Sponsored by University of Lima

Food science is a creative enterprise where curiosity and demand are the key drivers in what’s becoming a rapidly advancing area of science.

But what happens when such breakthroughs actually offer solutions to real-world problems and have genuine health benefits? We spoke with the experts at the University of Lima to find out more.

The functional drink that helps prevent diseases

Credit: University of Lima

A team of researchers led by Nancy Chasquibol Silva, researcher at the Scientific Research Institute (IDIC), at the University of Lima, has recently created a functional drink that is believed to be able to help prevent chronic non-communicable diseases, such as Type 2 Diabetes.

Thanks to the support of top-level, strategic, international alliances with the Institute of Fats (CSIC) in Sevilla, Spain, and the National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI) in Argentina, the team were able to design a drink that acts as “a substitute for carbonated drinks, nectars and juices containing high levels of sugar and artificial colors that are harmful to health,” said Nancy.

“We based it on the trends of current consumers who seek to consume natural and healthy products with green labels, i.e. with functional ingredients, with no additives or added sugar.

“The drink has a high content of omega-3, natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, no saturated fats or trans fats, no added sugar, and low content of sodium.” 

The project was born with a social perspective that was focused on promoting the commercial development of Peru’s rich biodiversity and helping prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

Thanks to the microencapsulation technology and bioactive components that improve the drink’s nutritional and functional properties, the drink was turned into an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cholesterolemic and anti-thrombotic product.

Credit: University of Lima

“The industrialization of products from the Peruvian biodiversity such as sacha inchi and camu camu will improve the quality of life of farmers and their families. Moreover, using by-products such as peels of fruits like mango and camu camu will help reduce environmental impact,” added Nancy, who also works as professor of the Industrial Engineering undergraduate program at the University of Lima.

The research project is part of the University of Lima’s purpose to inspire the country with new ways of doing business under the banner of research that serves society. The project was also presented at the University of Lima during the I Functional Food Expo: Putting Value on the Peruvian Biodiversity.

Take a look at this short video to find out more. 

Meatless meat for everyone

Advances in food science have seen the likes of plant-based meat substitutes become part of the everyday grocery basket and restaurant menu.

Environmental and health concerns about the quantity of meat produced and eaten by society have led to a notable rise in the production and consumption of vegetarian and vegan foods that mimic the taste, texture and image of genuine meat products.

From meatless burgers to meatless sausages, it’s believed these foods offer a healthy and sustainable take on familiar meat favorites, and it’s a bandwagon people are happily jumping onto.

Scientists are also working on developing lab-grown meat, which despite some sticky ethical questions, could one day offer a genuine solution in helping to reduce the animal agriculture carbon footprint as well as improve animal welfare.

CBD oil’s medicinal properties

There is a growing public awareness of cannabidiol – also known as CBD – and its potential health and medical properties. Research studies have found it can potentially help relieve anxiety and pain, while other studies have even found it can help reduce the number of epileptic seizures in some patients.

Although CBD is derived from the hemp plant, it doesn’t contain the psychoactive ingredient, THC. In very low doses in commercially viable products, such as olive oils and coconut oils, many use CBD oil in baking and cooking.

At the moment, there is still a severe lack of good scientific evidence to back up the supposed health benefits of CBD, but research is continuing.

Seaweed water capsules that help prevent plastic pollution

In a bid to reduce the number of plastic bottles used in this year’s London Marathon, volunteers handed out biodegradable water capsules to runners instead.

Over 30,000 capsules were handed out to runners who could either consume them whole, or simply bite into them to release the liquid inside.

The capsules were made of brown seaweed extracts as seaweed’s natural membrane makes it the ideal resource for creating a biodegradable product. No farmland, water or fertilizer is needed to harvest it either. 

This means that if the capsules aren’t consumed then the discarded wrapping can simply be left to biodegrade in a matter of weeks (around the same amount of time as a piece of fruit).

If consuming seaweed water pods is what it takes to help save the world, then so be it!

3D printed food offers nutritionally balanced meals

In what’s becoming a world full of endless possibilities, the concept of 3D-printed food is just one of them.

It’s believed 3D food printers can offer an innovative solution to people who struggle to eat and process solid foods by printing nutritionally balanced meals. There are even suggestions the technology could be used to print meat products as a more sustainable way to create meat.

