Dr Marcin Glowacz

Marcin is a Scientist with a strong interest in Food Science, Human Nutrition, and Plant Biology, and in developing Innovative Technologies for the Agrifood Industry. His expertise lies in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. Dr Glowacz has a good understanding of the Fresh Produce Supply Chains as the majority of his research has been conducted in collaboration with industrial partners.
In addition, Marcin is interested in Pedagogy, especially in the Transformative Learning Theory and Constructivism Learning Theory which, in his view, are of key importance to fulfill the role of Science Foundation Year Course Leader.

Email: [email protected]

Background

Marcin has always been curious about the World around him and kept on asking himself challenging questions, e.g., how, and why things do or do not work in a specific way. The desire to answer those questions led him to enroll in the BSc Biology course to explore the fascinating processes of life, from the chemical reactions inside cells to drug discovery for diseases, through to environmental studies about human interaction with the environment. Curiosity and passion for the subject, especially Plant Biology have kept him in the Academia, where he can pursue his own interest and disseminate his findings through publications, conferences, and workshops, and inspire the next generation of students.

For many years, due to his interest in the Agri-Food Supply Chain, he has collaborated with numerous partners in the UK, and globally (Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, and China) to address the challenges within the supply chain. Whilst it is well known that fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for optimal health, quite often their storability is limited. Thus, it is important that we have a good understanding of the entire Food System (from production to consumption), including the impact on human health, and the environment, and try to address specific issues with the latest advancements in technology.

Finally, whilst in Academia, one cannot forget about the engagement with Pedagogic Research, to use the most appropriate teaching methods and strategies, with an emphasis on student-centered learning.

Spoken Languages

• Polish
• English

Research interests

• Agri-Food Supply Chain (Resilience and Sustainability)
• Global Food Security
• Food Safety and Nutrition
• Superfoods
• Functional Foods
• Effects of Processing (including Packaging and Storage) on Food
• Emerging Technologies in Food Processing and Preservation
• Food Microbiology
• Alternative Protein
• Pedagogic Research (with focus on the Experiential Learning, Transformative Learning Theory, Constructivism Learning Theory, Creative Thinking Framework, Identity Formation, etc.)

Areas of research supervision

• A Sustainable Food System, i.e., a Complex Web of Activities Involving the Production, Processing, Transport, and Consumption, Including the Impact on Human Health, and the Environment.
• Basic and Applied Research on Food Constituents to Understand their Contribution to Food Quality, Safety, Nutrition, and Health.
• Consumer Attitude towards Superfoods and their Health Benefits.
• Studies on Nutritional and Health Impacts of Foods and Food Components.
• Effects of Postharvest Handling on Quality of Fresh Produce.
• Adaptation and Application of Technologies that Enhance the Content and/or Biological Availability of Bioactive Food Components.

Teaching

• Science Foundation Year
• BSc Agriculture
• BSc Horticulture
• MSc Crop Production
• MSc Postharvest Technology

Qualifications

• PhD Plant Biochemistry, Harper Adams University, UK
• PG Cert Higher Education, University of Greenwich, UK
• PG Cert Research Skills, Harper Adams University College, UK
• MSc Ecology and the Environment, Lancaster University, UK
• MSc Biotechnology of Plants and Microorganisms, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
• BSc (Hons) Biology, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Memberships, editorial boards

• Member of Society for Research into Higher Education
• Associate Member of Association for Learning Technology
• Fellow of Advance HE
• Member of Pedagogic Research Community
• Member of UKRI STFC Food Network+

Ad Hoc Reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals, e.g., Biosystems Engineering (IF: 4.4), Food Chemistry (IF: 8.5), Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies (IF: 6.3), International Journal of Food Science and Technology (flagship journal of the Institute of Food Science and Technology), Journal of Food Science (IF: 3.2), Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (IF: 3.3), and New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science.

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Zespri International Ltd, 2020-2021, (PI) ‘Assessing CA outcomes in application of CA for shifting the packing window of SunGold’

Zespri International Ltd, 2020-2021, (Co-I) ‘Towards development of ethylene dose-response relationships during later stages of the supply chain – Generation of ethylene response data for Hayward and SunGold kiwifruit’

UKRI STFC Food Network+, 2019, (Co-I) ‘Technology and climate change’ (in collaboration with RAND Europe, University of Sheffield, University of York, University of Hull, University of Lincoln, Met Office, ADAS, University of Manchester, University of Hertfordshire, STFC Hartree Centre, University of Sussex, and The Open University)

UKRI STFC Food Network+, 2018, (PI) ‘The use of aroma volatiles profile for detecting mesocarp disorders in avocado fruit’ (with AST Solutions and The Open University)

