Julio Loaiza, Ph.D. Assistant Research Scientist Department of Horticultural Sciences Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-2119 Phone: 979-458-8091 FAX: 979-862-4522 E-mail: jgloaiza@tamu.edu

Ph.D., University of California, Davis, Food Biochemistry, 1999
B.S., University of Sinaloa, Mexico, Biochemical Engineering, 1992

Dr. Loaiza joined Texas A&M University as a post-doc research associate in the Horticultural Sciences Department to strengthen the research in the food science and post-harvest physiology fields.

Dr. Loaiza research area covers the study of physiological effects of some major abiotic stresses on fruits and vegetables such as physical injury, temperature extremes, and altered gaseous atmospheres. His research has focused on the study of the phenylpropanoid metabolism switched on by physical injury. He worked on the development of acceptable treatments to prevent or attenuate the effects of these stresses. He studied the functional and bioactive properties of some of the products of secondary metabolism, which are either normal constituents of plant tissue or have been induced by biotic or abiotic stresses.

In April, 2002, he joined the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center research team. In collaboration with Dr. Kil Sun Yoo, Dr. Loaiza has been performing and improving the chemical analysis and evaluation methods of nutritional and health qualities of all varieties developed through the VFIC breeding program. He directs all required post-harvest physiology studies to guarantee an extended shelf life for these crops. These studies will include the use of new varieties in the development of fresh-cut products.

"Phytochemicals are the modern target for improved health and receive great attention for their antioxidant activity as shown in recent research reports. As a food scientist, one of my major concerns is to guarantee the safety of food products being manufactured and at the same time provide the consumer with healthy and excellent quality food."