Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Sustainable Nanotechnology for Food and AgricultureT: 514-398-7920 | saji.george [at] mcgill.ca (Email) | Macdonald-Stewart Building MS1-039 | Website |
Degrees
PhD: Microbiology, Biophotonics, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
MSc: Biotechnology, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India.
BSc: Food Science and Quality Control, St George’s College Aruvithura, Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, India.
Short Bio
Professor George received Bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Quality Control and Master’s in Biotechnology from Mahatma Gandhi University, India. After obtaining PhD from National University of Singapore, Dr George completed postdoctoral training in nanotoxicology from University of California, Los Angeles, USA. In 2011, Dr George joined Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore as a senior lecturer where he was spearheading research activities at the Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology (CSN).
Dr George addresses research questions related to the implications and application of nanotechnology with the ultimate goal of developing sustainable nanotechnology applications for food safety and security. He has completed several research projects funded by government and industries that addressed functional relationship between nanomaterial properties and their hazardous and beneficial biological outcomes.
Dr George has authored/ co-authored 58 journal articles, five patents, two book chapters and >30 invited talks. Dr George has served as a committee member of ISO/TC229 working group 3 (WG3) dealing with standards for health risk assessment of nanomaterials, and has been engaging with regulatory agencies and industry through consultation, panel member and/or sharing information related to technology applications in food and agriculture sector.
Awards and Recognitions
- Canada Research Chair (Tier II)- 2018
- Innovation Champion, PS21 ExCEL Awards 2016. Public Service Division, Singapore
- Most Innovative Project (Team award), PS21 ExCEL Awards 2015. Public Service Division, Singapore.
- Outstanding Mentor Award (in 2012 and 2014) from Ministry of Education, Singapore.
- Certificate on Teaching and Learning (Cert TL)-NYP Oct 2013.
- Best Poster Awards at BES-SM8 and SSBMB-YSS 2013.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship- University of California Toxic Substances Research and Training Program (TSRTP). University of California, Los Angeles, USA-2008.
Active Affiliations
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Material Research Society (MRS)
Research Interests
Developing sustainable nanotechnology applications for food and agriculture demands deeper understanding on the biological implications of nanomaterials, beyond the creation of novel functional properties. Dr George’s research program has two interrelated components: (i) Developing robust risk assessment strategies, including the detection, exposure assessment, and hazard profiling of engineered and incidental nanomaterials using high throughput screening platforms (ii) Developing safety assured nanotechnology applications for delivery of therapeutics (drugs, vaccine and micro nutrients) to farmed fish and animals. The overall aim is developing guidelines for safe use, tools for regulatory oversight, and safety assured nanotechnology for food safety and security.
Current Research
- Developing an adverse outcome pathway model of gastro-intestinal system for hazard profiling of nanomaterials and chemicals
- Transformation of dietary nanomaterials in food supply chain and gastro-intestinal system
- Food allergy: role of ingested nanomaterials
- Profiling of bacterial pathogens isolated from farms for antimicrobial resistance and virulence characteristics
- Developing nanotechnology enabled combinatorial therapy to fight drug resistant bacterial pathogens
Courses