Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes | chemical engineering | Women Researcher Award

Professor at Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil.

🔬 Short Biography 🌿💊📚

Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes 👩‍🔬, born in 1990 in Rio Grande, Brazil 🇧🇷, is a leading researcher in food and chemical engineering. With a passion for sustainable innovation and functional foods 🌱, she has contributed significantly to the scientific community. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and a permanent professor in the Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering 🏫. Dr. Fernandes has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles 📚 and actively participates in international research networks. Her main expertise includes chia-based food technologies, biodegradable packaging 🥗📦, and biotechnological solutions for effluent treatment 💧. Having completed her doctorate with a sandwich program in Mexico 🇲🇽, she brings a global perspective to her work. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in English 🗣️, she promotes collaboration across borders. With multiple awards to her name 🏅, Dr. Fernandes is a respected name in food science and sustainability research.

PROFILE

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

🔍 Summary of Suitability:

Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes is a shining example of a woman excelling in STEM 🌟. As an accomplished academic and researcher, she has built a career on impactful, socially relevant, and environmentally sustainable research. From developing chia-based functional foods to pioneering biodegradable packaging materials, her work bridges the gap between laboratory science and real-world application 🧪🌱.

Her recognition as a professor, mentor, scientific author, and peer reviewer places her among the most influential female scientists in her domain. Her success, despite the gender imbalance in engineering and applied sciences, stands as a powerful testament to resilience, brilliance, and innovation 💪💡.

📘 Education & Experience

Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes holds dual undergraduate degrees in Food Engineering (2013) and Chemical Engineering (2017) from FURG 🏛️. She completed her Master’s in Food Science and Technology (2016) and earned a PhD in the same field (2020), with a sandwich PhD stint at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in Mexico 🇲🇽. Her thesis focused on the nanoencapsulation of chia oil for food applications 🧪🥣. She has completed postdoctoral research at IF Goiano and FURG 🔬. Professionally, she has served as a substitute professor at UFMA and UNIPAMPA and is now a full-time Adjunct Professor at FURG 📘. She teaches in chemical, food, and biochemical engineering and is active in postgraduate education 👩‍🏫. Her career is marked by strong interdisciplinary engagement, hands-on teaching, and collaborative research. Her work blends scientific rigor with real-world applicability, fostering innovation in food sustainability and health 🌍🍞.

Professional Development 🚀📖

Dr. Sibele Fernandes has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to professional development 📈. She has completed more than 30 certified short courses on diverse subjects including food safety 🧫, environmental planning 🌱, nanobiotechnology 🧬, and pedagogy 🎓. Notably, she engaged in “Pedagogia Universitária” and “Planejamento Ambiental” to enhance her teaching methodologies 📖. She also took specialized training in laboratory management, HACCP systems, design thinking 💡, and entrepreneurial skills with SEBRAE 🇧🇷. Her international exposure includes attending conferences in Mexico 🇲🇽, Peru 🇵🇪, and Brazil, where she presented pioneering work on chia-based technologies. As a scientific referee for top journals like Food Chemistry, Starch, and Surfaces and Interfaces 📄, she stays at the forefront of academic excellence. Dr. Fernandes’ dedication to lifelong learning ensures she remains an innovator in food and chemical engineering fields 🔍🛠️, always aligning her growth with sustainability and educational impact 🌿.

Research Focus 🔍🤖

Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes focuses her research on sustainable food engineering 🌍🥣 and biodegradable materials. Her work explores innovative uses of chia seeds 🌱—specifically chia mucilage and chia oil—in food development, fat substitution, and nanoencapsulation. She has developed edible films, oral disintegration systems, and gluten-free formulations enriched with functional ingredients 🍞🧪. Her research also dives into effluent treatment using biocoagulants 💧, valorization of agricultural by-products 🌾, and smart food packaging. With expertise spanning chemical engineering and food science 🔬, Dr. Fernandes integrates molecular-level innovations with industrial applications. She leads projects on chia-based nanoemulsions, active and intelligent packaging, and techno-functional plant polysaccharides 📦🧫. Her work contributes to advancing health-oriented food systems and environmentally friendly materials, making her a pioneer in Latin American agroindustrial biotechnologies 🌎💚. Dr. Fernandes is not just a researcher—she is a solutions architect for tomorrow’s food and environmental challenges.

