Volume 1, August 2005

Editorial Introductions

Outline

· Consulting Editor – Engineering and electronics in postharvest technology section

Stewart Postharvest Review was developed from the recognition that scientists in postharvest research are experiencing increasing difficulty in keeping up to date with the expanding volume of information published in this area. Launched in June 2005, the Journal is unique in combining a summary of advances in each topic with expert commentary from international authors on new research articles and suggestions for future research.

Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal’s main Editors and the Consulting Editor for this issue.

Editor-in-Chief Return to Top

Dr. Raghavan graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University, India in 1967. In 1970 he obtained his M.Sc. at the School of Engineering, University of Guelph, and in 1973 he obtained his Ph.D. from Colorado State University. He soon decided to pursue a research career which brought him to McGill University, where he was hired as an Assistant Professor in 1977. Dr. Raghavan was promoted to Full Professor in 1987, Department Chairperson from 1993 to 2003 and James McGill Professor since 2002.

Dr Raghavan's research has focussed on the area of post-harvest technology with emphasis on innovative methods of drying and storage. Important contributions were made in passive controlled atmosphere design and storage studies for fresh fruits and vegetables, notably with silicone membrane and diffusion channel storage systems. Dr. Raghavan’s research is presently focusing on finding more cost-efficient ways of drying agricultural and food commodities and improving the overall post-harvest handling of fresh produce in order to maximize their colour, flavour and nutritional value.

Dr. Raghavan has been a prolific researcher with 307 refereed publications, 477 paper presentations, 2 patents and 6 reports of invention. His outstanding research record is the result of dedicated enthusiasm and the large involvement of students, and technical staff. Over the years, 87 undergraduate students have carried their senior research project under his supervision as well as 46 master and 30 doctoral students.

Associate Editor Return to Top

Dr Orsat is a Research Associate of the Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, in Montreal, Canada. She coordinates the research and development activities in the postharvest handling and food processing laboratories of Professor G.S.V. Raghavan. In addition to research supervision, Dr Orsat coordinates the training activities of an international developmental project "Consolidation of Food Security in South India", a project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Dr Orsat's research focuses on development of microwave and radio-frequency applications in food processing. The latest project is examining the use of super high frequency microwave heating for food treatment applications. To date, Dr. Orsat has published 15 refereed scientific publications, presented over 40 conference presentations and published 6 book chapters.

Consulting Editor – Engineering and electronics in postharvest technology section Return to Top

Professor V.V. Sreenarayan graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Kerala University, India and did a Masters in Production Engineering from P.S.G. College of Technology, India. He obtained his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India with specialisation in Postharvest and Food Processing.

He joined the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India in 1971 and served the University in different capacities as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor until April 2004. He was the Dean for the faculty of Agricultural Engineering for about eight years at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and was a Visiting Researcher at the University of Manitoba, Canada during 1994-95.

Dr.Sreenarayanan has supervised 10 Doctoral and 19 Masters theses in Postharvest and Food Process Engineering. He published/presented 195 research/popular articles in various National and International Journals/Conferences. He was conferred with Fellow by the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers in 1998.

Presently he is the Dean (Mechanical Sciences ) at Dr.Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, India.