Manjeet S. Chinnan

University of Georgia professor
Manjeet S. Chinnan will receive the prestigious D.W. Brooks
Award for Excellence in Public Service for international
agriculture Oct. 2 in Athens, Ga.

Chinnan is a professor of food science and technology and in
biological and agricultural engineering in the UGA College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He is an
internationally
recognized authority on processing, handling and storing
peanuts,
cereal legumes, fruits and vegetables.

He has published more than 80 research publications and has
earned more than $6.5 million in research grants and
contracts.

International Leader

His leadership in networking with international scientists
in the Caribbean and Central America led to a 10-year project
with postharvest handling of peanuts. The group continues to
develop
projects in Bulgaria, the Philippines and Ghana.

Chinnan developed a simple instrument to measure the hardness
of blackeye peas and other legumes. The hard-to-cook condition
in most beans and peas subjected to extended storage is a
critical
problem in the canning industry.

The device, designed and developed for easy use in the
quality
assurance laboratories in food processing companies in Georgia,
allows for more precise processing control and reduces energy
costs.

Because of his contribution to the Nigerian USAID project,
Chinnan and team members were awarded the 1991 Institute of Food
Technologists International Award. The award recognizes
contribution
resulting in an international exchange of ideas in food
technology,
a better international understanding in the field and a
successful
transfer of food technology to a developing nation.

Other Winners

The annual Brooks awards are presented to UGA College of
Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences faculty who excel in teaching,
research,
extension and international agriculture. The awards include a
framed certificate and a $5,000 cash award.

Other honorees this year are: Eddie McGriff, county extension
programming; Michael Dirr, teaching; Steve L. Brown, extension;
and John Ruter, research.

Before the awards ceremony, William F. Kirk, vice president
of DuPont Biosolutions Enterprise, will deliver the D.W. Brooks
Lecture: “The 21st Century — An Agribusiness
Odyssey.”

The lecture and awards are named for the late D.W. Brooks,
founder and chairman emeritus of Gold Kist, Inc., and founder
of Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies. Brooks was an
advisor
on agriculture and trade issues to seven U.S. presidents.