Antonio Bevilacqua, full professor of Microbiology, holds a PhD in Food Product Biotechnology (2006) and a MSc in Food Science and Technology from the University of Foggia, Italy, where he is currently Full Professor of Microbiology at the DAFNE Department and Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Program in Food Science and Technology. His research focuses on food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, starter cultures and probiotics, predictive microbiology and mathematical modelling, risk analysis, and sustainable agriculture, including plant growth–promoting bacteria and bioremediation. He has coordinated several national and international research projects and serves as Associate Editor and Editorial Board member of leading journals in food microbiology and food science.

Prof. J.C. Umavathi, Gulbarga University, India J.C. Umavathi completed her Post Doctral from the Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, 82100 Benevento, Italy. She is working as Professor in the Department of mathematics, Gulbarga University since 1993. She has published more than 215 research articles in reputed international journals. She is a recipient of Kalpana Chawla Young Scientist award, Sir J.C. Bose award and Erasmus Mundus Fellowship.