Prof. Dr. Limin Gu | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Research Article Award

Associate Professor | Hebei University of Science and Technology | China

Prof. Dr. Limin Gu is a distinguished Associate Professor and a leading researcher in the field of flame retardant materials and materials science and engineering. She has made significant contributions to advancing sustainable flame-retardant technologies through her work at the College of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science & Technology, and as an active member of the Research Center for Chemical Safety & Security and Verification Technology. Her research focuses on intrinsically flame-retardant polymer synthesis, bio-based halogen-free flame retardants, graphene functionalization, and computer vision-assisted chemical analysis. With strong expertise in analytical techniques such as GC, GC-MS, HPLC, TGA, and TG-IR, she effectively integrates experimental and applied approaches in her studies. Prof. Gu has authored more than 20 scientific publications in prestigious journals including European Polymer Journal, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, and Journal of Applied Polymer Science, and has also published a scholarly monograph on flame-retardant waterborne polyurethane materials. Her innovative research has led to over ten awarded Chinese patents related to bio-based flame retardants, phosphonium compounds, and multifunctional polymeric materials, highlighting her dedication to developing eco-friendly and high-performance flame-retardant systems. Recognized for her scientific excellence and contributions to sustainable materials development, Prof. Gu continues to influence the advancement of green chemistry and polymer innovation. Her growing academic impact is demonstrated by 227 citations, 17 documents, and an h-index of 8, reflecting her emerging leadership and meaningful contributions to the global materials science community.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Gu, L., Shi, Y., Liu, W., Zhang, L., & Ge, Y. (2025). Synthesis and characterization of the hemicellulose-based “three sources into one” intumescent flame retardant and its modification on cellulose. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 150(12), 9105-9119.

Prof. Joana Ferreira | Bioactive Properties | Best Researcher Award

Teacher at Santarém Higher School of Agriculture in Portugal.

🌍 Joana Patrícia Araújo Ferreira is a dedicated researcher and lecturer specializing in food chemistry, biorefinery, and sustainable food innovation. 🎓 She holds a PhD in Chemistry (2014) from the University of Aveiro and is an integrated member of LEAF – Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture, and Food. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications 📄, her research focuses on food product characterization, microalgae-based ingredients, and circular economy approaches. 🍏🔬 As a lecturer at the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, she teaches bioproducts development and food biotechnology. Passionate about sustainability and innovation, she actively contributes to advancing food science and environmental research. 🌱✨

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Suitability for the Best Researcher Award 🏆

Joana Patrícia Araújo Ferreira is an outstanding researcher with a strong background in food chemistry, biorefinery, and sustainability. With a PhD in Chemistry and a proven track record of over 30 peer-reviewed publications, she has significantly contributed to food innovation, analytical chemistry, and circular economy approaches. Her expertise in microalgae-based food products, valorization of food industry by-products, and bioactive compounds makes her a leading scientist in her field.

Education 🎓

PhD in Chemistry (2014) – University of Aveiro 🧪📚
- Thesis: “Síntese e Transformações de compostos do tipo pirazol e 1,2,3-triazol”
Master in Organic Chemistry and Natural Products (2008) – University of Aveiro 🌿🔬
- Thesis: “Estudos de halogenação de 5-estiril-3-(2-hidroxifenil)-1H-pirazóis”
Degree in Chemistry (2006) – University of Lisbon 🏛️⚛️
- Thesis: “Estudo dos Constituintes e da Bioatividade de Extractos Anti-hiperglicemiantes de Genista tenera”
Specialization Courses & Workshops:
- Biomedical Inorganic Chemistry – Applications in Diagnosis & Therapy 🏥⚗️
- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for heavy metal detection 🌊🧴
- Marine Lipidomics & Algae Bioactives for Health 🌊🧬

Professional Experience 🏥

Lecturer (2023-Present) – Polytechnic Institute of Santarém 🎓📖
- Teaching Bioproducts Development, Food Biotechnology, Instrumental Analysis, Human Nutrition, and Biochemistry
Junior Researcher (2021-Present) – LEAF Research Center 🌱🔍
- Research on food sustainability, microalgae-based products, and circular economy
Lecturer (2021-Present) – Instituto Superior de Agronomia 🏫🧑‍🏫
- Courses on Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry & Biochemistry, Bioactive Compounds
Research Fellow (2014-2021) – Forest Research Center, Instituto Superior de Agronomia 🌳🔬
- Focus on biorefinery, sustainable food products, and bioactive compounds
Researcher (2007-2014) – University of Aveiro & University of Lisbon 🏛️🔬
- Conducted studies in natural products synthesis and analytical chemistry
Health & Safety Trainer (2013-2014) – Génios Livres 🏥⚖️
Scientific Project Coordinator & Team Member in multiple international and national research projects 🌍🔬

