Appointments, honors and activities
• Appointments and promotions:
- Lisa Mauer, associate professor of food science, has been appointed interim director of the Center for Food Safety Engineering, based at Purdue. The director, Richard Linton, will become chair of Ohio State University's Department of Food Science and Technology, effective Aug. 15. He also is a professor of food science and associate director of Purdue's Agricultural Research Programs. Mauer, a member of the center, received a bachelor's degree in food science from Purdue and a doctoral degree in food science from the University of Minnesota. Her research has focused on the effects of processing on functional, physical and structural properties of food ingredients, as well as pathogen detection. A search for a permanent replacement will occur over the next year.
- Todd Wetzel, director of Purdue Convocations, has been appointed to the advisory council of the Master of Arts in the Arts and Entertainment Administration program at Valparaiso University. Council members provide advice and feedback on curriculum, identify developing and emerging trends in the field, and periodically serve as guest lecturers, among other tasks. Wetzel received his bachelor's degree in music enterprises (music and business interdisciplinary degree) from Valparaiso University and an MBA from Krannert School of Management.
• Faculty and staff honors:
- Jules Janick, James Troop Distinguished Professor of Horticulture, has been selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Plant Breeders. He was chosen for the award, given for distinguished long-term service in the field of plant breeding, for "showing exceptional accomplishments in research, teaching and collaboration." Janick has helped developed scab-resistant apple cultivars. He has released about 20 varieties, including Gold Rush, Pixie Crunch and Crimson Crisp. He will receive the award May 23 during the organization's annual meeting at Texas A&M University. Janick, who has been at Purdue since 1951, is director of the Indiana Center for New Crops and Plant Products, based at Purdue.
• Student honors:
- Hector Arana Jr., a junior in the Purdue College of Technology's statewide technology program at New Albany, won a first-round race in the pro stock motorcycle category during the National Hot Rod Association's O'Reilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals April 29-May 1 in Houston. It was the first time that Arana qualified for a race in the series. Arana, of Milltown, Ind., is majoring in mechanical engineering technology.