Solan: Dr. Devina Vaidya has assumed the charge as the Director of Research at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni. An expert in postharvest technology, Dr. Vaidya brings with her over 37 years of experience in teaching, research, administration and extension.
She previously served as the Dean of the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, and has also held key positions including Associate Director at the Regional Horticulture Research Station, Bajaura, and Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology at the main campus. She joined the university in 1989.
Dr. Vaidya has handled 11 major research projects funded by ICAR, DST, ICMR, MOFPI, FICCI, and the State Government. Her work spans postharvest management of fruits, vegetables and mushrooms; development of skill infrastructure and agri-entrepreneurship; studies on food safety, postharvest losses, and indigenous processing technologies.
She has filed several patents in food technology and functional product development, including innovations related to herbal formulations, juice preservation and healthy snack development. She has also promoted commercially scalable technologies and strengthened industry linkages.
Dr. Vaidya has guided numerous postgraduate, PhD, and diploma students in postharvest technology and food science. She has published extensively in reputed national and international journals. Her achievements have been recognised with several honours, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from AEDS, the ICAR Dr. Rajendra Prasad Puraskar for Best Technical Book in Hindi, and the Uma Dutt Mamgain Best Thesis Award (as Guide), among others.
Upon assuming her duties as Director of Research, Dr. Vaidya outlined her priorities and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening the university’s research ecosystem, advancing innovations in horticulture and forestry, and promoting impactful technologies for the benefit of farmers and the wider community.
