Jeyam Subbiah

Dr. Jeyam Subbiah is a Professor and Director for the Center for Scalable & Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing at the University of Arkansas. Previously, he served as Department Head of Food Science at the University of Arkansas from 2019-2024 and was a faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 2004-2019, where he was appointed as Kenneth E. Morrison Distinguished Professor of Food Engineering with joint appointments in Food Science & Technology and Biological Systems Engineering.

• Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering, Oklahoma State University, USA
• M.S. in Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada
• B.E. in Agricultural Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

Dr. Subbiah's research focuses on food safety engineering, particularly in the area of advanced food manufacturing and processing technologies. His work centers on developing innovative methods for ensuring the safety of low-moisture foods through thermal and non-thermal processing techniques. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of radiofrequency pasteurization, ethylene oxide treatment, and gaseous antimicrobial applications for spices and seeds. His research bridges the gap between food engineering principles and practical food safety solutions, with strong emphasis on the food-energy-water nexus.

Dr. Subbiah's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward solving critical food safety challenges in low-moisture foods. His work consistently addresses pathogen inactivation in spices, seeds, and other dry commodities using novel processing technologies. The research spans from fundamental studies on microbial kinetics to applied engineering solutions for industry implementation. A significant portion of his recent work focuses on radiofrequency technologies, gaseous antimicrobials, and thermal processing methods specifically designed for challenging food matrices.

Scientific Awards:

• Research Award of Merit, Gamma Sigma Delta – The Honor Society for Agriculture, 2017
• Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students, University of Nebraska, 2016, 2008
• Engineer of the Year, Nebraska Section of the ASABE, 2014
• Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service as Associate Editor, ASABE, 2011
• Young Engineer of the Year award, Mid-Central Section of American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2009

Dr. Subbiah has been actively involved in academic leadership, having completed the lead21 academic leadership training program in 2017-18. His teaching approach incorporates research-based instructional technologies such as just-in-time teaching, flipped classroom, and student response systems to enhance student engagement. He has made significant contributions to food safety research through numerous grants focused on developing and validating novel processing technologies for enhancing the safety of low-moisture foods.

As Director of the Center for Scalable & Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing, Dr. Subbiah leads research efforts focused on developing automated solutions for improving efficiency and safety in poultry processing. His team works at the intersection of food engineering, automation technology, and food safety science to create practical solutions for industry challenges.