Awards and Honors 🏆🎖️

🥇 2024: “Efeito da luz sobre características bioativas de ora-pro-nóbis” – III Simpósio Sulamericano de Ciência de Alimentos
🥈 2018: “Análise sensorial de pães sem glúten com proteína de soja e óleo de coco” – Universidade de Passo Fundo
🥉 2018: “Characterization of chia mucilage films” – Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
🏅 2018: “Efeito da adição de farinha de soja e óleo de coco nas características de pão sem glúten” – UPF
🏆 2018: “Evaluation of films from chia mucilage” – UFSC
🎖️ 2015: “Substituição da gordura por mucilagem de chia em bolo” – Universidade de Passo Fundo

Publications & Citations 📚

📘 Addition of chia seed mucilage for reduction of fat content in bread and cakes – 292 citations, 2017
🍇 Bioactive compounds as ingredients of functional foods: polyphenols, carotenoids, peptides from animal and plant sources – 114 citations, 2019
🌿 Yield and quality of chia oil extracted via different methods – 87 citations, 2019
🥪 Development of Mayonnaise with Substitution of Oil or Egg Yolk by the Addition of Chia Mucilage – 87 citations, 2018
🧴 Chia seeds to develop new biodegradable polymers for food packaging – 57 citations, 2020
🌱 Selected plants producing mucilage as functional ingredients in plant-based foods – 35 citations, 2023
🍞 Production of gluten free bread with flour and chia seeds (Salvia hispânica L) – 29 citations, 2021
🎂 Development of cake mix with reduced fat and high practicality by adding chia mucilage – 26 citations, 2021
🧫 Chia mucilage carrier systems: a review of emulsion, encapsulation, and film strategies – 25 citations, 2023
🎨 Intelligent and active biodegradable biopolymeric films containing carotenoids – 23 citations, 2024
🥗 Association between diet, health, and bioactive compounds in foods – 21 citations, 2019
🧪 Production of carbonic anhydrase by marine and freshwater microalgae – 20 citations, 2016
🥩 The techno-functionality of chia seed and its fractions as ingredients for meat analogs – 19 citations, 2024

🔍 Conclusion:

Dr. Sibele Santos Fernandes is not only an outstanding researcher but also a trailblazer for women in science and technology. Her interdisciplinary expertise, commitment to sustainability, and role as an educator and mentor position her as a deserving recipient of the Women Researcher Award. Honoring her would highlight the vital role of women in solving global food and environmental challenges—and inspire future generations of female scientists worldwide 👏🏆🌎.

Dr. Zakariyaou Seybou Yacouba | Chemical Engineering | Best Paper Award

PhD scholar at central south university, China.

📌 Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou is a Ph.D. student at Central South University (CSU), China, specializing in Chemical Engineering and Technology. He earned his Master’s degree from CSU and a B.Sc. in Petroleum Refining from André Salifou University of Zinder, Niger. His research focuses on fluid catalytic cracking, catalyst applications, oil refining, and lithium-ion phosphate battery synthesis. Seybou has published multiple research papers in prestigious journals. With hands-on experience in refining operations and catalyst development, he has also completed internships at CNPC-NP, SORAZ, and SONIDEP. He speaks English, French, Chinese, Haussa, and Zarma-Songhai.

Professional Profile:

📌 Suitability for Best Paper Award – Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou

Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou is a highly accomplished Ph.D. researcher in Chemical Engineering and Technology at Central South University. His expertise in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), catalyst applications, petroleum refining, and lithium-ion battery synthesis makes him a strong candidate for the Best Paper Award. With multiple publications in prestigious journals, Seybou has demonstrated innovation and a strong impact in his field. His hands-on experience in refineries and catalyst development, coupled with international research collaborations and technical proficiency in Aspen Plus, Ansys, and MATLAB, enhances the credibility of his research contributions.

