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.

The International Day of Zero Waste, jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis. 

Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land, and biodiversity loss, as well as pollution and waste. 

This year’s International Day of Zero Waste, with the theme of “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions. 

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Applied Sciences, Atmosphere, Clean Technologies, Environments, Foods, Nanomaterials, Recycling, Resources, Separations, Sustainability, Urban Science and Waste, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding zero waste.

“Recycling of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Waste Through Delamination with Recoverable Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents”
by Roberta Mastroddi, Chiara Samorì, Martina Vagnoni, Chiara Gualandi, Paola Galletti and Emilio Tagliavini
Separations 2025, 12(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020045

“Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment”
by Konstantina Ragazou, Georgia Zournatzidou, George Sklavos and Nikolaos Sariannidis
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040175

“Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments”
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063

“Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources”
by Priti Pal, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Sanjukta Subudhi, Prakash Kumar Sarangi and Piotr Prus
Foods 2024, 13(18), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183007

“Review on Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management—Challenges and Research Prospects”
by Noushin Islam, Malindu Sandanayake, Shobha Muthukumaran and Dimuth Navaratna
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289

“Enhanced Extraction of Carotenoids from Tomato Industry Waste Using Menthol/Fatty Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Despoina Vlachoudi, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Waste 2023, 1(4), 977-992; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste1040056

“Waste Management in the Smart City: Current Practices and Future Directions”
by Danuta Szpilko, Antonio de la Torre Gallegos, Felix Jimenez Naharro, Agnieszka Rzepka and Angelika Remiszewska
Resources 2023, 12(10), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12100115

“Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review”
by Wojciech Czekała, Jędrzej Drozdowski and Piotr Łabiak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158847

“Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Italy According to EU Directives”
by Patrizia Ghisellini, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
Environments 2023, 10(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070106

“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3D Concrete Printing and Casting Processes for Cementitious Materials Incorporating Ground Waste Tire Rubber”
by Matteo Sambucci, Ilario Biblioteca and Marco Valente
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010015

“Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen and Dr. Daniel Lachos-Perez Submission deadline: 1 July 2025	“Waste Valorization and Management to Increase the Resources Sustainability” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Lisandro Simão and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Tramontin Souza Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery” Guest Editors: Dr. Cheng-Han Lee, Dr. Hsing Jung Ho and Dr. Fan-Wei Liu Submission deadline: 1 August 2025	“New Trends in Liquid and Solid Effluent Treatment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gassan Hodaifa, Dr. Mha Albqmi and Dr. Zacharias Frontistis Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

On World Seagrass Day, we celebrate the crucial role that seagrasses play in maintaining the health of our planet and highlight the urgent need for global action to protect them and the ecosystems they maintain. Seagrasses support food security, mitigate climate change, enrich biodiversity, purify water, protect coastlines, and control diseases. The enhancement of ecosystem services and functions are essential to the achievement of international Sustainable Development Goals. Raising awareness of the crucial role of seagrasses in ecosystem maintenance and facilitating their conservation is therefore of great importance.

In celebration of this day, we invite you to explore a selection of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues in the fields of environment and ecology. These resources aim to deepen our understanding of the importance of seagrass ecosystems and outline the necessary steps to conserve, protect, and restore these vital habitats. By fostering dialogue between researchers, policymakers, local communities, and other stakeholders, we can ensure that efforts to protect seagrasses are effective and inclusive.

Together, we can safeguard the future of seagrasses and, in turn, our planet.

“Restoration of Posidonia oceanica Meadow Using Cuttings from an Area Impacted by Harbor Extension Project”
by Mario De Luca, Luigi Piazzi, Ivan Guala, Maria Francesca Cinti, Paolo Marras, Arianna Pansini, Federico Pinna, Alessandra Puccini, Antonio Santonastaso, Myriam Stelletti et al.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010003

“Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution on Seagrass Meadows and Ecosystem Services in Southeast Asia”
by Janine Douglas, Holly Niner and Samantha Garrard
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122314

“Seagrass-Associated Biodiversity Influences Organic Carbon in a Temperate Meadow”
by Lowri O’Neill, Bettina Walter and Richard K. F. Unsworth
Oceans 2024, 5(4), 874-888; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans5040050

