Sanjay Kumar | Food Safety | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sanjay Kumar | Food Safety | Best Researcher Award

Principal Scientist at Niagara Bottling, United States

Dr. Sanjay Kumar is a Principal Scientist specializing in food safety and microbiology with over two decades of international research experience. He holds a Ph.D. from ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, India, with a strong foundation in microbial ecology and antimicrobial interventions. Dr. Kumar’s research centers on the inactivation of foodborne pathogens using novel, GRAS-status antimicrobials, quantitative microbiological risk assessment, and the microbiome of food animals.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Microbiology, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, India (2010)

  • M.S. in Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, India (2001)

  • B.S. in Industrial Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, India (1998)

🔬 Research Interests:

  • Control of foodborne pathogens using GRAS-status antimicrobials

  • Microbial ecology and contamination in food processing systems

  • Risk assessment through omics-based microbial exposure evaluation

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Principal Scientist, Niagara Bottling LLC (2019–Present)
    Leads microbiological R&D, food safety strategy, and regulatory compliance across 40+ plants.

  • Staff Scientist, Poultry Science, University of Georgia (2015–2019)
    Focused on microbiome, food safety interventions, and poultry gut health.

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Pennsylvania (2013–2015)
    Investigated antimicrobial resistance and microbiome shifts in dairy cattle.

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (2012–2013)
    Characterized rumen methanogens and enzymes for methane mitigation.

🧪 Notable Funded Projects (Co-PI):

  • U.S. Soybean Board: Gut health in antibiotic-free broilers

  • Innovation Enzymes: Enzyme supplementation and poultry performance

  • Huvepharma: Probiotics against poultry pathogens

🏆 Awards and Honors:

  • Best Poster Awards (CAES, Center for Food Safety, ASAS)

  • ICAR Senior Research Fellowship

  • DBT Travel Award (BioMicroWorld, Lisbon)

  • Outstanding Teacher Award – Dolphin College, India

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 3,680

  • Citations Since 2020: 2,237

  • h-index: 29 (26 since 2020)

  • i10-index: 41 (30 since 2020)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Chicken Gut Microbiota: Importance and Detection Technology
    BOWKK Yue Shang, Sanjay Kumar
    Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences, 2018
    📚 Citations: 479

  • Magnesium ammonium phosphate formation, recovery and its application as valuable resources: a review
    YH Liu, S Kumar, JH Kwag, CS Ra
    Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 2012
    📚 Citations: 229

  • Probiotics and atopic dermatitis: an overview
    YHP IA Rather, VK Bajpai, S Kumar, J Lim, WK Paek
    Frontiers in Microbiology, 2016
    📚 Citations: 224

  • New aspects and strategies for methane mitigation from ruminants
    S Kumar et al.
    Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2014
    📚 Citations: 205

  • Effect of antibiotic withdrawal in feed on chicken gut microbial dynamics…
    HT S Kumar et al.
    PLoS ONE, 2018
    📚 Citations: 199

  • Factors affecting rumen methanogens and methane mitigation strategies
    S Kumar et al.
    World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2009
    📚 Citations: 169

  • Associative patterns among anaerobic fungi, methanogenic archaea and bacteria…
    D Kumar, S., Indugu, N., Vecchiarelli, B., Pitta
    Frontiers in Microbiology, 2015
    📚 Citations: 168

  • Temporal dynamics in the ruminal microbiome of dairy cows during the transition period
    Pitta, Kumar, et al.
    Journal of Animal Science, 2014
    📚 Citations: 155

  • Metagenomic assessment of the functional potential of the rumen microbiome…
    Pitta, Kumar, et al.
    Anaerobe, 2016
    📚 Citations: 133

  • Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella…
    Velasquez, Macklin, Kumar, et al.
    Poultry Science, 2018
    📚 Citations: 118

 

Mohammadreza Asghari | Food safety | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Mohammadreza Asghari |  Food safety | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Urmia University,  Iran

Prof. Dr. Mohammadreza Asghari is a distinguished professor in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture at Urmia University, Iran. He earned his Ph.D. in Postharvest Horticulture from Tehran University and has built a robust academic and research career specializing in crop physiology, crop quality, postharvest technology, food safety, plant hormones, and modern and organic horticulture.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

  • Ph.D. in Postharvest Horticulture – University of Tehran

  • Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran

🌱 Areas of Expertise:

  • Crop Physiology & Quality

  • Postharvest Physiology & Technology

  • Food Safety

  • Plant Hormones & Growth Regulators

  • Fruit Production, Intensive & Organic Orchards

  • Modern Horticulture

🧪 Research & Innovation:

  • 92 Journal Articles | 65 Conference Papers | 4 Books

  • Editor-in-Chief of Pomology Research Journal

  • 47 Supervised Theses

  • 1 Invention: A safe, anti-stress compound for use during crop growth and postharvest

