Dr. Steven A. Sargent received his B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture, and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering Technology from Michigan State University. He began his career at the University of Florida in 1987, where he is currently Professor of Horticulture and Associate Department Chair. His multidisciplinary research/extension program addresses postharvest operations from harvest through shipping on the quality and safety of high-value, fresh fruits and vegetables. Recent projects include:

1) improving harvest, cooling and handling efficacy for bamboo, blueberry, broccoli, lettuce, peach, strawberry and sweetcorn,

2) postharvest handling of red-fleshed pitaya (dragon fruit),

3) quality aspects of mandarin selections from UF breeding program,

4) ideal harvest time for “new” potato,

5) reducing postharvest losses in mandarin oranges (Tanzania) and mangos (Haiti).

In addition to graduate student training, he co-teaches a graduate-level course, “Postharvest Technologies for Horticultural Crops”. He has more than 80 refereed journal articles, is past president and an Honorary Member of the Florida State Horticulture Society, was elected a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and was awarded Researcher of the Year by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. His international activities have led to partnerships around the globe, most notably with colleagues in universities and Embrapa in Brazil, and in Tanzania.