Prof. Dr. Wenjuan Li | Natural polysaccharides | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Wenjuan Li , State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, China

Prof. Wen-Juan Li 👩‍🔬, is a leading food scientist at Nanchang University 🇨🇳. With a Ph.D. in Food Science and Engineering 🎓, she has rapidly progressed from lecturer to full professor (2011–present). Her groundbreaking research explores the structural and functional dynamics of natural polysaccharides 🌿 and their role in chronic disease intervention 🧠🫀. Passionate about bioactive food components, she has earned multiple national recognitions 🏆. As a Young Jinggang Scholar 🧑‍🎓 and principal investigator on major R&D projects 💼, Prof. Li continues to innovate at the intersection of food, health, and medicine 🍎🧪.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

🏆 Suitability Summary

Prof. Wen-Juan Li exemplifies the modern, multidisciplinary researcher. Her pioneering work at the nexus of food science, pharmacology, and chronic disease prevention addresses some of today’s most urgent health challenges. As a Young Jinggang Scholar and full professor at a prestigious Chinese university, she leads innovative R&D projects with national recognition, making her an influential contributor in the bioactive compounds field.

📘 Education & Experience

🎓 B.Sc. in Pharmacy – Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University (2000–2004)
🎓 M.Sc. in Cardiovascular Pharmacology – Jiangxi Medical College (2004–2007)
🎓 Ph.D. in Food Science & Engineering – Nanchang University (2007–2011)
👩‍🏫 Lecturer – Nanchang University (2011)
👩‍🏫 Associate Professor – Nanchang University (2014)
👩‍🔬 Full Professor – Nanchang University (2019–present)

📈 Professional Development

Prof. Wen-Juan Li is actively involved in advancing food science through research and innovation 🔬📊. She has led several national and provincial projects, focusing on functional fruit component technologies and immunomodulatory polysaccharides 🍇🧫. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges food science with pharmacology, enabling novel approaches to disease intervention and metabolic health 🧬💊. Through continuous publishing, mentoring, and collaboration, she contributes significantly to the State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources 📚🏛️. Prof. Li’s dedication to scientific excellence is reflected in her growing influence in bioactive compounds and food-drug homologous research 🥼📝.

🧪 Research Focus Category

Prof. Wen-Juan Li’s research primarily falls under functional food science and chronic disease prevention 🧠🍽️. She explores the structure-function relationship of natural polysaccharides 🌿 and their effects on metabolic disorders, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, and immune dysregulation ⚖️🛡️. Her focus extends to glycolipid metabolism, neuroendocrinology, and mitochondrial health 🔋🧬. With a strong interest in food-drug homologous ingredients 🍵💊, she aims to harness food bioactives for therapeutic applications. Through innovative extraction, analysis, and mechanism-based studies, her work bridges nutrition, pharmacology, and disease intervention—contributing to healthier lifestyles and medical food development 🍎🔍.

🏅 Awards & Honors

🏅 2021: Young Jinggang Scholar of Jiangxi Province
🧠 2017: Jiangxi Outstanding Youth Fund Project
📝 2012: Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Jiangxi Province
🥇 2015: First Prize, Natural Science Prize of Jiangxi Province
🥉 2011: Third Prize, Jiangxi Provincial Higher Education S&T Achievement
🥈 2009: Second Prize, China Food Science & Technology Innovation Award

Publication Top Notes:

1. Mitigation of lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury in rats by Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. essential oil via suppression of mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (MFN2)-mediated mitochondrial-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) formation

Authors: Shuying Huang, Zhengguo Zeng, Yuelei Chu, Wenjuan Li, Cheng Qing
Journal: Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025
Citations: 2
Summary:
This study explores the protective role of Chimonanthus nitens essential oil against intestinal injury in rats. The oil suppresses the formation of MAMs by downregulating MFN2, thus alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications in gut-related inflammatory disorders.

2. Lipids as the link between central obesity and diabetes: perspectives from mediation analysis

Authors: Song Lu, Maobin Kuang, Jiajun Qiu, Yang Zou, Xiaoping Peng
Journal: BMC Endocrine Disorders, 2024
Citations: 2
Summary:
The article uses mediation analysis to examine how lipid profiles mediate the relationship between central obesity and the onset of type 2 diabetes. The study identifies specific lipid subtypes as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for preventing metabolic diseases associated with obesity.

3. Hypoglycemic effects of white hyacinth bean polysaccharide on type 2 diabetes mellitus rats involvement with entero-insular axis and GLP-1 via metabolomics study

Authors: Yixuan Wang, Jinchan Pi, Yufei Yao, Wenjuan Li, Mingyong Xie
Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
Citations: 1
Summary:
This research investigates the impact of white hyacinth bean polysaccharides on blood glucose regulation in diabetic rats. Through metabolomics and analysis of GLP-1 and the entero-insular axis, it reveals a complex biochemical mechanism supporting its hypoglycemic activity, offering promise as a natural antidiabetic compound.