  • Research focus includes improving crop resistance, marketability, and nutritional quality

🏆 Awards & Recognition:

  • 🏅 Top 2% Scientist (Stanford University) – 2021 & 2024

  • 🎓 Top Student in National Ph.D. & M.Sc. Entrance Exams, Tehran University

📈 Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 2,871

  • Citations Since 2020: 1,783

  • h-index: 27

  • h-index Since 2020: 23

  • i10-index: 38

  • i10-index Since 2020: 31

Publication Top Notes:

  • Impact of Salicylic Acid on Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops
    Asghari, M.R., Soleimani Aghdam, M.
    Trends in Food Science & Technology, 21, 502–509 (2010) — Cited: 614

  • Effect of Pre- and Postharvest Salicylic Acid Treatment on Ethylene Production, Fungal Decay, and Overall Quality of Selva Strawberry Fruit
    Babalar, M., Asghari, M., Talaei, A., Khosroshahi, A.
    Food Chemistry, 105(2), 449–453 (2007) — Cited: 441

  • Impact of Postharvest Brassinosteroids Treatment on PAL Activity in Tomato Fruit in Response to Chilling Stress
    Aghdam, M.S., Asghari, M., Farmani, B., Mohayeji, M., Moradbeygi, H.
    Scientia Horticulturae, 144, 116–120 (2012) — Cited: 141

  • Effects of Foliar Applications of Nitric Oxide and Spermidine on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Citrus Seedlings Under Salinity Stress
    Asghari, M.R., Khoshbakht, D.
    Photosynthetica, 56(4), 1313–1325 (2018) — Cited: 109

  • Alleviation of Postharvest Chilling Injury of Tomato Fruit by Salicylic Acid Treatment
    Aghdam, M.S., Asghari, M., Khorsandi, O., Mohayeji, M.
    Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51, 2815–2820 (2014) — Cited: 98

  • Interaction Effects of Salicylic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate on Antioxidant Content and Enzyme Activity in ‘Sabrosa’ Strawberry During Storage
    Asghari, M., Hasanlooe, A.R.
    Scientia Horticulturae, 197, 490–495 (2015) — Cited: 89

  • Eco-Friendly Technology for Postharvest Produce Quality
    Siddiqui, M.W. (Ed.), includes chapter by Asghari, M.R.
    Academic Press (2016) — Cited: 80

  • Impact of Jasmonates on Safety, Productivity, and Physiology of Food Crops
    Asghari, M.
    Trends in Food Science & Technology, 91, 169–183 (2019) — Cited: 76

  • Methyl Jasmonate Enhances Defense Enzyme Activity and Antioxidant Content in ‘Sabrosa’ Strawberry Fruit
    Asghari, M., Hasanlooe, A.R.
    Food Science & Nutrition, 4(3), 377–383 (2016) — Cited: 70

  • Influence of Foliar-Applied Polyamines on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics in Citrus Under Saline Conditions
    Khoshbakht, D., Asghari, M.R., Haghighi, M.
    Photosynthetica, 56, 731–742 (2018) — Cited: 65

 

Ravi babu Valapa | Food packaging | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Ravi babu Valapa |  Food packaging |  Best Researcher Award

Senior Scientist at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute …, India

Dr. V. Ravi Babu is a Senior Scientist at the Electrochemical Process Engineering Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. With an M.Tech. and Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Babu specializes in electrochemical processes and materials. His research contributes to advancements in electrochemical engineering and applications, enhancing industrial processes and sustainable energy solutions.

Publication Profile

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati
  • M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering (Plant Design), NIT Trichy
  • B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad

Professional Appointments:

  • Senior Scientist (2021–Present)
    Electrochemical Process Engineering Division, CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi
  • Scientist (2017–2021)
    Electrochemical Process Engineering Division, CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi
  • Technical Officer (2015–2017)
    Centre for Biopolymer Science and Technology, CIPET, Kochi
  • Research Fellow (2010–2015)
    Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Assam

Research Projects :

  • Functional Biodegradable Polymers for tissue engineering with antibacterial properties
  • COVID-19 Support: Design of printable face shields and ICU ventilator components
  • 3D Printable Aerospace Composites: Graphene-reinforced PEEK composite filament
  • Biopolymer-Based Medical Applications: 3D printed osteoplugs for medical use
  • Advanced Battery Materials: Hybrid polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries
  • Carbon Capture Technology: Scaling adsorption processes for carbon capture in various industries

Technologies Developed & Transferred :

  • Carbon Capture Adsorbents for industrial applications (licensed to Summits Hygronics Pvt Ltd.)
  • 3D Printing Filaments: Graphene-reinforced polymer, cost-effective ABS, PLA for commercial uses
  • UV Protective Polymer Composites for automotive and packaging industries

Citations:

Citations: 1,094 (921 since 2019)
h-index: 15 (15 since 2019)
i10-index: 21 (19 since 2019)

