Lizhi Deng | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Lizhi Deng | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

 Research Assistant at Institute of Agri-food Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China

Mr. Lizhi Deng, born on June 22, 1999, is an accomplished researcher pursuing a Master’s in Food Engineering at China Agricultural University, specializing in postharvest physiology and preservation of fruits and vegetables. With a strong academic foundation, including international exposure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has demonstrated excellence through a solid GPA and a second-class professional scholarship. Mr. Deng has authored multiple publications in high-impact journals, such as Food Chemistry and Postharvest Biology and Technology, focusing on innovative techniques like encapsulated microcapsules and cold-induced lenticel disorder analysis. His professional experience includes roles as a research assistant at prestigious institutions and contributions to quality control in the biotechnology and brewing industries. Proficient in technical tools and scientific writing, he blends theoretical expertise with practical application. With a commitment to advancing sustainable food systems and agricultural technology, Mr. Deng exemplifies the qualities of an emerging leader in food science research.

Professional Profile 

Education

Mr. Lizhi Deng has a robust educational background in food science and engineering, complemented by international academic exposure. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Food Engineering at China Agricultural University (2022–2024), focusing on postharvest physiology, fruit and vegetable preservation, and advanced materials. With a commendable GPA of 3.62 (ranked 17/66), he has excelled in courses such as scientific writing and modern food processing technology. Previously, he studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2020–2021), where he majored in Food Science and Technology, achieving a GPA of 3.78 (top 20%) and gaining expertise in food chemistry, microbiology, and product development. Mr. Deng began his academic journey at Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University (2017–2020), earning a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Engineering with a GPA of 3.59 (top 20%). His diverse academic pursuits reflect his dedication to mastering the science behind sustainable and innovative food systems.

Professional Experience

Mr. Lizhi Deng has gained diverse professional experience in research and quality control across esteemed institutions and industries. Currently, he serves as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Agricultural Processing and Nutrition, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, where he focuses on postharvest physiology, storage, and logistics for fruit preservation. His work contributes to advancing key technologies in food science. Previously, he worked at Wuxi Biologics in the Department of Technical Quality, where he designed test plans for external projects, conducted process verifications, and performed experiments such as capillary gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography under GMP systems. Additionally, Mr. Deng was a Laboratory Technician at Urbrew Craft Beer Co. Ltd., where he conducted microbial detection and optimized beer fermentation quality by analyzing bacterial contamination. His professional journey highlights a strong blend of research innovation and practical application, demonstrating his commitment to advancing food science and technology.

Research Interest

Mr. Lizhi Deng’s research interests lie at the intersection of postharvest physiology, fruit and vegetable preservation, and advanced material development. His work focuses on exploring innovative methods to enhance the storage life and quality of perishable produce, contributing to sustainable food systems. He is particularly passionate about integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as encapsulated microcapsules and bioactive compounds, to mitigate postharvest losses and improve disease resistance in fruits. His research also extends to investigating cold-induced disorders in stored produce using transcriptomics and metabolomics, offering valuable insights into molecular mechanisms that impact shelf life. Additionally, Mr. Deng is interested in optimizing food quality through the application of natural compounds like caffeic acid to preserve nutritional value and aroma profiles. By blending his expertise in material science, food chemistry, and microbiology, Mr. Deng aims to drive innovations in food processing and preservation that address global challenges in food security and sustainability.

Award and Honor

Mr. Lizhi Deng has earned notable recognition for his academic and research excellence throughout his educational journey. As a Master’s candidate at China Agricultural University, he was awarded the second-class professional scholarship for his outstanding performance in the field of Food Engineering, ranking 17th among 66 peers with a GPA of 3.62. His dedication to advancing food science is further highlighted by his active participation in the World Cherry Academic Conference, where he engaged with leading experts in the field. Mr. Deng’s exceptional academic achievements also extend to his undergraduate studies, where he consistently ranked in the top 20% of his cohorts at both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University. These accolades underscore his commitment to academic rigor, research innovation, and his growing impact in the field of food science, establishing him as a promising researcher with significant potential for future contributions.

Conclusion

Lizhi Deng’s academic excellence, impactful research, and professional expertise make them a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Their contributions to postharvest physiology and preservation technologies demonstrate innovative thinking and a commitment to addressing critical challenges in food science.

With a focus on expanding the practical impact of their research and taking on leadership roles, Lizhi Deng has the potential to emerge as a pioneering figure in food engineering and agricultural research. Thus, they are a deserving contender for this recognition.

