Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tizita Endale Elcho  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Soil Science. She is a seasoned researcher specializing in the fields of land degradation, soil quality, and soil erosion, boasting over a decade of expertise in conducting thorough research, crafting insightful analyses, and publishing findings in reputable academic journals. Moreover, she brings more than six years of valuable experience in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and postgraduate students, guiding them through the complexities of their theses.

During her tenure from 2014 to 2017, she assumed the role of laboratory coordinator at the College of Agriculture Science, Arba Minch University. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, facilitating lecture demonstrations, and managing monitoring and evaluation processes.

Her proactive nature allows her to excel independently, showcasing a remarkable ability to stay motivated and meet deadlines even in demanding situations. With a practical mindset and a logical approach to problem-solving, she demonstrates a strong capability to perform efficiently, ensuring successful outcomes even under significant pressure.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a Doctor of Bioscience Engineering (PhD) degree from KU Leuven and Ghent University in Belgium, earned between 2018 and 2023. Her doctoral research focused on assessing the soil degradation status and processes of agricultural fields across an elevation gradient in the Southern Ethiopian Rift, culminating in her PhD thesis.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her Master of Science (MSc) in Soil Science at Haramaya University in Ethiopia from 2012 to 2014, graduating with a commendable CGPA of 3.64 out of 4.00. Her commitment to academic excellence was evident during her undergraduate years at Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Natural Resource Management from 2006 to 2008, graduating with distinction and achieving a CGPA of 3.46 out of 4.00.

Employment History

She served as a Soil and Water Conservation Expert at the Gamo Gofa Zone Agriculture and Rural Development Office in Arba Minch from 2008 to 2010. In this role, she played a crucial part in scheduling and conducting training sessions for local communities, particularly farmers, on the implementation of soil and water conservation practices. Additionally, she supervised developmental agents across various Kebeles within the Arba Minch district agriculture and rural development office, ensuring the effective dissemination of knowledge and practices. Her responsibilities extended to mobilizing communities to embrace innovative technologies such as water harvesting, watershed management, and integrated soil fertility management, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Lecturer and laboratory coordinator at the College of Agricultural Sciences, Arba Minch  University, Arba Minch (2014 – 2023)

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Conduct basic and applied research with several teams on soil-related issues.
  • Advise both undergraduate and postgraduate students on their final-year research.
  • Train developmental agents and natural resources management experts with the collaboration of Mercy Corps.
  • Lecture several courses such as Fundamental Soil Science, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Land Degradation and Rehabilitation, Integrated Watershed Management, Research Methodology, Biodiversity Conservation, and Environmental Impact Assessment.
  • Organize and facilitate research symposiums at the university level.
  • Coordinate all laboratory activities of the college.
  • Prepare laboratory guidelines for the relevant bodies of the colleges including departments.
  • Prepare activities and financial plans as well as reports for the college laboratory office.
  • Arranging laboratory equipment and supplies, guide and follow up technical assistance in laboratory activities.
📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Bojana Petrovic – Precision Agriculture – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Assoc Prof Dr. Bojana Petrovic  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Precision Agriculture. She has held positions at various institutions, contributing significantly to the field of precision agriculture. At the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, she served as an Assistant Professor from March 18, 2021, onwards. In this role, she engaged in precision agriculture research using the Python programming language, authored scientific papers, and conducted data analysis using Excel, statistics, and the R program. Additionally, she collaborated with international students, participated in livestock production projects, and delivered lectures to international student cohorts.

Prior to her appointment as Assistant Professor, she worked as a Researcher at the same institution from October 1, 2021, to March 18, 2022. Here, she continued her research in precision agriculture, focusing on Python programming and scientific paper writing, while also supporting international student activities and participating in relevant projects.

Previously, she held the position of Senior Process Engineer at Infosys, located in Brno-střed, from February 1, 2020, to September 31, 2021. In this capacity, she specialized in ServiceNow and ITSM customer service, demonstrating her versatility and expertise in the field of information technology.

 

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at the Faculty of Horticulture at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, in 2020. Prior to her doctoral studies, she attained a Master’s degree in Organic Agriculture from the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, Serbia, graduating in 2015. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the same institution, completing her undergraduate studies in 2012. Through her educational background, she has acquired a comprehensive understanding of agriculture, with a focus on organic farming practices and horticultural sciences.

She possesses proficiency in multiple languages, including Serbian/Croatian as her mother tongue, English at a B2 level for understanding, speaking, and writing, and Czech at a B2 level for understanding and speaking, with a B1 level for writing, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

In terms of programming languages, she demonstrates intermediate proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and JSON, enabling her to effectively analyze data and develop applications. Additionally, she has a basic understanding of Linux/Unix systems.

Her social skills are highlighted by her effective communication abilities, which she has honed through her experiences working in both global corporations and exchange offices. She excels in teamwork and has demonstrated adaptability in multicultural environments. Moreover, she holds a residence permit for work in the Czech Republic, further facilitating her professional endeavors in the region.

 

CONFERENCES🎓

She can provide references from esteemed professionals in the academic community. These include Prof. Dr. Kononets Yevhen from the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, reachable at kononets@jcu.cz. Additionally, she can provide a reference from Prof. Dr. Vesna Tunguz at the University in East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who can be contacted via vesna.tunguz@gmail.com. Another reference is available from Prof. Dr. Robert Pokluda at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, accessible at robert.pokluda@mendelu.cz. These references can attest to her academic qualifications, professional skills, and personal attributes.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬
            Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
           2024-03 | Journal article
           DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101048
           CONTRIBUTORS: Bojana Petrović; Roman Bumbálek; Tomáš Zoubek; Radim Kuneš; Luboš Smutný; Petr Bartoš
           Atmosphere
           2022-11 | Journal article | Author
           DOI: 10.3390/atmos13122006
           CONTRIBUTORS: Radim Kunes; Zbyněk Havelka; Pavel Olšan; Lubos Smutny; Martin Filip; Tomáš Zoubek; Roman              Bumbalek; Bojana Petrovic; Radim Stehlík; Petr Bartos
           Agronomy
           2020-12-09 | Journal article
           DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10121937
           CONTRIBUTORS: Bojana Petrovic; Agnieszka Sękara; Robert Pokluda