Monday, January 27, 2020

AOCS remembers Edwin N. Frankel



Edwin N. Frankel, the famous lipid oxidation scientist for whom the Edwin N. Frankel Award for Best Paper in Lipid Oxidation and Quality is named, died of natural causes on Nov. 20, 2019, at his home in Davis, California, USA. 

Dr. Frankel had a long career at UC Davis as an adjunct professor in the department of food science and technology, where he led a research lab that made substantial scientific contributions to the field of lipid oxidation and antioxidants in food and biological systems. In partnership with scientists in Davis and throughout the world, Edwin published research studies on the stability of fats and oils and natural antioxidants, including a major study on the benefits of phenolics in red wine. Before joining the UCD faculty in 1989, Edwin spent 30 years as a research chemist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Peoria, Illinois.

His memory lives on in the Edwin N. Frankel Award for Best Paper in Lipid Oxidation and Quality, which was established in 1997 to recognize his 50 years of lipid oxidation research and continues to inspire and reward outstanding work in his beloved field of lipid oxidation.

Visit the AOCS Lipid Library to learn even more about Dr. Frankel, an AOCS member since 1956.

Friday, January 24, 2020

Welcome to the new China Section Leadership Team!

The China Section of AOCS elected four new members to serve on its Advisory Council:
  • Zhang Hui, Zhejiang University
  • Zheng Mingming, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
  • Zhou Dayong, School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University
  • Yu Xiuzhu, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University
The Advisory Council is a part of the Section's leadership team. We are excited to welcome these new members to the team! Learn more about them in the Q&As below.


Zhang Hui

Please share a brief biography.
Dr. Zhang Hui is an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, China. He received a Ph.D. in food science from Zhejiang University in 2009 and finished his postdoc work supported by DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) at University of Hohenheim, Germany, from October 2010 to August 2012. He was a visiting scholar supported by the CSC (China Scholarship Council) at the University of California Davis, USA, from August 2014 to August 2015. His current research focuses on (1) novel microencapsulation techniques (microemulsions, nanoemulsions, nanofibers, etc.) to deliver and release hydrophobic functional bioactives and (2) physical processing and control of food structures and textures (emulsions, gels, fibers, etc). He has led projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, etc. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers and held over 10 patents. He is currently an associate editor for Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Why did you decide to volunteer as a member of the committee?
I have attended AOCS meetings in the USA and China many times, which provided me with the opportunities to catch the latest research development and to network with many researchers. Thus, I realize the importance of connecting more Chinese scientists with AOCS.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role?
I hope to introduce more and more young Chinese scientists to AOCS and expand the influence of AOCS in China.


Zheng Mingming

Please share a brief biography.
Prof. Zheng Mingming is a doctoral supervisor at the Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His interests are in the molecular modification, structure-activity relationship and product innovation of food lipids. In order to tackle industrial problems — such as the low conversion rate of the lipase modification method, poor stability and activity of enzymes, single structure and function of lipids — his research mainly focuses on the construction of high-activity enzyme microarray, continuous flow enzyme reaction system, and the design of novel molecules. These theories and technologies have been successfully applied to the production of food lipids such as phytosterol esters, phenolic acids esters, OPO structural lipids, etc. He has published more than 60 SCI papers in authoritative journals, such as ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, including 28 as the first and corresponding author. He has more than 1,100 cumulative other citations. He holds four National Nature Science Foundation, 10 authorized patents and 1 United States patent. He has won the Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress, three First Class Provincial Prizes, and the first session of Youth Innovation Award of the Oil Crop Professional Committee. He has been selected as a “Ten thousand plan” - National High Level Talent, Outstanding Young Agricultural Scientists and the Youth Talent Development Plan of Hubei Province.

Why did you decide to volunteer as a member of the committee?
AOCS is a famous academic organization which advances the science and technology of oils, fats, proteins, surfactants and related materials, enriching the lives of people everywhere. In order to enhance communication and cooperation with more and more famous scientists in AOCS, I decided to volunteer as a member of the committee.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role?
After joining the committee, I will try my best to enhance the communication and cooperation of Chinese scientists with American scientists in the field of lipid science and technology.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (e.g., What are your hobbies? What does a typical day look like for you?).
I like reading, fitness, swimming and singing during my spare time. I read literature, design experiments, and write papers in the morning and instruct graduate students to do experiments in the afternoon. I also do some experiments in the pilot plant with my assistants.


Zhou Dayong

Please share a brief biography.
Dr. Zhou Dayong graduated from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 2008 and has a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor in the School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University.

