Zhaoming Xu

University of British Columbia, 1984, PhD, Food Science

University of British Columbia, 1980, MSc, Food Science

University of British Columbia, 1977, BSc, Agriculture

Current research interests include: the structure-function relationships of food and non-food related enzymes using molecular biology and various physico-chemical techniques (eg. circular dichroism spectroscopy, micro-calorimeter, small angle neutron scattering, ultracentrifugation, enzyme kinetics, etc.), carbohydrate metabolism in potatoes as it related to process quality as well as various applications of food-related nanoscale science and technology.

FNH 301 Food Chemistry I: Principles of Food Chemistry

Published Books

Yada, R.Y. (Editor). 2018. Proteins in food processing. 2nd Edition. Elsevier Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780081007228

Yada, R.Y. (Editor). 2017. Global Food Security and Wellness. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6496-3

Published Book Chapters

Mandal, R.*, Shi, Y.*, Singh, A.*, Yada, R.Y., Pratap Singh, A. 2018. Food Safety and Preservation. In Sherman P. (Ed.) Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences, Encyclopedia of Gastroenterology. Elsevier, 2nd edition: 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.65904-4

Bryksa, B.C. and Yada, R.Y. 2017. Food Biochemistry. In: Food Science and Technology, 2nd ed., Ed. Geoffrey Campbell-Platt, pp. 57-82. John Wiley & Sons. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Food+Science+and+Technology%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9780470673423

Yada, R.Y., Parr-Vasquez, C., and Bryksa, B. C. 2017. Food science and technology undergraduate and graduate curricula in North America. In: Global Food Security and Wellness. Barbosa-Cánovas, G.V et al. (Ed.). pp. 237-245. Springer

Udenigwe, C.C., Nwatchukwu, I. D., Yada, R.Y. (2017). Advances on the production and application of peptides for promoting human health and food security. Barbosa-Canova,s G., Pastore, G., Candogan, K., Meza, I., Lannes, S.C., Buckle, K., Yada, R.Y., Rosenthal, A. Global Food Security and Wellness. 1: 195-219. Published, Springer-Verlag New York (invited article)

Pinhero, R.G. and Yada, R.Y. (2016, Pages 283–314). Postharvest Storage of Potatoes. In: Advances in Potato Chemistry and Technology, second edition, Singh, J. and Kaur, L. (eds), Elsevier, Burlington, MA, USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800002-1.00010-8

Published Papers in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Dupuis, J.H., Wang, S., Song, C., Yada, R.Y.. 2020. The role of disulfide bonds in a Solanum tuberosum saposin-like protein investigated using molecular dynamics. PLOS ONE. 2020 Aug 25;15(8):e0237884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237884

Zhao, X., Tian, J., Yu, H., Bryksa, B.C., Dupuis, J.H., Ou, X., Qian, Z., Song, C., Wang, S., Yada, R.Y. Insights into the mechanism of membrane fusion induced by the plant defense element, Plant Specific Insert. Journal of Biological Chemistry. Cover article of the Journal. First Published on July 10, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA120.014311

Grahame, D.S.A., Dupuis, J.H., Bryksa, B.C., Tanaka, T., Yada, R.Y. Comparative Bioinformatic and Structural Analyses of Pepsin and Renin. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. Available online 11 July 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2020.109632

Pinhero, R.G., Liu, Q., Sullivan, J.A., Marcone, M., Yada, R.Y. The effect of potato varieties and processing methods on glycemic response. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 11(7): 1144-1162. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2020.117081

Rathore, I., Mishra, V., Patel, C., Xiao, H., Gustchina, A., Wlodawer, A., Yada, R.Y., Bhaumik, P. 2020. Activation mechanism of plasmepsins, pepsin-like proteases from Plasmodium, follows a unique trans-activation pathway. FEBS Journal. Available online: 09 May 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.15363

Cheung, L.K.Y., Dupuis, J.H., Dee, D.R., Yada, R.Y. 2020. Roles of plant specific inserts in plant defense. Trends in Plant Science. 25(7):682-694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2020.02.009

Do, D.T., Singh, J., Oey, I., Singh, H., Yada, R.Y., Frostad, J.M. 2020. A novel apparatus for time-lapse optical microscopy of gelatinisation and digestion of starch inside plant cells. Food Hydrocolloids. 104:105551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2019.105551

Astill, J., Dara, R.A., Campbell, M., Farber, J.M., Fraser, E.D.G., Sharif, S., Yada, R.Y. 2019. Transparency in food supply chains: A review of enabling technology solutions. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 91:240-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.07.024

Liang, N., Dupuis, J.H., Yada, R.Y., Kitts, D.D. 2019. Chlorogenic acid isomers directly interact with Keap 1-Nrf2 signaling in Caco-2 cells. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 457(1-2):105-118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-019-03516-9

