Mruganxi Harshad Sharma | Food Science and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Ms. Mruganxi Harshad Sharma | Food Science and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Mruganxi Harshad Sharma is a dedicated and skilled microbiologist and food science researcher currently pursuing a PhD in Food Science and Technology at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. With a strong academic foundation in microbiology, she brings hands-on expertise in molecular diagnostics, food safety, and environmental microbiology. She has contributed to cutting-edge research on the antimicrobial effects of natural compounds and non-thermal processing techniques in seafood safety. Previously, she worked as a microbiologist at the Environmental Audit Cell of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and as a lab technician at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University. Mruganxi is known for her precision in lab techniques, data analysis, and her proactive participation in scientific events. She has received recognition for her oral presentations and has published multiple research articles in international journals. With a keen interest in sustainable food safety solutions, she is poised to make impactful contributions to global food quality and public health.

Profile

🎓 Education

Mruganxi Sharma’s educational journey reflects a progressive specialization in microbiology and food science. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Food Science and Technology at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, focusing on sustainable seafood preservation using natural antimicrobials and non-thermal technologies. She holds an M.Sc. in Microbiology from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, with a dissertation on the functional metagenomics of poultry respiratory tracts. Her undergraduate degree, a B.Sc. in Microbiology, was obtained from Shree Ramkrishna Institute of Computer Education and Applied Sciences, Surat. She also completed her H.S.E (70.5%) at Jay Ambe Vidhyabhavan (GSEB) and her S.S.E (8.4 CGPA) from Divine Child High School (CBSE). Throughout her education, she has actively engaged in conferences, training programs, and technical courses that have enhanced her lab, data analysis, and research communication skills. Her academic record illustrates a solid foundation in microbiological principles and environmental health.

🧪 Experience

Mruganxi has acquired valuable professional experience through roles that integrate laboratory diagnostics, environmental science, and food microbiology. As a microbiologist with the Environmental Audit Cell under the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (October 2021 – October 2022), she conducted standardized microbiological analyses on water and air quality, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Before that, she worked as a Lab Technician at the RT-PCR Laboratory of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (April – October 2021), where she performed PCR-based molecular testing for viral markers, DNA/RNA extraction, and reagent preparation. These roles equipped her with strong technical abilities in microbial analysis, laboratory maintenance, environmental audits, and molecular diagnostics. Her skills extend to bioinformatics, data handling, and quality control procedures. Her professional journey highlights her commitment to precision, sustainability, and innovation, making her well-suited for advanced scientific research in microbiological and food technology domains.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Mruganxi Sharma has received notable recognition for her academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Most prominently, she was awarded the Best Graduate Student Oral Presentation Award at the International Symposium on Natural Product Innovation and Commercialization (NPIC) in Satun, Thailand (November 2024). During her academic journey, she participated in various national and international scientific conferences and webinars, showcasing her engagement with cutting-edge research. She has been actively involved in competitions such as the Quiz Competition organized by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board on World Water Day (March 2022) and multiple inter-college biology and microbiology events organized by UGAM, where she won a 3rd prize for a biology model presentation and participated in drama and quiz competitions. Additionally, she earned sports honors in school for skating, karate, darts, and dance, demonstrating her well-rounded personality and leadership spirit in academic and co-curricular platforms.

🔬 Research Focus

Mruganxi’s research centers on sustainable food preservation through the application of natural antimicrobials and non-thermal processing technologies. Her PhD thesis investigates the prevalence of Vibrio spp. in bivalve mollusks and evaluates the synergistic effects of chitooligosaccharides (COS) and COS-epigallocatechin gallate conjugates, along with high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma, to inhibit bacterial activity in seafood. This innovative approach addresses critical food safety concerns while promoting eco-friendly preservation strategies. She has co-authored multiple research articles published in reputed journals, exploring topics like multidrug-resistant Vibrio strains, the fortification of meat products using Maillard reaction products, and in vitro antibacterial mechanisms of bioactive compounds. Her Master’s dissertation on the metagenomics of poultry respiratory tracts reflects her early focus on functional microbial communities. Her work integrates microbiology, food technology, and environmental health, contributing to safer, more sustainable food systems and aligning with global goals for public health and food innovation.

