Scientific Committee
Dr Mduduzi Ngcobo
Scientific Committee
Dr Mduduzi E.K. Ngcobo is a Postharvest Technology specialist, researcher, and academic with over 20 years of experience in horticultural science, agricultural research, food quality assurance, and agribusiness. He holds a PhD and MSc in Agriculture (Postharvest Technology) from Stellenbosch University and has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr Ngcobo has held senior leadership positions at PPECB and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and previously served as CEO of Impumelelo Agribusiness Solutions. He currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Postharvest Technology, supervising postgraduate students and advancing research on postharvest systems, quality, and value chains.
Dr Tarl Berry
MODEL - IT Scientific Co - Chair
Tarl Berry is Research Programme Coordinator (Cold Chain) at Citrus Research International, with a dual affiliation at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Horticultural Science. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and specialises in postharvest engineering, cold chain logistics, and export supply chains for the South African citrus industry. His research applies physics-based digital twins, CFD, and numerical modelling to reduce postharvest losses and support market access. He convenes the national Cooling Working Group and authors the CRI Cutting Edge technical bulletin series. He is motivated to join the committee to support Model-IT 2027 and strengthen ties across the postharvest modelling community.
Dr Lucia Ntsoane
General Secretary
Lucia Ntsoane is a Postharvest Researcher at the Agricultural Research Council – Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC), South Africa. Her research focused on postharvest physiology, quality management, postharvest-harvest technologies and value-chain optimisation of horticultural crops. She is involved in multidisciplinary research aimed at reducing postharvest losses, maintaining food quality and safety, and enhancing market access for fresh produce. Additionally, contributes to research initiatives that support sustainable agricultural development, agro-processing innovation, and food security.
Scientific Committee
| No. | Name | Affiliation | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Tsige | Stellenbosch University | — |
| 2 | Asanda Mditshwa | UKZN | Yes |
| 3 | Christopher Vincent | University of Florida | Yes |
| 4 | Daniel A. Neuwald | KOB | Yes |
| 5 | Di Wu | Zhejiang University, China | Yes |
| 6 | Dr. Allan Woolf | New Zealand | Resend |
| 7 | Hany ElMesiry | School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, China | Yes |
| 8 | Jose Blasco-Ivars | Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA) | Yes |
| 9 | Manuela Zude-Sasse | ATB, Germany | Yes |
| 10 | Pramod V. Mahajan | Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) | Yes |
| 11 | Prof. Andrew East | New Zealand | Yes |
| 12 | Prof. Maarten Hertog | KU Leuven, Belgium | Yes |
| 13 | Prof. Norhashila Hashim | Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia | Yes |
| 14 | Prof. Pankaj Pathare | Sultan Qaboos University | Yes |
| 15 | Prof. Pankaj Pathare | Oman | Yes |
| 16 | Prof. Paul Cronje | Citrus Research International, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Stellenbosch University | Yes |
| 17 | Prof. Pieter Verboven | KU Leuven, Belgium | Yes |
| 18 | Prof. Tilahun Seyoum Workneh | UKZN | Yes |
| 19 | Rob Schouten | Wageningen University | Yes |
| 20 | Solomon Workneh | Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Yes |
| 21 | Thijs Defraeye | Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology | Yes |
| 22 | Tieho Paulus Mafeo | University of Limpopo | Yes |
| 23 | Willem Gruyters | KU Leuven | Resend |
| 24 | Zhiguo Li | Northwest A&F University | Yes |
| 25 | Zinash Belay | — | — |