| VIDEO |
 * Food science professor Philip Nelson praises the role industrial sponsors played in helping him win the 2007 World Food Prize. (5 minutes 42 seconds) |
 * Nelson presented 2007 World Food Prize. (2 minutes 50seconds) |
| RELATED NEWS RELEASES |
| * Purdue's World Food Prize recipient the first in food science |
| * Aseptic processing: The science of fresh |
October 19, 2007
Purdue's World Food Prize winner to speak on campus
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Philip Nelson, the 2007 winner of the World Food Prize, will be honored Nov. 6 on the Purdue University campus.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."
Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, forbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Randy Woodson, (765) 494-8391, woodson@purdue.edu
Suzanne Nielsen, (765) 494-8257, nielsens@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Note to Journalists: More information about Nelson's award is available at https://www.foodsci.purdue.edu/wfp
To the News Service home page