“Diversity and Composition of Posidonia oceanica-Associated Bacterial and Fungal Communities: Effect of Boat-Induced Mechanical Stress in the Villefranche-sur-Mer Bay (France)”
by Sara Frasca, Annamaria Alabiso, Marco M. D’Andrea, Raffaela Cattaneo and Luciana Migliore
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100604

“Native and Non-Indigenous Biota Associated with the Cymodocea nodosa (Tracheophyta, Alismatales) Meadow in the Seas of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea)”
by Giuseppe Denti, Fernando Rubino, Ester Cecere and Antonella Petrocelli
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070368

“Spatial and Temporal Variation of C, N, and S Stable Isotopes and Seagrass Coverage Related to Eutrophication Stress in Zostera marina”
by Jerrica M. Waddell, Christina C. Pater, Michael R. S. Coffin, Robert F. Gilmour, Jr., Simon C. Courtenay and Michael R. van den Heuvel
Coasts 2024, 4(2), 419–436; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020021

“Intertidal Gleaning Exclusion as a Trigger for Seagrass Species and Fauna Recovery and Passive Seagrass Rehabilitation”
by Tsiaranto Felan-Ratsimba Fanoro, Maria Perpétua Scarlet and Salomão Olinda Bandeira
Diversity 2023, 15(6), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060772

“Dynamics of Marine Communities—Second Edition” Guest Editor:  Dr. Joo Myun Park Submission deadline:  31 October 2025	“Social Sciences in Marine Ecology Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Chia-Hsuan Hsu and Dr. Jiefeng Kang Submission deadline:  31 December 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Dr. Roger Ruan, a distinguished member of the Foods (ISSN: 2304-8158) Editorial Board, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE), class of 2025, after his earlier election as a Fellow of another prestigious National Academy of Inventors (NAI), class of 2023. This significant recognition is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of food science and engineering.

Prof. Dr. Ruan is a professor and director of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and the Center for Biorefining at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA. He is being honored by the NAE for his scientific and entrepreneurial contributions to the sustainable development of the circular economy within food and agricultural systems. His groundbreaking work has not only advanced the scientific understanding of food systems but has also had a profound impact on industry practices and public health.

An election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer, recognizing those who have made significant advances in engineering research, practice, or education. Prof. Dr. Ruan’s dedication and innovative spirit continue to inspire the entire journal of Foods.

For more information about the NAE and the new class of 2025, please visit https://www.nae.edu/331605/NAENewClass2025.

Foods Editorial Office

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

MDPI is pleased to announce our participation in the 1st International Congress on Sustainable Food, Green Chemistry and Human Nutrition (GreenNutriFood 2025), which will be held from 7 to 9 April 2025, in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The 1st International Congress on Sustainable Food, Green Chemistry and Human Nutrition (GreenNutriFood 2025) will take place on the stunning Dubrovnik Riviera. We are excited to meet all of you and to share the new research advances and latest scientific knowledge in food science and technology, human nutrition and green chemistry.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the event:

• Foods;
• Sci;
• Antioxidants;
• Applied Biosciences;
• Gastronomy;
• Nutrients;
• Sustainability.

If you are attending GreenNutriFood 2025, we warmly invite you to visit our booth. Our representatives will be available to discuss publishing opportunities, open access benefits and our commitment to advancing materials research.

For more information about the conference, please visit the official website here: https://greennutrifood.pbf.hr/.

Editor’s choice articles are selected based on suggestions from Foods’ academic editors worldwide. The editors select a small number of recently published articles that they consider to be particularly interesting to our readers or important in their respective fields of research. You are welcome to read the updated 2024 Q4 editor's choice articles, a curated list of high-quality articles from Foods (ISSN: 2304-8158).

The full list of Editor’s Choice Articles can be viewed at the following link:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/Foods/editors_choice.

