Walter M. Urbain
Encyclopedia
Walter Mathias Urbain was an American physicist
who helped pioneer food science innovation during World War II. His contributions include new patents and methodologies in food engineering
, irradiation
, and meat science.
in 1934, then went to work for Swift & Company
from 1934 to 1966 in research and development. Urbain would eventually rise to Director, Engineering Research, holding that position from 1950 to 1966. Urbain left Swift for Michigan State University
in 1965 where he worked on irradiation, acting as a lead consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) in Vienna, Austria and also consulting on projects with international governments. Urbain retired in 1975 though he served as a visiting professor to the University of California, Davis
and as a consultant to the IAEA.
Urbain played a critical role in the American Chemical Society
, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
(American Society of Agricultural Engineers: 1907-2005), and the Institute of Food Technologists
, serving in all three organizations. He also earned two patents and published 36 scientific papers as well.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
who helped pioneer food science innovation during World War II. His contributions include new patents and methodologies in food engineering
Food engineering
Food engineering is a multidisciplinary field of applied physical sciences which combines science, microbiology, and engineering education for food and related industries. Food engineering includes, but is not limited to, the application of agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering and...
, irradiation
Irradiation
Irradiation is the process by which an object is exposed to radiation. The exposure can originate from various sources, including natural sources. Most frequently the term refers to ionizing radiation, and to a level of radiation that will serve a specific purpose, rather than radiation exposure to...
, and meat science.
Career
He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1934, then went to work for Swift & Company
Swift & Company
Swift & Company is an American food procession company a wholly owned subsidiary of JBS S.A. , a Brazilian company that is the world's largest processor of fresh beef and pork, with more than US$30 billion in annual sales as of 2010. It is also the largest beef processor in Australia.Swift &...
from 1934 to 1966 in research and development. Urbain would eventually rise to Director, Engineering Research, holding that position from 1950 to 1966. Urbain left Swift for Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in 1965 where he worked on irradiation, acting as a lead consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
(IAEA) in Vienna, Austria and also consulting on projects with international governments. Urbain retired in 1975 though he served as a visiting professor to 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...
and as a consultant to the IAEA.
Urbain played a critical role in the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers , was founded in 1907 and is based in St. Joseph, Michigan. It is an international engineering society with about 9000 members in over 100 countries...
(American Society of Agricultural Engineers: 1907-2005), and 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...
, serving in all three organizations. He also earned two patents and published 36 scientific papers as well.
Professional activities
- American Chemical Society: Chair of the Chicago, Illinois section - 1949.
- American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: FPSA-FPEI Food Engineering Award - 1976.
- Institute of Food Technologists:
- Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Food ScienceJournal of Food ScienceThe Journal of Food Science is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that was established in 1936 and is published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago, Illinois...
and Scientific Editor of Food TechnologyFood Technology (magazine)Food Technology is a monthly food science and technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago, Illinois. The magazine addresses current issues related to food science and technology, including research, education, food engineering, food packaging, nutraceuticals,...
- May 1966 to June 1970. - Fellow - 1970, among the first class of 27 fellows inducted.
- Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Food Science