Dr Basharat Nabi Dar is a graduate in Agricultural Sciences and did his MS and PhD in Food Technology. He started his professional career in 2012 as Assistant Professor of Food Technology at IUST, Awantipora, India. He has been a Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Food Science, Cornell University, USA under the CV Raman Fellowship of the University Grants Commission, India. He is the recipient of the UGC research Award 2014-16 in the field of Agricultural sciences. He is on the expert panel of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert meeting on the prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables (JEMRA). Dr Dar has been appointed to the expert panel of the external reviewer forum of the European research process to ensure high scientific quality in the research programme. He is the Coordinator of the NABL accredited Food Testing Laboratory sponsored by the Ministry of Food Processing and Industries, India. He is also associated with several research projects as a PI/Co-PI/member. Recognition of his contributions has provided ample opportunities to collaborate, present talks, interact with professionals and has an active presence in public policy discourse through his position as a technical expert to WHO/FAO, & the GOI. His research group works on the valorization of food waste, byproducts, underutilized and minor fruits & vegetables. He has an editorship of 5 books and has more than 100 publications in his field. Dr Dar is a Life member of AFSTI.