Kevin M. Keener

Dr. Kevin Keener in a lab coat and hat in his laboratory
Professor, Barrett Family Foundation Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering
School of Engineering
Email: 
kkeener@uoguelph.ca
Phone number: 
(519) 824-4120 ext. 4469
Office: 
THRN 2344
Website links: 
Google Scholar
Research Gate
Seeking academic or industry partnerships in the area(s) of: 
Development and evaluation of novel food and biomanufacturing technologies, Sustainable food manufacturing, Food technology deployment, Food safety intervention assessment
Available positions for grads/undergrads/postdoctoral fellows: 
Please send an expression of interest to find out about availabilities

Find Related People by Keyword

Atmospheric Plasma, Biological engineering, Bioprocessing, Cryogenics, Food Process Engineering, Food Safety, Food Technology, Global Food Security, Heat Exchangers

Education and Employment Background

Prof. Kevin Keener is the University of Guelph’s first Barrett Family Foundation Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering. He received his PhD in Food Process Engineering from Purdue University in 1996. Prior to joining the U of G in 2019, he previously worked as a professor of food process engineering at Iowa State University and Purdue University where he directed multiple research and outreach centers focused on development sustainable technologies and processes at pilot and small industrial scale for food, feed, biochemicals and bioplastics industries.

Research Themes

Keener’s research focuses on improving processes and practices to reduce food waste, increase the use of food and fibre, and ensure sustainable food manufacturing processes. His focus is on developing novel food technologies that can deliver sustainable food systems and ensure the global transport of safe, nutritious high-quality food that benefits consumers, food manufacturers and government agencies. Specific research themes include:

  1. Food Safety and Technology. Atmospheric cold plasma technology is an emerging, green process that could have important applications for food packaging. It is a powerful tool for surface decontamination of foodstuffs and food packaging material. Keener explores the efficacy of this technology against food contamination.
  2. Food sustainability. Keener examines ways to improve the processes and practices to reduce food waste, increase the use of food and fibre, and ensure sustainable food manufacturing processes.
  3. Food Industry Engagement. Keener organizes and delivers technical programs on global food safety initiatives, food technology innovation, sustainable food manufacturing, import/export compliance, and food sustainability for food entrepreneurs, established food companies, and regulatory agencies.

Media Coverage

Barrett Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering