Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus, Department Chair
1941-2012
ADEL A. KADER
Birth: March 1, 1941, Cairo, Egypt
Death: December 10, 2012, San Francisco, California
Education
- B.Sc., Horticulture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1959
- M.Sc., Vegetable Crops, UC Davis, 1962
- Ph.D., Plant Physiology, UC Davis, 1966
Employment
- Assistant Professor, Ain Shams University, Cairo (1966-1971)
- Lecturer and Consultant, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (1971-1972)
- UC Davis, 1972-2007
- Assistant Researcher
- Professor and Department Chair, Pomology (1985-1989)
- Director, Postharvest Technology Center (1979-2007)
Honors, Awards and Professional Societies
- Fellow, American Society for Horticultural Science (1986)
- President, American Society for Horticultural Science (1996)
- Award of Distinction, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (2000)
- Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award, UC Davis (2003)
- Internationally recognized for leadership in postharvest biology and technology
Research Contributions and Impact
Adel Kader was a global leader in postharvest biology, with a career that transformed the understanding and application of postharvest practices. He led the development of the UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center (now the Postharvest Research and Extension Center), transforming it into a world leader in postharvest research, education and extension. The annual Postharvest Technology Short Course, which he established in 1979, trained more than 2,500 professionals from around the world.
Kader’s research focused on improving the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. He pioneered work on controlled-atmosphere storage, modified-atmosphere packaging, and the physiological and biochemical factors affecting flavor and nutrition. His work benefited farmers, distributors and consumers worldwide by reducing postharvest losses.
His book Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops became a respected text for the field, with thousands of copies sold in multiple languages. He also co-authored Small-Scale Postharvest Handling Practices: A Manual for Horticultural Crops, translated into nine languages, which served as a practical guide for growers worldwide.
Publications and Scholarly Leadership
- Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops (Lead Editor, multiple editions)
- Small-Scale Postharvest Handling Practices: A Manual for Horticultural Crops (Co-author)
- More than 230 technical publications on postharvest biology and technology
- Established the UC Davis Postharvest Technology website, a global information hub
Teaching and Mentorship
Kader was a dedicated educator, mentoring 37 graduate students and 63 visiting scholars. His students became leaders in postharvest biology worldwide. He taught core courses in postharvest technology, including the popular Postharvest Technology Short Course, which remains a cornerstone of the field. As a note, James R. Gorny, one of his former students and director of the Postharvest Technology Center, conducted his Emeriti Interview.
Collaboration and Community
Kader’s impact extended far beyond California. He served as an advisor on postharvest strategies in Egypt, Chile, India, China, Thailand and the Philippines. His leadership in the USAID Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program (Horticulture CRSP) furthered global horticultural development, improving food security and farmer livelihoods worldwide.
Legacy
Kader is remembered as a pioneer in postharvest biology, a generous mentor and a champion of global agricultural development. His influence endures in the UC Davis Postharvest Research Extension Center, his textbooks and publications, and the countless students and professionals he inspired.
References
For additional tributes, interviews and biographies, see the following resources: