Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Mr. Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Lecurer | Bahir Dar University| Ethiopia

Melkamu Andargie is a dedicated scholar in plant pathology and plant disease management whose work reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and improving crop resilience through scientific innovation. With a research background rooted in rigorous academic training at Bahir Dar University, he has contributed to a diverse portfolio of studies spanning plant–microbe interactions, disease epidemiology, biocontrol strategies, and the broader ecological dimensions of agricultural health. His publications demonstrate a wide-ranging expertise, from exploring the ethnobiological importance of animals in traditional medicine to investigating physiological interventions such as gibberellic acid seed priming for enhancing germination and early growth under salinity stress. He has also collaborated extensively on multidisciplinary assessments of environmental contaminants, including heavy metal accumulation in aquatic ecosystems, reflecting his broader interest in agroecological safety and public health. In the field of crop protection, his reviews and field-based research provide critical insights into the occurrence, distribution, and management of major cereal diseases, particularly rice and finger millet pathologies that threaten food security in vulnerable regions. His recent work highlights the potential of microbial biocontrol agents in managing destructive fungal diseases, underscoring his commitment to eco-friendly, scalable solutions for smallholder farming communities. Through active collaboration with national and international researchers across plant sciences, crop protection, microbiology, and environmental studies, he has built a research profile that contributes meaningfully to global scientific discourse. His scholarship has gained steady recognition through citations and readership across respected journals, reflecting both academic impact and practical relevance. Overall, Melkamu Andargie’s research advances evidence-based, sustainable approaches to plant health, while supporting agricultural resilience, environmental stewardship, and improved livelihoods for farming communities. He has 114 citations from 8 documents with an h-index of 4.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus 

Publications

1. Kendie, F. A., Mekuriaw, S. A., & Dagnew, M. A. (2018). Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal appreciation of animals and their products among the indigenous people of Metema Woreda, North-Western Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.

2. Tsegay, B. A., & Andargie, M. (2018). Seed priming with Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) alleviates salinity induced inhibition of germination and seedling growth of Zea mays L. and Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum A. Braun. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology.

3. Kindie, M., Andargie, M., Hilluf, W., & Amare, M. (2020). Assessment on level of selected heavy metals in Nile tilapia and Barbus fish species and water samples from the southern parts of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Scientific African.

4. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Tesfaye, A., & Demis, E. (2024). Occurrence, distribution, and management experiences of rice (Oryza sativa L.) major diseases and pests in Ethiopia: A review. Cogent Food & Agriculture.

5. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Alemu, T., & Bekele, B. (2024). The potential of bacterial biocontrols in managing finger millet blast disease and promoting growth: A review. The Microbe.

Sulymon Saka | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sulymon Saka | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Resident doctor | Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital | Nigeria

Dr. Sulýmon Ayobami Saka is an emerging Nigerian physician-scientist whose research bridges clinical medicine, audiology, infectious disease epidemiology, and the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Trained at Ambrose Alli University with first-class honours equivalent in Medicine and Surgery, he has established a distinguished record of multidisciplinary research that spans global health, otolaryngology, and data-driven clinical innovation. His academic contributions include multiple peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as BMC Infectious Diseases, BMC Public Health, and the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, reflecting his commitment to evidence-based advancement in medicine. Dr. Saka’s research experience extends across several international collaborations, including the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Germany and Sleep & Cradle® Solutions in the United States, where he contributes to studies on Lassa fever vaccine development, digital maternal and paediatric health, and long-term sequelae of infectious diseases. His scientific works emphasize the intersection of technology and clinical care—exploring how artificial intelligence, digital health platforms, and precision diagnostics can improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income settings. Recognized with multiple awards, including the ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference Scholarship and the Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, Dr. Saka exemplifies a new generation of African medical researchers advancing global scientific dialogue. Through his leadership in research and mentorship, he continues to contribute to projects that not only enhance disease surveillance and clinical epidemiology but also foster equitable access to healthcare innovations. His work underscores a vision for a future where interdisciplinary science, cross-border collaboration, and artificial intelligence converge to transform patient care and strengthen health systems across the developing world. He has 9 citations from 9 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Sibomana, O., Saka, S. A., Grace Uwizeyimana, M., Mwangi Kihunyu, A., Obianke, A., Oluwo Damilare, S., Bueh, L. T., Agbelemoge, B. O. G., & Omoefe Oveh, R. (2025). Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Endoscopy in Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Tumors: A Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Gastro Hep Advances.

2. Blackie, F. F., Saka, S. A., Ikhifa, C. E., Okechukwu, E. J., & Agbonifo, M. (2025). Aural Myiasis in a Retroviral-Positive Nigerian Child: A Rare Case of Extensive Ear Infestation. Research Square.

3. Emekolom, O. N., Oladipupo, E. O., Saka, S. A., Ojo, D. O., Edhugo, S. E., Olayinka, A. J., & Aremu-Cole, A. H. (2025). Compliance with Universal Standard Precautions and Perceived Influencing Factors among Nurses in a Tertiary Institution in Edo State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health.

4. Akhigbe, M. E., Saka, S. A., Ighodaro, O., Ghouse, M. A., Emekolom, O. N., & Okoro, O. V. (2025). Doctors’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Prescription Practices on Antibiotic Use: A Study in a Suburban Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria. BMC Health Services Research.

5. Saka, S. A., Ojo, D. O., Mezu, N. M., Uzuegbu, C. O., Ighodaro, O., Illoh, O. O., Emekolom, O. N., Akpa, O. A., Obiora, E. A., & Muogbo, A. P. (2025). Knowledge, Perception and Preventive Practices of Lassa Fever Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in an Endemic Community in Edo State, Nigeria. Research Square.