“I know Dr. Jayas will be an outstanding Vice-President (Research),” notes Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “His accomplishments in research are world-renowned and his willingness to enter a new phase of his career in which he devotes his prodigious energy to facilitating the work of other researchers, rather than continuing to carry on his personal research at the same level as he has done, is an indicator of his commitment to the success of the entire University community.”
Dr. Jayas, a distinguished professor, was educated at the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India; the University of Manitoba; and the University of Saskatchewan. Before assuming the position of Vice-President (Research), he held the position of Associate Vice-President (Research) for eight years. Prior to this he was Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Head of Biosystems Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a registered Professional Agrologist.
Dr. Jayas holds a Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems and has conducted research in the areas of: physical properties of agricultural products; modified atmosphere storage of grains, oilseeds, potatoes and meats; mathematical modelling of biological systems; and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the Agri-Food industry.
Dr. Jayas has received awards from several organizations in recognition of his research and professional contributions. He is the recipient of the 2008 Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award, as well as the 2008 NSERC Brockhouse Canada Prize. Dr. Jayas serves on the boards of many organizations including: Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Composite Innovation Centre, Agriculture Institute of Canada (AIC), Manitoba Institute of Agrologists (MIA), Manitoba Health Research Council, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Enterprise Committee, and the International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID). He is also chair of the board of directors of RESOLVE, a prairie research network on family violence, and of the advisory board of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, a research centre dedicated to the discussion, discovery, and development of functional foods.
The appointment is effective April 28, 2009, for a term ending June 30, 2014.
Dr. Jayas’ webpage may be accessed here.