UKRI STFC Food Network+, 2018, (Co-I) ‘Scoping the possibilities for Multi-modal sensing for non-destructive assessment of avocado fruit quality’ (in collaboration with University of Manchester and STFC Laboratories - RAL Space)

Innovate UK, 2017-2019, (Co-I) ‘BioFreshPak’

SAAGA (South African Avocado Growers’ Association), 2017-2018, (Co-I), ‘Investigating pre-harvest factors associated with the postharvest quality of ‘Hass’ avocados exported to the UK’

Barfoots, 2016-2017, (Co-I), Research Consultancy

Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), 2016-2017, (PI), ‘Reducing losses during the supply chain of South African avocado to the UK’, Knowledge Exchange

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (UK-South Africa Newton Fund), 2016, (PI), Fellowship for ECRs from the UK

Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), 2015-2016, (PI), ‘Using natural volatiles to reduce losses through the fruit supply chain’, Knowledge Exchange

AHDB, 2014-2017, (Co-I), ‘Identifying pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest management practices capable of reducing losses of pumpkins during storage’

Selected recent publications

Han, Y., Heyes, J., Glowacz, M., Nicholson, S., Jeffery, P. & East, A. (2024). The responses of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit to ethylene during regular and controlled atmosphere storage. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2024.2348136

O'Toole, M.D., Glowacz, M. & Peyton, A.J. (2023) Bioimpedance measurement of avocado fruit using magnetic induction spectroscopy. IEEE Transactions on AgriFood Electronics, 1(2), 99-107. 10.1109/TAFE.2023.3303177

Sneddon, T., Glowacz, M., Jeffery, P. & East, A. (2022). Severity of scuffing injury of ‘Zesy002’ kiwifruit as influenced by maturity. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 50(2-3), 259-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2022.2058025

Han, Y., East, A., Nicholson, S., Jeffery, P., Glowacz, M. & Heyes, J. (2022). Benefits of modified atmosphere packaging in maintaining ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit quality at room temperature retail conditions. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 50(2-3), 242-258. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2022.2044357

Glowacz, M. (2020). Advances in the use of ozone in the disinfection of horticultural produce. In C. Watkins (Ed.) ‘Advances in postharvest management of horticultural produce’. Cambridge, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003047650

Hood, C., Bounsall, D., Bridle, S., Choudhary, S., Emberson, L., Glowacz, M., Hardcastle, M., Kirkham, T., Menon, M., Nayak, R., Oliver, S., Pearson, S., Pope, E., Reynolds, C., Sagoo, L., Serjeant, S., Walsh, A. & Smith, E. (2019). Technology and climate change: A review of STFC Food Network+ projects and future potential. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2019. https://www.rand.org/pubs/working_papers/WR1330.html.

Glowacz, M., Lemmer, D. & Sivakumar, D. (2018). Investigating the pre-harvest factors associated with the postharvest quality of ‘Hass’ avocados exported to the UK. SAAGA yearbook, 41, 118-123. https://www.avocadosource.com/Journals/SAAGA/SAAGA_2018/SAAGA_2018_41_PG_118.pdf

Glowacz, M., Bill, M., Tinyane, P. & Sivakumar, D. (2017). Maintaining postharvest quality of cold stored ‘Hass’ avocados by altering the fatty acids content and composition with the use of natural volatile compounds – methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97, 5186-5193. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8400

Glowacz, M., Roets, N. & Sivakumar, D. (2017). Control of anthracnose disease via increased activity of defence related enzymes in ‘Hass’ avocado fruit treated with methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate. Food Chemistry, 234, 163-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.04.063

Bill, M., Korsten, L., Remize, F., Glowacz, M. & Sivakumar D. (2017). Effect of thyme oil vapours exposure on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX) genes expression, and control of anthracnose in ‘Hass’ and ‘Ryan’ avocado fruit. Scientia Horticulturae, 224, 232-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.06.026

Khumalo, K.N., Tinyane, P., Soundy, P., Romanazzi, G., Glowacz, M. & Sivakumar, D. (2017). Effect of thyme oil vapour exposure on the brown rot infection, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity in red and yellow skin peach cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae, 214, 195–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.11.044

Glowacz, M. & Rees, D. (2016). The practicality of using ozone. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 96, 4637–4643. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7763

Glowacz, M. & Rees, D. (2016). Exposure to ozone reduces postharvest quality loss in red and green chilli peppers. Food Chemistry, 210, 305-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.04.119

Glowacz, M. & Rees, D. (2016). Using jasmonates and salicylates to reduce losses within the fruit supply chain. European Food Research and Technology, 242, 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-015-2527-6

