Dr. Pankaj Pathare is an Associate Professor of Postharvest Technology at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. Before joining SQU, he worked as a researcher at Newcastle University, UK and Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Over the years, he has gained expertise in postharvest technology & food engineering which includes quantification of Postharvest losses during transportation, Mechanical damage of perishables, Food granulation, Food drying and cooling, Structural design for ventilated corrugated packaging, Renewable energy in food processing and Energy efficient production processes in SME food & beverage industry. The research results are well documented in 68 original scientific papers published in international peer-reviewed journals and several conference presentations. According to the Scopus, his H-index is 19 & citation - 3202. In 2021, he was recognized among World's Top 2% scientists around the world, published by Stanford University, USA. He is a member of the editorial board for several international research journals. Professor Umezuruike Linus Opara is a Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Chair of SARChI Postharvest Technology and founding Director – Africa Institute for Postharvest Technology. Graduated with BEng/MEng in Agricultural Engineering (cum laude) from the University of Nigeria, PhD from Massey University, New Zealand, and published over 320 peer-reviewed articles/book chapters, graduated over 70 MSc/MEng/PhD students, and recognized by Web of Science Group as a “Highly Cited Researcher” – “world's most influential researchers of the past decade”. Numerous awards and honors include the African Union’s Kwame Nkrumah Continental Award for Life and Earth Sciences – Africa’s highest research award for senior researchers, IMPRESSA Award for “excellence in research and building Africa’s human resources capacity”, Distinguished Researcher Award by Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, and Chancellor’s Award for “sustained excellence in research” by Stellenbosch University. Founding Editor-in-Chief – International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, founding President – Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering, and past President – International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