A list of these papers is provided below:

1. “Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Human Health: An Update of the Literature”
by Chiara Devirgiliis, Emilia Guberti Lorenza Mistura and Antonio Raffo
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3149; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13193149
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3149

2. “Dietary Habits and Nutritional Knowledge of Pregnant Women: The Importance of Nutrition Education”
by María Josefa Olloqui-Mundet, María del Mar Cavia，Sara R. Alonso-Torre and Celia Carrillo
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13193189
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3189

3. “Dietary Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure Through Commonly Consumed Foodstuffs in Mexico”
by Alejandra Cantoral, Sonia Collado-López, Larissa Betanzos-Robledo, Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa, Betzabeth A. García-Martínez, Camilo Ríos, Araceli Díaz-Ruiz, Rosa María Mariscal-Moreno and Martha María Téllez-Rojo
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3649; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223649
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3649

4. “Purchase Intention of Healthy Foods: The Determinant Role of Brand Image in the Market of a Developing Country”
by Maryana Rogéria dos Santos, Italo José Batista Durval, Alexandre D’Lamare Maia de Medeiros, Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Júnior, Attilio Converti, Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Foods 2024, 13(20), 3242; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13203242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/3242

5. “Biotechnology in Food Packaging Using Bacterial Cellulose”
by Maryana Rogéria dos Santos, Italo José Batista Durval, Alexandre D’Lamare Maia de Medeiros, Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Júnior, Attilio Converti, Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa, Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Foods 2024, 13(20), 3327; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13203327
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/3327

6. “The Role of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Food Quality Assurance: A Review of the Past Two Decades”
by Marietta Fodor, Anna Matkovits, Eszter Luca Benes and Zsuzsa Jókai
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3501; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213501
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3501

7. “Healthiness of Meat-Based Products in Comparison to Their Plant-Based Alternatives in the UK Market: A Packaging Evaluation”
by Ruxandra Ciobotaru, Ayten Aylin Tas and Tabrez Ahmed Khan
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3346; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213346
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3346

8. “Industrial Production of Functional Foods for Human Health and Sustainability”
by Xinrui Yuan, Moyu Zhong, Xinxin Huang, Zahid Hussain, Maozhi Ren and Xiulan Xie
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3546; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223546
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3546

9. “Brassica oleracea var italica and Their By-Products as Source of Bioactive Compounds and Food Applications in Bakery Products”
by Jhazmin Quizhpe, Pablo Ayuso, María de los Ángeles Rosell, Rocío Peñalver and Gema Nieto
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3513; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213513
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3513

10. “Environmental Contaminants in Fish Products: Food Safety Issues and Remediation Strategies”
by Pierina Visciano
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3511; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213511
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3511

11. “Screening of the Nutritional Properties, Bioactive Components, and Antioxidant Properties in Legumes”
by Mihaela Multescu, Alina Culetu and Iulia Elena Susman
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3528; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223528
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3528

12. “Recent Advances in the CRISPR/Cas-Based Nucleic Acid Biosensor for Food Analysis: A Review”
by Yanan Sun, Tianjian Wen, Ping Zhang, Minglian Wang and Yuancong Xu
Foods 2024, 13(20), 3222; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13203222
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/322

13. “A Holistic Framework for Evaluating Food Loss and Waste Due to Marketing Standards across the Entire Food Supply Chain”
by Evripidis P. Kechagias, Sotiris P. Gayialis, Nikolaos Panayiotou and Georgios A. Papadopoulos
Foods 2024, 13(20), 3273; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13203273
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/3273

14. “Probiotic, Postbiotic, and Paraprobiotic Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a Modulator of Obesity-Associated Factors”
by Gabriela López-Almada, María Esther Mejía-León and Norma Julieta Salazar-López
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3529; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223529
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3529

15. “Microencapsulation of Essential Oils and Oleoresins: Applications in Food Products”
by Beatriz Fernandes, M. Conceição Oliveira, Ana C. Marques、Rui Galhano dos Santos and Carmo Serrano
Foods 2024, 13(23), 3873; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13233873
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/23/3873

16. “Fermentation for Revalorisation of Fruit and Vegetable By-Products: A Sustainable Approach Towards Minimising Food Loss and Waste”
by José Ángel Salas-Millán and Encarna Aguayo
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3680; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223680
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3680

