Jitendra Paliwal is vice president of research and innovation at the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) and an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba (U of M).

Paliwal earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering in India, followed by a master’s and PhD in biosystems engineering at the U of M. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife. Their two children are following a similar path to their father: one is studying engineering, while the other is studying geology at the U of M.

Where did you work before UWinnipeg?

I arrived at the U of M as a graduate student and never left (until last year). I was there for nearly 30 years, including my time as a student, then a professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and eventually associate dean (academic and graduate programs) in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. It has been a rewarding journey, and I’ve met many wonderful people along the way.

Tell us a bit about your research over the years.

My research focuses on the storage and quality monitoring of crops grown in Manitoba. I primarily employ optical techniques, using visible and non-visible light to monitor and enhance the quality of various agricultural commodities.

In one project, “Decontaminating stored flax,” which is funded in part by Manitoba Crop Alliance, we are using what is known as advanced oxidative processing. Through this process, we combine UV light, ozone and hydrogen peroxide to zap microbes, so the crop stays free of any kind of microbial growth.

Flax is a high-lipid crop that must remain dry during storage. The goal of our research is twofold: to maintain dryness and, if microbial growth does occur due to elevated moisture levels, to eliminate it effectively. We are exploring non-thermal methods that avoid heating the crop, using environmentally friendly approaches that involve no hazardous chemicals. Our focus is on solutions that are not only effective but also cost-efficient and commercially viable.

In the last year of this research, we are optimizing a combination of UV light, ozone and hydrogen peroxide without overexposing the crop to any of these three. We are looking for that sweet spot where we can decontaminate the crop while preserving its mechanical and functional properties, which are essential in end-product development.

What got you interested in this area of work?

I was always interested in agriculture. Sure, flax was not originally on my radar, but I was always interested in crops, people having healthy food to eat and farmers getting compensated the best they can.

As the population grows, so does the focus on increasing production, but there is less mention of post-harvest management of crops. Crops can spoil in storage, and if we were to stop some of that spoilage, we wouldn’t have to put as much pressure on the production side. This has been one of the main driving forces of my research program (i.e., to contain spoilage and preserve quality).

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

Funding enables progress, but what’s especially humbling about support from farmers is the trust they place in our research to address the challenges they face. Every time they contribute a check-off dollar to a producer group, they invest in the hope that someone will turn that dollar into meaningful, long-term solutions. This kind of funding keeps us grounded; it reminds us to focus on delivering practical outcomes that ultimately support and benefit the farming community.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

Much of the work we do has a direct impact on farmers, beginning in the lab and ultimately reaching the field. The techniques and tools we develop are only possible because of the support we receive. Farmers have placed their trust in the system, which means a great deal. They keep asking the tough questions and challenge us to push the boundaries of science. That’s how we continue delivering solutions and innovations that tackle real-world challenges on the farm. Thank you for supporting our research.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

I am a bit of a wellness freak, and I like staying active. Tennis keeps my aging body moving, yoga keeps my mind sane and nutritional supplements (like flax!) keep me hopeful, if not youthful. I also dabble a little in cooking, but my kids would argue that my food is more nutritional than tasty.

What gets you most excited about your work?

When you are working in the lab, the “aha” moment clicks when a student or a farmer says, “Well, this helped!” To me, that is a big win. Science is about discovery, but impact is about people. So, bridging the two really excites me.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

My father telling me to work hard but stay humble.

Humility is one of the most important qualities. You might achieve great success or accumulate wealth, but it’s essential to stay grounded and acknowledge the people who helped you along the way.

Connect with Jitendra on LinkedIn.