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.

Liang-Wei Cui | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Liang-Wei Cui | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Southwest Forestry University | China

Dr. Liang-Wei Cui is a distinguished professor at the Faculty of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China. His research primarily focuses on primate behavior ecology and conservation, as well as mammal biodiversity conservation and monitoring. With decades of experience in zoological studies, he has led several key projects on the conservation of endangered primates, particularly the Black-and-White Snub-Nosed Monkey.

Profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

✅ Outstanding Research Contributions: Dr. Cui has an extensive publication record, with multiple high-impact papers on primate behavior, ecology, and conservation in well-respected journals such as the American Journal of Primatology, Ecology and Evolution, and Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. His research addresses critical issues in biodiversity conservation, particularly for endangered species like the Black-and-White Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti).

✅ Strong Research Focus & Impact: His work on mammal biodiversity conservation and monitoring directly contributes to wildlife protection strategies, habitat restoration, and species survival. Projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) demonstrate the significance and credibility of his research.

✅ Collaborative and International Recognition: Dr. Cui collaborates with multiple researchers across institutions, including leading primatologists and conservation scientists. His research includes interdisciplinary studies on habitat fragmentation, provisioning impacts, and climate effects on wildlife, showing a broad and integrative scientific approach.

✅ Long-Term Commitment to Conservation: With over 15 years of experience as a professor at Southwest Forestry University, Dr. Cui has contributed significantly to the academic and scientific community, training future conservationists and zoologists.

🎓 Education

  • Ph.D. in Zoology (September 1997 – July 2003)
    Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China

👨‍🏫 Experience

  • Professor (August 2008 – Present)
    Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China

🔬 Research Interests On Ecology

Dr. Cui’s research spans two major areas:

  • Primate Behavior Ecology and Conservation
  • Mammal Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring

His work primarily focuses on understanding primate behavior, habitat fragmentation, and conservation strategies to mitigate threats to endangered species.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Cui has been recognized for his contributions to primate conservation and biodiversity research, receiving multiple grants and accolades for his work in wildlife preservation and ecological sustainability.

📚 Publications

Dr. Cui has authored several influential research papers in primatology and conservation science. Below are some of his recent publications:

  • A new record of Coelichneumon rufofemoratus (Cameron, 1903) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Eastern Himalayas, with a checklist of all the species of the genus from the Oriental region

    • Authors: Yang, Xia; Huang, Zhi-Pang; Cui, Liang-Wei; Pos, Davide Dal; Reshchikov, Alexey; Xiao, Wen
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available

  • Surviving at the highest and coldest: Nutritional and chemical components of fallback foods for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys

    • Authors: Pan, Hao; Hou, Rong; Zhang, He; Li, Yanpeng; Huang, Zhipang; Cui, Liangwei; Xiao, Wen
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available

  • Variation in monthly and seasonal elevation use impacts behavioral and dietary flexibility in Rhinopithecus bieti

    • Authors: Kraus, Jacob B.; Huang, Zhi-Pang; Li, Yan-Pang; Cui, Liang-Wei; Wang, Shuang-Jin; Li, Jin-Fa; Liu, Feng; Wang, Yun; Strier, Karen B.; Xiao, Wen
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available

  • Integrative Taxonomy Revealed High Diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and the Description of Three New Species from Yunnan Province, China

    • Authors: Hongxin Zhou; Xiuyan Li; Chaoying Yuan; Liangwei Cui; Shuo Liu; Dingqi Rao
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: Not available

  • Effects of Environmental Factors on Bird Communities in Different Urbanization Grades: An Empirical Study in Lishui, a Mountainous Area of Eastern China

    • Authors: Zhang, Wenwen; Zhou, Ying; Fang, Xuelan; Zhao, Shengjun; Wu, Yi; Zhang, Haonan; Cui, Liangwei; Cui, Peng
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: Not available

  • Effects of food availability and climate on the activity budget of Shortridge’s langur (Trachypithecus shortridgei) in the Drung Valley, Gaoligong Mountains, China

    • Authors: Zhang, Jia-Yang; Li, Ying-Chun; Yang, Yin; Garber, Paul A.; Han, Ke-Guo; Huang, Zhi-Pang; Cui, Liang-Wei; Xiao, Wen
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: Not available

  • Effects of provisioning on the activity budget and foraging strategies of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China

    • Authors: Li, Hong-Bo; Sun, Jing; Li, Lun-Hong; Zhou, Ying; Fang, Xue-Lan; Li, Bo-Yan; Guo, Long-Jie; Geng, Ying; Wang, Chun-Ping; Huang, Zhi-Pang et al.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: Not available

  • Stepping Stone Strategy: A Cost-Effective Way to Address Habitat Fragmentation of Endangered Wildlife in Montane Forest

    • Authors: Wang, Haohan; Gao, Ying; Li, Yanpeng; Li, Na; Grueter, Cyril C.; Xu, Huiming; Huang, Zhipang; Cui, Liangwei; Xiao, Wen
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: Not available

  • Ontogenetic Development of Sexual Dimorphism in Body Mass of Wild Black-and-White Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti)

    • Authors: Yan-Peng Li; Huang Zhi-Pang; Yin Yang; Xiao-Bin He; Ru-Liang Pan; Xin-Ming He; Gui-Wei Yang; Hua Wu; Liangwei Cui; Wen Xiao
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: Not available

  • Southwest China, the last refuge of continental primates in East Asia

    • Authors: Zhang, He; Lu, Jiqi; Tang, Shiyi; Huang, Zhipang; Cui, Liangwei; Lan, Daoying; Wang, Haitao; Hou, Rong; Xiao, Wen; Guo, Songtao et al.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: Not available

🔚 Conclusion

Dr. Liang-Wei Cui’s research has significantly contributed to the field of primate conservation and biodiversity monitoring. His work on habitat fragmentation, primate ecology, and wildlife protection has influenced conservation policies and strategies in China and beyond. As a dedicated researcher and professor, he continues to mentor young scientists and lead conservation efforts for endangered species. 🌍