AgroFood Congress at Yachay Tech

Research Lines

Alternative Proteins

This line of research aims to explore and develop alternative protein products derived from precision fermentation, plant-based sources, insect sources, and cultivated meat aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 9, and 12 and other relevant related to the SDG lines. As the global demand for sustainable food alternatives continues to rise, understanding how to position and promote these innovative products effectively becomes critical for Belt and Road countries.

Agricultural Science

This line of research aims to maximize the productivity and sustainability of using natural resources. Ecuador is identified as a highly productive country with opportunities. Still, like many other countries in the process of industrialization, it is known that the accelerated growth rate of its imports is greater than that of its exports. This results in what, in economic terms, is known as an unbalanced productive structure. For this reason, there is a need for developing countries to diversify their productive activities and the processing of their raw materials to prevent them from finding themselves in inferior situations by 2030 when compared to other countries in terms of economic and social achievements achieved in the last decade. It is known that supporting the country's agricultural sector and promoting the implementation of technologies in production processes. This research line also addresses fundamental public health, animal welfare, and environmental protection issues.

Agroindustry Research, Development and Innovation

This research line aims to promote technological innovation and develop sustainable solutions that optimize the use of local agro-industrial resources. This line focuses on taking advantage of the potential of local raw materials, innovating in biotransformation processes, guaranteeing food safety and quality, and developing preservation methods that extend the shelf life of products efficiently and sustainably.

Market Research of Agroindustrial and Agricultural Products

This line of research aims to understand the dynamics of the markets of agro-industrial products, consumers, and business management strategy. From a functional point of view, this line of research explores the interactions between supply, demand, and the agro-industrial value chain. From an interactive point of view, this line of research seeks to understand the consumer and the factors that affect their decision to consume agro-industrial products.

Document Submission Guidelines

Below you will find the necessary information for the submission of papers, abstract submission, formats, and acceptance of works. If you have any questions, you may contact us at eciaa-agrofood@yachaytech.edu.ec 

Abstract Submission

Abstracts will be accepted according to the following specifications:

Authors

Each author may submit 1 to a maximum of 3 papers.
There is no limit to the number of co-authors per paper.
The author or up to two co-authors must present the work in person during the congress, either as a poster or as an oral presentation.

Abstracts

Abstracts must be written in Spanish or English.
They should have a minimum of 400 words and a maximum of 600 words, written in a single paragraph with no subtitles.

A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 images directly related to the abstract must be included.

Title

The title must be no longer than 20 words. Use capital letters only for the first word of the title, proper nouns, acronyms, and the first word after a colon (:).

Authors and Co-authors

The main author and co-authors must be listed with the last name in uppercase followed by a space and the first name also in uppercase.
The email address of the co-author who will present the work at the congress must be included.

Institution

The institution of the author and co-authors must be included as specified in the form template.

 

Images

Images must be uploaded in JPEG or PNG format with a corresponding description, as specified in the form template.
They must be figures or tables, in color or black and white.
Letters, scale bars, numbers, and symbols must be legible.

It is forbidden to submit spreadsheets, photographs, or screenshots.

Keywords

Include a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 keywords that must not repeat any words from the title.

References

A maximum of 3 references will be accepted, formatted in APA 7th edition style.

Final Document Name

Abstracts must be submitted in .docx format to the email address eciaa-agrofood@yachaytech.edu.ec by the co-author who will present the work.
The file should be named as follows: LastName_Institution_Abstract.docx
The last name must correspond to the co-author who will present the work at the congress.

The scientific committee reviewers will determine which works are accepted for presentation at the congress and the presentation format. The co-author who submitted the abstract will be notified within the established deadlines.

Prof. Qiansheng Huang

Professor in the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Huang received his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Zhejiang University. His main research interests are environment and health, addressing urban pollution, environmental toxicology, and intestinal microbiota. He was appointed Director of the Joint Laboratory of One Belt, One Road Environment and Health in Fujian Province. The director of the National Science Data Center of China for Basic Disciplines, “Environmental Health Database”. His research focuses on the signaling pathways where cells respond to external stresses and their adverse outcomes.

Prof. Marvin Moncada

Professor at North Carolina State University, Plant Food Processing with a strong academic background, he earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Food Science and Nutrition from Louisiana State University and a B.S. in Food Science and Engineering from Zamorano University. Dr. Marvin Moncada’s research interests focus on alternative and innovative food ingredients technology, designed to create novel food ingredients. He leads outreach initiatives in food processing, including training professionals in food safety and alternative proteins. He is a lead instructor for the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance and has developed training programs for the food industry. Among her recent projects is the development of microparticles of legume proteins and blackcurrant polyphenols, designed to improve protein bars' stability and sensory quality.

