Athens, Ga. – Science-based detection methods to protect consumers from human pathogens are using leading-edge research to increase their capacity to meet the challenges of food safety. A seminar at the University of Georgia on April 18 will explore the multidisciplinary aspects of enlisting nanoscale imaging systems in the cause of enhanced biosecurity.
“Innovations at the Interface: Interdisciplinary approaches to engineering, science and society,” a seminar series sponsored by the UGA Faculty of Engineering, continues with a seminar by Bosoon Park on Wednesday, April 18 at 4 pm in room 101 of the Student Learning Center. A veteran researcher, author and research scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Park will talk about the use of nanorod biosensors and detecting contaminants with hyperspectral imaging in the practice of sensing food pathogens.
The seminar and discussion series is designed to bring together faculty and students who are interested in technology and how it impacts society. Park’s work in the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S.D.A. brings expertise in many disciplines, from economics and engineering to microbiology and physics, to the development of imaging systems for biosecurity and food safety inspection. Industry-scale real-time imaging technology to detect contaminants with a commercial processing speed is a particular need in maintaining an uninterrupted food supply, and hence it is an issue of primary focus within the U.S.D.A.
“The responsibility of protecting our food supply offers scientist and engineers real opportunities to develop new applications for some of our most promising discoveries,” said Dale Threadgill, director of the Faculty of Engineering. “Nanotechnology continues to intrigue the public, but in the hands of today’s scientists also offers the possibility of innovative solutions to some of our most complex problems.”
The presentation by Park will be followed by a reception. The seminar series is free and open to the entire UGA community. For more information, please visit http://www.engineering.uga.edu/events/ .
The UGA Faculty of Engineering was established in 2001 to advance comprehensive engineering at the University of Georgia. With more than 100 members from 24 departments in nine schools and colleges across campus, the Faculty of Engineering provides an entrepreneurial setting for engineering academic programs in the unique environment of UGA. For more information, visit www.engineering.uga.edu.