Obaid Ullah Shah | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Academic Researcher Award

Best Academic Researcher Award

Obaid Ullah Shah
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Obaid Ullah Shah
Affiliation Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Country China
Scopus ID 58627357300
Documents 9
Citations 76
h-index 5
Subject area Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Event Global Innovation Technologist Awards

Obaid Ullah Shah is a researcher affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, whose documented scholarly work includes research in agricultural and biological sciences. His publication, “Identification and expression profiling of the GRAS gene family reveals candidate genes for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in lentil,” addresses plant molecular biology and the investigation of genetic factors associated with environmental stress responses. His profile provides a basis for examining publication activity, citation indicators and the potential scientific relevance of his research. The available bibliographic information identifies the article as published in BMC Plant Biology in 2026. [1]

Abstract

This article presents a scholarly profile of Obaid Ullah Shah and discusses the relevance of his reported research in agricultural and biological sciences. His identified publication investigates the GRAS gene family and candidate genes potentially associated with abiotic stress tolerance in lentil. Such research is relevant to understanding plant development and responses to environmental conditions. The supplied Scopus metrics record nine documents, 76 citations and an h-index of five. These indicators describe selected aspects of scholarly output and citation activity; they do not independently establish research quality or award eligibility. [1]

Keywords

Obaid Ullah Shah; agricultural sciences; biological sciences; GRAS gene family; lentil; abiotic stress tolerance; plant molecular biology; research impact; academic recognition.

Introduction

Plant responses to drought, salinity, temperature variation and other environmental stresses are important subjects in agricultural research. Understanding the genetic mechanisms associated with these responses can support further investigation into crop resilience and productivity. Research examining gene families and their expression patterns contributes to identifying candidate genes for subsequent functional studies. Shah’s identified publication addresses this scientific area through an investigation of GRAS genes in lentil. [1]

Research Profile

The supplied profile associates Shah with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and classifies his subject area as Agricultural and Biological Sciences. The available bibliometric summary lists nine documents, 76 citations and an h-index of five. These values should be interpreted in the context of the database, author identification and date of retrieval. An ORCID identifier was not supplied and therefore cannot be independently matched to the researcher using the provided information.

Research Contributions

The identified study focuses on GRAS transcription factor genes and their expression profiles in lentil. Investigating these genes can help researchers formulate hypotheses about plant growth, development and responses to abiotic stress. Candidate genes identified through profiling require further experimental validation before their functions or practical applications can be established. The article’s stated research focus is therefore relevant to molecular approaches in crop improvement, without implying that specific agricultural outcomes have already been demonstrated. [1]

Publications

The supplied bibliographic record identifies the following publication:

  • Identification and expression profiling of the GRAS gene family reveals candidate genes for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in lentil. Fawad Ali, Yiren Zhao, Obaid Ullah Shah and colleagues, including Li Liao and Zhiyong Wang. BMC Plant Biology, 2026. [1]

Research Impact

The reported 76 citations indicate that the indexed documents have received scholarly attention, while the h-index of five reflects a combination of publication and citation activity. Citation counts vary across databases and change over time. A balanced assessment should also consider methodological rigor, authorship contributions, reproducibility, research collaboration and the relevance of findings to agricultural challenges. [2]

Award Suitability

The research topic and supplied bibliometric indicators provide relevant information for consideration under the Best Academic Researcher Award associated with the Global Innovation Technologist Awards. A comprehensive assessment should verify the publication record, the researcher’s contribution to the cited work and the accuracy of the metrics. This profile does not represent confirmation that an award has been granted or that an independent selection committee has completed its evaluation.

Conclusion

Obaid Ullah Shah’s identified publication addresses a relevant question in plant molecular biology: the investigation of GRAS genes as candidates for understanding abiotic stress tolerance in lentil. His reported bibliometric indicators provide a concise overview of scholarly activity. Verification of the underlying records and consideration of research quality, originality and contribution remain important for a fair academic recognition process.

References

  1. Ali, F., Zhao, Y., Shah, O. U., et al. (2026). Identification and expression profiling of the GRAS gene family reveals candidate genes for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in lentil. BMC Plant Biology.
  2. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Obaid Ullah Shah, Author ID 58627357300. Scopus. Author-level bibliometric indicators should be interpreted alongside publication context and database coverage.
    https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58627357300
  3. BMC Plant Biology. (n.d.). Journal website and published research articles. Springer Nature.
  4. Global Innovation Technologist Awards. (n.d.). Official awards website. Award information and eligibility details should be checked against the official event website.
    innovationtechnologist.com

Nicholas Outa | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Nicholas Outa | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

PhD student at Maseno University, Kenya

Mr. Nicholas Outa is a Kenyan doctoral candidate in Fisheries and Aquaculture at Maseno University with extensive academic training and hands-on experience in aquatic ecosystems, aquaculture systems, and fisheries management. He has made significant contributions to smallholder aquaculture development in Kenya through teaching, research, mentorship, and consultancy. His professional ethos is grounded in conceptual thinking, effective communication, results orientation, integrity, and leadership.

Publication Profile 

Orcid

Educational Background 

  • PhD in Fisheries and Aquaculture – Maseno University, Kenya (2021 – Present)
    Research Focus: Nutrient Film Technology (NFT) aquaponic systems for enhancing nutrient and water-use efficiency.

  • MSc. in Limnology and Wetland Management – UNESCO-IHE Delft, BOKU Vienna & Egerton University (2012 – 2014)
    Thesis: Biological aspects of Nile Tilapia in Lake Naivasha, Kenya.

