top of page
Global authority in plant physiology, photosynthesis, and stress biology

 

Professor at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) and Senior Expert at the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences (ITP-NRI). Pioneer of chlorophyll fluorescence applications and the “Plant ECG” biofeedback system; advancing AI-enabled, non-invasive monitoring of plant health.
Prof. Hazem M. Kalaji

Biography

Prof. Mohamed Hazem Kalaji is a Polish scientist of Syrian origin, internationally recognized as a leading authority in plant physiology, photosynthesis, and stress biology. Since 1986, he has devoted his career to studying and solving critical problems related to photosynthetic productivity of plants, with groundbreaking contributions that have significantly advanced both Polish and global plant sciences.

​

Educated at the University of Aleppo (Syria) and later in Poland through a bilateral doctoral fellowship, he earned his PhD with distinction at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in 1993. His doctoral thesis examined the effects of salinity on barley growth and photosynthesis, laying the foundation for his lifelong research on plant stress physiology.

He rose through academic positions at SGGW, where he remains a full professor, and also serves at the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences – National Research Institute in Falenty, Poland.

​

Prof. Kalaji has established himself as one of the world’s foremost experts in chlorophyll fluorescence research. Building on close collaboration with the late Prof. Reto J. Strasser, the pioneer of this field, he has developed novel approaches to non-invasive monitoring of plant physiological status. His inventions include the world’s first “Plant EKG” system, enabling the detection of stress in plants within seconds, and innovative AI-driven tools that integrate “plant talk” with machine learning to create smart agricultural technologies.

​

In addition to the presentation of his PlantECG system (a communication system with plants), he also showed patented antiviral moss-based filters and natural plant-derived antivirals at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

His scientific output includes over 354 peer-reviewed publications, six monographs (in Polish, English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic), and 27 book chapters, amounting to more than 15,000 Polish Ministry of Science points and a cumulative Impact Factor exceeding 1000. He has collaborated with more than 770 co-authors from 240 institutions in 52 countries. According to Web of Science, his H-index is 50, while in the discipline-specific global ranking Top Scientists in Plant Science & Agronomy 2025, he is ranked 3rd in Poland (D-index 55).

​

From 2019–2021 he was among the top 1% most cited scientists worldwide, and from 2022–2024 among the top 2% most cited scientists. He is also the recipient of the Plant Science and Agronomy Leader Award 2025.

​

In addition to his scientific research, Prof. Kalaji has played a vital role in education and academic development. He has supervised ten PhD theses (in Poland and abroad), reviewed numerous doctoral and habilitation dissertations, and created innovative teaching programs, including pioneering Erasmus courses such as Plantish, which explore the “language of plants” and analogies between plant and human physiology. His lectures have reached audiences across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, including invited talks at NASA.

​

Prof. Kalaji is also a recognized science manager and evaluator. He has served as Vice-Chair of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) panel at the European Commission, expert evaluator for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, and member of editorial boards and scientific councils. In 2024, he was elected to the Committee on Agronomic Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

​

His achievements have been acknowledged with numerous distinctions, including the Silver Cross of Merit (2022), the honorary title “Distinguished for Agriculture” (2023), multiple Rector’s Awards, and the title “Engineer 2020” – Golden Engineer Award (2021).

In 2025, the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin awarded him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa, recognizing his outstanding scientific achievements, international collaborations, and 25 years of fruitful cooperation with its researchers.

​

Today, Prof. Hazem M. Kalaji continues to combine cutting-edge science, innovation, and teaching, bridging plant physiology with modern technology to address global challenges in agriculture, climate change, and food security.

Expertise, Education & Professional Experience

Areas of Expertise

Prof. Kalaji is a recognized consultant and expert in the following fields:

  • Plant physiology and photosynthesis

  • Plant stress biology (drought, salinity, temperature stress, pathogens)

  • Bioenergetics of photosynthetic organisms

  • Chlorophyll fluorescence research and applications

  • Non-invasive monitoring of plant productivity

  • Communication in plants (Plantish language)

  • Phenotyping, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in agriculture

  • Development of “Plant EKG” biofeedback systems

  • Green biotechnologies: moss-based antiviral filters and plant-derived antivirals

  • Sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change mitigation

Education

  • 2019 – Title of Professor in Biological Sciences (Plant Physiology), Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Poland

  • 2013 – Habilitation (DSc), Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy – Plant Physiology, SGGW, Poland (with distinction)

  • 1993 – PhD in Agricultural Sciences, Plant Physiology, SGGW, Poland (with distinction)

  • 1983 – MSc in Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Syria​

Professional Experience

  • 2019 – Present
    Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Institute of Biology, Department of Plant Physiology – Teaching and scientific research.

