Dr. Irwin R. Donis-González is an Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, specializing in postharvest engineering, management, and treatments for agricultural commodities. He leads efforts in postharvest technology, outreach, extension, and research activities. He has extensive expertise in dry and cold chain logistics, focusing on designing facilities for drying, cooling, and storage that enhance the transportation, distribution, and safety of fresh and processed produce. His innovative work combines machine vision, spectroscopy, computed tomography (CT), imaging, and pattern recognition for nondestructive sensing and grading of agricultural products.
He earned his Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University in 2013, with a dissertation on non-destructive evaluation of chestnut quality using X-ray CT. His academic background also includes a master’s degree in plant pathology from MSU, a Licentiate and Master’s in Agricultural Engineering from Del Valle University of Guatemala, and a Bachelor’s degree from UVG.
His professional experience includes academic roles, such as postdoctoral research at MSU, along with various extension and technical positions throughout Latin America. Dr. Donis-González actively participates in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), where he has held leadership roles overseeing postharvest research initiatives.
Dr. Donis-González has developed and taught a variety of workshops and courses focused on postharvest technology, including temperature management, nondestructive quality assessment, and food safety. His outreach includes organizing international seminars, authoring technical fact sheets, and demonstrating innovative postharvest solutions in multiple countries. He has made significant contributions to the scientific community through over 100 publications, conference presentations, and a patent for an innovative air distributor used in almond drying. His work has been recognized with awards, including multiple first-place prizes in innovation and pitch competitions.
Fluent in Spanish and English, he continues to explore new frontiers in postharvest engineering, coffee research, and sustainable food systems, aiming to improve global food safety, quality, and efficiency.
Education:
Ph.D. (2009 – 2013). Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) – Michigan State University (MSU). Dissertation: Non-destructive evaluation of fresh chestnuts’ internal quality using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT).
M.Sc. (2006 – 2008). Plant Pathology – MSU. Thesis: Microbial decay of fresh and peeled chestnuts and its control in Michigan.
Licentiate and M.Sc. degree (2000 – 2005). Agricultural Engineering – Del Valle University of Guatemala (UVG). Thesis: Propagation of citrus free of viruses, viroids, and fastidious prokaryotes of economic importance.
