Food Safety and Security

Okereke Goodluck Obioma is a phenomenal food expert that has experience, spanning for more than a decade in both food industry and academia. He has a Ph.D in Food Science and Technology (funded by World Bank through Centre for Food Technology and Research) from Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria, which is his affiliation as an eminent researcher and lecturer. He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Food Processing and Preservation from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria; and a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Food Science and Technology at Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. Besides, he is a dependable team player with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, Nigeria and consults with many food firms as well. He has authored many influential local and international publications that form a research base to scientists globally. Okereke Goodluck Obioma serves as a peer reviewer and editorial board member to many top-notch international journals; and has made many remarkable presentations at several first-class events. His research interests are in postharvest food losses, food security, water treatment, starch, beverage and bakery manufacture.

Selected Research Projects and Grants 

High-End Foreign Expert Recruitment Program from the Department of Foreign Expert Services of the Ministry of Science and Technology in China: Research on the damage -prevention and fresh-keeping technologies of post-harvest fresh fruit. No. G2022172006L, 1/1/2022-31/12/2023.  Agricultural Science Innovation and Transformation Project of Shaanxi Province, No. NYKJ-2021- YL(XN)05: Construction and demonstration in the integration of production and marketing to greenhouse vegetables, 06/2021-05/2022.  Key Laboratory of on Site Processing Equipment for Agricultural Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China: PET plastic box – based automatic packaging method and equipment development for cherry tomatoes. No. 2016NYZD2101, 01/2022-12/2023.  FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" No. 326847 and 926847, Multi-scale Modelling of Mechanical Damage to Tomatoes, 09/2014-10/2017  National Natural Science Foundation of China, Project Leader, Finished No. U1204107: Research on the coupling and correlation mechanism of multiscale biomechanics in tomato fruit, 01/2013-12/2015 Multiscale agro-biomechanics related to fruit seedling, cultivation, picking, and packaging.

 Publications in peer review Journal

1. Liu Z., Fadiji T., Yang J., Li Z.*, Tchuenbou-Magaia F. Impact of mechanical stimulation on the life cycle of horticultural plant. Horticultural Plant Journal, 2022, Accepted. 2. An X., Liu H., Fadiji T., Li Z.*, Darko D. Prediction of the temperature sensitivity of strawberry drop damage using dynamic finite element method. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2022, 190, 111939. 3. Liu H., Han X., Fadiji T., Li Z.*, Ni J. Prediction of the cracking susceptibility of tomato pericarp: Threepoint bending simulation using an extended finite element method. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2022, 187, 111876.

Prof. (Dr.) Afrozul Haq, is currently the Founder Vice Chancellor of H.A. University, Imphal, Manipur. Former Dean and Head of the Department of Food Technology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. Prof. Haq is a graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, & INSERM fellow Paris, France. Prof. Haq has more than 35 years of experience as a basic & clinical research scientist working in a number of research labs, and hospitals around the world including Pasteur Institute, Paris, France; McGill University, Montreal, Canada; King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mafraq Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, VPS Healthcare, & GDC, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Served as the head of Biochemical Diseases Investigation group from 2001 to 2006 at Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Founding President and Chairman of International Conference on Vitamin D Deficiency, Nutrition and Human Health continuously for the last 10 years. Prof. Haq also served as the Senior Consultant and Advisor to the Oy Verman Ab Pharmaceutical company, Helsinki, Finland.

Marystella Wabwoba is a Professional public officer well versed with extension approaches, distinguished by commended performance and proven results. Skilled in sustainable Development and community development, Disaster management with wide experience on research on food security in Kenya. Extensive background in training of trainers (TOT), including experience in community mobilization, training on Entrepreneurship, training youths in Vocational centres, Trainer of stakeholders and communities on Good Agricultural Practice and investment options that affect food security. Demonstrated success in assigned duties- developing teambuilding programs, and writing departmental reports, participating in developing departmental strategic plans and policies in compliance with the Kenya constitution, 2010.

Dr (Mrs) Adeyoju’s  passion for Food Chemistry and concerns for solution to problems of malnutrition and food in-security triggered her research interest in the discovery and development of some under-utilized agricultural food crops, which include two varieties of cowpea, Dark-Ash Solojo (DAS) and Brown Solojo (BS). Hence, her Ph.D. Thesis: Characterisation and Functional Properties of Flour and Protein Isolated from Germinated Solojo Cowpea (vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. She is a well-grounded analytical chemist with expertise in Food Research, Hazard Analysis Critical Control, Capacity Building in Laboratory Quality Systems and Good Laboratory Practice. She joined the Employment of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi in 1991 and has grown through ranks to where she is currently.

Chibudike’s research exploits include: 1. Determination of the Pulping Potentials of Seven (7) Nigerian Savanah Timbers and Assessment of the Pulping Potentials of Twenty one (21) Nigeria Cultivated Agro-based Fibers and their suitability for the production of various grades of pulp, paper, ceiling and fire retardant boards. 2. Production of Glucose Syrup from Cassava vis Enzymatic approach. 3. Conversion of Glucose Syrup to Sorbitol via Hydrogenation process. In this role, he has shown initiative and made tangible impact. He through utter determination and unabashed environmental concern proposed and faced the challenges of changing the principles of Pulping operation in the Pulp and Paper Laboratory, FIIRO. He strengthened the fabric of these aspects of research by his innovative contributions and pioneering work to develop Eco-friendly principles.

Dhon G. Dungca graduated from De La Salle University-Manila with the degree Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1998. He finished his Master of Engineering major in IE degree at Holy Angel University in 2005. He was a former IE Professor at the Holy Angel University College of Engineering & Architecture,  and a former Graduate School Professor in the Graduate School of Business. His expertise includes Project/Construction Management, ISO Certification, Business Process Reengineering, and Research. Currently, he is a Project Development Officer at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Manila, and currently a Lead Consultant of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Engr. Dungca is a Professional Industrial Engineer.

Yumna Shehadeh is the Director, Center for Quality in Medical Laboratories she has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving lecturer in Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Professions, Al-Quds University, Abudis, Jerusalem -Palestine, Health Complex, level -1