Dr. José María Fresno Baro is a Professor at the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology within the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of León. His research focuses on lactic acid bacteria and technological applications in dairy products, particularly in cheese ripening and safety. Key Affiliations: University of León, College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Hygiene and Technology Department Thesis Supervision: Supervised PhD theses including studies on Armada cheese maturation by Dr. Ana Bernardo Álvarez and Dr. Josefa González Prieto His research explores cheese microbiology , biogenic amine reduction , autochthonous starter cultures , and food safety in dairy products. Recent publications analyze blue cheese sensory properties, edible insects' sustainability, and microbial applications for cheese quality improvement. His scientific work spans cheese proteolysis , lactic acid bacteria characterization , and food technology innovations , with a strong emphasis on traditional Spanish cheese varieties like Valdeón and Zamorano. The research portfolio demonstrates expertise in microbial interactions , biochemical transformations , and food processing optimization .
Prof. Dr. Zoran Stanivuković is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka, specializing in Integrated Protection of Forest Ecosystems. He leads research on forest health, plant pathology, and invasive species management. His work focuses on mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses in forests, including snow damage, fungal infections, and pest outbreaks. He has contributed to national and international projects addressing climate change impacts, forest biodiversity, and sustainable management strategies. Key research interests include: forest pathology, disease dynamics, pest control, climate adaptation, and ecosystem resilience. He authored textbooks like 'Forest Mycology' and 'Guidelines for Forest Protection Services'. His projects include studies on Phytophthora species, bark beetle infestations, and ash dieback in Montenegro. He collaborates with institutions on forest management plans and biodiversity conservation in protected areas like Kozara National Park. Recent publications highlight new Phytophthora species discoveries, snow damage in conifer plantations, and Cryphonectria parasitica pathogenicity. He emphasizes integrated approaches to forest protection, combining ecological monitoring with sustainable practices.
Joanna Grzelczyk serves as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, specializing in food bioactives and health-promoting formulations. Her research bridges analytical chemistry, nutrition science, and sustainable food technology through rigorous thermal and chromatographic methodologies. Her primary scientific focus encompasses: Identification and quantification of bioactive compounds in functional foods Design of health-oriented food products targeting specific physiological benefits Diet-health relationship analysis through clinical and in vitro models Advanced thermal and chromatographic techniques for food composition analysis Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant research trajectories: coffee bioactives (particularly cholinesterase/MAO inhibitors), olive pomace valorization for edible packaging, and plant-based alternatives. Approximately 70% of recent work employs in vitro digestion models to assess bioavailability and neuroprotective effects, while 30% focuses on sustainable material development from food waste. Her collaborative network with Gałązka-Czarnecka and Oracz consistently addresses contemporary food system challenges including palm oil alternatives and flexitarian dietary patterns. Dr. Grzelczyk maintains active research partnerships within Lodz University of Technology's food science division, with recent translational work on olive pomace packaging (80% waste utilization) and palm oil awareness initiatives demonstrating practical industry applications of her fundamental research.
Ivone Vaz-Moreira is an auxiliary researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) and an Invited Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Bioinformatics at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Her career spans over 15 years of research output in environmental microbiology and antibiotic resistance. Her academic qualifications include a PhD (2012) in Biotechnology with specialization in Microbiology from Universidade Católica Portuguesa and a Master's in Biochemistry (2005) from University of Coimbra. 2005: BSc in Biochemistry 2012: PhD in Biotechnology Dr. Vaz-Moreira's research focuses on bacterial diversity in aquatic habitats and their intersections with soil, plants, animals, and humans. Her work emphasizes the urban water cycle and antibiotic resistance dissemination through water systems, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health) and 6 (Clean Water). Current research trends evident from her 15 most recent publications include: Antimicrobial resistance patterns in wastewater systems Bacterial community dynamics in water treatment processes Antibiotic resistance gene transfer mechanisms Microbial safety in novel food systems Environmental impacts of waste reuse Development of sustainable water management practices Scientific recognition includes: Best Poster Presentation Prize (2011) CBQF Annual Incentive Prize (4 times: 2020-2023) She actively contributes to: Water4Reuse project (circular economy water systems) Net4CleanAir (indoor air quality) ENVIRANT (livestock anthelmintics impact) INSECTSAFE (edible insect safety) AWARE (aquaponics from wastewater)
Prof. Robert Burduk is a full-time professor at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology , Wrocław University of Science and Technology , specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning. His research focuses on supervised classification, ensemble learning, and decision support systems with applications in photovoltaic energy forecasting, insect rearing monitoring, and software bug assignment. Key research areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Business Intelligence Department: Systems and Computer Networks Recent Publications (2024-2023): Burduk's work addresses classifier fusion, photovoltaic power optimization, and agricultural monitoring using advanced AI techniques like convolutional neural networks and domain shift detection. Notable themes include ensemble learning strategies, energy system modeling, and interdisciplinary applications.
