Speakers

Keynote Speaker

 

Dr. Bhimu Patil

Inaugural University Professor and Interim Head, Department of Food Science & Technology

Director, Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center
Director, USDA National Center of Excellence

Texas A&M University

 

Dr. Bhimu Patil has received his Ph.D. in Horticulture from Texas A&M and his B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture from the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore and Dharwad.  Dr. Patil’s research focuses on the broader impacts of fruits and vegetables on human health.  His work also examines the effects of harvesting and post-harvesting practices on fruit and vegetable quality. He is currently the lead PI, along with 23 co-PIs, for the USDA-SCRI-CAP project: Table to Farm: A sustainable, systems-based approach for a safer and healthier melon supply chain in the U.S. Dr. Patil’s research has been recognized with many honors and has produced a remarkable publication and funding record. He has secured $17 million for his research and educational programs, published 201 peer-reviewed articles, and been invited to present at 48 international meetings during which he has given 16 keynote/plenary talks, and at 98 national and 51 regional meetings.  The research and educational outreach programs led by Dr. Patil at the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center have received substantial attention and Dr. Patil has been interviewed and/or his work has been published in 135 articles from various news media including the Associated Press, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, and Fox Health Channel. He has been an invited speaker, including keynote and plenary speaker, for his scientific research and educational excellence by several countries including Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Israel, India, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, and different states in the USA.

He has received numerous awards and honors.  Five professional societies (American Chemical Society, American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Brazilian Horticulture Society, Indian Horticulture Society, TAMU AgriLife recognized Patil as a Fellow, a title bestowed on those who have made exceptional contributions to research and academia.

He has developed three multi-disciplinary and multi-state courses (“Science of Foods for Health”, “Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Human Health”, “The Nexus of Food & Nutritional Security, Hunger and Sustainability”) with  support from three USDA-Challenge grants.

Industrial Round Table

This will be a Q&A panel with industry representatives.

Dr. Dennis R. Buckmaster
Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Dean’s Fellow for Digital Agriculture
Purdue University

Keith Harmeyer
Caterpillar, Inc.

Daniel Skelton
Hydraulic Control Engineer
Terra Drive Systems, Inc.

Dr. Jian Jin
Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Purdue University

Dr. Mohit Verma
Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering and Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University

 

Purdue University