Document Actions
FAPC graduate student Kushwaha honored by food technologists
STILLWATER, Okla. – An Oklahoma State University and Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center graduate student earned top honors during the 2009 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting at Anaheim, Calif., June 6-9.
Kalpana Kushwaha, a doctoral degree candidate in food science, won the first place in the Z. John Ordal oral graduate student competition conducted by the IFT-Food Microbiology Division. She presented her research paper titled “In vitro and In vivo virulence analysis of strong and weakly adherent strains of Listeria monocytogenes.”
“This award is the one of the ultimate achievement for any food science student,” Kushwaha said. “I wish I could put it into words how proud and excited I am after receiving this award.”
Any national or international graduate students pursuing a degree in food science was eligible to participate in the IFT contests. The scientific program subpanel alone received more than 1,800 technical research paper abstracts. Each was reviewed by an average of four IFT members and the “best of the best” were selected to present oral presentations.
“My paper was selected as a top five finalist,” Kushwaha said. “I was able to present in Anaheim, and it was a great experience to learn that my work was recognized.”
Kushwaha is not a stranger to prestigious awards. Her recent honors include first place poster at the 2007 IFT Food Microbiology Graduate Paper Competition, best poster at the 2008 FAPC/IFT-OK Research Symposium, best oral presentation at the 2009 FAPC/IFT-OK Research Symposium and second place in the poster competition for the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Graduate Student Association’s Fifth Annual Graduate Research in Biological Sciences Symposium.
“It’s nice to see students get rewarded for the effort they’ve put into their research,” said Peter Muriana, FAPC food microbiologist. “Kalpana’s research may provide some new information regarding the importance, or rather, the potential seriousness of strong adherence among select strains of the foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes.
“Her research indicates that the strongly adherent strains were more invasive in tissue culture assays and more virulent in live mouse assays, giving greater significance to strongly adherent strains of L. monocytogenes that may be found as contaminants in meat processing plants,” he said.
Kushwaha was awarded a certificate and a $300 check during the Phi Tau Sigma awards breakfast during the IFT annual meeting.
###
REPORTER:
Brooke Clay
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mandy Gross
Manager, FAPC Communications Services
Robert M.
Kerr Food
& Agricultural Products
Center
144 FAPC
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-0442
E-Mail: mandy.gross@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