Publication Top Notes

  • Thermogravimetric analysis for characterization of nanomaterials
    S Loganathan, RB Valapa, RK Mishra, G Pugazhenthi, S Thomas
    Thermal and Rheological Measurement Techniques for Nanomaterials (2017)
    Citations: 166
  • Effect of graphene content on the properties of poly (lactic acid) nanocomposites
    RB Valapa, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    RSC Advances 5 (36), 28410-28423 (2015)
    Citations: 162
  • UV protective poly (lactic acid)/rosin films for sustainable packaging
    M Narayanan, S Loganathan, RB Valapa, S Thomas, TO Varghese
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 99, 37-45 (2017)
    Citations: 152
  • An overview of polymer–clay nanocomposites
    RB Valapa, S Loganathan, G Pugazhenthi, S Thomas, TO Varghese
    Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites, 29-81 (2017)
    Citations: 105
  • Thermal degradation kinetics of sucrose palmitate reinforced poly (lactic acid) biocomposites
    R Valapa, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 65, 275-283 (2014)
    Citations: 67
  • Hydrolytic degradation behaviour of sucrose palmitate reinforced poly (lactic acid) nanocomposites
    R Babu Valapa, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 89, 70-80 (2016)
    Citations: 50
  • Fabrication and characterization of sucrose palmitate reinforced poly (lactic acid) bionanocomposite films
    RB Valapa, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    Journal of Applied Polymer Science 132 (3) (2015)
    Citations: 43
  • Investigating the properties of poly (lactic acid)/exfoliated graphene based nanocomposites fabricated by versatile coating approach
    G Chakraborty, RB Valapa, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 113, 1080-1091 (2018)
    Citations: 39
  • Biobased polymer composite from poly (lactic acid): processing, fabrication, and characterization for food packaging
    J Jacob, U Lawal, S Thomas, RB Valapa
    Processing and Development of Polysaccharide-Based Biopolymers for Packaging (2020)
    Citations: 34
  • Influence of graphene on thermal degradation and crystallization kinetics behaviour of poly (lactic acid)
    R Valapa, S Hussain, PK Iyer, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    Journal of Polymer Research 22, 1-14 (2015)
    Citations: 33
  • An overview of polymer–clay nanocomposites
    R Babu Valapa, S Loganathan, G Pugazhenthi, S Thomas, TO Varghese
    Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites, 29-81 (2017)
    Citations: 32
  • Influence of linear and branched amine functionalization in mesoporous silica on the thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of sustainable Poly(lactic acid) biocomposite films
    S Loganathan, J Jacob, RB Valapa, S Thomas
    Polymer (2018)
    Citations: 31
  • Investigation on the Influence of EVA Content on the Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Poly (lactic acid) Blends
    VH Sangeetha, RB Valapa, SK Nayak, TO Varghese
    Journal of Polymers and the Environment 26, 1-14 (2018)
    Citations: 29
  • 3D bioprinted poly (lactic acid)/mesoporous bioactive glass based biomimetic scaffold with rapid apatite crystallization and in-vitro Cytocompatibility for bone tissue engineering
    S Pant, S Thomas, S Loganathan, RB Valapa
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 217, 979-997 (2022)
    Citations: 22
  • Antioxidant incorporated biopolymer composites for active packaging
    J Jacob, S Thomas, S Loganathan, RB Valapa
    Processing and Development of Polysaccharide-Based Biopolymers for Packaging (2020)
    Citations: 17
  • Super toughened renewable poly (lactic acid) based ternary blends system: effect of degree of hydrolysis of ethylene vinyl acetate on impact and thermal properties
    VH Sangeetha, R Babu Valapa, SK Nayak, TO Varghese
    RSC Advances 6 (76), 72681-72691 (2016)
    Citations: 15
  • Poly (lactic acid)/polyethylenimine functionalized mesoporous silica biocomposite films for food packaging
    J Jacob, V Robert, RB Valapa, S Kuriakose, S Thomas, S Loganathan
    ACS Applied Polymer Materials 4 (7), 4632-4642 (2022)
    Citations: 14
  • Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of sucrose palmitate reinforced poly (lactic acid) bionanocomposites
    R Valapa, S Hussain, P Krishnan Iyer, G Pugazhenthi, V Katiyar
    Polymer Bulletin 73, 21-38 (2016)
    Citations: 14
  • Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites
    RB Valapa, S Loganathan, G Pugazhenthi, S Thomas, TO Varghese
    Bölüm An Overview of Polymer–Clay Nanocomposites, 29-8 (2017)
    Citations: 12
  • Studies on removal of chromium (VI) from water using chitosan coated Cyperus pangorei
    R Malarvizhi, Y Venkateswarlu, V Ravi Babu, S Syghana Begum
    Water Science and Technology 62 (10), 2435-2441 (2010)
    Citations: 12