Although the idea is difficult to get your head around at the moment, in the future buying a 3D food printer could be as common as buying a toaster or microwave oven.

Sponsored by Duke Kunshan University

Electrical and computer engineering – a hybrid of electrical engineering and computer programming – is quite possibly becoming the most rapidly evolving field of technology in the world today.

From designing pioneering medical equipment such as surgical robots and monitoring devices to help patients and identify diseases, to creating sustainable energy and power systems to measure and combat climate change, 21^st century technologies in electrical and computer engineering are transforming the world.

We’ve teamed up with Duke Kunshan University to find out what studying a master’s in electrical and computer engineering is all about, with a few interesting facts along the way.

You’ll become an innovator

You’ll be at the forefront of future technologies, using your math and science expertise to design and develop affordable, efficient, accessible and sustainable solutions to everyday problems.

Bill Gates, Tim Berners Lee, Esther M. Conwell, Nikola Telsa, Heinrich Rudolf Hertz – all of these electrical and computer engineers have left outstanding legacies in their respective fields. Maybe you could join this list of amazing names one day?

You can help the world

While you invent and reinvent products, you’ll also be helping society at the same time. Building new technologies and products that matter is surely an incentive to consider studying this fascinating and growing field?

Because, let’s face it – electrical and computer engineers are indispensable to society – without them, well, you wouldn’t even be reading this article for a start.

You’ll have the opportunity to study in two countries

That is, if you study the Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke Kunshan University. Students can get the best of both global powerhouses as they spend their first year studying in mainland China, and then travel to the US in their second year to study at Duke University, in North Carolina. 

Electrical and computer engineering grads enjoy high starting salaries

How does an average annual salary of US$109,000 sound?

Considering the size of the electrical and computer engineering field, the demand for those with the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise is impressively high. There is, of course, the inevitable career ladder to climb, so although the starting salary may not be a six-figure sum, you can still expect a healthy salary at the start of your career.

With a degree in electrical and computer engineering, it’s easier to get on the career ladder

A degree in electrical and computer engineering opens many doors. Although you may not have given your future career path much thought just yet, the skills you’ll develop – along with the awareness of relevant contexts, such as business and environmental issues that you’ll acquire in your degree – will give you all you need to get started.

We’ve already mentioned how electrical and computer engineers can work in the healthcare and renewable energy industries, but they also work in aerospace, bioengineering, construction and manufacturing, automation, transport, entertainment (think smartphones, computer tablets and 3D television), as well as telecommunications.

You can work overseas

Even before graduating, Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering students at Duke Kunshan University have the exciting opportunity to undertake an internship in mainland China during the summer between first year and second year of their studies.

Plus, they can acquire an OPT (optional practical training) for up to 24 months after graduating, which gives them coveted access to the US job market.

You could even work for a global corporation

The technology landscape is constantly evolving and needs the next generation of electrical and computer engineers to be armed with all the right skills, knowledge and expertise.

You can follow in the footsteps of electrical and computer engineering graduates from Duke Kunshan University and work for a truly global corporation, such as Google, Facebook, Uber, Bosch, and Bloomberg.

You’ll never be bored

Thanks to the constant modification, invention and re-invention of various gadgets and products, you’ll never be bored as you put your knowledge, imagination and technical skillset is put to the test. What more could you want?

By Jenny Scott Russell – Local Leo

About a year ago I moved to London from a sleepy little town in the South East. I was ready to explore everything London had to offer, from food to festivals and more. And in the last year that is exactly what I’ve done, experiencing some of London’s greatest multicultural highlights along the way. There are countless cultures and communities intertwined and coexisting happily here and, in this post, I have listed my favorite events, areas and sites which display diversity in London at its best.

China Town for amazing Chinese supermarkets, restaurants and the Chinese New Year parade

An obvious example of a multicultural highlight in London has to be China Town. It’s located in the heart of the city, neighboring Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Soho and is very easy to find thanks to Chinatown Gate! You can wander around the area, taking in the beautiful lantern lined streets and general hustle and bustle of the place while trying to decide where to stop for dinner. There are endless Chinese options as well as some great Korean, Japanese and Malaysian restaurants to choose from. The Chinese supermarkets are always interesting to explore and if you’re lucky enough to be in London during Chinese New Year you have to experience the parade. It’s the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of China, in the world.

