Dr Varsha Kanojia joined Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on 9th September 2019. She holds graduation (2012) in Agricultural Engineering, Master (2014) in Processing and Food Engineering and Ph.D. (2017) in Processing and Food Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidhyala Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.  She has qualified ICAR NET- 2015, 2017, 2021; GATE-2013; ICAR’S AIEEA-PG – 2012. She is recipient of UGC-NFOBC fellowships (2014-17). In the year 2017, She had been appointed as an Assistant professor cum Junior scientist in the division of Food science and Technology, SKUAST-K, Srinagar, India, where she was associated with All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (AICRP on PHET). She has published over 30 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 7 book chapters in international publications and more than 10 popular articles. She has handled more than 5 research projects under AICRP on PHET, Srinagar Centre as PI and Co-PI. Currently, she is handling one research project as PI and 4 research projects as Co-PI supported by many national and international funding agencies. She has two REC recommendations and has guided 01 M.Tech students.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects:

1. Evaluation of Bio-efficacy, Phytotoxicity of GI-14S25 on Potato under Cold Storage conditions. (Funded by 1,4 Group, 2307 E. Commercial Street, Meridian, ID 83642, USA)
2. Front Line demonstration trial of Ocimum (Tulsi) based shellac coatings to enhance postharvest shelf life of Kinnow. (Funded by National Horticulture Mission).
3. Development of herbal infusion sachet & ready to mix protein powder (millet based). (Funded by M/s Deep Soil Pvt. Ltd. Shimla, India)
4. Bio-efficacy evaluation of GPH 1022 on stored Potatoes. (Funded by M/S UPL, Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited, Mumbai 400052)
5. Design of suitable packaging boxes for retail and wholesale marketing of fruits and vegetables. (Funded by Punjab Mandi Board)
6. Design and development of novel techniques for the preservation of fresh and processed food products. (Funded by Punjab Mandi Board)
7. Extension project on “Training for Farmers on Postharvest management and value addition of fruits and vegetables” Under National Horticulture Mission. (Funded by Director Horticulture-cum-Mission Director, SHM, Punjab)

REC Recommendations:

1. CFB boxes (2 and 4 kg capacity for retail and 10 kg capacity for wholesale) for packaging of pear for marketing for inclusion in Package of Practices. (APPROVED in the REC No. 287, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2021)
2. Development of Value added Jaggery based Kinnow products. (APPROVED in the REC No. 301, PAU, LUDHIANA in 2024)

Research Publications:

1. KanojiaV and Singh M (2017), A study on techno-economic feasibility for production of brown rice based extruded snacks. International Journal of Chemical Studies. 2017; 5(6): 1857-1859.
2. Kanojia Vand Singh M (2016). Production of value added snacks from Rice Broken and Okara by Extrusion Cooking Technology. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences. Vol. 8, Issue 51.
3. Yousouf M, Hussain SZ, Kanojia V, Qadri T, Naseer B, Shafi F and Jabeen A (2022), Development of third generation protein rich snacks from lentil and egg powder through microwave assisted extrusion cooking. Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2022-0021. 
4. Hussain S Z, Reshi M, Naseer B, Kanojia Vand Bukhari S. 2020. Development and evaluation of hand operated apple peeler. Journal of scientific and industrial research. Vol, 79, September 2020, pp- 777-779.
5. Uzma Altaf, Syed Zameer Hussain, Tahiya Qadri, and Varsha Kanojia. 2020. Optimization of Extrusion Process for Development of Nutritious Snacks using Rice and Chickpea Flour. Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research.. Vol 79, Pp-430-436.

Awards and Recognition:

1. Awarded appreciation from the Worthy Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Director Students’ Welfare, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana for exceptional Support during HUNAR 2024 (AIU’s 37th Inter University National Youth Festival)
2. Awarded appreciation for Paper Setter from Controller of Examinations, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & technology of Kashmir, J & K, Year 2024. 
3. Awarded “Young women scientist award” in International Conference (GIRISDA-2022) organized by Just Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Bathinda (ICAR Accredited) & AEEFWS, Punjab on 06-07- 08, June 2022
4. Awarded UGC National Fellowship during Ph.D. degree programme (2014-17).
5. Secured 1st Rank during M.Tech. degree programme in the department of Post-Harvest Processing and Food Engineering, CAE, JNKVV, Jabalpur (2012-14).
6. Qualified GATE (2013-14), ASRB NET- 2015 & 2017
7. Awarded Certificate of Merit for “Inter Collegiate Sports and Games Meet- 2009-10” by Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, M.P.