âś… Conclusion

Mruganxi Harshad Sharma is an emerging researcher in microbiology and food science whose expertise in natural antimicrobials, molecular diagnostics, and environmental microbiology positions her to make meaningful contributions to global food safety, sustainable processing technologies, and public health through interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Publications

 

  • Multidrug-resistance of Vibrio species in bivalve mollusks from southern Thailand: Isolation,
    identification, pathogenicity, and their sensitivity toward chitooligosaccharide-epigallocatechin-3-
    gallate conjugate (https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13152375).
    Authors: Mruganxi Harshad Sharma, Suriya Palamae, Mingkwan Yingkajorn, Soottawat Benjakul,
    Avtar Singh and Jirayu Buatong.

 

  • Physical, textural, microbiological, and sensorial properties and oxidative stability of chicken patty
    fortified with Maillard reaction products derived from salmon frame (Salmo salar) protein
    hydrolysate (https://doi.org/10.1093/ijfood/vvae020).
    Authors: Kartik Sharma, Mruganxi Harshad Sharma, Jirayu Buatong, Yu Fu and Soottawat
    Benjakul

 

  • Impact of Chitooligosaccharide Conjugated Epigallocatechin Gallate and Non-Thermal HighVoltage Atmospheric Cold Plasma on Vibrio parahaemolyticus: An In Vitro Study and the Use in
    Blood Clam Meat (https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152577).
    Authors: Mruganxi Harshad Sharma, Avtar Singh, Ankita Singh, Soottawat Benjakul, Suriya
    Palamae, Ajay Mittal and Jirayu Buatong.

 

 

 

Areti Leontiou | Food packaging | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Areti Leontiou | Food packaging | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Areti Leontiou is a Laboratory Teaching Staff member in the Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises at the University of Patras. She holds a PhD in Chemical Technology from the University of Ioannina, where she specialized in heterogeneous perovskite-type mixed oxides. Her academic work is distinguished by its interdisciplinary focus, bridging chemistry, materials science, and food technology. Over the past two decades, Dr. Leontiou has been instrumental in advancing nanocomposite materials for active food packaging, contributing extensively to sustainable innovations. Her prolific research output includes over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous conference presentations, often in collaboration with leading researchers. Her recent work explores biodegradable polymer matrices, essential oil nanohybrids, and active edible films. Through her teaching and research, she has contributed significantly to the fields of green chemistry and food preservation. Dr. Leontiou remains an influential figure in eco-friendly material design for food industry applications.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Areti Leontiou pursued her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Ioannina, earning her BSc in 2000. With a deep interest in material science and environmental catalysis, she continued her academic journey at the same university and completed her PhD in Chemical Technology in 2004. Her doctoral thesis focused on the synthesis and catalytic performance of heterogeneous perovskite-type mixed oxides containing iron and manganese, emphasizing their application in environmentally relevant oxidation reactions. During her PhD, she developed expertise in the structural and kinetic analysis of complex oxide systems, including the role of strontium substitution in catalytic efficiency. Her training laid the groundwork for her later interdisciplinary research in nanocomposites and functional materials. Dr. Leontiou’s strong academic background in physical chemistry, materials characterization, and applied catalysis continues to underpin her innovative work in polymer science, green chemistry, and sustainable technologies for food packaging.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Areti Leontiou currently serves as Laboratory Teaching Staff at the University of Patras in the Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises. Her professional experience encompasses both academic teaching and advanced research in chemical materials and applied food technologies. Over the years, she has participated in several collaborative projects involving material scientists, chemists, and food technologists. Her hands-on expertise includes developing active nanocomposite films, conducting catalytic experiments, and performing materials characterization using thermal, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques. She has also served as a co-author in over 30 high-impact journal publications and book chapters. Her teaching experience integrates practical laboratory instruction with theoretical modules in materials chemistry, food packaging, and sustainability. Dr. Leontiou has also presented her work at major international conferences on catalysis and green chemistry, contributing to knowledge transfer and academic discourse. Her career reflects a commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary research, and quality education in applied sciences.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While specific individual awards are not explicitly listed, Dr. Areti Leontiou’s recognition stems from her influential co-authored publications in top-tier international journals like Nanomaterials, Polymers, Antioxidants, and Applied Catalysis A. Her collaborative work in green chemistry, catalysis, and nanotechnology has received significant citation and visibility within the scientific community. Her contribution to the 2018 Wiley academic publication Composites for Food Packaging marks her standing as an authority in the field. Dr. Leontiou has been an invited presenter at multiple prestigious conferences, including the European Congress on Catalysis and the Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development Conference. Her consistent role in research teams on cutting-edge projects—particularly those involving biodegradable active packaging and environmental catalysis—demonstrates her standing in the academic and scientific world. Her work is frequently referenced and utilized in industrial applications, reflecting both academic recognition and societal relevance in sustainable material development and food preservation technologies.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Leontiou’s research lies at the intersection of materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and food science, with a core focus on the development of nanocomposite materials for active food packaging. Her recent work emphasizes the incorporation of natural bioactive agents—such as eugenol, citral, thymol, and carvacrol—into polymeric matrices and clay-based carriers (e.g., montmorillonite, zeolite) to enhance food safety and shelf-life. She also investigates novel perovskite-type oxides for catalytic applications in environmental processes, particularly in NO+CO and CH4 oxidation reactions. Her scientific contributions aim to replace conventional plastic packaging with biodegradable, edible, or recyclable materials that offer antimicrobial and antioxidant functions. By leveraging green chemistry approaches and advanced materials characterization, she addresses environmental sustainability and food quality challenges. Her research is inherently interdisciplinary, merging chemical synthesis, materials engineering, and food technology to create smart packaging solutions aligned with circular economy principles and environmental impact reduction.