  • 2018 – 2019
    Grant Coordinator, “Triffid” Project, White Hill Company, BiaÅ‚ystok, Poland – Research coordination.

  • 2017 – Present
    Expert and Senior Engineering Specialist, Institute of Technology and Life Sciences – National Research Institute, Falenty, Poland – Scientific research.

  • 2017
    Director of Research and Development, Sitechnology, Warsaw, Poland.

  • 2015 – 2019
    Associate Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 2013 – 2015
    Assistant Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 2000 – 2013
    Assistant Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 2001
    Adjunct Professor, University of Bern, Switzerland.

  • 1999
    Senior Specialist, Research Institute of Forestry, Kraków, Poland.

  • 1996
    Assistant Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 1995
    Assistant Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 1993 – 1994
    Senior Specialist, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

  • 1985 – 1993
    Assistant Professor, University of Aleppo, Syria – Faculty of Agriculture.

Achievements, Citations and Networks

Numerical Summary of Achievements

  • Total publications: 339 scientific articles (217 indexed in Web of Science)

  • Monographs: 6 (in Arabic, Polish, Italian, Russian, and English)

  • Book chapters: 27

  • Total Impact Factor (IF): > 1000

  • Total points (Polish Ministry of Science): > 15,000

  • H-index (Web of Science): 50

  • Citations (without self-citations, Web of Science): > 9,747

  • Collaborations: 777 co-authors from 241 institutions in 52 countries

  • Patents: 2 (Japan)

Citations and Networks
Citation Records
​

  • Web of Science (WoS):

  • Number of publications: 217

  • Total citations: > 9,747 (without self-citations)

  • H-index: 50

  • Scopus:

  • Number of publications: 250+

  • Total citations: ~12,000

  • H-index: 49

  • Google Scholar:

  • Total citations: > 15,000

  • H-index: 55

  • i10-index: > 250

​​

International Collaboration
​

  • Collaborated with 777 co-authors worldwide.

  • Scientific partnerships with 241 institutions across 52 countries, including:

  • Europe: Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria.

  • Asia: China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Japan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

  • Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico.

  • Africa: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, South Africa.

  • Australia and Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.

​

Global Recognition
​

  • Listed among the Top 1% most cited scientists in the world (2019–2021).

  • Listed among the Top 2% most cited scientists in the world (2022–2024).

  • Ranked 3rd in Poland in Plant Science & Agronomy according to Top Scientists Ranking 2025 (D-index 55).

Scientific Projects and Grants

Scientific Projects and Grants
National Projects (Poland)
​

  • National Science Centre (NCN):

    • “Development of methods for assessing water use efficiency in monocot plants using chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange measurements.”

    • “Influence of phosphorus on photosynthesis and biomass accumulation in cereals.”

  • Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW):

    • “Phosphites as elicitors of resistance in forest nurseries.”

    • “Novel approaches in early plant stress detection.”

  • National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR):

    • BIOSTRATEG Programme:

      • “Saving water resources and improving air quality through rainwater retention in urban areas.”

    • “Application of remote sensing and chlorophyll fluorescence to monitor crops.”

​​

European and International Projects
​

  • EU Framework Programmes / Horizon 2020:

    • Participation as expert and partner in multiple Horizon 2020 initiatives related to sustainable agriculture and crop monitoring.

  • Erasmus+ Projects:

    • Coordinator and lecturer for Erasmus Intensive Programmes.

    • Creator of the innovative Plantish course (“Plant Language”) which draws analogies between plant and human physiology.

  • Other International Grants:

    • Collaboration projects in China, India, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern countries focusing on plant stress physiology and crop productivity.

​​

Specific Applied Research Projects

​​​

  • InsFlo Project (Poland):

    • Development of chlorophyll fluorescence tools to evaluate crop losses caused by weather extremes.

