Amer Mahdi | Functional Food | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr Amer Mahdi |  Functional Food  |  Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at  Sana’a University, Yemen

Dr. Amer Ali Mahdi Amer is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Sana’a University, Yemen. He earned his Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering from Jiangnan University, China (2020), and his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Sana’a University, Yemen.

 

Publication Profile

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering (2015–2020), Jiangnan University, China
  • M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology (2012–2015), Sana’a University, Yemen
  • B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology (2003–2007), Sana’a University, Yemen

💼 Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Professor (2023–Present), Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Sana’a University
  • Head of Scientific Research Unit (2024–Present), Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Sana’a University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (2020–2023), Jiangsu University, China
  • Lecturer (2015–2015) and Teaching Assistant (2009–2015), Sana’a University
  • Quality Inspector (2007–2009), Coca-Cola Company, Yemen

🔬 Research Interests:

Functional Foods, Essential Oils, Nanofibers, Smart Packaging, Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants, Encapsulation, and Sensory Evaluation.

📚 Teaching Areas:

Essentials of Food Science, Food Preservation, Food Quality, Chemistry, and Biochemistry.

🏆 Honors and Awards:

  • Jiangnan University President Scholarship (2017–2018)
  • Certificate of Appreciation from Sana’a University’s President (2024)
  • Multiple recognitions from the Yemeni Ministry of Higher Education and the Embassy of Yemen in China

Citation Metrics:

🔢 Total Citations: 1,770
📅 Citations Since 2019: 1,763
📊 h-index: 24 (overall and since 2019)
📈 i10-index: 45 (overall and since 2019)

Publication Top Note:

  • Microencapsulation of fingered citron extract with gum arabic, modified starch, whey protein, and maltodextrin using spray drying
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 152, 1125-1134 (2020).
    Citations: 152
  • Effect of maltodextrin combination with gum arabic and whey protein isolate on the microencapsulation of gurum seed oil using a spray-drying method
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 171, 208-216 (2021).
    Citations: 136
  • Preparation, deproteinization, characterization, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from Medemia argun fruit
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 155, 919-926 (2020).
    Citations: 96
  • Application of essential oils as preservatives in food systems: Challenges and future prospectives – A review
    Phytochemistry Reviews, 1-38 (2021).
    Citations: 91
  • Intelligent colorimetric pH sensoring packaging films based on sugarcane wax/agar integrated with butterfly pea flower extract for optical tracking of shrimp freshness
    Food Chemistry, 373, 131514 (2022).
    Citations: 76
  • Enhancement of antioxidant activity, antifungal activity, and oxidation stability of Citrus reticulata essential oil nanocapsules by clove and cinnamon essential oils
    Food Bioscience, 43, 101226 (2021).
    Citations: 72
  • Molecular structure, morphological, and physicochemical properties of highlands barley starch as affected by natural fermentation
    Food Chemistry, 356, 129665 (2021).
    Citations: 64
  • Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/gelatin films loaded with microcapsules of Pulicaria jaubertii extract
    Food Hydrocolloids, 129, 107624 (2022).
    Citations: 58
  • Physicochemical properties, microstructure, and storage stability of Pulicaria jaubertii extract microencapsulated with different protein biopolymers and gum arabic as wall materials
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 187, 939-954 (2021).
    Citations: 54
  • Role of peppermint oil in improving the oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity of borage seed oil-loaded nanoemulsions fabricated by modified starch
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 153, 697-707 (2020).
    Citations: 52

 

Li Zheng | Plant Food Components | Best Researcher Award

Dr Li Zheng | Plant Food Components | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Northeast Agricultural University, China

Dr. Li Zheng is a distinguished lecturer at the College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, specializing in Food Science and Engineering with a focus on the processing and storage of agricultural products. Born on May 4, 1990, she completed her joint doctoral studies at Cornell University, USA, a prestigious Ivy League institution, before joining Northeast Agricultural University in July 2021 under the fifth-level B talent introduction program.

