Dr. Cecilia Dini | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Cecilia Dini is a distinguished scientist whose research bridges chemistry, microbiology, and food technology to advance the revalorization of ancient and non-traditional crops for modern food applications. Her work focuses on unlocking the nutritional, functional, and industrial potential of underutilized Andean roots and tubers such as ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), and Jerusalem artichoke, positioning these crops as valuable resources for sustainable food systems. Through two completed research projects and ongoing investigations on Argentinian oca, she has significantly contributed to understanding the biochemical composition, starch characteristics, and functional properties of these species. Her studies have demonstrated how root- and tuber-derived biopolymers, including fructans and resistant starches, can serve as healthy dietary fibers and versatile ingredients for gluten-free products and functional foods. Dr. Dini’s research not only enhances agricultural biodiversity but also supports local farming systems by promoting the use of resilient, climate-adaptive crops. She has published 28 peer-reviewed papers in indexed journals, with her research earning over 550 citations across 475 documents and achieving an H-index of 14 (Scopus) and 17 (Google Scholar), reflecting her strong scientific impact. Her collaborative efforts with international research institutions such as Texas A&M University (USA), IATA (Spain), and the National University of Ambato (Ecuador) have fostered interdisciplinary innovation and global knowledge exchange in crop utilization and food processing. In addition to journal publications, she has authored book chapters on non-cereal starch resources, cassava-derived ingredients, and nutritional analyses of Andean roots, contributing extensively to literature in food science and agricultural biotechnology. Dr. Dini’s body of work exemplifies excellence in research translation—bridging laboratory insights with industrial applications, supporting sustainable crop diversification, and contributing to global food security through science-driven valorization of ancient crops.