Juan Francisco López Rubio | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Awards

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio | Agricultural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio, Castilla La Mancha University. E.T.S. INGENIERÍA AGRONÓMICA Y DE
MONTES Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA. Dpto. Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y
Genética, Spain

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio (b. July 9, 1980, Spain) is a regenerative agriculture expert, researcher, and international educator. He is currently pursuing a PhD in biofertilisers at Castilla La Mancha University and holds a Master’s in Ecosystem Restoration 🌍. With decades of hands-on experience across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, he has led projects on soil health, organic farming, and ecosystem design 🌾. He has authored books and scientific publications on bioinputs and agroecology 📘. Juan collaborates with global institutions like SEO/BirdLife and FIRE, promoting sustainable agriculture through teaching, consulting, and field research

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Academic Training

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio is currently pursuing his PhD (2023–present) at Castilla La Mancha University, focusing on the preparation of biofertilisers and their impact on vine and grape quality 🍇🔬. He holds a Master’s degree (2020–2022) in Ecosystem Restoration from a consortium of top Spanish universities including Alcalá de Henares, Rey Juan Carlos, Politécnica, and Complutense 🌿🏞️. His academic journey began with a Technical Agricultural Engineering degree (1998–2009) from Castilla La Mancha University, specializing in Agricultural Exploitation 🚜🌱. This strong academic foundation supports his impactful work in regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management globally

💼 Professional Experience

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio brings extensive experience in regenerative agriculture and land restoration 🌾🌍. Since 2022, he has served as a technical coordinator for the “Secanos Vivos” project with SEO/BirdLife 🐦. He is also a freelance researcher and advisor with the International Foundation for Ecosystem Restoration (FIRE) 🔬. Since 2017, he has taught and advised globally on soil health, bioinputs, and sustainable farming across four continents 🌱🌎. His past roles include Research Programme Manager and Organic Farm Manager in England, as well as positions in topography, gardening, and farm maintenance in Spain

🔬 Research Focus

Mr. Juan Francisco López Rubio’s research primarily focuses on regenerative agriculture, soil ecology, and biofertiliser development 🌱🧪. His academic work includes evaluating ecological soil integrity in olive groves under contrasting agricultural practices 🌿🫒 and producing liquid fertilisers through anaerobic fermentation to enhance plant and soil health 💧🧫. His studies merge sustainability, microbiology, and organic farming to promote soil restoration and productivity 🍇🌾. By integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with modern scientific techniques, he aims to support resilient ecosystems and climate-smart agriculture worldwide 🌍♻️. His work is impactful in both academic and practical regenerative farming contexts

Publication Top Notes

📄 “Evaluación de la integridad ecológica del suelo en olivares con prácticas agrícolas contrastadas” – JF López Rubio | 📅 2022 | 🔁 Cited by: 1

📄 “Preparation and Characterization of Liquid Fertilizers Produced by Anaerobic Fermentation” – JF López-Rubio et al. | 📅 2025

Lydia Mhoro | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Awards

Ms. Lydia Mhoro | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Assistant lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Dr. Lydia Mhoro is an Assistant Lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, specializing in soil fertility management and sustainable land use. She holds a BSc in Agronomy (2009) and an MSc in Soil Science (2012) from Sokoine University. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has guided undergraduate courses in soil physics and conservation. Her PhD research focuses on optimizing soil fertility in maize-based systems on Mt. Kilimanjaro. A member of key scientific societies, she has authored multiple journal articles on soil health and agronomy.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Academic Qualifications

Ms. Lydia Mhoro has a strong academic background in agriculture and soil science. She completed her Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEE) in 2003 at Songea Girls Secondary School, followed by her Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSEE) in 2006 at Loleza Girls Secondary School. She then pursued a BSc in Agronomy (2009) at Sokoine University of Agriculture, where she later obtained her MSc in Soil Science and Land Management (2012). Her education has provided a solid foundation for her teaching and research in soil fertility, land management, and sustainable agriculture. 🌍🌾

