Emil M. Mrak
Encyclopedia
Emil Marcel Mrak was an American food scientist
, microbiologist
, and former chancellor of the University of California, Davis
. He was recognized internationally for his work in food preservation
and as a world authority on the biology of yeast
s.
, and graduated from Campbell High School in Campbell
. He received a B.S.
degree in Food Technology in 1926, M.S.
degree in 1928, and Ph.D.
degree in botany
and mycology
in 1936 from University of California, Berkeley
. While an undergraduate at Berkeley, Mrak was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho
fraternity
.
at UC Davis in 1937 and became of Professor and department chairman in 1948. In 1951, he led the move of the department to its current location at UCDavis, and was later appointed chancellor in 1959. He would be the first food scientist to ever be named president or chancellor of a college or university. The only other food scientist to have this honor is James L. Oblinger, chancellor of the North Carolina State University
in Raleigh
since 2005.
A charter member of the Institute of Food Technologists
(IFT) in 1939, Mrak would serve as its President from 1957 to 1958. He would also win numerous awards within IFT, including the Nicholas Appert Award
(1957), the Babcock-Hart Award
(1961), the International Award
(1963), the Carl R. Fellers Award
in 1984, and a Fellow in 1970. He also served as chair of IFT's Northern California Section in 1947/48.
on April 9, 1987. Mrak Hall, the administration office building on the UC Davis campus, is named in his honor.
UC Davis also named the Emil M. Mrak International Award in his honor starting in 1988.
Food science
Food science is a study concerned with all technical aspects of foods, beginning with harvesting or slaughtering, and ending with its cooking and consumption, an ideology commonly referred to as "from field to fork"...
, microbiologist
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, and former chancellor of the University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
. He was recognized internationally for his work in food preservation
Food preservation
Food preservation is the process of treating and handling food to stop or slow down spoilage and thus allow for longer storage....
and as a world authority on the biology of yeast
Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...
s.
Early years
Mrak was born in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, and graduated from Campbell High School in Campbell
Campbell, California
Campbell is a city in Santa Clara County, California, a suburb of San Jose, and part of Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Campbell's population is 39,349...
. He received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Food Technology in 1926, M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in 1928, and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
and mycology
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals , food and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or...
in 1936 from University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. While an undergraduate at Berkeley, Mrak was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Gamma Rho is a social-professional fraternity in the United States, with 75 university chapters including chapter in Mindanao State University, Philippines...
fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
.
Career
Mrak was appointed as an instructor in food technologyFood technology
Food technology, is a branch of food science which deals with the actual production processes to make foods.-Early history of food technology:...
at UC Davis in 1937 and became of Professor and department chairman in 1948. In 1951, he led the move of the department to its current location at UCDavis, and was later appointed chancellor in 1959. He would be the first food scientist to ever be named president or chancellor of a college or university. The only other food scientist to have this honor is James L. Oblinger, chancellor of the North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
since 2005.
A charter member of the Institute of Food Technologists
Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists or IFT is an international, non-profit professional organization for the advancement of food science and technology. It is the largest of food science organizations in the world, encompassing 22,000 members worldwide as of 2006. It is referred to as "THE Society...
(IFT) in 1939, Mrak would serve as its President from 1957 to 1958. He would also win numerous awards within IFT, including the Nicholas Appert Award
Nicholas Appert Award
The Nicholas Appert Award has been awarded every year since 1942 by the Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists. Given for lifetime and consistent achievement in food technology, it is named after Nicolas Appert, the French inventor of airtight food preservation. Award winners...
(1957), the Babcock-Hart Award
Babcock-Hart Award
The Babcock-Hart Award has been awarded since 1948 by the Institute of Food Technologists. It is given for significant contributions in food technology that resulted in public health through some aspects of nutrition. It was first named the Stephan M. Babcock Award after the agricultural chemist...
(1961), the International Award
Bor S. Luh International Award
The Bor S. Luh International Award has been awarded every year since 1956. Before 2005, this award was named the International Award. It is given to an individual or institution that had outstanding efforts in one of the following areas in food technology: 1) International exchange of ideas, 2)...
(1963), the Carl R. Fellers Award
Carl R. Fellers Award
The Carl R. Fellers Award has been awarded every year since 1984. It is awarded to members of the Institute of Food Technologists who are also members of Phi Tau Sigma, the honorary society of food science and technology, who have brought honor and recognition to food science through achievements...
in 1984, and a Fellow in 1970. He also served as chair of IFT's Northern California Section in 1947/48.
Personal life
Mrak died in Davis, CaliforniaDavis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on April 9, 1987. Mrak Hall, the administration office building on the UC Davis campus, is named in his honor.
UC Davis also named the Emil M. Mrak International Award in his honor starting in 1988.
Honours and awards
- Alpha Gamma Rho Chi Brothers of the Century: 1923
- Alpha Gamma Rho Hall of Fame: 1980
- University of California, Berkeley Alumnus of the Year: 1969
External links
- Emil Mrak on the Davis Wiki
- University of California: In Memoriam, 1987.
- University of California, Berkeley Alumnus of the Year awards