April 12, 2018
Rolando A. Flores to present special grain science seminar and Graduate School Alumni Fellow Lecture
Rolando A. Flores, dean and chief administrative officer in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, will present a K-State Graduate School Alumni Fellow Lecture at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in 204 Shellenberger Hall.
Flores' presentation topic is "Food processing, Our Challenges and Great Opportunities."
Note: For pizza and beverages, and to meet with Flores, please arrive at 12:30 p.m.
Flores is a Water for Food Institute faculty global fellow and an active member of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International and the Institute of Food Technologists. Prior to coming to NMSU, Flores was professor and head of the department of food science and technology; and director of the Food Processing Center, at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has also served on the faculty at Iowa State University and K-State. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from K-State's grain science and industry department. Flores earned a doctorate in grain science and industry with specialization in international trade from K-State in 1989. He has two daughters, Andrea and Ana Catalina.
Presentation abstract: We would not have the safest and most secure food system in the world if the progress in food science, engineering and technology would have not taken place. However, we are constantly challenged with the public’s perceptions regarding the "quality" of our food and the food we share with the rest of the world. For example: "our food is killing us," "too much processing," "GMOs are bad," "organic is the way," etc. are some of the comments we hear from the public. How did we get here? How are we going to balance the food needs of a growing world population with those views? How do we move forward balancing the needs taking into consideration the food that is available, and the wellbeing of humans and the planet? Over the course of his professional life, more than 40 years in food processing, Flores has reflected on some points regarding those issues and how he see we can move forward.
The K-State Alumni Fellows program recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers. The program is sponsored by the Dean's Council, the Office of the President and the K-State Alumni Association.
For more information the seminar please email Hulya Dogan at dogan@k-state.edu.