Education 🎓

📖 General Education (BEPC) – College TERACEG2, TERA (2008-2012)
🏭 Petrochemical & Technology (BAC) – Diffa High School, Diffa (2012-2015)
🛢️ Diploma in Petroleum Engineering (DUT) – André Salifou University of Zinder (2015-2017)
🏭 B.Sc. in Refining & Petrochemical Process Engineering – André Salifou University of Zinder (2017-2019)
🏮 Chinese Language Program – Central South University (2020-2021)
🏭 M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering & Technology – Central South University (2021-2024)
🏭 Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering & Technology – Central South University (2024-Present)

Experience 🏗️

🔬 Ph.D. Researcher – Central South University (2024-Present)
🏭 Intern – CNPC-NP (2022) – Operator training in petroleum refining
🏭 Intern – Zinder Refining Company (SORAZ) (2022) – FCC operator training
🏭 Intern – Nigerien Petroleum Company (SONIDEP) (2017) – Laboratory operator (ASTM analysis)
🔧 Intern – Hydraulics and Sanitation of Téra (2014) – Drilling, pump installation, and exploration

Professional Development 🚀

📚 Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou has actively engaged in certified training programs to enhance his expertise in petroleum refining, catalyst technology, and industrial safety. He completed Systematic Training & Evaluation for Production Operators at CNPC-NP, along with specialized courses in risk assessment, environmental awareness, and international health and safety (ECITB-certified). Seybou has also earned an HSK4 & HSKK Chinese Language Certificate, demonstrating his proficiency in Mandarin. His commitment to professional growth is reflected in his research collaborations, international conference presentations, and technical skill development in Aspen Plus, Ansys, and MATLAB.

Research Focus 🔬

⚙️ Seybou’s research primarily falls under Chemical Engineering, with a specialization in:

🏭 Refining & Petrochemical Process Engineering – Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) optimization and catalyst applications
🧪 Catalyst Synthesis & Reactor Design – Development of novel catalysts for enhanced fuel conversion
🔬 Mathematical Modeling & Optimization – Advanced computational modeling for refining processes
⚡ Lithium-Ion Battery Research – Synthesis and characterization of new-generation lithium phosphate batteries
His work integrates experimental analysis, computational simulations, and industrial applications to improve energy efficiency and refining performance.

Awards & Honors 🏆

🏅 CNPC-NP Operator Training Certification (2022)
🏅 ECITB Risk Assessment & Environmental Awareness Certification (2022)
🏅 ECITB International Health & Safety Passport Certification (2022)
🏅 HSK4 & HSKK Intermediate Chinese Language Certification (2023)
🏅 Best Research Paper Award in Chemical Engineering (2023)
🏅 Outstanding Student Researcher, Central South University (2024)

Publication Top Notes

Influence of Tectonics on the Circulation of Mineralized Fluids in the Ebba South Arlit Sector (Niger)
- 📅 Year: 2025
- ✍️ Authors: Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou
Production of Biodiesel from Southern DRC (Bunyakiri) Palm Nut Kernels Oil
- 📅 Year: 2025
- ✍️ Authors: Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou
Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium Phosphate (Li₃PO₄) as a Solid Electrolyte
- 📅 Year: 2024
- ✍️ Authors: Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou, Hua Ye, Chongwen Jiang
- 🔗 DOI: 10.3390/batteries10120429
Characterization of Equilibrium Catalysts from the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Process of Atmospheric Residue
- 📅 Year: 2023
- ✍️ Authors: Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou, Ye Hua, Oumarou Abdoulaye Dan Makaou, Aziz Mamane Souley Abdoul, Ke Shixian
- 🔗 DOI: 10.3390/CATAL13121483
A Four-Lump Kinetic Model for Atmospheric Residue Conversion in the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit: Effect of the Inlet Gas Oil Temperature and Catalyst-Oil Weight Ratio on the Catalytic Reaction Behavior
- 📅 Year: 2023
- ✍️ Authors: Seybou Yacouba Zakariyaou (薄亚冲), Ye Hua (叶华), Oumarou Abdoulaye Dan Makaou
- 🔗 DOI: 10.36349/easjecs.2023.v06i03.002

Sibele Santos Fernandes | chemical engineering | Women Researcher Award