Hector Montes | Precision Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Hector Montes | Precision Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Professor and Researcher | Universidad politecnica de madrid  | Spain

Dr. Héctor Montes is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in robotics, automation, and intelligent control systems, with extensive experience in the design, development, and implementation of advanced technologies applied to real-world challenges. His research career began with developing automatic control systems for walking robots, later expanding to intelligent robotic systems and specialized drives for precision agriculture aimed at improving productivity and sustainability. He has led and participated in 32 research and development projects, including seven as Principal Investigator, securing over €567,900 and USD 384,550 in funding. His prolific output includes 17 peer-reviewed journal articles with an h-index of 16, 82 conference papers, two patents, two trademarks, and several edited books and book chapters. Dr. Montes has supervised multiple doctoral and master’s theses across leading universities, including the Complutense University of Madrid, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and the Technological University of Panama. He has also played an instrumental role in creating and managing research groups such as the Artificial Perception Group at CSIC and the ARIeS Group at the Technological University of Panama. His professional journey includes over 13 years at the Spanish National Research Council and significant contributions to national and international research collaborations. Dr. Montes’s work exemplifies the integration of scientific innovation and practical application, focusing on robotics for societal benefit—from agricultural automation to assistive technologies for people with disabilities—cementing his reputation as a distinguished and influential figure in contemporary research and technological advancement.

Profile:  Scopus  |  ORCID  |  Google Scholar  |  Research Gate  |  Staff Page

Featured Publications

  • Fernández, R., Montes, H., Surdilovic, J., & Surdilovic, D. (2018). Automatic detection of field-grown cucumbers for robotic harvesting. IEEE Access, 6, 35512–35527.

  • Armada, M., Prieto, M., Akinfiev, T., Fernández, R., & Montes Franceschi, H. (2005). On the design and development of climbing and walking robots for the maritime industries. Journal of Maritime Research, 9–32.

  • Fernández, R., Salinas, C., Montes, H., & Sarria, J. (2014). Multisensory system for fruit harvesting robots: Experimental testing in natural scenarios and with different kinds of crops. Sensors, 14(12), 23885–23904.

  • Fernández, R., Montes, H., Salinas, C., Sarria, J., & Armada, M. (2013). Combination of RGB and multispectral imagery for discrimination of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine elements. Sensors, 13(6), 7838–7859.

  • Sáez, Y., Muñoz, J., Canto, F., García, A., & Montes, H. (2019). Assisting visually impaired people in the public transport system through RF-communication and embedded systems. Sensors, 19(6), 1282

Suresh R Jambagi | Agricultural Entomology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Suresh R Jambagi | Agricultural Entomology | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate at National Bureau Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru, India

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in Agricultural Entomology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. With an outstanding academic record, he earned a Gold Medal during his M.Sc. at UAS Dharwad and secured the top rank in the Karnataka Ph.D. entrance examination. His research focuses on Bt resistance management in pink bollworm, addressing critical challenges in pest control. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and received the Young Researcher Award (2020). Actively involved in conferences, training, and academic outreach, he contributes significantly to sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management through his innovative research efforts.

📝Professional Profile

Orcid

Scopus

🎓Academic Background

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi has demonstrated a strong academic foundation throughout his educational journey. He completed his SSLC in 2012 with 77.60% and his PUC in 2014 with 83.16%. He earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Bheemarayanagudi (UAS, Raichur) with an impressive 87.80% (GPA 8.78). He further excelled in his M.Sc. (Agri) in Agricultural Entomology from UAS, Dharwad, graduating with a Gold Medal and a GPA of 9.41. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, focusing on resistance management in pink bollworm.

💼Professional Experience

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi has developed a well-rounded professional background through academic, research, and field-based activities. He has actively participated in the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program, gaining firsthand exposure to agricultural practices at the grassroots level. As part of his academic training, he was involved in the National Service Scheme (NSS), contributing to community engagement and agricultural awareness. His experiential learning in crop protection enhanced his practical understanding of pest management strategies. He has also served as a reviewer for the InSc International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, reflecting his growing role in academic peer review.

🏅Awards and Honors

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi has received several prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his academic and research excellence. He was awarded the University Gold Medal for securing first rank in M.Sc. Agricultural Entomology at UAS Dharwad. In 2020, he received the Young Researcher Award from the Institute of Scholars (InSc), Bangalore. He also earned the Best Article Award from Agriculture Letters for his work on entomopathogens in pest management. Additionally, he secured second prize in a poster presentation at an international conference organized by TNAU, Coimbatore, highlighting his active engagement and recognition at national and international forums.

🔬Research Focus

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi’s research is centered on sustainable pest management and insect resistance mechanisms in major agricultural crops. His M.Sc. work focused on the status and management of shoot fly in wheat, addressing a key pest issue in cereal production. Currently, his Ph.D. research at UAS, GKVK, Bangalore involves Bt resistance management in pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), aiming to develop strategies for delaying resistance through introgression of recessive genes. His research contributes to integrated pest management, resistance mitigation, and improved crop protection practices, supporting long-term agricultural sustainability and reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.

✍️Publication Top Notes

Biological performance of Bollgard II® Bt-resistant vs susceptible population of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) on non-toxic diet
📅 Year: 2024 |  Journal of Cotton Research

Resistance to fenazaquin in broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks): Realized heritability, risk assessment and cross‐resistance
📅 Year: 2024 |  Journal of Applied Entomology

Insecticide compatibility with abundance and diversity of predatory fauna in wheat (Triticum aestivum) ecosystem
📅 Year: 2023 | International Journal of Tropical Insect Science

Novel insecticides for the management of shoot fly, Atherigona approximata Malloch (Diptera: Muscidae): an emerging pest of wheat in India
📅 Year: 2023 | International Journal of Tropical Insect Science

Diversity and Abundance of Insect Pollinator Fauna in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) in North Karnataka
📅 Year: 2022 | Indian Journal of Ecology

🔍Conclusion

Mr. Suresh Ramakrishna Jambagi is an exceptionally promising early-career researcher whose academic excellence, impactful research, and national-level recognitions make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a Gold Medal in M.Sc. Agricultural Entomology and first rank in the Ph.D. entrance examination in Karnataka, he has demonstrated outstanding scholarly merit. His ongoing Ph.D. research on Bt resistance management in pink bollworm addresses a critical agricultural challenge with practical implications. He has published five peer-reviewed articles in reputed journals and received accolades including the Young Researcher Award and Best Article Award. His active participation in conferences, reviewer role, academic training, and interdisciplinary learning reflect a strong commitment to scientific advancement and sustainable pest management, positioning him as a deserving nominee for this recognition.