IFT WORLD
The Institute of Food Technologists announces its annual Call for Session Proposals and Abstracts. With more than 1,500 submissions each year, IFT strives to select the "best of the best" session proposals and paper abstracts. Submissions are currently being accepted.
The deadline for receipt of Session proposals (Symposia, Panels, Workshops, and Roundtables) is Nov. 20, 2008, and the deadline for Abstracts for Technical Research Papers (Oral, Poster, Division Competitions, Graduate Student Research Paper Competition, and George F. Stewart International Research Paper Competition) is Dec. 12, 2008. New Products & Technologies Abstracts are due by Jan. 12, 2009. All submissions are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on the deadline date.
The George F. Stewart International Research Paper Competition is designed to recognize food science and technology research conducted in countries other than the United States. Thus, the competition will include only research conducted outside the U.S. and submitted by a primary author who is not a U.S. citizen. The deadline is Dec. 12, 2008.
Session participants are once again encouraged to submit sound science content along with new and innovative learning formats for attendees. The theme for 2009 is From Producer to Consumer, and it will focus on elements such as changing consumer dynamics; safety and quality; environmental sustainability/social responsibility; global vs local; and innovation throughout the supply chain. The theme program is just one element of the Annual Meeting; of equal importance are Division-specific sessions.
Sessions will be limited to 90 minutes in length to enable attendees to participate in one entire session if they choose and to network with colleagues between sessions.
For details on submitting proposals and abstracts or for more information, contact IFT’s Knowledge and Learning Experiences Dept. at 312-782-8424, or visit www.ift.org.
Scholarship deadlines announced
The Institute of Food Technologists offers more than 73 undergraduate and 39 graduate scholarships, totaling nearly $175,000 annually to encourage and support the study of food science and technology. Companies in the food industry, organizations, IFT Divisions, IFT Sections, and the IFT Foundation sponsor the scholarships, which help students receive the education and training necessary to fill positions in industry, government, and academia.
Applications for the 2009–10 academic year must be turned in to the student’s department head by Feb. 1, 2009 (graduate, senior, and junior students); Feb. 15, 2009 (freshman students); and March 1, 2009 (sophomore students). Applications and instructions can be obtained at www.ift.org under "Awards." For more information, contact Elizabeth J. Plummer, Manager of Foundation Development, at 312-782-8424 or [email protected].
Candidates sought for Macy Award
The Minnesota section of IFT is seeking nominations for suitable candidates from all IFT sections for the 2009 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 award consists of a plaque, $2,500 honorarium, and expenses for travel to address the Minnesota Section at the annual Macy Award meeting.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 15, 2009. Nomination forms are available online at www.mnift.org/macy.html. Completed nomination forms should be submitted via e-mail (preferred), regular mail, or fax to Lamin S. Kassama, Chair of the Macy Award Committee, Food and Nutrition Department HE 223, University of Wisconsin-Stout, 415-10th Avenue, Menomonie, WI 54751 (phone 715-232-1623, fax 715-232-2317, e-mail [email protected]).
food technology presents: ‘Wellness 09’ coming in March
Join other food professionals at the Food Technology Presents conference, "Wellness 09: At the Forefront of Food & Health," as they learn key ideas to help them develop healthful food and beverage products. Product developers, regulators, and marketers will gain insights on consumer lifestyles and demographics, health conditions, and optimization and performance products that are shaping the landscape of the wellness marketplace.
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available.
The conference will be held March 25–26, 2009, in Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit www.ift.org/ftpc.
Wagner joins Mars
Mary Wagner recently joined Mars Botanical, Rockville, Md., as General Manager and Chief Technology Officer. She will be responsible for the management of the company’s business, including the continued development of a sustainable supply chain for cocoa beans high in cocoa flavanols as well as oversight of portions of the Mars Inc. global cocoa-flavanol research-and-development portfolio.
Most recently, Wagner worked as Chief Technology and Quality Officer for E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, Calif. She brings more than 25 years of food industry research and development, product innovation, and quality assurance experience to Mars Botanical. It was the synergies in flavanol benefits that exist between grapes and cocoa, and the quality and quantity of the Mars flavanol-research portfolio that first drew Wagner to the potential at Mars.
Wagner, a Professional Member of IFT, was President of IFT (1997–98).
FONA promotes Zielinski
FONA, Geneva, Ill., has promoted Jessica Zielinski to the position of Senior Applications Technologist in the Dry Beverage Unit. Her responsibilities now include coordinating and leading all dry beverage project work. She has worked with the company since 2003.
Zielinski, a Member of IFT, received a B.S. degree in biology from Calvin College.
Vagnino tapped for Diversified post
Anthony Vagnino recently joined Diversified Laboratories Inc., Chantilly, Va., as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He will use his knowledge and experience in food safety to help the company expand its offerings into new industries. He is a Professional Member of IFT.
In Memoriam
Fredric J. Baur designed the Pringles potato chip packaging system. Marijan Boškovic, one of the first Croatians to attain an advanced degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received a patent for his research on flavor encapsulation. Jay Robert Brunner was elected a Fellow of IFT in 1987. Clifford James Cosgrove, Professor Emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, taught dairy science and food science at the university from 1953 to 1990. Gerald Reed, elected a Fellow of IFT in 1980, had served as Vice President of Research at Universal Foods Corp., now known as Sensient Technolgies. John James Watson was past President and Chairman of his family’s business, Watson Inc., and also the founder of Polymer Films.
Other notices: Mimo Capua, Birger K. Drake, Hannes Hafsteinsson, Lawrence F. Marnett, Thomas L. Murphy, Gary F. Senyk, and Snin-Ichi Sugiyama.
If you would like to make a memorial gift in honor of someone special, please contact the development staff at IFT Foundation at 312-782-8424, or visit IFT Foundation at www.ift.org/foundation.