Paul James Williams
Postdoctoral researcher in The Southern African Grain Laboratory
Job Experience
Postdoctoral researcher
The Southern African Grain Laboratory
April 2013 to Actually working here
? Worked on the milling index project developing NIT calibration models
? Developing NIR calibration models for maize, wheat, sunflower and soybeans intended for the prediction of moisture, protein and fat content
? Assisted with the understanding/training/educating of difficult concepts of NIR/NIT and calibration development
? Advised on chemometric/multivariate data analysis software packages for development of models
? Problem solving NIR/NIT and calibration related issues
? Assisted with novel ways of interpreting relationships in rheological data
Guest Lecturer/Specialist lecture
Stellenbosch University
August 2012 to August 2012
?Presented work on the importance of spectroscopy with particular emphasis on NIR spectroscopy and applications in food and agriculture ?Described chemometrics and illustrated the advantages of multivariate over univariate data analyses ?Explained concepts of NIR hyperspectral imaging by means of cases studies from my PhD ?Prepared examinations questions on work taught and marked these sections
PhD Student Researcher (Food Science)
Stellenbosch University
January 2009 to December 2012
?Investigated fungal development in maize kernels using NIR hyperspectral imaging ?Differentiated between species and strains of Fusarium associated with maize using NIR hyperspectral imaging ?Examined growth characteristics of 3 Fusarium species by NIR hyperspectral imaging and multivariate image analysis ?Investigated internal structure of maize kernels infected with Fusarium verticillioides with X-ray micro computed tomography
Laboratory Demonstrator
Stellenbosch University
January 2009 to January 2009
Course title: Food Science 488 ?Preparation and demonstration of practicals ?Assist students with difficulties during experiments ?Marking of assignments and laboratory reports
MSc Student Researcher (Food Science)
Stellenbosch University
January 2007 to January 2009
?Classification of maize kernel hardness by NIR hyperspectral imaging and multivariate data analysis ?Indirect detection of Fusarium verticillioides in maize kernels using NIR hyperspectral imaging
Student research assistant
Agricultural Research Council
November 2006 to December 2006
?Assisted with a project that involved the isolation of local indigenous malolactic bacteria for wine production ?Duties included classical microbiological techniques for enumeration and identification ?DNA-extraction techniques ?Species specific PCR as well as Rapid PCR
Laboratory Demonstrator
Stellenbosch University
January 2006 to January 2006
Course title: Biochemistry 214 & 244 ?Preparation and demonstration of practicals ?Assisted students with difficulties during experiments ?Marking of assignments and laboratory reports ?Assisted during practical examinations
Education
PhD in Food Science
Stellenbosch University (Sudáfrica)January 2009 to January 2012
MSc
Stellenbosch University (Sudáfrica)January 2007 to January 2009
BSc
[Otra]Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch (Sudáfrica)January 2002 to January 2006
Languages
English
Advanced
IT skills
Other Skills
More Paul James
Career Goals
Industries of interest
Food and Beverage Information and Research Laboratories
Areas of interest
Agronomy, Agriculture, Veterinary Quality Laboratories
Availability to travel and work outside the city
Yes
Interests and hobbies
New technology; classical music instrument: oboe; music; reading, exercising (running and gym), NIR and NIR hyperspectral imaging, hyperspectral image analysis