About FRI

Awards & Scholarships

William C. Frazier Memorial Lectureship in Food Microbiology
The William C. Frazier Memorial Lectureship in Food Microbiology was established in 1991 to honor Dr. Frazier. Co-sponsored by FRI and the departments of Bacteriology and Food Science, the award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in food microbiology. The awardee is invited to present a lecture in conjunction with the FRI Annual Meeting.
2023	Nuts! How a foodborne outbreak serendipitously shaped a career Linda Harris, UC Davis
2022	Troubleshooting spoilage issues in the plant: Use your common sense(s) Lori Ledenbach, Kraft Heinz
2021	Mark Tamplin
2020	no award
2019	The sensitive scientist: How understanding and validating emotions around food can improve communications effectiveness Janet Riley, Maple Leaf Foods
2018	The Power of Information to Prevent Foodborne Illness Craig Hedberg, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
2017	*Foodborne Salmonella* in Poultry and Food Production — Research Perspectives** Steve Ricke, University of Arkansas
2016	Unprecedented Challenges in Producing and Serving Safe Foods Michael P. Doyle, Center for Food Safety, University of Georgia
2015	Improving Public Health by Preventing Foodborne Diseases — Past, Present, and Future Robert V. Tauxe, CDC
2014	Food Allergy Research: Look What FRI Started Steve Taylor, University of Nebraska
2013	Food Safety: Creating a Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Prevention Jenny Scott, FDA CFSAN
2012	Food Safety Eras: Past, Present, and What Is Next! Gale Prince, SAGE Food Safety Consultants
2011	Thirty Years of Foodborne Listeriosis Martin Wiedmann, Cornell University
2010	Stress, Survival, and Virulence of Bacterial Foodborne Pathogens Robert H. Deibel, Deibel Laboratories
2009	Interaction and Collaboration between Government, Industry and Academia to Address Food Safety Concerns Robert Brackett, Grocery Manufacturers Association
2008	no award
2007	no award
2006	Food Microbiology & the Food Industry: Stage Gate One in a Career Pipeline Rhona Applebaum, Coca-Cola Company
2005	International Developments in Managing Microbial Food Safety Martin Cole, National Center for Food Safety and Technology
2004	Chance and Common Sense William H. Sperber, Cargill Corporate Food Safety
2003	William C. Frazier, A Man for His Time Edwin M. (Mike) Foster, FRI, Director Emeritus
2002	Traditions in Food Microbiology: From Pasteur to Genomics Todd Klaenhammer, North Carolina State University
2001	Reflections Charles Duncan, Hershey Foods Corporation
2000	Food Safety Objectives: Concentrating on Disease Reduction Lester Crawford, Georgetown University
1999	Advances in Food Mycology Methodology Larry Beuchat, University of Georgia
1998	Impact of New Packaging and Preservation Technologies on Microorganisms in Foods Joseph Hotchkiss, Cornell University
1997	Food Safety in the 21st Century: To Test or Not to Test? That Is the Question Francis Busta, University of Minnesota
1996	Reform of FDA Food Regulations Peter Barton Hutt, Covington & Burling
1995	Dealing with Uncertainty: The Future of Food Microbiology? Robert Buchanan, USDA FSIS
1994	The Future of Foodborne Disease: Lessons from the Past Mitchell L. Cohen, CDC
1993	Microbiological Food Safety: A European Perspective Richard J. Gilbert, Public Health Laboratory Service
1992	Food Microbiology of the Future: From What We Have Learned in the Past Douglas Archer, FDA CFSAN

John H. Nelson Undergraduate Research Award
The John H. Nelson Undergraduate Research Award honors Dr. John H. Nelson, Research Program Manager at FRI 1987–1993. The research competition is designed for undergraduates conducting research related to the quality and safety of foods under the guidance of any FRI executive committee member or FRI affiliated faculty. The award winner will present a research poster at the FRI Annual Meeting and receive a plaque and a monetary award.
2023	Conventional and aviary-style housing drive unique feather microbiota diversity and composition in laying hens (Tarcin) Growth and enterotoxin production of Stapylococcus in model poultry and meat products under anaerobic and aerobic conditions (Soon) Ashley Tarcin and Yu Xiang Soon; Mentor: Steve Ricke and Cindy Austin
2022	no award
2021	no award
2020	no award
2019	*The effect of pH and antimicrobials on the growth and survival of Listeria monocytogenes* in a high moisture model cheese** Kory Anderson; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2018	*Control of Listeria monocytogenes* in caramel apples with protective cultures** Morgan Brown; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2017	*Identification of Salmonella enterica* genes that influence plant host association** Tyler Engel; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2016	Salmonella enterica Suppresses Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Lettuce Root Exudates While Host Genotype Influences Bacterial Growth Amy Parr; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2015	*The Effects of Nitrite on Clostridium perfringens* Growth during Extended Cooling of Cured Ham** Katie Osterbauer; Mentor: Kathy Glass, Jeff Sindelar
2014	Effect of Food Matrix on Thermal Inactivation Rate of Listeria monocytogenes Dana Billing; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2013	Oxidative Stress Observed in Salmonella enterica Grown in Hyperosmotic Conditions Trace Borchardt; Mentor: Amy Wong
2012	Filamentous Salmonella enterica Formed During Osmotic Stress Undergo Changes to Nucleoid Morphology and ATP Generation Over Time Brad Gietman; Mentor: Charles W. Kaspar
2011	Salmonella enterica Genes Required for Survival on Lettuce Jessica O. Lund; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2010	Tomato Plant Characteristics that deter Salmonella Contamination James N. Luo; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2009	Identification of "Function Unknown"" Genes with a Role in the Ability of Salmonella to Survive in Water" Steven Molinarolo; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2008	Remediation of a Nuclear Complex Important for Toxin Production Elizabeth Chadwick; Mentor: Nancy P. Keller
2007	no award
2006	A Novel Transcription Factor Family Regulating Sporulation and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis in Aspergillus Margaret Reuter; Mentor: Jae Hyuk Yu
2005	Function of Oxylipins in Fungal Secondary Metabolism and Morphological Development Meghan Walters; Mentor: Nancy P. Keller
2004	A Method to Prevent Egg Production Losses when Protecting Humans from Salmonella enteritis (SE) Transmitted by Eggs Meghan Schwartz; Mentor: Mark Cook
2003	The Effect of Fat Type and Level on Clostridium botulinum in Process Cheese Products Patrick Eimerman; Mentor: Kathy Glass, Eric Johnson
2003	Role of PPO Genes in Aspergillus nidulans Terri Kowieski; Mentor: Nancy P. Keller
2002	Survival of Salmonella on Shredded Cheese Patrick Eimerman; Mentor: Kathy Glass, Eric Johnson
2001	Antimicrobial Activity of Additives Against Foodborne Pathogens in Media Staci Eickert; Mentor: Kathy Glass, Eric Johnson
2001	Searching for Genetic Elements in Fungal Growth Signaling Pathway Sara Rierson; Mentor: Jae Hyuk Yu
2000	The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers on Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Craig Pisarik; Mentor: Michael W. Pariza
1999	Enhancement of Acid Tolerance by Expression of a Small Basic Peptide Jeffrey L. Bose; Mentor: Charles W. Kaspar
1999	Subtyping of Vaginal Isolates of Group B Streptococci by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis and Serotype Holley J. Willenberg; Mentor: John B. Luchansky
1998	Viability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Full- and Reduced-fat Pepperoni After Manufacture of Sticks and Baking of Slices on Frozen Pizza Rachel K. Wierzba, Ann M. Roering, and Anne M. Ihnot; Mentor: John B. Luchansky

John Cerveny Travel Award
This award is in honor and remembrance of Mr. John Cerveny, an extraordinary food microbiologist and friend of many at the Food Research Institute. Considering the career-long commitment of John Cerveny to food safety research, education and outreach, an annual award for travel to the International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting is given to a deserving individual who has demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to a career in food microbiology.
2023	Brieana Gregg; Mentor: Sabine Pellett
2023	Gale Prince IAFP Travel Award Elena Olson; Mentor: Steve Ricke
2022	Jessica Brown; Mentor: Steve Ricke
2021	Jordan Nehls; Mentor: Jeff Sindelar
2020	Gina Marcela Gallego-Lopez; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2019	Kory Anderson; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2018	Jie Yin Lim; Mentor: Kathy Glass

Kikkoman Foods Foundation Scholarship
The Kikkoman Foods Foundation Scholarship honors the service of Dr. Foster to Kikkoman Corporation. The scholarship is awarded annually by FRI to a deserving undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to a career in food microbiology, with an emphasis on students who have participated in research.
2023	Stevie Ward; Mentor: Kathy Glass and Kristin Schill
2022	Melissa Bohn and Brooke Bowe; Mentor: Kathy Glass/Kristin Schill and Sabine Pellett
2021	Yinuo Jin; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2020	McKenna Mahnke; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2019	Kory Anderson and Christie Cheng; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2018	Jonathan Sogin; Mentor: Barb Ingham
2017	Megan Wagner; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2016	Julia Martien and Amy Parr; Mentor: Jae-Hyuk Yu and Jeri Barak
2015	Emily Merry
2014	Joshua Lensmire

Dr. E Michael and Winona Foster Wisconsin Distinguished Fellowship Award
The Dr. E Michael and Winona Foster Wisconsin Distinguished Fellowship Award is a graduate research competition. Graduate students receiving this fellowship will receive support for one year, including tuition remission and $1,500 in flexible funding.
2023	no award
2022	no award
2021	no award
2020	Carolina Mendoza Cavazos; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2019	Nandhitha Venkatesh; Mentor: Nancy Keller
2018	Will Olson; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2017	Ahmad Alshannaq; Mentor: Jae-Hyuk Yu
2016	Eliot Stanton; Mentor: Chuck Kaspar
2015	Kymberleigh Romano; Mentor: Federico Rey
2014	Kenneth Brandenburg
2013	Amanda M. King
2012	Jose Pablo Soto-Arias
2011	Keith Poulsen
2010	Heesoo Park
2009	Lori Neal

Schreiber Foods Scholarship
This scholarship is the result of a generous donation by Schreiber Foods to honor Dr. Vincent Zehren of Schreiber Foods and in memory of Dr. Edwin (Mike) Foster of the University of Wisconsin Food Research Institute. The scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving graduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to a career in food microbiology and/or food safety.
2023	Megan Dixon; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2022	Dasol Choi; Mentor: Jae-Hyuk Yu
2021	Andrew Steinberger; Mentor: Garret Suen
2020	Harrison Moon; Mentor: Jae-Hyuk Yu
2019	Sarah Engstrom; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2018	Sarah Engstrom; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2017	Will Olson; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2016	Wan Mei Leong; Mentor: Barbara Ingham
2015	Joseph Spraker

Food Research Institute Graduate Research Award
This research competition is designed for graduate students conducting research related to the quality and safety of foods under the guidance of any FRI executive committee member or FRI affiliated faculty. The award winner will present a research poster at the FRI Annual Meeting and receive a plaque and a monetary award.
2023	*Effects of competitive inhibition between C. botulinum* Group I and II strains commonly used in food challenge studies** Brieana Gregg; Mentor: Sabine Pellett
2022	Entamoeba spp. as a model organism for the study of oral Entamoeba infection in Swiss Webster mice Carolina Mendoza Cavazos and Marienela Heredia; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2021	no award
2020	no award
2019	Antibiotic use on Wisconsin dairy farms Andrew Steinberger; Mentor: Garret Suen
2018	Characterization of a novel botulinum neurotoxin and its potential for pharmaceutical use Molly Moritz; Mentor: Eric Johnson; This year's award sponsored by Promega
2017	*Effects of Eimeria* spp. infection on intestinal interleukin-10 production in broilers** Maria Arendt; Mentor: Mark Cook; This year's award sponsored by Promega
2016	*Thermal Inactivation of Salmonella* and Listeria monocytogenes in Beef Patties, Chicken Patties, Chicken Tenders, and High-Fat Frankfurters** Russ McMinn; Mentor: Jeff Sindelar, Kathy Glass; This year's award sponsored by Promega
2015	Microbial metabolism modulates the nutritional value of food: From health benefit to host detriment Kymberleigh Romano; Mentor: Federico Rey; This year's award sponsored by Promega

Robert H. and Carol L. Deibel Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in Food Safety Research
This fellowship supports graduate students pursuing food-safety-related research in the laboratories of faculty who are part of the executive committee or affiliated faculty of the Food Research Institute.
2023	Eddy Cruz (declined due to alternate funding); Mentor: Johanna Elfenbein
2022	Megan Dixon; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2021	Harrison Moon; Mentor: Jae-Hyuk Yu
2020	Vicky Lason; Mentor: Jeri Barak
2019	Sarah Engstrom; Mentor: Kathy Glass
2018	Dianiris Luciano-Rosario; Mentor: Nancy Keller

Robert H. and Carol L. Deibel Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in Probiotic Research
This fellowship supports graduate students pursuing research on probiotics or starter cultures in the laboratories of UW-Madison faculty.
2023	Evan Chrisler; Mentor: Vanessa Leone
2022	Marienela Heredia; Mentor: Laura Knoll
2021	Shenwei Zhang; Mentor: JP van Pijkeren
2020	Shenwei Zhang; Mentor: JP van Pijkeren
2019	Evan Hutchison; Mentor: Federico Rey
2018	Mustafa Özçam; Mentor: JP van Pijkeren