Kretser, A., Murphy, D., Bertuzzi, S., Abraham, T., Allison, D.B., Boor, K.J., Dwyer, J., Grantham, A., Harris, L.J., Hollander, R., Jacobs-Young, C., Rovito, S., Vafiadis, D., Woteki, C., Wyndham, J., Yada, R.Y. 2019. Scientific Integrity Principles and Best Practices: Recommendations from a Scientific Integrity Consortium. Science and Engineering Ethics. 25(2):327-355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00094-3

Mishra, V., Rathore, I., Arekar, A., Sthanam, L.K., Xiao, H., Kiso, Y., Sen, S., Patankar, S., Gustchina, A., Hidaka, K., Wlodawer, A., Yada, R.Y., Bhaumik, P. 2018. Deciphering the mechanism of potent peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting plasmepsins - biochemical and structural insights. The FEBS Journal. 285(16):3077-3096 https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.14598

Dupuis, J.H., Yu, H., Habibi, M., Peng, X., Plotkin, S.S., Wang, S., Song, C., Yada, R.Y. 2018. pH dependent membrane binding of the Solanum tuberosum plant specific insert: An in silico study. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Biomembranes. 1860(12):2608-2618 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.10.001

Leite Junior, B.R.C., Tribst, A.A.L., Yada, R.Y., Cristianini, M. 2018. Milk-clotting activity of high pressure processed coagulants: Evaluation at different pH and temperatures and pH influence on the stability. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. 47:384-389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2018.04.006

Rappaport, A.I., Whitfield, K.C., Chapman, G.E., Yada, R.Y., Kheang, K.M., Louise, J., Summerlee, A.J., Armstrong, G.R., Green, T.J. 2017. Randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a reusable fish-shaped iron ingot to increase hemoglobin concentration in anemic, rural Cambodian women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 106(2):667-674. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.117.152785

Bryksa, B.C.*, Grahame, D.A.* and Yada, R.Y. 2017. Comparative structure-function characterization of the saposin-like domains from potato, barley, cardoon thistle and Arabidopsis aspartic proteases. Biochim. Biophys Acta Biomembranes. 1859(5): 1008:1018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.02.007

Dupuis, J.H.*, Tsao, R., Yada, R.Y., and Liu, Q. 2017. Physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of potato starch after inclusion with vanillic acid. LWT - Food Science and Technology. 85: 218-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2017.07.010

Mazorra-Manzano, M.A., Ramírez-Suarez, J.C., Yada, R.Y. 2017. Plant proteases for bioactive peptides release: A review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 10:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1308312

Amjad, A., Randhawa, M.A., Butt, M.S., Asghar, M., Yada, R.Y., Pinhero, R.* 2017. Screening potato cultivars for low sugar accumulation during storage at various storage temperatures. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 54(2):343-347. https://doi.org/10.21162/PAKJAS/17.5062

Bryksa, B.C. and Yada, R.Y. 2017. Protein structure insights into the bilayer interactions of the Saposin-like domain of Solanum tuberosum aspartic protease. Scientific Reports. 7(1):16911. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16734-2

Leite Júnior, B.R.C., Tribst, A.A.L., Yada, R.Y., Cristianini, M. 2017. Biophysical evaluation of milk-clotting enzymes processed by high pressure. Food Research International. 97:116-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.03.042

Wilson, J., Zhang, J., Lomas, C., Lavkulich, L., Yada, R.Y. 2017. Instructors’ perspectives on learning technologies in the multidisciplinary Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Information and Education Technology. 7(10): 772-782. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2017.7.10.971

Jaafar, A.H., Xiao, H., Dee, D.R., Bryksa, B.C., Bhaumik, P., Yada, R.Y. 2016. The prosegment catalyzes native folding of Plasmodium falciparum Plasmepsin II. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. 1864(10): 1356-1362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbapap.2016.06.019

Dupuis, J.H.*, Lu, Z.-H., Yada, R.Y., Liu, Q. 2016. The effect of thermal processing and storage on the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of potatoes. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 51(10): 2233-2241. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.13184

Bedi, R.K., Patel, C., Mishra, V., Xiao, H., Yada, R.Y., Bhaumik, P. 2016. Understanding the structural basis of substrate recognition by P. falciparum plasmepsin V (pfPMV) to develop potent inhibitors. Scientific Reports. 6: 31420. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep31420

Rajendran, S.R.C.K., Udenigwe C.C., Yada, R.Y. 2016. Nanochemistry of protein-based delivery agents. Frontiers in Chemistry. 4:31. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2016.00031 (invited article)

Tian, J., Bryksa, B.C., and Yada, R.Y. 2016. Feeding the world into the future - Food and nutrition security: the role of food science and technology. Frontiers in Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1174958

