Purdue University
Graduate Program in Food Science
Program Director: Professor Rengaswami Chandrasekaran
Contact: Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Department of Food Science, Purdue University, 745 Agriculture Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2009, Phone: (765) 494-8256, Email: gradadmissions@foodsci.purdue.edu
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Associated Fields and Departments: Program is interdisciplinary with participating faculty from Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Animal Science, Food Science, Foods and Nutrition, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Program Description
Entrance Requirements: B.S. degree from an accredited institution, GPA 3.0/4.0; minimum scores: GRE (prior to 8/2011 – Verbal 400, Quantitative 500, Analytical 4.0; after 8/2011 – Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0), TOEFL 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 77 internet-based, and TWE 5.0; two sets of original transcripts from all institutions attended (native language as well as English translation); 3 letters of recommendations, and an online application.
Program of Study: Both M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs are offered. Specializations are offered in the areas of Food Chemistry, Structure and Function, Food Safety and Microbiology, Food Processing and Technology Development and Foods for Health.
Graduate Requirements: M.S. and Ph.D. require Basic Food Science course series (6 credits), Case Study course, Statistics, and Seminar. Additional coursework is dependent on student's educational background, research topic, and professional objective. Ph.D. students develop and defend a grant proposal for the preliminary examination. M.S. and Ph.D. students defend their research.
Application Fee: $75.00
Availability of Financial Aid: Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis.
Centers within the Department: Center for Enhancing Foods to Protect Health, Computer Integrated Food Manufacturing Center, Food Safety Engineering Center, and Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research.
Other Unique Capabilities: Aseptic processing, biopolymer structure/functionality (NMR, X-ray crystallography, X-ray fiber diffraction), cereal lab, applied enology research, computer-aided process design, food and biological materials laboratory, laboratory for renewable resources.
Faculty and Research Interests
Food Chemistry, Structure and Function
BeMiller, J.N., Food Science Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., Purdue University (1959)
Starch granule structure, reactivity, and behavior. Chemical and genetic modification of starch. Structure-functional property relationships of polysaccharides. Modifications of polysaccharides. Mono- and disaccharide chemistry and modification. Light, confocal, and electron microscopy. Uses of carbohydrates in food and other industries.
Chandrasekaran, R., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., University of Madras, India (1966)
Molecular architecture of biopolymers; structure-function relationships in proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids; implementation of modern techniques to X-ray diffraction.
Daniel, J.R., F & N Associate Professor, Ph.D., Texas A & M University (1977)
Small sugar chemistry and modification; starch granule structure, behavior and reactivity; starch retrogradation and baked good staling; modified starches; polysaccharide structure and modification; structure-function relationships of polysaccharides; novel plant and microbial polysaccharides; carbohydrate use in food; sweetness theory and alteration of carbohydrates to enhance sweetness.
Hamaker, B.R., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., Purdue University (1986)
Carbohydrates and health - manipulation of starch and other glycemic carbohydrates for slowly digestible/low glycemic response or resistant character, and collaborative studies to understand human enzyme digestion and physiological response; dietary fiber and colon health - modifications in fiber functionality and fermentability, and collaborative studies on colon health; cereal starch and protein structure-function relationships; cereal chemistry and processing.
Janaswamy, S., Food Science Research Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India (1997)
Molecular structure and junction zone details of polysaccharides and polysaccharide blends and their relationships to macroscopic behavior; developing novel cost effective delivery systems using food hydrocolloids; tailoring polysaccharide structures for improved functionality; biotexture of plant tissue derivatives; starch crystallinity; structure-function relationships in biomaterials.
Jones, O.G., Food Science Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts (2009)
Investigation of food protein and polysaccharide interactions for the production of utile delivery or textural systems. Our goal is to intuitively design structure and functionality of the end systems based on chemical and physical properties of the raw constituents. Facility is tested through the use of techniques such as photonic scattering, electrophoretic mobility, and sub-micron imaging.
Liceaga, A., Food Science Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of British Columbia, Canada (2006)
Protein chemistry. Major interest is structure-function relationships and interactions of food proteins and peptides, cryopreservation and shelf-life extension of fresh and frozen fish and fish products. Fish processing and formulation of value-added products from under-utilized fish. Protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides. Protein interactions using vibrational (Raman) spectroscopy. Sensory Evaluation of food.
