Honorary Doctorate Awarded to Adel Kader

In late April, Dr. Adel Kader was the recipient of an honorary doctorate awarded by the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain.  He was honored for his lifelong research efforts to "improve the lives of millions of people" through his work to reduce postharvest losses, thereby increasing food availability.  Dr. Kader is also passionate about growing fruit that tastes and looks good, and also maintaining those qualities for as long as possible after it is harvested.

The academic dress for the Polytecnic University's ceremony was very formal, requiring a special gown, cape, gloves, and hat. Also receiving an honorary doctorate was Gustavo Barbosa, a professor of food engineering from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. and a native of Uruguay.  Following the ceremony, Dr. Kader gave a presentation on "Fifty years of learning and teaching postharvest biology and technology of horticultural crops."  "I enjoyed seeing many friends at the ceremony and my visit in general", he said of his trip to Spain.