Dr. Rafiya Mushtaq is PhD in Fruit Science from SKUAST-Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Her research focuses on high density apple plantations and has been awarded India’s Prestigious Fellowship "Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research" for her Ph.D. research. She is currently a Senior Project Associate at SKUAST-Kashmir. Dr. Rafiya has authored/co-authored 20 plus research articles, 10 book chapters. She has presented her research work at many national and international conferences including the conference by ISHS and has won many best presentation awards. She has also been awarded the DST-ITS award for presenting her Ph.D. work at the international conference held by the reputed International Society of Horticultural Science. Dr. Rafiya has received many awards including the best innovative award, Excellence in research award, appreciation for innovation by Western Sydney University, Australia, and NIDHI Prayas Grant award by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. Her scientific interests include fruit physiology, molecular breeding, and metabolomic and transcriptomic studies in fruit crops. Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Nayik completed his Master’s Degree in Food Technology from Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India, and PhD from Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Sangrur, Punjab, India. He has published over 63 peer-reviewed research and review papers, and 31 book chapters, and edited eight books with Springer, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis. Dr. Nayik has also published a textbook on Food Chemistry & Nutrition and has delivered several presentations at various national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars. Dr. Nayik was shortlisted twice for the prestigious Inspire-Faculty Award in 2017 and 2018 from Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India. He was nominated for India’s prestigious National Award (Indian National Science Academy Medal for Young Scientists-2019-20). Dr. Nayik also fills the roles of editor, associate editor, assistant editor & reviewer for many food science and technology journals. He has received many awards, appreciations, and recognitions and holds membership in various International societies & organizations. Dr. Nayik is currently editing several book projects with Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature, Royal Society of Chemistry, etc. Dr. Ab Raouf Malik PhD in Fruit science, is currently Assistant Professor in Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India, He has started his career as Senior Research Fellow at Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture and has also served as Assistant Floriculture Officer in Department of Floriculture, Govt. of J&K. His research focusses on the development of new and improved cultivars in apple and other fruit crops through various approaches including mutation breeding. He has also worked on fruit nutrition and high density plantation and has published his research in many national and international reputed journals. He has also presented his work in many conference proceedings. He is currently the Coordinator and PI of many multi-institutional funded projects focussing on the creation of modern orcharding systems in apple, walnut, and other fruit crops. Dr. Malik has demonstrated many technologies like rejuvenation of apple orchards, high density apple plantations, etc. through his projects which have enhanced the livelihood of many farmers with more than 50 success stories. Dr. Malik has received many awards including the best innovator award among others.
