Announcements

The journal Foods (ISSN 2304-8158) is proud to present the winner of the 2025 Foods Travel Award—Ms. Zahra Krimi!

Ms. Zahra Krimi is a PhD researcher specializing in agrifood and bioinformatics, currently pursuing her doctoral studies at Cranfield University (2023–2027), where she is working on a food authenticity project. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Bioinformatics with Merit from the University of Bradford (2022–2023).

Ms. Zahra has a strong academic background in biological sciences, having graduated with distinction (18.25/20) in her MSc in Biology-Genetics from Payame Noor University (2014–2016). She also holds a BSc in Biology with Merit (15.27/20) from Shahid Chamran University (2008–2012).

Let us hear about her experiences in scientific research and the awards she has received:

Let us hear about her experiences with scientific research and awards:

1. Congratulations on winning the Foods Travel Award! What does this recognition mean to you, and how has it impacted your research and professional development?

Thank you! Winning the Foods Travel Award means a lot to me. It has provided a wonderful opportunity to attend an international conference, where I could present my research and connect with experts in the field. This recognition has not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors for future collaborations. It has had a significant impact on my research by allowing me to share my findings, receive valuable feedback, and stay updated on the latest trends in food science. Personally, it has contributed to my professional growth, helping me build a stronger network and expand my knowledge.

2. Can you tell us about your current research in the field of food science? What motivated you to pursue this area of study?

My current research focuses on using novel DNA-based methods in food authenticity testing, specifically for both animal and plant-based food products. I am particularly interested in developing techniques that can reliably detect food adulteration, identify species, and verify the true origin of food items.

What motivated me to pursue this area of study is the growing concern about food fraud and the need for more reliable and efficient ways to guarantee food quality and safety.

3. Your work was recognized by Foods, an international journal dedicated to food science and technology. Could you share some key findings or contributions from your recent research?

We recently published a paper titled “Detection of Sugar Syrup Adulteration in UK Honey Using DNA Barcoding”. In this project, our team developed novel DNA markers to detect syrup adulteration in honey. I had the opportunity to contribute by testing some of these markers on commercial honey samples.

4. How do you see your research influencing the field of food science, nutrition, or food technology in the coming years?

I am working on testing and optimizing new methods for food authenticity testing. The goal is to improve detection techniques and reduce the chances of missing potential adulterants, even at very low levels. This helps ensure that food products are genuine and meet quality standards.

5. Attending international conferences is an essential part of scientific collaboration and growth. How did the Foods Travel Award support your participation, and how do you plan to promote the journal at the conference?

The Foods Travel Award supported my participation by covering travel expenses, allowing me to attend an international conference and present my research on food authentication using DNA barcoding.

This opportunity enabled me to share our findings with experts in food authenticity testing, gain valuable feedback, and network with researchers working on similar topics.

To promote the journal Foods at the conference, I plan the following:

1. Acknowledge the journal in my poster and highlight the support from the Foods Travel Award;
2. Engage with attendees by sharing insights about Foods as a platform for high-quality food science research;
3. Encourage submissions by informing colleagues about the journal’s scope and opportunities for publishing innovative work.

This will help raise awareness of Foods as a key resource for advancing food authenticity research.

6. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?

• Keep this Travel Grant and Conference Sponsorships for the coming years;
• Keeping travel awards to support early career researchers in presenting their work internationally;
• Pairing young researchers with experienced scientists for mentorship in publishing;
• Creating an online discussion platform where researchers can connect, share ideas, and collaborate.

7. Scientific discovery requires dedication and perseverance. What drives your passion for research, and how do you stay motivated in your work?

I love working in academia because it allows me to engage in research, teach, and mentor M.Sc. students. Conducting research helps me explore new ideas and contribute to scientific knowledge, while teaching gives me the chance to share what I have learned and inspire students. Supervising M.Sc. students is especially rewarding, as I get to guide them through their projects and watch them develop their skills. All of these activities give me energy and motivation, making my work both fulfilling and meaningful.

8. Looking ahead, what are your future research goals? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you are particularly excited about?

Food authenticity research has many areas to explore. I want to continue working in this field and use both my wet lab skills, like molecular biology, and dry lab skills, like bioinformatics. My goal is to deepen my research and make a positive impact on food authenticity.

9. How would you describe your experience with our services and the journal so far?

My experience with accessing papers from Foods has been very positive. Since it is an open access journal, all research articles are freely available, making it easy to stay updated with the latest studies in food science.

The website is user-friendly, and the papers are well-organized, making it simple to find relevant research.