Dr. GUO Yuxi | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, China

GUO Yuxi is an emerging scholar with a dynamic research profile focused on edible mushrooms, polysaccharides, and gut microbiota. She has demonstrated significant scholarly productivity and impact early in her academic career, with a high H-index of 19 and over 15 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Her work bridges fundamental biochemistry and applied food science, particularly emphasizing the bioactivity of natural compounds, postharvest preservation, and polysaccharide-based health benefits. Notably, several of her publications are listed as ESI Highly Cited Papers, reflecting the recognition and influence of her research within the scientific community. Despite still pursuing her Ph.D. at Jiangnan University, she has assumed leading roles in various studies, publishing as both first and corresponding author. Her dedication to translational research, combining biological mechanisms with practical food applications, has distinguished her as a young innovator. Her scientific contributions not only advance knowledge but also have the potential for broad application in the nutraceutical and food industries. With a focused trajectory, impactful publications, and early leadership in research, GUO Yuxi stands as a promising candidate for prestigious research awards and recognition in the field of food science, biotechnology, and nutrition.

Professional Profile

• ORCID Profile

Education

GUO Yuxi has built her academic foundation through a progressive and focused educational journey within China. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2018 from Shandong University of Technology, where she likely gained her initial training in food science, chemistry, or biological sciences. This foundational experience was followed by a Master of Science degree from Shaanxi University of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Institute of Microbiology at the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, completed in 2022. This interdisciplinary academic setup allowed her to integrate microbiological insights with applied food and health science research. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. at Jiangnan University, one of the top institutions in China for food science and technology. Her doctoral work continues to explore the bioactivity of edible mushrooms and polysaccharides, focusing on their digestion, fermentation, and biological effects. Her continuous academic progression through reputable universities demonstrates both consistency and depth in her educational background. It also highlights her growing specialization in food bioactives and gut-organ interactions. The combination of strong academic institutions and relevant disciplines has equipped her with both theoretical and experimental skills essential for leading independent research in the field of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Professional Experience

Though still a Ph.D. candidate, GUO Yuxi has demonstrated a professional level of research competence, undertaking responsibilities typically reserved for more senior researchers. Throughout her postgraduate and doctoral studies, she has been engaged in extensive experimental and publication-driven work. As a Master’s student at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, she conducted collaborative research with the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, where she gained practical experience in microbiology and advanced food biochemistry. During this time, she began to publish high-quality research, signaling early scientific maturity. Her current Ph.D. work at Jiangnan University involves complex investigations into the structural and functional properties of edible mushroom polysaccharides, in vitro digestion models, and bioactivity assays. Notably, she has acted as both first and corresponding author for numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, demonstrating leadership in project design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and submission. These activities indicate a level of independence, professionalism, and academic rigor that goes beyond the expectations of a typical doctoral student. Her ability to manage multiple studies and lead research efforts affirms her readiness for more advanced academic or industry-based roles. This trajectory underscores her suitability for awards recognizing young researchers with outstanding early-career achievements.

Research Interests

GUO Yuxi’s research interests center around bioactive compounds derived from edible and medicinal mushrooms, with a special focus on polysaccharide chemistry, biological activity, and digestive behavior. A significant portion of her work involves characterizing the structural properties of mushroom polysaccharides and elucidating their mechanisms in promoting health outcomes such as antidepressant, hypoglycemic, and antiviral effects. She is particularly interested in how these compounds behave in human digestion and how they interact with gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation, aiming to explore their potential in regulating metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Her focus on postharvest preservation strategies for mushrooms also aligns with the sustainable and functional food movement, emphasizing natural preservatives and edible coatings to maintain quality and extend shelf life. Furthermore, she is exploring cutting-edge topics such as the gut-organ axis and using advanced tools like gut-on-chip technology to better understand systemic effects. These multidisciplinary interests sit at the intersection of food science, microbiology, nutrition, and biotechnology, giving her research both scientific depth and societal relevance. Through her work, she aims to contribute to the development of functional foods and therapeutic agents that are rooted in natural products and traditional dietary elements, reimagined through modern scientific approaches.

Research Skills

GUO Yuxi possesses a robust set of research skills that reflect her multidisciplinary expertise in food chemistry, microbiology, and biomedical sciences. Her technical abilities include polysaccharide extraction, purification, and structural characterization using techniques such as FTIR, NMR, and HPLC. She is proficient in designing and executing in vitro digestion and fermentation experiments, enabling her to simulate human gastrointestinal conditions and evaluate bioactivity post-digestion. Her skillset also includes biochemical assays for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and antidepressant properties, often validated using cell culture models and metabolomic analyses. As a corresponding author, she demonstrates strong scientific writing, data interpretation, and research project management skills. She is experienced in working across multiple teams and disciplines, showcasing excellent collaborative ability. Her work also includes applications of gut-on-chip technology, indicating familiarity with organ-on-chip systems and emerging biotechnological platforms. In addition, her contributions to postharvest food preservation highlight practical knowledge in developing bioactive films and coatings. These skills position her well for both academic and industrial research environments, particularly those focusing on functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural product pharmacology. Overall, her technical competencies, combined with critical thinking and innovation, enable her to undertake complex research projects with high scientific and translational value.

