Dr. Md Mehedi Iqbal | Food Microbiology | Food Safety Innovation Award

Project Researcher at Nagasaki University, Japan

Dr. Md. Mehedi Iqbal Rocky is a marine microbiologist and bioinformatician with multidisciplinary research expertise in microbial ecology, marine science, and environmental bioinformatics. With over a decade of academic training and research experience in Bangladesh and Japan, he has significantly contributed to the understanding of microbial communities in marine ecosystems, particularly eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds. He is also experienced in AI and machine learning applications in environmental science and currently works as a Project Researcher at Nagasaki University.

Publications Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education Details

Ph.D. (2018–2022)
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Thesis: Microbial Community Composition and Diversity in the Eelgrass Bed
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Susumu Yoshizawa
M.Sc. (2016–2018)
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Thesis: Microbial community structure associated with eelgrass along the coast of Japan
Supervisor: Prof. Kazuhiro Kogure
M.Sc. in Marine Science (2013–2015)
University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Thesis: Phytoplankton species assemblages in the Rezu Khal estuary
CGPA: 3.54/4.00
B.Sc. (Hons.) in Marine Science (2008–2013)
University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Term Paper: Zooplankton biodiversity and environmental dynamics in Rezu Khal estuary
CGPA: 3.51/4.00

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience

Dec 2024 – Present: Project Researcher, Institute for East China Sea Research, Nagasaki University, Japan
Topic: CO₂ logger evaluation in ocean systems
Sep 2023 – Nov 2024: Bioinformatician/Data Scientist, Japan AI Consulting, Osaka
Work: R&D in AI/ML applications for environmental data
Apr 2022 – Sep 2023: Project Researcher, AORI, The University of Tokyo
Research: Seagrass microbiome interactions
Oct 2021 – Mar 2022: Research Assistant, AORI, The University of Tokyo
Research: Microbial succession in eelgrass decomposition
2013 – Present: Ongoing research in microbial ecology, phytoplankton, and estuarine biodiversity through various research and academic roles in Japan and Bangladesh

🌱 Research Interests

Marine microbial ecology and environmental microbiology
Microbial diversity and dynamics in seagrass ecosystems
Oceanographic data analysis and hydrological factors
Environmental DNA (eDNA) and next-generation sequencing
AI and machine learning for ecological data analysis
Aquatic pollution, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem modeling

🏆 Awards and Honors

Best Poster Presentation Award, ISME Microbial Ecology Summit, 2020
MEXT Scholarships (2015–2021) for Doctoral, Master’s, and Research Programs in Japan
Research Assistant/Project Researcher Awards, University of Tokyo (2021–2023)

🔍 Conclusion

Dr. Md. Mehedi Iqbal Rocky has built an impressive research trajectory blending marine science, microbial ecology, and AI-powered data analysis. His scholarly contributions are evident through high-quality journal publications, international conference presentations, and academic collaborations. With strong technical skills in bioinformatics, statistical modeling, and environmental monitoring, he is well-positioned for leadership roles in interdisciplinary research on marine ecosystems, environmental safety, and sustainable resource management.

Publications 📚

🧫 Iqbal, M.M., Nishimura, M., Yuya Tsukamoto, Yoshizawa, S. (2024).
Changes in microbial community structure related to biodegradation of eelgrass (Zostera marina).
🔬 Science of the Total Environment, 930, 172798.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172798
🧪 Iqbal, M.M., Nishimura, M., Sano, M., Yoshizawa, S. (2024).
Particle-attached microbes in eelgrass vegetation areas differ in community structure depending on the distance from the eelgrass bed.
🌱 Microbes and Environment, 38(3): ME23013.
🌊 Iqbal, M.M., Nishimura, M., Haider, M. N., Yoshizawa, S. (2023).
Microbial communities on eelgrass (Zostera marina) thriving in Tokyo Bay and the possible source of leaf-attached microbes.
🧬 Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 1102013.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1102013
🎤 Iqbal, M.M., Nishimura, M., Sano, M., Yoshizawa, S. (2022).
Diversity and dynamics of particle-associated and free-living bacteria in eelgrass (Zostera marina) bed along the coast of Japan.
📃 Proceedings of the Microbiology Society Conference.
https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.ac2021.po0237
🌍 Iqbal, M.M., Nishimura, M., Haider, M.N., Sano, M., Ijichi, M., Kogure, K., Yoshizawa, S. (2021).
Diversity and composition of microbial communities of an eelgrass (Zostera marina) bed in Tokyo Bay, Japan.
🧫 Microbes and Environment, 36(4): ME21037.
🐡 Wassel, M.A., Makabe‐Kobayashi, Y., Iqbal, M.M., Takatani, T., Sakakura, Y., Hamasaki, K. (2024).
The impact of tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the gut microbiome in juvenile tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes).
📊 Scientific Reports, 14, 16684.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66112-y
💧 Haider, M.N., Nishimura, M., Iqbal, M.M., Ikemoto, E., Ijichi, M., Kogure, K. (2023).
Bacterial response to glucose addition – growth and community structure in seawater microcosms.
🔬 Scientific Reports, 13, 341.
🧪 Souhardya, S.M., Kumar, U., Iqbal, M.M., et al. (2025).
Phytoplankton in contrasting ecosystems of the southeastern coast of Bangladesh: effects of seasonality and environmental factors.
🌿 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 197, 260.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-13699-y
🐾 Shawon, R.A.R., Rahman, M.M., Dandi, S.O., Agbayiza, B., Iqbal, M.M., et al. (2025).
Knowledge, perception, and practices of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management in Bangladesh.
🐘 Animals, 15(3), 296.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030296
📸 Shawon, R.A.R., Rahman, M.M., Iqbal, M.M., Russel, M.A., Moribe, J. (2024).
An assessment of the diversity and seasonal dynamics of small- and medium-sized mammals in Pittachhara Forest, Bangladesh, using a camera trap survey.
🦝 Animals, 14(24), 3568.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243568
⚗️ Mazed, M.M., Haque, A., Iqbal, M.M., Rana, S., Ahammad, K., et al. (2023).
Heavy metal (As, Cr, and Pb) contamination and associated human health risks in two commercial fish species in Bangladesh.
🐟 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195, 1400.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11985-1
🐣 Nahid, S.A.A., Rana, S., Sultana, N., Mawa, J., Iqbal, M.M., et al. (2023).
Larval fish assemblages in coastal waters of Bangladesh: Spatial and seasonal dynamics.
🌐 Conservation, 4, 36–50.
https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4010003

