Mr. David Ruiz | Food Packaging | Best Academic Researcher Award
PhD Student at University of La Sabana, Colombia
David Alejandro Ruiz Galeano is a Ph.D. candidate in Biosciences with a specialized focus on food packaging innovation and sustainability. With a solid foundation in environmental engineering and advanced research in polymer-based packaging materials, David blends scientific rigor with environmental consciousness. His career demonstrates a clear trajectory toward advancing food preservation methods through biodegradable and functional materials, particularly those with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. His active engagement in both academia and applied research underlines his commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in food technology and environmental stewardship.
Profiles
Google Scholar | Orcid | Research Gate
Education
David commenced his academic journey by earning a degree in Environmental Engineering from Universidad Central, Colombia, between 2011 and 2017. His undergraduate research involved a systems dynamics approach to mobile phone waste in Colombia, laying the groundwork for his interest in sustainability. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biosciences at Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia, which he began in January 2020. His doctoral research focuses on developing bio-based polyurethane films for food packaging with enhanced preservation properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant functionalities. As a member of the GEMA research group, he has contributed to studies that emphasize the intersection of food safety, materials science, and environmental impact.
Experience
David’s professional background is marked by a strong blend of research, teaching, and field application. Since 2020, he has been deeply involved in doctoral research at Universidad de La Sabana, where he has not only developed innovative food packaging materials but also led experimental design, statistical analyses, and scientific diplomacy. He has also participated in a research internship at the Universidade de São Paulo, expanding his academic and technical exposure. Between 2021 and 2024, he served as a lecturer professor at Universidad de La Sabana, teaching diverse subjects like Water Purification, Climate Science, and Environmental Management. His teaching was consistently rated highly by both students and colleagues. In earlier roles, he worked on environmental impact assessments for infrastructure projects and supported ISO 14001 implementation during an internship at Cementos Tequendama. His academic roots include a formative teaching assistant role in mathematics at Universidad Central.
Research Interest
David’s research is primarily centered around sustainable food packaging materials, especially those that utilize renewable sources to improve food safety and shelf life. His focus on bio-based polyurethanes reflects a commitment to replacing traditional plastics with biodegradable alternatives. He is particularly interested in integrating additives such as curcumin and chitosan into polymer films to provide functional benefits like antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. His secondary interests extend to system dynamics in waste management, as evidenced by his earlier work on mobile phone waste in Colombia. Through his interdisciplinary approach, David aims to bridge materials science, environmental engineering, and food technology to support global sustainability goals.
Award
David’s dedication to impactful research and communication has been recognized with the ACOFI award in 2013 for a poster presentation at the World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF) in Cartagena, Colombia. His awarded work on consumerism paradigms underscores his early inclination toward addressing systemic environmental issues through academic discourse. This recognition highlights his ability to convey complex sustainability concepts to diverse audiences, a skill that complements his research capabilities and teaching experience.
Publication
David’s scholarly contributions reflect his dual expertise in environmental analysis and food packaging innovation. Among his notable publications are:
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Testing the Shelf Life of Mozzarella-Type Cheese Packaged with Polyurethane-Based Films with Curcumin, published in Polymers (2025), cited by multiple studies focusing on bioactive packaging.
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Obtention and Study of Polyurethane-Based Active Packaging with Curcumin and/or Chitosan Additives for Fruits and Vegetables—Part I, also in Polymers (2023), which details the mechanical and barrier properties of innovative films.
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An Integrated Method of Environmental Analysis and System Dynamics for Management of Mobile Phone Waste in Colombia, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (2020), a widely cited work addressing electronic waste management.
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Rising Factors of Mobile Phone Waste: Colombian Case, published in Revista Gestión y Ambiente (2016), exploring the lifecycle and socio-environmental impact of mobile phone usage.
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Change of Paradigm on the Consumerism Conception, in Revista Educación en Ingeniería (2014), discussing behavioral shifts in consumer patterns from a systems thinking perspective.
These publications demonstrate his commitment to interdisciplinary research, spanning environmental sustainability and materials innovation, with growing academic recognition evidenced by citations.
Conclusion
David Alejandro Ruiz Galeano emerges as a dedicated and innovative researcher whose work resides at the confluence of sustainability, materials science, and food technology. His educational foundation, enriched by diverse teaching and professional experiences, underpins a strong commitment to solving real-world environmental and food safety challenges. Through impactful research and academic contributions, he aims to reshape the way materials are used in food preservation, advocating for biobased alternatives that reduce environmental impact while enhancing functionality. His career path reflects not only scientific depth but also a profound commitment to sustainable development and knowledge dissemination.