Awards and Honors

Although specific details of awards or formal honors are not provided, GUO Yuxi’s research has been distinguished by the recognition of multiple publications as ESI Highly Cited Papers, which reflects exceptional citation performance within the top 1% of her field. This distinction underscores the scientific impact and relevance of her work, which is uncommon for researchers at the doctoral stage. Publishing extensively as both first and corresponding author in high-impact journals further indicates recognition from the academic community and peer reviewers. Additionally, her rapid accumulation of publications in Q1 and Q2 journals and an H-index of 19 demonstrate excellence in research productivity. These achievements likely qualify her for institutional or national-level awards for outstanding graduate research, though such accolades are not listed. Nevertheless, her trajectory suggests she is on track to receive formal recognition for her work in the near future. With more exposure to international collaborations and academic conferences, she is well-positioned to compete for early-career researcher awards, young scientist honors, and best paper awards at scholarly events. Her current academic output already surpasses typical benchmarks for graduate researchers, highlighting her eligibility for awards that honor innovation, impact, and scientific leadership at the early stage of a research career.

Conclusion

GUO Yuxi stands out as a highly capable and promising early-career researcher whose contributions have already had a notable impact in the field of food science and bioactive compounds. With a focused research agenda on edible mushroom polysaccharides, gut microbiota interaction, and natural food preservation, she has carved out a niche at the intersection of fundamental science and practical application. Her publication record, including multiple ESI Highly Cited Papers and an H-index of 19, is extraordinary for a Ph.D. candidate and reflects deep commitment, innovation, and scientific excellence. She has shown leadership by taking on first and corresponding author roles, and she has demonstrated a range of advanced experimental and analytical skills. While further international exposure and formal award recognitions could enhance her profile, her current achievements already place her among the most productive and impactful young researchers in her field. Her scientific contributions hold promise for significant advancements in functional foods and natural therapeutics. In conclusion, GUO Yuxi is an excellent candidate for a Best Researcher Award and represents the future of interdisciplinary, health-driven food research with both academic and translational impact.

Publications Top Notes

• Structural characterization and hypoglycemic activity of Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharide (CSP-3)
  Authors: Pin Gong, Yingying Ke, Xiaojuan Wang, Hui Long, Wenjuan Yang, Jing Wang, Nan Li, Yanni Zhao, Fuxin Chen, Yuxi Guo
  Year: 2024

• Siraitia grosvenorii As a Homologue of Food and Medicine: A Review of Biological Activity, Mechanisms of Action, Synthetic Biology, and Applications in Future Food
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Hui Long, Jiating Wang, Wenjuan Yang, Wenbo Yao
  Year: 2024

• Recent advances in quality preservation of postharvest golden needle mushroom (Flammulina velutiper)
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Zhenfang Deng, Zhuoya Qi, Ruotong Wang, Hui Long, Jiating Wang, Wenbo Yao, Wenjuan Yang et al.
  Year: 2023

• Protective Effect of Astragaloside IV against Cadmium-Induced Damage on Mouse Renal Podocytes (MPC5)
  Authors: Pin Gong, Shan Yue, Fuxiong Shi, Wenjuan Yang, Wenbo Yao, Fuxin Chen, Yuxi Guo
  Year: 2023

• Structure Characterization, In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Tumor Activity of Sulfated Polysaccharide from Siraitia grosvenorii
  Authors: Pin Gong, Mengrao Wang, Yuxi Guo, Hui Long, Zhineng Wang, Dandan Cui, Wenbo Yao, Wenjuan Yang, Fuxin Chen, Jianwu Xie
  Year: 2023

• Advances in Postharvest Storage and Preservation Strategies for Pleurotus eryngii
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Ruotong Wang, Zhuoya Qi, Zhenfang Deng, Aoyang Han, Hui Long, Jiating Wang, Wenbo Yao et al.
  Year: 2023

• Emerging Nanoparticles in Food: Sources, Application, and Safety
  Authors: Jian Chen, Yuxi Guo, Xianlong Zhang, Jianghua Liu, Pin Gong, Zhuoqun Su, Lihua Fan, Guoliang Li
  Year: 2023

• The Gut–Organ-Axis Concept: Advances the Application of Gut-on-Chip Technology
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Guoliang Li, Wenbo Yao, Wenjuan Yang
  Year: 2023

• Advances in the Role and Mechanisms of Essential Oils and Plant Extracts as Natural Preservatives to Extend the Postharvest Shelf Life of Edible Mushrooms
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Ruotong Wang, Aoyang Han, Zhenfang Deng, Zhuoya Qi, Hui Long, Jiating Wang, Wenbo Yao et al.
  Year: 2023

• In vitro digestion and fecal fermentation of Siraitia grosvenorii polysaccharide and its impact on human gut microbiota
  Authors: Yuxi Guo, Xuefeng Chen, Pin Gong, Mengrao Wang, Wenbo Yao, Wenjuan Yang, Fuxin Chen
  Year: 2022