Dairy Science Professor Named Cal Poly Distinguished Scholar

June 25, 2010

SAN LUIS OBISPO –Dairy Science Professor Rafael J. Jiménez -Flores has  received the 2010 Cal Poly Distinguished Scholarship Award.

Jiménez -Flores received the award at the university’s Spring Commencement on June 12. The award recognizes faculty achievements in research, creative work and other professional activities and is given to two professors each year.

Architecture Professor Don Choi, chair of the Distinguished Scholarship Awards Committee, said Jiménez -Flores is adept at engaging colleagues and students. “He has established an enviable record as a scholar who applies sophisticated, interdisciplinary scientific methods to pragmatic issues in the field of food science,” Choi said. 

"I feel extremely happy to have received this distinction, I hope it brings to light all the good things at DPTC and at the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences," said Jiménez-Flores.

Susan C. Opava, dean of Research and Graduate Programs, said Jiménez-Flores is helping expand the scope of research in dairy science through his studies on the therapeutic and immune-enhancing effects of specific components of milk.

“He has really been a leader in getting faculty to work together and leverage their collective expertise to bring in project funding and funding for the acquisition of major resources,” Opava said.

Jiménez-Flores joined the faculty of the Dairy Science Department and Dairy Products Technology Center at Cal Poly in 1995. His dairy technology specialties include the characterization and function of milk components, (MFGM and buttermilk), and diverse applications of molecular biology and physical-chemistry of MFGM components.

 He is the author of more than 70 peer-reviewed papers, three patents and 10 book chapters. He is currently an advisor for seven graduate students and two postdoctoral fellows.

He has been the Chair of the ADSA Milk Protein and Enzyme committee, and was the Chair of the Journal of Dairy Science Management Committee. He is the senior editor of the JDS foods section. In 2003, he won the ADSA Kraft-Milk Industry Foundation Teaching award and in 2009, the IDFA Research Award in Dairy Foods Processing. Earlier this quarter, he received an award from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences for outstanding research.

About the DPTC               

The Dairy Products Technology Center (DPTC), established in 1986, is a program within the College of Agriculture at Cal Poly State University that conducts education, research, and outreach activities to provide solutions to help manage risk, facilitate innovation, and defend equity in the dairy foods industry and related business sectors. For further information visit our website at www.dptc.calpoly.edu.

###