Guodong Zheng | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guodong Zheng | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guodong Zheng | Aquaculture | Professor at Shanghai Ocean University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guodong Zheng is a highly respected researcher in aquaculture genetics and fish physiology, working at the Genetics and Breeding Center for Blunt Snout Bream within Shanghai Ocean University, China. He earned his Ph.D. in aquatic sciences (genetics and breeding) and has since built a strong professional career pioneering research in hypoxia tolerance, genetic marker development, and cellular mechanisms of environmental stress in fish. Professionally, he leads international collaborative projects, notably on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in fish, transcriptomics under hypoxic stress, and selective breeding of hypoxia-tolerant fish strains. His research interests include molecular adaptation to stress, apoptosis pathways, gill remodeling, gene regulation of hypoxia-responsive factors, and sustainable aquaculture breeding. He possesses advanced research skills: high-throughput RNA sequencing, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, primary cell culture (especially gill cell lines), SNP marker mining, and physiological assays (oxidative stress, apoptosis). Among his awards and honors, Dr. Zheng has been recognized for his contributions to aquatic genetic resources, has received research grants for international projects, and serves as guest editor in international journals such as Animals. In addition, he is a valued member of academic societies and regularly supervises Ph.D. students, contributing to capacity building in aquaculture research. In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guodong Zheng’s pioneering work in combining molecular genetics with physiology under environmentally relevant stress demonstrates not only his deep expertise but also his visionary approach to making aquaculture more resilient and sustainable, positioning him as a leading scientist with strong future potential for innovation and global impact.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications:

Zheng, G., et al. (2026). Triploid induction by hydrostatic pressure in female Megalobrama amblycephala × male Culter alburnus hybrids: Effects on somatic growth enhancement and sterility. Aquaculture.

Zheng, G., et al. (2026). Synergistic effects of hypoxia and Aeromonas hydrophila infection on immune function in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Aquaculture.

Zheng, G., et al. (2025). Bim gene regulation in hypoxic stress response of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala): Mechanisms of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and transcriptional control by c-Ets-2. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology.

Zheng, G., et al. (2025). Identification of KASP-SNP markers correlated with both growth and hypoxia tolerance traits in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Aquaculture.

Zheng, G., et al. (2025). Knockout of the fih gene by CRISPR/Cas9 enhances the hypoxia tolerance in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Aquaculture.

 

 

Prof. Bahram Falahatkar | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Bahram Falahatkar | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Bahram Falahatkar | Aquaculture – Researcher at University of Guilan, Iran

Professor Bahram Falahatkar is an accomplished academic and a leading authority in the field of aquaculture and fisheries sciences, with a particular emphasis on sturgeon biology, fish physiology, and broodstock management. With over two decades of dedicated research, teaching, and academic service, he has significantly advanced both theoretical and applied dimensions of fish nutrition, reproductive physiology, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Currently serving as a full Professor at the Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Iran, he also holds an invited professorship at the University of Kurdistan, reflecting his recognized expertise and regional leadership in the field. His scholarly contributions and editorial roles underscore his influential presence in the international aquaculture research community.

Profile:

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education:

Professor Falahatkar earned both his MSc (1998) and PhD (2005) from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, specializing in fisheries and aquaculture. His doctoral thesis, focusing on the effects of dietary vitamin C on the hematological and biochemical indices of great sturgeon (Huso huso), laid the groundwork for his future research on fish physiological responses to nutritional and environmental stressors. His foundational academic training in one of Iran’s premier institutions equipped him with rigorous scientific knowledge and methodology, which he has since expanded upon through global research collaborations.

Experience:

In terms of professional experience, Professor Falahatkar has built an extensive career that spans several international and national institutions. He began his academic journey in 1999 at the Institute of Technical & Vocational Higher Education. He further enriched his international profile through visiting scholar positions at the Ohio State University in the United States, the University of Ehime and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology in Japan, and the University of Lorraine in France. These global engagements have enabled him to contribute to research on germ cell transplantation, zebrafish domestication, and aquaculture systems across continents. His progression from Assistant to Full Professor at the University of Guilan, alongside his editorial and peer-review contributions, demonstrates his leadership and continuous commitment to academic excellence.

Research Interests:

His core research interests revolve around fish physiology, particularly stress responses to aquacultural practices, nutritional requirements of aquatics, hematological biomarkers, and sturgeon propagation. He is particularly known for his innovative work on the rearing and breeding of sturgeon species, as well as his studies on fish broodstock quality and hormonal induction techniques. His research has practical implications for aquaculture sustainability, species conservation, and improving production performance in aquatic farming systems. These interests align strongly with global priorities in food security, biodiversity conservation, and blue economy innovation.

Awards:

Professor Falahatkar’s achievements have been formally recognized through several national honors, including being named Iran’s Best Student in 2004, Best Researcher in 2018, and Best Teacher the same year. These awards reflect his dual excellence in scientific innovation and pedagogical effectiveness, making him a role model in Iranian academia.

Publications:

He has authored and co-authored hundreds of publications, but several stand out for their relevance and scholarly impact:

  • 🌱 Falahatkar et al. (2025) – “Domestication may affect spawning performance of F1 pikeperch” in Aquaculture Reports – cited in early studies on reproductive behavior.
  • 🧬 Abdollahpour et al. (2025) – Hormonal dynamics in zebrafish, published in Animal Reproduction Science.
  • 🐟 Akbari Nargesi et al. (2025) – Spermiation in common bream, in Aquaculture.
  • 📊 Lavajoo Bolgouri et al. (2024) – Gene expression in pikeperch growth, in Animals.
  • 🧪 Pourhosein-Sarameh & Falahatkar (2024) – Bibliometric analysis on sturgeon conservation, in Aquaculture Research.
  • 🔬 Abdollahpour et al. (2024) – Gender-based hormonal responses in zebrafish, cited in endocrine studies.
  • 🌊 Falahatkar (2024) – Commentary on ship sturgeon extinction, published in Science, calling for urgent conservation action.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Professor Bahram Falahatkar exemplifies the qualities befitting a recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His career reflects a remarkable blend of pioneering research, academic mentorship, international collaboration, and sustained contributions to aquatic sciences. With an interdisciplinary portfolio that integrates physiology, genetics, nutrition, and conservation, he stands as a pillar of excellence in the global aquaculture community. His ability to translate scientific inquiry into practical, policy-relevant outcomes underscores his significance in both academic and applied research contexts. Recognizing his work through this award would not only honor his individual achievements but also elevate the broader mission of sustainable aquatic resource management.