Pinhero, R.G., Tsao, R., Liu, Q., Sullivan, J.A., Bizimungu, B., Yada, R.Y. 2016. Protein and phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of 14 early maturing potatoes as affected by processing. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 7:69-81 https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2016.71008

Pinhero, R.G., Waduge , R. N., Liu, Q., Sullivan, J. A., Tsao, R., Bizimungu, B., Yada, R.Y. 2016. Evaluation of nutritional profiles of starch and dry matter from potato varieties and its estimated glycemic impact. Food Chemistry . 203:356-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.040

Fraser, E., Legwegoh, A., Krishna K.C., CoDyre, M., Dias, G., Hazen, S., Johnson, R., Martin, R., Ohberg, L., Sethuratnam, S., Sneyd, L., Smithers, J., Van Acker, R., Vansteenkiste, J., Hannah Wittman, H., Yada, R.Y. 2016. Biotechnology or organic? Extensive or intensive? Global or local? A critical review of potential pathways to resolve the global food crisis. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 48:78-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2015.11.006

Soro, L.C., Munier, S., Pelissier, Y., Grosmaire, L., Yada, R.Y., Kitts, D., Ocho-Anin Atchibri, A.L., Guzman, C., Boudard, F., Menut, C., Robinson, J.C., Poucheret, P. 2016. Influence of geography, seasons and pedology on chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils from Lippia multiflora mold leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 194:587-594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.047

Lu, Z.H., Donner, E., Yada, R.Y., Liu, Q. 2016. Physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestibility of potato starch/protein blends. Carbohydrate Polymers. 154: 214-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.08.055

Dee, D. R., Myers, B., Yada, R.Y. 2015. Foldase and inhibitor functionalities of the pepsinogen prosegment are encoded within discrete segments of the 44 residue domain. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. 1854:1300-1306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.05.006

Guo, Q., Kang, J., Wu, Y., Cui, S.W., Hu, X., Yada, R.Y. 2015. A molecular modeling approach to understand the structure and conformation relationship of (GlcA)Xylan. Carbohydrate Polymers. 134:175-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.06.036

Gayin, J., Bertoft, E., Manful, J., Yada, R.Y., Abdel-Aal, E.M. 2015. Molecular and thermal characterization of starches isolated from African rice (Oryza glaberrima). Starke. 67:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/star.201500145

Abstracts and/or Papers Read

Dee, D., Araghi, L.R., Yada, R.Y. 2020. The Effects of Species and Strain-type on Self-assembly of Protein Nanofibrils. Virtual 2020 AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo. June 29.

Do, D.T., Singh, J., Oey, I., Singh, H., Yada, R.Y., Frostad, J.M. 2020. Particle Cohort Study (ParCS): a method for mechanistic investigation of the influence of microstructure on digestion. 4th Food Structure and Functionality Forum Symposium. Clayton Hotel Cork City, Cork, Ireland. October 18-21.

Dee, D., Yada, R.Y., Cavender, G., Zamani, S., Araghi, L., Robertson, A. 2020. Recent Advances of Nanoscale Science in Food Applications The assembly, functionality, and safety of food protein nanofibrils. IUFoST 20th World Congress of Food Science and Technology. Auckland, New Zealand (S65), August 16-20.

Varilla, C., Pinhero, R.G., Yada, R.Y., Marcone, M. F. 2019. Quality aspects of cooked early potatoes in relation to polyphenols/antioxidant content using a new LC-MS/MS technique (Method Development and Application). Poster presentation at Plant Canada 2019, University of Guelph, ON, Canada (page 236), July 7-10.

Varilla, C., Pinhero, R.G., Marcone, M. F., Yada, R.Y. 2019. Are sensory attributes of potatoes affected by the polyphenol contents? Poster presentation at Plant Canada 2019, University of Guelph, ON, Canada (page 236), July 7-10.

Oliveira, R., Queiroz Luz, J.M., Pinhero, R., Yada, R.Y., Lana, R. M., Silva, J.R. 2018. Potassium fertilization in potatoes varieties. 10th World Potato Congress – XXVIII Congreso de la Asociación Latinoamericana de la Papa. Cusco, Peru. May 27-31, 2018.

de Castro Leite Júnior, B.R., Lima Tribst, A.A., Yada, R.Y., Cristianini, M. 2017. Milk-clotting activity of high pressure processed coagulants: evaluation at different pH and temperatures. European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST), Melia Sitges, Sitges, Spain, November 13-16.

Azin Amiri, Mohamad R, Scaman, C, Yada, R.Y. 2017. Maximizing Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 Biomass under Respiration-Permissive Conditions in Batch Cultivation. BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, Montreal, QC, Canada, July 23-26.

