UGA Tifton Campus
Dr. Nobuko Sugimoto is an accomplished horticulturist with over 10 years of technical and research experience specializing in postharvest fruit and vegetable quality. Her early interest in plant biology, sparked by her childhood hobby of growing roses, evolved into a focused career in postharvest physiology, with a particular emphasis on aroma formation in fruit.
During her graduate studies, Dr. Sugimoto made a significant discovery in apple aroma biology, identifying a novel gene and pathway, a breakthrough published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Her research on fruit and vegetable quality has been widely disseminated through numerous presentations at scientific conferences and in popular media, including an interview with Dr. Harold McGee featured in the New York Times.
After completing her Ph.D., Dr. Sugimoto applied her expertise to industry and academic collaborations, leading field trials and developing innovative technologies aimed at improving the shelf-life and quality of produce. For example, her work with a grower in Georgia reduced cucumber fruit loss during shipping from 20-40% to less than 10%. Throughout her career, she has led R&D efforts in fungicide development, chilling injury reduction, and the commercialization of new postharvest treatments.
Dr. Sugimoto is committed to advancing the science of postharvest management and sharing her findings with growers and the scientific community, ensuring the continued optimization of fruit and vegetable quality through both pre- and postharvest techniques.
Appointment
- 75% Research
- 20% Extension
- 5% Service
Education
- B.A. – Law, Department of Law, Chuo University, Japan: 1992
- Undergraduate – Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University: 2004
- M.S. – Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University: 2007
- Ph.D. – Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University: 2011