Abdelaziz El Houari | Life and Environmental Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Abdelaziz El Houari | Life and Environmental Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Senior Research Scientist| Danone Research and Innovation France

Dr. Abdelaziz El Houari is a Senior Scientist specializing in Microbiology and Molecular Biology, with a focus on anaerobic microbiology, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. He has a wealth of experience in managing research projects, developing innovative approaches in microbiome science, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. His expertise spans various microbiological techniques, molecular analysis, and bioinformatics tools. Based in France, he currently leads projects at Danone Research & Innovation in Paris-Saclay, contributing to the identification and characterization of probiotic strains and enhancing scientific communications.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education 

Dr. El Houari holds a PhD in Life and Environmental Sciences from the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, France (2015–2018). He also earned a Master’s degree in Biotechnologies and Sustainable Development from Cady Ayyad University in Morocco (2012–2014), and a License/Dissertation in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Ibn Zohr University, Morocco (2011–2012). His academic journey has equipped him with robust knowledge in microbiology and biotechnology, especially in anaerobic microbiota and molecular biology.

💼 Experience 

Dr. El Houari’s professional journey includes his current role as a Senior Scientist at Danone Research & Innovation (since 2023), focusing on probiotic strain characterization and omics data analysis. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Research Scientist at 4D Pharma PLC (2022–2023), contributing to the development of Live Biotherapeutic products. He also served as a Research Officer at Bangor University (2020–2022), studying landfill biomass-degrading microbiomes. Additionally, Dr. El Houari has worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Poitiers (2019).

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Dr. El Houari has received several recognitions, including a prestigious Early Career Research Award from the Science and Engineering Research Board (2017) and a Research Excellence Award (2015). His contributions to research were further acknowledged through funding for workshops and conference travel grants, such as the DST Travel Grant (2012). He has also been involved in the development of intellectual property and has won several best paper presentation awards.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. El Houari’s research interests revolve around anaerobic microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. He specializes in microbial community characterization, probiotic strain discovery, and the functional exploration of complex microbiomes. His work on microbial degradation processes, especially in relation to landfill biomass and wastewater treatment, has contributed to advancements in environmental and industrial microbiology. His studies on the human gut microbiota and its interactions with various molecules are paving the way for biotechnological applications in pharmaceuticals and agri-food industries.

📝 Conclusion

Dr. Abdelaziz El Houari stands out as a highly skilled and innovative researcher with profound contributions to microbiology, bioinformatics, and microbial ecology. His leadership in complex research projects, along with his dedication to scientific advancement and education, makes him an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. By broadening his outreach and exploring additional funding and interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. El Houari could further amplify his impact on global microbiome research

Publication

  1. Title: Lutispora saccharofermentans sp. nov., a mesophilic, non-spore-forming bacterium isolated from a lab-scale methanogenic landfill bioreactor digesting anaerobic sludge, and emendation of the genus Lutispora to include species which are non-spore-forming and mesophilic
    Year: 2023
    Journal: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
    DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005683
    Contributors: Abdelaziz El Houari, Morgan Carpenter, Daniel Chaplin, Peter Golyshin, James E. McDonald

 

  1. Title: Development of an in vitro Model of Human Gut Microbiota for Screening the Reciprocal Interactions With Antibiotics, Drugs, and Xenobiotics
    Year: 2022
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.828359
    Contributors: Abdelaziz El Houari

 

  1. Title: In vitro sensitivity of 30 anaerobic bacterial strains of the human intestinal core microbiota to antibiotics: Culture and LC-MS/MS approaches
    Year: 2021
    Journal: Anaerobe
    DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102314
    Contributors: Abdelaziz El Houari

 

  1. Title: Microbial Communities and Sulfate-Reducing Microorganisms Abundance and Diversity in Municipal Anaerobic Sewage Sludge Digesters from a Wastewater Treatment Plant (Marrakech, Morocco)
    Year: 2020
    Journal: Processes
    DOI: 10.3390/pr8101284
    Contributors: Abdelaziz El Houari

 

  1. Title: Desulfobulbus oligotrophicus sp. nov., a sulfate-reducing and propionate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a municipal anaerobic sewage sludge digester
    Year: 2017
    Journal: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
    DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001615
    Contributors: Abdelaziz El Houari

 

Yeganeh Mazaheri | Environmental Science | Best Scholar Award

Dr. Yeganeh Mazaheri | Environmental Science | Best Scholar Award

Food safety and hygien at Tehran university of medical science, Iran

Yeganeh Mazaheri is an accomplished PhD candidate at Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a robust academic and professional background in food science and public health. Her research focuses on environmental contaminants in food products and developing innovative solutions to enhance food safety. Yeganeh has conducted six significant research projects and published over 30 articles, making substantial contributions to the field of food safety. Recognized with several prestigious awards, she combines her research expertise with practical experience as a quality control supervisor and an auditor for food safety management systems. A dedicated scholar, she also serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene and is committed to advancing food safety practices globally.