Ms. Kayise Maseko | Cellular agriculture | Best Scholar Award

Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Kayise Hypercia Maseko is a dedicated food scientist and PhD candidate at Tshwane University of Technology, specializing in sustainable food production systems and cellular agriculture. With a background in Food Technology, her research focuses on alternative protein sources, functional foods, and food preservation techniques. Her work in fungi-based meat analogues and mushroom mycelia optimization contributes to the advancement of lab-grown food technologies. She has collaborated with Agricultural Research Council (ARC-TSC) and WildBio on projects related to food processing and cultivated meat alternatives. A passionate educator, she has worked as a tutor and assistant lecturer, mentoring future food scientists. Kayise is an active member of SACNASP and SAAFoST, with multiple peer-reviewed journal publications and international conference presentations (SAAFoST 2023, IUFoST 2024). Her commitment to food security and biotechnology innovation is evident in her ongoing research contributions, aiming to address global challenges in sustainable food production.

Profile

Orcid

Education

🎓 PhD in Food Technology (2023 – Present)
Tshwane University of Technology

Research Topic: Evaluation of biomaterials for mycelium production and development of hybrid cell-cultured meat.

🎓 Master of Agricultural Science (M-Tech in Food Technology) (2019 – 2022)
Tshwane University of Technology

Research Topic: Screening the functional properties of unripe banana flour from 35 varieties based on their genomic and sub-genomic groups.
Research Conducted at: Agricultural Research Council – Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC).

🎓 B-Tech in Food Technology (2018)
Tshwane University of Technology

Research Topic: Commercial Traditional-type, source of fibre mageu.

Research Focus

🔬 Sustainable Food Production Systems – Investigating eco-friendly and efficient food production methods to enhance global food security.

🌱 Cellular Agriculture – Developing innovative approaches to cultivated meat, focusing on hybrid cell-based meat analogues using fungi-based protein sources.

🥦 Alternative Protein Sources – Exploring mushroom mycelia and plant-based proteins as viable meat substitutes for sustainable diets.

🛡️ Food Preservation Techniques – Researching novel food preservation and processing methods to enhance nutritional value and shelf life.

🍌 Functional Foods & Biomaterials – Studying unripe banana flour functional properties and biomaterials for food production to improve food formulations.

🏭 Industry Collaboration – Working with WildBio on cultivated animal cell biomass and hybrid fungi-based meat alternatives.

📢 Academic Outreach – Presenting research at international conferences (SAAFoST 2023, IUFoST 2024) and mentoring students in food science.

Publications

📜 Mushroom mycelia as sustainable alternative proteins for the production of hybrid cell‐cultured meat: A review – Journal of Food Science (2025) 🔗 [DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.70060]

🍌 Musa species variation, production, and the application of its processed flour: A review – Scientia Horticulturae (2024) 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112688]

🍄 Effect of Culture Media on the Yield and Protein Content of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) Kumm Mycelia – International Journal of Food Science (2024) 🔗 [DOI: 10.1155/ijfo/5562732]

🧪 Discrimination of Musa banana genomic and sub-genomic groups based on multi-elemental fingerprints and chemometrics – Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (2021) 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104334]

Md Mehedi Iqbal | Food Microbiology | Food Safety Innovation Award