Cornell University’s Randy W. Worobo Honored with IFT Achievement Award for Advancements in Food Security

CHICAGO – June 27, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is pleased to announce that Randy W. Worobo, PhD, Professor of Food Microbiology, Cornell University, has been awarded IFT’s International Food Security Award in honor of Bor S. Luh. The award honors an individual or team whose research has made substantial advancements in how foods can be manufactured and made available to meet the nutritional needs and food preferences of people living in emerging economies in a manner that is cost-effective for both consumers and manufacturers.

To be considered for this award, which is presented in partnership with the Bor S. Luh Endowment Fund of Feeding Tomorrow and IFT’s International Division, the nominated individual’s work must demonstrate at least one of the following characteristics: international exchange of ideas in the field of food science and technology and/or food and nutrition security; better international cooperation to develop technologies that address food and nutrition security; and/or technological development and transfer of food science and technology knowledge to enhance the food security of emerging economies.

Worobo will be honored at the Awards Ceremony & Reception at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, which is being held July 14-17, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Worobo joined Cornell University in 1997, where he serves as a Professor of Food Microbiology. His work focuses on conducting research in food safety and microbiology and applying that knowledge to the development of technologies to improve food safety and security. He also serves as the Associate Director of Cornell’s USAID Food Safety Innovation Lab. Additionally, he is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). Throughout his career, he has published over 200 papers and gained over 8,700 citations on his research. In 2018, he was elected as an IFT Fellow.

Worobo received his undergraduate degree in Food Science and his PhD in Food Microbiology from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He then went on to conduct postdoctoral research at the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering at the University of Poitiers in Potiers, France. He is a member of IFT’s Western New York Section and Food Microbiology Division. Worobo resides in Ithaca, New York.

View the winners of the 2024 IFT Achievement Awards.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contact

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Institute of Food Technologists
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