Help shape the IFT scientific program
IFT began accepting session proposals, technical research paper abstracts, and new products and technologies abstracts on Oct. 1, 2010, for the IFT Annual Meeting Scientific Program in New Orleans from June 11 to 14, 2011. New products and technologies abstracts are open to technology or performance innovations that were introduced between January 2008 and January 2011. Make this the year you contribute to the exchange of information and sound science that IFT is known for.
IFT has streamlined the process for session organizers, so a preliminary session proposal is all that is needed at this time, and speakers need not be confirmed. If your proposal is tentatively accepted, you’ll be asked to provide details at a later date.
The deadline to submit session proposals is Nov. 8, 2010, at 4 p.m. CST; the deadline to submit technical research paper abstracts is Dec. 7, 2010, at 4 p.m. CST; and the deadline to submit new products and technologies abstracts is Jan. 7, 2011, at 4 p.m. CST. Visit www.ift.org/ift11 for submission guidelines and additional information.
Purdue honors Nelson
Purdue University has renamed its food science building in honor of Philip E. Nelson, who helped make the food science program one of the strongest in the country. He has also been responsible for developing technologies to improve the world’s food supply.
The building is called the Philip E. Nelson Hall of Food Science. Nelson helped to design the building, which opened in 1998. Other food science buildings in the United States have been modeled after this one.
Nelson ended a 50-year career at Purdue when he retired in May 2010 from his position as the Scholle Chair Professor in Food Processing. He became the department’s first chairman in 1983 and served in that position for 20 years. In addition to his work in academia, Nelson has provided leadership and expertise to the Institute of Food Technologists, which he served as President (2001–2002). He also participated on high-level committees with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and National Academy of Sciences.
Nelson received international recognition for his contributions to food processing in 2007 when he won the World Food Prize, which was created by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman E. Borlaug. Nelson was honored for his aseptic processing innovation that reduced postharvest waste and made seasonal fruits and vegetables available year-round as well as brought potable water and emergency food to survivors of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and to victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Santerre serving as AAAS Science Fellow
Charles R. Santerre, Professor of Food Toxicology, Purdue University, has been selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow for 2010-11. He works in the Risk Assessment Division, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA in Washington, D.C.
Scholarship applications available
Feeding Tomorrow, the Foundation of the Institute of Food Technologists, provides financial assistance to students pursuing food science degrees. Scholarship applications for the 2011–2012 academic year are available on Oct. 15, 2010, at www.ift.org. For more information, contact Anna K. Proctor at [email protected].
Section & Division meetings
Visit www.ift.org to view the Events Calendar, including listings for Section and Division meetings, and for information on how to list your event.
by Karen Nachay