17. “Navigating Food Fraud: A Survey of Nigerian Consumer Knowledge and Attitudes”
by Helen Onyeaka, Amarachukwu Anyogu, Olumide A. Odeyemi, Michael Ukwuru Ukwuru, Ukpai Eze, Folayemi J. Isaac-Bamgboye, Christian K. Anumudu, Oluwabunmi O. Akinwunmi, Olufemi Peter Sotayo and Yemisi A. Jeff-Agboola
Foods 2024, 13(20), 3270; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13203270
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/3270

18. “The Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Meat Products, Not Just as Starter Cultures”
by Kayque Ordonho Carneiro, Gabriela Zampieri Campos, João Marcos Scafuro Lima, Ramon da Silva Rocha, Manuela Vaz-Velho and Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3170; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13193170
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3170

19. “Bioactive Peptides from Fermented Foods: Production Approaches, Sources, and Potential Health Benefits”
by Laryssa Peres Fabbri, Andrea Cavallero, Francesca Vidotto and Morena Gabriele
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3369; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213369
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3369

20. “Exploring the Nexus of Feeding and Processing: Implications for Meat Quality and Sensory Perception”
by Sandra S. Q. Rodrigues, Ana Leite, Lia Vasconcelos and Alfredo Teixeira
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3642; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223642
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3642

21. “Polysaccharide-Based Composite Films: Promising Biodegradable Food Packaging Materials”
by Shengzi Li, Yu Ren, Yujie Hou, Qiping Zhan, Peng Jin, Yonghua Zheng and Zhengguo Wu
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3674; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223674
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3674

22. “Probiotic Milk Enriched with Protein Isolates: Physicochemical, Organoleptic, and Microbiological Properties”
by Małgorzata Pawlos, Katarzyna Szajnar, Magdalena Kowalczyk and Magdalena Kowalczyk
Foods 2024, 13(19), 3160; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13193160
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3160

23. “Marine-Derived Fucose-Containing Carbohydrates: Review of Sources, Structure, and Beneficial Effects on Gastrointestinal Health”
by Xinmiao Ren, Shenyuan Cai, Yiling Zhong, Luying Tang, Mengshi Xiao, Shuang Li, Changliang Zhu、Dongyu Li, Haijin Mou and Xiaodan Fu
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3460; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213460
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3460

24. “Perilla Seed Oil: A Review of Health Effects, Encapsulation Strategies and Applications in Food”
by Min Li, Nanjie Jiang, Guangqi Guo, Shuaijun Lu, Ziliang Li, Yujie Mu, Xiaoyang Xia, Zhenxia Xu, Yong Hu and Xia Xiang
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3615; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13223615
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3615

25. “Applications of Big Data and Blockchain Technology in Food Testing and Their Exploration on Educational Reform”
by Haohan Ding, Zhenqi Xie, Chao Wang, Wei Yu, Xiaohui Cui and Zhenyu Wang
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3391; https://doi.org/10.3390/Foods13213391
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3391

You are invited to view and submit relevant papers to the journal Foods at the following link:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/foods.

Foods Editorial Office

MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

• Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
• Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
• Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

• Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;

• Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
• Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.

World Pulses Day, observed annually on 10 February, celebrates the significant role of pulses in achieving sustainable food systems, enhancing global nutrition, and supporting environmental resilience. Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, this day builds on the momentum of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, which highlights their critical value for health, food security, and the environment.

Pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas, are nutrient-dense powerhouses that offer high protein content, soluble fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Their benefits extend beyond human health, contributing to soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation. Farmers worldwide rely on pulses for economic stability and sustainable agricultural practices, making them an indispensable crop for feeding the world while preserving the planet.

In recognition of World Pulses Day, we invite you to explore a selection of articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning fields such as agriculture, agronomy, biology, foods, and plants. By sharing these findings, we hope to celebrate these remarkable crops and their vital contributions to a healthier, more sustainable future.

“Cereal-Legume Mixed Residue Addition Increases Yield and Reduces Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fertilized Winter Wheat in the North China Plain”
by Md Raseduzzaman, Gokul Gaudel, Md Razzab Ali, Arbindra Timilsina, Fiston Bizimana, Stepphan Okoth Aluoch, Xiaoxin Li, Yuming Zhang and Chunsheng Hu
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061167

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