The Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, is pleased to announce that Professor Noureddine Benkeblia, Professor of Crop Science in the Department of Life Sciences, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Fellow Award from the Society for Plant Research (SPR).

The Fellow Award, one of SPR’s most distinguished honours, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of plant science. The selection was made by the Society’s Screening Committee during a virtual meeting held on April 28, 2025, and the official notification was issued on April 29, 2025, by Professor (Dr.) S. K. Bhatnagar, Founder Chairman of SPR.

Prof. Benkeblia is an internationally respected scholar whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of crop science, food preservation, and plant biochemistry. Since beginning his scientific career in 1991, he has explored various areas of food science and technology, including crop physiology, biochemical preservation methods (such as irradiation, MAP, rare gases, and essential oils), and the use of metabolomics in agricultural research. From 2000 onward, he focused his research on the postharvest metabolism of carbohydrates—specifically fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and fructans—and their role in crop quality, using plants like asparagus and onion as model systems.

As part of the Fellow Award, Prof. Benkeblia will be invited to deliver an Award-Winning Lecture at an upcoming SPR National Conference. This lecture will offer insights into his pioneering research and scientific contributions to plant science.

In keeping with SPR’s guidelines, all awardees are expected to hold Life Membership in the Society. This membership reflects a long-term commitment to supporting the Society’s mission of advancing plant research and biotechnology on a global scale. 

The Society for Plant Research is internationally recognized for its journal VEGETOS, which is indexed in SCOPUS, PUBMED, NLM, MIAR, and other reputable academic databases. With a NAAS rating of 5.68, the journal serves as a leading platform for cutting-edge research in plant biology and biotechnology.

This award honours Prof. Benkeblia’s decades-long dedication to plant science and his significant impact on global agricultural research.

The Faculty of Science and Technology congratulates Prof. Benkeblia on this prestigious international recognition and celebrates his continued contributions to scientific excellence.

Photo Caption: Professor Noureddine Benkelia

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