Hoang Minh PHAN

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I am currently pursuing a PhD to develop a digital twin of a commercial cold storage system for pear fruit in MebioS Postharvest. This research bridges advanced engineering with real-world food industry challenges. By creating a virtual replica of the physical system, the digital twin enables better control, prediction, and optimization of both fruit quality and storage operations. My PhD project is funded by the ENOUGH Project (H2020 EU), which supports sustainable solutions for the food sector.

Through this project, I dive into a broad set of disciplines—including physics-based modeling, process engineering, transport phenomena, uncertainty quantification, and data analytics—and apply them directly to the postharvest domain. This allows me to grow from theory to large-scale implementation, building expertise that connects engineering fundamentals with industry impact.

My foundation in food engineering was shaped by a joint Master’s program in Food Technology at KU Leuven and UGent. During this time, I honed strong skills in both physics-based and data-driven modeling to address challenges in the food industry. My master’s thesis applied deep learning and X-ray imaging to create a non-destructive sorting technology for pears with internal browning disorder—a project that combined AI with practical postharvest applications. Alongside this, I gained hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques, including GC, HPLC, DSC, NIR spectroscopy, and texture analysis.

Beyond academia, I am also a process engineer at heart. I had experience in the food industry working with processing systems, plant layout design, and capital expenditure (CapEx) project management. This balance between research and industrial practice has given me a unique perspective: understanding problems from the lab scale all the way up to factory floors.

I am passionate about applying my knowledge to improve (agri)-food systems, preservation technologies, and process operations through research, consultancy, or engineering solutions.

My goal is to help build smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable (agri)-food systems!