USDA’S
FARRELL HONORED WITH WILLIAM C. HAINES DAIRY SCIENCE AWARD
BY
THE CALIFORNIA DAIRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Davis,
Calif.
– March 29, 2010 – The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) presented
Dr. Harold Farrell of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Eastern Regional
Research Center (ERRC) with the William C. Haines Dairy Science Award on March 2nd
in recognition of his contribution to the field of dairy science at the 12th
Cal Poly Dairy Ingredients Symposium in San Francisco. Dr. Farrell, who works as
an emeritus research chemist at the Dairy Processing and Products Research Unit
at the USDA, gave a presentation on the molecular basis for the
structure-function relationships of casein.
“It
is only fitting to award this prize to someone who has done so much to further
our understanding of the chemistry of the milk protein system and biochemistry
of the mammary gland,” said Dr. Joseph O’Donnell, Executive Director of the
California Dairy Research Foundation. “He has dedicated his career – both
before and after retirement – to serving the industry and we are grateful for
his hard work and dedication.”
“The
majority of my scientific career has been spent in fundamental research on milk
protein structure-function relationships. In
this area, it is sometimes hard to see or predict a clear end point, but a new
insight in itself is always exciting,” said Dr. Farrell. “Recently, my son
told me that he and his sister were impressed with the fact that when I went to
work I seemed to feel that what I did in the lab, though incremental on a given
day, would eventually be a contribution to science.
Receiving the Haines Award, which covers a twenty year period, has made
me feel as though it has been worth the effort.
In essence this award is a validation of the scientific process and is
greatly appreciated.”
Dr.
Farrell received his B.S. in chemistry in 1962 from Mount Saint Mary's College
of Maryland and continued his studies at Pennsylvania State University where he
received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry. He worked in the field of
dairy chemistry and biochemistry at ERRC from 1967 until his retirement in 2003
when he was then appointed as an emeritus research chemist at ERRC. He has
continued his interests in dairy chemistry ever since. His research focus has
included a variety of programs related to the chemistry of the milk system and
the biochemistry of the mammary gland. He
has authored or co-authored 175 publications, book chapters and review articles
and has been recognized by the Institute for Scientific Information as one of
the top 100 cited researchers in the field of Agricultural Research. Dr.
Farrell’s research has been conducted to achieve a fundamental understanding
of the milk protein system from its biosynthesis in the mammary gland through
milk processing followed by digestion and absorption. This research has been
conducted to be relevant to missions of the Agricultural Research Service as
well as the needs of the dairy industry.
Dr.
Farrell was elected to life membership in the American Society for Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology and he holds emeritus memberships in the Protein Society,
Sigma Xi and the American Chemical Society.
He has been an active member of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA)
where he served on its Board of Directors in 1995-1999.
For his research accomplishments and service to the dairy industry, and
to the ADSA, Dr. Farrell was included among the first group of elected Fellows
of the American Dairy Science Association in 1998.
He was appointed as a representative of ADSA to the newly formed
Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), which serves to coordinate and
advance animal science research and served as a member of the FASS Board of
Directors from 1999-2002.
Established
in 2004, the William C. Haines Dairy Science Award was created to recognize
individuals who, through their accomplishments in research and development in
the field of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, technology, nutrition,
and/or engineering, have made a significant contribution to dairy science and
the betterment of the dairy industry and consumers. Past award winners include
David Barbano of Cornell University, Todd Klaenhammer
of North Carolina State University, Paul Ross of the Teagasc
Moorepark Food Research Centre in Ireland, Harjinder
Singh from Massey University in New Zealand and Nagedra
Shah of Victoria University in Australia.
The
award, named for William C. Haines, former Vice President of Product Innovation
for Dairy Management Inc., includes an engraved plaque, $1,000 in cash and
travel expenses to an annual dairy industry event co-sponsored by the CDRF. A
committee representing dairy producers, processors, manufacturers and
researchers make the final award selection. Nomination forms for the 2010 award
are available online at www.cdrf.org under
“Awards & Giving.” The deadline to submit 2011 nominations is September
22, 2010.
About
the CDRF
The California Dairy Research Foundation is a non-profit corporation that
manages the research activities of the California dairy industry in the areas of
basic and applied dairy product research, nutrition, dairy herd health, and food
safety. For information about CDRF and the research it supports, visit www.cdrf.org.
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