He has been recognized for his academic achievements by receiving the Special Government Allowance of the State Council, National Hundred, Thousand and Ten Thousand Talent, National Outstanding Mid-aged Experts, Chief Scientist of the National Key R&D Program in the 13th Five-Year Plan, and National Excellent Teacher. He has presided over National Key R&D Program in the 13th Five-Year Plan and Joint Funds of National Natural Science Foundation of China, etc. He gained two Second Prize for National Science and Technology Progress Awards (rank first and fifth), one Second Prize for National Teaching Achievements, and three First Prize for Liaoning Science and Technology Progress Award (rank first, second and fifth). He has published 62 SCI articles (as the first or corresponding author). Meanwhile, he is the author of two PCT patents and 20 Chinese patents.

His research areas interests include marine functional lipids and lipid oxidation and its control. He is one of the Editorial Board Members of Food Chemistry.

Why did you decide to volunteer as a member of the committee?
AOCS gives me the chance to get and exchange current and emerging information and research results in oils, fats, lipids and related materials through its meetings, publications and web presence. Therefore, I would like to offer my help to promote the development of AOCS to help more and more researchers in this area benefit from AOCS.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role?
I hope to contribute as author, reviewer and editor for AOCS publications and as co-volunteer, speaker and host for AOCS meetings.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (e.g., What are your hobbies? What does a typical day look like for you?).
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family. Normally, I work by day and spend time with my family at night.


Yu Xiuzhu

Please share a brief biography.
Prof. Yu Xiuzhu was born and educated in China where he earned a bachelor’s degree at Henan University of Technology (1999) before emigrating to Northwest A&F University in 2001, where he received a master’s degree (2004) and a doctorate (2008). After completing his doctoral research, he worked at the College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, where he was promoted to Associate Professor (2010) and Full professor (2017). He was named Vice Dean of College of Food Science and Engineering in 2019. He is a fellow of the Chinese Cereals and Oil Association. Furthermore, he has been a visiting scholar at McGill University in Montreal, Canada (2006–2007), and Iowa State University (2014–2015).

Since 2002, he has worked in fats and oils analysis research and a teaching program, supervising many master (33) and Ph.D. (3) students. In recent years, he has hosted and participated in more than 10 scientific research projects. He has produced more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, compiled eight textbooks in Chinese and one monograph in English.

Why did you decide to volunteer as a member of the committee?
I can serve scientists who are working on fats and oils in China and help them to get information from AOCS.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role?
I can enlarge the influence of AOCS in China and let more Chinese scientists know AOCS, especially young students.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (e.g., What are your hobbies? What does a typical day look like for you?).
My hobby is reading and some sports. My typical day is teaching, working in the lab and supervising students.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Join me in welcoming our newest AOCS 2020 members!

Did you know that AOCS has a goal of adding 425 new Active members for 2020? Each month, I will keep you posted on the status of reaching this goal, and I hope that you will encourage colleagues and other people that you know would benefit from AOCS membership to our Society.

In a few weeks, we will announce some exciting changes to our member-refer-a-friend program. Keep encouraging new members to join because you will be rewarded for your efforts! Thank you to all for your commitment to AOCS. 

The 2020 membership year began September 1, 2019. Between September 1 and December 31, 2019, 95 individuals, students and companies joined for the 2020, which means they received free membership until the end of 2019. Here are some highlights of this group:
  • 15% were students 
  • 85% joined as Actives (professionals)
  • Top job functions: chemists, scientists, technical service specialists, business directors, QA/QC managers, commercial managers, processors, regulatory managers, lipidologists
  • Twenty countries and 68 different institutions were represented
  • 75% of the Actives are from industry; 15% from university and government
  • We added two new Bronze Corporate Members: Henkel and Dicalite Management Group

Why did they join?  Yves Revi, Product & Process Development Assistant, Bunge Loders Croklaan, The Netherlands, had this to say:  

“I hope that keeping up-to-date via AOCS publications and meetings will broaden my knowledge in processing and nutritional aspects of lipids.”

How about others? While I do not have specific responses from all the new members, the interest areas that stand out include: analytical, specialty oils, edible applications, industrial oils and health and nutrition.     

In a few months, our online searchable membership directory will become available, making it easier to connect with members of the AOCS community. AOCS members can download and read the listing of our newest AOCS members from the AOCS Premium Content Library. Say “Hi!” on inform|connect or plan to meet your fellow AOCS members at one of the networking events at the AOCS 2020 Annual Meeting.

Friday, January 10, 2020

8th International Symposium on “Surfactants in Tribology”

The 23rd International Symposium on Surfactants in Solution (SIS2020) will be held on June 26 – July 1, 2020, at Maria Curie Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. As part of SIS2020, AOCS member Girma Biresaw (Peoria, IL, USA) and Kash Mittal (Hopewell Jct., NY, USA) are hosting a symposium on“Surfactants in Tribology.”

Surfactants perform a wide range of functions in tribology. These include basic lubrication functions such as control of friction and wear, as well as controlling a wide range of lubricant properties. Examples of lubricant properties that can be modified with the application of surfactants include emulsification/demulsification, bioresistance, oxidation resistance, rust/corrosion prevention, etc. Surfactants also spontaneously form a wide range of organized assemblies in polar and non-polar solvents. These include monolayers; normal/reverse micelles; oil/water (o/w) and w/o microemulsions; hexagonal and lamellar lyotropic liquid crystals; and uni- and multi-lamellar vesicles. The tribological properties of these organized surfactant structures have yet to be fully investigated and understood.

