Masoumeh Bejaei, Ph.D.

Image Masoumeh Bejaei
Research Scientist

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Research

Current research and/or projects

  • Developing models to predict fruit sensory attributes using instrumental and compositional data
  • Effects of storage conditions (types and periods) on sensory characteristics of fruits
  • Canadian apple supply chain study
  • Understanding Indigenous food systems

Research and/or project statements

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Bejaei, M., Stanich, K., and Cliff, M.A. (2021). Modelling and classification of apple textural attributes using sensory, instrumental and compositional analyses. Foods, 10(2):384. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10020384

Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., and Singh, A. (2020). Multiple correspondence and hierarchical cluster analyses for the profiling of fresh apple customers using data from two marketplaces. Foods, 9(7), 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9070873

Bejaei, M., and Cheng, K.M. (2020). The effect of including full-fat dried black soldier fly larvae in laying hen diet on egg quality and sensory characteristics. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 6(3): 305-314. https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2019.0045

Bejaei, M., Cliff, M. A., Madilao, L.L., and vanVuuren, H.J. (2019). Modelling changes in volatile compounds in British Columbian varietal wines that were bottle aged for up to 120 months. Beverages, 5(3), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages5030057

Cliff, M.A., and Bejaei, M. (2018). Inter-correlation of apple firmness determinations and development of cross-validated regression models for prediction of sensory attributes from instrumental and compositional analyses. Food Research International, 106: 752-762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.01.041

Cliff, M.A., Bejaei, M., King, M.C., and McArthur, D.A. (2016). Influence of wine education on wine hedonic and confidence ratings by millennial wine consumers of different ethnicities. Beverages: 2(4), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages2040032

Bejaei, M., Wiseman, K., and Cheng, K.M. (2015). Developing logistic regression models using purchase attributes and demographics to predict the probability of purchases of regular and specialty eggs. British Poultry Science, 56(4): 425-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2015.1058917

Bejaei, M., and Cheng, K.M. (2014). Effects of pretransport handling stress on physiological and behavioral response of ostriches. Poultry Science, 93(5): 1137-1148. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2013-03478

Bejaei, M., Bennett, D.C., Schaefer, A.L., and Cheng, K.M. (2014). Effects of pre-transport nutrient supplementation and transport duration on the post-transport blood biochemistry, bodyweight and welfare of ostriches. Animal Welfare. 23: 209-217. https://doi: 10.7120/09627286.23.2.209

Bejaei, M., and Cheng, K.M. (2014). A survey of current ostrich handling and transport practices in North America with reference to ostrich welfare and transportation guidelines set up in other countries. Poultry Science, 93(2): 296-306.

Bejaei, M., Wiseman, K., and Cheng, K.M. (2011). Influences of demographic characteristics, attitudes, and preferences of consumers on table egg consumption in British Columbia, Canada. Poultry Science, 90(5): 1088-1095.

Books and book chapters

Arthur, J., and Bejaei, M. (2017). Quail eggs. In: P. Hester (Eds.), Egg Innovation and Strategies for Improvement (13-22). Oxford: Academic Press; ISBN:978-0-12-800879-9

Conference Proceedings, Abstracts and Posters

Bejaei, M. and Singh, A. (2021, February). Identifying fresh apple market segments and customer profiles to investigate potential changes in the purchase behaviour when shopping in different marketplaces. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention. (Virtual)

Bejaei, M. (October 2020). Common problems in the experimental design of sensory tests in agricultural studies and recommended solutions. Sensometrics 2020, Stavanger, Norway. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., and Stanich, K. (July 2019). Development of predictive sensory models to screen textural attributes of new selections from an apple Breeding program. 13th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Edinburg, UK.

Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., and Stanich, K. (2019, February). Selecting apples with better texture more quickly. Oral and poster sessions presented at BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium, Kelowna, BC.

Professional activities / interests

  • Sensory evaluation
  • Consumer research
  • Statistical analysis
  • Fruit and vegetable quality
  • Taste research

Education and awards

  • Ph.D., The University of British Columbia
  • M.Sc., The University of British Columbia
  • M.Sc. University of Tehran
  • B.Sc. University of Tabriz

Key publications

  1. Bejaei, M., Graveline, N. (2024). Deep Space Food Challenge – Sensory Testing. A confidential report submitted to the Canadian Space Agency.

    2024 - View publication details

  2. Bejaei, M. (2023, May). Sensory and physicochemical characteristics of Staccato sweet cherries at harvest and after a 28-day storage. Technical bulletin submitted to Summerland Varieties Corporation (Summerland, BC) and BC Cherry Association. Pages 1-5.

