Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu | Agricultural Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu | Agricultural Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Theophilus Maduabuchukwu lkegwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Dr. Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. With a strong academic background in Food Processing and Technology, his research focuses on functional food development, postharvest preservation, and nutritional enhancement of local crops. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, received multiple TETFund research grants, and holds the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship. Dr. Ikegwu is actively involved in academic leadership, community service, and contributes as an Associate Editor for scientific journals in food science.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Ikegwu is an accomplished scholar whose research has advanced food science in Nigeria, particularly in the areas of postharvest preservation, food quality, and processing technologies. His work reflects both academic excellence and practical relevance, with a strong focus on improving food security and supporting sustainable development goals through science.

🎓 Education

Dr. Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His academic training provided a solid foundation in food processing and food technology, shaping his expertise in functional food product development and postharvest handling technologies.

💼Experience

Dr. Ikegwu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He has years of academic and research experience in teaching, supervising research projects, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and contributing to curriculum development. He has served in multiple departmental leadership roles, including as ICT Officer, Research Grant Coordinator, and Secretary of the Curriculum Development Committee. He has also participated in community service initiatives and election monitoring at both national and state levels.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Ikegwu’s research primarily focuses on the development and processing of functional and fortified food products aimed at enhancing nutritional security. He explores novel preservation technologies for cereals, legumes, and oilseeds and investigates the impacts of different processing methods on nutritional, physicochemical, and sensory properties of food. His work contributes significantly to food biotechnology, value addition in underutilized crops, and improving food quality and shelf life through innovative technologies.

🛠️Skills

His skillset spans food processing and preservation technologies, product development, food quality analysis, and sensory evaluation. He is highly proficient in scientific writing, research coordination, laboratory experimentation, data interpretation, and technology transfer. His expertise also extends to academic leadership and mentoring students in applied food science research.

🏆Awards

Dr. Ikegwu is a recipient of multiple TETFund Research Grant Awards for innovative projects such as the development of egg powder, nutritious beverages from mango and tiger nut, and cashew apple juice optimization. He was awarded the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship in 2015 in recognition of his commitment to industrially relevant research. He also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Foods, Natural and Life Sciences.

📚 Publications

Title: Counting the Cost: Effect of COVID-19 on Household Food Security in South East Nigeria
Authors: Johnny Ogunji, Stanley Iheanacho, Chinwe Victoria Ogunji, Michael Olaolu, Vivian Oleforuh-Okoleh, Nuria Amaechi, Esther David, Onyekachi Ndukauba, Theophilus M. Ikegwu
Year: 2021
Journal: Sustainability

Conclusion:

Dr. Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu is a highly deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award. By addressing minor gaps in international engagement and integrating emerging technologies into his research, his impact could be significantly amplified on a global scale.

sultan acun | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. sultan acun | Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan acun, Amasya University, Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan Acun is a faculty member at Amasya University, Turkey, specializing in food science and engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Suleyman Demirel University, where her research focused on the use of propolis extracts and microencapsulated honey powder in cakes. Her expertise includes food quality enhancement, natural antioxidants, and functional food production. Dr. Acun has extensive academic and administrative experience, having served as a lecturer and department head. She has published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals and actively contributes to scientific conferences.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sultan Acun is a distinguished researcher in food science with a strong publication record, innovative research on functional foods, and significant contributions to academia. Her work on propolis, natural antioxidants, and food quality improvement has positioned her as a leading figure in her field. While she has demonstrated outstanding research capabilities, expanding international collaborations and securing more research grants would further enhance her impact.

🎓 Education

Sultan Acun completed her Ph.D. in Food Science in February 2021 at the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Food Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey. Her doctoral research focused on using different propolis extracts and honey powder produced by the microencapsulation technique in cake. She obtained her M.Sc. in Food Science in June 2011 from the same university, where she studied the effects of grape wine waste pomace and grape seed on biscuit quality. She earned her B.Sc. in Food Engineering in June 2008, graduating with the highest GPA (93.11/100) among her peers.

💼Experience

Dr. Sultan Acun has extensive academic and administrative experience in food engineering and food science education. She has been a Lecturer Ph.D. at Amasya University, Suluova Vocational School, since 2021. Before that, she served as a Lecturer at the same institution from 2012 to 2021. She also worked as a Visiting Lecturer at Suleyman Demirel University, teaching at Gelendost and Şarkikaraağaç Vocational Schools between 2009 and 2012. In addition to her academic roles, she held administrative positions as Deputy Director of Suluova Vocational School from 2015 to 2020 and as Head of the Food Processing Department from 2014 to 2015.

🔬Research Focus

Her research interests lie in food science, with a specific focus on food quality enhancement, the use of natural antioxidants, and the incorporation of by-products in food production. She has worked on projects involving the use of propolis and microencapsulated honey in cakes, the determination of wheat quality, the evaluation of bakeries, and the use of grape pulp as a natural antioxidant in bread production. Her studies also explore the quality characteristics of traditional and gluten-free bakery products.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Acun possesses strong technical skills in food analysis, including the use of instruments such as protein analyzers, centrifuges, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, rotary evaporators, texture analyzers, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers. She is proficient in statistical analysis, including randomized and incomplete block design, ANOVA, multivariate analysis, and regression analysis. Additionally, she has expertise in Microsoft Office, Design Expert, and SPSS for data analysis.

🏆Awards

Dr. Acun has published numerous research papers in international and national peer-reviewed journals. She has presented her findings at various conferences, both as oral and poster presentations. She has contributed significantly to the study of food technology and has been recognized for her research on the nutritional and functional properties of different food ingredients. She also holds multiple certifications in quality management systems, HACCP, and risk-based process management.

📚 Publications

Title: The effect of propolis as a functional product on health
Author(s): Acun, S., & Gül, H.
Year: 2021
Journal: Uludag Aricilik Dergisi

Conclusion:

Dr. Sultan Acun is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her valuable contributions to food science and functional food development. With continued efforts in global research engagement and industry partnerships, she can further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her domain.