A Curtin University professor has become the first Australian to be elected as a Fellow of the Horticultural Society of India (HSI) for his significant contribution to the horticultural industry.
Professor Zora Singh, of the Department of Environment and Agriculture, will be the 51st fellow to be inducted to the HSI, a society established in 1942 to cultivate and promote research, education and development of horticulture and allied branches of sciences.
Professor Singh’s research focuses around the production technology and post-handling of fruit crops. His research aims to reduce the significant 30 per cent of fruit that is wasted before reaching our mouths.
“I feel very honoured to be recognised by my international peers for such an award and to be adding to Curtin’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research,” Professor Singh said.
“To be the first Australian awarded a fellowship from the Horticultural Society of India is a major achievement and I hope this will highlight the groundbreaking results not just from my research group at Curtin, but from across the Australian horticultural industry.”
Professor Singh said he hoped the fellowship would inspire others to go down the road of horticultural research, with opportunities to make a difference towards food security for the world’s growing population.
The HSI invites nominations for the award from the eligible distinguished scientists who have made significant contributions and displayed leadership in the field of horticulture, evidenced by their publications, technology development and patents.
Research highlights from Professor Singh includes developing technology for extending the storage life of plums by up to six weeks; developing controlled atmosphere technology for mangoes to improve storage and increase export opportunities by sea freight; and developing postharvest disinfestation technology for bush tomatoes to store and reduce wastage in both Aboriginal communities and the commercial sector.
Professor Singh presented his latest paper Priorities for postharvest management research in tropical and subtropical fruit crops at the fifth Indian Horticulture Congress, where he was inducted as a fellow.
Contact:
Professor Zora Singh, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 3138, E: zora@muresk.curtin.edu.au
Megan Meates, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4241, Mobile: 0401 103 755, Email: megan.meates@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
Twitter: @CurtinPR
NOTES TO EDITOR
About Professor Zora Singh
Professor Singh’s research in horticulture primarily focuses on production technology and postharvest physiology of fruits. He has been based at Curtin University since 1997, where he established the Postgraduate Horticulture Research Laboratory at Curtin.
Professor Singh’s outstanding and original research contributions in horticulture have been recognised by various prestigious national and international research awards, including the 2009 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citations award and the 2004 International Society of Horticultural Sciences Medal.