  • iPlant Project (Poland):

    • Creation of a remote monitoring system for plant physiological status.

  • Triffid Project (Cluster Project, Poland):

    • Intelligent operational development for agriculture and food production.

  • Applied collaboration with forestry and agriculture sectors:

    • Monitoring of forest nurseries, drought stress detection, and remote sensing in crop insurance systems.

​

Key Research Topics Across Projects

​​

  • Photosynthesis efficiency under stress conditions.

  • Drought and salinity stress tolerance in cereals.

  • Chlorophyll fluorescence as an early detection tool.

  • Plant communication and biofeedback systems.

  • Application of artificial intelligence in plant monitoring.

  • Development of antiviral and plant-based health technologies.

Patents and Awards

Patents

  • JP, 2021-179052, A – Photosynthetic antiviral masks and filters – patent registered in Japan.

  • JP, 2023-143850, A – Composition protecting against coronavirus infection using moss-based extracts – patent registered in Japan.

Awards and Distinctions
2025
​

  • Doctor Honoris Causa, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland – awarded for outstanding scientific achievements, international collaborations, and 25 years of fruitful cooperation with researchers of the university.

  • Plant Science and Agronomy Leader Award 2025 – international recognition of leadership in plant physiology and agronomy.

 

2024
​

  • Elected Member, Committee on Agronomic Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

  • Rector’s Award – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

​​

2023
​

  • Honorary Title “Distinguished for Agriculture”, Ministry of Agriculture, Poland.

  • Rector’s Award – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

​​

2022
​

  • Silver Cross of Merit, awarded by the President of Poland for contributions to science.

  • Rector’s Award – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

​​

2021
​

  • Golden Engineer Award – “Engineer 2020” (Polish technical community distinction).

  • Rector’s Award – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

 
2019–2020
​

  • Recognition in global rankings of Top 1% Most Cited Scientists (2019–2021).

  • Multiple Rector’s Awards, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).

 
2016
​

  • Medal for Long Service, Republic of Poland.

 
2009–2015
​

  • Multiple Rector’s Awards – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), for achievements in scientific publications, research, and teaching.

 
Earlier Distinctions
​

  • Numerous departmental and faculty recognitions in Poland and abroad for outstanding contributions to plant physiology, teaching, and international collaboration.

Memberships and International Visits

Memberships in Scientific Organizations

Prof. Kalaji is an active member of numerous national and international scientific organizations, including:

​

  • Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN):

    • Member of the Committee on Agronomic Sciences (since 2024).

  • Polish Society for Experimental Plant Biology (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).

 

He has also served on editorial boards, evaluation panels, and expert committees across Europe, Asia, and North America.

International Visits and Fellowships
Visiting Professorships

​​

  • Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai Institute (2013–2015)
    Visiting Professor conducting research on plant stress physiology and photosynthesis.

  • University of Bern, Switzerland (2001)
    Adjunct Professor, Department of Plant Sciences.

​​

International Research Fellowships and Exchanges

​​

  • Geneva, Switzerland (2001–2009): Research collaborations on chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis efficiency.

  • UNESCO Fellowships: Bilateral doctoral fellowship between Syria and Poland (1986–1993).

​​

Erasmus / Socrates Academic Mobility

 

Delivered lectures, seminars, and joint research at 10 European universities, including:
 

  • Denmark

  • Czech Republic

  • Portugal

  • Italy

  • Romania

  • Hungary

  • United Kingdom

  • Spain

  • Lithuania

  • Slovakia

​​

Other International Collaborations

​​

  • Short-term scientific missions and collaborations in Germany, France, India, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and the USA (including invited talks at NASA).

  • Cooperative projects in agricultural monitoring and stress detection with institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Teaching, Education, Editorial and Review Work

Teaching and Education
Supervision and Academic Mentorship

​​

  • Supervised 10 PhD theses (in Poland and abroad).

  • Co-supervised and reviewed numerous doctoral and habilitation dissertations.

  • Mentor for graduate and postgraduate students across Europe and Asia.

​​

Courses and Lectures

​​

  • Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW):

    • Courses in Plant Physiology, Photosynthesis, Stress Biology, and related disciplines, taught in both Polish and English.

