About the Center
Through the postharvest research and extension programs of 11 Extension Specialists, we strive to provide relevant information to California growers, shippers, marketers, carriers, distributors, retailers, processors, and consumers of fresh horticultural crops.
The Center is housed in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis. James F. Thompson is the Center's Faculty Director, James R. Gorny is the Center's Executive Director, and administrative responsiblities are shared among staff and student assistants.
The Center receives support from contributions to our Endowment
Fund.
Reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality, safety and marketability of fresh horticultural products.
Link to PDF of Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center's brochure. Activities
September 2008
The Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center is pleased to welcome to its staff Pamela Devine in a Program Representative I position. She will serve as the center's event coordinator, including such details as event planning, and event registrations. She brings with her excellent writing and design skills and her handiwork will be seen on many of our outreach publications. She will also be responsible for processing orders for our publications. We're happy to have her on board!
August 2007 UC DAVIS POSTHARVEST EXPERT KADER RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS Prepared by Pam Kan-Rice (510) 987-0043, pamela.kan-rice@ucop.edu
A native of Cairo, Egypt, Kader earned his bachelor's degree in horticulture from Ain Shams University in Cairo, then came to the United States in 1961 to pursue graduate studies. After earning his master's in vegetable crops and Ph.D. in plant physiology from UC Davis, he returned to Cairo and joined the faculty of the College of Agriculture at Ain Shams University, where he taught courses and conducted research for six years. In 1972 he joined the UC Davis faculty and became a U.S. citizen in 1976. Kader entered the university as a premedical student, but became more interested in plant biology and transferred to the College of Agriculture. "By my second year, I became very interested in postharvest biology and the potential for increasing food availability by reducing postharvest losses," he recalled. "That is why I have spent most of my adult life learning and teaching about postharvest biology and technology of horticultural crops." His research focused on preserving the flavor and nutritional quality of intact and fresh-cut fruits. He has published more than 230 technical publications and edited and co-authored a book titled "Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops." Along with research, Kader took pride in mentoring 36 graduate students and 60 researchers who spent three months or longer in his laboratory. Among his students were Kathy Kelley Anderson, UCCE farm advisor in Stanislaus County; Mary Lu Arpaia, UC Riverside Cooperative Extension subtropical horticulturist; and James Gorny, who was recently hired as executive director of the UC Davis Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center. "He was an amazing mentor as a graduate advisor and a good friend and inspiration as I have pursued my career," said Arpaia, who is based at Kearney Research and Extension Center in Parlier. Arpaia says Kader has played an important role in the fresh fruit and vegetable industries because he kept researchers and processors focused on quality. Elizabeth Mitcham, UCCE postharvest pomologist, agreed: "He is a very strong advocate for the importance of good flavor in fruit crops that are marketed to consumers." "Adel is one of the great leaders in postharvest biology," said Mitcham, pointing to his studies related to phytonutrients in fruits, controlled atmosphere storage and understanding the biological responses of fruits to controlled atmosphere storage (atmospheres with reduced oxygen and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations). He led the UC Postharvest Biology and Technology Program by coordinating teaching, research and extension activities. He was also active in international professional societies and conferences for postharvest scientists. In 1979 he and his colleagues began offering the annual two-week Postharvest Technology Short Course, which has been attended by about 2,500 people from all over the world. The second week is a field tour from Davis down the San Joaquin Valley to Bakersfield and back via the coast, from Salinas through San Francisco, to visit about 20 postharvest handling operations for fruits, vegetables and ornamental horticulture. "The tour served many, many people over the years and I am sure it had a real impact on industry postharvest practices," said Anderson, who participated in one of the tours. Kader also organized field trips during August and September for pomology graduate students to see harvesting and postharvest handling of fruit and nut crops. In 1998 he launched the postharvest Web site (http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu), which has become the premier source of postharvest information worldwide, averaging more than 200,000 hits per month in 2007. In retirement, he continues to volunteer as technical editor for the site. He serves on the editorial boards of two scientific journals. He served on the Scientific Advisory Council of the World Food Logistics Organization and the Research Advisory Board of the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Kader received awards for outstanding teaching in 1989 and for distinguished graduate mentoring in 2003 from UC Davis and for best research publications in 1978 and 1980 from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). He was elected a fellow of ASHS in 1986, and served as presidentelect in 1995, president in 1996, and chairman of the board of directors in 1997. He was selected as the Outstanding Horticulturist of 1997 by the Horticultural Research Center at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. In 2000 Kader received the "Award of Distinction" from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the "Alumni Citation for Excellence" from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. In retirement, Kader and his wife, Aileen, plan to spend more time with their two grandchildren, who live in Redding, and travel the United States and other countries. He also intends to do some consulting to raise funds for the UC Davis postharvest endowment.
The Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center at the University of California, Davis, has selected Dr. James R. Gorny, Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Technology for the United Fresh Produce Association and former Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the International Fresh-cut Produce Association, to join the center in the new position of executive director. Gorny will work directly with Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors and faculty members from the University of California and other leading academic institutions; international, national, and regional trade associations and boards; and retail and food service companies to assist them in improving postharvest handling practices throughout the distribution chain. Gorny currently serves as Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Technology for the United Fresh Produce Association. As the association's chief food safety officer, he has advocated the membership’s interests before health and safety regulatory officials, the Bush administration, and Congress. Previously, he was a principal in Davis Fresh Technologies, serving in a consulting and advisory role to the produce industry in a wide range of postharvest technology applications. Gorny, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., received his Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of California, Davis, in 1995, and his master’s and undergraduate degrees in food science from Louisiana State University. He begins his new position August 1, 2007. April 2005
WELCOME PENNY STOCKDALE Penny Stockdale joined our staff on April 1, 2005 as a Program Representative I. She capably manages all orders of publications through the Center, and is also the friendly person who manages the registrations for all of our workshops and courses. Her outgoing personality makes her a favorite with many of our course participants. Our international students especially appreciate her helpful insight and assistance with their travel needs. We appreciate her hard work and attention to detail. November 2003
Contact & Location Information
The University of California, in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, or mental or physical handicap in any of its activities, or with respect to any of its employment policies, practices, or programs or procedures. The University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, medical condition (as defined in Section 12929 of the California Code), nor because individuals are disabled or Vietnam era veterans. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Director, Office of Affirmative Action, Div. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, CA 94612-3550, (415) 987-0097.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME PAMELA DEVINE 
DAVIS -- Adel Kader, postharvest physiology professor, retired June 28 after 35 years of service at the University of California, Davis, including 29 years with a split appointment as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist. 
GORNY TO SERVE AS CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CONGRATULATIONS MARY REED 
