Dr. Yanchun Chen | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yanchun Chen, Communication University of China, China

Yanchun Chen is a Ph.D. student in Information Communication at the Communication University of China (CUC), specializing in digital public opinion. With a background in computational communication, she has contributed extensively to public opinion analysis and media convergence research. She has published in high-impact journals, including Cities and Ethics and Information Technology. Yanchun has presented her research at IAMCR, AEJMC, and ICA conferences, receiving the IAMCR Urban Communication Award. Her expertise lies in digital media ethics, risk communication, and the socio-political impact of emerging technologies.

🎓 Education

Yanchun Chen is pursuing her Ph.D. in Information Communication at CUC (2024–Present), focusing on digital public opinion. She holds an M.S. in Communication (Computational Communication) from the State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, CUC (2022–2024), where she analyzed communication data to interpret public sentiment. She completed her B.S. in Tourism Management from Minjiang University (2017–2021), developing foundational insights into media’s impact on cultural narratives. Her academic journey reflects an interdisciplinary approach, integrating communication theories with computational methodologies.

💼 Experience

Yanchun has conducted extensive data analysis at the State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, focusing on public opinion trends. At the National Broadcast Media Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, she developed a systematic media monitoring ledger. She has collaborated on international research, applying social network analysis and topic modeling to urban communication and media ethics. Her studies on deepfake resurrection, AI-generated narratives, and crisis communication have contributed to scholarly discourse in media ethics. Additionally, she has served as a research assistant on digital geopolitics projects, addressing trust issues in global media.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Yanchun has received the prestigious IAMCR Urban Communication Award (2024) for her groundbreaking research. She has been recognized with first-class scholarships, an Outstanding Graduate award, and the highest-level alumni scholarship at CUC. She also holds a National Computer Level II certificate and a bilingual tour guide certification. Her research has been nominated for the Best Researcher Award at the International Academic Awards. These accolades underscore her contributions to media studies, computational communication, and digital ethics.

🔬 Research Focus

Yanchun’s research explores urban memory in digital media, risk communication, and ethical implications of AI-generated content. She examines visual representation in short-form media and its role in shaping public perceptions. Her work on deepfake resurrection delves into digital immortality and narrative ethics. Additionally, she investigates media trust, particularly in global crisis communication, using computational methods like DTM topic modeling and social network analysis. Her studies contribute to understanding media convergence, digital ethics, and the socio-political impact of emerging communication technologies.

Publication Top Note

Urban visual representation and ethical narrative risks

Conclusion

Dr. Yanchun Chen demonstrates exceptional research contributions, global academic recognition, and innovative methodologies in digital communication and public opinion studies. Their publications in top-tier journals, prestigious awards, and interdisciplinary research focus make them a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Dr. Daniso Beswa | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Senior lecturer, UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

Daniso Beswa is a distinguished senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. With a deep commitment to advancing food security and nutrition, Dr. Beswa brings a wealth of expertise in food technology and security to his role. 🌟

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award:

Extensive Research Contributions: Daniso Beswa has a robust portfolio of research in food science, particularly focusing on food security, indigenous food sources, and functional ingredients. His work on provitamin A-biofortified maize and the use of lesser-known local food sources highlights his commitment to addressing critical nutritional issues and advancing food science.
High-Quality Publications: Beswa has a substantial number of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, showcasing his research impact. His publications in respected journals such as Foods (Basel), Molecules, and the International Journal of Food Science reflect the quality and relevance of his work.
Supervision and Mentoring: He has successfully supervised numerous postgraduate students, including PhD and MSc candidates. This demonstrates his role in fostering the next generation of researchers and his ability to guide and mentor emerging scientists.
Community Engagement: Beswa’s involvement in community projects, such as the Gwakwani Extended Projects and teaching at local schools, indicates his commitment to applying his research in practical, community-centered contexts.
Professional Development and Teaching: His ongoing professional development and extensive teaching experience in food science and technology further support his expertise and contribution to the field.

Areas for Improvement:

Broader Impact and Outreach: While Beswa’s research is focused and impactful, increasing outreach efforts and translating his findings into policy recommendations or broader public awareness could enhance the societal impact of his work.
Grant Funding and Collaborations: Securing more substantial research grants and fostering international collaborations could elevate the scope and scale of his research projects, leading to potentially groundbreaking advancements in food technology and security.
Diversification of Research Topics: Expanding research into new and emerging areas of food science, such as sustainable food systems or innovative food processing technologies, could further enhance his research profile.

Conclusion:

Daniso Beswa is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive contributions to food science and technology, significant research output, successful supervision of postgraduate students, and community engagement underscore his exceptional qualifications. Addressing areas for improvement, such as expanding outreach and securing more research funding, could further enhance his already impressive impact in the field.

Education:

Dr. Beswa earned his PhD in Food Security from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his research centered on provitamin A-biofortified maize and its role in combating vitamin A deficiency. He also holds a Master’s in Food Technology from the University of Johannesburg, focusing on innovative uses of composite flours in breadmaking. 🎓

Experience:

As a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Beswa has conducted significant research into indigenous and lesser-known food sources as functional food ingredients. His work aims to enhance food security and nutritional quality through practical applications and innovative solutions. 📚

Research Focus:

Dr. Beswa’s current research explores the potential of indigenous and less commonly used local food sources as functional ingredients, investigating their health benefits and applications in food technology. His past research has also delved into the use of biofortified maize and composite flours. 🔬

Awards:

Dr. Beswa has been recognized for his contributions to food security and technology, although specific awards are not listed, his work is highly regarded in the field for its impact on addressing global nutritional challenges. 🏆

Publications

Effect of Cowpea and Pumpkin Powders on the Physicofunctional Properties, Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Consumer Acceptability of Soup
International Journal of Food Science
2024-01
Effect of Common Cooking and Drying Methods on Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Corchorus olitorius Identified Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Molecules
2022-12-19
Cannabis sativa Cannabinoids as Functional Ingredients in Snack Foods—Historical and Developmental Aspects
Plants
2022-12-01
Prospective Role of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables as Functional Food Ingredients
Molecules
2022-11-18
Quantification of Oil Fractions of Deep-Fried Wheat Dough and Batter Enriched with Oat and Wheat Bran
Journal of Food Quality