The Department of Food Science and Nutrition presents its spring 2024 seminar series featuring guest speaker Suresh Pillai, the director of Texas A&M University’s National Center for Electron Beam Research and a professor of molecular microbiology and senior faculty fellow, who will give a presentation on “Demystifying Electron Beam Food Pasteurization—Unraveling Misunderstandings.” This seminar will take place on Thursday, March 28, from 12:45–1:45 p.m. over Zoom.

Abstract

The presentation will center on the contemporary scientific advancements in electron beam food processing and its transformative impact on global food processing practices. Furthermore, it will explore how this technology can effectively tackle the food safety issues confronting the US food industry in areas such as fresh produce, spices, meat, and poultry. Additionally, the discussion will delve into the economic aspects of implementing this technology.

Biography

Professor Suresh Pillai is the Director of Texas A&M University’s National Center for Electron Beam Research and Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Senior Faculty Fellow. He is the Associate Department Head for Graduate Programs in the Food Science & Technology Department at Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow of the International Forum on Industrial Processes and has served on the FDA’s Science Advisory Board for the National Center for Toxicological Research and the Foundation for Food & Agricultural Research. His research is focused on harnessing eBeam technology for applications including food pasteurization, medical device sterilization, development of vaccines and the remediation of environmental pollutants. He is a subject matter expert for the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the NNSA- Office of Radiological Security. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed research papers, 6 reference books, 35 book chapters and has presented his research and global vision in over 70 countries.