Horticulturae Webinar | Aquaponics 4.0: Smart, Sustainable Paths to Premium Plants
Horticulturae Webinar | Aquaponics 4.0: Smart, Sustainable Paths to Premium Plants
Part of the Horticulturae Webinar Series series
15 April 2026
Carbon Emissions, Water, Fertilizer Usage, Aquaponics 40, Food Security, Waste Reduction, Soil Health, Energy Efficiency
Welcome from the Chairs
5th Horticulturae Webinar
Aquaponics 4.0: Smart, Sustainable Paths to Premium Plants
“Aquaponics 4.0: Smart, Sustainable Paths to Premium Plants” is a webinar that explores how cutting‑edge technologies are transforming aquaponic systems into highly efficient, climate‑resilient food production platforms. Building on organically enriched water from aquaculture, Aquaponics 4.0 integrates tools such as IoT, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to optimize resource use, reduce emissions, and enhance plant growth and quality.
This session will guide participants from precise nutrient and salinity management in recirculating systems, through technology transfer using hydroponic and aquaponic models, to digitally enhanced urban food production and smart chambers for controlled plant propagation.
In this webinar, attendees will explore how automated drainage recirculation in rose crops supports nutrient balance and long‑term sustainability, and how hydroponic and aquaponic platforms can serve as living laboratories for transferring high‑performance, quality‑focused technologies to growers. They will also learn how real‑time monitoring, data‑driven decision‑making, IoT‑enabled control, and modular smart chambers such as SmartPhyto can boost productivity and plant quality in compact or climate‑challenged environments, illustrating the practical potential of Aquaponics 4.0 across scales and contexts.
Date: 15 April 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m CEST | 11:00 a.m EDT
Webinar ID: 835 5732 7476
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Event Chairs
Embedded Systems and Applications, Faculty of Engineering, Amazcala Campus, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
He is a Professor–Researcher in the Faculty of Engineering at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, coordinator of the Amazcala Campus, and of the Master of Science in Biosystems Engineering. His research focuses on automation engineering applied to biosystems, embedded systems, and renewable energies in agriculture and horticulture. He is a Level II member of the Mexican National System of Researchers, an active member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, and has supervised numerous theses and technological developments transferred to industry.
Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.
She is an agricultural scientist specializing in plant defense mechanisms, with an emphasis on the analysis of specialized metabolites and their role in cross-tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Her research integrates chemical analysis with plant physiology to elucidate metabolic responses in crops, aiming to develop innovative strategies for enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience.
Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Engineering, Amazcala Campus, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
She focuses on sustainable food production systems, agricultural and aquaculture technologies, educational innovation, and the circular economy, and has led glocal funded research projects with public and private partners, and contributes to aligning academic programs with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Invited Speakers
Laboratory of Inventions Applied to Industry, Academic Unit of Electrical Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Jesús Antonio Nava Pintor is a Mechatronics Engineer and Researcher specializing in IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Embedded Systems. He holds a PhD in Applied Engineering and Technology (2025) from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, where he graduated with honors. With experience in both industry and academia, Dr. Nava has led high-impact national projects, notably winning the 2019 CANACINTRA National Entrepreneur Award for "AQUOS 4.0," an innovative IoT solution for aquaculture. His professional expertise includes the development of embedded and domotic systems, IoT architecture, and electronic design. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in implementing high-level certification processes, such as ISO 9001 and CMMI, within the private sector. Currently, he serves as a Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, teaching advanced courses in Machine Learning and System Design. Dr. Nava is also an active contributor to the CAMAZOT project, developing aerial surveillance radar technology in collaboration with the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA). His research and publications focus on bridging the gap between Artificial Intelligence and its applications in healthcare, agriculture, embedded systems, and robotics.
Automation Engineer with a master’s and a Doctorate in Biosystems Engineering, all from the Faculty of Engineering at the Autonomous University. He has taught at both the university and high school levels. He has experience in PLC programming, microcontrollers, and the design and construction of power panels for the automation of aquaculture and horticultural greenhouses. He also has experience in the production of aquaculture species, particularly tilapia. His work objectives focus on the design and construction of biosystems to produce high-quality food, combining aquaculture and horticulture to achieve sustainability. His work tools include computers, sensors, motors, and, above all, the application of the scientific method to generate new knowledge.
Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Engineering, Amazcala Campus, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
She focuses on sustainable food production systems, agricultural and aquaculture technologies, educational innovation, and the circular economy, and has led glocal funded research projects with public and private partners, and contributes to aligning academic programs with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Registration
This is a FREE webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Certificates of attendance will be delivered to those who attend the live webinar.
Can’t attend? Register anyway and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Program
| Speaker/Presentation | Time in CEST | Time in EDT |
|
Chair Introduction Dr. Genaro Soto-Zarazua and Dr. Priscila S. Flores-Aguilar |
5:00 - 5:10 pm | 11:00 - 11:10 am |
|
Digital Transformation in Urban Aquaponics: Intelligence and Productivity Dr. Samuel Lopez Tejeida |
5:10 - 5:30 pm | 11:10 - 11:30 am |
| Q&A | 5:30 - 5:40 pm | 11:30 - 11:40 pm |
|
SmartPhyto: A Smart Modular Chamber for Vegetal Propagation Dr. Jesús Antonio Nava Pintor |
5:40 - 6:00 pm | 11:40 - 12:00 pm |
| Q&A | 6:00 - 6:10 pm | 12:00 - 12:10 pm |
|
Pilot Agro-aquacultural System for Berry Cultivation in Desert Region Dr. Priscila S. Flores-Aguilar |
6:10 - 6:30 pm | 12:10 -12:30 pm |
| Q&A | 6:30 - 6:40 pm | 12:30 - 12:40 pm |
|
Closing of Webinar (Chair) Dr. Amanda Kim Rico-Chávez |
6:40 - 6:50 pm | 12:40 - 12:50 pm |
Relevant Topic
Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems
Edited by: Dr. Genaro Soto-Zarazua, Dr. Priscilla Flores-Aguilar, Dr. Amanda Kim Rico-Chávez
Manuscript Submission Deadline: 15 May 2026
Sponsors and Partners
Organizers
