Dr. Maria Tapia

Based in Venezuela

Dr. María S. Tapia was born in Caracas, Venezuela, received her B.A. as a biologist and a degree of Doctor in Science from Universidad Central de Venezuela and her Master degree in Food Science from Michigan State University, USA. She is a Retired Professor from the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTA) of the Faculty of Sciences which she headed for 4 years (2000-2004). She created the "Fundación 5aldía Venezuela" that promotes the consumption of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables for the prevention of chronic diseases and micronutrient deficiencies. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 publications as peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She has edited four books internationally in the area of food and fruit preservation, and co-authored a handbook of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on food preservation. She served as an advisor for 45 undergraduate and 15 graduate students. She has coordinated several research projects funded by international and national bodies in the area of fruit preservation. She is the GHI Ambassador from Venezuela and is a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela. Her main interests are Food Security, Food Safety, Fruit and Vegetables (F&V), Minimal processing of F&V, Water activity, and Five a Day campaigns.