Dr. Jagadish Pai
A Retired Professor, previously HOD of the Food Technology Department at the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT, now known as ICT Mumbai) attached to University of Mumbai. He studied Food Technology from UDCT before going to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass, USA for his masters and PhD in Food Technology.
He taught a course in Food Science at the University of Massachusetts, while completing his PhD and was awarded the ‘Distinguished Teaching Associate Award’ in 1973. He has taught various courses in the Food Science department in UDCT, including Food Chemistry, Processing & Technology of Food, Food Engineering, Fermentation Technology, Bio-process Technology, Flavour Technology and others.
He was also a research guide and guided students for masters and doctoral research in various subjects in food science, fermentation, flavour and biotechnology and has many publications in major journals. He has been a consultant to many food manufacturing companies and was also part of their advisory committees.
He has been working as Executive Director of the Protein Foods & Nutrition Development Association of India (PFNDAI) for many years and is now working as an Editor since September 2023. He has also been a member of the Scientific Committee of FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India).
Dr. Joseph Lewis
Joseph Lewis is a Food Regulatory Consultant and has represented Industry on several committees, including the Central Committee for Food Standards (Ministry of Health, Government of India; 1998-2006).
He has been a member on several Scientific Panels and Working Groups of FSSAI; Food Additives, Labeling, Claims and Advertisements, Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements (2009-2015). He continued thereafter as a Consultant with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FSSAI (2015-2017).
He obtained his PhD (Tech) at the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT), Mumbai and subsequently worked on a postdoctoral program at the University of Reading, UK while on a Nuffield Fellowship. He has over 25 years of experience in research and development with the Food Industry (Britannia Ltd, Marico Ltd).
He consults with various Associations and Industry.
Dr. Shashank Bhalkar
Dr. Shashank Bhalkar is presently the Executive Director at PFNDAI.
After doing a Doctorate in Food Technology from UDCT, Mumbai University, he did his Post-Doctoral Research in Biochemistry from Ehime University, Japan.
He has over 27 years of rich experience working in a multidiscipline of business (R&D, QA, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Procurement), in the Nutritional Food / Nutraceuticals Industry. His strength during Professional work was the development of new specialized Nutritional products.
He worked in various Indian and Multinational industries which are in the business of manufacturing Nutritional and Nutraceutical products. The organizations include reputed manufacturers like FDC Ltd, Raptakos Brett & Co. Ltd., Herbalife International, and Abbott Nutrition.
Ms. Samreen Shaikh
Ms. Samreen Shaikh is a Food Processing and Technology graduate from SNDT Women’s University Centre for Vocational & Technical Education, Juhu. During her graduation, she carried out a shelf life analysis of homemade Indian snacks. She has also developed nutritious cookies & various products at PFNDAI as a part of new food product development. She has done internships in two hotels ITC Grand Maratha & The Leela Mumbai. During her internship, she learned different lab techniques and performed microbiological tests for food and water samples.
She has contributed to some articles for PFNDAI’s bulletins and blogs. She has been actively involved in organizing and conducting the Webinars and Conferences by PFNDAI since December 2022. Currently, she is working as a Jr. Food technologist at PFNDAI.
Ms. Simran Vichare
Ms Simran Vichare is a Nutrition graduate from Nirmala Niketan College, Mumbai. She has completed her masters in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from Dr BMN College of Home Science, Matunga which is affiliated to SNDT Women’s University.
During her post-graduation, she has worked on understanding the relationship between women’s menstruation phases, their personality traits with their diet. She has also gained experience in learning about pediatric as well as geriatric nutrition during her course of education. She has completed multiple courses on topics like Renal nutrition, Onco-nutrition, Nutrition for diabetics, etc.
Ms Simran has presented her Dissertation paper at the International Conference on Millets 2023 and IAPEN: India Clinical Nutrition Congress 2024.
She has penned down a few articles for PFNDAI’s Bulletin and Blogs and has been actively involved in conducting activities and webinars by PFNDAI. Currently, she is working as a Nutritionist at PFNDAI since October 2023.
Ms. Sanyukta Telange
Ms. Sanyukta Telange is a graduate of School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D. Y. Patil deemed to be university. She has completed her Master’s in Food science and technology and a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology. During her Master’s, she worked on the preservation of coffee decoction.
She is trained in HACCP and FOSTAC (catering and manufacturing). She has experience as a training executive at Equinox Labs and as a production management intern at Patilkaki.
Currently, she is working as a Technical Assistant at PFNDAI since March 2024.
