DuPont Nutrition & Health honours 2016 science excellence medallists

Published: 7-Jul-2016

Research into the role of the human microbiota is a key focus for the remarkable scientists from around the world selected for this prestigious award

The Danisco Foundation has awarded three Science Excellence Medals for 2016. The medalists are senior scientists broadly recognised by DuPont Nutrition & Health for scientific excellence with a remarkable record of accomplishment relevant to the food and nutrition industry.

This year’s medallists are

  • DuPont Nutrition & Health Science Excellence Medal: Juan de Pablo, Professor in Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago – selected for his work in determining and characterising the process to stabilise live bacteria for survival and extended stability performance after freeze-drying.
  • DuPont Nutrition & Health Science Medal for Excellence in Microbial Research: Joël Doré, Research Director at INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research) and Codirector of the Joint Research Unit for Food and Gut Microbiology for Human Health – selected for his work studying the microbial ecosystem when it comes in contact with food and interpreting the interaction that takes place between human cells and microorganisms. In particular, the role of microbiota in severe chronic diseases.
  • DuPont Nutrition & Health Science Medal for Excellence in Food Science: Ole G. Mouritsen, Professor of Biophysics at the University of Southern Denmark and Director of the Memphys Center for Biomembrane Physics – selected for his role in combining theoretical, simulated and experimental research within the fields of physics, molecular biophysics, physical chemistry of macromolecules and biological membranes and the translation of this to food science.

The medallists received their awards during a special ceremony held at the DuPont Global Food Research Center in Brabrand, Denmark. In addition, each recipient addressed the global DuPont Nutrition & Health Technology & Innovation organisation to further the dialogue about their scientific breakthroughs and applications in the food and nutrition industry.

'Science-based innovation ultimately depends on fundamental research,' said Angela Naef, DuPont Nutrition & Health’s global leader for Technology & Innovation and Danisco Foundation board member. 'Therefore, it is a great honour to be able to award the Science Excellence Medal to these three scientists in recognition of their significant accomplishments and the contribution each of them has made to the field of food and nutrition.'

The award, formerly known as the Danisco Prize, was founded in 2002 by the Danisco Foundation to help improve food products, notably industrially produced foods. It was last awarded in 2010. The Danisco Foundation was established in 1981 and provides funding and grants to support predominantly food science and research.

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