Announcements

We are honored to interview Dr. Zhong (Marti) Hua, the recipient of the 2025 Foods Travel Award.

Dr. Zhong (Marti) Hua received his B.Sc. (2017) and M.Sc. (2019) degrees in food science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He relocated to Montreal in 2020 with the research group for his Ph.D. degree (2024) at McGill University and then to Ottawa in 2025 for his postdoc research at the Metrology Research Centre of the National Research Council Canada and the Chemistry Department at Carleton University. His research focuses on detecting chemical contaminants (e.g., pesticides, mycotoxins, and allergens) in agrifoods to ensure food safety and food security. He contributes to revealing detection principles, designing novel devices, and improving analytical methods to handle complex food matrices, utilizing various techniques and platforms (e.g., microfluidic “lab-on-chip”, functional micro/nanoparticles, and mass spectrometry), which have received many awards and recognition.

Dr. Hua shares his insights into innovative research findings and his academic journey, offering valuable inspiration for young researchers. Read more about the interview below: 

Thank you very much! I’m Marti Hua, and I graduated from the University of British Columbia (B.Sc. and M.Sc., in food science) and McGill University (Ph.D., in food science and agricultural chemistry). My research primarily involves the development of analytical methods and devices for detecting chemical contaminants in foods, since my undergraduate thesis and my current work focus on exploring mass spectrometry-based methods for detecting emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the agrifood system. 

The Foods journal has always been a great source of inspiration and reference when I am exploring research specific to applications in food analysis and food safety. My passion for this field stems from the potential to improve food safety through innovative solutions, particularly by monitoring chemical hazards that typically draw less attention than those foodborne illness outbreaks caused by microorganisms. The Foods 2025 Travel Award will be a significant support for me to be able to share the last piece of my Ph.D. thesis project with the food safety community and gain valuable feedback from researchers and professionals at the IAFP Annual Meeting. This award is also a valuable recognition for my work, encouraging my continuous efforts in food-centered research. 

I will include the Foods journal’s logo and information in my poster and oral presentations. I will also actively mention this travel award and introduce this valuable, open access journal to the meeting attendees. Sharing the journal’s information on the poster board and distributing printings of the journal’s information will be a direct way of reaching food scientists and graduate students attending the conference. I could also promote the Foods journal by reposting publication opportunities and future awards via social media. 

What I would share with young researchers, particularly new students joining the food safety community, is to stay curious and open-minded, seeking practical solutions beyond scientific hypotheses. Also, building a professional network and seeking mentorship from senior members outside of your own sector would also be very beneficial. 

It would be great if Foods could offer mentorship programs or collaborative platforms to connect senior and young researchers. This could foster knowledge exchange, broaden the view, promote collaborations, and enhance academic growth. 

My experience with Foods has been excellent. The journal’s commitment to high-quality research, the timely dissemination of findings, and open access make it a valuable platform. I truly appreciate the opportunity to share my work through Foods and am grateful for the travel award support.