    2023 - View publication details

  3. Bejaei, M., Sharifi, M., Wolk, B., Zolfaghari, Z., Slamka S. (2023, February). Research Update, Fruitlet Study (ASP 160) - Fruit Sensory Characteristics. BC Cherry Association AGM, Kelowna, BC.

    2023 - View publication details

  4. Bejaei, M., Arthur, J., and Cliff, M. (2022). Consumer perception of apple quality. In: F. Costa (Ed.), Improving the quality of apples (1-32). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK. Accessible at https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/product/3-190-9781801467247

    2022 - View publication details

  5. Bejaei, M. (2022, September). Application of sensory science to identify best practices for fruit production, sorting, and storage to reduce food loss and waste. EUROSENSE 2022: A Sense of Earth, 10th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, Turku, Finland.

    2022 - View publication details

  6. Bejaei, M. (December 2021). Comparison and conversion of fruit quality measurements obtained from three textural instruments and validation of the results with sensory evaluation data. SenseAsia 2021 (Virtual)

    2021 - View publication details

  7. Bejaei, M. (August 2021). The process of using hybrid research methodologies in an interdisciplinary research project to improve the sustainability of the fruit industry. 14th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

    2021 - View publication details

  8. Bejaei, M. and Singh, A. (2021, February). Identifying fresh apple market segments and customer profiles to investigate potential changes in the purchase behavior when shopping in different marketplaces. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Virtual.

    2021 - View publication details

  9. Bejaei, M., Stanich, K., Cliff, M.A. (2021). Modelling and classification of apple textural attributes using sensory, instrumental and compositional analyses. Foods, [online] 10(2), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods10020384

    2021 - View publication details

  10. Bejaei, M. (2021, January). Canadian apple retailer survey. Confidential report submitted to Summerland Varieties Corporation (Summerland, BC) and BC Fruit Growers' Association.

    2021 - View publication details

  11. Bejaei, M. and Stanich, K. (2020, December). Effects of early season reduced irrigation on sensory characteristics of Ambrosia apples – a two year study. Confidential report submitted to Summerland Varieties Corporation (Summerland, BC) and BC Fruit Growers' Association.

    2020 - View publication details

  12. Bejaei, M. (October 2020). Common problems in the experimental design of sensory tests in agricultural studies and recommended solutions. Sensometrics 2020, Stavanger, Norway. (Virtual)

    2020 - View publication details

  13. Stanich, K., and Bejaei, M. (2020, August). Sensory characteristics and instrumental juiciness of a new apple cultivar from different harvest maturities after storage – a two year study. Report submitted to Summerland Varieties Corporation (Summerland, BC).

    2020 - View publication details

  14. Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., Singh, A. (2020). Multiple correspondence and hierarchical cluster analyses for the profiling of fresh apple customers using data from two marketplaces. Foods, [online] 9(7), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods9070873

    2020 - View publication details

  15. Bejaei, M., Cheng, K.M. (2020). The effect of including full-fat dried black soldier fly larvae in laying hen diet on egg quality and sensory characteristics. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, [online] 6(3), 305-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2019.0045

    2020 - View publication details

  16. Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., Madilao, L.L., Vanvuuren, H.J.J. (2019). Modelling changes in volatile compounds in british columbian varietal wines that were bottle aged for up to 120 months. Beverages, [online] 5(3), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/beverages5030057

    2019 - View publication details

  17. Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., & Stanich, K. (2019, July). Development of predictive sensory models to screen textural attributes of new selections from an apple breeding program. 13th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Edinburg, UK.

    2019 - View publication details

  18. Bejaei, M., Cliff, M.A., & Stanich, K. (2019). Selecting apples with better texture more quickly. Oral and poster sessions presented at BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium, Kelowna, BC.

    2019 - View publication details

  19. Bejaei, M., (2018, August). How to better use surveys for collecting information for your research? Presented at Summerland Research and Development Centre, Summerland, BC.

    2018 - View publication details

  20. Cliff, M.A., Bejaei, M., King, M.C., McArthur, D.A.J. (2016). Influence of wine education on wine hedonic and confidence ratings by millennial wine consumers of different ethnicities. Beverages, [online] 2(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/beverages2040032

    2016 - View publication details

Research facility

4200 Highway #97
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
Canada

Affiliations

  • Adjunct Professor, The University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Faculty of Land and Food Systems (2019-present)
  • The Sensometric Society (member 2019-present)
  • Society of Sensory Professionals (member 2019-present)

Language

English