  • BSc. in Applied Aquatic Science – Egerton University, Nakuru (2006 – 2010)
    Graduated with: Second-Class Honors Upper Division.

  • KCSE – Kisumu Boys High School (2001 – 2004) – B+

  • KCPE – Wang’bith Primary School (1993 – 2000) – 534/700 marks

Professional Experience 

  • Part-Time Lecturer, Maseno University (2016 – Present)
    Teaching, mentoring, and coordinating research in Fisheries and Aquaculture.

  • Part-Time Lecturer, Kisii University (2018 – 2020)
    Teaching and research in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

  • Head of Research & Mentorship, Centre for Research and Technology Development (2016 – 2020)
    Proposal development, intern supervision, thematic area coordination.

  • Research Fellow, RESTECH, Kisumu (2014 – 2017)
    Research on fish ecology and aquaculture systems; trained in Japan on live feed and otolith analysis.

  • Research Assistant, VIRED International (2010 – 2012)
    Data collection on water quality, plant diversity, and fish ecology in wetlands.

Research Interests 

  • Sustainable aquaculture and aquaponic systems

  • Lake and wetland ecosystem ecology

  • Fish nutrition and feeding ecology

  • Climate-smart agriculture and aquatic food systems

  • Multitrophic aquaculture systems (FIMTA)

  • Aquaculture value chain and blue economy development

  • Impacts of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems

Awards and Honors 

  • Research Capacity Advisor, TCC-Africa (2019 – Present)
    Trained over 1000 researchers in scientific writing and publishing.

  • Academic Editor, PLOS One (2021 – Present)
    Reviewer and editorial handler for scientific manuscripts.

  • Head of Submissions Moderation, AfricArXiv (2021 – Present)
    Moderated and boosted repository submissions fivefold.

  • Trainer, Open Peer Reviewers in Africa Project (2022 – Present)
    Training early-career researchers on peer review and open science.

  • Mentor, Eider Africa (2021 – Present)
    Mentoring over 200 Master’s and PhD students.

  • Peer Reviewer for various international scientific journals (2017 – Present)

Conclusion 

Mr. Nicholas Outa exemplifies a balanced blend of research, teaching, and community impact in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. His academic foundation, coupled with his leadership in project coordination, capacity building, and scientific publishing, underscores his strong candidacy for awards recognizing research excellence and societal contribution. His ongoing doctoral research, extensive publication record, and involvement in multiple development-oriented projects make him a valuable contributor to sustainable aquaculture and aquatic sciences in Africa.

Publications 

  1. Outa, N., Ogello, E., & K’Otuto, G. (2025, August). Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Aquaponics Enhances the Productivity of Fish and Crops: Trials on Nile Tilapia, African Catfish, Lettuce, Spinach and Basil. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.70089


  2. Outa, N., Owango, J., & Mulaku, N. (2025, March 12). Using Open Access Research Solutions to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.1810c645


  3. Owango, J., Outa, N., Back, O., & Mulaku, N. (2025, February 18). Using Open Access Research Solutions to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.cd237dfe


  4. Zeni, K., ebenezar, nick, & Outa, N. (2025, February 10). UoN Workshop. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.eb0a2a08


  5. Owango, J., Outa, N., Warren-Jones, E., & Mulaku, N. (2025, January 29). Using Open Access Research Solutions to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.02b2bb4d


  6. Owango, J., Outa, N., & Back, O. (2025, January 24). Using Open Access Research Solutions to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.ad8f5f2b


  7. Keyombe, J. L., Obiero, K., Waithaka, E., Outa, N., Donde, O., & Kyule, D. (2024, December 21). Understanding selected growth aspects in Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zilli (Gervais) and Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède) in Lake Naivasha, Kenya; Fisheries Management Perspective. Pan Africa Science Journal. https://doi.org/10.47787/pasj.2020.02.21


  8. Ogello, E., Muthoka, M., & Outa, N. (2024, December 5). Exploring Regenerative Aquaculture Initiatives for Climate-Resilient Food Production: Harnessing Synergies Between Technology and Agroecology. Aquaculture Journal. https://doi.org/10.3390/aquacj4040024


  9. Outa, N., Ogello, E., & Wambui, C. (2024, August 11). Exploring the Potential of Aquaponics Systems in Advancing Food Security in Kenya: A Scoping Review. Journal of Food Security, 12(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.12691/jfs-12-3-3


  10. Muthoka, M., Ouko, K. O., Mboya, J. B., Ndambuki, M. N., Outa, N., Ogello, E., Obiero, K., Ogola, R. J., Midamba, D. C., & Njogu, L. (2024, June). Socio‐economic impacts of climate change and adaptation actions among smallholder fish farmers in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.182


  11. Owango, J., Outa, N., Warren-Jones, E., & De Souza, W. (2024, June 26). Using Open Access AI to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.c15487a1


  12. Owango, J., Outa, N., De Souza, W., Warren-Jones, E., & Back, O. (2024, June 3). Using Open Access AI to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Lesotho Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.d9cef021


  13. Owango, J., De Souza, W., Warren-Jones, E., & Outa, N. (2024, May 13). Using Open Access AI to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Zambia Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.0d0d4e63


  14. Owango, J., Outa, N., Warren-Jones, E., & De Souza, W. (2024, May 6). Using Open Access AI to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for the Somalia Academic Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.330cb393


  15. Owango, J., De Souza, W., Warren-Jones, E., & Outa, N. (2024, April 18). Using Open Access AI to Improve the Academic Lifecycle for Eduardo Mondlane University Community. TCC Africa. https://doi.org/10.21428/359fb1d2.deef5f0c