IFT Honors Top Leaders in Science of Food Community with 2024 Fellows, Achievement Awards Recognition

CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system with members spanning academia, government and industry, announced this year’s Achievement Awards winners and the 2024 Class of IFT Fellows.

This year’s Achievement Award recipients are:

• Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D. (Cornell University): Achievements in Microbial Research for Food Safety in honor of Gerhard J. Haas Award honoring an individual who has demonstrated innovative research in microbial aspects of food safety assurance.
• Rakesh K. Singh, Ph.D. (University of Georgia): Distinguished Career Award in honor of Carl R. Fellers honoring an individual who has brought distinguished recognition to the science of food profession through a career of exemplary contributions.
• Clint Stevenson, Ph.D. (North Carolina State University): Excellence in Education Award in honor of William V. Cruess honoring an individual who has demonstrated excellence in teaching science of food disciplines.
• Hyun Jin Park, Ph.D. (Korea University): Food Packaging Award in honor of Don Riester, Rees Davis, and Aaron Body honoring an individual who has provided lifetime contributions in food packaging technology.
• Randy W. Worobo, Ph.D. (Cornell University): International Food Security Award in honor of Bor S. Luh honoring an individual or team whose research has made advancements in manufacturing cost-effective foods to meet the nutritional needs and food preferences of people living in emerging countries.
• Harjinder Singh, Ph.D. (Massey University): Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of Nicolas Appert honoring an individual who has demonstrated lifetime contributions to the science of food.
• Matthew Moore, Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts – Amherst): Outstanding Young Scientist Award in honor of Samuel Cate Prescott honoring an individual who has provided significant, early-career research contributions that advance the science of food.
• Anwesha Sarkar, Ph.D. (University of Leeds): Research & Development Award honoring an individual or team accomplishments in research and development.
• Mehmood A. Khan, MD (Hevolution Foundation): Public Health Award in honor of Babcock-Hart & Gilbert A. Leveille honoring an individual who has provided scientific and technological contributions to improve public health through better nutrition and/or a more nutritious food supply.
• Carmen I. Moraru, Ph.D. (Cornell University): Collaborative Research Grant in honor of Marcel Loncin honoring and providing funding to a scientist or engineer conducting research that is applied to food processing or the improvement of food quality.

Here is the 2024 Class of IFT Fellows:

• Hao Feng, Ph.D.: Blue Cross Blue Shield Endowed Professor of Urban Food Systems and Food Bioprocess Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University
• Phrosso Economidou Hadjilucas, Ph.D.: Adjunct Lecturer in Food Science in the Department of Life Sciences at University of Nicosia              
• Mark A. Kantor, Ph.D.: Nutrition Scientist at U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• Mary Ann Lila, Ph.D.: Professor of Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University
• Catherine (Chengchu) Liu, Ph.D.: Tenured Seafood Technology Specialist/Extension Professor at University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program
• Suresh Pillai, Ph.D.: Professor at Texas A&M University
• Shyam Sablani, Ph.D.: Professor at Washington State University
• Cordelia Selomulya, Ph.D.: Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Engineering at University of New South Wales Sydney
• Darryl Sullivan: Chief Science Officer at Eurofins Scientific
• Vivian C.H. Wu: Research Leader at United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
  

“To be considered as an IFT Fellow or a winner of an IFT Achievement Award, nominees must demonstrate a history of notable contributions in the food and beverage sector — from professional leadership and volunteer service to helping promote and advance the science of food and its application,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “IFT is thrilled to be honoring these exemplary individuals and celebrate their commitment to improving the global food system through science and innovation.”

To learn more about the 2024 Achievement Award winners, click here. To learn more about the 2024 IFT Fellows, click here.

This year’s IFT Fellows and Achievement Award winners will be celebrated at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, which is being held July 14-17, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The Fellows Recognition Forum will be from 2:30–4 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 14. The Awards Ceremony and Reception will be from 4:30-7 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 14 at the IFT FIRST Theater. 

To learn more about IFT FIRST, visit www.iftevent.org.