Professional Profile

Education

Yeganeh Mazaheri holds a Master of Science in Food Science and Industry from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (2017-2019) and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Safety of Food Materials from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (2014-2017). Currently pursuing her PhD at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, she focuses on identifying and mitigating environmental contaminants in food products. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation in food safety and public health, equipping her to excel in both research and practical applications.

Professional Experience

Yeganeh has extensive professional experience in food safety and quality assurance. She has worked as a quality control supervisor in a food laboratory, where she ensured compliance with international safety standards. Additionally, she has served as an auditor, specializing in ISO 22000:2017 and HACCP frameworks, and has provided consultancy for food factories. Currently, she is a collaborator and researcher at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, leading research projects and mentoring teams in the field of food safety. Her experience bridges academic research and industry applications, making her a versatile professional in her domain.

Research Interests

Yeganeh’s primary research interests lie in food safety, environmental contaminants, and public health. She specializes in identifying and analyzing pollutants such as heavy metals, melamine, aflatoxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food products. Her work focuses on developing innovative methods to detect and mitigate these contaminants, thereby improving food safety and public health outcomes. Yeganeh is also passionate about exploring the application of advanced analytical techniques and quality assurance systems to enhance food production processes.

Research Skills

Yeganeh Mazaheri possesses advanced research skills, including experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. She has significant expertise in analyzing environmental contaminants in food using state-of-the-art methodologies and tools. Proficient in quality management systems, she is an ISO 22000:2017 and HACCP-certified auditor. Her skills also extend to academic collaboration, team leadership, and mentoring, as she has successfully led research teams and authored high-impact publications. Her extensive experience as a reviewer demonstrates her ability to critically evaluate scientific work.

Awards and Honors

Yeganeh Mazaheri has received multiple accolades recognizing her research excellence and contributions to food safety. In 2024, she was honored with the Top Researcher Award at the university level and the Best Researcher Award at the provincial level for her innovative work in identifying and mitigating food pollutants. These awards reflect her dedication, impactful research, and commitment to improving food safety standards. Additionally, her membership in professional organizations, such as TĂśV Academy, further highlights her recognition in the field.

Conclusion

Yeganeh Mazaheri is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award, with a commendable academic background, robust research portfolio, and significant contributions to food safety. Her ability to merge academic rigor with practical applications in food safety and public health is noteworthy. To enhance her candidacy, pursuing international collaborations, filing patents, and diversifying research areas would further strengthen her profile and align her achievements with global standards.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Application of nanomaterials for determination and removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food products: A review
    • Authors: Shamloo, E.; Shokri, S.; Sadighara, P.; Rezagholizade-Shirvan, A.; Mazaheri, Y.
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: 2024
  2. A method validation of determination of melamine in marketed infant formula and milk powder of Iran
    • Authors: Mazaheri, Y.; Jafari, M.; Eghbaljoo, H.; Sadighara, P.; Zeinali, T.
    • Year: 2024
  3. Evaluation of the qualitative properties of the oil extracted from the mixture of Helianthus annuus and Nigella sativa seeds during heating
    • Authors: Naderi, M.; Mazaheri, Y.; Torbati, M.; Rezagholizade-Shirvan, A.; Shokri, S.
    • Citations: 1
    • Year: 2024
  4. Employing a magnetic chitosan/molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite for efficiently removing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from milk samples
    • Authors: Rezagholizade-Shirvan, A.; Mohammadi, M.; Mazaheri, Y.; Darroudi, M.; Shamloo, E.
    • Citations: 6
    • Year: 2024
  5. The carcinogenic PAHs in breads, amount, analytical method and mitigation strategy, a systematic review study
    • Authors: Tavoosidana, G.; Abdolhosseini, M.; Mazaheri, Y.; Shavali-gilani, P.; Sadighara, P.
    • Year: 2024
  6. Prevalence and concentration of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A in cheese: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic risk assessment
    • Authors: Mahmudiono, T.; Mazaheri, Y.; Sadighara, P.; Hoseinvandtabar, S.; Fakhri, Y.
    • Citations: 4
    • Year: 2024
  7. Effectiveness of various methods to reduce aflatoxin M1 levels in milk, a systematic review
    • Authors: Mazaheri, Y.; Shavali-gilani, P.; Shariatifar, N.; Abdoli, N.; Sadighara, P.
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: 2024
  8. Removal of aflatoxin M1 in milk using magnetic laccase/MoS2/chitosan nanocomposite as an efficient sorbent
    • Authors: Rezagholizade-Shirvan, A.; Ghasemi, A.; Mazaheri, Y.; Rezaei, Z.; Shamloo, E.
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: 2024
  9. Effect of Allium Jesdianum‘s extract on the physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial and sensory properties of sausage characteristics
    • Authors: Ghorbani, A.; Mahmoudifar, K.; Shokri, S.; Rezagholizade-Shirvan, A.; Elhamirad, A.H.
    • Citations: 1
    • Year: 2024
  10. Recent methods in detection of olive oil adulteration: State-of-the-art
    • Authors: Hashempour-Baltork, F.; Vali Zade, S.; Mazaheri, Y.; Torbati, M.; Azadmard Damirchi, S.
    • Citations: 3
    • Year: 2024

