pinto, V. (2024). Intramolecular disulfide bridges in voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) protein from Rattus norvegicus revealed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 35(7), 1422–1433.

Di Francesco, A., De Santis, M. A., Lanzoni, A., Pittalà, M. G. G., Saletti, R., & Cunsolo, V. (2024). Mass spectrometry characterization of the SDS-PAGE protein profile of legumins and vicilins from chickpea seed. Foods, 13(6), 887.

Pittalà, M. G. G., Di Francesco, A., Cucina, A., Saletti, R., Zilberstein, G., Zilberstein, S., Cappellini, E., & Righetti, P. G. (2023). Count Dracula resurrected: Proteomic analysis of Vlad III the Impaler’s documents by EVA technology and mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry, 95(34), 12732–12744.

Punginelli, D., Catania, V., Vazzana, M., Mauro, M., Spinello, A., Barone, G., Cunsolo, V., Saletti, R., Di Francesco, A., Arizza, V., & Schillaci, D. (2022). A novel peptide with antifungal activity from red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Antibiotics, 11(12), 1792.

 

Mokgadi Mphahlele | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Mokgadi Mphahlele | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Tshwane University of Technology | South Africa

Dr. Mokgadi Precious Mphahlele is an emerging South African chemist specializing in natural product chemistry, drug discovery, and analytical techniques. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg, where her research focused on isolating and synthesizing bioactive compounds from traditional medicinal plants (Tabernaemontana contorta, Sclerocarya birrea, and Senna italica) for use against resistant bacterial and cancerous cells. Her MSc in Chemistry involved developing a sustained delivery system for Curcuma longa extracts using advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Dr. Mphahlele is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Tshwane University of Technology, conducting chemometric analysis and metabolomics on South African medicinal plants. She previously served as a Senior Laboratory Technician at the University of Johannesburg and a Quality Control Lab Assistant at Idwala Industrial Minerals. She has contributed to over ten peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, focusing on phytochemical profiling, structure elucidation, antibacterial and anticancer assays, and natural compound synthesis. Dr. Mphahlele has completed international programs such as the Lancaster University Career Writing Program, and training in Drug Discovery (UC San Diego) and Scientific Writing (Nature Masterclass). Her research interests lie in natural products chemistry, chromatographic method development, molecular networking, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies. She is an active member of the Golden Key Honour Society, a Black Women in Science 2024 Fellow, and a reviewer for Taylor & Francis. Dr. Mphahlele’s work bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific innovation, contributing to sustainable health solutions.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google scholar

Featured Publications

  • “Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Sugar from the Inner Bark of Sclerocarya birrea: Insights into Antibiotic and Anticancer Activity”

  • “Antimicrobial Activity of Triterpenoid and Steroidal Cinnamates from Vitellaria paradoxa”

  • “Crystal structure of Staudtienic acid, a diterpenoid from Staudtia kamerunensis Warb.(Myristicaceae)”

  • “Chemical profiling, bio-guided purification, and cytotoxic effect of two African spices: Hypodaphnis zenkeri Engl. Stapf (Lauraceae) and Staudtia kamerunensis warb (Myristicaceae) on human prostate cancer cell lines”

  • “Antibacterial activity and GC-MS profiling of DCM/MeOH extracts of Tabernaemontana contorta Stapf’s leaves, and stem bark from the central region of Cameroon”