CDR News Hub
Discover Wisconsin Film Crew Visits CDR
It is estimated that Americans consume nearly 100 acres of pizza per day, one of the main ingredients being cheese. So, when Discover Wisconsin decided to investigate “the anatomy of pizza,” they made it a point to visit the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (CDR) where they discovered some of the secrets behind pizza’s most delicious ingredient.
John Jaeggi, Cheese Industry & Applications Coordinator for the Wisconsin CDR introduces Discover Wisconsin host, Emmy Fink,
to the joys of mozzarella production.
WCMA Recognizes Dr. Bill Wendorff with Distinguished Service Award
Babcock Dairy's Master Cheese Maker Gary Grossen featured in Culver's Commercial
Film crew from Japan visits CDR
Recently a film crew from Japan did a segment on unique laws around the world and decided to include the margarine/butter issue in Wisconsin. CDR's Marianne Smukowski, Quality and Safety Coordinator, was interviewed for the program.
John Lucey Named Director of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research
(Madison, Wisc.—March 4, 2011) John Lucey, professor of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been named Director of the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (CDR) effective March 1, 2011. In this position, Lucey will provide leadership and vision for this world-recognized dairy research center that focuses on research, applications, outreach and education geared towards partnering with the Wisconsin and US dairy industries.
“We are pleased that John has accepted this position,” says Mark Johnson, CDR Interim Director. “He is an outstanding dairy researcher and professor with global experience and recognition. His expertise will help lead CDR to the next level.”
Lucey joined the UW-Madison Food Science department in 1999. Over the past 20 years he has worked in food science departments or research centers in four different countries, (Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the US) each with a strong dairy foods emphasis. Lucey’s research interests cover a wide range of dairy technology and products including cheese texture/chemistry, gelation of milk, cultured products like yogurt, and the production/functionality of milk protein ingredients. In 2001 he received the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Foundation Scholar award, and in 2005 the DSM award for Cheese and Cultured Products Research from ADSA.
Food Science department Chair Scott Rankin shares, "We look forward to working with John in his new role as the Director of the CDR. His organizational expertise and research background will provide a strong means of further strengthening cooperative opportunities between CDR and the Food Science department."
No stranger to CDR and the industry it supports, Lucey has been a member of the CDR Industry Team since he joined the Food Science department in 1999; has been a contributor to numerous short courses conducted by the Center; and collaborates on research projects with many of the scientists and staff at CDR. In addition, he has run a large research group; has been awarded more than $3 million in competitive grants; and has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles and 20 book chapters.
"I am really pleased about the selection of John Lucey for this vital position. The Center for Dairy Research is a very important resource for maintaining and extending the competitive edge our industry has in terms of quality and innovation. John has the knowledge and experience needed for CDR to continue as the top dairy research center in the U.S., possibly the world, “states James Robson, CEO, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a major funder of the CDR.
Looking forward to this new position in CDR, Lucey shares, “The staff at CDR has played a critical role in the development of a vibrant dairy industry in Wisconsin as well as in the US. I will strive to ensure that the CDR continues to have a major impact on our dairy industry, especially in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.”
WOW Logistics/Thomas J. Oswald Scholarship in Dairy or Food Science
WOW Logistics is proud to offer the WOW Logistics/Thomas J. Oswald Scholarship to students seeking a degree in Dairy or Food Science. Each year, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, WOW awards two $1,000 scholarships to students attending a University of Wisconsin System school.
WOW Logistics and its CEO, Thomas J. Oswald, understand the importance of the dairy industry to the state of Wisconsin and the economy of the United States. WOW Logistics works closely with over 50 clients within the dairy industry to handle and store more than one billion pounds of dairy products each year. With this annual scholarship WOW hopes to encourage and promote careers within the dairy manufacturing industry.
Applications must be completed and returned to WOW Logistics by March 31, 2011. The winning applicant will be invited to accept the award at the Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference on April 14th in La Crosse, WI.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must meet the following criteria:Currently enrolled in a University of Wisconsin System school.
Enrolled in a Dairy or Food Science program with a dairy manufacturing focus.
Sophomore, junior or senior level.
In good academic standing.
Download the application from here. If you have any questions regarding the WOW Logistics/Thomas J. Oswald Scholarship please contact Chad Collett at 920.830.4803 or via email.
ACS Contest Keeps CDR Judges Busy
The American Cheese Society’s (ACS) annual cheese contest gets bigger every year, 1,462 cheeses and cultured dairy products were entered in the Seattle, Washington 2010 contest. A long list of judges volunteer to evaluate all those entries and several folks from CDR were among them; including Mark Johnson, John Jaeggi, Gina Mode, Marianne Smukowski, and Bill Wendorff. Congratulations to Mike Gingrich, cheesemaker Andy Hatch and all the folks at Uplands Cheese Co. in Dodgeville, Wisconsin for their historic third Best of Show Award!
