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