Rahul Thakur
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Processing Technology
Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Education:
Ph.D. Food Process Engineering — thesis submitted (National Institute of Technology, Rourkela); M.Tech. Food Engineering and Technology (Tezpur University); B.Tech. Food Engineering and Technology (Bundelkhand University)
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Rahul Thakur is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Processing Technology at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Food Process Engineering at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, with his thesis submitted. His academic background includes an M.Tech. in Food Engineering and Technology from Tezpur University and a B.Tech. in Food Engineering and Technology from Bundelkhand University. His research focuses on sustainable biomaterials, biopolymer-based food packaging, biomass valorization, green extraction technologies, and food preservation, with expertise in developing antimicrobial and intelligent packaging systems using biopolymers, nanomaterials, and natural bioactive compounds. He has also contributed to undergraduate teaching through teaching assistantships in food microbiology, food chemistry, food testing laboratories, dairy process engineering, and functional foods.
His research has made significant contributions to sustainable food packaging and preservation through the development of biodegradable antimicrobial films, edible packaging materials, and green extraction techniques. During his doctoral and master’s research, he worked extensively on gelatin/chitosan-based packaging films, cellulose nanoparticle reinforcement, natural deep eutectic solvent-assisted extraction of anthocyanins, and intelligent packaging for food quality monitoring. He has experience with advanced analytical instrumentation, including spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, rheology, mechanical characterization, and X-ray diffraction, along with proficiency in scientific data analysis software. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary expertise in food engineering, material science, and sustainable packaging technologies.
Rahul Thakur has an extensive research publication record in leading international journals, with contributions spanning food packaging, edible films, biomaterials, green extraction technologies, nanocomposites, food preservation, and sustainable food processing. In addition to numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, he has authored several book chapters and presented his research at national and international conferences, including events in India, Italy, and Thailand. His publications reflect consistent research output in high-impact areas of food science and food engineering, particularly focusing on innovative packaging materials and sustainable processing technologies.
He has received several recognitions for his academic and research excellence, including Young Scientist Awards at international and national conferences, the Springer Award for Best Poster Presentation, and multiple poster presentation awards. He qualified the GATE examination and has actively participated in faculty development programmes, technical workshops, and international conferences while serving as a student coordinator for research workshops and scientific events. He is a Life Member of the Asian Polymer Association, reflecting his continued professional engagement in the fields of food engineering, biomaterials, and polymer science.