Yuyun Lu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Dr. Yuyun Lu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Research Fellow | National University of Singapore | Singapore 

Yuyun Lu is a Research Fellow at the Department of Food Science and Technology, National University of Singapore, where she has been contributing to advanced research in food science since 2017. Her work focuses on functional foods, food bioprocessing, fermentation technology, food chemistry, and the development of value-added products from agricultural and food industry by-products. With more than 80 scholarly publications, she has built a strong international research profile in areas such as probiotic and functional beverage development, metabolomics-guided food analysis, enzymatic modification of bioactive compounds, plant and marine-based food materials, and sustainable food innovation. Her recent studies span diverse topics including probiotic fermentation of kombu, noni fruit, okara, and spent coffee grounds, rheological and microstructural properties of fortified noodles, 3D food printing using plant and seafood proteins, bioactive organosulfur compounds, bile acid metabolism, antimicrobial food packaging, and quality preservation of seafood and fresh produce during cold storage. She is also recognized for her contributions to understanding flavor chemistry, antioxidant stability, lipid oxidation, and the bioactivity of phytochemicals such as lutein, rutin, and moringa-derived compounds. In addition to research, she is an active peer reviewer for leading journals including Food Chemistry, Food Bioscience, Trends in Food Science and Technology, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, and Food Research International, reflecting her strong standing in the global food science community. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining fermentation science, analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and food engineering, Yuyun Lu’s research supports the development of healthier, safer, and more sustainable food systems, bridging fundamental food chemistry with practical industrial applications and functional nutrition.

Profiles: ORCID | Scopus 

Featured Publications

Lu, Y., Zhang, M., & Huang, D. (2022). Dietary organosulfur-containing compounds and their health-promotion mechanisms. Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, 13, 325–346. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-food-052720-010127

Tay, J. U., Zhou, C., Lee, H. W., Lu, Y., & Huang, D. (2023). 3D printing of salmon fillet mimic: Imparting printability via high-pressure homogenization and post-printing texturization via transglutaminase. Food Hydrocolloids, 139, 108564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108564

Liu, Y., Yuan, W., Lu, Y., & Liu, S. Q. (2021). Biotransformation of spent coffee grounds by fermentation with monocultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lachancea thermotolerans aided by yeast extracts. LWT, 136, 110751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110751

Tan, X., Li, H., Huang, W., Ma, W., Lu, Y., & Yan, R. (2023). Enzymatic acylation improves the stability and bioactivity of lutein: Protective effects of acylated lutein derivatives on L-O2 cells upon H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Food Chemistry, 403, 135393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135393

Lu, Y., Teo, J. N., & Liu, S. Q. (2022). Fermented shellfish condiments: A comprehensive review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 21(3), 2096–2122. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.13024

Yuyun Lu’s research advances global food science through innovative fermentation, functional foods, and sustainable bioprocessing that transform agri-food by-products into high-value nutrition. Her work bridges fundamental food chemistry with real-world industrial applications, supporting healthier diets, food safety, and circular bioeconomy solutions worldwide.

Rajesh N Udavant | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Rajesh N Udavant | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Graduate Research Assistant at University of Georgia, United States

Rajesh N. Udavant is an emerging researcher in agricultural entomology with expertise in plant–insect interactions, host plant resistance, functional genomics, transcriptomics, and RNAi-based pest management. Currently pursuing graduate research at the University of Georgia, he has contributed significantly through international collaborations, including impactful work at ICRISAT on genome-wide gene identification and RNAi applications. His academic record, combined with technical proficiency in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and insect behavioral assays, reflects a strong multidisciplinary foundation. Rajesh has published in reputed journals and authored book chapters, with his research gaining recognition through best presentation awards and fellowships. He actively engages in scientific communities, demonstrating leadership and commitment to advancing sustainable crop protection. With growing global research exposure and impactful contributions, he holds strong potential to shape future directions in entomological research and agricultural innovation.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Rajesh N. Udavant has pursued a strong academic path in agricultural sciences with specialization in entomology. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences from the College of Agriculture, Pathri, under VNMKV, India, where he built a foundation in crop protection and integrated pest management. He then completed a Master of Science in Agricultural Entomology from VNMKV with a thesis focusing on resistance mechanisms in chickpea against Helicoverpa armigera, employing advanced biochemical and morphological analyses. His master’s program allowed him to integrate traditional agricultural knowledge with molecular-level techniques, providing him with a competitive edge in the field of pest resistance studies. Currently, Rajesh is engaged in graduate-level research at the University of Georgia, USA, where he is specializing in functional genomics, transcriptomics, and RNAi approaches in vegetable entomology.

