Dr Helen Onyeaka, an industrial microbiologist at the University of Birmingham, has been named as the newest winner of the Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award.

dr-helen-onyeaka

The prize is part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2024, which celebrate the brightest minds in the field and promote the research, group, projects, products and individuals who continue to help shape the future of applied microbiology.

The prestigious scientific award is designed for professionals, researchers, and innovators who have made significant contributions to food safety, security, and sustainable agricultural practices. It celebrates their efforts in enhancing food production methods, addressing global hunger, and contributing to sustainable industrial processes, emphasising tangible impacts in these vital areas.

Groundbreaking research

Dr. Onyeaka is an industrial microbiologist with more than 25 years of experience, whose groundbreaking research focuses on food security, sustainable food systems, and innovative microbiological solutions to global challenges. 

Her work spans academia, industry, and public policy, with a mission to translate scientific knowledge into real-world strategies that enhance food safety, reduce waste, and promote sustainable production methods. Her interest in food security and innovation stems from her dedication to addressing global challenges such as climate change and food scarcity. 

As Deputy Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), she sees the urgency in developing sustainable food production systems, particularly as climate change exacerbates global hunger and food system fragility.

Transforming food production

Through collaborations with industry and cutting-edge innovations like microbial foods and biodegradable packaging, Helen is committed to transforming food production and minimizing environmental impacts. She has made significant contributions to the field, particularly through her work in food waste valorisation, where she transforms waste into valuable products that reduce food loss and maximize resource use.

READ MORE: Winners of Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2024 announced

READ MORE: Dr Ben Swift named as winner of Basil Jarvis Prize 2023

She has pioneered advancements in ohmic baking technology, producing bread with enhanced nutritional properties, and explored the use of algae-based flour to diversify food sources while reducing the environmental impact of traditional agriculture. Her development of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to enhance the antimicrobial activity of nisin, a natural food preservative, further highlights her innovative approach to improving food safety and sustainability.

Helen also engages in global collaborations and partnerships, including strategic meetings with the Iraq Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and discussions with UK policymakers to address food security and contribute to the right to food campaign. As a registered trainer with the UK Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and in partnership with Biovitae, she has contributed to training food safety officers and developing technologies that manage antimicrobial resistance.

Passion for food security

Her passion for food security aligns with the global goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 and addressing hidden threats to food supplies from climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Dr. Onyeaka’s work exemplifies the intersection of science, innovation, and global cooperation to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges.The Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award honours the legacy of Basil Jarvis in applied microbiology by recognising and supporting outstanding achievements in this field.

To find out more about AMI’s Grants and Awards programme, visit https://appliedmicrobiology.org/membership-community/grants-awards.html.

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