Qëndresa Rramani Dervishi | Food Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Qëndresa Rramani Dervishi | Food Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher, University of Bonn, Germany

Dr. Qëndresa Rramani Dervishi is a neuroscientist and psychologist specializing in health communication, food choice behavior, and patient safety. She holds a Ph.D. in Neurosciences (Summa cum laude) from the University of Bonn, where she was awarded the BIGS Neuroscience Thesis Award. With a strong academic background in psychology and neuroscience, she has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University Hospital Bonn and Ruhr University Bochum. Her interdisciplinary research explores the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying decision-making, nutrition labeling, and patient engagement. Fluent in six languages, she collaborates internationally, contributing to high-impact publications in top-tier journals. Dr. Dervishi is proficient in advanced statistical tools (SPSS, R, MATLAB, Python) and actively works on projects enhancing public health, sustainable food choices, and risk communication. Her research bridges neuroscience, consumer psychology, and behavioral economics to inform better decision-making in health and policy contexts.

Profile 

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Neurosciences, University of Bonn (2018-2022) 🏆
    • Grade: Summa cum laude (0.0)
    • Award: BIGS Neuroscience Thesis Award
  • M.Sc. in Neurosciences, University of Bonn (2015-2018) 🧠
    • CGPA: 1.2/1.0 (Excellent)
  • B.A. in Psychology, Hacettepe University, Turkey (2011-2015) 🧑‍🎓
    • Full scholarship
    • CGPA: 3.8/4.0 (Excellent)
  • Erasmus Semester, Ruhr University Bochum (2014) 🌍
    • Full scholarship

Dr. Dervishi’s educational journey spans psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science, equipping her with a strong foundation in cognitive processes, decision-making, and health research methodologies.

Professional Experience 👩‍🔬

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Ruhr University Bochum & University Hospital Bonn (2023-Present) 🏥
    • Investigating health and risk communication, patient safety, and food choice behavior.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bonn (2018-2023) 🔬
    • Conducted interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, behavioral economics, and nutrition psychology.
  • Doctoral Researcher & Research Associate, University of Bonn (2015-2018) 🧪
    • Studied neural and behavioral mechanisms of food perception, decision-making, and reward processing.

Dr. Dervishi’s research combines experimental neuroscience, psychology, and public health, with extensive experience in laboratory-based decision-making studies, statistical modeling, and patient-centered healthcare strategies.

Research Focus 🔍

Dr. Qëndresa Rramani Dervishi’s research focuses on decision-making, consumer behavior, and public health interventions. She investigates how front-of-package nutrition labels, food attributes, and environmental cues shape consumer choices and health-related behaviors. Using fMRI, behavioral experiments, and statistical modeling, her studies analyze how neural mechanisms influence eating habits, sustainability choices, and risk perception.

Her interdisciplinary approach bridges neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics, aiming to develop effective health communication strategies that encourage healthier and more sustainable decision-making. Additionally, her work in patient safety explores the role of Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) in healthcare systems, enhancing patient engagement and care quality. Through her research, Dr. Dervishi contributes to food policy, risk communication, and evidence-based health interventions to promote well-being and informed consumer decisions.

Publications 📚

📖 Smell the Label: Odors influence label perception and neural processing (Journal of Neuroscience, 2024).

🥗 Food for Future: The impact of menu design on vegetarian food choice (Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2024).

💰 Discounting Behavior: Differences in discounting behavior for food and money (ENeuro, 2024).

🥤 Taste It!: 7-day exposure to a protein-enriched drink increases familiarity (Food Quality and Preference, 2023).

🧠 Nutrition Claims & Brain Activity: How labels influence reward processing (Brain and Behavior, 2023).

⏳ Intertemporal Choice: Individual differences in decision-making over time (Frontiers in Psychology, 2021).

🍏 Disadvantageous Contexts & Food Choice: Social environments affecting eating behavior (Frontiers in Psychology, 2020).

🏷️ Nutrition Labels & Attention: How salient labels shift focus to healthy foods (Nutrition Research, 2020).

🌿 Multi-Faceted Effect of Eco-labels: Evaluating front-of-pack labels (Food Quality and Preference, under review).

📦 Front-of-Package Labeling: Impact on sustainable food choices (Elsevier, 2025).

👥 Patient Engagement in Safety: Role of PFACs in healthcare (In preparation).

Dr. Dervishi’s publications reflect her expertise in health communication, food decision-making, and neuroscience, shaping policies and interventions for better public health and sustainability. 🚀

Ramona Massoud | Food science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Ramona Massoud | Food science | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Iran National Standard Organization, Iran

Dr. Ramona Massoud is a leading expert in Food Science and Technology, currently heading the Standards Development Department at the Iran National Standard Organization. With a career spanning over 17 years at the organization, she has played a crucial role in shaping food safety standards. Dr. Massoud holds advanced degrees in Food Science and Technology and is recognized internationally for her contributions to food safety and quality. Her leadership extends to chairing the ISO/TC34/SC18 committee on Cocoa and serving as Vice Chairperson of ISIRI/TC34/SC18.

Author Metrics

Google Scholar Profile

Scopus Profile

Dr. Massoud’s author metrics are indicative of her significant impact in the field of Food Science. She has accumulated 651 total citations, with 617 of those citations occurring since 2019, reflecting recent relevance and ongoing influence. Her h-index of 14 suggests that 14 of her publications have been cited at least 14 times, demonstrating consistent quality and impact. Additionally, her i10-index of 17 shows that 17 of her articles have been cited at least 10 times, further highlighting her research’s importance.