 

 

Beatrice Sorrentino | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Beatrice Sorrentino | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Assegnista di Ricerca, ENEA, Italy

Beatrice Sorrentino is an accomplished Italian researcher with a strong background in physical and astrophysical sciences. With extensive experience in environmental research and spectroscopy, Beatrice has made significant contributions to various European Union projects aimed at understanding and improving environmental and climate policies. She has a keen interest in the intersection of environmental science and physics, which drives her innovative research in meteorological data analysis and air quality modeling.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Research Experience: Beatrice Sorrentino has a strong background in environmental research, particularly in areas related to environmental and climate policy, meteorology, and air quality. Her experience working on European Union projects such as LIFE AIRFRESH and LIFE VEG-GAP demonstrates her ability to contribute significantly to environmental research, which aligns with the goals of the Research for Women Researcher Award.
  2. Publications and Presentations: She has an impressive list of publications in reputable journals such as Environmental Research and Environmental Pollution, showcasing her contributions to the field. Additionally, her presentations at international conferences highlight her active participation in the scientific community.
  3. Diverse Skill Set: Sorrentino has a solid foundation in physics, astrophysics, and radiotherapy, which broadens her expertise beyond environmental research. Her knowledge of various spectroscopic techniques and her experience in data analysis add to her qualifications.
  4. International Exposure: Her Erasmus+ study experience in France and participation in international workshops and conferences demonstrate her global perspective and ability to collaborate across borders, which is crucial for modern scientific research.
  5. Language Proficiency: With strong skills in English, French, and basic knowledge of Spanish, she is well-equipped to communicate and collaborate in an international research environment.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Extended Research Focus: While her expertise in environmental research is evident, expanding her research to include other pressing global environmental issues, such as climate change mitigation or sustainable development, could enhance her candidacy for this award.
  2. Leadership Roles: While she has significant experience as a researcher, taking on more leadership roles in research projects or initiatives could strengthen her profile and demonstrate her ability to lead and mentor other researchers.
  3. Broader Collaboration: Increasing her involvement in collaborative research projects with institutions outside of Europe could diversify her research portfolio and further highlight her global impact.

 

🎓 Education

Beatrice holds a Master’s degree in Physical and Astrophysical Sciences from the University of Florence, where she specialized in Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics. Her thesis focused on the performance of Silicon Drift Detectors for PIXE measurements using a compact accelerator detection system. Beatrice also has a Bachelor’s degree in General Physics from the University of Pisa, complemented by an Erasmus+ study experience at Aix-Marseille Université, where she explored topics in Relativistic Cosmology and Quantum Field Theory.

đź’Ľ Experience

Beatrice is currently working as a researcher at ENEA, focusing on projects like LIFE AIRFRESH and LIFE VEG-GAP, which involve the analysis and processing of meteorological data for environmental assessments. Her work has also included collaboration with ENEA’s analysis laboratory in Frascati, where she contributed to the TOP IMPLART project by acquiring and analyzing X-ray and gamma-ray spectra. Additionally, she has experience teaching mathematics and physics to high school students in Rome.

🔬 Research Focus

Beatrice’s research interests lie at the nexus of environmental science and physics, with a particular emphasis on meteorological data analysis, air quality modeling, and the spectral analysis of materials. Her work often involves the application of advanced spectroscopy techniques to study environmental impacts and improve climate-related decision-making processes.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Beatrice has been recognized for her contributions to environmental science, particularly for her presentation on the impact of green roofs on the atmosphere, which won the Best Presentation in the field of natural sciences at the International Sopot Youth Conference 2021 in Poland.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Meteorological, chemical and biological evaluation of the coupled chemistry-climate WRF-Chem model from regional to urban scale – Published in Environmental Research, June 2024. Cited by 8 articles

Surface ozone risk to human health and vegetation in tropical regions: The case of Thailand – Published in Environmental Research, July 2023. Cited by 5 articles

The Role of Vegetation on Urban Atmosphere of Three European Cities – Published in Forests, June 2023. Cited by 7 articles

Urban Vegetation Effects on Meteorology and Air Quality: A Comparison of Three European Cities – Chapter in book Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVIII, January 2023. Cited by 3 articles

Canopy-based Classification of Urban vegetation from Very High-Resolution Satellite Imagery – Published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, February 2023. Cited by 6 articles

Conclusion:

Beatrice Sorrentino is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her extensive experience in environmental research, impressive publication record, and active participation in international conferences make her a strong contender. While expanding her research focus and taking on leadership roles could enhance her profile, her current achievements and skills already position her as a worthy recipient of this award.