Francesco Caponio | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Francesco Caponio | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Prof Francesco Caponio, University of Bari, Japan

Publication profile

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Educational Background and Early Career

Prof. Francesco Caponio earned his degree in Agrarian Sciences with top honors from the University of Bari, Italy, in 1990. He began his academic career in 1993 as a Researcher in Food Science and Technology at the same university. Over the years, he advanced to Associate Professor in 2001 and became a Full Professor in 2017 at the Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari.

Research Contributions

Prof. Caponio has made significant contributions to the field of Food Science and Technology. He is the author of over 265 publications in internationally referenced journals, with a total of 5,550 citations and an h-index of 41. His research primarily focuses on the sustainability and safety of olive oil production, the characterization of food products, and innovations in food technology. Some notable publications include studies on the influence of paste preparation techniques on phenolic compounds in olive oil, the impact of light exposure on extra virgin olive oil quality, and the development of functional biscuits.

Research Projects

Prof. Caponio has been the principal investigator of several high-impact research projects, including “S.O.S. – Sustainability of the Olive-oil System,” “Qu.Al.E.olio,” and “GOOD-BY-WASTE.” These projects have focused on enhancing the sustainability and quality of food products, particularly olive oil, and reducing food waste. He has also been involved in nationally recognized scientific projects, such as the lipid characterization of traditional

Academic and Professional Roles

Prof. Caponio has held several key academic roles, including Coordinator of the Department’s Faculty/Student Commission and President of GIUNTA at the University of Bari. He has been involved in the PhD School of Soil and Food Chemistry Sciences and has supervised numerous PhD students and international researchers. He has also contributed to the academic community as a member of scientific associations and as an invited speaker at various conferences.

Conclusion

With a distinguished career in Food Science and Technology, Prof. Francesco Caponio’s extensive research contributions, leadership in numerous research projects, and active role in academia make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work has not only advanced scientific understanding but also provided practical solutions for improving food sustainability and safety.

Publication top notes

Phenolic compounds of virgin olive oil: influence of paste preparation techniques

Influence of the exposure to light on extra virgin olive oil quality during storage

Physico-chemical, sensory and volatile profiles of biscuits enriched with grape marc extract

Production and characterization of functional biscuits obtained from purple wheat

Phenolic compounds in virgin olive oils: influence of the degree of olive ripeness on organoleptic characteristics and shelf-life

Fermented goats’ milk produced with selected multiple starters as a potentially functional food

Green extracts from Coratina olive cultivar leaves: Antioxidant characterization and biological activity

Towards green analysis of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds: Extraction by a natural deep eutectic solvent and direct spectrophotometric detection

Fat replacement in shortbread cookies using an emulsion filled gel based on inulin and extra virgin olive oil

Microbiota and metabolome of un-started and started Greek-type fermentation of Bella di Cerignola table olives

Oswaldo Palma Lopes Sobrinho | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Oswaldo Palma Lopes Sobrinho | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Dr Oswaldo Palma Lopes Sobrinho, Instituto Federal Goiano – Campus Rio Verde, Brazil

Dr. Oswaldo Palma Lopes Sobrinho is an expert in agronomy and education. He holds a Bachelor’s in Agronomy from IFMA (2014-2017), with research on evapotranspiration methods. He specialized in Teacher Training and Educational Practices at IF Goiano (2019-2021), focusing on agronomy education, and in Sanitation and Environmental Health at UFG (2019-2020), emphasizing environmental education. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in Pedagogical Training for Professional Education at IFFAR. Dr. Sobrinho has completed various educational and technological courses, showcasing his commitment to innovative pedagogical methods. 🌱📘👨‍🏫

Publication profile

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Academic

🎓 The user completed a Ph.D. in Agronomy at IF Goiano (2020-2024), researching soil attributes and sugarcane development influenced by subsurface drip-applied wastewater, under Prof. Dr. Leonardo Nazário Silva dos Santos. The user holds a Master’s in Agronomy from IF Goiano (2018-2020), studying tomato development and productivity affected by phosphorus and irrigation, under the same advisor. They specialized in Teacher Training and Educational Practices (2019-2021) and Environmental Sanitation and Health (2019-2020). They are pursuing a degree in Teacher Training for Professional Education (since 2023). They earned a Bachelor’s in Agronomy from IFMA (2014-2017) and a technical degree in Agriculture from IFMA (2008-2010). 🌱📚🚜

Research project

From 2019 to 2021, Oswaldo Palma Lopes Sobrinho participated in various significant research projects. The “Segurança Hídrica” project focused on evaluating water quality in Codó-MA in collaboration with SAAE and IFMA, enhancing the Water Security Index 🌊🔬. Another study explored educational practices of Agronomy teachers at IF Goiano, identifying challenges and professional development needs 🍎📚. Additionally, research on tomato productivity and phosphorus impact on irrigation and fruit quality was conducted 🍅💧. Lastly, studies on radish cultivars’ adaptation in Codó-MA analyzed production quality and fresh mass index, contributing to agricultural advancements 🌱📈.