Yada, R.Y. and Grant, N.J. 2017. Recent trends and challenges in food and food packaging using nanoscience/nanotechnology. International Society Food Applications Nanoscale Science - ISFANS 2017. Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. June.

Yu, H., Dupuis, J., Wang, S., Yada, R.Y., Song, C. 2017 A membrane-fusion antimicrobial mechanism utilized by the plant-specific insert of Solanum tuberosum. Quantitative Biology 2017: Computational and Single-Molecule Biophysics. Peking University, Beijing, China. June 23-27.

Dupuis, J. and Yada, R.Y. 2017. Membrane Interactions of the Solanum tuberosum Plant Specific Insert (StPSI). Quantitative Biology 2017: Computational and Single-Molecule Biophysics. Peking University, Beijing, China. June 23-27.

Yada, R.Y., Bryksa, B., Grant, N.J. 2017. Feeding the world into the future: the role of food science and technology. Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST). Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. June.

Rajendran, S., Yada, R.Y., Udenigwe, C. 2017. Chemistry Underlying the Preparation and Functionality of Protein-based Nanodelivery Systems. 2017.AOCS Annual Meeting and Industry Showcases, Orlando, Florida, April 30-May 3.

Alrifai, O, Pinhero, R.G., Sullivan, J.A., Bizimungu, B., Yada, R.Y., Marcone, M.F. 2017. Evaluation of quality as affected by storage and processing on main crop potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties. Poster presented for Food Safety Quality Analysis presentation on April 13, University of Guelph.

Rappaport, A.I., Whitfield, K.C., Khin, K.M., Chapman, G.E., Yada, R.Y., Summerlee, A.J., Armstrong, G.A. and Green, T.J. 2016. The efficacy of an iron ingot in improving hemoglobin concentration in rural Cambodian women: a randomized control trial: an interim analysis. Micronutrient Forum, Cancun, October.

Pinhero, R.G., Tsao, R., Liu, Q., Sullivan, J.A., Bizimungu, B., Yada, R.Y. 2016. Effect of genotype and processing on estimated glycemic load of table potatoes. Canadian Plant Physiology Meeting.

• Harraways 1867 Visiting Professor, University of Otago, New Zealand, 2019
• Honorary Professor, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, China, 2009-2018
• Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Guelph, 2017
• Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Food Protein Structure, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 2003-2014
• Distinguished Nutrition Leadership Award, Danone Institute Canada , 2014
• Heart and Stroke Award for Volunteer Excellence , 2011
• Fellow, Institute of Food Technologists , 2011
• G.P. McRostie Faculty Award, OAC Alumni Association , 2009
• Fellow, International Academy, International Union of Food Science and Technology , 2006
• President’s Award, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology , 2006
• Honorary Class President, Ontario Agric. College Graduating Class , 2006
• Distinguished Researcher Award, OAC Alumni Association , 2002
• Emeritus Editor in Chief, Food Research International Journal , 1998
• Fellow, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology , 1997
• Honorary Class President, Ontario Agric. College Graduating Class , 1996
• W.J. Eva Award, Outstanding Research and Contribution, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology , 1993

Scholarly and Professional Activities

Member, UBC Dimensions Pilot Steering Committee
2020/9-2021/12

Chair of the Science Advisors, North America Scientific Leadership Council, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
2020/1-Present

Member, Search Committee, Chancellor, University British Columbia
2019/10-Present

Member, Cross Collaboration Task Force, UBC Vancouver and Okanagan
2019/9-Present

Co-chair, Cascadia Innovation Corridor Sustainable Agriculture Sub-committee
2019/4-Present

Chair, North American Advisory Board, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
2019/1-Present

Vancouver Appointed Representative, UBC Council of Senates
2018/9-Present

Member, Science Advisory Panel, AgResearch, New Zealand (Research Organization)
2018/6-Present

Member, Board of Directors, Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada (NHPRS)
2017/7-Present

Member, Arrell Food Institute Advisory Board, University of Guelph
2017/3-Present

Reviewer and Member Scientific Advisory Board, Seeding Food Innovation grants, George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited
2017/1-Present

Mentor, Aboriginal Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program, University of British Columbia
2017/1-Present

Member, Board of Directors, Bioenterprise, Canada
2017/1-Present

Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Riddet Institute, New Zealand
2016/1-Present

Honorary Advisory Board Member, International Association for Traditional and Complementary Medicine (IATCM)
2016/1-Present

Member, Senate Academic Policy Committee, University of British Columbia
2015/1-Present

Member, Learning Technology Leadership Team, University of British Columbia
2015/1-Present

Committee Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Integrative Health Institute, University of Alberta
2015/1-Present

International Advisory Board, International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
2010/1-Present

Reviewer, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grants
1987/1-Present