Dr. Griffiths G. Atungulu is the Director of The University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program and Asst. Professor of Grain Process Engineering. He holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees all in the field of agricultural engineering. He has worked on various aspects of biological and agricultural engineering, especially as related to food processing and post-harvest systems engineering. At present, he directs research, teaching, and an outreach program that is focused on engineering and optimization of classical and innovative processing technologies to secure grain processing efficiency, automated quality monitoring and processing control, improved quality and shelf-life, and mitigation of mycotoxin formation. His rice research spans the areas of drying, chilling, aeration, milling, storage, and value-added processing.
Research conducted has utilized lab- and field-based experiments, computerized mathematical modeling, and simulations tools to generate results and conclusions that advance science and positively impact the food, feed, and pet-food industries. Dr. Rusty C. Bautista is the grain quality scientist and seed technology lead at RiceTec, Inc. He has earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in agricultural engineering. He has over 40 years of work experience on rice with expertise in production, mechanization, characterization, quality, processing, and chemistry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, featured articles, and book-chapters on rice and grain quality, processing, seed technology development. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on sustainability and alternative energy and given lectures on climate and environmental impact on grain yield and quality.
He developed and directs the rice and grain quality institute at RiceTec, Inc. He has patented a laboratory rice mill and developed various laboratory tools and equipment for seed and grain processing. He currently provides technologies to support rice variety development and seed production sustainability amidst changing climate conditions and limited rice production resources.