Mar Villamiel | Biology and Life Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Dr Mar Villamiel, CIAL, CSIC-UAM, Spain

Dr. Mar Villamiel is the Director of CIAL (Institute of Food Science Research, CSIC-UAM) in Spain and leads the PREBIOIN research group focused on carbohydrate functionality and food bioactivity. With a PhD in Pharmacy from Complutense University of Madrid, she specializes in food technology, bioactive carbohydrates, and sustainable food preservation. Her innovative research centers on extracting and characterizing pectin and other functional ingredients from agri-food by-products. Dr. Villamiel has coordinated over 70 research projects and contracts, published 173 JCR articles (h-index: 46 WoS), co-authored 20 book chapters, and holds 7 patents. Her work has earned her national and international recognition, including being named among the Top 2% of Scientists worldwide by Stanford University. Passionate about science communication, she has presented at over 150 conferences and supervised more than 50 academic theses and internships globally. Her commitment to sustainability and technological advancement defines her as a leading force in food science research.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Mar Villamiel completed her undergraduate degree in Pharmacy at Complutense University of Madrid in 1991 and earned her PhD in Pharmacy from the same institution in 1995. Her doctoral studies laid the groundwork for a highly interdisciplinary research career, incorporating analytical chemistry, food technology, and functional foods. Postdoctoral work in the Netherlands and professional exchanges in the UK expanded her knowledge in sustainable food preservation and the development of bioactive food compounds. Her deep educational foundation has supported her leadership in developing advanced methodologies in food science. Through ongoing academic collaborations and international stays, she continues to enhance her expertise and contribute to global education, mentoring students and researchers across Europe, Latin America, and beyond. Her academic path reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence, innovation, and dedication to research in food bioactivity and sustainable processing technologies. 🎓🔍📘🌍

Experience

Dr. Villamiel has over two decades of experience in food science research, beginning her career as a Tenured Scientist at CSIC (2000–2009). She later served as Deputy Director (2017–2019) and is currently the Director of CIAL since March 2021. She leads the PREBIOIN group, which explores carbohydrate functionality, pectin extraction, and sustainable food technologies. She has led 8 international projects, 34 industry contracts, and 72 total projects, often as Principal Investigator. She has published widely, mentored numerous PhDs (including international awardees), and edited prestigious scientific journals. Her collaborations span across institutions in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. She actively participates in EU regulatory panels and scientific committees and has received 10 research awards. Her interdisciplinary approach and leadership have made significant impacts in agri-food revalorization, food preservation, and nutritional functionality.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Mar Villamiel’s outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including 10 research awards and inclusion in the Stanford–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list in 2024. She has received five positive evaluations for six-year research periods, attesting to the sustained quality and impact of her work. Her research achievements include 7 patents (2 international), 173 JCR-indexed publications, and leadership of multi-million-euro research projects. She has served as an editor for major scientific journals and been an invited speaker at 17 international conferences. Her innovative methodologies in pectin extraction and bioactive compound analysis have been recognized with top conference awards, including First Prize at the Food Chemistry Conference (2023). She represents CSIC on platforms like the Biobased Industries Consortium and Food for Life. Her awards reflect her global influence, scientific leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable food research.

Research Focus

Dr. Villamiel’s research focuses on the chemistry and functionality of carbohydrates, particularly pectins derived from agri-food by-products. She pioneers green extraction technologies such as ultrasound and subcritical water methods to obtain high-value bioactive compounds. Her work contributes significantly to sustainable food systems, enabling revalorization of food waste and enhancing nutritional profiles of food products. She leads multiple international collaborations and has developed in vitro digestion models to study carbohydrate behavior in the human gut. Her research addresses pressing challenges in food preservation, functional ingredient development, and biorefinery approaches for the food industry. With 173 publications, a high h-index (47 Scopus), and leadership in EU and Latin American projects, she is at the forefront of innovation in food science. Her contributions support public health, environmental sustainability, and industrial competitiveness through novel bioactive food solutions.

