IFT Awards

Congratulations to IUFoST members and IAFoST Fellows who recently received awards of recognition froom IFT, the USA Adhering Body in IUFoST. 

Nicolas Appert Award

Jozef Kokini, PhD, Purdue University  (IAFoST Fellow)

Jozef L. Kokini is currently the Scholle Endowed Chair in Food Processing in the Dept. of Food Science at Purdue University. He was the Bingham Professor of Food Engineering and the associate dean of research and director of the Illinois Experiment Station at the University of Illinois. Prior to that, he was the chair of the Dept. of Food Science and director of the Center for Advanced Food Technology and Distinguished Professor of Food Engineering at Rutgers University. His research has focused on rheology, extrusion, materials science, and engineering properties of food materials, including carbohydrates and proteins. He has published more than 240 refereed journal papers and book chapters. He has received numerous awards, including the International Assoc. of Engineering and Food Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, and was elected Fellow of IFT in 2000. 

Elizabeth Fleming Stier Achievement Award

Louise Wicker, PhD, Louisiana State University (IAFoST Fellow)

Louise Wicker has received the 2017 Elizabeth Fleming Stier Award for her outstanding leadership, academic advising, and numerous contributions to IFT and her local community. Her dedication over the years to the academic advising and mentoring of both undergraduate and graduate students has made significant contributions to the field of food science and nutrition.

Myron Solberg Achievement Award

Francis F. Busta, PhD, MS, CFS, University of Minnesota (IAFoST Fellow, Former Member of the Academy Executive Council and IUFoST Scientific Council)

Francis F. (Frank) Busta is the recipient of the 2017 Myron Solberg Award for his leadership in the establishment, successful development, and continuation of the National Center for Food Protection and Defense and its continuation as the Food Protection and Defense Institute at the University of Minnesota. This organization illustrates sustained collaboration among industry, government, and academic parties to develop and disseminate information as appropriate to defend the safety of the food system through research and education.

Bor S. Luh International Award

Joseph Jen, PhD, California Polytechnic State University (IAFoST Fellow and Co-Chair of the IUFoST Expert Panel on Food Safety)

Joseph Jen has been chosen for the Bor S. Luh International Award for his leadership in international food safety through his roles as professor, dean, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture undersecretary, and chair of the advisory council of the Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center in China. His advancement of public-private partnerships to facilitate food safety training to small- and medium-size food companies in China and his role as co-editor for China’s leading book on food safety have been instrumental in modernizing food safety procedures in the country. Jen embodies the altruistic spirit of his former colleague and friend Bor S. Luh.

Research and Development Award

Gustavo V. Barbosa-Cánovas, PhD, Washington State University (IAFoST Fellow and former Chair, IUFoST Scientific Council)

Gustavo V. Barbosa-Cánovas has received the 2017 Research and Development Award for his vital contributions to the advancement of nonthermal processing of food in the last 24 years and for setting the stage for continued development of this research area. He has influenced the field through his numerous publications and patents, developing product applications, establishing worldwide collaborations, and leading IFT’s Nonthermal Division to provide an appropriate forum for professionals engaged in this area and beyond.

Calvert L. Willey Distinguished Service Award

V.M. Balasubramaniam, PhD, The Ohio State University (IAFoST Fellow)

V.M. “Bala” Balasubramaniam is being recognized for his exemplary service and leadership to IFT and his outstanding contributions to the field of food science and technology. Balasubramaniam is a founding member and enthusiastic promoter of the IFT Nonthermal Processing Division and has helped to organize 19 international nonthermal processing workshops. Such efforts identified IFT as the global promoter of the science of food.  Balasubramaniam and his colleagues contributed to the development of nonthermal technologies, particularly high pressure processing, and disseminated the knowledge via various presentations and webinars. In addition, he helped to train a new generation of food scientists and engineers.

For further information, go to IFT.org