Tooraj Mehdizadeh | Functional foods | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Tooraj Mehdizadeh | Functional foods | Best Researcher Award

Assuciate Professor at Urmia University, Iran

Dr. Tooraj Mehdizadeh is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of food hygiene and quality control, currently serving at Urmia University. As an expert in food safety, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing food quality through innovative research and academic leadership. With a career dedicated to the development of safe and functional food systems, Dr. Mehdizadeh is widely recognized for his contributions to food chemical safety, antimicrobial food technologies, and shelf-life enhancement strategies. He is also an active member of multiple academic councils and editorial boards, playing influential roles in national and international food hygiene initiatives.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Mehdizadeh began his academic journey by earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) degree from Urmia University in 2006. His passion for food safety led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Food Hygiene, which he completed at the same institution in 2012. Throughout his education, he displayed a deep commitment to integrating veterinary sciences with food quality management. His academic training provided the foundation for his ongoing research into foodborne hazards, functional foods, and emerging food technologies such as nanotechnology and bioactive packaging.

Experience

Over the years, Dr. Mehdizadeh has held numerous academic and administrative roles that underscore his commitment to educational excellence. He has served as Head of the Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control at Urmia University and is the current Superintendent of the postgraduate course in food hygiene. He was also appointed Associate Professor in 2019 and has since been involved in research, curriculum development, and institutional leadership. Notably, he has played a vital role as a member of the research council at the Food and Beverages Safety Research Center of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, where his efforts contribute to national food policy and safety programs. His prior roles as assistant professor and research assistant from 2007 onwards reflect a career built on sustained academic growth and scholarly dedication.

Research

Dr. Mehdizadeh’s research interests span a range of cutting-edge topics including food nanotechnology, probiotics, natural antimicrobials, active packaging, and postbiotics. He focuses particularly on food safety innovations that prolong shelf life and reduce microbial contamination in food systems. His work often bridges disciplines, combining microbiology, chemistry, and engineering to address food quality challenges in a holistic manner. He has also shown particular interest in exploring the role of antioxidants in food preservation and in developing natural food additives to replace synthetic chemicals. These research themes not only reflect global food safety concerns but also emphasize sustainability and consumer health.

Awards

Throughout his career, Dr. Mehdizadeh has been honored with multiple nominations and recognitions for his contributions to science and education. Notably, he served as the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Food Hygiene Congress in 2018. He has been an invited speaker at five international congresses, delivering four oral presentations and a plenary lecture, which reflect his stature in the scientific community. His leadership has further been recognized through invitations to contribute to national and international symposia and by being entrusted with supervisory roles over graduate-level research projects both in Iran and abroad.

Publications

Dr. Mehdizadeh has a solid publication record, with over 50 peer-reviewed articles and a Scopus h-index of 34, reflecting around 3,584 citations. Among his selected works, the following seven stand out:

  1. “Application of edible coatings to improve shelf life of meat products” (2020, LWT – Food Science and Technology, cited by 134 articles),

  2. “Antimicrobial activity of plant-based essential oils in food systems” (2019, Food Control, cited by 210 articles),

  3. “Nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds for food applications” (2021, Trends in Food Science & Technology, cited by 156 articles),

  4. “Use of probiotics and prebiotics in meat preservation” (2018, Meat Science, cited by 98 articles),

  5. “Natural antioxidants and their impact on lipid oxidation in food” (2017, Journal of Food Science and Technology, cited by 165 articles),

  6. “Biodegradable packaging systems for food preservation” (2022, Food Packaging and Shelf Life, cited by 87 articles),

  7. “Postbiotic applications in dairy and non-dairy products” (2023, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, cited by 65 articles).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Tooraj Mehdizadeh has established himself as a leading figure in food hygiene research, academic leadership, and food technology innovation. With a strong foundation in veterinary and food sciences, he has successfully merged academic rigor with practical applications that address critical issues in public health and food security. His continued efforts in mentoring, publishing, and policy involvement highlight a career dedicated to enhancing global food quality and safety standards. As a prolific researcher, educator, and scientific leader, Dr. Mehdizadeh’s work continues to shape the future of food hygiene and safety on both national and international platforms.

Wanyan Li | Animal nutrition | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanyan Li | Animal nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Accociate Professor at Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, China

Dr. Wanyan Li is an accomplished associate professor at the College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering. As a dedicated researcher and academic, she has focused her expertise on understanding how polysaccharides derived from traditional Chinese medicine and other feed additives influence the growth, development, and immune regulation in poultry and livestock. With an impressive record of scholarly output and applied research, Dr. Li has emerged as a key contributor in the field of animal nutrition and veterinary immunology. Her work stands at the intersection of traditional medicine and modern livestock science, earning her respect as both a scientist and an innovator. She actively supports rural science development and holds the designation of a registered rural science and technology dispatcher, contributing to regional development initiatives in Guangdong Province.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Li’s academic foundation is rooted in a strong doctoral background with specialized training in animal science and veterinary pharmacology. Throughout her academic journey, she cultivated an interdisciplinary approach that combines biological sciences, immunology, and traditional Chinese veterinary practices. This well-rounded education has empowered her to tackle complex research questions related to livestock health and feed efficiency. Her educational philosophy emphasizes the integration of empirical science with indigenous knowledge systems, an approach that continues to guide her research and teaching methodologies.

Experience

In terms of professional experience, Dr. Li has taken on multiple roles, including teaching, research, and rural development. She has successfully led two major projects at both the national and provincial levels, including a grant under the National Natural Science Foundation of China. These projects have focused on animal immunomodulation and sustainable feed additives, aligning with national priorities in food safety and animal welfare. Her teaching contributions have also been widely recognized, with accolades such as the “Top Ten Middle-aged and Young Teachers” and the “Third Prize for Excellent Teaching Quality.” As a mentor, she has guided students through veterinary skills competitions, contributing to their hands-on learning and success, notably receiving the “Outstanding Instructor Award” in the “Xiongying Cup” competition.

Research

Dr. Li’s primary research interests include the biological mechanisms through which traditional Chinese polysaccharides and novel feed additives impact immune response, gut health, and overall performance in poultry and livestock. She is particularly interested in the immunomodulatory properties of herbal extracts, with a goal to improve animal resistance to disease while reducing antibiotic dependence. In addition, her work explores the synergies between microbiota balance and growth metrics in animals raised under intensive and semi-intensive systems. She employs both molecular and in vivo techniques to validate her findings, bringing scientific rigor to traditional remedies.

Awards and honors

Her work has been recognized with several awards and honors that underscore her contributions to both academic and applied agricultural science. In addition to the aforementioned teaching awards, she has also been a pivotal figure in the Guangdong Province Rural Science and Technology Dispatcher Project, where she played a crucial role in town assistance and rural revitalization. These roles exemplify her commitment to community engagement and knowledge transfer, demonstrating that her impact extends far beyond the laboratory or classroom.

Publications

Among Dr. Li’s most notable scholarly contributions are seven SCI-indexed journal publications that have collectively enhanced our understanding of immune response and animal nutrition. Some of her most cited and impactful works include:

  1. “Polysaccharide Supplementation Enhances Immune Function in Broilers” – Poultry Science, 2025, cited by 12 articles.

  2. “Immunoregulatory Effects of Traditional Herbal Extracts in Livestock” – Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021, cited by 15 articles.

  3. “Gut Microbiota Modulation via Feed Additives” – Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2022, cited by 9 articles.

  4. “Efficacy of Plant-based Feed Additives in Reducing Antibiotic Use” – Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, cited by 17 articles.

  5. “Effects of Fermented Herbal Products on Poultry Growth” – Poultry Science, 2023, cited by 8 articles.

  6. “Polysaccharide-Induced Immune Activation in Chickens” – Poultry Science, 2024, cited by 11 articles.

  7. “Comparative Study on Feed Additive Efficacy in Livestock Nutrition” – Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021, cited by 10 articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Wanyan Li exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding academic and researcher, balancing her roles in education, innovation, and community service. Her integrative research contributes significantly to the advancement of livestock nutrition, animal welfare, and rural science. With a forward-looking vision and a solid track record of excellence, Dr. Li is a fitting nominee for the Best Researcher Award, not only for her individual achievements but also for the broader impact of her work on agriculture and rural revitalization in China. Her continued efforts promise to shape sustainable and scientifically sound practices in the field of animal science for years to come.