Johannes Rudjord Volden is a researcher at the Centre for Global Sustainability at the University of Oslo. His work focuses on sustainable consumption, meat alternatives, and mobility practices. Education: M.Phil. in Development, Environment and Cultural Change (University of Oslo) BA in Sociology and Human Geography (Durham University) Research Focus: Volden investigates the intersection of food practices and sustainability, particularly around meat replacement, cellular agriculture, and aeromobility. His work combines cultural analysis with environmental policy frameworks. Publication Trends: His recent research explores alternative protein adoption, pandemic-induced behavioral changes in consumption, and the cultural dynamics of air travel. These works span food studies, mobility theory, and sustainability transformations. Projects: Volden contributes to initiatives like MEATigation (Norwegian meat replacement practices) and 'Meating the Anthropocene' (alternative protein barriers/opportunities in Norway), with affiliations in the Sustainable Food Systems and Energy Flows research groups.
Sebastiano Benasso is an Associate Professor at the Department of Educational Sciences - DISFOR at the University of Genoa. His research focuses on sociology, cultural studies, and communication, with particular emphasis on youth culture, gender dynamics, and discursive practices in contemporary Italian trap music and emerging social phenomena like edible insects perception. Research Trends : His recent work explores intersections of class, generation, and gender in Italian trap scenes, discursive strategies around food innovation, and semiotic analysis of music subcultures. Publications reflect critical sociological inquiry into postmodern identity formation and cultural resistance. Administrative Roles : Currently serves as Deputy Director and department board member. Office hours are available by appointment via email sebastiano.benasso@unige.it .
Adam Dickinson is a Professor in the Department of English Language & Literature at Brock University, where he has established a distinguished career at the intersection of poetry and scientific inquiry. Holding a PhD from the University of Alberta, Dickinson's work spans over two decades and encompasses four critically acclaimed poetry collections and extensive scholarly publications. His research, consistently supported by SSHRC funding, pioneers innovative approaches to ecocriticism through scientific frameworks, with particular focus on metabolic processes and the Anthropocene. Education: PhD, University of Alberta Dickinson's research centers on the dynamic synthesis of poetry and scientific discourse, developing what he terms "Metabolic Poetics" to explore the inscrutable connections between human/nonhuman biological processes and global energy systems. His work integrates biosemiotics, pataphysics, and Anthropocene theory to challenge conventional signification, creating alternative modes of poetic composition that engage directly with chemical and microbial realities. This approach manifests in projects like his chemical self-testing documented in Anatomic , where empirical data becomes literary material. Analysis of Dickinson's recent publications reveals a trajectory deepening into material ecocriticism, with increasing emphasis on bodily permeability, microbial ecologies, and toxic precarity. His work transitions from theoretical frameworks toward immersive, interoceptive practices that document environmental entanglement at molecular levels. This evolution demonstrates a commitment to developing poetic forms capable of registering the complex metabolic exchanges defining the Anthropocene, moving beyond traditional ecopoetics to incorporate empirical scientific engagement. Dickinson's literary contributions have earned significant recognition: Finalist, Governor General’s Award for Poetry (2013) for The Polymers Finalist, Trillium Book Award for Poetry (2014, 2007) for The Polymers and Kingdom, Phylum Shortlisted, Raymond Souster Award (2018) for Anatomic Finalist, CBC Poetry Prize (2016) for a section of Anatomic Finalist, K.M. Hunter Artist Award in Literature Nominee, ReLit Award for Poetry (2014) Finalist, Henry Kreisel Award for Best First Book (Alberta Book Awards) As an educator, Dickinson actively supervises graduate students in poetry and poetics, environmental writing, and science-literature intersections. His SSHRC-funded research enables interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge creative practice with scientific inquiry, facilitating participation in major international literary festivals including Poetry International in Rotterdam, Harbourfront International Festival of Authors in Toronto, and Oslo International Poetry Festival. These projects exemplify his commitment to expanding poetic practice through rigorous engagement with scientific methodologies.