Awards

🏅 Recebeu menção honrosa pelo trabalho “Elaboração de um licor à base da vinagreira (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)” no IV Congresso Internacional das Ciências Agrárias (COINTER) em 2018. Entre os 20 melhores, ganhou menção honrosa com o trabalho “Adaptação baseada no ecossistema para revitalização do rio Imbassaí” no V Congresso Baiano de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental (COBESA) em 2017. Recebeu menção honrosa pelo trabalho “Elaboração e análise sensorial de barras de cereais à base de farinha de casca de banana” no IFMA – Campus Bacabal em 2014, e pela “Elaboração de farinha enriquecida com pó de banana verde para produção de macarrão” no IFMA – Campus Codó em 2009. Foi aluno destaque no curso de Iniciação em Química no Centro de Capacitação Tecnológica do Maranhão. 🌟📚🌿🍌

Research focus

O.P.L. Sobrinho’s research primarily focuses on environmental sciences and agricultural practices. His work encompasses climatology, hydrology, agronomy, and sustainable agriculture. Notable studies include the climatological water balance in Rio Verde, Goiás, and the irrigation management in sugarcane cultivation. He also explores the antimicrobial properties of essential oils against Aedes aegypti larvae and the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants in Maranhão. His contributions extend to educational strategies in geography and environmental science. Sobrinho’s interdisciplinary approach highlights the intersection of ecological balance, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. 🌿🌍💧🌾

Tomas Penka | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Tomas Penka | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Mr Tomas Penka, Fakulta rybarstvi a ochrany vod Jihoceske univerzity v Ceskych Budejovicich, Czech Republic

Tomas Penka is an accomplished ecologist and PhD student at the Faculty of Fisheries and Water Protection in Vodnany, specializing in modern methods of fish breeding and biology 🐟🔬. He holds an MSc in Biology of the Ecosystem with a specialization in Ecology and a BSc in Biology from the University of South Bohemia 🌿🎓. Since 2020, he has worked as a biological specialist, contributing to scientific research and projects 🌍📚. His research has led to multiple publications in prestigious journals, focusing on the growth, survival, and health of pikeperch and other species 📖✨.

Publication profile

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Education

Tomas Penka completed his MSc. in Biology of the Ecosystem with a specialization in Ecology at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Science, from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he earned his BSc. in Biology from the same university from 2015 to 2018. With a strong foundation in ecological studies, Tomas is dedicated to understanding and preserving ecosystems. 🌿🌱📚🧬 His academic journey reflects his passion for the natural world and commitment to environmental science, preparing him for a promising career in ecology and conservation. 🌍🔬✨

Experience

As a dedicated PhD student at the Faculty of Fisheries and Water Protection in Vodnany since September 2021, I specialize in modern methods of intensive breeding, reproduction, and biology of fish 🐟. Since October 2020, I have also served as a Biological Specialist, collaborating on scientific research projects, including NAZV, OP Fisheries, Eureka, Interreg, and H2020 🌍🔬. Previously, I worked at the Biological Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic from May 2016 to May 2020 as a Laboratory Technician, where I processed biological material and introduced new lab methods such as radiotracking 🌳🔬.

Research project

From February 2024 to January 2025, Her served as the responsible researcher for a project funded by the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (GAJU). The project, 032/2023/T, focused on innovative methods for acquiring and utilizing separated sludge waste from intensive aquaculture, aiming for sustainable nutrient use in agriculture. Previously, from February 2022 to January 2023, I led another GAJU-supported project, 028/2022/T, which optimized the application of pelleted feeds with higher vitamin C content in the intensive aquaculture of pike perch (Sander lucioperca). 🐟🌱💧📊

Research focus

Tomas Penka’s research focuses on optimizing aquaculture practices, particularly for species like pikeperch and northern pike. His studies investigate various aspects, including the effects of bicultural stocking, live feed enrichments, and the use of lactic acid bacteria to enhance fish growth, health, and microbiome diversity. Additionally, he explores the impacts of different weaning times, light regimes, stocking densities, and dietary supplements on fish development and survival. Penka’s work aims to improve sustainable aquaculture systems and fish welfare through innovative techniques and detailed biochemical and genetic analyses. 🐟🔬🌿📊

Publication top notes

Practical application of bicultural stocking and its effects on fish growth, blood biochemistry, and solid waste elimination in recirculating aquaculture system

Live feed enrichments using microalgae for pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval culture

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval rearing optimization: utilization of lactic acid bacteria for improving microbiome diversity and digestive enzyme activity

Effects of weaning time, light regime, and stocking density on growth, condition, survival, and cannibalism rates in northern pike (Esox lucius L.) larvae and early juveniles under intensive culture

Effects of yeast hydrolysate supplementation in low-fish meal diets for pikeperch

The efficacy of male’s nest preparation and its effect on female’s partner selection during semi-controlled reproduction in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Evaluation of different feeding frequencies in RAS-based juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) aquaculture

Fine ultrastructural features of germ cells and spermatozoa during spermatogenesis in the European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (Teleostei, Salmoniformes, Salmonidae)

Partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal supplemented with inulin and oligofructose in the diet of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca): Effect on growth and health status

Effects of First Feeding Regime on Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity in Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) Larvae