Desta Dugassa | Food Science and Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

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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

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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.

Amon Exavery | Statistical Analysis | Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award

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Dr. Amon Exavery | Statistical Analysis | Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award

University of Dodoma | Tanzania

Dr. Amon Exavery is a distinguished statistician and public health researcher with over 15 years of experience in research, evaluation, and learning. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Dodoma, a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Dar es Salaam. Dr. Exavery has led numerous large-scale health and social service research projects, including impactful programs on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), HIV/AIDS, malaria, WASH, nutrition, reproductive, maternal, and child health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and sustainable livelihoods. As a Senior Research and Learning Advisor at Pact Tanzania, he has spearheaded multiple secondary data analyses, impact evaluations, and evidence-based program improvements. Previously, he served as a Statistician and Research Scientist at Ifakara Health Institute and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at Jhpiego, where he applied advanced statistical modeling, multilevel analysis, and predictive analytics to inform policy and practice. A prolific author, Dr. Exavery has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, presented at international conferences, and contributed to global public health knowledge. Recognized for his strategic leadership, mentorship, and innovative research approaches, he continues to drive evidence-based interventions and strengthen research capacity across Tanzania and the wider region.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2026). “Enhancing Longitudinal Impact Evaluation of Non-Experimental Interventions: A Comparative Analysis of Generalized Estimating Equations and Multilevel Models Based on Empirical Evaluation of Temporal Change in Food Security Following an Economic Empowerment Intervention.” Evaluation and Program Planning.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2025). “Determinants of Participation in WORTH Yetu Economic Empowerment Intervention among Caregivers of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania: A Longitudinal Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis.” Social Sciences & Humanities Open.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024). “Longitudinal Evaluation of the Influence of WORTH Yetu on Household Economic Status Based on the Count of Non-Asset Resources for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children’s Well-Being in Tanzania.” Child Indicators Research.

Exavery, A., Katbi, M., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024). “Multivariate Mixed-Effects Ordinal Logistic Regression Models with Difference-in-Differences Estimator of the Impact of WORTH Yetu on Household Hunger and Socioeconomic Status among OVC Caregivers in Tanzania.” PLOS ONE.

Exavery, A., Alam, K., Charles, J., Barankena, A., Bajaria, S., Minja, E., Mulikuza, J., Mbwambo, T., Ally, A., Mseya, R., et al. (2022). “Impact of Household Economic Strengthening Intervention on Food Security among Caregivers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania.” PLOS ONE.

Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá | Qualitative Research | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá | Qualitative Research | Best Research Article Award

Hospital Universitario La Paz | Spain

Dr. Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá is a physician-scientist specializing in endocrinology and nutrition, with a clinical appointment since 2010 at Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid. She holds a Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Granada (2005) and completed further training under RD 99/2011 at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2012. Over her career she has published widely on diabetes and pregnancy, gestational and pregestational diabetes, maternal weight gain, and metabolic outcomes, including contributions as corresponding author. Her work spans over 30 scientific articles (e.g. on glycemic control, gestational weight gain, twin versus singleton pregnancies, neonatal outcomes, continuous glucose monitoring) as well as book chapters on hypertensive disorders, exercise in gestational diabetes, and obesity in pregnancy. She has led or participated in multiple funded projects—among them randomized trials and studies on biomarker validation, dietary interventions in pregnancy, and predictors of glycemic control. She also undertook a research stay at Memorial Sloan Kettering (USA) in 2009–2010. Her research interests lie at the intersection of maternal–fetal medicine, diabetes, metabolic programming, and endocrinology innovations.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Aguilera-García, I., Barquiel-Alcalá, B., Vázquez-Pérez, P., Prados-Sánchez, M.C., & González-Pérez de Villar, N. (2025). Time to change guidelines? Suboptimal glycemic control measures by CGM associated with cystic fibrosis exacerbations despite adequate HbA1c. Acta Diabetológica.

Borrego Soriano, I., Barquiel-Alcalá, B., Moreno-Domínguez, O., Qasem Moreno, A.L., García-Pérez de Sevilla, E., & González-Pérez de Villar, N. (2025). Screening system for the detection of unknown or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus in a tertiary hospital: A retrospective study. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.

Quirós, C., Herrera, M.T., Amigó, J., Perea, V., Barquiel, B., et al. (2024). Real-world evidence of off-label use of commercially automated insulin delivery systems compared to multiple daily insulin injections in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

Barquiel, B. (AC), Calvo, M., Moreno-Domínguez, O., Bartha, J.L., et al. (2023). The PREDG study: A randomised controlled trial testing whether an educational intervention can prevent gestational weight gain in women with obesity. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.

García-Moreno, C., Benítez-Valderrama, P., Barquiel, B., González-Pérez de Villar, N., Hillman, N., Lora Pablos, A., & Herranz, L. (2022). Efficacy of continuous glucose monitoring on maternal and neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Diabetic Medicine.

 

Victoria Arija – Nutrition – Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award 

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Ms. Victoria Arija - Nutrition - Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award 

Rovira i Virgili University - Spain

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Ms. Victoria Arija Val began her academic journey with a strong foundation in the field of medicine, graduating with a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the Universitat de Barcelona in 1988. Her early academic pursuits laid the groundwork for her future contributions to the field of public health and preventive medicine.

Professional Endeavors

Since August 2010, Victoria Arija Val has been a prominent figure at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, where she serves as a Catedrático de Universidad in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, specifically within the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. As a dedicated professional, she has undertaken various roles and responsibilities within the academic and research domains.

Contributions and Research Focus

Ms. Arija Val has significantly contributed to the scientific community through her involvement in numerous research projects funded by both public and private entities. Her research primarily focuses on the intersection of nutrition, neurodevelopment, and public health, addressing critical issues such as prenatal supplementation, cognitive functioning in children, and the impact of environmental factors on health outcomes.

Her notable projects include investigations into the effects of seafood and nut consumption on neurodevelopment, epigenetic and metabolic alterations associated with early childhood exposure to air pollution, and the characterization of metabolic profiles in children with ADHD.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Victoria Arija Val has garnered recognition for her outstanding contributions to scientific research. Her publications in prestigious journals such as Maternal Child Nutrition, Environmental Research, and Nutrients reflect the high esteem in which her work is held within the scientific community. Moreover, her role as a principal investigator and collaborator on various projects underscores her expertise and leadership in her field.

Impact and Influence

Ms. Arija Val's research has had a profound impact on public health policies and practices, providing valuable insights into the factors influencing neurodevelopment and overall health outcomes from infancy to adolescence. Her findings on the importance of maternal nutrition, environmental exposures, and early intervention strategies have implications for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and educators worldwide.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As a distinguished researcher and educator, Victoria Arija Val's legacy lies in her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and improving health outcomes for future generations. Her ongoing commitment to rigorous research, innovative methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that her work will continue to shape the field of public health and preventive medicine for years to come. In the future, she aims to further explore the intricate relationships between nutrition, environmental factors, and neurodevelopment, paving the way for evidence-based interventions and policies that promote optimal health and well-being across the lifespan.

Notable Publication