Newswise — Pina Fratamico, Research Microbiologist/Lead Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, was elected Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Fellow in 2009. She is recognized for her research on innovative methods for the identification and detection of food borne pathogens.
Fellow is a unique professional distinction conferred on individuals with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience for their contributions to the food science and technology field. The nominee must have been an IFT Member for 15 years and a Professional Member at the time of nomination. The 15-year member requirement may be waived by the Fellows Jury for those nominees who have spent all or a portion of their careers outside the United States.
Fratamico has conducted seminal studies toward understanding the attachment mechanism and virulence characteristics of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and she pioneered the use of an immunomagnetic separation method for recovery and isolation of E. coli and Salmonella pathogens. She has also conducted research to meet the needs of regulatory agencies, the food industry, and the scientific community, helping to facilitate technology transfer and user-friendly methods for isolation and detection of pathogens.
In her continued research of food-borne pathogens, Fratamico participated in a 2008 E. coli Methodology Think Tank Meeting organized by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
IFT has conferred the Fellow designation on a select number of Professional Members every year since 1970. A complete list of Fellows can be found on the IFT Web site at: http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000287.
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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