David Reid
Professor in Food Physical Chemistry
 Where
do you work?
In the Department of Food Science and Technology, University
of California, Davis.
What is your job there?
I am a Professor,specialising in Food Physical Chemistry.My
primary focus is the role of water in foods.
Why did you join SCI?
I became involved with the SCI journal The Journal of the
Science of Food and Agriculture in the early 1990s. When
I took on more responsibility with the journal, it seemed
appropriate to join SCI. I am currently Editor in Chief of
the journal.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
I would most like to return to Petra,in Jordan. The first
sight of Petra is almost a spiritual experience as the Treasury
suddenly comes into view as you travel down the narrow access
canyon. A close second is sailing through the Three Gorges
on the Yangtze.
Who is your hero?
My hero must be Robert Pearl, a colleague with whom I have
worked closely ever since I joined UC Davis. He is an Emeritus
Cooperative Extension Specialist who epitomises the ideal
relationship between a University and its client communities.
In his career he has helped define the true meaning of extension,
and has been recognised for his excellence in Outreach. He
had a significant role in developing the interfaces between
our university and the agricultural industries of the state.
Which book do you recommend as a must-read?
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. This is an
interesting discussion of the factors which may have lead
to the rise and dominance of Western society.
What is your funniest joke?
This is not really a joke,as such,but as an editor I have
always appreciated the wit behind this comment, attributed
I believe to Oscar Wilde. ‘Your work is both interesting
and original. Unfortunately, that which is interesting is
not original, and that which is original is not interesting.’
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