UMaine Receives Food Science Education Grant
Contact: Al Bushway (207) 581-1629; David Munson (207) 581-3777
ORONO, Maine – UMaine’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition was recently named the recipient of the Mettler Toledo Food Science and Education Grant. The award consists of more than $60,000 in research equipment and software.
Mettler Toledo, a leading supplier of laboratory instruments, chose UMaine over numerous other institutions in the United States and Canada that provide doctoral programs in the food sciences.
Both students and faculty will benefit from the new equipment, which will be used for teaching and research.
Installation of the new equipment, including balances, analytical equipment, software and a personal computer, is scheduled to begin at the end of August. Established to honor Erhard Mettler, the highly-competitive award provides equipment to a single institution each year to establish or enhance the education in current and future collegiate food science programs.
“This grant will allow for curriculum updates that further the development of our Food Science and Human Nutrition students by ensuring their professional capabilities with modern analytical tools routinely used in both public and private industry,” said UMaine Food Science and Human Nutrition professor Al Bushway.
The University of Maine Food Science and Human Nutrition department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Food Science and Human Nutrition, with a concentration in Food Science, Human Nutrition or Food Management. The graduate program offers a Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition, a combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship and a Ph.D. in Food and Nutrition Sciences. The baccalaureate degree program has been accredited by the Institute for Food Technologists. The department is additionally involved in numerous food science research projects in Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Product Development and Sensory Science.