Elazar Fallik Ph.D.

Prof. Elazar (Eli) Fallik, (Ph.D.) Was a senior research scientist at the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZiyyon, Israel, at the Department of Postharvest Science since 1990 until his retirement in August 2022. He was the Head of the Department of Postharvest Science between 2004 and 2007 and the Head of the Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences between 2007-2013. Between 2013 and 2021 he was the Scientific Coordinator of the 8 Agricultural R & D Centers in Israel. He received his B.Sc. (1979), M.Sc. and a diploma as an extension officer (additional studies for one year during his master studies) (1981) and Ph.D. (1988) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel. Between 1981 and 1984 he was a research associate at Biotechnology General (Israel) Ltd., Rehovot, Israel. He spent two years (1988-1990) as a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. In 1996/7 he was on sabbatical leave at the University of Kentucky, Department of Horticulture and Landscaping Architecture, Lexington, Kentucky.

His research was focused on physiology, pathology and biochemistry aspects of fresh fruit-vegetables. His research interests were focused on the use of non-chemical treatment for disease control, fresh produce resistance by physical treatments, sensory (smell and taste), postharvest water loss, the use of 1-MCP in fresh produce, postharvest quality of grafted vegetables, and development of quarantine treatments for fresh harvested produce.

He developed a unique technology, in collaboration with engineers from Volcani Center and Ministry of Agriculture, which cleans and disinfects fresh harvested produce using hot water rinsing and brushing machine. This technology revolutionized the fresh produce export procedures and most of the treated fruit and vegetables are exported by sea transport all over the world. For this development he received the Kaplan prize (the second most important prize in Israel), the Invention Award and several more awards from the Israeli Government. In 2015 he received the Life Achievement Award for 2014 from ARO-the Volcani Center for his scientific and innovative contribution in the field of postharvest.

He is an adjunct professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and teaches at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel. He coordinated and taught international courses in postharvest research and development in Israel and around the world (mainly in developing countries). He was sent, as an expert in postharvest, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Israel, for many developing countries to teach and organize workshops and short courses in postharvest aspects for local farmers and scientists.

Prof. Fallik has published more than 280 reviewed papers in international and national journals, invited chapters, invited reviewed papers and 3 books. So far, he has supervised 32 master students, 11 PhD students and 2 postdoctoral students. He is a member of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS), a member in several national and international scientific committees, and a member in many editorial boards in of important scientific journals.