Dr. Marlon Caicedo | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Unit Manager | Agricultural Research National Institute (INIAP) | Ecuador

Dr. Marlon Brainer Caicedo Villafuerte is a distinguished agricultural scientist recognized for his pioneering work in maize breeding, crop improvement, and sustainable agriculture. He has led major initiatives to develop high-yielding, stress-tolerant, and disease-resistant maize hybrids that enhance food security and agricultural productivity. As a senior research scientist, he has directed multiple projects on genetic improvement, agronomic performance, and hybrid evaluation, integrating classical breeding with molecular and biotechnological tools to strengthen crop resilience under changing climates. His collaborations with global institutions have advanced research in plant physiology, genetics, and sustainable crop management. Dr. Caicedo’s impactful research is reflected in 160 citations by 138 documents, with 10 published papers and an h-index of 6, demonstrating his growing influence in the field of agricultural science and his commitment to innovation and sustainable development in modern crop systems.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications 

Caicedo Villafuerte, M. B. (2012). Effect of visual selection during the development of inbred lines of maize. Crop Science. Widely cited for improving inbred line selection efficiency.

Caicedo Villafuerte, M. B. (2016). Stay-green QTLs in temperate elite maize. Euphytica. Influential in mapping genetic regions controlling leaf senescence.

Caicedo Villafuerte, M. B. (2016). Redefining agricultural residues as bioenergy feedstocks. Materials. Contributed to bioenergy and sustainability research.

Caicedo Villafuerte, M. B. (2018). Fine analysis of a genomic region involved in resistance to Mediterranean corn borer. BMC Plant Biology. Explored pest resistance through genetic mapping.

Caicedo Villafuerte, M. B. (2022). Genome-wide association analysis of senescence-related traits in maize. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Advanced knowledge on aging and yield traits in maize.