Postharvest Pathology of Fresh Horticultural Produce

Prof. Lluis Palou completed a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering with major emphasis on Postharvest Plant Pathology in 2002 (University of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain). He created in 2003 the Pathology Laboratory at the Postharvest Technology Center (CTP), Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research (IVIA), Montcada, Valencia, Spain. Since 2017 he is a research professor and the head of the CTP. His main research interests are applied research and extension on general postharvest pathology of horticultural produce, mainly Mediterranean fruits such as citrus, stone fruits, pomegranate, or persimmon; integrated disease management; and alternatives to conventional fungicides. He has directed and evaluated Spanish and international research projects, supervised 4 doctoral theses, trained national and international students, and collaborated with research groups in USA, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Tunisia, or Australia. To date he has published over 75 peer-reviewed research articles (WOS h-index of 25), 16 book chapters or invited reviews, and 58 extension or technical articles. Dr. Joseph L. Smilanick completed a Ph.D. in plant pathology in 1984 under the direction of Joseph W. Eckert in the Fawcett Postharvest Laboratory of the University of California, Riverside. He was a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA ARS from 1983 to 2014. Located in Fresno and later in Parlier, California, his primary specialty has been the biology and control of postharvest plant pathogens of citrus fruit and table grapes, with a thorough understanding of the production and handling of these and other tree and vine crops. He authored or co-authored approximately 250 scientific and technical publications, many produced in collaboration with other scientists located in Israel, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Uruguay, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, or Mexico. Now a consultant, he currently reviews journal and book chapter manuscripts, manages commercial research projects, conducts crop loss investigations, presents educational seminars in shelf life and food safety, and consults on technical and regulatory issues.