M. Joseph Ahrens
Encyclopedia
M. Joseph Ahrens, PhD, is an American entrepreneur, scientist, and inventor whose work focuses on research, product development, business development, and operations in agriculture and food industries.
platforms.
As the senior vice president, technology & business development with United Power Company LLC, (2007–2011), Ahrens served as the company's senior subject matter expert for technology, biomass, alternative/renewable energy systems, agronomic production, cropping systems, and equipment utilization.
While director of science & technology at Solution Health Systems, (2004–2005) Ahrens led the initial development of four new products and helped launch the Grapefruit Solution, which was at the time one of GNC's (General Nutrition Centers
, Inc.) highest-selling food supplements.
As the director of scientific research for the Florida Department of Citrus (2001–2004), Ahrens oversaw seven product launches, including Grapefruit Slush, which was introduced at EPCOT
during the International Food and Wine Festival and remains Disney World’s top-rated beverage introduction. Other products include Citrus Clean, a postharvest fungicide/cleaner; a method to reduce physical defects in grapefruit; a citrus peeling machine; a method to determine production area of citrus adapted over to potatoes; and a means to count citrus acreage using satellite imaging.
While at the FDOC, Ahrens oversaw the initial organization and establishment of the Center for Food-Drug Interaction Research and Education, a collaboration between the University of Florida
’s College of Pharmacy and Tufts University School of Medicine
.
Ahrens was a founding partner and director of agriculture of Freshconsult Ges.m.b.H, Salsburg, Austria (1992–1997), where he established permanent shipping channels in the countries of Mali, Belarus, and Brazil; led construction of the first inland refrigerated container terminal on the continent of Africa in Bamako, Mali; and implemented McDonald’s warehousing system in the former USSR. Freshconsult was acquired by Royal Dutch Shell in 1997.
As the extension specialist in perishables at the University of California
, Davis (1989–1994), Ahrens developed handling and packaging systems for multiple fresh and fresh-cut products, including fresh-cut peeled baby carrots.
Career
Since 2007, Ahrens has served as the vice president, scientific affairs of ATM Metabolics LLC which is dedicated to the discovery of treatments for metabolic and neurological disorders based on phytochemicalPhytochemical
Phytochemicals are biologically active chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants . Phytochemicals are the molecules responsible for the color and organoleptic properties . For example, the deep purple color of blueberries and the smell of garlic...
platforms.
As the senior vice president, technology & business development with United Power Company LLC, (2007–2011), Ahrens served as the company's senior subject matter expert for technology, biomass, alternative/renewable energy systems, agronomic production, cropping systems, and equipment utilization.
While director of science & technology at Solution Health Systems, (2004–2005) Ahrens led the initial development of four new products and helped launch the Grapefruit Solution, which was at the time one of GNC's (General Nutrition Centers
General Nutrition Centers
General Nutrition Centers is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American commercial enterprise focused on the retail sale of health and nutrition related products, including vitamins, supplements, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, diet & energy products.-History:In 1935, David Shakarian opened a...
, Inc.) highest-selling food supplements.
As the director of scientific research for the Florida Department of Citrus (2001–2004), Ahrens oversaw seven product launches, including Grapefruit Slush, which was introduced at EPCOT
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
during the International Food and Wine Festival and remains Disney World’s top-rated beverage introduction. Other products include Citrus Clean, a postharvest fungicide/cleaner; a method to reduce physical defects in grapefruit; a citrus peeling machine; a method to determine production area of citrus adapted over to potatoes; and a means to count citrus acreage using satellite imaging.
While at the FDOC, Ahrens oversaw the initial organization and establishment of the Center for Food-Drug Interaction Research and Education, a collaboration between the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
’s College of Pharmacy and Tufts University School of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
The Tufts University School of Medicine is one of the eight schools that constitute Tufts University. Located on the university's health sciences campus in the Chinatown district of Boston, Massachusetts, the medical school has clinical affiliations with thousands of doctors and researchers in the...
.
Ahrens was a founding partner and director of agriculture of Freshconsult Ges.m.b.H, Salsburg, Austria (1992–1997), where he established permanent shipping channels in the countries of Mali, Belarus, and Brazil; led construction of the first inland refrigerated container terminal on the continent of Africa in Bamako, Mali; and implemented McDonald’s warehousing system in the former USSR. Freshconsult was acquired by Royal Dutch Shell in 1997.
As the extension specialist in perishables at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, Davis (1989–1994), Ahrens developed handling and packaging systems for multiple fresh and fresh-cut products, including fresh-cut peeled baby carrots.
Inventions and patents
- Composition and method for treating diabetes and metabolic disorders. Ahrens and Thompson. Patent Application Pub. 20080234364.
- Composition and method for the treatment of neurological disorders. Thompson and Ahrens. Patent Application Pub. 20090298932.
Education
- PhD in Horticulture (Plant Physiology), minor in Tropical Agriculture, University of Florida, 1989
- MS in Horticulture (Postharvest Technology & Food Science), minor in Botany, University of Florida, 1985
- BS in Agriculture (Animal Physiology), University of Tennessee, 1981
Books
- The Grapefruit Solution: Lower Your Cholesterol, Lose Weight and Achieve Optimal Health with Nature’s Wonder Fruit (LINX Corp., 2004), with Daryl L. ThompsonDaryl L. ThompsonDaryl L. Thompson is an American inventor and entrepreneur whose work focuses on health, wellness, and disease prevention.- Life and career :Since 2006, Daryl L...