  • Erasmus Programmes:

    • Creator of the pioneering course Plantish (The Language of Plants), which explores plant communication and analogies between plant and human physiology.

  • International Lectures:

    • Delivered lectures and seminars in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

    • Invited speaker at international institutions including NASA.

​​​

Educational Innovation

​​

  • Developed new teaching curricula integrating plant physiology with modern technologies.

  • Designed blended learning and e-learning courses.

  • Organized and modernized laboratories and research teaching facilities.

Editorial and Review Activities
Editorial Positions

​​

  • Editor-in-Chief: Journal of Water and Land Development (Polish Academy of Sciences).

  • Associate Editor: Photosynthetica (Springer).

  • Editorial Board Member: Multiple international journals in plant sciences, agronomy, and biology.

​​

Review and Evaluation

​​

  • Scientific Projects:

    • Reviewer for over 1,000 grant proposals, including:

      • European Commission: Horizon 2020, MSCA, Erasmus+

      • Polish National Science Centre (NCN)

      • National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)

      • Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

      • International funding agencies in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

  • Scientific Publications:

    • Reviewer of over 300 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

​​​

European Commission Service

​​

  • Vice-Chair: Panel of Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), European Commission.

  • Expert Evaluator: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees.

Collaboration with Business and Media Activities

Collaboration with Business and Industry

Prof. Kalaji has actively collaborated with companies and public institutions, applying scientific expertise to real-world agricultural and environmental challenges.

​

Examples of Applied Research and Innovation

​​

  • EURO 2012 – Football Stadiums (Poland):

  • Development of monitoring systems for turfgrass health and physiological status of grass used on sports pitches.

  • Biofeedback Systems for Horticulture and Greenhouses:

  • Creation of Plant EKG monitoring systems for real-time feedback on plant stress and water requirements.

  • Green Walls and Vertical Farming:

  • Physiological monitoring of urban green walls to optimize water use and plant performance.

  • Crop Insurance and Risk Management:

  • Development of tools integrating chlorophyll fluorescence and AI for insurance companies assessing drought and stress-related crop losses.

  • Drone-Based Monitoring:

  • Collaboration on projects using drones to remotely assess crop physiological performance.

  • Agricultural Technology Start-ups:

  • R&D director at Sitechnology (Warsaw, 2017).

  • Coordinator of agricultural innovation projects at White Hill Company (BiaÅ‚ystok, 2018–2019).

Media and Science Communication

Prof. Kalaji is widely recognized in both scientific and mainstream media for his research, inventions, and contributions to plant science.

​

Popularization and Public Engagement

​​

  • Frequent interviews and expert commentary in television, radio, and press (Poland and abroad).

  • Numerous lectures and talks for the general public, highlighting the importance of plant physiology in food security and climate change.

​​

Major Presentations

​​

  • EXPO 2025, Osaka, Japan:

    • Presentation of the PlantECG system (communication system with plants).

    • Presentation of patented antiviral moss-based filters and plant-derived antiviral technologies.

​​​

Online and Multimedia Presence

​​

  • Recorded lectures and keynote talks available on YouTube and university media portals.

  • Featured in scientific podcasts and interviews on plant communication, AI in agriculture, and sustainable technologies.

Publications

Numerical Summary of Achievements
Scientific Output

​​

  • Total publications: 339 scientific articles (217 indexed in Web of Science).

  • Monographs: 6 (in Arabic, Polish, Italian, Russian, and English).

  • Book chapters: 27.

  • Citations (Web of Science, without self-citations): > 9,747.

  • Total Impact Factor (IF): > 1000.

  • H-index: 50.

  • Collaborations: 777 co-authors from 241 institutions in 52 countries.

​​

Research Areas

​​

  • Photosynthesis and bioenergetics.

  • Plant physiology and stress biology (salinity, drought, low temperature, pathogens).

  • Chlorophyll fluorescence and non-invasive monitoring techniques.

  • Plant communication and “Plantish language.”

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning in plant monitoring.

  • Innovative green technologies and plant-based antiviral systems.

​​

Full List of Publications

 

The complete, updated list of publications is available via Google Scholar Profile

Contact

© 2025 Prof. Dr. Hab. Mohamed Hazem Kalaji. All rights reserved.

bottom of page