Kansas State University

Eleni Pliakoni

Associate Professor of Urban Food Production & Postharvest Handling
K-State Olathe
22201 W. Innovation Dr.
Olathe, KS 66061

913-307-7370
epliakoni@ksu.edu

Area(s) of Specialization:
Urban Food Production & Postharvest Handling

View My Curriculum Vitae

Bio Brief

Eleni comes to K-State Olathe from the University of Florida were she has been a postdoctoral research assistant in the department of Horticultural science, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences. She was working there in the filed of postharvest handling by studying different ways of extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables based on changes in sensorial and nutritional quality factors. More specifically her research is focused on determining the best controlled atmosphere (CA) for broccoli, lettuce and tomato, as well as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) film requirements for each crop. Additionally, she is using 1-MCP, ethylene action inhibitor, and ethylene scrubbers in order to extend the postharvest life of the commodities. Eleni is also focused in postharvest physiology area therefore she is analyzing the influence of different temperatures and different MAP on the aroma compounds of vine-ripe tomato by GC-MS.

In the past she participated in an International student exchange program (ATLANTIS), visiting the Horticultural Sciences Department of Texas A&M University. After completing all the requirements she received the International Certificate on Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops (ICPT). She has also worked at the CSIC Research Center in Murcia, using chromatography for the analysis of phenol constituent in fruit samples.

Education

B.S. Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2001
M.S. Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2001
M.S. Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Greece, 2003
Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Greece, 2010

Publications

K. Gude, C.L. Rivard, S.E. Gragg, K. Oxley, P. Xanthopoulos and E.D. Pliakoni. 2018. Day-neutral Strawberries for High Tunnel Production in the Central United States. HortTechnology 28(2):154-165.

Helena Pontes Chiebao, Jacob R. Jenott, Daniel A. Unruh, Sara E. Gragg Cary L. Rivard, E.D. Pliakoni. 2018. Postharvest treatments to improve quality, safety and storage life, at non-optimum temperatures of locally grown vegetables in Kansas. Acta Hortic 1194: 1353-1360.

K. Gude, C.L. Rivard, H.P. Chiebao, M. Swaney-Stueve² and E.D. Pliakoni, 2018. Pre-harvest Effects on Postharvest Quality of Spring-Planted, Day-Neutral Strawberries in High Tunnels. Acta Hortic 1194: 91-98.

K. Gude, C.L. Rivard, S.E. Gragg, K. Oxley, P. Xanthopoulos and E.D. Pliakoni. 2018. Day-neutral Strawberries for High Tunnel Production in the Central United States. HortTechnology 28(2):154-165.

Helena Pontes Chiebao, Jacob R. Jenott, Daniel A. Unruh, Sara E. Gragg Cary L. Rivard, E.D. Pliakoni. 2018. Postharvest treatments to improve quality, safety and storage life, at non-optimum temperatures of locally grown vegetables in Kansas. Acta Hortic 1194: 1353-1360.

L.J. Meyer, M.M. Kennelly, E.D. Pliakoni, and C.L. Rivard.2017. Leaf removal reduces scion adventitious root formation and plant growth of grafted tomato. Sientia Horticuturea 214 (2017) 147-157.

E.D Pliakoni C.A Shoemaker, R. Janke and C.L. Rivard.2016. Building a New Graduate Program: A Model for Collaboration between Institutions and Industry. Acta Hortic 1126:187-192.

E.D. Pliakoni, D.J. Huber, S.A. Sargent, and J.K. Brecht. 2016. Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence as an Indicator of Brown Stain (CO2 Injury) in Romaine Lettuce. Acta Hortic 1120:151-156.

Teaching