Transforming Food Analysis and Control: Non-Destructive Technologies and Innovations

Prof. Kamlesh Prasad is a distinguished academician, researcher, and food technologist with extensive experience in teaching, research, academics, administration, and scholarly publishing. He is currently serving as Professor in the Department of Food Engineering and Technology at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab, India. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he serves as the Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Chairman of the Rajbhasha Hindi Cell, and Public Grievance Officer (PGO) of the institute. He is also the Chairman of the Conference on Future Innovations, Food Allergies, and Traditional Foods (FIFATF-2025 and FIFATF-2026).

Prof. Prasad obtained his postgraduate degree in Food Technology from the CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore. He subsequently earned his doctoral degree in Food Technology from GBPUA&T, Pant Nagar. His major areas of specialisation include fruit and vegetable processing, non-destructive quality evaluation of foods, image analysis, food process optimisation, nanotechnology applications in food systems, engineering properties of biological materials, innovative food processing technologies and traditional foods.

Prof. Prasad has authored and co-authored more than 200 research papers published in reputable national and international journals and conference proceedings. He has also authored several books, edited scholarly volumes, and contributed chapters to books published by leading national and international publishers. His publications have served as valuable references for researchers, students, and professionals working in the fields of food science, food engineering, and postharvest technology.

In addition to his research accomplishments, Prof. Prasad has actively contributed to academic leadership, curriculum development, student mentoring, and research capacity building. This edited book is being published as part of the conference proceedings, reflecting his commitment to advancing research and disseminating knowledge in these critical domains.

Also associated with several prestigious professional societies and scientific organisations, including the ASABE, IFT, AFST(I), NSI, USI, IEEE, and other national and international professional bodies. Prof. Prasad continues to inspire students, researchers, and professionals while contributing significantly to the advancement of food engineering, food processing technologies, and sustainable food systems.

Mr Shubhra Shekhar is a PhD candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia. He is currently a member of the Faculty Board, holds higher-degree research student positions in engineering, has served as President of the Chemical Engineering Research Society (CERS), and is a member of the AGSE Industry PhD cohort, actively engaging with both industry and academic partners. His research focuses on non-destructive sensing and advanced characterisation methods to improve quality assurance and process understanding in modern food systems. His work brings together principles from chemical engineering, computer science, and data-driven modelling to develop innovative approaches for analysing complex food products and their behaviour.

He is a GATE achiever and has completed an M. Tech. (Food Process Engineering) from NIT, Rourkela. He received the Best Student Award from the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists, India (AFSTI), Mysuru, for the year 2021. Besides that, he was the All-India Topper (Elite) and received a Silver Medal for the NPTEL Course conducted by IIT Kharagpur. Got an appreciation letter from Nestle India Ltd, Moga, for his contributions in the form of recommendations. Won several prizes in academic, co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Received letters of appreciation for his contributions to several events and activities. He has successfully delegated his responsibilities as the in-charge of the Society of Food Technocrats (SOFT), the Photography Club (SVIESA), and numerous other professional committees and events. Undergone industrial training and internship from renowned industries and organisations such as Mondelez India Foods Private Limited, Baddi, HP; Mrs Bector’s Food Specialities Limited, Greater Noida, UP; Nestle India Limited, Moga, Punjab; and ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. His work is published as articles in books, journals, and conference proceedings. 

Prof. Mani Kant Paswan, Director, SLIET, Longowal, is an accomplished academician, researcher, and administrator. He has more than twenty-five years of experience in teaching, research, academic leadership, and institutional development. Throughout his distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to engineering education, research, and capacity building in Mechanical Engineering.

Prof. Paswan completed his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Patna, M. Tech. in Machine Design from NIT Jamshedpur, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Ranchi University through NIT Jamshedpur. Before assuming the position of Director at SLIET, he served as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur. During his tenure, he held several key administrative responsibilities, including Dean (Faculty Welfare), and played an important role in academic planning, faculty development, student welfare, and institutional governance.

His research interests span manufacturing engineering, materials processing, material characterisation, mechanical behaviour of materials, heat transfer, energy systems, and sustainable engineering technologies. He has published extensively in reputed national and international journals, conference proceedings, and edited volumes, contributing valuable insights to the advancement of mechanical and manufacturing sciences. He has successfully guided and supervised doctoral scholars, postgraduate students, and research projects, fostering innovation and developing highly skilled engineers and researchers.

Prof. Paswan has actively participated in numerous academic, research, and professional activities, including curriculum development, accreditation processes, research collaborations, faculty mentoring, and industry engagement initiatives. His contributions have strengthened the linkage between academia and industry while promoting outcome-based education and research-driven learning.

Prof. Paswan is committed to fostering academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global engagement. Under his leadership, the institute continues to strengthen its research ecosystem, enhance its national and international visibility, and create opportunities for collaborative learning and technological advancement. 

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, is a Professor of Computational Materials Science at Uppsala University, Sweden. He is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to computational materials science, condensed matter physics, and energy-related materials research. He obtained his PhD from IIT Roorkee and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Uppsala University, Sweden. His research spans a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary areas, including batteries and energy storage systems, hydrogen production and storage, nanomaterials, sensors, advanced functional materials, high-pressure physics, and computational modelling of materials. By combining theoretical approaches with advanced computational techniques, he has helped address critical scientific challenges related to energy security, environmental sustainability, and materials design.

Prof. Ahuja has published more than 1,200 research papers in leading international journals and conference proceedings. His publications have garnered over 50,000 citations, reflecting the global impact and relevance of his research contributions. He is widely regarded as one of the most highly cited researchers in materials science. In addition to his scholarly achievements, he has played a pivotal role in nurturing future generations of scientists and engineers by supervising more than 30 doctoral scholars and over 35 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now hold prominent academic and research positions worldwide.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), UK and the American Physical Society (APS), US. His exceptional contributions to science and engineering have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards and honours.

As an academic leader, Prof. Ahuja has consistently promoted excellence in research, innovation, and international collaboration. Through his leadership at IIT Ropar and his continued engagement with global scientific communities, he has strengthened interdisciplinary research initiatives and fostered partnerships between academia, industry, and research institutions. His vision for advancing science and technology continues to inspire researchers, students, and educators worldwide.

Through his groundbreaking research, distinguished academic career, and unwavering commitment to scientific advancement, Prof. Ahuja continues to make significant contributions to materials science, engineering, and sustainable technology, shaping the future of research and innovation worldwide.