Resume

 EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture, expected August 2008

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Concentration: Postharvest Physiology

Master of Science in Horticulture, August 2004

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Grade Point Average: 3.77/4.0

Concentration: Postharvest Physiology

Thesis: Heat treatments for controlling postharvest diseases and chilling injury in Florida citrus [Full text]

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, August 2001

Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

Grade Point Average: 8.69/10.0

EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant, August 2004-Present

Advisors: Dr. Jackie Burns and Dr. Jude Grosser

Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, Florida

·        Exploring differential degreening responses of citrus types

·        Evaluating differential ethylene responses during leaf and fruit abscission in citrus [Abscission program]

Graduate Research Assistant, August 2002-August 2004

Adivsor: Dr. Mark A. Ritenour

Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, Florida

·        Designed and conducted experiments to control postharvest diseases and to reduce chilling injury in Florida grapefruit using heat treatments

·        Studied how heat treatments affect the electrolyte leakage, peroxidase activity, total phenolics and protein in citrus flavedo

SKILLS

      Field: Plot design and sampling techniques

      Laboratory: Gas Chromatography, Texture Analyzer, Spectrophotometer, Micro Plate Reader, SDS-Page, Western Blot and Immuno detection

      Computer: Statistical Analysis using SAS, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Front Page)

PUBLICATIONS

      John-Karuppiah, K-J., M.A. Ritenour, M.S. Burton, J.K. Brecht, and T.G. McCollum. 2004. Short-duration, hot water treatment for the control of chilling injury and postharvest decay in citrus. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:403-407. [Full text]

      Ritenour, M.A., K-J. John Karuppiah, R.R. Pelosi, M.S. Burton, T.G. McCollum, J.K. Brecht, and E.A. Baldwin. 2003. Response of Florida grapefruit to short-duration heat treatments using vapor heat or hot water dips. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 116:405-409. [Full text]

AWARDS/ACTIVITIES

      Hunt Brothers Assistantship to pursue Ph.D., IFAS, University of Florida, 2005-Present

      Member, American Society for Horticultural Science, 2005-Present

      Member, Gamma Sigma Delta, The Honor Society of Agriculture, 2004-Present

      Member, Gator Citrus Club, 2004-2005

Member, Florida State Horticultural Society, 2003-Present

Secretary, Students’ Club, Horticulture College, 2000-2001

      Best Player Trophy, Table Tennis, 2000-2001

Captain, Table Tennis team, represented Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in All India Inter Agricultural Universities Sports and Games Meet, 2000-2001

      Member, Editorial Board, Horticulture College, 1998-1999