More recently, there has been a great deal of interest in certain surfactant organized assemblies such as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). These structures are expected to play critical roles in the lubrication of a wide range of products, including microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). 
   
Whereas there is a great deal of literature on the topics of surfactants and tribology separately, there is very little information on the subject of surfactants and tribology together. This is despite the fact that surfactants play many critical roles in tribology and lubrication. This symposium is tasked with filling this gap in the literature linking surfactants and tribology.

The first symposium on “Surfactants in Tribology” was held as a part of the 16th International Symposium on Surfactants in Solution (SIS) in Seoul, South Korea, June 4–9, 2006 (SIS2006). Following the smashing success in Seoul, subsequent such symposia were successfully held at all the venues of SIS around the globe. They expect the Symposium in Lublin to be equally successful and would like to invite you to submit your abstract and participate. You can find the abstract template and guidelines here.

Oral and poster presentations are welcome. If you require special invitation or have other questions, please contact Girma Biresaw at girma.biresaw@usda.gov. Please make sure to select the “Surfactants in Tribology” track when submitting your abstract at the SIS2020 website.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Congratulations on our new Emeritus members!

Every year, AOCS members who have maintained their membership with the Society for 35 consecutive years and meet the requirements for retired membership are considered for Emeritus membership. For 2020, we are excited to announce sixteen new Emeritus members.

What does Emeritus membership include? All the amazing benefits of AOCS membership, but for FREE!

Learn more about Emeritus Membership and join me in congratulating our Class of 2020 Emeritus members.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Class of 2020 Emeritus Members
Ken Beery, member since 1985
Michael Cox, member since 1983
Frank J. Flider, member since 1975
Bill Hausmann, member since 1976
Ed Hunter, member since 1983
Dharma R. Kodali, member since 1982
Firouz Madadnoee, member since 1984
Rodney J. Mailer, member since 1983
Steve Misner, member since 1984
Andy Proctor, member since 1984
Ian Purtle, member since 1983
Kiyotaka Sato, member since 1985
Vijai K.S. Shukla, member since 1985
Dennis K. Strayer, member since 1974
Frank Veldkamp, member since 1984
Earl D. Weak, member since 1982

When I asked for favorite AOCS memories, Dennis Strayer, retired from Bunge North America, shared:
“Upon reflection, I realized that all of my interactions with AOCS were memorable and no single thing stands out more than any other. I always (and still do) look forward each month to the Journals and INFORM, as it is an opportunity to learn and expand my technical knowledge. And likewise, I always look forward each year to the annual meetings as an opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new ones as well as getting a chance to see the see and learn about the latest developments in our industry. I always made a point at each meeting to introduce myself to at least one member I had not met yet in our society and learn as much as I could about that person from that meeting.
And I would like to add, that inform|connect has been a tremendous success, as it adds a new dimension to the Society as it allows for daily interaction with the Society and the members that was difficult to achieve in the past. I applaud the Society for this activity and the effort that goes into it."

Thank you all for your dedication to the Society! 

Monday, January 6, 2020

Nominations are open for the 2020 AOCS Division officer election!

Divisions are at the forefront of all member activities. Division officers help to develop networking activities, webinars and Annual Meeting programming for your Division.

Nominate a colleague or yourself and have a voice in the future of your Division. Each Division is governed by an elected, three-person Executive Steering Committee:

  • Chairperson
  • Vice-Chairperson
  • Secretary-Treasurer

The term of office is one year; however, a member may serve in an officer position for three consecutive terms.

What does each member of the committee do?

Chairperson

  • Appoints Division members to do the following:
  • Oversee the Division awards program
  • Serve as newsletter editor
  • Oversee other Division activities, as needed
  • Reports on the status of awards and newsletter activities to the Division's Executive Steering Committee
  • Represents the Division and its interests at Division Council meetings


Vice-Chairperson

  • Chairs the Division's technical programming committee; appoints Division members to assist in program development
  • Serves on the AOCS Program Committee
  • Reports pertinent details concerning the upcoming AOCS Annual Meeting technical program to the Division's Executive Steering Committee
  • Assumes duties of Chairperson when necessary


Secretary-Treasurer

  • Takes minutes of Division's Executive Steering Committee meetings
  • Reviews Division financials with AOCS staff and reports activities to the Division's Executive Committee
  • Appoints a Division member to oversee networking events
  • Submits a written report in July that summarizes the activities of the previous year, in consultation with the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
  • Prepares a budget reflecting the Division's future program plans with income and expense projections with the written report


Submit the names of potential candidates by Friday, January 31. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged! Ballots will be sent to Division members in mid-February.