Brick Lane for Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine

I love exploring Brick Lane, especially on a Sunday when the long road becomes a huge street market. Exotic spices fill the air and often I find myself feeling a little transported! But this area hasn’t always been famous for its overwhelming number of Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants. Instead it has a history rich with immigration from French Huguenots moving there in the 17^th century and Irish and Jewish populations relocating to the area in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. It’s an exciting and extremely multicultural area of London, definitely a must for exploring.

Notting Hill Carnival for celebrating Caribbean culture

Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party with over two million visitors every year. After the end of World War Two, people from the Caribbean islands were encouraged to come to the UK, many of whom settled in Notting Hill. The carnivals origins lie in the rise of racial tension and the race riots of 1958. In an effort to build connections between the communities and cultures sharing Notting Hill the carnival was born. It now takes place every August bank holiday weekend and is a wild and colorful celebration of Caribbean culture. I look forward to it every year because you know it’s going to be a great party.

Kingsland Road aka Pho Mile for the best Vietnamese in London

You will often find me walking up and down Pho Mile in search of the perfect Vietnamese restaurant, but the truth is, I have loved every single one I have ever visited in the area! London has a large community of Vietnamese who fled Vietnam and the communist regime in 1975. Many settled in East London, once again showing itself as a very multicultural area of the city. And much like Brick Lane for curry houses, Kingsland Road has developed a reputation for authentic Vietnamese food. Viet Hoa started as a canteen providing affordable meals to Vietnamese immigrants and many of the other nearby restaurants are still family run. You feel the homely, family atmosphere when eating here, which is one of the reasons Pho Mile is my favorite place for a meal out.

Shri Swaminarayan Temple, the largest Hindu temple outside India

Spending the day at this beautiful temple will leave you feeling relaxed and transported! It’s Europe’s first traditional Hindu temple and was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London. You can join guided tours or explore the immensely impressive complex on your own. The craftsmanship is really something to marvel at and even though this is one of London’s lesser known sights, it is well worth a visit.

Brixton Village for authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine and culture

Like Notting Hill, Brixton saw high numbers of Caribbean people relocating to the area after the end of the Second World War. And as an ex-resident of Brixton myself, I have to say the best Caribbean food I have ever had is in Brixton Village. But it’s not just the food which creates the multicultural atmosphere so rich in this area. It’s the shops, street market and covered walkways. You can also visit the Black Cultural Archives to learn about the influence of Britain’s black community. They hold free heritage walking tours around the market, hold exhibitions and talks which you can take part in too. The nightlife in Brixton is also great with an amazing musical history, being the birthplace of David Bowie and the inspiration for the song, Electric Avenue.

Green Lanes for Kurdish, Turkish and Greek restaurants

If you think kebabs are just for nights out then Green Lanes is about to change your view on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine! The area is home to a large community of Turkish Cypriots who were later joined by Greek Cypriots attracted to the eastern Mediterranean shops and restaurants. The restaurants are authentic and inexpensive and as you wander down the road, choosing one to eat in becomes more and more impossible. They all smell so good! Green Lanes is also home to a large Kurdish, Bulgarian, Albanian and Kosovan population which is reflected in the eastern European markets and shops.

Celebrate multiculturalism at the Migration Museum London

Last but not least we have the Migration Museum, which celebrates this history of multicultural Britain. It’s the perfect place to learn about the movement of people to and from the country with a special focus on London. They aim to shed light on the central role that migration has played in making individuals and the nation what it is today.

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According to Undercover Recruiter, 84 percent of companies use social media to recruit, so if you aren’t currently using social media in your job search, you may be missing out on some great potential jobs.

It’s now commonly accepted that employers will search for your name online before conducting to see how you present yourself on social media and to judge if you would be a good fit for the company.

While you may think this means setting everything to private is the best approach, having no social media presence can also work against you as it either looks like you’re trying to cover something up, or that you simply don’t have any social media skills.

Instead, it’s a much better idea to cultivate a professional, well-presented social media presence. Read on for some tips on how to use social media to your advantage to get the perfect grad job.

Use social media and other websites to search for relevant jobs (or better yet, let them come to you)

Long gone are the days of searching in newspapers and magazines for grad jobs. Nowadays grad jobs are mostly found online and you’ll probably be well acquainted with the most popular online job boards (Reed, Monster, Indeed, Milkround).

