Awards
A
CSHS member receives Gold Harvest Award
2005
On
Dec 2005 Shahrokh Khanizadeh Received the 1st Gold harvest award from
Leonard Edward Deputy Minister office of pride and recognition in
recognition of exceptional commitment to the qualities of excellence and
innovation, partnering and team building. Leadership, client-Centre work,
and inclusiveness. This award recognized the research in the field of
sustainable development, particularly with regard to genetic enhancement
and cultivar development, collaboration with universities and
non-governmental organizations and the important work that foster
inclusiveness and equity.
Dr.
Khanizadeh is a plant breeder.
He
studies thousands of cultivars of apples and strawberries and singles out
the desirable traits.
In
Canada, desirable traits include disease-resistance, cold hardiness,
antioxidant values and even traits that will help fruit stay fresh on
the long trek to a grocery store.
Have
you ever cut up an apple only to see the flesh turn brown after a few
minutes?
A non-browning apple
named Eden is just one of
the many accomplishments of Dr. Khanizadeh
and he is currently working with food companies, to promote the new apple
variety to consumers.
Antioxidants
are the current health trend as our aging population investigates new ways
to preserve a healthy lifestyle.
Dr.
Khanizadeh is riding the crest of this trend by creating several new
varieties of strawberries that are bursting with antioxidants.
But he
is thinking bigger picture too.
While many scientists are currently screening varieties for
antioxidants, he is also looking for sturdy Canadian qualities that will
sustain the plant over our bitter winters, summer droughts and nasty pests. Dr. Khanizadeh is also an author. His colorful and comprehensive books on Canadian apples and plums are popular with both scientists and garden enthusiasts. A new edition to the series, listing 170 varieties of Canadian strawberries, was published last month. |