Lin, H.-M., Food Science Research Assistant Professor, Ph.D., National Taiwan University (2006)
Starch chemistry and dietary carbohydrate related health topics; structure and digestion relationship of starch, specially focuses on brush border digestive enzymes reaction with starch; starch hydrolysate and oral health–collaborative studies to understand starch oral digestion related to the teeth biofilm formation; starch digestion in colon area-collaborative studies to understand the starch utilization system of human colonic bacteria.
Mauer, L.J., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., University of Minnesota (1999)
Water-solid interactions. Shelf-life. FT-IR spectroscopy. Dairy protein chemistry. NASA space foods. Effects of processing on: functional, physical, and structural properties and safety of foods, food ingredients, and edible films.
Nielsen, S.S., Food Science Department Head, Ph.D., University of Minnesota (1982)
Food proteins; digestibility of legume proteins; enzyme inhibitors in legumes; plasmin enzymes system in milk, and its effects on dairy product quality.
Reuhs, B.L., Food Science Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Georgia (1994)
Research areas include food systems analyses (Pectin and Fiber) via the extraction and purification of acidic polysaccharides from the cell walls and middle lamella of plants. Bacterial capsule, gum, and lipopolysaccharide purification and analysis for plant-microbe interaction and food safety studies. The application of HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR in structural studies of carbohydrates and polysaccharides in food processing/food chemistry and the role of polysaccharides in bacteria-legume symbiosis and vegetable-human pathogen interactions.
Santerre, C.R., F & N Professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University (1989)
Analytical measurement (incl. analytical and immunological methods) of organic and inorganic contaminants to support risk assessment/communication efforts: influence of food processing upon food contaminants; pesticide toxicology; and food safety education.
Yao, Y., Food Science Associate Professor, Ph.D., Southern Yangtze University (2000)
Goal: To create cutting-edge methodologies & technologies through the rational design of carbohydrates and other biomaterials, targeting both fundamental advancement and the practical feasibility at industrial levels. Research Directions: (1) Food Nanotechnology: carbohydrate nanoparticle-based platform for the protection and controlled delivery of bioactive compounds, such as antimicrobial compounds, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols; (2) Food Safety and Quality: practical and economical methodologies to protect staple foods, such as meat and fruit & vegetables from microbial contamination and quality deterioration; (3) Carbohydrate Analysis; (4) Novel Delivery Systems beyond Food: for the personal care, pharmaceutical, and agricultural areas.
Foods for Health
Ferruzzi, M.G., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., The Ohio State University (2001)
Phytochemical and botanical chemistry focused on natural pigments and flavonoids. Development of analytical methodologies for determination of phytochemicals in food systems, biological tissues and fluids. Investigate the influence of food matrix and processing on stability, bioavailability and bioactivity of phytochemicals.
Kim, K.-H., Food Science Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Rutgers University (1999)
Bioactive food components that affect the fat cell biology such as cell differentiation, inflammatory response and metabolism; Understanding the role of a selenium binding protein in endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway and its associated protein degradation in adipose tissue.
Mattes, R.D., F & N Professor, Ph.D., Cornell University (1981); Registered Dietitian
Sensory evaluation; regulation of food intake in humans; dietary compliance; energy and macronutrient balance; human cephalic phase responses, hunger, satiety, cravings.
Weaver, C.M., F & N Professor, Ph.D., Florida State University (1978)
Chemical form and bioavailability of minerals; calcium metabolism.
Food Safety and Microbiology
Applegate, B.M., Food Science Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Tennessee (1997)
Detection of viable foodborne pathogens using bacteriophage; automated extraction of nucleic acids from various matrices; enumeration of microorganisms (i.e. pathogens and other organisms) using quantitative PCR; the use of bioreporters in bioelectronics; metabolic engineering; detection of problematic microorganisms in industrial environments; construction of recombinant bacterial strains to rapidly evaluate antimicrobial products; microbial ecology.
Bhunia, A.K., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., University of Wyoming (1989)
Detection and identification of foodborne bacterial pathogens by biosensor, immunological, cell culture (cytotoxicity assay) and molecular biology-based techniques; monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against bacterial proteins and toxins; molecular mechanism of interaction of enteric pathogens with gastrointestinal cells and prevention strategies.
