Clarissa Clemente | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Clarissa Clemente | Agronomy | Best Researcher Award

University of Pisa | Italy

👨‍🎓 Profile

👩‍🔬 Dr. Clarissa Clemente: Agronomist & Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Clarissa Clemente is a dedicated agronomist and researcher with a strong academic and professional background in agronomy, plant science, and food production. Her primary focus is the agronomic and qualitative evaluation of emerging oilseed herbaceous crops, especially for climate change adaptation and bio-economy development.

📚 Education & Academic Background

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural, Environmental, and Food Sciences (2023) – University of Pisa
  • Master’s Degree in Plant and Microbial Biotechnology (110/110 cum laude, 2019)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Herbal Sciences (104/110, 2016)

🌱 Current Research & Projects

  • Postdoctoral Researcher (2024-ongoing)
    Research Project: “Agronomic and qualitative evaluation of emerging oilseed herbaceous crops for climate change adaptation and bio-economy development.” This research is based at the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Agro-Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Pisa.

  • Research Grant (Dec 2023 – Feb 2024)
    Research Project: “Agronomic and qualitative evaluation of innovative oilseed herbaceous crops.” Dr. Clemente conducted field trials in Tuscany on Camelina sativa to assess its growth, yield potential, and seed quality for farm-level feasibility.

🏆 Honors & Awards

  • Ph.D. with highest honors (cum laude) in Agricultural, Environmental, and Food Sciences (2024)
  • Winner of various research grants, including projects on agro-industrial waste valorization and alternative crops for sustainable agriculture.

🎓 Teaching & Academic Contributions

  • Subject Expert in Agronomy (2023-2026) – University of Pisa
  • Conducted seminars on green biotechnology and natural sweeteners (e.g., Stevia rebaudiana).
  • Led practical classes in agricultural ecology and agro-environmental science.

🌍 International Research Experience

  • CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia, Spain (2023)
    Developed advanced skills in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the bioactive compound analysis of Camelina sativa seeds.

🔬 Scientific Contributions

  • Dr. Clemente’s research includes work on sustainable poultry nutrition and bioactive compounds in Camelina, with a focus on tocopherols, polyphenols, and antioxidants.
  • Significant involvement in the PRIN 2017 ARGENTO project, improving camelina cultivation for sustainable agricultural systems and creating healthier food products.

💼 Professional Experience

  • Cultore della Materia (Subject Expert) – “Principles of Agronomy and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants”
  • Teaching Assistant & Researcher – DAFE, University of Pisa
  • Internships & Research Grants – Various positions in agronomy, seed analysis, and phytochemical research.

🌐 Research Interests

  • Alternative crops for sustainable agricultural systems, including bio-based products, medicinal plants, and natural sweeteners.
  • Developing sustainable agricultural practices and crop diversification to combat climate change impacts.

📊 Digital & Analytical Skills

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, statistical analysis software (e.g., Costat Cohort, GraphPad Prism, JMP), and basic R programming for multivariate data analysis.

📖  Top Noted Publications

Effect of environmental conditions on seed yield and metabolomic profile of camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) through on-farm multilocation trials 🌾🌍
    • Authors: Clarissa Clemente, Alessandro Rossi, Luciana G. Angelini, Rocio G. Villalba, Diego A. Moreno, Francisco A. Tomás-Barberán, Silvia Tavarini
    • Citation: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2025-03 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101814
Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Insights into the Shared Regulatory Network of Phenolic Compounds and Steviol Glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana 🌿🧬
    • Authors: Samuel Simoni, Alberto Vangelisti, Clarissa Clemente, Gabriele Usai, Marco Santin, Maria Ventimiglia, Flavia Mascagni, Lucia Natali, Luciana G. Angelini, Andrea Cavallini et al.
    • Citation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024-02-10 | DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042136
Effect of the dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa cake into quail diet on live performance, carcass traits, and meat quality 🐦🍴
    • Authors: Marco Cullere, Yazavinder Singh, Erika Pellattiero, Sara Berzuini, Incoronata Galasso, Clarissa Clemente, Antonella Dalle Zotte
    • Citation: Poultry Science, 2023-06 | DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102650
Spectral Response of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) to Different Nitrogen Fertilization Regimes under Mediterranean Conditions 🌿🌞
    • Authors: Clarissa Clemente, Leonardo Ercolini, Alessandro Rossi, Lara Foschi, Nicola Grossi, Luciana G. Angelini, Silvia Tavarini, Nicola Silvestri
    • Citation: Agronomy, 2023-05-31 | DOI: 10.3390/agronomy13061539
Valorization of an Old Variety of Triticum aestivum: A Study of Its Suitability for Breadmaking Focusing on Sensory and Nutritional Quality 🍞🌾
    • Authors: Alessandro Bianchi, Francesca Venturi, Angela Zinnai, Isabella Taglieri, Basma Najar, Monica Macaluso, Giorgio Merlani, Luciana Gabriella Angelini, Silvia Tavarini, Clarissa Clemente et al.
    • Citation: Foods, 2023-03-22 | DOI: 10.3390/foods12061351

Asmiro Abeje Fikadu | Food security | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Asmiro Abeje Fikadu | Food security | Best Researcher Award

Kyushu University, Japan

Author Profiles 📚

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Mr. Asmiro Abeje Fikadu’s academic journey began in Ethiopia, where he earned his foundational qualifications before advancing to a Ph.D. program in Agricultural and Resource Economics at Kyushu University in Japan. His early academic pursuits included teaching roles at Debre Tabor University, where he fostered a strong interest in agricultural economics, particularly focusing on agricultural commercialization and its relationship with climate change. His passion for applying econometric methods to agriculture and food security led him to work with international organizations like JICA, contributing to research on sustainable agriculture.

