Patrick endows student grant; CFS extends reach

Patrick endows student travel grant
Ruth M. Patrick, a longtime member of IFT, has endowed a permanent travel grant to enable students to attend the Annual Meeting & Food Expo. The Ruth M. Patrick Travel Grant will be presented annually to a graduate student pursuing a degree in food science with a focus on education, extension, and outreach, with a particular emphasis on a greater understanding of extension and outreach to the public and fostering the next generation of food scientists.

“Dr. Ruth Patrick’s grant is significant because [she] dedicated her life to education through extension programs in the state of Louisiana. She has reached thousands of people and has changed lives. Her love and passion for educating is very obvious through her accomplishments,” said Southern University professor and IFT professional member Fatemeh Malekian, who helped coordinate the grant on behalf of the Education, Extension & Outreach Division.

Throughout her career, Patrick focused on sharing information about nutrition, food science, and food safety with the public through a variety of mediums, including presentations, seminars, workshops, fact sheets, news articles, training workshops, and on regional television outlets. She served as state extension nutrition and food safety specialist at the LSU Agricultural Center and chief of the nutrition education program at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., and she helped set up a food science department at Makerere State University in Uganda.

An IFT emeritus professional member, Patrick joined IFT in 1968. She is an IFT Fellow and received the 1998 Elizabeth Fleming Stier Award. She received a master’s degree and a PhD in food science from Louisiana State University.

The Education, Extension & Outreach Division will help select the grant recipient. To learn more or to invest in the future of the profession by supporting Feeding Tomorrow, please e-mail Amanda Perl at [email protected].

2015 Macy Award seeks candidates
The Minnesota section of IFT is accepting nominations for candidates from all IFT sections for the 2015 Harold Macy Food Science and Technology Award.

The award, established in 1981, is given annually to recognize an outstanding example of food technology transfer or cooperation between scientists or technologists in any two of the following settings: academic, government, and private industry. The purpose of the award is to advance the profession and practice of food technology and to honor Harold Macy, former dean emeritus of the University of Minnesota and a founding member of IFT. The awardee will receive a plaque, a $2,500 honorarium, and travel expenses to address the Minnesota Section at the annual Macy Award meeting to be held in Minneapolis–St. Paul.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 1, 2015. Nomination forms are available at http://www.mnift.org/macy.php. Submit completed forms to Mary K. Schmidl at [email protected].

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IFT establishes Jimenez scholarship
Mike Jimenez was a devoted food scientist and longtime supporter of IFT and the global food science and technology community. During his career, he received numerous honors and awards, including the Bor S. Luh International Award. Additionally, he was instrumental in developing the International Division Newsletter and the International Lounge at the Annual Meeting & Food Expo. (For a look back at the International Division and Jimenez’s role in it,  visit http://bit.ly/IFTInternational.)

In recognition of his lifetime achievement and dedication to the food science profession, the Mike Jimenez Graduate Scholarship was established. Once endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in food science with a focus in food safety and/or nutrition in the developing world.

“Your help is needed to reach the endowment. Please show your generosity and support for the International Division initiative to launch the Mike Jimenez Graduate Scholarship by making a contribution now,” said Elvira De Mejia of the International Division. Learn more at http://bit.ly/mikejimenez.

CFS extends reach across six continents in 2014
Congratulations to the 34 new Certified Food Scientists (CFS) who passed the certification exam in October. With the addition of this class, the elite network of food scientists who have achieved this career milestone has surpassed 1,600 credential holders, representing 55 countries across six continents. Visit http://www.ift.org/~/media/Certification/CFS_Congratulations%20for%20web.pdf for a list of the new CFS credential holders, which includes professionals from around the world, including Australia, Canada, and China.

“Earning the CFS certification formally recognizes all of the experience, knowledge, and dedication that contribute to a successful career in the food industry today,” said Paul Rockwell, executive R&D chef at Diversified Foods & Seasonings and one of the newly minted Certified Food Scientists. “I am both elated and humbled to join an elite group of professionals.”

Applications are currently being accepted for any of the testing windows offered in 2015, starting with the February 2–28 window. To learn more about how you and your organization can get involved with the CFS program in the new year, visit http://bit.ly/CFS2015.

Galloway becomes CEO
Universal Pasteurization and Cold Storage hired Melanie Galloway as its chief executive officer. She comes to the role with 12 years in the food industry, most recently serving as global president of food technologies for Kemin Industries.

“Melanie’s tremendous knowledge of food safety and technology will help us continue to meet the needs of our customers with the quality and service levels they have come to expect of Universal,” said Jeff Barnard, Universal’s president.

Galloway, an IFT member, joined Kemin Industries in 2002 as its business director for North America before being promoted to global president in 2010. Prior to that, she held a variety of positions at FMC Corp., a global specialty chemical company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in pulp and paper technology from North Carolina State University, as well as an MBA from Duke University.

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Balchem hires Dull
IFT member Bob Dull recently transitioned from a consultancy role at Balchem to become its full-time chief science officer. In this position, he will direct all science functions as the company works to invest in and amplify its existing and new technology ideas.

Dull, a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Certified Food Specialist, brings years of experience in animal health, food, nutrition, and soil pathogen remediation to the job. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and master’s degree in nutrition and food science from Pennsylvania State University, Dull earned a PhD in food science and toxicology at Cornell University. He completed his post-doctorate at Harvard University in toxicology and nutrition and also attended the executive program at Olin Business School at Washington University.

Brandt joins FSNS
Food Safety Net Services, which provides food safety and audit services, appointed Alex Brandt as director of technical services. In this role, Brandt, a student member of IFT, will assist customers with development of challenge studies, validation studies, and other custom research.

Brandt recently earned his doctorate in animal science from Texas Tech University, with a focus on food microbiology and safety. He also earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in food science and technology from Texas A&M University.

Section & Division meetings

New York
Jan. 22: Dinner meeting. West Orange, N.J. Contact Gerri Cristantiello at 201- 905-0090 or [email protected], or visit http://bit.ly/1yGwa3x.

In Memoriam
IFT notes the passing of the following members: Samuel Angel, Bob Dail, Charles G. Pheil, and Ronald Weiss

Have some news to share about yourself or another IFT member? E-mail [email protected].