Bio
Dr. Imran Ahmad is a Research Associate Professor and Director of Research at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. He also serves as lead research faculty for the school’s Cruise Center of Excellence. His work connects hospitality, food systems, technology, and management, with sustainability as a common theme across his education, research, and community service.
Dr. Ahmad holds a Ph.D. in Management Technology. His doctoral research applied artificial intelligence and machine learning to food systems and hospitality, establishing the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to industry challenges. His current research explores hospitality innovation, robotics, consumer experiences, and tourism demand, examining how technology and data can support operational efficiency, responsible resource use, and long-term benefits for businesses and communities.
Through the Cruise Center of Excellence, Dr. Ahmad helps advance industry-focused research that supports informed decision-making and the sustainable development of cruise hospitality. His experience working with Caribbean and South American economies informs his approach to tourism, local supply chains, and regional development. This work considers how hospitality can strengthen local economic participation while supporting environmental and community priorities.
Food science and industry experience remain a foundation of Dr. Ahmad’s work. His expertise includes food safety and quality, innovative processing technologies, agri-food supply chains, and predictive modeling. Sustainability connects these interests through efforts to reduce food waste, improve resource efficiency, and explore value-added uses for underused materials. He brings this perspective to broader questions about resilient food systems and responsible hospitality operations.
Dr. Ahmad teaches Research and Statistical Methods online and in person, emphasizing critical thinking, data analysis, and sustainable decision-making. He brings teaching and research experience from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and industry experience as a manufacturing project manager at Dutch Mill Group.
Dr. Ahmad serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Culinary Science & Technology and has contributed to scholarly publications, edited books, and international research and training initiatives. His professional outreach spans Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, including work in Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Across his teaching, research, and service, he connects academic knowledge with industry needs, supports entrepreneurial opportunities, and promotes sustainable practices that benefit communities.