Jiao Zhang

I am an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Applied Science at South East Technological University (SETU), where I teach on the Brewing & Distilling programme. I completed my Ph.D. in Food Science and Biochemistry at SETU in October 2024, with research focused on the valorisation of food by-products, plant protein functionality, microbial fermentation, and sustainable food innovation. My research interests lie in transforming underutilized resources, such as brewers’ spent grain and fruit processing residues, into high-value functional ingredients. I am particularly interested in protein extraction and modification, enzymatic hydrolysis, and the optimisation of fermentation processes to enhance nutritional, bioactive, and techno-functional properties of food ingredients. I am also passionate about developing sustainable food products, applying sensory evaluation, and exploring the role of circular economy approaches in reducing waste and creating value-added solutions for the agri-food sector. Following my Ph.D., I worked as a Laboratory Technician in the Applied Science department, before moving into my current teaching role. My work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, and I have received awards including the Irish Research Fellowship (2022) and Best Poster Presentation at the SETU Postgraduate Conference (2023).

Papers in database

3

Primary author

1 paper

Years active

2024 – 2026

Total publications

7

Total citations

27

h-index

3