📚 Employment Record

Ms. Lydia Mhoro has been actively involved in teaching and research at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) for over a decade. She began her academic career as a Tutorial Assistant (2010-2014), where she contributed to undergraduate education and research support. In 2014, she was promoted to Assistant Lecturer, a position she continues to hold, specializing in soil science, land management, and agronomy. Her role includes teaching, supervising student research, and participating in scientific projects that aim to improve soil fertility and sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania. 🌱📖

🌿 Previous Employment

Before joining academia, Ms. Lydia Mhoro gained practical experience in agriculture and land management as a Herbicide Manager (Trainee) at Kagera Sugar Limited from June to December 2009. In this role, she was responsible for implementing weed control strategies, evaluating herbicide effectiveness, and ensuring sustainable sugarcane production. Her work contributed to improving soil health and crop productivity through efficient herbicide application. This hands-on experience in commercial agriculture provided her with valuable insights into soil fertility management, which later became a key focus of her academic and research career. 🌱🚜

📚Work Experience: Teaching & Research

Ms. Lydia Mhoro has been an educator and researcher for over 10 years, specializing in soil science and land management. She has taught several undergraduate courses, including Soil Physics (SS 102), Fundamentals of Soil Science (SS 201), Management of Drylands (SS 2017), and Soil Water Management & Conservation (SS 310). Her research contributions include being an active member of the VLIR-UOS project at Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (2020-2024) under her PhD program. Through her work, she continues to advance knowledge in soil conservation, sustainable agriculture, and land management. 🌱

🌱 Research Focus

Ms. Lydia Mhoro specializes in soil science, land management, and sustainable agriculture. Her research covers soil morphology, classification, fertility, and nutrient management in Tanzania. She has contributed significantly to soil-plant interactions, pedology, and crop response to fertilizers, particularly in volcanic and dryland soils. Her work also explores smallholder farming systems, nutrient cycling, and socio-economic impacts on soil fertility. She collaborates on projects related to green harvesting technology, sustainable land use, and agricultural chemistry. Her expertise is crucial for improving soil health, enhancing crop productivity, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. 🌾🌍

Publication Top Notes

🌍 Morphology, genesis, physico-chemical properties, classification and potential of soils derived from volcanic parent materials in selected Districts of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Cited by: 31
Year: 2016

🌱 Pedological characterization of typical soils of Dodoma Capital City District, Tanzania: soil morphology, physico-chemical properties, classification and soil fertility trends
Cited by: 23
Year: 2018

🌿 Potential of soil fertility management to improve essential mineral nutrient concentrations in vegetables in Dodoma and Kilombero, Tanzania
Cited by: 10
Year: 2017

🌾 Growth and yield responses of rice, wheat, and beans to Zn and Cu fertilizers in soils of Mbeya region, Tanzania
Cited by: 9
Year: 2015

🌍 Pedological characteristics and implication on soil fertility of selected soils of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Cited by: 6
Year: 2012

🌱 Influence of farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review
Cited by: 3
Year: 2023

🍃 Feasibility study of green harvest technology in sugarcane farming in Tanzania, under the accompanying measures sugar protocol (2011–13)
Cited by: 3
Year: 2017

🌿 Evaluation of the soil fertility status in relation to crop nutritive quality in the selected physiographic units of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Cited by: 3
Year: 2010

🌾 Effect of soil copper accumulation on proliferation and survival of rhizobia
Cited by: 1
Year: 2010

🍃 Farming systems and soil fertility management practices in smallholdings on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Year: 2024

Conclusion 🏆

Ms. Lydia Mhoro exhibits strong academic credentials, impactful research, teaching excellence, and industry engagement. Given her extensive publications, ongoing PhD research, and contributions to sustainable agriculture, she is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award in the field of Agriculture and Soil Science. 🌿👏