Prof. Dr. Patricia Vit | Nutritional Guidance Awards | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Patricia Vit | Nutritional Guidance Awards | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Dr. Patricia Vit, University of the Andes, Venezuela

Patricia Vit, is a distinguished food scientist with dual Venezuelan and Italian nationalities. With a strong academic foundation, she earned her License in Biology and M.Sc. in Food Science from Universidad Simón Bolívar, followed by a Ph.D. from Cardiff University in the UK, focusing on the anticataract properties of stingless bee honey. Patricia has conducted postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions, including the National University of Singapore and the University of Sydney, where she investigated the immunological and anticancer properties of honey. Her research centers on stingless bee honey, exploring its unique characteristics and antimicrobial potential. Notably, she has been honored with the naming of three species in her recognition. As a passionate advocate for stingless bee science, Patricia has contributed significantly to the field through the establishment of international awards and the publication of influential works, including the book Pot-honey: A Legacy of Stingless Bees. Her innovative work in anti-antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and her unique patent on honey authenticity underscore her commitment to advancing food science and technology.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for the Best Researcher Award: Patricia Vit

Patricia Vit, a Venezuelan and Italian national, is a distinguished researcher in Food Science and Technology, specializing in stingless bee
honey. With an impressive h-index of 34 on Google Scholar and a solid academic foundation, including a Ph.D. from Cardiff University, her
contributions to the field are significant

Education

📚 License in Biology
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela, 1981

  • Thesis Title: “Effect of additives in gelatinization and gelation of green plantain (Musa paradisiaca, var Harton) flour and starch”.

🎓 M.Sc. in Food Science
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela, 1984

  • Thesis Title: “Evaluation of an enzymatic method to measure protein quality by inducing purine hepatic enzymes in chicks”. Honorable Mention.

🎓 Doctor of Philosophy
School of Pure and Applied Biology, Cardiff University, Wales, UK, 1997

  • Thesis Title: “Quality factors and approach to the putative anticataract properties of stingless bee (Apidae; Meliponinae) honey from Venezuela”.

🧪 Postdoc
National University of Singapore, Singapore, January – July 2004

  • Project: “Study of anaphylatoxins activated by neutrophils and macrophages mediated by their C5a receptors”.

🧪 Postdoc
The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia, April 2011–January 2013

  • Project: “Activity of honey extracts in ovarian cancer cell lines, alone and in combination with cisplatin, using MTT reduction assay”.

Work Experience

🔬 Food Scientist

  • Focused on stingless bee honey research, including the role of micro-life in honey production and the properties of stingless bee materials.
  • Empowered and mentored stingless bee scientists.
  • Conducted bibliometric analyses related to stingless bee honey.

🏆 Founder of International Award for Academic Excellence APIBA 2023

  • Developed awards in bee science with multiple categories and awardees.

Achievements and Contributions

🌱 Named Species:

  1. Partamona vitae (Stingless bee)
  2. Starmerella vitae (Yeast)
  3. Scaptotrigona vitorum (Stingless bee)

📖 Publications:

  • Authored the book Pot-honey. A Legacy of Stingless Bees (Springer, 2013), a leading resource on stingless bee honey.

💡 Research Contributions:

  • Proposed the terms pot-honey and pot-pollen for understanding microbial processes in honey.
  • Developed a unique patent for honey authenticity testing.

🌍 Focus on AMR:

  • Investigated anti-AMR properties of stingless bee materials to address antimicrobial resistance, predicted as a major global health threat by WHO.

Awards and Honors

🏅 Awards for Excellence in Bee Science

  • APIBA 2023 Academic Excellence Award with 15 categories.
  • APIBA 2023 Scientific Excellence Award with 104 awardees.

📜 Recognitions:

  • Contributed to the scientific community by being part of international collaborations and projects in bee science.

Publication Top Notes:

Melissopalynology of Coffea arabica honey produced by the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) from Alajuela, Costa Rica

Melissopalynology of Coffea arabica honey produced by the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) from Alajuela, Costa Rica
Sour honeys from 57 species of stingless bees in 18 countries.
Evaluación de etiquetas de miel de abejas producida en la República Checa: Una forma de comunicación entre apicultores y consumidores
Impact of genus (Geotrigona, Melipona, Scaptotrigona) in the 1H-NMR organic profile and authenticity test of honey processed in cerumen pots by stingless bees in Ecuador

Anne Blais | Obesity | Women Researcher Award

Dr.Anne Blais | Obesity | Women Researcher Award

Chercheur at UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, INRAE, University Paris-Saclay,France

Anne Blais is a distinguished researcher and academic in nutrition and physiology, holding dual Canadian and French nationality. She is based at UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, INRAE, and has a long-standing commitment to studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of food behavior. With a Ph.D. from the Université de Montréal, Anne has contributed extensively to the scientific community through numerous publications and active involvement in professional societies. She balances her professional life with family, being married and a parent.