4. Polyphenol (−)-Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) mitigated kidney injury by regulating metabolic homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamics involvement with Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission in mice

Authors: Yuelei Chu, Jinchan Pi, Yufei Yao, Xiaoping Peng, Wenjuan Li
Journal: Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2024
Citations: 1
Summary:
The study evaluates the renal protective effects of EGCG in a mouse model. EGCG restores mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic balance by modulating Drp1-related mitochondrial fission pathways, helping to prevent kidney damage, particularly in conditions of oxidative stress and metabolic disturbance.

5. **Intestinal protective effects of essential oil from Chimonanthus salicifolius linked to Mfn2-tethered mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum connection**

Authors: Huayu Yang, Yijun Li, Xuanying Chen, Shengbin Chen, Wenjuan Li
Journal: Journal of Functional Foods, 2024
Summary:
This work investigates the effects of Chimonanthus salicifolius essential oil on intestinal health, focusing on MFN2-mediated mitochondrial-ER communication. The results suggest that targeting this pathway with plant-derived compounds can improve mitochondrial function and offer protection against gut inflammation.

Conclusion:

Prof. Wen-Juan Li stands out as a trailblazer in functional food research, backed by deep interdisciplinary expertise in food science and pharmacology, a strong record of innovation in chronic disease intervention, and proven leadership in national-level projects and academic mentorship. Her core interests—ranging from functional foods and bioactive compounds to metabolic regulation and food-drug homologous applications—highlight her pivotal role in advancing public health through science. Her impactful contributions and dedication make her a prime and highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Prof. Dr. Faten Ibrahim, National Research Centre, Egypt

Dr. Faten Mohamed Ibrahim Mansour, an esteemed professor of Biochemistry, specializes in medicinal and aromatic plants at the National Research Centre, Egypt. With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Cairo University (2012), her research explores bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and therapeutic applications of natural products. She has contributed significantly to antitumor and anti-inflammatory studies, excelling in advanced analytical techniques. Dr. Faten’s work is showcased in prestigious journals and national projects, making her a leader in biochemical research. 🌱🔬

Professional Profile:

Summary of Suitability for the Best Innovation Award

Dr. Faten Mohamed Ibrahim Mansour is highly suitable for the Best Innovation Award due to her outstanding contributions to biochemistry, particularly in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants. Below is a summary of her qualifications for the award and a conclusion on her eligibility.

Education and Experience

🎓 B.Sc. in Biochemistry – Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University (1999).

🎓 M.Sc. in Biochemistry – Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University (2005).

🎓 Ph.D. in Biochemistry – Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University (2012).

💼 Researcher Assistant – National Research Centre (2000–2005).

💼 Assistant Researcher – National Research Centre (2005–2012).

💼 Researcher – National Research Centre (2012–2017).

💼 Associate Professor – National Research Centre (2017–2022).

💼 Professor – National Research Centre (2022–Present).

Professional Development

Dr. Faten Mohamed Ibrahim demonstrates exceptional expertise in modern analytical methods, including NMR, mass spectroscopy, and GC techniques. She has mentored students in biochemistry and conducted extensive research on natural product therapeutics. Her hands-on approach in statistical analysis and scientific writing enhances her academic contributions. Dr. Faten actively participates in training programs, promotes innovative strategies for field and lab testing, and excels in SPSS-based data analysis. She is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers while collaborating on diverse projects tackling pressing biomedical challenges. 📚🌟

Research Focus

Dr. Faten’s research revolves around the bio-evaluation of medicinal and aromatic plants for therapeutic applications. Her work includes antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities, exploring potential treatments for Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. She specializes in isolating and purifying bioactive compounds using advanced techniques, focusing on sustainable cultivation practices and enzyme activity. Dr. Faten’s studies bridge agricultural practices with biochemical innovations, fostering eco-friendly approaches to healthcare solutions. Her projects emphasize plant waste utilization and novel pharmaceutical formulations. 🌿🧪

Awards and Honors

🏅 Prominent contributor to several National Research Center-funded projects (2016–2024).

🌟 Recognized for pioneering work in natural therapeutics and field studies.

🏆 Multiple publications in high-impact journals internationally acclaimed.

🎖 Active mentor and trainer for aspiring scientists in biochemistry.

Publication Top Notes:

🧪 Formulation of quinoa oil-alginate loaded nanoemulsion and its anticancer efficacy as a therapy for chemically induced breast cancer – Cited by: 3.

🌱 Preparation and characterization of pectin/hydroxyethyl cellulose/clay/TiO2 bionanocomposite films for microbial pathogen removal from contaminated water– Cited by: 4.

🩸 Implement of biotechnology techniques for the production of anticoagulants from Lagestromia tomentosa L.

🍊 Polyphenol-Rich Extracts and Essential Oil from Egyptian Grapefruit Peel as Potential Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Food Additives – Cited by: 3.