Profile:

🎓 Educational and Professional Journey:

Dr. Zheng’s academic journey is highlighted by her joint Ph.D. training at Cornell University, an Ivy League institution in the United States. Her research primarily focuses on the interactions of plant food components and the formation of colloidal structures, gels, and proteins.

📜 Academic Achievements:

Dr. Zheng has authored 20 scientific papers in renowned international journals, with 13 as the first or corresponding author, including publications in JCR-Q1 journals. Her work includes two highly cited papers and one hot paper, boasting a cumulative impact factor of 138.1. She has also published an article in a prestigious Science journal. Her innovative contributions are marked by four pending invention patents.

🏅 Honors and Recognition:

She has been honored as an “Academic Backbone” of Northeast Agricultural University, “Sanjiang Talents” of Jiamusi City, and “Science and Technology Special Correspondent” of Guangdong Province.

🔬 Research and Development:

Dr. Zheng has actively participated in numerous research projects, with a notable grant portfolio totaling $220,000. Her efforts have advanced scientific knowledge, improved industry practices, and facilitated cost-effective innovations. She has also been instrumental in extension activities, bridging the gap between research and practical applications through workshops and training programs.

Research Focus: Plant Food Components

Dr. Li Zheng’s research in plant food components primarily revolves around understanding and leveraging the intricate interactions within plant-based foods. Her work aims to enhance the quality, functionality, and storage of agricultural products. Key areas of her research include:

  1. Interaction of Plant Food Components:
    • Colloidal Structure Formation: Investigating how plant food components such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids interact to form stable colloidal systems.
    • Gel Formation: Exploring the mechanisms behind gelation in plant-based foods to develop improved textural properties in food products.
    • Protein Functionality: Studying the functional properties of plant proteins, including their solubility, emulsification, and foaming abilities, to enhance their use in various food applications.
  2. Innovation and Application:
    • Developing novel plant-based food products with improved nutritional and sensory properties.
    • Enhancing the shelf-life and stability of food products through advanced processing and storage techniques.
  3. Publications and Patents:
    • Authored 20 scientific papers in internationally recognized journals, including 9 in JCR-Q1 journals.
    • Holds 4 pending invention patents related to her research in plant food components.
  4. Project Involvement:
    • Principal investigator or participant in national and provincial research projects, focusing on high-impact studies in food science.
  5. Industry Collaboration:
    • Collaborating with industry partners to implement research findings into practical applications, improving food quality and sustainability.

Dr. Li Zheng’s dedication to plant food components research has significantly advanced the understanding of food science, driving innovation and enhancing the quality and efficiency of agricultural product processing and storage.

Publication Top Notes:

  • 3D Printing of Smart Labels with Curcumin-loaded Soy Protein Isolate
    • Authors: Li, H., Liu, M., Li, J., Wei, A., Hua, S.
    • Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
    • Citations: 5
  • Understanding the Structure, Interfacial Properties, and Digestion Fate of High Internal Phase Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Food-Grade Coacervates
    • Authors: Wang, L., Liu, M., Guo, P., Cui, Q., Hua, S.
    • Journal: Food Chemistry, 2023
    • Citations: 15
  • Gel Properties and Structural Characteristics of Composite Gels of Soy Protein Isolate and Silver Carp Protein
    • Authors: Zheng, L., Regenstein, J.M., Zhou, L., Mokhtar, S.M., Wang, Z.
    • Journal: Gels, 2023
    • Citations: 3
  • Reconstituted Rice Protein: The Raw Materials, Techniques, and Challenges
    • Authors: Zheng, L., Regenstein, J.M., Wang, Z., Zhang, H., Zhou, L.
    • Journal: Trends in Food Science and Technology, 2023
    • Citations: 6
  • The Amur Tiger Needs Transborder Protection
    • Authors: Zheng, L., Regenstein, J.M., Jiang, L., Wang, Z.
    • Journal: Science, 2022