Facebook and Twitter may not be your first port of call when looking for a grad job, but the former does actually have its own official job board, which shows you jobs in your local area, and you can also join specialist groups for job seekers as well as follow company profiles.

Twitter can be used to find postings for grad jobs by searching hashtags such as #jobpostings, #jobopening, #jobsearch and #careers. You can also use more industry-specific hashtags such as #techjobs if you know which industry you’re looking to get into.

As the ‘professional network’, it’s no surprise LinkedIn also has its own job board, showing jobs from a diverse range of companies that it thinks might be of interest to you, given what you have uploaded and searched for in the past. Some companies hire directly through LinkedIn, using the information you’ve already uploaded, and other times you are directed to the company’s website.

Get your resume online everywhere you can

LinkedIn is likely to become your best friend when it comes to social media job applications, as it is the most commonly checked social network by employers. Uploading your resume here will draw more attention to it and improve your job prospects.

LinkedIn even has a special tool where it uses keywords from your resume to generate relevant job opportunities, as well as recommending you to recruiting employers if you fit their job description.

To take full advantage of this, you should use industry buzzwords in your resume to really stand out – try searching relevant job ads on LinkedIn to see which keywords crop up and use these on your profile.  If you don’t have an account already, check out the LinkedIn students page for more information on how to set up the perfect online profile.  

Online job board sites such as Reed and Indeed are also great places to upload your resume to get attention from potential employers, especially since there is often an option to have an open resume, where employers can view your resume even if you haven’t applied for the job, with the option to send you an email if they’re interested.

The fine line between professionalism and showing your personality

Nobody wants to hire a cold, professional robot (not yet anyway), but equally, showing a potential employer too many pictures from that time you got drunk with your friends in Malta might not be ideal either. As with most things in life, it’s about balance.

Creating a website or a blog can be a great way to show your personality as well as showcase your work. Think of your website as a kind of online portfolio, and a way to show your dedication and passion for your chosen industry.

Once you’re happy your website is error free and contains good content, a great way to spread the work is to use your social media channels to promote it to your friends and followers, by posting about it and providing links to your website in your bio, as well as in your job applications.

Show your creative side when searching for jobs

Being slightly creative with your job application can sometimes be a great way to capture employers’ attention. Some people show this creativity in their CV; for example the guy who spent his last £500 on a big billboard trying to get people to hire him.

While we’re not saying that’s what you should be doing (it’s way too expensive for one thing!) it can help if you think outside the box sometimes.

Think about what’s appropriate for the job (and the company) you’re applying for. For a job in design, for example, it might make sense to be creative with your CV or cover letter to show companies what you can do.

Don’t be afraid to make speculative applications if there’s a company you really want to work for but they aren’t currently advertising. Include links to relevant social media accounts (LinkedIn, WordPress etc.) and they’ll be able to get up-to-date information about you whenever they decide to consider you for an opening. You can also contact relevant individuals on LinkedIn, sending a polite email to let them know of your interest in their firm.

Build a strong network and engage in relevant conversation

Building a strong network is probably one of the most important things you can do on social media to find a grad job, and there are plenty of ways you can do this.

Add people on LinkedIn that you meet through networking events, internships or even on your course at uni to help build your network.

You could also join groups on LinkedIn and Facebook that are relevant to you, including school and university alumni groups and groups for industries you’re interested in working in. You never know when these groups may have useful contacts that will be able to help you find a job in the future.

However just joining these groups is often not enough. Engagement is the key factor to networking – you are unlikely to be successful if you just have social media, you need to engage with people in order to build relationships.

Comment on and engage with any news or updates related to your industry, with researched and considered answers that show that you’re taking an interest in the industry.

While job searching, be a detective

No, you don’t have to become the next Sherlock Holmes, but it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on your investigative skills.

It can be easy to forget sometimes that you only need the one job, so it is always better to spend more time submitting a great application for a job you really want, than applying for many jobs quickly and putting less time into each application.

Researching the role and the company fully before you apply will make it easier to write a cover letter and give you a better indication as to whether you can see yourself being happy in the role on offer. After looking through the company’s website, the next point of call should be the company’s social media sites; Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.

A company’s social media accounts should give you a good indication of how it wants customers to portray them. For example, is the tone of the social media formal or informal? Are the images fun or strictly professional? On LinkedIn, check to see if you have any connections who work at the company, and if so, ask yourself whether you can reach out to them to put in a good word for you.