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:

Partamona vitae (Stingless bee)
Starmerella vitae (Yeast)
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

Dr. Desalew Tadesse Tegegne, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Dr. Desalew Tadesse Tegegne is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Production Studies and Welfare at Mekelle University. He holds a PhD in Food Science and Nutrition and an MSc in Tropical Animal Production and Health from Addis Ababa University, as well as a Bachelor in Veterinary Technology from Mekelle University. With a profound dedication to advancing human nutrition and animal production, Dr. Desalew has significantly contributed to the development of healthier poultry products through dietary modifications. His pioneering research focuses on addressing critical nutritional deficiencies, such as omega-3 fatty acids, by developing innovative feeds that enrich chicken meat and eggs with these essential nutrients. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Desalew has been involved in numerous research projects, securing substantial funding and publishing his findings in various peer-reviewed journals. His work has led to a patent on a chicken feeding strategy designed to enhance the nutritional value of poultry products. He has also established strong collaborations with international research institutions, including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Leibniz Institute of Farm Animal Biology in Germany.

Education:

Dr. Desalew Tadesse Tegegne holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, he earned an MSc in Tropical Animal Production and Health from the same institution. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.

Work Experience:

Dr. Tegegne started his professional career as a graduate assistant in veterinary sciences at Mekelle University, gaining hands-on experience in both teaching and research. This role provided a strong foundation for his future academic and research pursuits.

Currently, he is serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Production Studies and Welfare at Mekelle University. In this capacity, Dr. Tegegne has made significant strides in human nutrition, specifically focusing on improving poultry products through dietary modifications. His innovative research has demonstrated the potential to address critical nutritional deficiencies, such as omega-3 fatty acids, by developing feeds that enrich poultry products with these essential nutrients.

Academic Achievements:

Dr. Tegegne’s academic achievements are notable, with a strong track record of publications, research projects, and innovations. He has completed and is currently engaged in 16 research projects, with a total funding of $500,000. His work has led to the publication of articles in various indexed journals, including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. He has also authored two books and holds one patent.

Dr. Tegegne’s contributions to the academic community include serving as an editorial member and reviewer for several journals and conferences. He has presented his research at numerous conferences and has been invited as a speaker and resource person on multiple occasions. His research has a significant impact, reflected in his H-index of 8 and numerous collaborative activities.

Through his dedication to research, innovation, and extension activities, Dr. Tegegne continues to make valuable contributions to the fields of food science, nutrition, and animal production.