Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz | Food Toxicology | Women Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz | Food Toxicology | Women Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | University of  Valencia | Spain

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz is a dedicated researcher and academic in the field of food science and toxicology. She has developed a strong academic background through pharmacy, hospital pharmaceutical specialties, and advanced studies in food production and toxicology. Her career spans research projects on aquaculture, agriculture biomass, and the study of mycotoxin mitigation, reflecting her passion for improving food safety and human health. Through international collaborations in Germany and the USA, Mercedes has gained a global perspective. Currently, she contributes to research and teaching as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Spain.

Professional Profile

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Education

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz pursued her degree in Pharmacy at the University of Valencia, building a foundation in pharmaceutical sciences. She enhanced her expertise with a Master in Hospital Pharmaceutical Specialties, followed by another Master in Sustainable Food Production with a focus on innovative preservation technologies. Her doctoral journey in Food Science within the Toxicology Area at the Faculty of Pharmacy has been supported by a competitive pre-doctoral research grant. Alongside, she completed professional internships in hospital pharmacy, gaining clinical insights. Her academic path blends pharmacy, toxicology, and sustainable food research, preparing her for impactful interdisciplinary contributions in science and education.

Experience

Her professional career began with research on aquaculture and agriculture biomass side streams, developing nutritional supplements with bioactive properties. Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz collaborated with industry partners on projects evaluating mineral adsorbents for mitigating mycotoxins in poultry feed. These studies advanced her expertise in food toxicology and industrial applications. International research experiences at the IUF-Leibniz Research Institute in Germany and Mayo Clinic in the USA enriched her skills in advanced toxicological methodologies. Currently, as an assistant professor at the University of Valencia, she integrates her research into teaching, shaping future professionals in preventive medicine and public health with practical scientific knowledge.

Research Interests

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz focuses on food toxicology, specifically studying the effects of mycotoxins and their metabolites on human health. Her investigations explore cytotoxic mechanisms, oxidative stress, and adaptive cellular responses using both in vitro and in silico models. She also evaluates bioactive compounds derived from fish, microalgae, and plant sources, linking toxicological assessments to sustainable food production. With interests in environmental contaminants, alternative testing methods, and food safety innovation, her work emphasizes bridging laboratory research with real-world food chain applications. By combining experimental toxicology with computational predictions, she aims to improve risk assessment and promote healthier and safer food systems.

Awards

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz earned a competitive pre-doctoral research fellowship for training in toxicology and food science, recognizing her academic excellence and research potential. This prestigious award has supported her doctoral studies, enabling her to advance investigations into mycotoxin toxicity and explore sustainable alternatives in food production. Her contributions to conferences and collaborative projects have also positioned her as an emerging scientist within the Spanish and international toxicology communities. Through recognition in scientific forums and active participation in research networks, she has established herself as a promising young researcher committed to developing innovative strategies for food safety and public health.

Top Noted Publications

Title: Climate change and effects on molds and mycotoxins
Year: 2022
Cited by: 135

Title: Improved Extraction Efficiency of Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds from Tetraselmis chuii and Phaedoactylum tricornutum Using Pulsed Electric Fields
Year: 2020
Cited by: 69

Title: Biological activity and toxicity of plant nutraceuticals: An overview
Year: 2021
Cited by: 65

Title: Micronucleus induction and cell cycle alterations produced by deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives in individual and combined exposure on HepG2 cells
Year: 2018
Cited by: 33

Title: T-2 toxin and its metabolites: Characterization, cytotoxic mechanisms and adaptive cellular response in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells
Year: 2020
Cited by: 31

Conclusion

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mercedes Taroncher Ruiz demonstrates an impressive balance of academic rigor, applied research, and teaching excellence. Her international experiences, combined with impactful contributions in food toxicology and safety, position her as a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. With continued growth in independent research leadership, she is well on track to becoming an influential figure in her field.

Irene Dini | Food toxicology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Irene Dini | Food toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Pharmacy Department, Federico II University of Naples, Italy

Prof. Irene Dini is an esteemed Associate Professor in Food Chemistry (CHIM 10) at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II 🇮🇹. Renowned for her contributions to the study of natural substances, she combines analytical expertise with a deep understanding of bioactive compounds. Her research spans nutraceuticals, natural antioxidants, and sustainable food innovations, placing her among the world’s leading scientific minds. 🌿

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Prof. Dini is a certified Specialist in Food Science and holds a Ph.D. in Natural Compounds Pharmacologically Active. Her strong academic foundation has enabled her to bridge pharmaceutical chemistry with functional food development, driving impactful interdisciplinary research. 📚🧪

💼 Experience

With a distinguished career at the University of Napoli Federico II, Prof. Dini has led diverse research projects focused on food safety, nutraceuticals, and green chemistry. Her experience in advanced analytical techniques and in-vitro evaluations has made her a respected authority in food chemistry. 🧫🔬

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Dini’s research focuses on the isolation and analysis of metabolites from food plants using chromatography and spectroscopy techniques. She develops and validates analytical methods for bioactives, toxins, and nutraceuticals. Her work also includes studies on bioavailability, antibiotic resistance, and eco-friendly agronomy aimed at boosting food functionality. 🌱🧪

🏆 Awards

Prof. Dini was named in the prestigious World’s Top 2% Scientists List by Stanford University for 2021 and 2022 📊 (powered by Elsevier) and was honored in the Top 0.5% of scholars globally by ScholarGPS in 2024 🔗 ScholarGPS Profile. Her article on Nutricosmetics was among the most read in Phytotherapy Research between 2018–2019. 🌍🥇

📚 Top Noted Publications

A rapid and sensitive fluorimetric assay to detect PAF-acetylhidrolase activity in biological samples – The Italian Journal of Biochemistry (1993) — Cited by 45

Phenolic metabolites from Orobanche speciosa – Planta Medica, 1995 – Q1 — Cited by 92

Isoflavonoids from Lupinus mutabilis – J. Agric. Food Chemistry, 1998 – Q1 — Cited by 150

Flavonoid glycosides of Barbarea vulgaris – J. Agric. Food Chemistry, 2000 – Q1 — Cited by 135

New Oleanane Saponins in Chenopodium quinoa – J. Agric. Food Chemistry, 2001 – Q1 — Cited by 120

Oleanane Saponins in “Kancolla”, a Sweet Variety of Chenopodium quinoa – J. Nat. Prod., 2002 – Q1 — Cited by 85

Phenolic constituents of kancolla seeds – Food Chemistry, 2003 – Q1 — Cited by 110

Furostanol saponins in Allium cepa L. var. tropeana seeds – Food Chemistry, 2005 – Q1 — Cited by 125

Nutritional and antinutritional composition of Kancolla seeds – Food Chemistry, 2005 – Q1 — Cited by 140

Conclusion

Based on her exceptional research output, international recognition, and strong thematic alignment with contemporary food chemistry and nutraceutical science, Prof. Irene Dini is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her contributions demonstrate a blend of scientific excellence, methodological innovation, and dedication to human and environmental health, making her a deserving and inspiring candidate.