Desta Dugassa | Food Science and Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Data Analysis

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.

Darshika Hitesh Acharya | Data Regulation | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Research Data Analysis

Ms. Darshika Hitesh Acharya | Data Regulation | Women Researcher Award

SVKM’S Mithibai college of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Science and Amrutben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics | India
Darshika Hitesh Acharya is a dedicated Ph.D. research scholar specializing in plant sciences with a focus on pharmacognosy. Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in botany, food science, and the broader field of natural sciences. She has contributed to scientific publications indexed in Scopus and Springer, showcasing her dedication to research excellence and innovative approaches to plant-based studies.

Professional Profiles

Google Scholar

Education

Darshika is pursuing her doctoral research at a reputed institution where she is advancing her expertise in botany and food science. Her academic training equips her with a strong theoretical foundation and practical research skills in plant sciences, particularly pharmacognosy. Through her education, she has developed a deep understanding of natural product research, plant-based compounds, and their applications in health and science.

Experience

As an emerging researcher, Darshika has gained valuable experience through her scholarly activities and contributions to peer-reviewed journals. Despite not having consultancy or industry projects yet, she has made her mark with quality publications in international journals. She has also actively engaged in academic research discussions, presenting her findings in forums that encourage scientific exchange. Her experience reflects her resilience and determination to contribute to the field despite the challenges faced by young researchers.

Research Interest

Darshika’s primary research interest lies in pharmacognosy, a discipline that explores the medicinal and therapeutic potential of natural products. She focuses on analyzing plant-based compounds and their role in food science and health applications. Her work integrates the study of botany, plant science, and food-related innovations, offering insights into the use of natural resources for sustainable and health-oriented solutions. By bridging these areas, her research has the potential to support advancements in nutraceuticals, functional foods, and plant-based medicine.

Award

Darshika has been nominated for the Research Data Analysis Awards under categories such as Best Researcher Award . This recognition highlights her contributions to scientific knowledge and her promise as an emerging researcher in the field of pharmacognosy and plant sciences. Her scholarly achievements, particularly her publications in reputable journals, have made her a strong contender for these awards.

Publications

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2017). Anatomical study of Euphorbia hirta L. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 6(7), 1407–1416.

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2017). Pharmacognostic studies of Euphorbia hirta L. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 6(10), 1043–1050.

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2017). Fluorescence analysis of Euphorbia hirta L. [No journal details provided].

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2024). Anatomical studies in the leaves of Hydnocarpus pentandrus (Buch.-Ham) Oken. Journal of Indian Botanical Society, 105(1), 73–79.

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2024). In-vitro antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Hydnocarpus pentandrus (Buch.-Ham) Oken. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2(11), 167–172.

  • Acharya, D., & Vaidya, M. (2025). Pharmacognostic investigation of the leaves of Hydnocarpus pentandrus (Buch.-Ham) Oken. Vegetos.

Conclusion

 Darshika Hitesh Acharya embodies the qualities of a passionate and promising researcher committed to advancing pharmacognosy and plant sciences. Her academic pursuits, combined with her research publications, reflect her dedication to scientific discovery and her vision of contributing to health and sustainability through natural products. With continuous growth, she is poised to make significant contributions to the global scientific community, inspiring future scholars in the field.