Keynote Speakers

Prof. Jong-Whan Rhim

Kyung Hee University, Korea

Biography: Prof. Rhim received his Ph.D. in food engineering from Dept. of Food Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA in 1988. He got his M.Sc. in food engineering from Dept. of Biological Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea in 1980 and B.Sc. in food engineering from Dept. of Food Engineering, YonSei University, Seoul, Korea in1977. He is now a Professor working at the Dept. of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Korea since 2017. Before that, he was a Professor at the Dept. of Food Engineering, Mokpo National University, Korea. He used to work as Head of Dept. of Food Engineering, Mokpo National University, Korea, and Visiting scholar at School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA and Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA. He was the head of Food Packaging Lab, R & D Center, Miwon Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea and a research scientist in the Food Chemistry Lab, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea. He established a Food Packaging Laboratory (including equipment worth over $2.0 million for the Food Packaging and Food Engineering Lab) from “ground zero” at Kyung Hee University. He has over 30 years of continuous research support totaling over $ 4 million in competitive grants from governments and university, as well as from industry. He graduated 7 M.S. and 4 Ph.D. students in the Food Packaging and Food Engineering fields. And he has over 240 scientific publications, five book chapters, and five patents. He was also  invited to give short courses/seminars to scientists for a number of major food packaging and food engineering organizations and serve in a number of leadership and program chair positions in food packaging science-related national and international organizations. He was a Highly Cited Researcher (2016, 2017, 2018, Clarivate Analytics).

Speech Title: Multifunctional Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract: Concerns about environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastic packaging materials and consumer demand for high quality food products have increased interest in developing biodegradable packaging materials that use annually renewable natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins. However, the inherent disadvantages of natural polymer-based packaging materials, such as low mechanical properties and somewhat hydrophilic properties, are leading to major limitations for their industrial applications. One of the ways to solve the problem of bio-polymeric films is to develop nanocomposite films by combining nano-sized fillers such as nanoclays, nanometals or metal oxides, and organic fillers like cellulose or chitin nanocrystals. Polymer nanocomposites have significantly improved packaging properties due to nanometer-sized dispersion. These improvements include increased mechanical strength, reduced gas permeability, and increased water resistance. In addition, some nanoparticles-incorporated bio-nanocomposite films exhibit additional functional properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and UV-light barrier properties. As a result, natural bio-polymer-based nanocomposite packaging materials with bio-functional properties have great potential for active food packaging applications.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apiradee Uthairatanakij

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) , Thailand

Biography: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apiradee Uthairatanakij received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in horticulture from Kasetsart University, Thailand. She got her Ph.D degree in postharvest technology from University of Western Sydney, Australia. She is now with the Division of Postharvest Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) , Thailand. Her curret research areas include Pre and Postharvest of fresh produces and agricultural processing. The areas of her research group relate to postharvest physiology of fresh produces especially mangosteen and mangoes and also organic vegetables. In addition, her group develops the protocol of some tropical fruits such as gamma irradiated mango and mangosteen fruits. Using LED lights in plant factory to enhance bioactive compounds in various vegetables have also been study.

Speech Title: Gamma Irradiation as Postharvest Treatment of Fresh Fruits

Abstract: Ionizing radiation modifies the electronic structure of atoms of the food products and causes structural, biochemical and physiological changes. The FDA approved food irradiation in USA since 1986 and restricts the maximum irradiation dose level to 1 kGy for disinfestation and delayed maturation in fresh fruits. Gamma irradiation is a versatile technique of food preservation. It fulfils with disinfestation, inhibit sprouting, reduce microorganism and extend shelf life. APHIS regulations make provision for the application of generic doses of 400 Gy for all insects except for Lepidoptera pupa and adults, resulting in preclearance export programs for five countries including Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Mexico. Exports under the APHIS program for generic doses started in 2007. Since then, Thailand has authorization from APHIS to ship irradiated mangosteen, longan, rambutan, mangoes, litchi, dragon fruit and pineapple to the US. However, the effect depends on the irradiation dose, maturity of fruit and fruit cultivar. Thus, the effect of gamma irradiation on physical appearance, physico-chemical attributes and losses of fresh fruits will be discussed.

