Spotlight on Vijai K. S. Shukla, winner of the 2021 A.R. Baldwin Distinguished Service Award

 We are delighted to announce that Vijai K. S. Shukla is one of the recipients of the 2021 A.R. Baldwin Distinguished Service Award. This award, sponsored by Cargill Inc., recognizes long-term, distinguished service to AOCS in a variety of positions of significant responsibility. This is the Society’s highest service award. This Q&A will help you to get to know him better. 

Dr. Vijai K. S. Shukla is director of International Food Science Centre A/S, Denmark and has been active in food science research since 1969. His research interests have ranged from mechanisms of lipid autoxidation to innovations in analytical methodology.  He has made a significant impact revealing the involvement of essential fatty acids in health and diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Batten's Syndrome. Dr. Shukla has also analyzed arctic diet in Greenland Eskimos and compared with Danes elucidating some of the mechanism of coronary heart diseases in these population groups. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers and 15 book chapters. He has received numerous scientific awards including the AOCS Stephen S. Chang Award and AOCS Fellow Award. He has been part of the AOCS community since 1985 his contributions including chairing the NMR and Mytotoxin Subcommittees of the Uniform Methods Committee. He has also served on the INFORM Editorial Advisory Committee and as Associate Editor for JAOCS for more than 20 years

Can you tell us about current research?

In human nutrition, we need to balance the ω-6 to ω-3 ratio in our foods. Our research has shown internal stabilization is the solution to eliminate oxidation problems in oils and fats, and thus can be an asset in designing foods.  Our research is focused on anti-inflammatory diet and oxidative hygiene in designing food products, for better and safer health.

What was your reaction when you learned you had won the award?

Receiving this prestigious award means a lot to me and it encourages me to work even harder for the society. This award is important because it signifies the great society of AOCS, which assembles the world community in one platform and specifically its very dedicated employees who form the backbone of the AOCS organization.

How has AOCS helped develop your career?

AOCS is a great society which assembles the world community in one platform, and specifically its employees who form the backbone of the AOCS Society. Over the years, AOCS has brought out the best in me and the society and its members have always encouraged me to contribute more and more towards  society through my research.

Read more on Wikipedia

And at the International Food Science Centre (IFSC)  website