Africa boasts of beautiful landscapes that are rich and fertile for growing crops with significant nutritional and economic values. Over 60% of world's uncultivated arable land is in Africa and the continent is known for its exceptional food diversity and distinct culinary traditions. However, Africa still rates high globally, in food insecurity, malnourishment and hunger index.

Some of the key challenges faced are inadequate facilities and knowledge, pertaining to handling, storage, processing, safety, distribution and utilization of Africa's local food resources, and poor data management when it matters most (in the era of Arftificial Intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain technology).

Therefore, the main objective of the FSNTERG is to become a knowledge hub and provide the needed intellectual support through regular brainstorms, policy research, creating innovative ideas and developing scientific and technological processes and tools, that are uniquely fit and effective for African food and dieting cultures.

Moreover, as a continental scale research group with global significance, we are open to collaborations and partnerships.

 

Leadership of OAAD Food Science, Nutrition, Technology & Engineering Research Group

Obafemi Ibitayo Obajemihi, PhD, DEng, FHEA

Coordinator

Brief Introduction

Dr Obafemi Obajemihi is a passionate academic who specializes in food processing, nutrition and safety, and for the past decade has conducted innovative research for tackling challenges predominant in the African food systems, especially those related to food loss and waste. Diverse novel thermal and non-thermal food processing and preservation techniques have been deployed for improving food quality and safety, whilst extending their shelve lives and promoting year-round availabilities. During the course of his research, a strong emphasis has been placed on drying of food products using accelerated dehydration and energy saving methods, principally for fruits and vegetables. Obafemi has garnered work experience across Africa, Asia and Europe. He currently works as a Lecturer in Agricultural Technology, Land and Property Management at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Wiltshire, UK, and Visiting Associate Professor, Advanced Institute for Agri-technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

He is a Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK, Member, UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero (AFN Network+), American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and a certified Professional Engineer in Nigeria (COREN). He has published numerous articles in reputable top-tier SCI journals in the field of Food Science and Engineering and has reviewed papers for most scholarly publishers including Springer Nature, Taylor and Francis, Wiley-Blackwell and Elsevier.

Contact:

Email: obafemiobajemihi@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obafemi-ibitayo-obajemihi-10a3938a/

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Obafemi-Obajemihi

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4270-4394

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-io1vywAAAAJ&hl=en

Work profile: https://www.rau.ac.uk/about-rau/our-staff/dr-obafemi-obajemihi

African Scientist Directory: https://africanscientists.africa/business-directory/obajemihi/

Keren Addo, PhD.

Secretary

Brief Introduction

Dr Keren Addo is a food scientist specializing in food safety, microbiology, and shelf-life stability. She earned her PhD in Food Science and Engineering from South China University of Technology and is currently pursuing an MSc in Food Science at Texas Tech University, where she serves as a Graduate Research Assistant. Her research explores antimicrobial interventions, meat product shelf-life, and biofortification of fresh produce. Dr. Addo has published several peer-reviewed articles and is an active member of Institute of Food Technologist (IFT), American Meat Science Association (AMSA), and International Association for Food Protection (IAFP).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keren-addo-84406a110

Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WiXREqEAAAAJ&hl=en

Research gate: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WiXREqEAAAAJ&hl=en