Professional Development 🚀📖

Joana Patrícia Araújo Ferreira is a dedicated researcher and educator committed to advancing food chemistry and sustainability. 🧪🌱 She continuously enhances her expertise through specialized courses in marine lipidomics, biorefinery, and green chemistry. 📚💡 As a lecturer and researcher, she actively mentors students and contributes to cutting-edge projects on microalgae-based food innovations, bioactive compounds, and circular economy. 🌍🔬 She has attended numerous international workshops, conferences, and research collaborations, strengthening her proficiency in analytical techniques, spectroscopy, and bioprocessing technologies. 🎤📊 Passionate about innovation, she integrates sustainability and health-driven solutions into food science. 🍏🔍

Research Focus 🔍🤖

Joana Patrícia Araújo Ferreira’s research spans multiple scientific disciplines, focusing on food chemistry, biorefinery, and sustainable innovations. 🌱🍽️ She specializes in nutritional and chemical characterization of food products, microalgae-based food innovations, and valorization of food industry by-products. 🔍🌊 Her work in circular economy emphasizes waste reduction and resource optimization. She is also involved in analytical and organic chemistry, including natural product synthesis, structural elucidation, and green chemistry methodologies. ⚛️🧪 Additionally, she explores glyphosate’s impact on human health and the development of functional food products with enhanced sensory and technological properties. 🏥🌿

Awards & Honors 🏆

Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) Grant (2015) – COST Action FP1203 🌍🔬
- Recognized for contributions to Non-Wood Forest Products Research at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
PhD Research Grant (2009) – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) 🎓⚛️
- Awarded a prestigious doctoral research fellowship for studies in organic and analytical chemistry.
Treaty of Windsor Anglo-Portuguese Joint Research Programme (2006) – British Council 🇬🇧🇵🇹
- Selected for an international research collaboration between University of Lisbon and University of York.
Bronze Award (2024) – AlgaEurope Conference 🥉🌊
- Awarded for poster presentation on the sensory profile of microalgae.

Publication Top Notes:

1️⃣ Ingestion of microplastics by commercial fish off the Portuguese coast – D Neves, P Sobral, JL Ferreira, T Pereira | Marine Pollution Bulletin 101 (1), 119-126 | 📅 2015 | 🔗 Cited by: 1093

2️⃣ Amberstripe scad Decapterus muroadsi (Carangidae) fish ingest blue microplastics resembling their copepod prey along the coast of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific – NC Ory, P Sobral, JL Ferreira, M Thiel | Science of the Total Environment 586, 430-437 | 📅 2017 | 🔗 Cited by: 686

3️⃣ Low prevalence of microplastic contamination in planktivorous fish species from the southeast Pacific Ocean – N Ory, C Chagnon, F Felix, C Fernández, JL Ferreira, C Gallardo, … | Marine Pollution Bulletin 127, 211-216 | 📅 2018 | 🔗 Cited by: 281

4️⃣ Microplastics in sediments from the littoral zone of the north Tunisian coast (Mediterranean Sea) – S Abidli, JC Antunes, JL Ferreira, Y Lahbib, P Sobral, NT El Menif | Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 205, 1-9 | 📅 2018 | 🔗 Cited by: 266

5️⃣ Plastic and other microfibers in sediments, macroinvertebrates and shorebirds from three intertidal wetlands of southern Europe and west Africa – PM Lourenço, C Serra-Gonçalves, JL Ferreira, T Catry, JP Granadeiro | Environmental Pollution 231, 123-133 | 📅 2017 | 🔗 Cited by: 246

6️⃣ Plastic ingestion and trophic transfer between Easter Island flying fish (Cheilopogon rapanouiensis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) – C Chagnon, M Thiel, J Antunes, JL Ferreira, P Sobral, NC Ory | Environmental Pollution 243, 127-133 | 📅 2018 | 🔗 Cited by: 154

7️⃣ Ungulates and their management in Portugal – J Vingada, C Fonseca, J Cancela, J Ferreira, C Eira | European Ungulates and their Management in the 21st Century 392 | 📅 2010 | 🔗 Cited by: 62

8️⃣ Poly (vinyl acetate) paints in works of art: A photochemical approach. Part 1 – JL Ferreira, MJ Melo, AM Ramos | Polymer Degradation and Stability 95 (4), 453-461 | 📅 2010 | 🔗 Cited by: 55

9️⃣ Shedding new light on polyurethane degradation: Assessing foams condition in design objects – SF de Sá, JL Ferreira, IP Cardoso, R Macedo, AM Ramos | Polymer Degradation and Stability 144, 354-365 | 📅 2017 | 🔗 Cited by: 40

🔟 Characterization and long-term stability of historical PMMA: impact of additives and acrylic sheet industrial production processes – S Babo, JL Ferreira, AM Ramos, A Micheluz, M Pamplona, MH Casimiro, … | Polymers 12 (10), 2198 | 📅 [Year Not Specified] | 🔗 Cited by: 32

🎯 Conclusion:

Joana Ferreira is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her exceptional contributions to scientific research, innovation in sustainable food chemistry, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Her work has a profound impact on food science, sustainability, and human health, making her an ideal choice for this prestigious recognition. 🌍🔬👏

Limin Gu | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Research Article Award