Desta Dugassa | Food Science and Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Desta Dugassa | Food Science and Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Fufa Haramaya University | Ethiopia

Dr. Desta Dugassa Fufa is an accomplished scholar and Assistant Professor specializing in Food Science, Nutrition, and Public Health, with strong interdisciplinary training across food technology, environmental health, and water and sanitation management. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition, an MPH in Public Health with a focus on environmental health, and dual Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Food Science and Technology and Food Postharvest Technologies. With over a decade of academic and research experience, he has served as Associate Director of the Haramaya Institute of Technology and has led extensive teaching, research, community engagement, and media-based nutrition outreach. His professional expertise spans food product development, nutrition analysis, food quality assessment, ISO and HACCP systems, risk analysis, value-added processing, and environmental safety. He has served as Principal Investigator on multiple funded projects, including studies on maternal and child nutrition, digital food behavior, and value-added food technologies, and has contributed to internationally funded initiatives such as the SMIL project supported by the Gates Foundation. Recognized with an International Analytical Chemistry Award, he actively participates in national and international conferences and reviews scientific manuscripts. His research interests center on functional foods, nutraceuticals, food omics, nanofiber-based packaging, microbiota, and sustainable food systems. He remains committed to advancing science-driven solutions for improved health, nutrition, and food security.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Tamene, A., Fufa, D.D., Bekele, T., Bultosa, G., Kumar, A., & Singh, N. (2025). “Value-addition to composite soft bread wheat cookies using avocado seed and finger millet flours: assessing the nutritional, techno-functional, and sensory properties.” Measurement: Food.

Fufa, D.D. (2025). “Postharvest Physiological Disorders of Apricot.” In Postharvest Physiological Disorders of Fruits.

Fufa, D.D., Bekele, T., Bultosa, G., & Tamene, A. (2025). “Avocado seeds valorization for sustainable food ingredient use: quality attributes evaluation in the traditional fermented teff injera.” Discover Sustainability.

Fufa, D.D., Bekele, T., Tamene, A., & Bultosa, G. (2025). “Drying kinetic models, thermodynamics, physicochemical qualities, and bioactive compounds of avocado (Persea americana Mill. Hass variety) seeds dried using various drying methods.” Heliyon.

Fufa, D.D., Seid, A., & Bitew, Z.W. (2024). “The use of internet-based smartphone apps consistently improved consumers’ healthy eating behaviors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.” Frontiers in Digital Health.

Wael Baniodeh | Food Safety | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Wael Baniodeh | Food Safety | Best Researcher Award

Dubai Municipality | United Arab Emirates

Mr. Wael Ahmad Bani Odeh is a distinguished Food Studies and Systems Officer at the Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department, with over 15 years of progressive experience in food safety management, risk assessment, and food control systems. He holds a B.Sc. in Food Technology from Mosul University (2002) and a High Diploma in Nutrition and Food Technology from Jordan University of Science and Technology (2006). His professional expertise spans food safety risk analysis, microbiological and chemical risk assessments, food labeling compliance, and the application of international standards such as ISO 22000 and HACCP. Mr. Bani Odeh has led numerous food awareness campaigns, inspections, and research studies related to food safety and public health. His published research focuses on pesticide residues in imported fruits and vegetables within the UAE. A recipient of multiple awards—including the Creative Employee Award and the Second Prize in the Dubai International Food Safety Conference Poster Competition—he is recognized for his contributions to food system innovation and risk management. His academic and professional record includes 7 documents, 68 citations by 66 documents, and an h-index of 3, underscoring his scholarly influence. Mr. Bani Odeh continues to advance food safety science, policy integration, and sustainable practices within global food systems.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Assessment of Contamination and Compliance in Imported Spices, Herbs, Seasonings, Coffee, and Tea in the UAE, (2025) Journal of Food Science.

Quality and Authenticity of Animal and Vegetable Fats Imported to the United Arab Emirates, (2025) Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Volume 24, December 2025.