Profile:

Scopus Profile

Strengths for the Award:

Anne Blais is a distinguished researcher in the field of nutrition and food science, holding advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in Physiology. Her extensive academic background, coupled with her current role at UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, and INRAE, underscores her commitment to advancing knowledge in the mechanisms controlling food behavior and metabolism. Blais has authored and co-authored numerous impactful publications, including studies on protein quality, nutritional interventions, and the physiological effects of amino acids. Her work is recognized internationally, evidenced by her contributions to high-impact journals such as the British Journal of Nutrition and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Furthermore, her involvement in student training and conference organization demonstrates her leadership in the field and commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers.

Areas for Improvement:

While Anne Blais has an impressive research portfolio, there is room for growth in collaborative interdisciplinary projects that integrate emerging technologies in nutrition and metabolism. Expanding her focus to include more innovative methodologies such as big data analytics or artificial intelligence in nutritional studies could enhance the breadth of her research impact. Additionally, increasing outreach efforts to engage with the public and industry stakeholders could further promote the relevance and application of her research findings.

Education:

Anne Blais has an extensive educational background in the life sciences. She earned her Diplôme d’Études Collégiales in Pure Sciences from Collège de Saint-Jean sur Richelieu, followed by a B.Sc. in Biology from Université de Sherbrooke, specializing in physiology and biochemistry. She completed her M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology at Université Laval and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Université de Montréal. Her academic training has laid a strong foundation for her research and teaching career.

Experience:

With decades of experience, Anne Blais has established herself as a leading figure in nutrition research. She has worked at UMR PNCA, AgroParisTech, focusing on the physiological aspects of nutrition. In addition to her research, she plays a vital role in training the next generation of scientists through various graduate programs. Anne has organized conferences and contributed as a referee for multiple high-impact journals, demonstrating her leadership and expertise. Her involvement in international scientific communities underscores her commitment to advancing knowledge in her field.

Research Focus:

Anne Blais’s research primarily focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in controlling food behavior. Her studies investigate the effects of protein quality on energy and bone metabolism, utilizing both cellular and animal models. She is particularly interested in how dietary components, such as amino acids, influence physiological responses. Through her research, Anne aims to uncover insights that could lead to improved dietary recommendations and interventions for better health outcomes, especially concerning obesity and metabolic disorders.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Minimal processed infant formula vs. conventional shows comparable protein quality and increased postprandial plasma amino acid kinetics in rats. 🍼
  2. Efficiency of Orexin-A for Inflammatory Flare and Mucosal Healing in Experimental Colitis: Comparison with the Anti-TNF Alpha Infliximab. 💊
  3. Lysine or Threonine Deficiency Decreases Body Weight Gain in Growing Rats despite an Increase in Food Intake without Increasing Energy Expenditure in Response to FGF21. 🥩
  4. Lactoferrin Supplementation during Gestation and Lactation Is Efficient for Boosting Rat Pup Development. 🐾
  5. Severe protein deficiency induces hepatic expression and systemic level of FGF21 but inhibits its hypothalamic expression in growing rats. 🧬
  6. Orexins: A promising target to digestive cancers, inflammation, obesity and metabolism dysfunctions. 🎯
  7. Milk proteins: Nutritional quality of milk proteins. 🥛
  8. Tolerable amounts of amino acids for human supplementation: summary and lessons from published peer-reviewed studies. 📚
  9. Sulfur-containing amino acids and lipid metabolism. 💧
  10. Intestinal Availability and Metabolic Effects of Dietary Camelina Sphingolipids during the Metabolic Syndrome Onset in Mice. 🐭

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Anne Blais stands out as a leading researcher in nutrition and food science, demonstrating significant contributions through her rigorous research and commitment to education. Her expertise in the physiological aspects of nutrition, coupled with her active involvement in scientific communities, positions her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. By embracing interdisciplinary collaborations and expanding her research methodologies, she can continue to advance the field and influence public health positively.