Newswise — Arun Bhunia, Professor of Food Microbiology at Purdue University, has been selected as the winner of the 2009 Research and Development Award by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit international society with 20,000 members working in food science, technology and related professions.
The Research and Development Award is given yearly to an IFT member or team of members who have made a recent, significant research and development contribution to the understanding of food science, food technology, or nutrition. The award will be presented at IFT's Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Anaheim, CA on June 6th 2009. The Research and Development Award includes a plaque and a $3,000 honorarium from IFT.
Bhunia's research has focused on early detection of food borne pathogens to reduce the risk of food borne illness outbreaks. Bhunia and his laboratory group have developed several biosensor tools for on-site testing of food products for food safety and food defense applications. Bhunia and two colleagues also created a laser light-scattering instrument for detection and identification of bacterial colonies in food.
IFT recognizes the many accomplishments that individuals and organizations have made to advance the food science industry and to help ensure safe, affordable, and nutritious foods to the world. To honor these individuals and organizations, the IFT Awards Program was created. This program grants awards, fellowships, and prizes for outstanding accomplishments in all areas of food science and technology, administering 14 Achievement Awards, the Marcel Loncin Research Prize, and the IFT Fellows program. A complete list of Award Winners can be found on the IFT Web site at http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1001772.
About IFT
Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is a nonprofit scientific society with more than 20,000 individual members working in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, academia, and government. IFT serves as a conduit for multidisciplinary science thought leadership, championing the use of sound science through knowledge sharing, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.IFT.org.
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