Peter Makieu | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Peter Makieu | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Research Teaching Assistant at Njala University, Sierra Leone

Peter Makieu is a multidisciplinary researcher and academic with a strong foundation in Agribusiness Management, Computer Science, and Engineering. His work spans data analysis, machine learning applications in agriculture, food and nutrition research, and crop science. With published research in peer-reviewed Elsevier journals, he has demonstrated expertise in both scientific writing and research methodology. Peter’s academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural systems, promoting nutrition security, and integrating digital technology in rural development.

Publications Profile

Orcid

Google Scholar

πŸŽ“ Education Details

  • Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
    Njala University, Sierra Leone – Graduation: February 2025

  • Master of Science in Agribusiness Management
    Njala University, Sierra Leone – Graduated with GPA: 4.67 (April 2021)

  • Bachelor of Science with Honors in Agribusiness Management
    Graduated with GPA: 4.58

  • Diploma in Computer Science
    Graduated with GPA: 4.50
    Minor: Computer Science

  • Languages: Fluent in English, Mende, and Krio

πŸ‘©β€πŸ”¬ Professional Experience

Academic & Research Roles

  • Research Teaching Assistant, Njala University (Jan 2022 – Mar 2025)

    • Contributed to research, teaching, curriculum support, student mentoring, and data analysis.

  • Reviewer, Current Nutraceuticals Journal (April 2025)

    • Reviewed manuscripts, provided academic feedback, and upheld publication ethics.

  • Editorial Board Member, Botany Scientist Awards (March 2025)

    • Reviewed submissions and participated in award selection.

Administrative & Leadership Roles

  • Acting Principal & Lecturer, Ambassador Wurie Institute of Management and Technology College (Oct 2022 – July 2023)

    • Led academic administration, curriculum development, and stakeholder engagement.

Technical and Analytical Roles

  • Data Analyst, Office of the Vice President – Rice Value Chain Assessment (Oct 2023 – Dec 2024)

    • Conducted large-scale data analysis to support national agricultural initiatives.

  • Intern, Gold Tree Sierra Leone Limited (June – July 2021)

    • Worked on palm oil production and marketing with smallholder farmers.

  • National Electoral Commission (NEC) (March – April 2018)

    • Data Entry Officer for voter registration systems.

  • IT/ICT Officer and Tutor, Youth in Action for Development Sierra Leone (2014–2016)

    • Conducted ICT training for students and staff.

🌱 Research Interests

  1. Agribusiness

    • Sustainable business models in agriculture

    • Market analysis, global supply chains, and policy impact on agriculture

  2. Food and Nutrition

    • Nutrition security and access

    • Food safety in supply chains

    • Development of culturally relevant healthy food innovations

  3. Crop Science

    • Genetic improvement for yield and resilience

    • Agroecological practices and sustainable farming

    • Precision agriculture and smart farming technologies

  4. Machine Learning in Agriculture

    • Predictive analytics for crop yield

    • Data-driven farming via IoT and AI

    • Automation in agricultural processes

πŸ† Awards and Honors

  • Generic Research Competency, Academic Staff Association, Njala University – March 2024

  • Best Graduating Student, Department of Agribusiness – April 2021

  • Research Abilities & Leadership Competencies, Sierra Leone Debating Council – April 2021

πŸ” Conclusion

Peter Makieu is a dynamic academic with robust interdisciplinary training and a clear vision for integrating technology, research, and leadership in agricultural development. His career trajectory reflects a strong dedication to sustainability, innovation, and academic excellence. With proven expertise in both scientific and administrative roles, Peter is well-positioned to contribute significantly to research, policy, and educational initiatives within and beyond Sierra Leone.

Publications πŸ“š

πŸ“˜ 1. Nutritional Study
Title: Nutritional values of cassava leaves in three districts, Kenema, Kailahun, and Bo, Sierra Leone
Journal: Food and Humanity Journal, Elsevier
Year: 2025
πŸ“ Location: Sierra Leone
🌿 Keywords: Cassava leaves, Nutrition, Public health


πŸ“˜ 2. Agricultural Economics
Title: Assessing the Challenges Faced by Cocoa Farmers in Accessing Credit from Community Banks in Kailahun District, Sierra Leone
Journal: SSRN, Elsevier
Year: 2025
🍫 Keywords: Cocoa farming, Microfinance, Rural credit
πŸ“ Location: Kailahun District, Sierra Leone


πŸ“˜ 3. AI Deployment Study
Title: Evaluating the Performance of AI Models Deployed on Edge Devices Versus Traditional Cloud Environments
Journal: Computers and Electrical Engineering Journal, Elsevier
Year: 2025
πŸ€– Keywords: Edge computing, AI performance, Cloud vs Edge


πŸ“˜ 4. Neural Network Research
Title: Evaluating the Efficiency and Performance of Minimalist Neural Network Architectures with Hybrid Activation Functions
Journal: Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence Journal, Elsevier
Year: 2025
🧠 Keywords: Neural networks, AI architectures, Activation functions

QΓ«ndresa Rramani Dervishi | Food Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. QΓ«ndresa Rramani Dervishi | Food Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher, University of Bonn, Germany

Dr. QΓ«ndresa 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.

ProfileΒ 

Education πŸŽ“

  • Ph.D. in Neurosciences, University of Bonn (2018-2022) πŸ†
    • 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) πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ“
    • 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 πŸ‘©β€πŸ”¬

  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Ruhr University Bochum & University Hospital Bonn (2023-Present) πŸ₯
    • Investigating health and risk communication, patient safety, and food choice behavior.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bonn (2018-2023) πŸ”¬
    • Conducted interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, behavioral economics, and nutrition psychology.
  • Doctoral Researcher & Research Associate, University of Bonn (2015-2018) πŸ§ͺ
    • 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 πŸ”

Dr. QΓ«ndresa 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 πŸ“š

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

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

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

πŸ₯€ 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).

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

πŸ‘₯ 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. πŸš€

Tianyuan Song | Nutritional Science and Functional Foods | Young Scientist Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tianyuan Song | Nutritional Science and Functional Foods | Young Scientist Award

Assoc. Prof. at Zhejiang Gongshang University, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, China

Dr. Tianyuan Song is an Associate Professor at the School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University. After earning a Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering from South China University of Technology in 2022, he has pursued a research career focused on bioactive peptides, cellular exosomes, and food-drug homologous plants. With nearly eight years of experience in food science research, Dr. Song is committed to advancing the understanding of functional foods and their applications in health and nutrition. He serves as the Secretary of the International Society for Food Nutrition and Safety and is an expert member of the Working Committee on Chinese Special Medicine Foods and Bioactive Peptides.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Song completed his Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering from South China University of Technology in 2022. His doctoral studies focused on developing innovative approaches to studying bioactive compounds in food. Prior to this, he obtained a Master’s degree in Food Biotechnology, where he refined his expertise in molecular food science. His academic training has equipped him with multidisciplinary skills spanning food chemistry, biotechnology, and nutritional sciences.

Professional Experience

Since completing his Ph.D., Dr. Song has served as an Associate Professor at Zhejiang Gongshang University. His academic career includes leading projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province. Dr. Song has published 18 SCI-indexed papers and holds two patents related to bioactive peptides and functional food development. Additionally, he actively participates in research collaborations and professional committees, strengthening his academic and industry connections.

Research Interests

Dr. Song’s research focuses on foodborne bioactive peptides, cellular exosomes, and food-drug homologous plants. He investigates the functional properties of peptides and their potential to modulate cellular signaling pathways, particularly those associated with chronic diseases. His work also explores how natural compounds from food sources can serve therapeutic and preventive roles in human health. This interdisciplinary approach merges food science, molecular biology, and biotechnology to develop functional foods that improve public health outcomes.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Song has been recognized for his contributions to food science research with multiple honors. In 2021, he participated in a key research and development initiative under Guangdong Province’s R&D program. In 2023, he received competitive funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province. His innovations have also been acknowledged through patents, emphasizing his commitment to translating research into practical applications. His leadership roles in international and national committees further demonstrate his growing influence in the field.

Conclusion

Tianyuan Song is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award due to a robust academic foundation, impactful research contributions, and leadership in professional organizations. Strengthening global collaborations, increasing the practical application of research, and engaging more broadly with the scientific community would elevate the application further. Overall, the candidate demonstrates a promising trajectory in the field of food science and biotechnology, making them a strong contender for this recognition.

Publications Top Noted

1️⃣ Inhibitory Effects of a Sulfated Polysaccharide Isolated from Edible Red Alga Bangia fusco-purpurea on Ξ±-amylase and Ξ±-glucosidase

  • πŸ–‹ Z Jiang, G Yu, Y Liang, T Song, Y Zhu, H Ni, K Yamaguchi, T Oda
  • πŸ“– Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
  • πŸ“… 2019
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 51

2️⃣ Soybean-Derived Antihypertensive Peptide LSW (Leu–Ser–Trp) Antagonizes the Damage of Angiotensin II to Vascular Endothelial Cells Through the Trans-Vesicular Pathway

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, M Lv, M Zhou, M Huang, L Zheng, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • πŸ“… 2021
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 22

3️⃣ The Protective Effects of Tripeptides VPP and IPP Against Small Extracellular Vesicles from Angiotensin II-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Mediating Endothelial Damage

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, M Lv, L Zhang, X Zhang, G Song, M Huang, L Zheng, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • πŸ“… 2020
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 20

4️⃣ Tripeptides Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) and Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP) Regulate the Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Interfering with Ang II-Induced Human Umbilical Vein Cells

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, M Lv, B Sun, L Zheng, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • πŸ“… 2020
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 15

5️⃣ The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Vasoactive Peptides from Soybean Protein Hydrolysates by Mediating Serum Extracellular Vesicles-Derived miRNA-19b/CYLD/TRAF6 Axis

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, M Zhou, W Li, M Lv, L Zheng, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Food Research International
  • πŸ“… 2022
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 9

6️⃣ Identification and Screening of Potential ACE2 Activating Peptides from Soybean Protein Isolate Hydrolysate Against Ang II-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

  • πŸ–‹ M Zhou, T Song, W Li, M Huang, L Zheng, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • πŸ“… 2023
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 8

7️⃣ Signal Intensity of Stem Diameter Variation for the Diagnosis of Drip Irrigation Water Deficit in Grapevine

  • πŸ–‹ C Ru, X Hu, W Wang, H Ran, T Song, Y Guo
  • πŸ“– Horticulturae
  • πŸ“… 2021
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 8

8️⃣ Effects of Nitrogen on Nitrogen Accumulation and Distribution, Nitrogen Metabolizing Enzymes, Protein Content, and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Winter Wheat Under Heat Stress

  • πŸ–‹ C Ru, X Hu, M LΓΌ, D Chen, W Wang, T Song
  • πŸ“– Journal
  • πŸ“… 2022
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 5

9️⃣ Soybean-Derived Antihypertensive Hydrolysates Attenuate Ang II-Induced Renal Damage by Modulating MAPK and NF-ΞΊB Signaling Pathways

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, YY Ding, T Zhang, Q Cai, Y Hu, Q Gu, Z Gu
  • πŸ“– Food & Function
  • πŸ“… 2024
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 4

πŸ”Ÿ Tripeptide Leu-Ser-Trp Regulates the Vascular Endothelial Cells Phenotype Switching by Mediating the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Packaging

  • πŸ–‹ T Song, M Zhou, W Li, L Zheng, J Wu, M Zhao
  • πŸ“– Molecules
  • πŸ“… 2022
  • πŸ”’ Citations: 4