Dr. Mohammed Shafiq Alam is Principal Scientist at PAU, Ludhiana, specializing in Processing and Food Engineering. He joined as Assistant Research Engineer in 1999 after completing his B.Tech. (AgrilEngg) from JNKVV, M.Tech. from PAU, and Ph.D. (in-service) from PAU in 2008. Promoted to Research Engineer in 2008 and Principal Scientist in 2014; Incharge of the ICAR-AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology since 2013; Chairman of the Department Research Committee since 2018. He also held additional responsibilities as Incharge, University Workshop (2009-11), Assistant Warden/Warden (2011-14). Dr. Alam has completed 28 research projects, developed 35 post-harvest technologies/process protocols, five PAU REC recommendations, and filed two patents. He has over 200+ research/extension publications, delivered 250+ extension lectures, and guided 40+ students. He pioneered Agro-Processing Complexes in Punjab and honey processing systems nationally. A PMFME Master Trainer MoFPI, OKP Fellow (Netherlands), Professional society member, he serves on editorial boards and national expert panels.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects:

1. Development of IoT-based biogas flushed automated storage system to manage    major insect-pests of  mung bean and kabuli chana
2. Development of AI- Based  System for Rapid Detection of Rice Ageing
3. Development of Sensor  platform for rapid detection of chemically doctored fruits    and vegetables
4. Development of IoT-based   Honey Adulteration Detection Analyzer using machine learning
5. Adaptive trial on traceability system for agricultural commodity developed by    ICAR- CIPHET
6. Development of process protocol using holistic approach for shelf-life enhancement and quality management of selected millet flours
7. Development of Process Protocol using eco-friendly Bioenzyme for Production of           Xylitol from By-products of Corn and Bajra.
8. Pilot plant augmentation and process protocol development for “instant mix” probiotic fruit and vegetable juice powders with enhanced storage stability (Activity)
9.     Development of an Automated Dal Sorting System Using Machine Learning.
10. Development of IoT-based sensor device for detection and control of pest and rodents in grain storage structures (Collaborative Project with OUAT, Bhubaneshwar Centre) 
11. Value chain on harnessing the Nutraceutical potential of ripe pumpkin (Cucurbitamoschata) Collaborative Project with YSPUH&F, SolanCentre 
12. Design and Development of Tractor Operated Millet Thresher cum Pearler    (Collaborative Project with VPKAS, AlmoraCentre) 
13. Revolving Fund Scheme entitled “Processing and sale of agricultural produce”

Research Publications: 

1.   Aslam R, Alam M S, Vishwakarma R K and Sajid M (2024) Ohmic heating assisted vacuum evaporation chamber: Finite element analysis and evaluation of parameters for processing of amla juice. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 224, 109249, 1-14
2. Kalsi B S, Singh S, Alam M S and Bhatia S (2023) Application of thermosonication for guava juice processing: Impacts on bioactive, microbial, enzymatic and quality attributes. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 99. 106595:1-9.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106595 
3. Aslam R, Alam M S, Ali A, Tao Y, Manickam S (2023) A chemometric approach to evaluate the effects of probe-type ultrasonication on the enzyme inactivation and quality attributes of fresh amla juice. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 92:106268. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106268. Pp 1-11
4. Panayampadan A S, Alam M S, Aslam R., Kumar S K and Sidhu G K (2022). Effects of alternating magnetic field on freezing of minimally processed guava, LWT- Food Science and Technology.163 (4): 113544. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113544 
5. Aslam R, Alam M S, Singh Sandhya, Kumar Satish (2021). Aqueous ozone sanitization of whole peeled onion: Process optimization and evaluation of keeping quality during refrigerated storage. LWT- Food Science and Technology 151:1-10https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112183.

REC Recommendations:

1. Mechanically ventillated onion storage structure (APPROVED in the REC No. 263, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2017)
2. Aloe vera leaf gel extraction machine (APPROVED in the REC No. 264, PAU , LUDHIANA in 2017)
3. Honey heating cum filtration system (APPROVED in the REC No. 270, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2018)
4. Pilot scale plant for pectin extraction and its process optimization for kinnow and mosambi waste (peel) (APPROVED in the REC No. 287^th, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2021)
5. PAU Stored-grain protection kit (APPROVED in the REC No. 299^th, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2024)

 Awards and Recognition:

1. Awarded Merit Scholarship throughout B. Tech in Agril. Engineering (1990-1995)
2. Awarded Junior Research Fellowship from ICAR for M. Tech (1996-1998)
3. Awarded Merit Certificate for M.Tech (Processing and Agril. Structures)
4. Received ‘Award of Honour’ by Association of Food Science & Technologists (India) Punjab Chapter in 2002
5. Recipient of ‘Best Chapter Award’ for the period 2006-07 as one of the member of Punjab Chapter (ISAE) by Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers at 43rd  Annual convention of ISAE held at Ranchi, 2009
6. Received ‘YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD ‘ by Punjab Academy of Sciences in 12th Punjab Science Congress at PAU, Ludhiana in 2009
7. Received ‘Lal Bahadur Shastri Young Scientist Award’ for the Biennium (2007-08), ICAR on 16th July 2009 for outstanding contribution in the field of Agricultural Engineering
8. Distinguished Service Certificate Award by ISAE for year 2010
9. ‘Kunwar Saxena Bahadur SRDA Award’ for Outstanding Contribution in Processing and Food Engineering
10. “SHIKSHA RATTAN PURASKAR” from India International Friendship Society, New Delhi by Governor of Tripura on 7^th April 2010
11. Awarded IBC Top 100 Scientists 2012 by International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England,
12. The Biography has been included for publication in the “Marquies Who’s Who in Science and Engineering” 2011-12 (11^th Edition), USA,
13. Received “Commendation Medal 2017 of ISAE”
14. Awarded International Fellowship (OKP) under Netherlands Fellowship Programme for attending the course on “Horticulture Sector Development in Emerging Markets,” organized by Wageningen University, Netherlands from May 14 to 1 June, 2018
15. First Prize in Oral presentation in 4^th International Conference on Food and Nutrition held on September 23-24th, 2021 organized by Universal Society of Food and Nutrition (USFN), BioLEAGUES Worldwide at Singapore. 
16. Received ISAE JAE Best Paper Award 2020 during 55^th ISAE Convention held at Patna, Bihar during November 23-25, 2021.
17. Received “Best Oral Presentation Award” 2021 in Processing, Dairy and Food Engineering during 55^th ISAE Convention held at Patna, Bihar 
18. As PI of the Scheme, Bagged All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-harvest Engineering and Technology (PHET)”Best Centre Award 2023-24″ (FP) and 2024-25 (TP)
19. Editorial Board Member of various journals of International repute i.e. ‘Food Science and Technology’ (Horizon Research Publishing, USA), International Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (USA), Science and Engineering Publishing Company; International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Technology (Ethopia); Journal of Ready-to-Eat Foods (Jakraya Publications), International Journal of Research and Reviews Applied Sciences, Pakistan
20. Qualified Master Trainer for Food Micro and Small Enterprises by PMFME, MOFPI, GOI