Sevgi Kolayli | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sevgi Kolayli | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sevgi Kolayli | Karadeniz Technical University | Turkey

Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kolaylı is a distinguished biochemist and food scientist at Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey. With a career spanning over 25 years, she has made pioneering contributions in the fields of antioxidant activity, natural product chemistry, and food biochemistry, especially with respect to bee products such as honey, propolis, and bee bread. Her research explores the biochemical properties and therapeutic potentials of these natural substances, integrating analytical chemistry with toxicology and nutrition. She has authored numerous articles in international journals, demonstrating her scientific leadership and collaborative spirit. Dr. Kolaylı’s work not only furthers academic understanding but also provides practical insights into functional foods, public health, and sustainable agriculture. Recognized for her scientific excellence and innovation, she continues to mentor students and researchers, contributing significantly to science at national and global levels.

Publication Profiles: 

Orcid
Google Scholar
Scopus

Education:

Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kolaylı completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey. She pursued postgraduate studies in Biochemistry, earning her Master’s and Ph.D. from the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on the biochemical analysis of natural products and their antioxidant capacities, with a special emphasis on enzymatic activities in fish and bioactive compounds in plant sources. Over the years, she has expanded her academic portfolio by attending international workshops, symposia, and scientific training, continually refining her skills in analytical methods such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and molecular characterization. Her solid educational foundation has enabled her to bridge the gap between traditional biochemical research and applied nutritional science. She remains actively engaged in academic development through her roles in teaching, supervision, and curriculum innovation at Karadeniz Technical University.

Experience:

Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kolaylı has served in various academic and research capacities at Karadeniz Technical University. Starting as a research assistant, she has risen through the academic ranks to become a full professor. Her career includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in biochemistry, food chemistry, and analytical techniques, while also supervising numerous MSc and PhD theses. Dr. Kolaylı has been a principal investigator in several national and international research projects focused on the bioactivity and safety of food-based natural compounds. She is a respected reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and has collaborated with researchers from Algeria, Germany, and across Türkiye. Her strong laboratory and analytical experience, combined with leadership in scientific projects, underscore her capacity for impactful research. Additionally, she contributes to scientific committees, journal editorial boards, and serves as an evaluator for research funding bodies.

Research Focus:

Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kolaylı’s research centers on the biochemical evaluation of natural products, particularly those derived from bee-related sources such as honey, propolis, and bee bread. Her investigations focus on antioxidant activity, phenolic content, and bioactive characterization, aiming to understand their therapeutic and nutritional value. She uses advanced analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, HRMS, spectrophotometry) to identify bioactive compounds and assess their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer potentials. A significant portion of her work has examined regional differences in natural products, correlating botanical origin with chemical composition. Her newer research explores food enrichment using natural antioxidants and toxicity assessments of honey containing grayanotoxins. This multidisciplinary approach integrates food science, toxicology, and molecular biology, contributing to the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Prof. Kolaylı’s scientific vision is geared towards advancing public health through safe, natural, and effective bioactive substances.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1.  Comparative study on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in different fish species – Turkish J. Zoology

  2.  Antioxidant enzymes in freshwater vs. seawater adapted trout – J. Biochem. Mol. Toxicol.

  3.  Chemical & antioxidant properties of cherry laurel fruit – J. Agric. Food Chem.

  4.  Does caffeine bind to metal ions? – Food Chemistry

  5.  Stereoselective photochemistry of methoxy chalcones – Turkish J. Chemistry

  6.  Essential oils of Centaurea spp. and their antimicrobial activity – Phytochemistry

  7.  Photocyclization and microbial activity of chalconoid compounds – J. Photochem. Photobiol. A

  8.  Synthesis of heterocycles as antioxidant/anticancer agents – Archiv der Pharmazie

  9.  Synthesis and antioxidant activities of triazol-5-one derivatives – Indian J. Chemistry

  10.  New triazole derivatives and their antioxidant properties – Asian J. Chemistry

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kolaylı exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded, impactful, and visionary researcher whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of bioactive compounds in food and natural products. Her sustained excellence in publishing, mentoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration makes her highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her ability to combine fundamental biochemical insights with real-world health applications, especially in the areas of antioxidant research and bee product functionality, showcases her as not just a researcher, but a contributor to global health and nutrition science. With minor enhancements in innovation dissemination and global visibility, she can further establish herself as a leading figure in the international scientific community. Based on the strength of her scientific record, impact, and innovation potential, she is a highly deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

 

 

Frédérique Pasquali | Microbial Cell Biology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Frédérique Pasquali | Microbial Cell Biology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Frédérique Pasquali | Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna | Italy

Dr. Frédérique Pasquali is a Junior Assistant Professor at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna. She is an expert in microbial food safety and molecular microbiology, with a focus on the genetic and environmental dynamics of foodborne pathogens. Her research integrates metagenomics, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and source attribution modeling to advance microbial traceability and public health surveillance. She has made notable contributions through high-impact publications and interdisciplinary collaborations with international institutions and organizations, including EFSA. Dr. Pasquali is known for her leadership within academic programs, particularly in food risk management, and her active involvement in European scientific panels. Her career reflects a commitment to scientific excellence and the promotion of food safety in both research and policy settings.

Publication profile:

scopus

 🌟Strengths for the Award :

  • Outstanding Research Portfolio: Dr. Pasquali has an impressive publication record in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, and Frontiers in Microbiology, showcasing deep expertise in microbial genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and source attribution.

  • Relevance and Innovation: Her recent work on sewage metagenomics offers innovative tools for source-attributed surveillance—a timely and impactful contribution to public health and environmental monitoring.

  • Leadership & Academic Involvement: As a Vice-representative of a master’s program in food risk management, she demonstrates strong educational leadership. Her selection to the EFSA reserve list of experts further emphasizes her scientific authority at the European level.

  • Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Work: Active in international consortia and multidisciplinary studies, she bridges the gap between microbial science, risk management, and policy implementation.

  • Recognition & Achievements: Her best poster award at the 34th EAEVE conference and national habilitation for associate professor signify peer recognition and potential for academic advancement.

🔧Areas for Improvement :

  • Visibility as Principal Investigator: While she contributes significantly to consortium papers, increased PI-level leadership in grants and first/last authorships could further solidify her independence as a researcher.

  • Mentorship Documentation: While involved in education, more formal documentation or evidence of mentoring early-career researchers, especially women in STEM, would strengthen her nomination for a gender-focused award.

  • Policy Impact Metrics: While aligned with EFSA, showcasing more direct outcomes or influence on policy would highlight broader societal impacts of her work.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Pasquali earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in March 2000 from the University of Bologna, where she continued her studies to complete a PhD in Molecular Microbiology in April 2005. Her doctoral work laid the foundation for her expertise in bacterial genomics and microbial ecology. Following her PhD, she pursued postdoctoral research in microbial foodborne traceability, finishing in September 2009. Her academic journey has been deeply rooted in the University of Bologna, one of Europe’s most historic institutions, where she developed a robust understanding of microbial interactions, food safety, and biotechnology. Throughout her education, she engaged in interdisciplinary work that combined microbiology, bioinformatics, and public health. Her academic credentials reflect a long-standing dedication to research and a commitment to solving real-world challenges in food microbiology and safety.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Pasquali currently serves as Junior Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna, where she plays a key role in teaching and research. Since 2025, she has been Vice-Representative of the Curriculum of Risk Management in the Master’s program in Food Safety and Food Risk Management. Her professional experience spans more than 20 years, including extensive work on microbial source attribution, antimicrobial resistance, and metagenomics. She has collaborated on several European-level research initiatives and actively contributes to EFSA panels and committees. Her previous roles include postdoctoral research in microbial traceability, contributing to national and international food safety surveillance strategies. Her work bridges science and policy, enabling data-driven decision-making in food safety. She also plays an active mentorship role, fostering the next generation of microbiologists. Her combination of teaching, research, and policy advisory experience positions her as a respected leader in her field.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Frédérique Pasquali has been recognized with multiple awards and honors throughout her career. In 2021, she received the Best Poster Award at the 34th European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) conference held at the University of Turin. In 2017, she obtained the National Scientific Qualification for Associate Professor (07/H2 – SSD MVET02/B) in Italy, marking her academic excellence and eligibility for advanced faculty positions. In 2023, she was listed in the EFSA/E/2023/01 reserve pool for experts eligible to serve on EFSA Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee. As of 2024, she continues to serve on the EFSA reserve list, reinforcing her status as a recognized authority in food safety and risk analysis. These accolades reflect her continued dedication to high-quality research and public health protection through science-based risk management.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Pasquali’s research focuses on the microbial ecology and genomics of foodborne pathogens, with a special interest in antimicrobial resistance and microbial traceability. She utilizes metagenomic time-series analysis to distinguish environmental, human, and seasonal microbial profiles, aiding in accurate source attribution. Her work contributes to developing early-warning systems for foodborne outbreaks by integrating big data with network modeling. She is particularly interested in the genomic evolution of pathogens like Salmonella Typhimurium and Klebsiella, including their resistomes and persistence in food processing environments. Her contributions to One Health approaches link microbial data with public health and environmental surveillance. She actively collaborates with EFSA and international research teams to bridge gaps between research and policy, aiming to improve food safety, antimicrobial stewardship, and surveillance methodologies.

📚 Publication Titles Top Notes:

  1. 🧫 Time-series sewage metagenomics distinguishes seasonal, human-derived and environmental microbial communities potentially allowing source-attributed surveillance (Nat Commun, 2024)

  2. 🧬 Genomic features of Klebsiella isolates from artisanal ready-to-eat food production facilities (Sci Rep, 2023)

  3. 🐔 The resistome of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from broiler carcasses “produced without the use of antibiotics” (Poultry Science, 2022)

  4. 🦠 The spatiotemporal dynamics and microevolution events that favored the success of the highly clonal multidrug-resistant monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium circulating in Europe (Front Microbiol, 2021)

  5. 🕸 Network Approach to Source Attribution of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Its Monophasic Variant (Front Microbiol, 2020)

Conclusion :

Dr. Frédérique Pasquali is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her work is scientifically rigorous, socially relevant, and internationally recognized. She embodies the spirit of this award through her contributions to food safety, her role in shaping future professionals, and her presence in European scientific governance. With continued support and visibility, she is poised to make even greater contributions to science and public health.