Oliver, H. F., Food Science Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Cornell University (2009)
Development of RNA-sequencing technologies to investigate stress survival and virulence mechanisms in foodborne pathogens; prevalence, persistence, and transmission dynamics of foodborne pathogen in retail food environments.
Food Processing and Technology Development
Ballard, T.S., Food Science Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2008)
Development of novel methods for the extraction of natural antioxidants from plant waste materials and investigating their efficacy in food and biological systems. Extraction methods of interest include microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted and supercritical fluid extraction. Evaluation of nondestructive methods to characterize product attributes related to food quality and safety.
Butzke, C.E., Food Science Associate Professor, Ph.D., Technische Universität
Berlin, Germany (1992)
Biological and chemical parameters affecting wine and brandy production and quality: fermentation techniques and yeast nutrition, off-odor prevention, aging reactions, cork taint and bottle closures, distillation.
Campanella, O.H., ABE Professor, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts (1987)
Food rheology, role of rheology in food processing. Food extrusion. Transport phenomena in food processing.
Corvalan, C.M., Food Science Associate Professor, Ph.D., Unive. of Litoral, Argentina (1993)
Food and Biological Engineering. Coordinate experimental, theoretical and computational analysis of biomaterials, equipments and processes in the food industry. Physicochemistry and thermodynamics of biomaterials and kinetics of bioprocess. Rheology of biopolymers, micro-rheology, and rheology of interfaces.
Keener, K.M., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., P.E., Purdue University (1996)
Development of novel technologies for food manufacturing to improve safety and increase quality. Examples include: cryogenic cooling, radiant frying, NMR/MRI quality control, and in-package ionization. In addition, provide customized research and educational training (on-site and on-line) for food companies in USDA/FDA regulations, HACCP, advanced HACCP, sanitary equipment design, plant sanitation, water and waste management, energy management, and import/export requirements.
Ladisch, M.R., ABE & BME Professor, Ph.D., Purdue University (1977)
Bioseparations (process-scale liquid chromatography, absorption, and fundamentals of multicomponent separations). Bio-nanotechnology (protein biochips, proteins at surfaces, biomimetics). Bioprocessing of renewable resources and biological materials to value-added products.
Morgan, M.T., Food Science Professor, Ph.D., P.E., Ohio State University (1992)
Food process engineering applied to the design of novel food processing methods, sensors for rapid detection of food safety and quality, hygienic design of equipment, development of bio-active packaging films, and non-thermal equipment sterilization using chlorine dioxide.
Narsimhan, G., ABE Professor, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology, India (1979)
Physical properties, functional properties of proteins; formation, stability, and rheology of food emulsions and foams, absorption of proteins at air-water and oil-water interfaces, separation of proteins in downstream bioprocessing - precipitation of proteins, foam fractionation of proteins, transport processes in particulate systems.
Nelson, D.C., RHIT Associate Professor, Ph.D., Purdue University (1997)
Design and operating characteristics of food service equipment and their effects on food quality; optimization of utility and facility utilization in food service; productivity and ergonomic issues associated with food service operations.
Nelson, P.E., Food Science Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., Purdue University (1967)
Unit operations and packaging of aseptically processed products; effect of processing and packaging on product components; essence recovery studies; tomato products composition.
Okos, M.R., ABE Professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University (1975)
Fundamental and design aspects of biochemical and food process engineering. Fundamental mechanism for moisture migration as related to quality changes during the processing of food and biological materials, simulation and design of food processes, methodology to improve design and operation of food processes to minimize energy use and waste production of ethanol and flavor compounds from immobilized microbial and plant cell reactors.
San Martin-Gonzalez, F., Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Washington State University (2002)
Continuous microwave processing of fruit and vegetables purees. Nano and microencapsulation of bioactive compounds and natural antimicrobials based on high pressure homogenization.
Tao, B.Y., ABE Professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University (1988)
Structural/functional relationships of carbohydrate enzymes: substrate binding, kinetics, recombinant genetic expression/mutation of amylases/cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases. Modification of biomaterials for industrial applications: synthesis and characterization of surface-active agents, molecular filters, molecular chelating agents; physical/chemical properties of lipids/carbohydrates.