Publications Top Noted

  • Title: Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveal the role of 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride in suppressing postharvest decay development in sweet cherry
    Authors: Zhang, S., Xu, R., Golding, J.B., Liang, L., Wang, B.
    Year: 2025
    Citation: 0
  • Title: Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics analysis of cold-induced lenticel disorder via the lignin pathway upon postharvest ‘Xinli No.7’ pear fruit
    Authors: Xu, R., Zhou, J., Deng, L., Golding, J.B., Wang, B.
    Year: 2025
    Citation: 0
  • Title: Caffeic acid enhances the postharvest quality by maintaining the nutritional features and improving the aroma volatiles for nectarine fruit
    Authors: Lu, J., Wang, H., Zhang, Y., Wang, B., Jiang, W.
    Year: 2025
    Citation: 0
  • Title: Calcium alginate-encapsulated propolis microcapsules: Optimization, characterization, and preservation effects on postharvest sweet cherry
    Authors: Deng, L., Xu, R., Zhang, S., Jiang, W., Wang, B.
    Year: 2024
    Citation: 0

Sucheta Tripathy | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Scientist of IICB, India

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy 🌟 is a Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and a Professor of Biological Sciences at The Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) in Kolkata, India. With a distinguished career in microbial genomics and metabolic re-engineering, she has made significant contributions to understanding Oomycetes pathogens and discovering innovative solutions for environmental and agricultural challenges. Her pioneering work includes uncovering novel Cyanobacterium for pH remediation and extremophiles with adaptive gene advantages. Prof. Tripathy’s expertise in AI/ML applications and bioinformatics supports her research, which is pivotal in developing software tools for advanced sequencing data analysis. She leads a lab focused on integrating genomic resources and computational tools to push the boundaries of biological research and technological applications. 🌱🔬💻

Professional Profile:

Education🎓 

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy 📚 has an impressive educational background in plant molecular biology and genetics. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology from the Center for Plant Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, in 1997 🌿. Before that, she completed her Master of Science in Botany and Genetics at Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, in 1992 🎓. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Botany, Chemistry, and Zoology from BJB College, Bhubaneswar, in 1990 🌸. Her diverse educational experiences laid a strong foundation for her pioneering research in microbial genomics and metabolic engineering. 🌱🔬

Professional Experience 💼

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy has an extensive and distinguished career in the field of scientific research and bioinformatics. Since October 2018, she has been serving as a Senior Principal Scientist and Professor at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and The Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) in Kolkata, where she leads groundbreaking research in microbial genomics and metabolic re-engineering 🔬. In her role, she also oversees the IT division, ensuring the smooth operation of the institute’s technological infrastructure 💻. Prior to this, she was a Principal Scientist and Ramalingaswamy Fellow at CSIR-IICB from 2012 to 2018, focusing on genomic science and computational tools for understanding microbial genomes 🔍. Her earlier career includes notable positions as a Senior Research Scientist at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, where she led bioinformatics research, and roles in industry at Avesthagengrain Ltd. and DSQ Biotech Limited, managing various industry projects 🌟.

Research interest🔍

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy specializes in cutting-edge research in microbial genomics and metabolic engineering 🔬. Her research delves into the mechanisms of pathogenesis involving Oomycetes pathogens and the discovery of critical RXLR motifs that facilitate host cell entry 🦠. She has made significant advancements in developing genomic resources widely used by researchers and identified novel cyanobacteria and contaminants with unique properties for pH and heavy metal remediation 🌿. Prof. Tripathy’s work also explores the effects of exogenous nitrogen on nitrogen-fixing organisms and the adaptive advantages of extremophiles 🚜. Additionally, her lab leverages AI/ML techniques for sequence classification and develops software tools for analyzing next-generation sequencing data 💡.

Award and Honor🏅

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy has received numerous accolades for her groundbreaking contributions to science and research 🏆. She has been recognized for her pivotal work in microbial genomics and metabolic engineering 🔬. Her achievements include leading significant discoveries in pathogen mechanisms and environmental remediation 🌍. As a distinguished Senior Principal Scientist and Professor at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and The Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), her leadership and research have earned her high praise and respect within the scientific community 🌟. Her role in advancing bioinformatics and AI/ML methods for genomic analysis further underscores her commitment to innovation and excellence 👩‍🔬.

 

Research Skill🔍

Prof. Dr. Sucheta Tripathy is renowned for her exceptional research skills in several advanced scientific domains 🔬. Her expertise spans genomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics, particularly in the analysis of microbial genomes and metagenomes 🌱. She excels in metabolic engineering and disease biology, applying machine learning techniques to unravel complex biological processes 🤖. Her proficiency in programming and bioinformatics tools—such as Python, R, PHP, and Linux—enables her to build sophisticated software and resources for sequencing data analysis 🖥️. Prof. Tripathy’s innovative approach in using AI/ML for sequence classification and her leadership in microbial genomics highlight her significant impact on modern biological research 🌟.

 

Achievements🏆

  • Discovery of RXLR Motifs: Unraveled the pathogenesis mechanism of Oomycetes pathogens, instrumental for host cell entry 🔬🦠.
  • Innovative Cyanobacterium: Identified Leptolyngbya iicbica with instant pH remediation properties 🌿.
  • Heavy Metal Remediation: Discovered Arthrinium sp. as a contaminant with heavy metal remediation capabilities ♻️.
  • Agricultural Impact: Analyzed reduced fitness in nitrogen-fixing organisms with exogenous nitrogen, affecting long-term agriculture 🌾🔍.
  • Extremophiles Research: Isolated extremophiles revealing genes from unknown sources that confer adaptive advantages 🌋🧬.
  • AI/ML Integration: Applied AI/ML methods for sequence classification and developed software tools for analyzing second and third-generation sequencing data 🤖💻.
  • Leadership in Bioinformatics: Led a lab in microbial genomics and metabolic re-engineering, overseeing IT infrastructure as Head of IT Division 🧪👩‍💻.

