Nelson, the Scholle Chair Professor in Food Processing who helped build Purdue's Department of Food Science, received the award during a ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday (Oct. 18).
The campus celebration for Nelson will include a lecture by Nelson at 2 p.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall, followed by a reception in the Purdue Memorial Union East/West Faculty Lounges. Both will be free and open to the public.
Nelson's work in aseptic processing helped make it possible for the long-term storage and bulk transport of fresh orange and tomato products. His innovations include perfecting the sterilization and cooling processes and helping to develop the "bag in a box" technology.
"We at Purdue have known for a long time the true significance of Phil Nelson's work," said Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. "While aseptic processing is not a household term, the products made possible because of his work are used every day around the world."
When Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug created the World Food Prize, he envisioned it as agriculture's equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Given each year since 1986, Nelson is the first winner honored for work in the area of postproduction agricultural research.
"Everyone in food science around the world is excited about his recognition as it signifies the importance of research in value-added products," said Suzanne Nielsen, the current head of the food science department.
"Phil was a great mentor and helped many of us in the department develop expertise in aseptic processing. "His achievements helped establish Purdue as having one of the strongest food science departments in the United States."
| Sources: |
Randy Woodson 765 494-8362 Suzanne Nielsen 765-494-8328 |
| Writer: |
Beth Forbes 765-494-2722 |
| Related Web sites: | Purdue Food Science Department http://www.foodsci.purdue.edu/wfp/ |
| Aseptic processing: The science of fresh http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2007b/071016MorganAseptic.html |
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