Prof. Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee

Professor at Hiroshima University, Japan. She is a leading researcher specializing in food science and molecular nutrition. She completed her graduate studies at the Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences at Kyushu University, earning degrees in Food Science and Biotechnology. Her research interests lie in the elucidation of food factors with potent preventive effects on lifestyle-related diseases and their mechanisms. Currently, she is interested in exploring the roles of nutrients in muscle regeneration and brain functions, and focusing on the roles of nutrients in appetite regulation for obesity prevention. She was awarded the JSBBA Award for Young Scientists in 2021 and the Young Investigator Excellent Abstract Award in 2022. She is also a member of several scientific societies, including the Society of Japanese Women Scientists (SJWS) and the American Society for Nutrition.

Prof. Mathew Cedeño

Professor at Yachay Tech University, leading the initiatives related to alternative protein development into the university through the direction of Yanapay Tech extension center, with more than 10 years of experience in the training of food science undergraduate students and more than 2.1 million dollars in grants executed has a particular interest in developing initiatives of invitro meat development, plant base proteins, precision fermentation and insect protein development.

Participation Fees

Description Waiver
Yachay Student (Not Presenting) $15,00
Yachay Student (Presenting) $0
External Attendice (Presenting with paper published) $100,00
External Attendice student (Not Presenting) $25,00
External Attendice profesional (Not Presenting) $50,00
Galapagos experience (Mobility, hotels, tours, meals) (fligth tickets not included) $400,00
Online attendice $15,00

*Galapagos Experience

Main activities:

– Visit to Galapagos National Park
– Visit the fishermen’s market and review alternative Ecuadorian foods.
– Visit to other touristic places in Santa Cruz
– Dinner

Event Schedule

DAY 1: November 10

Time frameNameTopicRoom
08:30–09:30N/ARegistration and welcoming coffeeMain Room
09:30–10:00Organizing CommitteeWelcome Address Introduction of Yachay Tech University & Scientific CommitteeMain Room
10:00–11:00Marvin MoncadaThe future of food security: scaling up plant-based alternative proteinsMain Room
11:00–11:30Industry Keynote Speakers (Name on waiting)Oral Presentations of Industry Keynote Speakers (Topic on waiting)Main Room
11:30–12:00Industry Keynote Speakers (Name on waiting)Oral Presentations of Industry Keynote Speakers (Topic on waiting)Main Room
12:00–13:00N/ANetworking Lunch
13:00–14:30Poster SessionsResearch lines
14:30–16:00Oral presentationsResearch linesThematic Room 1

DAY 2: November 11

Time frameNameTopicRoom
09:00–09:30Mathew CedenoFostering International Collaborations in Alternative Proteins for Belt and Road CountriesMain Room
09:30–10:00Sponsor Keynote Speakers (Name on waiting)Oral Presentations of Industry Sponsors (Topic on waiting)Main Room
10:00–11:00Kumrungsee ThanutchapornTechnological Advancements in In-Vitro Cultivated MeatMain Room
12:00–13:00N/ANetworking Lunch
13:00–14:30Poster SessionsResearch lines
14:30–16:00Oral presentationsResearch linesThematic Room 1
12:00–13:00N/ANetworking Lunch
13:00–14:30Poster SessionsResearch lines
14:30–15:00Oral presentationsResearch linesThematic Room 1
15:00–15:30N/AMoving to the food processing laboratories of Yachay TechN/A
15:30–16:30N/ATechnical Panels with industry leaders
- Addressing cost reduction and scaling
- Sustainable processing materials for protein sources
- Cost-efficient methodologies for scaffolding reactions		INNOPOLIS

DAY 3: November 12

Time frameNameTopicRoom
09:00–10:00Qiansheng HuangProtein production using microorganism fermentationMain Room
10:00–11:30Oral PresentationsResearch linesThematic Room 1
12:30–13:30N/ANetworking Lunch
13:30–14:00Oral PresentationsResearch linesThematic Room 1
14:00–14:30ClosureMain Room

Important Dates

About timing for presentations 

  1. Diffusion about work submission: May 1st 
  2. Deadline for work submission: Aug 1st
  3. Notification of results: Oct 1st
  4. Conference: Nov 11th