Ms. Victoria Akintayo | Genomics | Research Excellence Award
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University | China
Victoria Oluwapelumi Akintayo is a plant breeding and genetics researcher with strong interdisciplinary expertise spanning crop improvement, molecular genetics, sustainability, and community-driven agricultural development. Her research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying plant stress tolerance, nutrient efficiency, and heavy metal accumulation, with particular emphasis on economically important crops such as cassava, maize, and bast fiber crops. She has applied advanced genomic and molecular approaches, including marker development, BSA-seq, RNA-seq, and quantitative data analysis, to identify candidate genes relevant to crop resilience and productivity. Beyond laboratory and field-based research, she is deeply engaged in circular economy initiatives, youth capacity-building, and environmentally sustainable agriculture, integrating scientific innovation with social impact. Her work has been recognized through competitive international awards, peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, and leadership roles in global food systems and sustainability platforms.