Glowacz, M., Mogren, L.M., Reade, J.P.H., Cobb, A.H. & Monaghan, J.M. (2015). High- but not low-intensity light leads to oxidative stress and quality loss of cold-stored baby leaf spinach. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95, 1821–1829. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6880

Glowacz, M., Colgan, R. & Rees, D. (2015). Influence of continuous exposure to gaseous ozone on the quality of red bell peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 99, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2014.06.015

Glowacz, M., Colgan, R. & Rees, D. (2015). The use of ozone to extend the shelf-life and improve quality of fresh produce. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95, 662–671. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6776

Glowacz, M., Mogren, L.M., Reade, J.P.H., Cobb, A.H. & Monaghan, J.M. (2013). Can hot water treatments enhance or maintain postharvest quality of spinach leaves? Postharvest Biology and Technology, 81, 23-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.02.004

Worrall, D., Holroyd, G.H., Moore, J.P., Glowacz, M., Croft, P., Taylor, J.E., Paul, N.D. & Roberts, M.R. (2012). Treating seeds with activators of plant defence generates long-lasting priming of resistance to pests and pathogens. New Phytologist, 193, 770-778. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03987.x

Recent presentations and conferences

CIHE Annual Conference 2024: Moving into Pedagogic Research, 11 July 2024, Cambridge, UK

ARU Engage: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, 26 June 2024, Cambridge, UK

University of Cambridge, IfM Industrial Resilience Research Group, Agri-Food Supply Chain Resilience Workshop, 29 May 2024, Cambridge, UK 

STFC Food Network+, ‘UK Food Systems in 2050: Trends, Roadmaps and Future Research Needs’, 28 April 2022, (online event)

The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science Inc., ‘Plant Science Central Conference’, 6-8 July 2021, NEW ZEALAND

STFC Food Network+ Annual Meeting, 5-6 December 2019, Manchester, UK

STFC Food Network+ Sandpit: ‘Innovation in food manufacturing and supply chains’, 25-26 March 2019, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, UK

UKRI-BBSRC Quality and Food Loss Workshop, 31 January 2019, London, UK

STFC Food Network+ Showcase Event, 17-18 January 2019, STFC Harwell Campus, UK

Food Security for Vulnerable Populations: the Fungal Threat Workshop, 11-14 September 2018, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL – funded by British Council.

STFC Food Network+ Annual Meeting, 28-29 June 2018, Sheffield, UK

N8 AgriFood Annual Conference 2018, People, Health, and Food Systems – Challenges and Solutions for 2030, 13-14 June 2018, Liverpool, UK

STFC Food Network+ Sandpit: ‘Transforming Food Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future’, 26-27 February 2018, Rothamsted Research Campus in Harpenden, UK

ISHS, VI Postharvest Unlimited Conference, 17-20 October 2017, Madrid, SPAIN

Increased Food Security Through Improved Postharvest Systems Using Renewable and Sustainable Energy for Rural Communities. United Kingdom, South Africa and Kenya Trilateral Workshop, 4-8 September 2017, Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA – funded by British Council.

N8 AgriFood Annual Conference 2017, International Sustainable Food Production Conference, 11-13 July 2017, Durham, UK

IV International Symposium on Postharvest Pathology, 28 May–3 June 2017, Sukuza, SOUTH AFRICA

Food Safety for Food Security Workshop, 13 July 2016, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

ISHS, VIII International Postharvest Symposium: Enhancing Supply Chain and Consumer Benefits - Ethical and Technological Issues, 21-24 June 2016, Cartagena, SPAIN

Agrisciences Young Researchers: Crop Production, Protection and Utilisation, 8 July 2015, SYNGENTA, Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre, UK

ISHS, V International Symposium on Cucurbits, 22-26 June 2015, Cartagena, SPAIN

ISHS, V Postharvest Unlimited Conference, 10-13 June 2014, Limassol, CYPRUS

SEB Symposium: Oxidative Stress & Cell Death in Plants, 26-28 June 2013, Florence, ITALY

SHE 2012, 2^nd Symposium on Horticulture in Europe, 1-5 July 2012, Angers, FRANCE

ISHS, II International Conference on Quality Management of Fresh Cut Produce Convenience Food for a Tasteful Life, 17-21 July 2011, Torino, ITALY

Media experience

STFC Food Network+ (2022) Food sensing technologies for safe and nutritious food. SFN+ [online].

RAND (2019) Technology's potential to tackle climate change in global agri-food systems. RAND Europe [online].

UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council (2019) Scientists invent a sniffing method to detect rotten avocados. The National Archives [online].