Projects📊

  • Pathogenesis of Oomycetes: Investigated the mechanisms behind Oomycetes pathogens and their RXLR motifs for host cell entry 🔬🦠.
  • Cyanobacterium for pH Remediation: Discovered Leptolyngbya iicbica with effective pH remediation properties 🌿💧.
  • Heavy Metal Remediation: Identified Arthrinium sp. as a contaminant with capabilities for heavy metal remediation ♻️⚙️.
  • Impact on Agriculture: Studied the long-term effects of exogenous nitrogen on nitrogen-fixing organisms and agriculture 🌾🔍.
  • Extremophiles Research: Isolated extremophiles with unique genes contributing to adaptive advantages 🌋🧬.
  • AI/ML in Sequencing: Used AI/ML methods for sequence classification and developed software tools for sequencing data analysis 🤖📊.
  • Bioinformatics Tools: Created and utilized bioinformatics tools and resources for analyzing genome, metagenome, and transcriptome sequences 🧬💻.

Publications📜

  • Distinct genome trichotomy in members of Hapalosiphonaceae is guided by habitat adaptation with Mastigocladus laminosus UU774 as a case study
    Authors: Geeta, A., Mukherjee, M., Das, B., Sarkar, M.P., Tripathy, S.
    Journal: Algal Research
    Year: 2024
    Citation: 0
    Emoji: 🌿🧬
  • Novel oceanic cyanobacterium isolated from Bangaram island with profound acid neutralizing ability is proposed as Leptolyngbya iicbica sp. nov. strain LK
    Authors: Dutta, S., Kothari, S., Singh, D., Prusty, A., Tripathy, S.
    Journal: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
    Year: 2024
    Citation: 1
    Emoji: 🌊🔬
  • Thermally stable bioactive borosilicate glasses: Composition–structure–property correlations
    Authors: Chakraborty, A., Prasad, S., Kant, S., Bodhak, S., Biswas, K.
    Journal: Journal of Materials Research
    Year: 2023
    Citation: 0
    Emoji: 🔥🧪
  • Comparative Genomic Analysis of 31 Phytophthora Genomes Reveals Genome Plasticity and Horizontal Gene Transfer
    Authors: Kronmiller, B.A., Feau, N., Shen, D., Hamelin, R.C., Grünwald, N.J.
    Journal: Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
    Year: 2023
    Citation: 8
    Emoji: 🧬📊
  • Incipient Sympatric Speciation and Evolution of Soil Bacteria Revealed by Metagenomic and Structured Non-Coding RNAs Analysis
    Authors: Mukherjee, S., Kuang, Z., Ghosh, S., Nevo, E., Li, K.
    Journal: Biology
    Year: 2022
    Citation: 3
    Emoji: 🌱🔍
  • Genome Analysis Coupled With Transcriptomics Reveals the Reduced Fitness of a Hot Spring Cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus UU774 Under Exogenous Nitrogen Supplement
    Authors: Mukherjee, M., Geeta, A., Ghosh, S., Adhikary, S.P., Tripathy, S.
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2022
    Citation: 4
    Emoji: 🌡️🔬
  • Comparative Genome Analysis Across 128 Phytophthora Isolates Reveal Species-Specific Microsatellite Distribution and Localized Evolution of Compartmentalized Genomes
    Authors: Mandal, K., Dutta, S., Upadhyay, A., Panda, A., Tripathy, S.
    Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
    Year: 2022
    Citation: 3
    Emoji: 🌿🧬
  • Factors governing the sinterability, In vitro dissolution, apatite formation and antibacterial properties in B2O3 incorporated S53P4 based glass powders
    Authors: Prasad, S., Fábián, M., Tarafder, A., Allu, A.R., Biswas, K.
    Journal: Ceramics International
    Year: 2022
    Citation: 3
    Emoji: 🧪🧱
  • Erratum to “Elucidating the effect of CaF2 on structure, biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of S53P4 glass” [J. Alloy. Compd. 831 (2020) 154704]
    Authors: Prasad, S., Ganisetti, S., Jana, A., Allu, A.R., Biswas, K.
    Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds
    Year: 2021
    Citation: 0
    Emoji: ⚠️🧪
  • Erratum: Structure and Stability of High CaO- And P2O5-Containing Silicate and Borosilicate Bioactive Glasses (The Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2019) 123:35 (7558-7569) DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b02455)
    Authors: Prasad, S., Gaddam, A., Jana, A., Allu, A.R., Biswas, K.
    Journal: Journal of Physical Chemistry B
    Year: 2021
    Citation: 0
    Emoji: ⚠️📘