Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research

News

Dr. Genyi Zhang joined the Whistler Center faculty April 2007 as an assistant professor. Dr. Zhang earned a B.S. degree in biology from Lanzhou University and a M.S. degree in genetics from the Institute of Genetics, Academia Sinica, Beijing. He obtained a second M.S. degree at Purdue, investigating sorghum starch digestibility. For his Ph.D. thesis (Dr. Bruce Hamaker’s lab), Genyi investigated an interesting 3-component interaction among amylose, free fatty acid, and soluble protein and its affect on paste viscosity. He joined the Whistler Center as a Visiting Professor from Southern Yangtze University in December 2004. He is researching alternative ways to achieve, and fundamental structures of, slowly digestible starches.

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The 2007 Belfort Lecture was given by Dr. Marta Izydorczyk Friday, May 11, 2007 at the WCCR Belfort Lecture and Technical Conference held at Purdue University. The title of her presentation was "Cereal Cell-wall Polysaccharides: Molecular Structures, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Functional Properties".

Dr. Marta S. Izydorczyk is currently a research scientist and program manager of Basic Barley Research at the Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, and an adjunct professor at the Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba. She has authored and co-authored numerous research papers, book chapters, and conference contributions in the area of structure-function relationships of food carbohydrates. She is an active member of the America Association of Cereal Chemists International (AACCI), a member of the AACCI Scientific Advisory Panel, and a member of the organizing committees of the World Grains Summit: Foods and Beverages (2006), Plant Polysaccharide Workshop (2006), and Canadian Barley Symposium (2007). She sits on the editorial Board of the journal Cereal Chemistry. Her area of expertise is in the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of non-starch polysaccharides. Her research program focuses on identifying, understanding, and gaining control over mechanisms responsible for technological performance and physiological functionality of carbohydrate polymers from barley and other economically important Prairie grains in complex multi-variant food systems.

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Whistler Center would like to welcome our newest Sustaining Members to our Industrial Board.

Bayer BioScience GmbH is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. They offer an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. You may visit their website at http://www.bayercropscience.com

Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. You may visit their website at http://www.cargill.com

National Starch Food Innovation can trace its roots back over 120 years to a series of mergers by regional starch producing companies in the United States to form what was known as the National Starch Company of New Jersey (still headquartered in the state of New Jersey today). As a starch producer, National Starch Food Innovation is unique in its science-based approach to delivering new types of functionality out of these agricultural materials. To visit their website please go to http://www.foodinnovation.com/NSFI-Home/Homepage.htm

Roquette Frères and Roquette America, Inc. has more than six hundred carbohydrates derivatives in production, the widest range within the industry. They reflect the innovation, versatility and uncompromising quality with which the company has become associated. The main sectors served are food, pharmaceuticals, paper, fermentation, chemistry and industrial applications. Roquette is one of Europe's more significant suppliers of starches, glucose syrups, maltodextrins and dextrose. You may visit their website at http://www.roquette.com/eng/pdts.htm

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Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research held a 2 day short course on starch (Starch and Non-starch Polysaccharide Chemistry, Properties, and Analysis; Starches; Hydrocolloids; Rheological Measuring Principles; and Carbohydrates and Health) November 7-8, 2006 at Purdue University for our Industrial Board Member Companies.

This course was geared towards individuals who want an in-depth review or refresher course on starch fundamentals, and is offered as part of the benefits of membership.

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1. Dr. Ann-Charlotte Eliasson 2006 Belfort Lecturer (May 10, 2006)
2. Two-day Short Course Held at Purdue University (October 10, 2005)
3. Dr. Alain Buleon Belfort Lecturer (May 11, 2005)
4. Dow AgroSciences join Whistler Center's Industrial Consortium (April 1, 2005)
5. Dr. Yuan Yao joins Whistler Center Faculty (March 3, 2005)
6. Corn Products International and Grain Processing Corporation join Whistler Center's Industrial Consortium (October 1, 2004)
7. Dr. Sven Pedersen presents seminar (June 10, 2004)
8. 2004 Belfort Lecture given by Dr. Kwan-Hwa Park (May 2004)
9. Dr. David Ludwig presents seminar (November 19, 2003)
10. Dr. Abenaa Akuamoa-Boateng presents seminar (October 24, 2003)
11. Dr. John Taylor presents seminar (September 24, 2003)
12. AACC Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon (September 2003)
13. Bruce Hamaker New Director of Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research (July 1, 2003)
14. Dr. Roy Whistler receives Honorary Degree (June 5, 2003)
15. Dr. Hamaker Receives Trask Award (June 2003)
16. Kellogg Company Equipment Donation (June 2003)
17. Dr. Alison Smith 2003 Belfort Lecturer (May 14, 2003)

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