Liliana Mihalcea | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Liliana Mihalcea | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. University Dunarea de Jos of Galati , Faculty of Food Science and Engineering Romania

Dr. Liliana Mihalcea is a distinguished Associate Professor and researcher at the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Romania. Her expertise lies in advanced extraction methods, modern processing technologies, and food industry equipment. With a prolific career in teaching, research, and project management, Dr. Mihalcea has contributed significantly to food science and engineering.

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Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering (2007), Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher (2011), exploring enzymatic reactions in supercritical fluids.
  • Completed various international fellowships, including programs at the University of Valladolid, Spain, and the University of Burgos, Spain.

Professional Experience 💼

  • Associate Professor (2014 – Present): Courses, labs, and research mentoring in food science and engineering.
  • Vice-Dean (2016 – 2020): Coordinated student activities and faculty research documentation.
  • Head of Laboratory (2020 – Present): Overseeing physico-chemical and microbiological analyses of food products.
  • Project Manager: Leads innovative projects on bioactive compounds and food by-products, with substantial EU funding.

Research Interests 🔬

  • Supercritical Fluid Extraction
  • Modern Processing Technologies
  • Bioactive Compound Encapsulation
  • Functional Ingredients and Food Sustainability

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

  • Marie Curie Fellowship (2007): For groundbreaking research in enzymatic reactions within supercritical fluids.
  • Multiple grants from the EU and Romanian funding bodies for innovation in food science.

Publications Top Notes:📚

Transglutaminase mediated microencapsulation of sea buckthorn supercritical CO2 extract in whey protein isolate and valorization in highly value added food products

CO2 Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Oleoresins from Sea Buckthorn Pomace: Evidence of Advanced Bioactive Profile and Selected Functionality

Microencapsulation of red grape juice by freeze drying and application in jelly formulation

Fostering lavender as a source for valuable bioactives for food and pharmaceutical applications through extraction and microencapsulation

Characterization of walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk extract obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction

Pranami Abeywickrama | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Pranami Abeywickrama | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Post Doctoral Researcher Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences China

Dr. Pranami D. Abeywickrama is a distinguished mycologist and plant pathologist specializing in fungal taxonomy and phylogeny. Currently, she is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China. With extensive international research experience and over 29 SCI publications, she has made significant contributions to fungal biodiversity and plant disease studies.

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Education 🎓

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences
    Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand (2023)
    Dissertation: Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Fungi Associated with Woody Hosts and Other Herbaceous Plants in Agricultural and Forestry Ecosystems.
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honors)
    University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (2015)
    Specialized in Agricultural Biology-Plant Pathology.

Professional Experience 💼

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China (2023–Present).
  • Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China (2017–2019).
  • Mentor, Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand (2019–2023).
  • Laboratory Demonstrator, Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (2016).

Dr. Abeywickrama has held leadership roles, including Vice Director of the Second Batch Postdoctoral Forum in Beijing.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on fungal taxonomy, phylogeny, and biodiversity. Dr. Abeywickrama also investigates plant-pathogenic fungi, fungal-host interactions, and the application of fungi in agriculture and forestry ecosystems.

Awards 🏆

  • Outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher (2024)
    Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China.
  • Outstanding Graduate Student (2018)
    Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China.

Publications Top Notes:📚

Dr. Pranami D. Abeywickrama has authored/co-authored numerous influential publications. Below is a selection with links:

Rhizopus arrhizus causing Sunflower head rot (Plant Disease, 2020) – Cited by 89 articles.

Diaporthe manihotia on Camellia sp. (Asian Journal of Mycology, 2020) – Cited by 45 articles.

Campylocarpon fasciculare on Young Grapevines (Pathogens, 2021) – Cited by 37 articles.

Diaporthe species from Italy (Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2022) – Cited by 25 articles.

Endophytic fungi in green manure crops (Mycosphere, 2023) – Cited by 68 articles.