David Bek is a Professor of Creative Economies and Ecological Sustainability at Coventry University's Research Centre for Creative Economies. He leads research on the intersection of economic activities and environmental sustainability in the Anthropocene, with a focus on value chain analysis and power dynamics in global production networks. His work emphasizes socially and ecologically sustainable practices, notably through the Sustainable Cut-flowers Project, which addresses flower production and consumption globally. Research Interests: Value chain governance, environmental sustainability, transdisciplinary methods, and socio-economic dynamics in horticultural supply chains. He has held roles at Cambridge, Newcastle, and Durham Universities before joining Coventry in 2015, where he co-led the Sustainable Production and Consumption Cluster before his 2023 professorship promotion. Major Projects: Includes studies on Thai edible insects, Coventry City of Culture's environmental impacts, and South African horticultural resilience. He has also led initiatives on reducing plastics in the flower industry and promoting sustainable wild foliage harvesting. Key Awards: Includes the Ashby Prize (2016), Green Gown Sustainability Award (2019), and recognition for research impact. His work aligns with UN SDGs, particularly environmental sustainability (SDG 12, 13, 15). He frequently engages with media and industry to advocate for sustainable practices in floriculture. Labs/Teams: Active in the Sustainable Cut-flowers Project and collaborates internationally on wild foliage harvesting and agri-food systems. His research spans multiple countries, including South Africa, Mexico, and the Netherlands, emphasizing global-local linkages in sustainability challenges.
Dr. Julia Bally is a Research Fellow in QUT's Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, affiliated with the Faculty of Science's School of Biology & Environmental Science. She holds a PhD in Biological Science from Université Lille 1 (2008) and completed postdoctoral work at Bayer CropScience and the University of Sydney under an ARC Super Science Fellowship. Her research focuses on plant biotechnology, particularly using Nicotiana benthamiana as a model to develop gene expression systems for industrial applications, including RNAi-based pest control and recombinant protein production. Collaborations include work with Corteva Agriscience on trans-kingdom RNAi for agricultural pest management. Education: PhD in Biological Science, Université Lille 1 - Science and Technology (2008) Postdoctoral training at Bayer CropScience (rhizobium-legume symbiosis, nitrogen fixation) ARC Super Science Fellowship at University of Sydney (2011–2014) Research Interests: Dr. Bally's work spans plant genetic engineering, molecular biology, and sustainable agriculture. Key areas include: Optimizing chloroplast-based protein expression systems Developing RNAi strategies for pest resistance Investigating drought tolerance mechanisms in plants Leveraging nanotechnology for biopesticide delivery Labs/Teams: She leads the Genetics and Molecular Biology program within the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, collaborating with industry partners to translate research into real-world agricultural solutions.
Professor Peter Waterhouse is a leading molecular geneticist at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), holding dual roles as Professor of Molecular Genetics and Australian Laureate Fellow. He is affiliated with QUT’s Faculty of Science (School of Biology & Environmental Science) and serves as Program Leader at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (2007), his work spans RNA interference (RNAi), plant genomics, and epigenetics. Education: BSc (Hons) in Plant Biology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (1977), PhD in Plant Virology from the University of Dundee (1981). Career highlights include leadership roles at CSIRO Plant Industry, ARC Federation Fellowships (2008–2013), and honorary professorships at the University of Sydney. He has pioneered RNAi research with over 150 peer-reviewed publications (>20,000 citations, h-index >65). Research focuses on gene silencing mechanisms, viral biology, and plant biotechnology. Notable contributions include patents on RNAi applications, recombinant antibodies, and virus-resistant plants. His work bridges fundamental science with commercialization, exemplified by collaborations with industry partners like Bayer and Cambridge Antibody Technology Ltd. Awards: Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, CSIRO Chairman’s Medal, Victor Chang Medal Patents: 11 RNAi-related patent families, recombinant antibody patents, and plant resistance patents Leadership: Scientific advisory roles for organizations including the Prime Minister’s Science Council and the Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis His recent publications emphasize multi-omic analyses of Nicotiana benthamiana, viral resistance mechanisms, and drought response strategies in plants. Ongoing work explores terminator elements to enhance transgene expression and improve biotechnological applications.
Dr. Chelsea Miranda is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the F.L.I.E.S. Facility, Texas A&M University, specializing in entomology and sustainable agriculture. Her research focuses on using insects to enhance nutrient recycling, bioconversion, and sustainable protein production. She holds a B.S. in Entomology (2011), M.S. in Agriculture and Environmental Science (2014), and a Ph.D. in Entomology (2019) from Texas A&M University and Tarleton State University. Education: B.S., Texas A&M University (Entomology, 2011) M.S., Tarleton State University (Agriculture & Environmental Science, 2014) Ph.D., Texas A&M University (Entomology, 2019) Her research explores decomposition ecology and the application of insects like black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) and house flies (Musca domestica) in waste management. Key areas include optimizing larval rearing methods, enhancing nutrient recycling, and improving slaughter practices for humane insect processing. She previously worked with EVO Conversion Systems, LLC before joining Texas A&M as a postdoc. Her work bridges ecological principles with industrial applications, addressing global challenges in sustainable food systems and waste reduction.
Dr Siva Barathi Marimuthu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of New England (UNE), within the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law. She serves as the Higher Degree Research Coordinator and LLM Program Coordinator, and is Chief Editor of the International Journal of Regional, Rural and Remote Law and Policy. She also co-chairs the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law’s Teaching and Capacity Building Committee. Research Interests: Sustainable Food Production Natural Resource Governance Environmental Food Law Global Insect Regulation Human Rights Perspectives to Food Regulations Civil Dispute Resolution Her research is interdisciplinary, combining law, policy, and environmental science, with a focus on food security, sustainability, and biodiversity. She supervises PhD candidates in areas such as food regulation, AI in law, and environmental governance. Recent Publications Trends: Her recent work spans food law, corporate governance, and environmental regulation. Key themes include sustainable food systems, insect-based foods, AI and legal personhood, and the intersection of intellectual property with green innovation. Her publications appear in journals like Ecology and Society , Journal of Insects as Food and Feed , and Corporate Governance , as well as in book chapters with Routledge and Taylor & Francis. Scientific Contributions: Lead researcher for UNESCO’s Country Study on Malaysia Contributor to Indonesian Country and Case Study External examiner for PhD theses on natural resource governance Active speaker at international conferences on environmental law and food systems Advising and Grants: Dr Marimuthu supervises multiple PhD and LLM students on diverse topics including AI in law, green IP, and food policy. She led a UNESCO research project and continues to influence policy through her scholarly work and leadership in the Food Law Science Research Group. Labs and Research Groups: She leads the Food Law Science Research Group at UNE, which advocates for stronger regulatory frameworks addressing global food challenges.
Hans-Gerd Janssen is a Professor in Organic Chemistry at an institution (likely University of Wageningen) active in analytical and food chemistry. His work bridges gas chromatography , mass spectrometry , and chemical engineering to solve interdisciplinary problems in food systems and environmental analysis. Current research focuses on protein-flavor interactions , cannabinoid profiling , and microplastics detection . He supervises multiple PhD candidates in projects related to CBRN detection , sustainable food , and chromatography innovations . Recent publications highlight advancements in two-dimensional gas chromatography, QSAR modeling for flavor binding, and microplastics analysis. Collaborations span medical entomology (mosquito attraction studies) and materials science (Prussian Blue analogs). Media contributions emphasize food science applications (plant-based meat alternatives, sound science in culinary contexts).
Sanjeewa Gamagedara, Ph.D. , is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). His research bridges analytical chemistry with biomedical applications, focusing on non-invasive cancer diagnosis through biomarker discovery in urinary metabolomics and proteomics. He also contributes to microfluidics for portable diagnostics and environmental/pharmaceutical analysis using advanced instruments. His research spans metabolomics , proteomics , and microfluidic device development . Publications highlight applications of LC-MS/MS , Lab-on-a-Chip , and HPLC in cancer biomarker validation, food chemistry, and environmental monitoring. Scientific Awards Vanderford Faculty Award (2025, UCO) UCO Faculty Merit-Credit Award (2025) Neely Excellence in Teaching Award (2022) Research Opportunity Awards from OK-INBRE (2017, 2022) He has taught instrumental analysis courses at UCO and developed specialized curricula like Professionalism in Chemistry II and Capstone for Chemistry . Research funding includes grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