âś… Conclusion

Dr. Areti Leontiou is a dynamic researcher whose interdisciplinary expertise in chemical technology, nanomaterials, and food packaging contributes meaningfully to sustainable innovations in food preservation and environmental protection, making her a strong candidate for research recognition.

Publications

  • Eugenol@natural Zeolite vs. Citral@natural Zeolite Nanohybrids for Gelatin-Based Edible-Active Packaging Films

    2025-07 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/gels11070518
    CONTRIBUTORS: Achilleas Kechagias; Areti Leontiou; Yelyzaveta Oliinychenko; Alexandros Stratakos; Konstantinos Zaharioudakis; Katerina Katerinopoulou; Maria Baikousi; Nikolaos D. Andritsos; Charalampos Proestos; Nikolaos Chalmpes et al

  • Eugenol@Montmorillonite vs. Citral@Montmorillonite Nanohybrids for Gelatin-Based Extruded, Edible, High Oxygen Barrier, Active Packaging Films

    2025-05 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/polym17111518
    CONTRIBUTORS: Achilleas Kechagias; Areti Leontiou; Yelyzaveta Oliinychenko; Alexandros Stratakos; Konstatninos Zaharioudakis; Charalampos Proestos; Emmanuel P. Giannelis; Nikolaos Chalmpes; Constantinos Salmas; Prof. Aris Giannaka

  • Novel Carvacrol@activated Carbon Nanohybrid for Innovative Poly(lactide Acid)/Triethyl Citrate Based Sustainable Active Packaging Films

    2025-02 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/polym17050605
    CONTRIBUTORS: Vassilios K. Karabagias; Prof. Aris Giannakas; Areti Leontiou; Andreas Karydis-Messinis; Dimitrios Moschovas; Nikolaos D. Andritsos; Apostolos Avgeropoulos; N. E. Zafeiropoulos; Charalampos Proestos; Constantinos Salmas

 

 

 

Vanesa Sánchez-Martín | Ciencia de los Alimentos | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez-Martín | Ciencia de los Alimentos | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez MartĂ­n is a Spanish biologist and pharmacologist specializing in food science, pharmacognosy, and nutraceuticals. She earned her PhD in Pharmacy from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. Currently, she works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Food Bioscience Group (CIAL, UAM-CSIC), focusing on the health benefits and sustainability of novel foods. Her academic background is reinforced by a Master’s in Therapeutic Targets and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Universidad de Alcalá. With substantial teaching experience at both UCM and Universidad Europea de Madrid, she also contributes to thesis supervision and academic panels. She actively participates in scientific communication, congresses, and public outreach, such as Science Week. Dr. Sánchez MartĂ­n has authored peer-reviewed articles and engages in research on functional foods, immunomodulation, and metabolic health. Her multidisciplinary work bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and cellular signaling for sustainable healthcare innovations.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Sánchez Martín holds a PhD in Pharmacy (2017–2020) from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where she studied the molecular basis of antitumoral activity from hispanolone derivatives. She achieved the highest academic distinction: Summa Cum Laude. Prior to that, she completed a Master’s degree in “Therapeutic Targets in Cellular Signaling: Research and Development” (2014–2015) at Universidad de Alcalá, providing her with strong expertise in biomedical signaling pathways. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Biology (2010–2014), also from Universidad de Alcalá. She has taken over 15 specialized training courses, including bioinformatics, animal experimentation, pedagogy, and fluorescence imaging. Additionally, she has actively attended seminars in oncology, immunology, and molecular medicine at top Spanish institutions such as Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Her continuous training underlines her multidisciplinary foundation and strong alignment with the rapidly evolving fields of pharmacology, food science, and research methodology.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Sánchez Martín’s professional experience spans academic research, university-level teaching, and scientific communication. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), working under Dr. Dolores del Castillo on food bioactivity and novel sustainable foods. From 2021–2022, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, UCM. Earlier, she served as an Associate Professor at Universidad Europea de Madrid, where she also coordinated the Human Genetics course. She has collaborated in practical teaching and seminars at UCM’s Veterinary Faculty. Beyond teaching, she has evaluated bachelor’s theses and supervised student research, including Erasmus+ interns. She has contributed to public outreach via Science Week and CSIC media and participated in international conferences like Food4Future and SEDCA. Her experience highlights a balance between research, education, and public engagement in biomedical and nutritional sciences.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Sánchez Martín has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her academic and professional career. Her PhD was awarded Summa Cum Laude, a distinction reserved for top-performing doctoral researchers. She has been selected as an evaluator for undergraduate thesis defenses at prestigious institutions like the Basque Culinary Center, underscoring her academic leadership. Her work on sustainable food innovations has been featured by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), notably the widely cited report on anti-inflammatory compounds from coffee husk pulp. She has also actively contributed to high-level scientific outreach activities, including Science Week and seminars at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. In addition, her research group has been recognized in leading journals, and she has presented at major international conferences, including the Spanish Society of Nutrition (SEÑ). These accolades reflect her multidisciplinary impact across pharmacology, food science, and public health.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín’s research bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and biotechnology, with a focus on the development of novel bioactive compounds for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. Her doctoral work investigated the molecular mechanisms of antitumor agents derived from hispanolone. As a postdoctoral researcher, her studies center on food sustainability and metabolic health, particularly through the valorization of agri-food by-products like coffee leaves and cocoa pods. She co-authored research under review exploring the immunomodulatory properties of honey-propolis mixtures. Additionally, she investigates dietary impacts on inflammation and microbiota through natural compounds. Her expertise encompasses fluorescence imaging, cellular signaling, and high-throughput screening. Recent publications and conference presentations emphasize the pharmaceutical potential of functional foods. By combining pharmacological precision with nutritional applications, her research aims to address public health challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions.

âś… Conclusion

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín is a dedicated and multidisciplinary scientist whose research in pharmacology, food bioactivity, and sustainable nutrition bridges scientific innovation and public health, underscored by academic excellence, teaching contributions, international collaborations, and impactful outreach.

Publications

  • Bee products as an alternative for the preservation of nitrate and nitrite-reduced dry fermented sausages

    Food Bioscience
    2024 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104048

  • Coffee leaves: a natural source of compounds for reducing body fat accumulation

    The 5th International Electronic Conference On Foods
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    SOURCE-WORK-ID:

  • Effect of in vitro human colonic fermented coffee melanoidins on colon cancer cell proliferation

    The 5th International Electronic Conference On Foods
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    SOURCE-WORK-ID:

  • Novel foods for a sustainable health. Abstracts of the XXXIII Congress of the Spanish Society of Nutrition / Sociedad Española de NutriciĂłn (SEĂ‘) and X Meeting of Young Researchers.

    Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    DOI: 10.1007/s13105-024-01031-0
    SOURCE-WORK-ID: