Assist. Prof. Dr. Anqi Chen | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Jiangnan University | China

Author Profile

🌟 Early Academic Pursuits

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anqi Chen began her illustrious journey at Cornell University, where she excelled academically in Food Science, achieving a magna cum laude distinction during her B.S. studies. Her exceptional undergraduate research in biological science earned her the Distinguished Research Honors and multiple awards, showcasing her passion for food science and microbiology. Pursuing a Ph.D. at Cornell, she delved deep into the molecular mechanisms of yeast stress tolerance, completing a groundbreaking dissertation on trehalose metabolism.

🏛️ Professional Endeavors

Dr. Chen currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Jiangnan University's Science Center for Future Foods, focusing on microbial interactions in fermentation and synthetic biology applications. Her previous roles include Adjunct Assistant Professor at Cornell University and Program Coordinator for the CAU-Cornell dual-degree program, where she bridged academic excellence and global collaboration. Her career reflects a commitment to blending cutting-edge research with innovative teaching.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Chen’s research centers on optimizing microbial fermentation to enhance food quality and nutritional value. Her pioneering work includes engineering yeast strains to improve stress resistance and flavor profiles in food products. Her expertise extends to bioactive compound synthesis, where she uses advanced microbial engineering to create sustainable, health-focused food systems.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Chen's excellence has been recognized with numerous prestigious grants, including funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Postdoctoral Science Fund. Her achievements also include awards such as the Academic Excellence Award in Food Science and several research scholarships. These accolades underscore her significant contributions to the field of food science and microbial biotechnology.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Chen has significantly influenced the fields of food microbiology and fermentation science. Her research has led to novel insights into yeast metabolism and practical applications in the food and bioethanol industries. She has also mentored students globally, contributing to the next generation of food scientists and researchers.

✨ Legacy and Future Contributions Highlight

Dr. Chen’s legacy lies in her ability to integrate academic rigor with real-world applications. Her work on yeast fermentation and microbial engineering is paving the way for healthier, sustainable food production. As she continues to innovate, her contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of food science, fostering global collaboration and scientific advancement.

Publications

📄 Comparative Analysis of Bread Quality Using Yeast Strains from Alcoholic Beverage Production
Journal: Microorganisms
Year: 2024-12-17
Authors: Anqi Chen, Chenwei Pan, Jian Chen

📄 Key Amino Acid Residues of the Agt1 Transporter for Trehalose Transport by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Journal: Journal of Fungi
Year: 2024-11-11
Authors: Anqi Chen, Yuhan Cheng, Liushi Meng, Jian Chen

📄 Osmotic Tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Implications for Food and Bioethanol Industries
Journal: Food Bioscience
Year: 2024-08
Authors: Anqi Chen, Tianzhi Qu, Jeremy R. Smith, Jianghua Li, Guocheng Du, Jian Chen

📄 Phenotypic Characterization of Fermentation Performance and Stress Tolerance in Commercial Ale Yeast Strains
Journal: Fermentation
Year: 2024-07-18
Authors: Anqi Chen, Qiqi Si, Qingyun Xu, Chenwei Pan, Yuhan Cheng, Jian Chen

📄 Auxotrophy-Independent Plasmid Shuttle Vectors for Applications in Diverse Yeasts
Journal: Applied Microbiology
Year: 2024-02-28
Authors: Jeremy Smith, Christine Sislak, Pedro Fernandez Mendoza, Laurin Carmichael, Alisha Lewis, Anqi Chen, Glycine Jiang, Patrick Gibney

Dr. Cheng Li | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Cheng Li began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Engineering from the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, China. His passion for biotechnology and biochemical engineering led him to pursue advanced studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, US, where he completed his Ph.D. in 2018. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Li focused on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, laying a strong foundation for his future research endeavors.

Professional Endeavors

Following his Ph.D., Dr. Li embarked on a series of postdoctoral research positions. He first served as a Postdoctoral Associate at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology from September 2018 to March 2021. Subsequently, he continued his postdoctoral research at MIT until March 2022. His work during these years was pivotal in advancing his expertise in microbial biotechnology and metabolic engineering. In April 2022, Dr. Li was appointed as a Research Scientist at MIT, where he continues to contribute to cutting-edge research.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Li's research primarily revolves around the engineering of microorganisms for the production of valuable biochemical compounds. His notable contributions include optimizing the heterologous production of α-carotene in Corynebacterium glutamicum, developing modular engineering techniques for microbial production of carotenoids, and improving recombineering techniques in Corynebacterium glutamicum. Additionally, he has explored the recycling of selectable markers in Pichia pastoris and engineered phytase expression for potential use as a feed supplement.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Li's work has garnered significant recognition in the scientific community. He has published extensively in high-impact journals, showcasing his innovative research in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Some of his prominent publications include works in Metabolic Engineering, Bioresource Technology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and Scientific Reports. His research on engineering carbon source division of labor for efficient α-carotene production in Corynebacterium glutamicum is particularly noteworthy.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Li's research has made substantial contributions to the field of biotechnology, particularly in the areas of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. His innovative approaches to microbial engineering have potential applications in the production of pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and other valuable biochemicals. By advancing the efficiency and scalability of these processes, Dr. Li's work supports the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As a Research Scientist at MIT, Dr. Li continues to push the boundaries of microbial biotechnology. His ongoing research aims to further refine and optimize the production of high-value compounds through microbial engineering. By mentoring the next generation of scientists and collaborating with industry partners, Dr. Li is poised to make lasting contributions to the field. His work not only addresses current scientific challenges but also paves the way for future innovations in biotechnology and synthetic biology.

Notable Publications

Expanding the CRISPR Toolbox for Engineering Lycopene Biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum 2024

Overproduction of Patchoulol in Metabolically Engineered Komagataella phaffii 2023 (7)