Ariel Buzera, a Food Science and Technology PhD student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has won the top prize in a poster presentation during the Green Food Tech Conference held in Montreal, Canada.
Ariel was the only African researcher in a pool that attracted over 150 researchers and students from across the globe.
His presentation is part of his ongoing PhD research which centers on the conversion of indigenous potato varieties into flour.
Through his innovative methodology, he strives to tackle the issue of post-harvest potato losses, diminish reliance on wheat flour and alleviate allergenic reactions caused by wheat gluten.
Ariel revealed that by exploring alternative flour options, his research breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for a sustainable solution to multiple challenges faced in the food industry.
He added that the conference presented him with an exceptional opportunity to engage with esteemed experts in his field and compare his research with that of fellow students from various parts of the globe.
Ariel expressed his gratitude to JICA through the Africa-ai-Japan project for funding his research and the conference organizers – INAF, Université de Laval and GastronomicQc Lab for creating a remarkable platform for researchers and students to present their work.
He further thanked his supervisors Prof. Daniel Sila and Dr. Irene Orina noting that they were instrumental in his research success.
Ariel stated that winning the top accolades is not only a morale booster but also serves as a driving force, motivating him to explore new avenues of research.
“This accomplishment serves as a testament to my dedication, hard work and passion for making a positive impact in the field of food science and technology. It not only brings pride to JKUAT and Kenya as a whole but also highlights the immense potential and talent that African researchers possess,” he said.
The conference is widely recognized for its emphasis on environmentally sustainable practices and innovative technologies, creating an optimal opportunity for researchers to present and highlight their scholarly contributions.
By Our Reporter
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