Publication Top Notes

Flours from popped grains: Physicochemical, thermal, rheological, and techno-functional properties

Use of natural low‐methoxyl pectin from sunflower by‐products for the formulation of low‐sucrose strawberry jams

Integral use of pectin-rich by-products in a biorefinery context: A holistic approach

Apple pomaces derived from mono-varietal Asturian ciders production are potential source of pectins with appealing functional properties

Application of sunflower pectin gels with low glycemic index in the coating of fresh strawberries stored in modified atmospheres

Behaviour of citrus pectin and modified citrus pectin in an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced rat colorectal carcinogenesis model

Liu Xiaolu | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms Liu Xiaolu, North China Electric Power University, China

🎓 Ms. Liu Xiaolu is a dedicated researcher pursuing her Ph.D. at North China Electric Power University (2022–present), after earning her Master’s (2019–2022) and Bachelor’s (2015–2019) degrees from the same university and Yanshan University, respectively. 🧪 Her research focuses on functional porous nanomaterials and radionuclide separation. 🌍 She has authored 17 papers in prestigious journals like Nat. Commun., Adv. Sci., and Langmuir. 📚 Liu actively participates in global conferences, including ACS Spring 2024. Her groundbreaking work on MOFs, COFs, and electrocatalysis is shaping innovations in energy and environmental applications. ⚡🌱

Education

Ms. Liu Xiaolu 🎓 began her academic journey at Yanshan University, earning her Bachelor’s degree between September 2015 and June 2019 📚. Driven by a passion for further knowledge, she pursued her Master’s degree at North China Electric Power University from September 2019 to June 2022 ⚡. Continuing her academic excellence, she is currently a dedicated Doctoral candidate at the same university since September 2022 📝. Her commitment to education and research showcases her strong determination and academic growth 🌟.

Research Achievement

Ms. Liu Xiaolu is a prolific researcher with 17 first-author publications in prestigious journals like Nature Communications 🌍, Advanced Science 🚀, Langmuir 🌊, and Innovation 💡. Her representative works include papers in Nat. Commun. (2024, 15, 7736), Adv. Sci. (2022, 9, 2201735; 2023, 10, 2303536), J. Mater. Chem. A (2021, 9, 21051-6), and Crit. Rev. Env. Sci. Tec. (2021, 51, 751-790; 2023, 53, 1289-1309) 📚. She has significantly contributed to Environmental Pollution 🌿, Sci. China. Chem. 🧪, and EEH 🔬. Her research showcases innovation and scientific excellence, reflecting her dedication to impactful discoveries. ✨

Academic Conference

Ms. Liu Xiaolu has actively participated in several prestigious conferences, showcasing her expertise in environmental and radiochemistry. 🌍 She attended the 1st Conference of Carbon Research in Guangzhou, China (March 24–26, 2023) and the 12th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry in Wuhan, China (November 17–21, 2023). 🧪 Additionally, she contributed to the Conference of National Radiochemistry Development Strategy and Academic Exchange in Nanchang (October 20–23, 2023). ⚛️ Expanding her global reach, Ms. Liu joined the ACS Spring 2024 Meeting held online from New Orleans (March 17–21, 2024), reflecting her dedication to scientific growth and collaboration. 🌐

Research Interest

Ms. Liu Xiaolu specializes in the design and synthesis of functional porous nanomaterials 🧪, focusing on creating advanced materials with unique structures and properties. Her research also delves into the separation and extraction of radionuclides ⚛️, aiming to enhance techniques for environmental protection and nuclear waste management 🌍. By combining innovative nanotechnology with efficient separation methods, she contributes to sustainable solutions in energy and environmental sciences 💡. Her work bridges the gap between material science and nuclear chemistry, paving the way for safer and cleaner technologies in the future 🚀.

Research Focus

Ms. Liu Xiaolu’s research focuses on advanced materials like Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), and their derivatives for energy and environmental applications 🌱⚡. Her work explores innovative approaches to electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, enhancing photocatalytic performance, and piezocatalytic techniques for pollutant degradation 🌍🔬. By modulating the coordination environment of atomically dispersed metals, she aims to improve efficiency in low-overpotential and industrial-scale processes ⚡⚗️. Her research contributes to sustainable solutions for clean energy and environmental remediation, addressing global challenges in pollution control and renewable energy 🌊🌞.

Conclusion

Ms. Liu Xiaolu is a distinguished researcher known for her outstanding publication record 📚, innovative research in environmental and energy applications 🌍⚡, and active participation in international conferences 🌐🎤. Her groundbreaking work contributes significantly to sustainable solutions, addressing global environmental challenges with creativity and expertise 🌱🔬. Ms. Liu’s dedication to advancing knowledge and her impactful presence in the research community make her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏆🎓. Her passion for scientific excellence and commitment to global sustainability continue to inspire peers and future researchers alike 🌟💡.