NP (Nirzar) Doshi MSc

Currently, I am a PhD Candidate at Physics and physical chemistry of foods (FPH) and Soft matter and physical chemistry (PCC).

My educational journey began with an engineering bachelor's in processing technology, followed by a master’s at Wageningen University. My fascination with ingredients interaction and phase separation in binary mixtures propelled me into this field. After completing my master's, I gained practical experience through a programming-based internship at Unilever in the Netherlands and later worked as a research assistant at FPH, focusing on predictive models for phase behavior in binary mixtures. Outside academia, I contribute to Bakerpedia and actively participate in the VLAG PhD Committee.

My current endeavor lies in the heart of a "Clean-label solutions consortium", where we are dedicated to revolutionizing plant-based foods' labels (Video) through innovation and sustainability. Our project zeroes in on structuring these products using plant proteins, focusing on the fascinating world of phase behavior, particularly liquid-liquid phase separation. This exploration isn't confined to a single type of protein but spans various biopolymers, uncovering the universality of this phenomenon.

We've recently published a review to the Soft Matter journal, titled (Click here) "Simple and complex coacervation in systems involving plant proteins" which dives into the practical applications of liquid-liquid phase separation, from microgels to films. Our research continues to push boundaries, with our latest article, "Simple coacervation in leguminous plant proteins," awaiting submission.

Our research is multifaceted, covering five pivotal areas:

1. Predictive liquid-liquid phase separation in various biopolymers.
2. Kinetics and dynamics of coacervation to tweak their properties.
3. Non-thermal processing methods for creating microgel.
4. Exploring drying parameters and properties.
5. Heat-set microgels' advantages over conventional plant protein ingredients.

This journey has led me to discuss our findings at conferences, including ESM, EFFOST 2022, ISFRS 2022, and EFFOST 2023, sharing our insights and innovations with the world.

Latest research video: