Dr. Munqez J. Y. Shtaya is a Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetic Engineering at An-Najah National University, where he also serves as Director of Scientific Centers. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Córdoba, Spain, with extensive research in breeding legumes and cereals for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. In addition to his prolific academic career and numerous high-impact publications, he has led and managed several international research and capacity-building projects in agriculture and biotechnology. His expertise spans gene mapping, QTL analysis, and plant genetic resource conservation, contributing to global agricultural advancements. Through his leadership, he continues to drive innovation in scientific research and sustainable agricultural practices.

Tawfiq Qubbaj is an Associate Professor of Plant Production and Protection at An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. He earned his Ph.D. from Hohenheim University, Germany, specializing in plant physiology and biotechnology. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with many national and international organizations, such as An-Najah National University, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Guelph, UNDP, JICA, and the Ministry of Agriculture. His research focuses on mitigating a biotic and abiotic stress impacts on crop productivity, evaluation and documentation of germplasms relatedness and polymorphorisms within local agricultural plant cultivars. extending postharvest shelf life using natural plant substances, and eco-friendly pest control solutions. Dr. Qubbaj has published over 25 peer-reviewed papers and is involved in applied research projects on sustainable agriculture, water-saving techniques, soil conservation, and reducing agrochemical use. His work integrates cycle-oriented agriculture and indigenous farming practices, making him a leading agronomist committed to green growth in the food and agriculture sector.