Maria Candel | Food Sector | Excellence in Research Award

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Mrs. Maria Candel | Food Sector | Excellence in Research Award

pre-doctoral researcher | University of Cadiz | Spain

Mrs. Maria Candel is a dedicated Pre-doctoral Researcher with a strong foundational background in molecular genetics and biotechnology, currently focusing on Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Food Systems. Her professional experience centers on resource recovery from food-related waste streams, specifically the anaerobic co-digestion of slaughterhouse sludge and wastewater to enhance biomethane production for a circular economy approach. Her key research interest lies in optimizing the conditions of this critical bioprocess, demonstrating a superior biomethane yield under thermophilic (55 Β°C) conditions compared to mesophilic conditions. Her research skills encompass complex laboratory-scale experimentation, bioprocess optimization, data analysis, and bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and gaps in waste management technologies, as evidenced by a comparative study on biomethane from pig slurry and slaughterhouse wastewater. While her profile is still early-career, her impactful publication on the effect of temperature on anaerobic digestion (in Recycling journal) signals significant future potential in bioenergy research.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications:

Candel, M., Ballesteros, L., Fernandez-Rodriguez, J., Perez, M., & Solera, R. (2025). Study of the Effect of Temperature to Optimize the Anaerobic Digestion of Slaughterhouse Sludge by Co-Digestion with Slaughterhouse Wastewater. Recycling, 10(2), 47.

Candel, M., FernΓ‘ndez-RodrΓ­guez, J., Solera, R., & Perez, M. (2025). Comparative Bibliometric Analysis of Biomethane Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Pig Slurry and Slaughterhouse Wastewater: Research Trends and Gaps.

Aishah Alatawi | Food Systems | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aishah Alatawi | Food Systems | Editorial Board Member

Associate Professor | University of Tabuk | Saudi Arabia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aishah Alatawi is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in Plant Ecophysiology, Crop Science, and Environmental Remediation. Her academic journey culminated in a high-level qualification in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, which provides the foundation for her advanced research. Dr. Alatawi’s professional experience is primarily rooted in teaching and research within the biological sciences department of a major university, where she has established a robust, internationally recognized research program. Her primary research interests lie in developing sustainable strategies to enhance crop productivity and safety, focusing on the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant tolerance to severe abiotic stresses such as heavy metal contamination, drought, and salinity. Key areas of investigation include the application of nanotechnology, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and various biostimulants to mitigate oxidative stress and improve plant growth. Her research skills are highly developed in molecular biology techniques, gene expression analysis, plant stress physiology, and biochemical analysis of antioxidant responses. Demonstrating significant scholarly impact, Dr. Alatawi has garnered an impressive publication record with an h-index of 16 and an i10-index of 23 (as per Scilit/Google Scholar metrics), reflecting the high citation counts of her work. While specific named awards and honors are often institutionally or regionally defined, her substantial contribution to the field is internationally recognized through her high citation metrics and extensive collaborative network with researchers in multiple countries. In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aishah Alatawi is a high-caliber scientist making vital contributions to food security and environmental sustainability through innovative plant stress management, and her research trajectory indicates significant future potential in applying computational and biotechnological tools to address global agricultural challenges.

Profile:Β Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications:

Ahmad, S., Mfarrej, M. F. B., El-Esawi, M. A., Waseem, M., Alatawi, A., & Nafees, M. (2022). Chromium-resistant Staphylococcus aureus alleviates chromium toxicity by developing synergistic relationships with zinc oxide nanoparticles in wheat. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 230, 113142. (Citations: 157)

Irfan, S., & Alatawi, A. M. M. (2019). Effectiveness of sulfur and sodium hydrosulfide on heavy metal accumulation and antioxidant enzymes in Triticum aestivum L. grown in contaminated soil. Open Journal of Ecology, 9(1), 1-13. (Citations: 116)

Ali, M., Wang, X., Haroon, U., Chaudhary, H. J., Kamal, A., Ali, Q., Saleem, M. H., & Alatawi, A. (2022). Antifungal activity of Zinc nitrate derived nano Zno fungicide synthesized from Trachyspermum ammi to control fruit rot disease of grapefruit. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 233, 113311. (Citations: 86)

Hussain, I., Afzal, S., Ashraf, M. A., Rasheed, R., Saleem, M. H., & Alatawi, A. (2023). Effect of metals or trace elements on wheat growth and its remediation in contaminated soil. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 42(4), 2258-2282. (Citations: 76)

Saleem, M. H., Mfarrej, M. F. B., Alatawi, A., Mumtaz, S., Imran, M., & Ashraf, M. A. (2023). Silicon Enhances Morpho–Physio–Biochemical Responses in Arsenic Stressed Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) by Minimizing Its Uptake. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 42(3), 2053-2072. (Citations: 70)

