Education: B.Tech., PAU, Ludhiana (2000); M.Tech., PAU, Ludhiana (2002); Ph D, PAU, Ludhiana (2017)

Positions held: Assistant Professor (Agril. Engg.), KVK Bathinda (2006-2008), Assistant Professor (Agril. Engg.), KVK Samrala (2008-2011), Assistant Research Engineer, PAU Ludhiana (2011-2019), Senior Scientist (2019 - till date)

Field of Specialization: Post Harvest Technology

Research Interests:

1. Image processing of agricultural produce
2. Processing of food using ultrasound alone or in combination with heat and/or pressure
3. Drying of fresh produce: Mathematical and ANN (Artificial Neural Network) modelling
4. Design and evaluation of cold plasma systems for shelf life extension
5. Food quality and safety monitoring using sensor-based technologies
6. Ohmic heating for extraction of components from agricultural produce.

Research Projects:

• Development of an automated Manothermosonication prototype and its evaluation for shelf life enhancement of kinnow and guava juices
• Process protocol for development of powder from stevia leaves and extracted steviosides.
• Development of a low cost machine vision system for grading of citrus fruits

Selected Research Publications:

1. Kalsi B S, Singh S, Alam M S and Bhatia S (2023) Microwave Drying Modelling of Stevia rebaudiana Leaves Using Artificial Neural Network and Its Effect on Color and Biochemical Attributes. J Food Qual 2023. (NASS Rating: 9.2)
2. Kalsi B S, Singh S, Alam, M S (2022) Influence of ultrasound processing on the quality of guava juice. J Food Process Eng e14163. (NASS Rating: 8.36).
3. Aslam R, Alam M S, Singh S and Kumar S (2021) Aqueous ozone sanitization of whole peeled onion: Process optimization and evaluation of keeping quality during refrigerated storage. LWT-Food Sci Technol 151:112183. (NASS Rating:10.01)
4. Sandhya (2010) Modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce: Current status and future needs. LWT-Food Sci Technol 43(3): 381-92. (NASS Rating:8.55)
5. Sandhya and Singh P P (2010) Optimization of Size of Gasholder for Storage of Biogas in Unheated Biogas Plant. AMA-AGR MECH ASIA AF 41(1): 77-82. (NAAS rating =6.06)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

• Young Scientist Award 2022 in the International Conference organized by Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur (MP)
• Women Scientist Award-2019 by Society for World Environment, Food and Technology, New Delhi
• Gold medal and citation by The Institution of Engineers (India);
• Medallion, Citation and Cash award of Rs. 10,000/- Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi;
• Gold Medal (B. Tech.);
• Cash award by Guru Harkishan Society, Chandigarh;
• Mrs. Leela Wanti Running Trophy;
• Ashok Kumar Matto Running Trophy