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• Rakesh Singh, PhD

Rakesh Singh, PhD

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Dr. Rakesh Singh received a Bachelor of Technology degree from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India, M. S. from University of Manitoba and Ph. D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his career in 1983 as an Assistant Professor at the Technical University of Nova Scotia, moved to Purdue University in 1985, and joined the University of Georgia in 2001 as Head of Food Science & Technology. He has provided an outstanding leadership for instruction, research and extension programs at the University of Georgia, where he manages departmental resources and budget, including direct supervision of 21 tenured/tenure track and 8 adjunct faculty, 4 office staff, and technical support personnel. Dr. Singh has been engaged in internationally prominent research programs that have addressed aseptic processing, food quality and food-safety engineering. He has published 118 scholarly refereed scientific journal articles, 3 edited books and 25 book chapters, and 80 abstracts and non-refereed articles. He has been major professor for 12 Ph. D. and 12 M. S. students, and has supervised 12 postdoctoral researchers. He is editor of LWT-Food Science & Technology, and on the editorial board of International Journal of Food Properties. He became Fellow of IFT in 2008 and received Elizabeth Fleming Stier award in 2009.

What do you feel you can contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT?
I am a good listener, who works well with people to solve problems in an innovative and creative manner. I strive to build consensus and bring out the best qualities in our membership.  I have a passion for the success of IFT, have been enthusiastic about its mission, and lead by example. The knowledge, skills, and experiences that I have gained in my years in the profession and my career have enabled me to work effectively with a wide variety of people. I believe that I can use these attributes to become a productive board member, and work with other board members, staff and membership to contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT in enhancing its global image.

What are the three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry that align with IFT's goals and how would you address these as a member of the Board of Directors?
The three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry are: (1) Ensuring safe and high-quality food supply globally, (2) Supporting scientific research for product and technology innovation (3) Providing learning opportunities for food professionals and students As a board member I will strongly support the IFT's vision which encompasses the tree most important issues I have mentioned. The annual meeting and food expo provide platform for networking, learning and research communication which I will support. The scientific webinars and focused regional conferences are excellent steps to promote IFT and engage members. I would like to engage research and teaching institutions in the delivery of focused regional programs on food safety and product development. Similar approach can be used on a global scale by partnering with institutions in other countries. I will actively support globalization of the IFT approval of undergraduate curricula which will be in line with the vision of IFT.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors and how has your work and volunteer experiences prepared you to be a strategic board member?
The Board of Directors play major role in fulfilling the vision of IFT and I want to be a part of that body. In my opinion, the board should closely work with the staff and volunteer or elected members to approve policies/procedures for programs and provide oversight. I have worked with the IFT staff and the IFT-President on Global Strategy task force which prepared me to value the collaboration between IFT and other international organizations. My experience on the IFT committees, such as Diversity and K-12 Education prepared me to work with different teaching programs, industry and member volunteers to organize the delivery of science experiments to high school teachers, and support diversity initiatives in various universities. As current chair of CFSA, I am organizing agenda for discussion on strategic issues that affect food science and human nutrition programs globally. Working with people from different sectors, i. e. academic, industry and government has prepared me to become a strategic board member if given the opportunity.

What defines a successful board and how would you contribute?
A successful board member should inspire trust, be honest, team player, effective communicator, open minded, responsible and subject matter expert. I have those personal traits and use them on my job. I listen to people with different view point, examine the issue critically and make decisions based on the sound information. I discuss the issue(s) on hand and work on building a consensus which is critical to keep the team excited and productive in the long range. I believe that the board members allocate time to learn and research the issue up front and not make decisions extempore. I like to delegate responsibilities to others in the organization which is critical in having their full input.

Formal Education 
University of Wisconsin-Madison: PhD, Agricultural Engineering (Food Engineering), 1983 
University of Manitoba: MS, Agricultural Engineering, 1977
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology: B. Tech., Agricultural Engineering, 1975

Career History

Leadership Experience

Professional and Community Recognition

• Silver medal & Honor certificate, G.B. Pant Univ. of Ag. & Tech., India, 1976
• Distinguished M. S. Thesis award, Canadian Bio-Resources, Inc., Winnipeg, 1977
• ACOP/ESCOP Leadership Fellow, Purdue University Agri. Research Program, 1997-1998
• Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor, Food Science, Purdue University, 2000
• Key note speaker in inaugural ceremony, Food Research & Analysis Center, Delhi, India, 2006
• IFT Fellow, 2008
• Elizabeth Fleming Stier, 2009