Graduate Group Memberships
- Plant Biology Graduate Group
- Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group
- International Agricultural Development
Active Member
Research and Extension Program
The focus of my research and extension program is the postharvest biology and technology of fruits, especially peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, table grapes, figs, kiwifruits, olives, and persimmons, as well as pistachios, almonds and walnuts.
The goal of my research program is to develop a better understanding of the orchard factors and postharvest factors that control fruit flavor and shelf life and to develop technology to overcome fruit industry problems. I am applying genomic techniques to identify gene(s) responsible for fruit sensory attributes (both desirable and undesirable), and investigating physiological disorders such as chilling injury.
Ongoing research activities include:
- Understanding the role of orchard factors that control fruit storage quality
- Understanding the role of environmental conditions during storage/transportation
- Developing systems to produce and deliver tasty fruit to consumers
- Understanding consumer preferences based on fresh fruit sensory attributes
- Understanding genetic control of fruit physiological disorders
- Developing markers assistant selection for important quality traits for peach
- Exploring non-destructive techniques to determine fruit maturity and/or quality
Teaching
- HRT 298 – Principles of Horticulture and Agronomy access class materials through SmartSite Portal (login)
- PLS 212 – Postharvest Biology and Biotechnology of Fruits and Nuts
- PLS 196 – Postharvest Biology and Technology
- Principles of Fruit & Nut Tree Growth, Cropping & Management (through Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center)
Professional Societies
- American Society of Horticultural Science
- International Society of Horticultural Science
- American Pomological Society
- Italian Pomological Society
- National Peach Council
- CIAD (Research Center for Food and Development of Mexico)
- Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Plant Sciences, California State University, Fresno
- University Liaison, California Fig Institute and Kiwifruit Commission
Editor, Central Valley Postharvest Newsletter
- 1992 – 2011 (PDF – 5.35 MB)