Bulgarian visitor Dr Mihail Mukarev (pictured here with Professor David Midmore, PhD candidate Phul Subedi and Associate Professor Kerry Walsh of the Plant Sciences Group) has just completed a 6-week stay at CQU as a Visiting Scholar.

Dr Mukarev worked with the Non-invasive Assessment team of PSG, using spectral data sets of intact fruit to try a non-linear modelling approach (Support Vector Machines) and a wavelength-variable reduction technique (genetic algorithms - mutual information).

Dr Walsh reported that he and Dr Mukarev have maintained correspondance over 5 years, "but there is no replacement for face-to-face contact".

It is anticipated that several publications will result for the one visit.

Dr Mukarev was also able to assist several other staff/students, notably PhD candidate Phul Subedi.

Dr Mukarev is an Assistant Professor at the University of Food Technologies in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is a former Soviet-linked country that is on the cusp of joining the European Union.

Dr Midmore notes "Dr Mukarev's fluency in Russian has been getting less practice than his English, or his Okker accent, over the last 6 weeks".