Professional Experience

Rajesh has acquired diverse professional experience through his roles as Research Fellow and Graduate Research Assistant across leading institutions. At ICRISAT, India, he contributed to genome-wide identification and RNAi-based gene silencing studies in Fall armyworm, gaining hands-on expertise in molecular entomology and metabolomics. As Senior Research Fellow at the Plant Protection Division, ICAR-CICR, he focused on morphological resistance in cotton against bollworms, integrating biocontrol agents into IPM strategies. Currently, at the University of Georgia, Rajesh is actively involved in transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to understand plant defense and insect resistance mechanisms, particularly in whitefly–tomato interactions. His professional experience reflects strong international collaborations, technical adaptability, and consistent contributions to advancing crop resilience research. These roles demonstrate his ability to bridge laboratory innovations with applied pest management solutions.

Research Interest

Rajesh’s research interests lie at the intersection of molecular biology, entomology, and sustainable agriculture. His core focus is on plant–insect interactions, exploring functional and comparative genomics, host plant resistance, and RNAi technology to develop novel pest management strategies. He is particularly interested in transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to unravel complex defense responses in plants against major insect pests such as whiteflies, bollworms, and fall armyworms. Rajesh’s work seeks to identify and validate molecular targets that can enhance crop resistance to biotic stressors, thereby reducing dependency on chemical pesticides and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. His research aims to integrate cutting-edge genomic tools with traditional crop protection methods, contributing to the development of climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems that can meet global food security challenges.

Awards and Honors

Rajesh has been recognized for his academic and research contributions with several awards and fellowships that highlight his growing impact in agricultural sciences. He was honored with the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Entomology Student Conclave organized by the Entomological Society of India, reflecting his ability to communicate complex research effectively. He also received the Best Poster Award at the ICAATAS International Conference for innovative contributions in crop protection research. Additionally, he was awarded the prestigious Sharad Pawar Agriculture Innovation Fellowship for his outstanding performance and potential in agricultural research. These recognitions not only validate his research excellence but also highlight his commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in crop protection, strengthening his profile as a promising researcher in the global scientific community.

Research Skills

Rajesh possesses a wide range of technical and analytical skills spanning molecular biology, bioinformatics, entomology, and data analysis. His expertise includes RNA/DNA isolation, PCR, RT-qPCR, dsRNA synthesis, transcriptomic analysis, HPLC, UPLC-Q-TOF, and protein profiling. In bioinformatics, he is skilled in RNA-Seq data analysis, gene annotation, phylogenomics, synteny analysis, and metabolomics using platforms such as DESeq2, Galaxy, STRING, and MetaboAnalyst. He is proficient in programming languages like R, Python, and MATLAB, which he applies to statistical analysis and image processing. Additionally, he has practical skills in insect handling, rearing, and conducting behavioral assays with pests like whiteflies, bollworms, and Spodoptera. His strong technical repertoire, combined with global research exposure, positions him as a versatile researcher capable of addressing complex agricultural challenges through integrated and innovative approaches.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Biochemical and biophysical responses against Helicoverpa armigera Hub. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in chickpea
Authors: Udavant Rajesh, Bantewad Sanjeev, Pawar Archana, Bhede Baswaraj
Year: 2024
Citation: Udavant Rajesh, Bantewad Sanjeev, Pawar Archana, & Bhede Baswaraj. Biochemical and biophysical responses against Helicoverpa armigera Hub. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in chickpea. International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research, 8(4), 525–532. DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i4g.1002

Title: Response Evaluation of Chickpea Genotypes for Resisting Helicoverpa armigera (Hub) Throughout Growing Season & Correlating with Yield Parameter
Authors: Udavant R., Bantewad S., Rani R., Radhika R., Tupe A.
Year: 2024
Citation: Udavant R., Bantewad S., Rani R., Radhika R., & Tupe A. Response Evaluation of Chickpea Genotypes for Resisting Helicoverpa armigera (Hub) Throughout Growing Season & Correlating with Yield Parameter. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 9(2).

Title: Metagenomics: Unraveling the microbial world in agriculture
Authors: Udavant R. N., et al.
Year: 2024
Citation: Udavant R. N., et al. Metagenomics: Unraveling the microbial world in agriculture. From Cells to Ecosystems: Exploring Life Sciences Research, Vol. 1, pp. 15–27.

Title: Biotechnological approaches against borer complex in Saccharum spp.
Authors: Udavant R. N., et al.
Year: 2022
Citation: Udavant R. N., et al. Biotechnological approaches against borer complex in Saccharum spp. Futuristic Trends in Biotechnology, Vol. 2, Book 28, Chapter 15.

Conclusion

In summary, Rajesh N. Udavant embodies the qualities of a dedicated and impactful agricultural researcher with a strong academic foundation, diverse professional experiences, and innovative research contributions. His expertise in molecular entomology and sustainable pest management demonstrates both depth and breadth, aligning with pressing global agricultural needs. Recognized through multiple awards, fellowships, and international collaborations, he has proven his ability to excel in both research and scientific communication. His technical skills, combined with a clear vision for sustainable farming practices, reflect his potential to contribute significantly to global food security and crop resilience. Rajesh is not only deserving of recognition such as the Best Researcher Award but also holds the promise of becoming a future leader in agricultural sciences, bridging science, innovation, and community impact.