 

Prof. Shane Snyder

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Biography: Dr. Shane Snyder is a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and is the Executive Director of the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He joined NTU after serving as a Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering and the co-Director of the Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center at the University of Arizona, USA. For over 20 years, Dr. Snyder’s research has focused on the identification, fate, and health relevance of emerging water pollutants. Dr. Snyder and his teams have published over 200 manuscripts and book chapters on emerging contaminant analysis, treatment, and toxicology (h-index = 68 with over 18,000 citations as of February 2018). He currently serves as an editor-in-chief for the international journal Chemosphere. Dr. Snyder has been invited to brief the Congress of the United States on three occasions on emerging issues in water quality. He is a Fellow of the International Water Association and a member of the World Health Organization’s Drinking Water Advisory Panel. He has served on several US EPA expert panels and is currently a member of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board drinking water committee and the US EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors Sustainable Water committee. He was a member of the US National Academy of Science’s National Research Council Committee on Water Reuse and currently serves on the WHO’s guiding committee on development of potable reuse guidelines. Dr. Snyder has also worked as a Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore (2011-2017).

Speech Title: Sustainability in World’s Fastest Growing Regions: Challenges and Opportunities for Water and Waste Management

Abstract: Clean and reliable water is critical for sustainable economic development and for protecting human and ecological health. Water is also highly susceptible to impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. Rapid urbanization is taxing natural resources, including water supplies. Before the industrial revolution, cities housed less than 10% of human population. Today, approximately 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, with half of these cities having populations greater than one million people. By 2050, an addition 2.5 billion people are expected to live in cities. Cities produce nearly 70% of greenhouse gas emissions and have a commensure amount of energy consumption. At the same time, highly urbanized areas are increasingly struggling with management of waste generated within these densely populated regions. For instance, synthetic chemicals were not part of the human experience until the late 19th century with the accidental discovery of the synthetic dye, mauve. At current, more than 65 million chemicals are commercially available, many of which enter the environment both knowingly and unknowingly. From a drinking water exposure standpoint, not only are the chemicals themselves a potential risk, but also the innumerable transformation products formed during water treatment processes. From a solid-waste perspective, beyond discrete chemicals, many polymeric materials are designed to be resilient, inexpensive, and inert; however, these same properties have lead to vast pollution of the worlds oceans and lands. Fortunately, technological advances in water purification, waste treatment, and analytical characterization are providing sustainable solutions for protecting the public health and the environment. This presentation will discuss the history and evolution of water and waste treatment technologies with a view for the future opportunities for global sustainability.

 

Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan

Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

Biography: Dr. C. Visvanathan is a Professor of the Environmental Engineering and Management Program, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology. He has a Ph.D. (Chemical /Environmental Engineering) from Institute National Polytechnique, Toulouse, France. His main areas of research interests include: Cleaner Production and Industrial Environmental Management, Membrane technologies for water and wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal and management. In the field of solid waste, his main research interests focus around waste recycling and reuse, landfill pre-treatment technologies, plus methane oxidation and green house gas emission related to land fill design. He has published more than 150 international journal papers. He has more than 30 years of experiences teaching environmental engineering and management related courses at graduate level at AIT. His professional experiences include: Project Engineer, Asia Division, International Training Center for Water Resources Management, Sophia Antipolis, France, and short term consultant to UNEP Industry and Environment Office, Paris, France. Currently he is coordinating the ADB – AIT – UNEP joint project on 3R – Knowledge Hub from the AIT side.

Speech Title: Management of Agricultural Wastes and Residues in Thailand: Wastes to Energy Approach

Abstract: Agricultural sector in Thailand has played a significant role in economic contribution since historical times. Among the total area of 520 million square kilometers, more than 65% is occupied by agriculture related activities. With the ever increasing market demand for agricultural products, most of the agricultural residues often end up in the municipal waste streams or in some cases, not efficiently used. Since 2001, Thailand energy demand has been increasing at about 4% per year. A large portion of the fossil fuels is imported to meet the industrial and domestic needs, thus causing concern for energy security. In addition, utilization of fossil fuels is associated with green house gas emissions with significant environmental impacts. This presentation describes in a way, an acceptable approach of utilizing agricultural waste and residues as a potential source for an alternative and more sustainable energy resource with respect to Thailand. It also explains the energy potential from agricultural residues and animal manures that could be exploited to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. The presentation also examines the prevailing methods and technologies employed in utilizing the agricultural biomass from the major crop products and animal manures with some case studies.