Education

Dr. Massoud’s educational background is grounded in Food Science and Technology. She earned her Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. degrees from Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch. Her Ph.D. (2016-2020) focused on advanced food decontamination techniques, building on her previous M.Sc. (2011-2014) and B.Sc. (2005-2009) studies in the same field. This academic foundation has provided her with a deep understanding of food safety and technology.

Research Focus

Dr. Massoud’s research is centered on enhancing food safety through the biodecontamination of heavy metals. Her work addresses the removal of contaminants from food products, particularly focusing on milk. She is also involved in setting international food standards, such as the specification for Masala Chai, demonstrating her role in both practical and theoretical advancements in food technology.

Professional Journey

Dr. Massoud has had a distinguished career trajectory at the Iran National Standard Organization since 2006. She has advanced from food safety inspector to the Head of the Standards Development Department. Her professional journey includes serving as Chairperson of the ISO/TC34/SC18 committee on Cocoa and as Vice Chairperson of ISIRI/TC34/SC18. Additionally, she has contributed to academia as a professor at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch.

Honors & Awards

Dr. Massoud has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including being named Top Researcher at the Iran National Standards Organization in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2023. She has also been honored as the Chairperson of ISO/TC34/SC18 (Cocoa) in 2023 and has been a member of Iran’s National Elites Foundation since 2021. These awards highlight her exceptional contributions to food science and standards development.

Publications Noted & Contributions

Dr. Massoud has authored over 80 papers in reputable journals and has written several influential books. Her notable publications include research on the health benefits of chocolate, the improvement of Cheddar cheese properties, and the bioremoval of heavy metals. Her books, such as “Novel Technologies and Beneficial Microorganisms in Food Decontamination,” further establish her authority and contributions to the field.

“Nitrate levels in vegetables from markets in Tehran, Iran”

  • Authors: F Emami Khansari, FS Mirmohammadmakki, M Ghazi Khansari, …
  • Journal: Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B
  • Year: 2024

“Kombucha as a Health-Beneficial Drink for Human Health”

  • Authors: R Massoud, R Jafari, K Khosravi-Darani
  • Journal: Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
  • Year: 2024

“Application of biosensors in aflatoxins detection in food: a review”

  • Authors: SN Fam, R Massoud
  • Journal: Nutrition & Food Science
  • Year: 2023

“Role of microorganisms in bio-removal of heavy metals”

  • Authors: R Massoud, K Khosravi-Darani
  • Journal: Human, Health and Halal Metrics
  • Year: 2023

“OPEN ACCESS ORIGINAL ARTICLE”

  • Authors: A Zoghi, M Salimi, RS Mirmahdi, R Massoud, K Khosravi-Darani, …
  • Year: 2022

Research Timeline

Dr. Massoud’s research timeline reflects her focused contributions to food safety. After completing her M.Sc. in 2014 and Ph.D. in 2020, she has been actively involved in research on heavy metal decontamination in food products. Her work has led to significant publications and international presentations, illustrating her ongoing commitment to advancing food safety and technology.

Collaborations and Projects

Dr. Massoud has engaged in several important collaborations and projects, including proposing international standards for Masala Chai and researching biosensors for aflatoxin detection. Her work on the biodecontamination of heavy metals in food products and her role in various international committees demonstrate her collaborative efforts and influence in the field.

Strengths of the Best Researcher Award for Dr. Ramona Massoud

  1. Leadership in Standards Development: Dr. Massoud’s role as Head of the Standards Development Department at the Iran National Standard Organization and her positions with international committees showcase her leadership and influence in setting global food safety standards.
  2. Significant Research Impact: Her high citation metrics (651 total citations, 617 since 2019) and h-index of 14 reflect the substantial impact and relevance of her research in food science, particularly in food safety and contamination decontamination.
  3. Extensive Publication Record: Dr. Massoud’s extensive publication record, including over 80 papers and influential books, highlights her active engagement and contribution to advancing knowledge in food science.
  4. Awards and Recognition: Multiple awards, including the Top Researcher accolade at the Iran National Standards Organization and her role as Chairperson of ISO/TC34/SC18, underscore her exceptional contributions and recognition within the field.
  5. Focus on Food Safety: Her research on heavy metal biodecontamination and other food safety aspects aligns with pressing global concerns, demonstrating her commitment to addressing significant health and safety issues.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Diversity in Research Focus: While Dr. Massoud has a strong focus on heavy metal biodecontamination, expanding her research to include other emerging food safety concerns could enhance her research portfolio and impact.
  2. Broader Collaborations: Increasing collaborations with researchers and institutions beyond her current network could introduce new perspectives and methodologies, further enriching her research outcomes.
  3. Public Engagement: Enhancing efforts to communicate her research findings to the public through accessible formats could increase awareness and application of her work in everyday food safety practices.
  4. Funding and Grants: Securing additional research funding and grants could support more ambitious projects and the exploration of innovative technologies in food science.
  5. Interdisciplinary Approaches: Incorporating interdisciplinary approaches, such as integrating advanced technologies or collaborating with experts from other fields, could broaden the scope and impact of her research.

Conclusion

Dr. Ramona Massoud’s award as Best Researcher reflects her outstanding contributions and leadership in the field of Food Science and Technology. Her significant research impact, extensive publication record, and numerous awards demonstrate her role as a leading figure in food safety and standards development. To further enhance her impact, she could explore a broader range of research topics, expand collaborations, and engage more actively with the public. By addressing these areas for improvement, Dr. Massoud can continue to advance the field and contribute to global food safety and quality.