Rate My Professor Natalia Falagan

Dr Natalia Falagan Sama is a Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology at Cranfield University in the Centre for Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences. She graduated as an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Valencia in Spain and obtained an MSc in Advanced Techniques in Agricultural and Food Research and Development from the University of Cartagena. She earned her PhD in Food Engineering in 2015 from the University of Cartagena, with research conducted at the University of California Davis and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in Bordeaux. Dr Falagan joined the Plant Science Laboratory at Cranfield University in 2016 and has since advanced to her current senior lecturer position. Her research focuses on reducing food waste and improving food security while maintaining the quality and safety of fresh produce across the supply chain. She investigates ripening and senescence mechanisms of fruit and vegetables and develops innovative strategies for postharvest management. Dr Falagan teaches on the Food Systems and Management and Future Food Sustainability MSc programmes and serves as module leader for Postharvest Technology. She is a member of the Royal Society of Biology, the Institute of Agricultural Engineers and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2021 she received the Top 50 Women in Engineering Engineering Heroes award and in 2022 a medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering Spain for her contributions to reducing food loss and waste. In 2023 she was selected as Best Research Supervisor in the Cranfield University Student Choice Awards. Dr Falagan participates in scientific advisory committees for the Food Standards Agency and sits on the Cold-Chain working group for the Cool Coalition as well as the National Technical Advisory committee for the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain. Her work includes international projects with clients such as the World Bank Group, BBSRC, Innovate UK and the Department for International Trade.