On November 13, 2019, the awarding ceremony of the CIFST Science and Technology Innovation Award was held in Wuhan. Prof. Yi Huaxi from the College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China (OUC), won the Distinguished Junior Faculty Award. He is the first OUC faculty member and the only one in Shandong Province this year to win the award. 

Prof. Yi is dedicated to the R&D of high-quality lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) breeding, metabolic regulation, active metabolites and functional dairy products. He has led more than 10 national and provincial research projects and published more than 80 papers, including more than 50 papers in SCI journals and more than 10 national-level patents. At present, he is an expert of China National Committee of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), a member of the academic committee of IDF, and board member of the Chinese Association of Animal Products Processing. Prof. Yi emphasizes the transformation of technological achievements and has established cooperation with domestic food enterprises such as Junlebao, Mengniu and Feihe, contributing to the economy and the society. 

The CIFST Science and Technology Innovation Award is authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Office for Science and Technology Awards. The award is presented every other year, to scientists who have made outstanding contributions and breakthroughs in food science and related fields. This year, a total of 15 young scholars received the award.