My research visit began in October 2023 and spanned 12 months across three institutions in Europe. Each institution provided a unique research environment and experience that deepened my interest in exploring the interconnections between my discipline and others and also gaining new knowledge. Project SUSTAINABLE is instrumental in advancing my research career and contributing to the project Sustainable goals. This opportunity has significantly impacted my work, and I sincerely appreciate the support.

My Experience

The research stay at Universidad De Granada (UGR), Spain offered a unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers/experts across disciplines, access specialized resources, and immerse oneself in a new academic culture. Additionally, visiting the Department of Analytical Chemistry and Animal Physiology at the University to see some advanced experiments being performed (optic fibre testing, fish cutting, and filleting) gave me new insights into innovations in food quality through precision techniques in the pursuit of sustainability. The display and the discussions on the Spectrophotometer by DNAphone, Italy in assessing wine quality and the device’s adaptability to measure other parameters at UGR was really engaging. Overall, my experience in project Sustainable can be described as both exhilarating and transformative. Beyond academic gains, it has broadened my perspectives, helped to forge international collaborations, and experience a new way of working (and living) including adapting to the language dynamics.

Finding the nexus with my research focus in Supply Chain Management and collaborating with incredible people was actually a major highlight for me.

Partaking in the olive and wine tasting courses at Centro Mediterraneo – UGR, Spain made me understand that consumers’ feedback is a key element of ensuring and improving quality of production. Visits to the Olive oil fields and Winery in Andalusia were fun-filled and educative as well –  the processes and equipment involved in the production of the final commodities aimed at sustainable production and consumption.

Contribution at Host Institution

  • Bringing cross-disciplinary insights through research on the “Application of Digital technologies in Aquaculture Supply Chain” and “Barriers to the Adoption and Implementation of Agriculture 4.0.”
  • This facilitated a transfer of knowledge and multidisciplinary integration of competences, thereby bridging gaps between field of Aquaculture, Computer Science, Engineering, and Biotechnology to address systemic challenges in food production.

Contribution to project Sustainable

  • Data collection: Olive oil and Wine tasting.
  • Research: Understanding the Application of Digital Technologies in Aquaculture Supply Chains Through a Systematic Literature Review. Aquaculture International, 33, 397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-02069-7
  • Knowledge sharing: New methodologies, data analytical tools. 
  • Events/Workshops:
    1. Department of Analytical Chemistry (Techniques of chemical analysis in food products, analyzing polyphenols in olive oil) – October 06, 2023.
    2. “How to go to  Mars.” Conference on Space Exploration organized by Artemis on October 06, 2023.
    3. Department of Animal Physiology (Aquaculture Lab) – October 18, 2023.
    4. Graniot Satellite Technologies, Granada, Spain (Remote Sensing: How  Earth Observation Enables Entrepreneurship) -October 19, 2023.
    5. Centro Mediterraneo – UGR, Spain (Olive oil and Wine Tasting Course) – October 23-25, 2023.
    6. Visit to the Winery and QMED Olive Mill in Andalusia, Spain – October 27, 2023.
    7. Online workshop on Business Process Modelling organized by ISI, Greece on January 23, 2024.
    8. Department of Analytical Chemistry (Optical Fibre Testing) – February 29, 2024.
    9. Online workshop on The use of Satellite Images in Precision Agriculture for Woody Crops organized by Graniot Satellite Technologies, Granada, Spain on  March 06, 2024.
    10. Facultad De Farmacia, UGR Spain (Olive oil tasting).SUSTAINABLE Tok: Transfer of Knowledge in Sensing Technologies organized by ISI, Greece on April 17, 2024.
    11. Visit with Prof. Vanessa to the Winery in Andalusia, Spain – April 26, 2024

Finally, my journey through UGR, Spain reinforced three key insights:

  • Precision agriculture isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for sustainable farming in water-stressed regions.
  • Olive oil and wine are more than commodities – they are cultural treasures shaped by science and tradition.
  • The future of food lies in balancing innovation with respect for the land – a lesson Spain teaches beautifully.

To my exceptional host, Prof. Vanessa, I extend my heartfelt thanks for making my research stay at UGR, Spain, both enjoyable and intellectually rewarding. Your mentorship, kindness, and unwavering support have been invaluable. I look forward to   exploring these research collaborations and encouraging others to pursue such enriching opportunities in building a better scientific community.

The secondment at Universita Degli Studi Di Palermo (UNIPA), Italy (Department of Agriculture, Food & Forest Sciences), Italy was a reminder of why interdisciplinary research matter. I initially thought of how my expertise would translate, but the experience turned out to be profoundly enriching. Having to work on big data obtained from remote sensing for further analysis using machine learning algorithms was such an exciting task and gaining new insights on some parameters. The discussions on crop yield prediction further widened my reasoning on the link between Precision Agriculture and Logistics in achieving food security and ensuring sustainability in Agriculture.

Being inside the laboratory to see experiments being conducted to assess fruit (citrus) quality and maturity using precision technologies (e.g. sensors, Psychrometer, refractometer, Fylioclip, sap flow probes, RGB camera, penetrometer) was an eye opener. Beyond technical skills, this secondment taught me the beauty of intellectual humility – how stepping outside my academic comfort zone can spark innovation-uncovering new/different methodologies and analytical tools. The collaboration reinforced how diverse perspectives are essential for solving complex challenges.

Contribution at Host Institution

  • Data cleaning and preparing data on citrus collected using remote sensing.
  • Data analysis on stem water potential parameters.
  • Insightful discussions on machine learning algorithms.

Contribution to project Sustainable

  • Data collection: Remote sensing data for monitoring fruit growth and quality.
  • Research: Participating in the lab experiment to assess citrus fruit quality and maturity.
  • Knowledge sharing: Data analytical tools, pros and cons of different precision tools, and stem water potential parameters.

Finally, my journey through UNIPA, Italy has helped me gain knowledge in a new domain, and this would not have been possible without the kind support and hospitality of Prof. Riccardo and his wonderful team (Roberto Massenti, Alessandro Carella, Pedrotomas Tomas Bulacio Fisher & Gabriele Milazzo). Roberto & Alessandro would never discuss a parameter with you without showing you the device for measuring it which makes learning easy and fun.

At Afridat UG, Germany, the experience was more of relating the practical knowledge about remote sensing from UNIPA, Italy to the MOOC presentation on remote sensing in agriculture by Afridat UG – theory meets practice. Also, I was able to learn the soft skills of adaptability and to be resilient.

Contribution at Host Institution

  • Preparation of Module 1 (Introduction to Precision Agriculture) as part of the MOOC prepared by Afridat UG on Advanced Precision Agriculture and Integrated Farming Systems
  • Presentation on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Aquaculture Supply Chain – September 19, 2023.
  • Presentation on Introduction to Precision Agriculture
  • Collection of data on flood risks.

Contribution to project Sustainable

  • Data collection: Data on areas prone to flood risks and crop damage.
  • Research: Role of Artificial Intelligence in Aquaculture Supply Chain.
  • Knowledge sharing: E-learning module: Advanced Precision Agriculture and Integrated Farming Systems
  • Events/Workshops:
    • Remote sensing workshop in April 2025
    • Machine Learning Workshop in May 2025
    • Workshop on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation via Forest Management  organized by Afridat UG, Germany–

My deepest thanks to Afridat UG for hosting me during my secondment. The welcoming environment and stimulating discussions made my time both productive and memorable. The opportunity to collaborate was both intellectually enriching and professionally rewarding.