UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- As part of a renewed research initiative in the quality and uses of cereal grain, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently appointed Koushik Seetharaman as assistant professor in the department of food science. Seetharaman's research will focus on cereal foods manufacturing, structure-function relationships in foods and the adoption of genetically enhanced grains and ingredients.

"Dr. Seetharaman's appointment will help us increase our already-strong commitment to teaching and developing undergraduate and graduate food processing courses that address industry needs," says John Floros, professor and head of food science. "We also anticipate he'll assist the state's baking industry with issues related to raw material quality, processing and enhancing the shelf-life of baked foods."

Seetharaman earned a bachelor of science degree in dairy science and technology from Gujarat Agricultural University in India in 1987, a master's degree in food chemistry from Cornell University in 1990 and a doctorate in food science from Texas A&M University in 1996. He has served as a research associate at the University of Florida's Citrus Research & Education Center (1990-91) and a research assistant at Texas A&M University (1991-96). He worked as a food scientist with Merlin Development Inc. (1996-98) and as a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University (1998-2000) before coming to Penn State.

Seetharaman has co-authored several recent publications, including "Thermal and Functional Characterization of Corn from the Argentinean Germplasm" and "Structure-Function Characterization of Unique Starches from Developmental Lines." His professional memberships include the Institute of Food Technology, the American Association of Cereal Chemists and the American Oil Chemists Society.

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EDITORS: Koushik Seetharaman can be reached at 814-865-5644.

Contacts: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax