Angela Fernandes | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Angela Fernandes | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mountain Research Center of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança | Portugal

Dr. Ângela Sofia Feitor Fernandes is an accomplished Assistant Researcher at the Mountain Research Center (CIMO) of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal. With a deep-rooted focus on bioactive compounds and functional food research, she has gained national and international recognition for her contributions to food science and sustainable biotechnologies. Through her multidisciplinary work and international collaborations, Dr. Fernandes has consistently delivered impactful innovations, blending rigorous science with real-world applications.

Author Profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Ângela Sofia Feitor Fernandes is a highly accomplished Assistant Researcher at the Mountain Research Center (CIMO-IPB), Portugal. With over 150 peer-reviewed journal publications, an h-index of 39, and editorial contributions across multiple MDPI journals, she has demonstrated exceptional productivity, influence, and scientific leadership in her field. Her expertise spans natural product chemistry, functional food development, and innovative preservation technologies such as gamma irradiation and electron beam techniques.

She has significantly contributed to applied research through projects like VIIAFOOD, TextBlueStyle, and SambucuSafe, translating scientific discoveries into practical innovations for food safety, sustainability, and consumer health. Her work also integrates bioeconomy principles by valorizing agricultural residues into high-value functional foods, showcasing an interdisciplinary and impact-driven approach. Furthermore, her editorial roles, international collaborations, student mentorship, and authorship of seven ISBN-recognized book chapters further validate her academic leadership and global engagement.

🎓 Education

Dr. Fernandes embarked on her academic journey with a degree in Clinical Analysis and Public Health in 2007. She then pursued her Master’s in Food Quality and Safety (2010), followed by a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Nutrition and Food Chemistry in 2016. Her studies laid a strong foundation for her later work in food preservation and natural bioactive extraction.

👩‍🔬 Experience

Since 2009, Dr. Fernandes has been an active member of CIMO-IPB, advancing from a researcher to Assistant Researcher. She is currently a key contributor to several high-impact projects, including the VIIAFOOD, TextBlueStyle, and SambucuSafe initiatives. Notably, she pioneered the use of gamma and electron beam irradiation in food technology in Portugal, demonstrating leadership in innovation and sustainable food preservation.

🔬 Research Interests On Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Her research focuses on three primary areas:

  1. Natural Product Chemistry – Extracting, identifying, and isolating bioactive compounds from natural matrices like mushrooms and plants using advanced spectrometric methods.

  2. Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals – Developing bioactive-rich food products with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties.

  3. Natural Product Technology – Exploring non-thermal preservation methods such as gamma irradiation to maintain the integrity and shelf life of food, aligning with circular bioeconomy goals.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

While specific awards are not listed, Dr. Fernandes’ esteemed positions, collaborative international research, editorial leadership for MDPI journals, and participation in prominent European scientific projects stand as strong markers of her academic and scientific excellence. Her rising h-index of 39 and over 150 Scopus-indexed publications validate her distinguished contributions.

📚 Selected Publications

Here are notable peer-reviewed publications by Dr. Fernandes, showcasing her impactful work:

  1. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2021). Development of functional mushroom flour enriched in vitamin D2. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 145. Cited by 23 articles.

  2. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2020). Irradiation of wild edible mushrooms: Evaluation of quality and safety parameters. Food Chemistry, 330. Cited by 31 articles.

  3. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2019). Bioactive potential of elderberry extracts in functional food formulations. Journal of Functional Foods, 59. Cited by 19 articles.

  4. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2018). Chemical profiling of mushrooms for nutraceutical use. Journal of Chromatography B, 1092. Cited by 27 articles.

  5. Fernandes, Â. S. F., et al. (2022). Natural blue dyes from food waste for textile application. Dyes and Pigments, 199. Cited by 12 articles.

Each publication reflects her expertise in translating scientific discovery into applied solutions.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ângela Fernandes is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award under the Forensic Scientist Awards. Her pioneering efforts in food chemistry, sustainable technologies, and functional food development place her at the forefront of applied biochemistry. Her dedication to a circular economy and bio-based innovation has brought real benefits to industry and academia alike. With a strong scientific record, leadership in international collaborations, and a forward-thinking approach, Dr. Fernandes stands as a model of excellence in research.

Bio Gazali Sanni | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Bio Gazali Sanni | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) | Benin

Gazali Bio Sanni is a passionate agricultural scientist and PhD candidate in Biotechnology and Plant Breeding at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin. With hands-on experience in crop genetics, plant physiology, and molecular biology, Gazali has contributed significantly to the advancement of agricultural sciences in West Africa. His dedication to improving crop productivity and sustainability is reflected through his work with Sesame, Soybean, Pumpkin, and other essential crops 🌱.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Diverse Research Experience:
    Gazali has demonstrated consistent involvement in agronomic research, particularly in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology. His hands-on work with crops like Sesame, Soybean, Cowpea, and Pumpkin shows practical relevance and alignment with regional agricultural priorities.

  2. International Exposure:
    His fellowship at the University of Cologne, Germany and participation in interdisciplinary plant science seminars reflect global engagement, skill development in cutting-edge molecular techniques, and an ability to adapt to international research environments.

  3. Publication Record:
    With six publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles in International Journal of Agronomy, Scientifica, Heliyon, Oil Crop Science, and CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, he has contributed to both fundamental and applied aspects of plant breeding and agronomy. The focus on genetic characterization and agro-morphological traits strengthens his academic footprint.

  4. Awards & Recognition:
    The Jeff Schell Fellowship by the Bayer Foundation is a prestigious award that underlines his potential and credibility as a young scientist in agricultural biotechnology.

  5. Technical Proficiency:
    Skills in DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, qPCR, and bioinformatics (R, SPSS, SAS) are particularly valuable in today’s interdisciplinary plant science landscape.

🎓 Education

Gazali began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science (2013–2016), followed by a Master’s in Biotechnology and Plant Breeding (2018–2021), both from FSA/UAC 🎓. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the same institution (2022–present), focusing on plant genetic improvement using modern biotechnological tools.

💼 Experience

Since March 2019, Gazali has served as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, UAC, assisting in high-impact research on staple crops and supporting students in plant physiology and ecophysiology 📘. He undertook a prestigious fellowship at the University of Cologne, Germany (Feb–Aug 2024), where he mastered advanced molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing 🧪. He also gained early experience as a Laboratory Technician at INRAB (2017) and as an Agronomy Technician at GBioS (2016–2017), building a strong foundation in fieldwork and lab analysis 🌾.

🔬 Research Interest On Agriculture

Gazali’s research revolves around plant biotechnology, crop improvement, genetic diversity, molecular characterization, and sustainable agriculture 🌍. His focus lies in understanding the genetic and morphological variability in key African crops to enhance yield and resilience through modern breeding techniques and genomic tools 🔍.

🏆 Award

In 2023, Gazali was honored with the Jeff Schell Fellowship for Agricultural Science by the Bayer Foundation 🌟. This competitive international award enabled him to conduct part of his PhD research at the Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, recognizing his academic excellence and research potential in agricultural biotechnology 🎖️.

📚 Publications

Gazali has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in respected journals, reflecting his strong research productivity. His works are already being cited and making a significant impact in the academic community :

  • “Characterization of Genetic and Agromorphological Variation in 30 Soybean (Glycine max) Accessions in Northern and Southern Benin”

    • Authors: Vincent Ezin, Fatimata Bachabi, Florida Corolle Mintodè Dubogan, Wassiou Ahanchede, Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Mohamed Salim Moussa, Adam Ahanchede, Mohamed Abdelsalam​

    • Publication Year: 2025​

  • “Genetic and Agromorphological Characterization of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes for Dehiscence‐Related Traits and Grain Yield Performances”

    • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Antoine Abel Missihoun, Quenum Florent, Adam Ahanchede, Mohamed Addi​

    • Publication Year: 2025​

  • “Production and Achievements in Sesamum indicum Industry in the World: Past and Current State”

    • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Ifagbémi Bienvenue Chabi, Antoine Abel Missihoun, Quenum Florent, Zangui Hamissou, Mareme Niang, Adam Ahanchede​

    • Publication Year: 2024​

  • “Farmers’ Knowledge, Practices and Use of Sesame Genetic Resources in the Production Systems of Benin: Case Study of Agro-Ecological Zone IV”

    • Authors: Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Vincent Ezin, Adam Ahanchede​

    • Publication Year: 2022​

  • “Ethnobotanical Study of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) Landraces in Benin”

    • Authors: Vincent Ezin, Ulrich Herbert Gbemenou, Gazali B. T. A. Sanni, Adam Ahanchede​

    • Publication Year: 2021​

  • “Fiche Technique Synthétique pour la Production de la Corète Potagère (Corchorus olitorius L.)”

    • Authors: Gazali Bio Sanni, Lègba C. E., Aglinglo A. L., Djido U., Francisco R., Fassinou Hotègni V. N., Achigan-Dako G. E.​

    • Publication Year: 2018​

✅ Conclusion

With a strong foundation in agricultural science, notable research contributions, and international recognition, Gazali Bio Sanni stands out as a promising young scientist in Africa’s agricultural transformation 🌟. His dedication to sustainable crop development and genetic research continues to support food security and scientific advancement both locally and globally 🌾🌍.