Terhi Junkkari | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Terhi Junkkari | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Principal lecturer at University of Turku/Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Dr. Terhi Junkkari is a seasoned expert in food science and consumer research with a strong academic background and over two decades of experience spanning academia, research, and the food industry. Currently a Principal Lecturer at SeinΓ€joki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK), Finland, she has held leadership roles including Dean of the School of Food and Agriculture. Her work bridges nutrition science, food development, and sustainable food systems, contributing to over 30 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 100 other scientific reports. She actively engages in EU-funded projects focused on food sustainability and innovation.

Publications Profile

Scopus

Orcid

πŸŽ“ Education Details

  • D.Sc. (Food Science/Nutrition) – University of Helsinki, 2001
    Thesis: The effect of vitamin D status on calcium and bone metabolism

  • M.Sc. (Human Nutrition) – University of Helsinki, 1994
    Thesis: Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on arachidonic acid metabolism in rat thyroid cells

  • Professional Teacher Education (Pedagogical Qualification) – HΓ€me University of Applied Sciences, 2016

πŸ‘©β€πŸ”¬ Professional Experience

Current Role:

  • Principal Lecturer, Food Science & Consumer Research, SeinΓ€joki University of Applied Sciences (2022–present)

Previous Roles:

  • Dean, School of Food and Agriculture, SeAMK (2019–2021)

  • Lecturer, Food Development, SeAMK (2018)

  • Director, Business Unit Finland, Analyse2, Espoo (2015–2018)

  • Senior Manager, Professional Services Finland, Analyse2 (2008–2015)

  • Product Developer, Saarioinen Ltd, Tampere (2000–2008)

🌱 Research Interests

  • Nutrition labeling and consumer behavior

  • Product development for health and sustainability

  • Vitamin D and bone/calcium metabolism

  • Sustainable and future-oriented food systems

  • Public health nutrition and ready-to-eat food evaluation

  • Applied food science in foodservice and catering contexts

Ongoing EU-Funded Projects:

  • FOODPathS (2022–2025): Co-creating safe and sustainable food systems

  • FutureFoodS (2024–2030): European Partnership for future sustainable food systems

  • Future Frami Food Lab (2023–2025): Development of a regional food lab for innovation

πŸ† Awards and Honors

  • Board Member, Association of Clinical and Public Health Nutritionists in Finland (RTY), 2006–2007

  • Chair, Sustainability and Responsibility Working Group, SeAMK, 2019–2022

  • Multiple professional certifications including hygiene passport, project management, and leadership training

πŸ” Conclusion

Dr. Terhi Junkkari combines deep scientific expertise with practical industry and educational experience, making her a leading voice in nutrition-focused food science. Her academic contributions, leadership in sustainability initiatives, and engagement in EU research projects illustrate her commitment to advancing food system innovation and public health. Her research continues to impact both scientific understanding and real-world food development strategies.

Publications πŸ“š

πŸ“„ Title: The effect of nutrition labels on lunch buffet consumption: a real-life experiment
πŸ‘₯ Authors: Junkkari, T.; Kantola, M.; Arjanne, L.; Luomala, H.T.; Hopia, A.I.
πŸ“š Journal: British Food Journal
πŸ“… Year: 2023
πŸ”“ Access: Open Access
πŸ”— DOI/Link: (Insert DOI or URL if available)
πŸ“ Article Type: Research Article
πŸ” Keywords: Nutrition labels, Consumer behavior, Buffet consumption, Real-life experiment

 

 

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