Awards, Honors and Professional Affiliations

Faculty Scholar-Teacher Award (2024) from Rutgers University for outstanding synergistic contributions in research and teaching, and for making visible the vital link between teaching and scholarship by contributing to the scholarship of teaching and by bringing together scholarly and classroom activities.

Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)from the International Association for Engineering and Food (IAEF) in recognition of outstanding contribution to the food engineering profession.

Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology ( (2018). According to IAFoST’s parent body IUFoST, “IAFoST Fellows are distinguished by their scientific and professional contributions to food science and technology. They promote high standards of ethics and scientific endeavours among food scientists and technologists and serve as a source of scientific personnel and information to support international activities related to food science and technology through IUFoST.”

Invited International Lecturer (2017) Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. Taught selected topics in Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering courses, and presented research seminars. The 3-week visit was fully sponsored by the Government of Indonesia and ITB.

Leadership Award (2016) from Rutgers Food Science Alumni Committee.

Julius Bauermann Lectureship Award (2014) from the Philadelphia section of IFT. This award is presented to a leader among the scientific community who has made significant contributions to the advancements of food science and technology.

Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (2012). This is a unique professional distinction given to individuals with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience for their contributions to the food science and technology field. It is an honor bestowed upon an IFT member by peers, recognizing exemplary professionalism in the field of food science.

Ernest E. McMahon Award (2010) from Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) for the first “ReConnect with Rutgers Food Science” event held on April 23-24, 2010. The award recognizes an alumni event or program for creative programming excellence.

William V. Cruess award (2009) for excellence in teaching food science and technology, from the Institute of Food Technologists.

Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching (2008): This award is presented annually to a faculty member “in recognition of outstanding service in stimulating and guiding the intellectual development of students at Rutgers University.”

Professor Endel Karmas Teaching Excellence Award (2014, 2007, 2002, 2000, and 1995) from the students of the Department of Food Science, Rutgers University for Excellence in Teaching Food Science at Rutgers University.

Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service (2006), Douglass Project for Rutgers Women in Math, Science, and Engineering.

Chair’s Appreciation Award (2005 and 2003) from the Chair of the Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, in recognition of the outstanding service to the Department as the Undergraduate Program Director.

Prof. B.D. Tilak Visiting Fellow (2004) Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

Chair (2005), Vice-chair (2003), and Secretary (2003) of NC-136 (1023), a multi-state project on “Improvement of Thermal and Alternative Processes for Foods” of the USDA. Also served as the sub-committee chair of the re-write committee (2004).

Academic Professional Excellence Award for Excellence in Research (2002) from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Cook College, for exceptional performance in research, demonstrated by a series of papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

Academic Professional Excellence Award for Excellence in Teaching (2001) from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Cook College, for exceptional performance in teaching and an outstanding contribution to the instructional program of the college for a period of at least three years.

Faculty Friend Award from Rutgers Food Science Graduate Student Association (2001).