Professional Endeavors 💼

As a Ph.D. candidate at Kyushu University, Mr. Fikadu’s professional path blends rigorous research with impactful collaborations. His work with the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development has enabled him to explore critical areas such as smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, gender-based decision-making in agriculture, and the impact of climate-smart practices. In addition to his academic work, Mr. Fikadu served as an econometrics trainer at the Ararat Research Data Management and Analysis Training Center in Ethiopia, sharing his expertise in STATA software and econometric techniques with fellow researchers and professionals.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Mr. Fikadu’s research focuses on agricultural commercialization, climate change, and gender dynamics in farming communities. His major contributions include empirical studies on the impacts of horticulture commercialization and the role of women in agricultural decision-making. Through quasi-experimental studies, he evaluates the effects of these factors on smallholder farmers’ income and livelihood strategies in Ethiopia’s Oromia and Sidama regions. He is particularly interested in impact evaluation using econometrics, data analysis, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a specific focus on how climate-smart agricultural practices can improve food security in East Africa.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Mr. Fikadu’s work has gained significant recognition in the academic community. His research on horticulture commercialization and gender-based decision-making has been presented at major conferences such as the International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE2024) and the Japan Society for International Development (JASID). His studies, which bridge the gap between gender equity, agricultural economics, and climate adaptation, are contributing to policy discussions on sustainable farming practices. With a growing citation index (h-index: 7 on Google Scholar), his research continues to influence both academic and policy circles focused on improving agricultural productivity and resilience.

Academic Cites 📚

Mr. Fikadu’s work has led to a growing number of citations, showcasing its importance and relevance. With an h-index of 7 on Google Scholar, his research has made significant contributions to understanding the socio-economic dynamics within farming communities. The practical implications of his work on climate-smart agriculture, gender decision-making, and smallholder income growth are being cited in academic journals and used to inform policy decisions in East Africa and beyond.

Technical Skills 🛠️

Mr. Fikadu possesses advanced technical skills in data management and econometrics, making him highly proficient in using statistical tools such as STATA, R, and Python for data analysis. He has expertise in designing and managing field survey data collection, utilizing Survey Solutions software for both tablet and smartphone-based data collection. In addition, Mr. Fikadu is skilled in using ArcGIS for mapping and geographic data analysis. His proficiency with these tools allows him to conduct sophisticated analyses of agricultural commercialization, climate change, and gender-based economic activities.

Teaching Experience 🍎

Throughout his academic career, Mr. Fikadu has gained valuable teaching experience. He served as a lecturer at Debre Tabor University in Ethiopia, where he taught agricultural economics and related subjects. Additionally, his role as an econometrics trainer at the Ararat Research Data Management and Analysis Training Center provided him with the opportunity to teach data analysis techniques using STATA, empowering students and researchers with the skills needed for high-quality impact evaluation in agricultural research.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Mr. Fikadu is positioned to make lasting contributions to the field of agricultural economics, especially in the areas of climate change adaptation, gender dynamics in agriculture, and the economic transformation of smallholder farmers. As he progresses in his Ph.D. research, his work on evaluating the effectiveness of climate-smart practices and gender-sensitive policies will continue to influence agricultural policies and practices in East Africa. His future research aims to refine methodologies for impact evaluation, contribute to sustainable agricultural development, and provide insights into improving farmers’ welfare in regions affected by climate change.

Top Noted Publications 📖

Technical efficiency of teff farms in Ethiopia: Do neighborhood effects matter? A copula stochastic frontier and spatial Durbin regression
    • Authors: Fikadu, A.A.; Gebre, G.G.
    • Journal: Heliyon
    • Year: 2024
 Analysis of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (“SHEP”) Intervention on Income and Food Security in Ethiopia
    • Authors: Asmiro Abeje Fikadu
    • Journal: JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (Working paper)
    • Year: 2024
Farmers’ use of climate change adaptation strategies and their impacts on food security in Kenya
    • Authors: Girma Gezimu Gebre; Yuichiro Amekawa; Asmiro Abeje Fikadu; Dil Bahadur Rahut
    • Journal: Climate Risk Management
    • Year: 2023
 Food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice among male and female food handlers: Evidence from fruit and vegetable producers in Ethiopia
    • Authors: Girma Gezmu Gebre; Tibebu Legesse; Asmiro Abeje Fikadu
    • Journal: Heliyon
    • Year: 2023
Do climate change adaptation strategies improve farmers’ food security in Tanzania?
    • Authors: Girma Gezmu Gebre; Yuichiro Amekawa; Asmiro Abeje Fikadu; Dil Bahadur Rahut
    • Journal: Food Security
    • Year: 2023