Prof. Hazem M. Kalaji

Life is so pretty and the biggest pleasure is to learn and discover, continuously

Prof. Dr. Hab. Hazem M. Kalaji completed his studies at the Agricultural Academy in Aleppo, Syria, in 1983. Later, in 1993, he earned his doctoral degree with distinction in agricultural sciences, specializing in plant physiology, at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. In 2013, he obtained the habilitation degree in agronomy from the same department, receiving recognition from the Faculty Council. In 2019, he was awarded the title of professor of biological sciences.

Professor Kalaji is renowned as an outstanding specialist in the field of plant physiology, particularly in the context of photosynthesis. His research covers a range of areas including the functioning, bioenergetics, efficiency, and productivity of the photosynthetic apparatus in plants, as well as plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.

In recent years, Professor Kalaji has focused on developing innovative solutions in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, and environmental protection, using the synergistic interaction between plant communication, artificial intelligence, and machine learning techniques. His original research hypothesis emphasizes that plants serve as excellent "biological sensors" capable of autonomously monitoring and controlling growth conditions (development of biological feed-back system). Whether in partially controlled environments (such as greenhouses) or fully controlled environments (such as growth chambers, vertical container farms, or phytotrons), plants can regulate their growth and development. In uncontrolled conditions, such as fields, plants can provide information about their needs (water, nutrients, and others) and their physiological state when exposed to specific stressors (e.g., drought, low temperature, diseases), all without the need for invasive or destructive analyses.

Professor Kalaji is an active member of many international scientific organizations and a frequent speaker at numerous scientific conferences and symposia. His scientific achievements include over 15,000 points in the Polish Ministry of Education and Science's scoring system, and a combined Impact Factor (IF) of over 1000 from 317 scientific publications, 6 monographs (including 2 in Polish and 1 each in Italian, Russian, English, and Arabic), and 27 chapters in monographs. Professor Kalaji's Hirsch index (HI) is 46 according to the Web of Knowledge database.

From 2013 to 2015, Prof. Kalaji served as a visiting professor at the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China. He is the Vice-Chair of the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) panel at the European Commission in Brussels (H2020) and an expert in evaluating projects for the Erasmus program (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees) and awarding the HR Excellence in Research logo to European universities.

Professor Kalaji has also reviewed projects for science ministries in the Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Greece, and Poland (NCBR, NCN, PARP, and others). By the end of 2022, he had reviewed over 1000 national and international projects. He has also reviewed habilitation and doctoral theses, both in Poland and abroad, as well as over 300 scientific papers published in international journals. He is the editor-in-chief of the JWLD journal (https://journals.pan.pl/jwld) and the editor of several international journals.

Through his international contacts, Professor Kalaji has established collaborations with over 60 institutions and universities from various countries around the world, including India, China, Switzerland, the USA, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and many others. From 2019 to 2021, he was among the top 1% most cited scientists globally, contributing to the inclusion of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) on the Shanghai list (801-900) for the first time in its history.

Professor Kalaji was honored with the Silver Cross of Merit on August 29, 2022, by the decision of the President of the Republic of Poland. Currently, he works at SGGW (as a biologist) and at the Institute of Technology and Natural Sciences - PIB in Falenty since 2000, and since 2017 (as an agronomist).

Copy Rights: Goltsev, Dambov & Kalaji

More than 750 co-authors from over 52 countries

Research Topics

Educational Background

2019 – Full professorship in Biology, specialty: Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

2013 - Habilitation degree in Agricultural Sciences in the field of Agronomy, specialty: Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (distinction of scientific achievements by the Habilitation Committee and the Council of the Faculty of Agriculture and Biology of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences).

1993- Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences in the field of Agronomy, specialty: Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences in SGGW (Distinction of the Agricultural Faculty Council of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences). Work titled 'Salinity effects of NaCl on growth and gas exchange of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings'. Promoter prof. Emil Nalborczyk.

1983 - Master's degree in agriculture, Agricultural University, University of Aleppo, Syria. Work titled "Crop yield of wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.) Under drought conditions", Promoter prof. Nazir Sankari.

Publications*

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=AVFCO8IAAAAJ

Projects

• Grant contractor NCN No. 2675 / B / P01 / 2011/40 "Development of a method for assessing the efficiency of water use by monocotyledonous crops by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange", 2011-2014.

• MNiSW grant contract No. N R12 0098 10 "The use of phosphites as resistance elicitors for root pathogens in forest nurseries and stands", 2010-2013.

• Project contractor KSI-POKL.04.01.01.-00-232 / 08-0 "Program for modernizing education in WULS-SGGW to ensure competitiveness and high competence of graduates", financed under the Human Capital Operational Program (POKL) and co-financed from the European Fund Social, 2009-2013

• IHAR-PIB Project Contractor no. 4-3-00-3-03 "Determination of physiological indicators of tuberization and yielding of potato plants using classic growth analysis and using modern control and measurement equipment for their use in breeding", 2003-2007.

• The contractor of the KBN instrument grant "Supplementing the scientific and research apparatus for the Department of Plant Physiology with control and measurement devices for the study of crop response to stress", 2000-2001.

• Grant contractor 5P06B02515 "The use of photosynthetic active radiation for the production of traditional and semi-wood biomass for winter forms of triticale, wheat and rye", 1999-2004.

• Organizing and launching a tissue culture workshop at the Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, WULS-SGGW. 1994. within the framework of the university grant, technical works related to the creation of a tissue culture workshop were designed and made, and the necessary apparatus was purchased and launched. The laboratory was used for the in vitro production of Miscantus gigantus seedlings, mini potato tubers and for didactic purposes (specialty: Plant biotechnology).

• Deputy head of the scientific and research topic "Determination of physiological indicators of tuberisation and yielding of potato plants using modern control and measurement equipment". The order of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 2002-2007.

• Research contractor in the BIOSTRATEG2 / 296369/5 / NCBR / 2016 project; PBOSPBC: "Processing of waste biomass in combined biological and chemical processes" (Task 6 in the evaluation of chlorophyll fluorescence in microalgae cultures), 2016-2019. Total value of the project: PLN 29 591 845 (ca. 6 600 000 Euro).

• Project coordinator no. POIR.01.01.01-20-1911 / 15 titled: "Triffid - a product of the future of the Metalworking Cluster (KKK). White Hill synergy of cooperation in the R & D area of the "Intelligent Development Operational Program, Priority Axis: Support for conducting R & D works by enterprises. Activities: R & D projects of enterprises, 2016-2020. Total value of the project: PLN 8,744,817.80 (ca. 1 950 000 Euro).

• Manger of mini grant INCUBATOR, titled: "iPlant - remote system of physiological monitoring of plants" (2018) Total value of the mini project: PLN 55 000. The Mini Grant is implemented as part of the Innovation + Incubator program awarded to the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Leader) and Hugo Agricultural University Kołłątaja in Krakow (Partner) The grant is implemented as part of the system project Supporting the management of scientific research and commercialization of R & D results in scientific units and enterprises, implemented under the Intelligent Development Operational Program 2014-2020.The total value of the project: PLN 2,200,000 (ca. 500 000 Euro).

• NCBR grant coordinator "The saving of water resources and improvement of air quality through the use of retention rainwater" in and the edition of the strategic program for scientific research and development "Natural environment, agriculture and forestry" - BIOSTRATEG, 2014-2017 - ID: 270606 (no agreement has yet been signed with NCBR for administrative reasons, despite a positive evaluation of the grant and granting financial resources - NCBR Decision No. DZP / BIOSTRATEG-I / 2489). Total value of the project: PLN 20,321,015 (ca. 4 515 000 Euro).

• InsFlo (Principal Investigator) Fluorescence of crops in estimating losses caused by weather factors (Opegieka Company). Project implementation period – 05.2021 – 10.2023. Programme – European Regional Development Fund; Smart Growth Operational Program; Priority Axis 1 "Support for R&D activity by enterprises"; Measure 1.1 "R&D projects of enterprises"; Sub-measure 1.1.1 "Industrial research and development works carried out by enterprises". The project is carried out as part of the competition of the National Center for Research and Development: Szybka Ścieżka. Project value – PLN 4 139 166.50 (ca. 920 000 Euro).

Patents

- Patent JP,2021-179052,A published by Japan Patent Office (JPO):

https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2021-179052/3DA535CB1535D2D9691C16B1B84128C11862F420F9A1B49084B0C5A3E61FAD33/11/en

The invention relates to reusable antiviral face masks and commercial filters that do photosynthesis

- Patent JP,2023-143850,A published by Japan Patent Office (JPO):

https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/PU/JP-2023-143850/71EEADDAED7AAD9F6E6150150407C63A7E53300757097788FC50EC93756E6BF7/11/en

The invention related to Prevention of coronavirus infection - composition

Received awards and distinctions

One medal from Minister of Agriculture (2023) and two medals (2016 and 2022) from President of Poland for excellent work for Poland

2023 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2022 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2021 – Golden Engineer (https://www.sggw.edu.pl/profesor-kalaji-wyrozniony-inzynier-2020/) for 2020

2021 - 3rd degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2020 - 3rd degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2019 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2018 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2017 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2016 - 1st degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2016 – Silver medal “For many years of service’ (over 20 years)

2015 - Distinction of scientific, didactic and organizational achievements in the period 2104-2105 by the commission for the assessment of WRiB SGGW employees

2014 - Jubilee Award, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2013 – 2nd degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2013 - Distinction of scientific achievements by the Habilitation Committee and the WRiB Council - SGGW

