Prof. Dr. Jesus Simal-Gandara | Food Research | Outstanding Scientist Award

University of Vigo | Spain

Prof. Dr. Jesús Simal-Gandara is a distinguished food scientist and analytical chemist, currently a Full Professor at the University of Vigo, Spain. With over three decades of expertise, he has built an exceptional career marked by international research, academic leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. He has served as Head of Department, Vice-Chancellor for Internationalization, and Director of CIA3, a multidisciplinary research center. His global experience includes research stints in France, USA, Germany, UK, Sweden, and more. A leading figure in food safety, nutrition, environmental contaminants, and analytical chemistry, he has supervised numerous PhDs and led prominent national and international research projects. His influence extends beyond academia through advisory roles in Spanish food safety agencies and active involvement in European research networks. A prolific author and evaluator, Prof. Simal-Gandara continues to make major contributions to global food quality, authenticity, and safety initiatives.

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Education:

Prof. Jesús Simal-Gandara completed his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy with the 1st Spanish Award of Completion and later earned his PhD with a Prize at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. His foundational education laid the groundwork for a distinguished academic and scientific career. He complemented his education through advanced training and research engagements at several world-renowned institutions including Université de Paris-Sud (France), University of Delaware (USA), Fraunhofer Institute (Germany), and more. These international academic exposures equipped him with a multidisciplinary understanding of analytical chemistry, food safety, and public health. His continuous engagement with educational excellence is also seen in his role as a doctoral advisor, nurturing the next generation of scientists. Throughout his career, Prof. Simal-Gandara has also actively contributed to curriculum design, interdisciplinary research education, and academic leadership within Spanish and European higher education institutions.

Experience :

Prof. Jesús Simal-Gandara has extensive academic and research experience spanning over three decades. He began his academic journey at the University of Vigo, where he advanced from Associate Professor to Full Professor. He has held key leadership roles including Director of a multidisciplinary research center focused on environmental, agricultural, and food sciences, Head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, and Vice-Chancellor for Internationalization. His international experience includes research tenures at renowned institutions in France, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Mexico. He has collaborated with both industry and public sector entities on projects involving food safety, packaging, and environmental impact. He has participated in over forty national and international research projects and supervised numerous doctoral theses across diverse fields such as food chemistry, environmental toxicology, and metabolomics. His global scientific reputation is further supported by his role as a reviewer and evaluator for research programs across continents.

Awards and Honors :

Prof. Jesús Simal-Gandara has been recognized with several prestigious distinctions throughout his career. He was awarded the top national honor for academic excellence in Pharmacy and received a PhD Prize from the University of Santiago de Compostela. His scientific contributions earned him the Research Medal from the Royal Academy of Science of Galicia and the Picadillo Award for his impact on rural food innovation. He is a Full Member of the Royal Academy of Pharmacy of Galicia and serves as President of the International Association of Dietary Nutrition and Safety. His expertise in food safety led to his appointment on scientific committees for national food and nutrition agencies, where he contributed to key public health reports. Internationally, he has served as a research evaluator for organizations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, reflecting global recognition of his leadership in science and policy. His honors underscore a distinguished career dedicated to excellence in food science.

Research Focus :

Prof. Simal-Gandara’s research focuses on food quality, safety, traceability, and environmental contamination. His group excels in chromatographic separations (GC-MS, LC-MS), molecular biology, and proteomics. A major emphasis is on studying persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in food chains, with applications in public health, toxicity evaluation, and epidemiology. He explores functional and sensory quality improvements in food, especially through the analysis of secondary metabolites in plants. His research spans from chemical residue analysis in food packaging to the valorization of agri-food by-products for nutraceutical applications. He has led national and international projects addressing climate change, sustainable food systems, olive oil typicity, authenticity via hyperspectral imaging, and bioactive extractions from macroalgae. His interdisciplinary research integrates food science, agriculture, environment, nutrition, and public health, driving innovation in analytical methodologies and food risk assessment. His work consistently bridges science, technology, and policy to advance sustainable and safe global food systems.

Publications

Title: The mobility and degradation of pesticides in soils and the pollution of groundwater resources
Year: 2008
Citations: 1823

Title: Impact of heavy metals on the environment and human health: Novel therapeutic insights to counter the toxicity
Year: 2022
Citations: 1711

Title: A review on the use of cyclodextrins in foods
Year: 2009
Citations: 1157

Title: Future challenges on the use of blockchain for food traceability analysis
Year: 2018
Citations: 1044

Title: Terpenes and terpenoids as main bioactive compounds of essential oils, their roles in human health and potential application as natural food preservatives
Year: 2022
Citations: 832

Title: Bioactive compounds and quality of extra virgin olive oil
Year: 2020
Citations: 473

Title: Wine aroma compounds in grapes: A critical review
Year: 2015
Citations: 454

Title: Mitigation of emerging implications of climate change on food production systems
Year: 2020
Citations: 418

Title: Cyclodextrins inclusion complex: Preparation methods, analytical techniques and food industry applications
Year: 2022
Citations: 359

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Jesús Simal-Gándara’s distinguished academic record, international collaborations, and research leadership make him exceptionally well-qualified for the Outstanding Scientist Award. His contributions have not only shaped scientific understanding in food safety and analytical chemistry but also informed regulatory frameworks and industry practices. With continued efforts to bridge science, innovation, and society, he remains a leading figure poised to inspire the next generation of researchers in food and health sciences.