kai Zhou | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Biotechnology Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. kai Zhou | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

department head at Jiujiang university, China

Kai Zhou, Ph.D., is an accomplished Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences at Jiujiang University, where he has demonstrated significant contributions in the domains of food safety, nutrition, and the high-value utilization of agricultural resources. His professional journey reflects a solid combination of academic rigor, industrial application, and educational dedication. With a background rooted in food science and aquatic product processing, he has evolved his expertise to focus on the detection and control of harmful substances in fermented foods, contributing practical solutions and technological innovations to the food industry. His leadership roles, recognized teaching impact, and multiple research projects underscore his commitment to advancing food science and ensuring food safety standards are elevated through innovative methodologies.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Kai Zhou’s educational background lays a robust foundation for his interdisciplinary work in food science and safety. He obtained his Ph.D. in Food Nutrition and Safety from South China Agricultural University, where he conducted advanced research under the guidance of Professors Yuanming Sun and Zhenlin Xu from 2015 to 2019. During this period, he also expanded his global academic perspective through a joint doctoral training program at the University of Bologna in Italy, collaborating with Professors Rosalba Lanciotti and Francesca Patrignani. Before his doctoral studies, he earned his M.S. in Aquatic Product Processing and Storage Engineering at Bohai University under Professor Xuepeng Li, focusing on techniques that enhance the preservation and processing of aquatic products. His educational journey began with a B.Eng. in Food Science and Engineering from Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, setting the stage for his later specialization in food safety and fermentation control technologies.

Professional Experience

Dr. Zhou’s professional experience bridges academia and industry, reflecting his dedication to practical application of research outcomes. Since June 2019, he has served at Jiujiang University in various capacities, including Lecturer, Department Director, and currently as an Associate Professor. He has contributed to both the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and the Camellia Oleifera Research Center, strengthening the university’s research profile in the region. Complementing his academic post, Dr. Zhou took on a strategic industry role in August 2024 as Senior R&D Engineer and Deputy General Manager at Jiangxi Lufeng Food Therapy Technology Co., Ltd., where he helps guide industrial innovation in food therapy solutions. His prior role as a Postdoctoral Researcher at South China Agricultural University, in collaboration with Shenzhen Tongliang Testing Technology Co., Ltd., further highlights his research depth and commitment to technological advancement in food testing and safety.

Research Interest

Kai Zhou’s research centers on two core areas: food safety, specifically the detection and control of hazardous compounds in fermented foods, and the high-value exploitation of camellia oleifera resources for sustainable product development. His investigations aim to uncover the mechanisms by which natural compounds like quercetin inhibit harmful byproducts such as citrulline and ethyl carbamate during fermentation. His leadership in national and provincial projects underscores the significance of his work, which holds promise for improving traditional fermentation practices and ensuring consumer safety. By integrating molecular-level analysis and practical processing techniques, Dr. Zhou’s research contributes to both scientific understanding and industrial application.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Zhou’s outstanding contributions have earned him multiple accolades that recognize his scientific, educational, and community impact. In 2024, he was honored with the First Prize of the China Commercial Federation Science and Technology Progress Award for his technological advancements benefiting food safety. The same year, he was named an Outstanding Young Teacher of Jiangxi Colleges and Universities, underscoring his commitment to academic excellence. His recognition as one of Jiujiang City’s “Top 10 Most Beautiful Young Scientists” in 2022 highlights his inspirational role for young researchers. Moreover, he has twice been awarded as an Excellent Educator at Jiujiang University, reflecting his dedication to guiding students in research and innovation.

Publications

Dr. Zhou has authored impactful research articles published in reputable journals, contributing valuable findings to the field of food safety. Selected publications include:

  • Zhou K#, et al. (2021). Inhibition of ethyl carbamate accumulation in soy sauce by quercetin, Food Chemistry, cited by 35 articles.
  • Zhou K#, et al. (2020). Fluorescence immunoassay for ethyl carbamate detection, Microchimica Acta, cited by 22 articles.
  • Zhou K#, et al. (2024). Simultaneous extraction of oil, protein and polysaccharide from camellia seed cake, Industrial Crops and Products, cited by 5 articles.

His innovative work is also protected by patents, including a method for reducing citrulline and ethyl carbamate in fermented foods and a detection method for rapeseed oil adulteration, showcasing the practical utility of his research outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Kai Zhou exemplifies the synergy between academic research, industrial application, and educational excellence. Through his leadership in projects funded by national and provincial foundations, impactful publications, and recognized teaching contributions, he continues to advance the frontiers of food safety and sustainable resource utilization. His dedication to guiding students and collaborating with industry partners ensures that his work has tangible societal benefits, positioning him as an influential figure in his field.

Tooraj Mehdizadeh | Functional foods | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Biotechnology Scientist

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.