2010 – 3rd degree award for scientific achievements, Rector of Warsaw University of Life Sciences

2009 - The Rector's Award of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) for the first in Polish language textbook on chlorophyll fluorescence

1993 - Honorable mention of the Agricultural Faculty of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) for a doctoral dissertation

Membership in international organisations and scientific societies

• Polish Society for Experimental Biology of Plants - PTBER

• Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology - FESPB

• New York Academy of Sciences- NYAS

• American Society of Plant Physiologists - ASPP

• International Society of Photosynthesis Research - ISPR

• UK Controlled Environment Users' Group - CEUG

Internships

• Visiting Professor (Senior Guest Professor of the Research, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai, China (XII 2012 - December 2015).

• One-year scholarship as part of the National Slovak Scholarship Program for the Support of Mobility of Students (PhD. Students, University Teachers and Researchers) (2006/2007).

• Internships at the University of Geneva - Switzerland "Laboratory of Bioenergetics". Scientific research (together with Professor Reto Strasser) on plant chlorophyll fluorescence under stress conditions in the periods: April-May 2001, June-September 2005, June-September 2006, June-September 2007, June-September 2008, June-September 2009.

• International Postgraduate Training Courses and Study Stays for Teachers in Agricultural Schools by UNESCO - University of Agriculture Nitra, Czechoslovakia. 3.09-9.11.1990.

• PhD scholarship in Poland received under a bilateral agreement between the Syrian and Polish government (1985).

Scientific consultant in Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East

http://www.hansatech-instruments.com/

http://ppsystems.com/

http://www.bbe-moldaenke.de/en/

http://www.skyeinstruments.com/

Cooperation with the social and economic environments/sectors

- Green Architecture Company (Poland). Monitoring of the physiological condition of the grass at the National Stadium in Warsaw, by measuring the fluorescence of chlorophyll. Preparation for the European Football Championship 2012 (EURO 2012).

- Avgust Crop Protection Company (Ukraine). Monitoring the physiological state of plants by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence.

- COOLEX Libner Company - Brzostowski Company (Poland). Monitoring the physiological status of fruit by means of chlorophyll fluorescence measurement (SGGW experimental field in Wilanów, Warsaw).

- AB System Company (Poland). Monitoring the physiological state of vertical garden plants by measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence.

- Headwall company (Poland). Monitoring the physiological status of plants using drone.

- Fly & Watch Company (Poland). Monitoring the physiological status of plants using drone.

- Bobus Lab. Sp. z o.o. Company, Pacanowice (Poland). Bionic greenhouse - standardization of plant lighting processes in crops under cover, considering the plant's demand for mineral components, H2O and CO2.

- "Lafoge" Company Wiesław Ksztoń (Poland). Modern development of lighting in greenhouses based on the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence.

- Norbert Kochanowski company (Poland). " Development of a biofeedback system for quality control and light intensity optimal for plants.

- Clean World Energy Systems Company (Poland). Comprehensive CHP, P2G & P2P technology, a new era in power engineering, chemistry and environmental protection.

- IQGarden Company (Poland). Development of a remote plant monitoring system for the Polish Green Wall project (EMP) in the IQ GARDEN monitoring system for the Rotunda Bank PKO BP SA building in Warsaw at Rondo Dmowskiego (Warsaw City Centre).

- Opegieka Company (Poland). Fluorescence of crops in estimating losses caused by weather factors. The aim of the project is to develop new methods of non-invasive determination of the percentage of damage to oilseed rape caused by frosts, hail, and drought. As part of research and development, ground and aerial measurements will be carried out to record the fluorescence of plants associated with the condition of damaged crops. Meteorological data and artificial intelligence algorithms will allow to determine the dependence of the percentage of damage on the terrestrial and remote sensing indicators of vegetation condition. This innovative approach will provide agro-insurance customers with quick loss adjustment without the need to wait for damage to the cultivated plants to be revealed, as is the case with the traditional approach to claims handling. The quick claims handling method will expand OPEGIEKA's portfolio of services offered to insurance companies and will increase the company's competitiveness on the domestic and foreign markets. Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Program. This grant is still running (https://opegieka.pl/insflo,99,en).

Editorial activities

Editor-in-Chief - Journal of Water and Land Development, Polish Academy of Science (Poland)

Associate Editor - Photosynthetica, Springer

Editorial Advisory Board for more than 15 International Journals

Links to media works (examples)

https://triennale.org/en/events/poland-greenhouse-silent-disco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVMcPcJvfKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3aBnu0wCoMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPsdqIvC0qY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gArjdy16Qls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Zgl2wJ6oE

https://www.facebook.com/SGGW.Warszawa/videos/248296423131299/

https://youtu.be/7jsgQ-Rv5Vw