Heile, A. O., Zaman, Q. U., Aslam, Z., Hussain, A., Aslam, M., Saleem, M. H., & Alatawi, A. (2021). Alleviation of cadmium phytotoxicity using silicon fertilization in wheat by altering antioxidant metabolism and osmotic adjustment. Sustainability, 13(20), 11317. (Citations: 62)

Lakhouit, A., Shaban, M., Alatawi, A., Abbas, S. Y. H., Asiri, E., & Al Juhni, T. (2023). Machine-learning approaches in geo-environmental engineering: Exploring smart solid waste management. Journal of Environmental Management, 330, 117174. (Citations: 54)

 

Jianan Liu | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Jianan Liu | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

Student at Dalian Polytechnic University, China

Jianan Liu is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Engineering at Dalian Polytechnic University, specializing in the antimicrobial mechanisms of natural bioactive compounds. Her research focuses on benzyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol, revealing their synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals and has received numerous academic honors, including a National Doctoral Scholarship. Jianan is actively involved in national research projects aimed at improving food safety and quality through molecular and digital innovations.

Publications Profile

Scopus

πŸŽ“ Education Details

  • Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering
    Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
    2022 – Present

  • M.D. in Food Engineering
    College of Food Science, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
    2019 – 2022

  • A.B. in Food Quality and Safety
    College of Food Science and Engineering, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
    2015 – 2019

πŸ‘©β€πŸ”¬ Professional Experience

  • Ph.D. Researcher, Dalian Polytechnic University (2022 – Present)
    Engaged in transcriptomic and proteomic research exploring the antibacterial mechanisms of plant-derived compounds against foodborne pathogens.

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Dalian Polytechnic University (2019 – 2022)
    Participated in national research projects on food quality assurance and pathogen control.

🌱 Research Interests

  • Antimicrobial mechanisms of natural plant compounds (e.g., benzyl isothiocyanate, resveratrol)

  • Foodborne pathogen virulence and suppression

  • Food safety and quality control

  • Omics-based technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics)

  • Application of nanotechnology and encapsulation in food preservation

πŸ† Awards and Honors

  • National Doctoral Scholarship, 2024

  • Outstanding Master’s Thesis at the University Level, 2022

  • First-Class Graduate Scholarship, 2021

  • Three-Class Graduate Scholarship, 2021

  • School Level Outstanding Student, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024

πŸ” Conclusion

Jianan Liu is an emerging scholar in food science, with a strong track record of multidisciplinary research integrating microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry. Her innovative work on natural antimicrobials contributes significantly to food safety and preservation strategies. With robust academic training, active involvement in national research, and recognized academic excellence, she is well-positioned to contribute to scientific advancements in food quality and bioactive compounds.

Publications πŸ“š

1️⃣ Liu, J., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2025).
πŸ§ͺ Physical and antibacterial properties of soybean isolate protein nanoparticles co-encapsulated with benzyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol.
πŸ“š Food Bioscience.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105719

2️⃣ Liu, J., Zhang, Q., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2024).
🧬 Benzyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol synergistically alleviate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.
πŸ“š Foods.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13132078

3️⃣ Liu, J., Zhang, K., Wu, H., Zhu, J., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2022).
πŸ”¬ Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals the antibacterial effects of benzyl isothiocyanate against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
πŸ“š LWT – Food Science and Technology.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.114050

4️⃣ Liu, J., Zhu, J., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2021).
🧫 Transcriptomic and molecular docking analysis reveal virulence gene regulation‑mediated antibacterial effects of benzyl isothiocyanate against Staphylococcus aureus.
πŸ“š Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-024-04938-y

5️⃣ Liu, J., Wu, H., Ao, X., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2022).
πŸ”— Characterization of the inclusion complexes of isothiocyanates with Ξ³-cyclodextrin for improvement of antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.
πŸ“š Foods.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11010060

6️⃣ Liu, J., Zhang, K., Song, J., Wu, H., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2021).
πŸ§ͺ Bacteriostatic effects of benzyl isothiocyanate on Vibrio parahaemolyticus: Transcriptomic analysis and morphological verification.
πŸ“š BMC Biotechnology.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.1186/s12896-021-00716-4

7️⃣ Liu, J., Ma, J., Wang, Y., Hao, H., Bi, J., Hou, H., & Zhang, G*. (2025).
🧬 Synergistic antibacterial mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol against Staphylococcus aureus revealed by transcriptomic analysis.
πŸ“š Foods.
πŸ”— https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14091610