National Institute of Food and Agriculture Foundational Program grant awarded to Dept. of Food Science.
John Lucey, along with co-PIs Damodaran and Gern (UW-Medical School) and collaborator Etzel, were recently awarded a National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Foundational Program grant for their proposal Preventing Food Protein Allergic Reactions Via Conjugation with Polysaccharides. This 4-year, $500k project will explore the natural modification of food protein allergens by the process developed by Lucey & Damodaran and will investigate if these modified proteins can still illicit an allergic response. They are working with Dr. Gern who leads the University of Wisconsin Asthma and Allergic Diseases Clinical Research Center. Dr Gern has patients that have been clinically diagnosed with specific food allergies. The goal of this project is to create an entirely new approach to reduce the allergenicity of food proteins; based on conjugation of protein with polysaccharides.
Director, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research
The University of Wisconsin - Madison, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, invites applications for a Professor of Food Science and Director, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research. Housed in Babcock Hall with the Department of Food Science, the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (CDR) is one of the premier dairy foods research and education centers in the world. Researchers and scientists comprise approximately two-thirds of the 33-member Center staff. The CDR annually hosts hundreds of food industry professionals from state, national and international organizations at dozens of training programs on dairy related topics. The Director provides leadership and vision needed to build upon the CDR as a world leader in innovative and strategic dairy research, technology and applications development, training, and education provided. In addition, the Director will be expected to direct or facilitate the achievement of multidisciplinary research and development programs involving CDR staff, Food Science faculty, members of affiliated departments on campus, and other domestic and international institutions. The CDR is dedicated to enhancing the competitive position of the dairy industry by advancing and communicating a science-based understanding of the functional, flavor and physical properties of dairy ingredients and food products. The CDR Director is a unique and complex position requiring an individual with strong leadership, interpersonal and business skills, and a broad and detailed understanding of dairy research and development. Full details of the position description can be found at http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/pv_064622.html
UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.Dr. Rusty Bishop Retires; Dr. Mark Johnson Appointed Interim Director
A chapter in the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research history book is closed. Dr. Rusty Bishop, Director of the Center for the past 17 years, announced his retirement effective March 31, to become the Director of Research and Development at Schreiber Foods, Green Bay, Wisc. “After 17 wonderful years at CDR, I was ready for a new challenge and a new adventure by taking my skills to a corporate environment,” shared Bishop in his announcement to staff. “It was not an easy or quick decision.”
During Bishop’s tenure, he has leveraged the investments of the state, dairy producer checkoff, and industry to create a research center that is based on true science, yet is user-friendly to Wisconsin’s manufacturers—small, medium and large; has assembled the best collective talent pool in the world who are experts in all aspects of dairy technology; and has launched initial planning, with industry and UW commitment, to expand Babcock Hall dairy facility to include a new Dairy Foods Technology Center and a complete renovation of the existing facility.
Dr. Norm Olson laid the foundation for what is today a leading dairy research center. Bishop added the trusses and walls, building a model program that demonstrates the University’s “Wisconsin Idea” which promotes that the boundaries of the University are the boundaries of the state. “Rusty has truly integrated the dairy foods research program with the outreach and education/training missions of the Department of Food Science,” states Irwin Goldman, Interim Dean, UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, “setting CDR apart as a leader in pushing the technology envelope that supports innovation in Wisconsin.” Rusty has also added the international dimension through his work with the International Dairy Federation, having served as chair of the Scientific Program Coordination Committee, leading the IDF strategic planning effort, as well as currently serving on its Board of Directors.
Through CDR’s work with dairy manufacturers, processors and food formulators, staff has worked with nearly every cheese maker in the state and beyond, as well as many of the top food companies, suppliers, and cheese converters. In the past 12 years, CDR has generated more than $47 million in funding to leverage the University’s investment.
“Dairy producers recognize the important contributions of CDR to meet the technology needs of the Wisconsin dairy industry,” states Matt Mathison, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. “That is why they have supported the work of CDR through the WMMB partnership for almost 25 years. Through Rusty’s leadership, this partnership has grown stronger over the years and we are confident that CDR will continue their efforts to strengthen and grow our great dairy industry.”
“The University clearly recognizes the contributions that CDR has made to this State under Rusty’s leadership, and the key role he has played in the growth and success of CDR,” adds Goldman. “During this interim period Dr. Mark Johnson has agreed to serve as Interim Director with a transition team of Dean Sommer and Tom Szalkucki, all of whom are senior staff with deep knowledge of the Center. We, along with the Center staff and the Department of Food Science, feel this team will provide an excellent way for both internal and external stakeholders to work with CDR in the interim period.
To ensure a seamless transition, Dr. Mark Johnson, CDR senior scientist has been appointed Interim Directory while the College will be initiating a nationwide search as quickly as possible. Recent recipient of the prestigious NCI Laureate Award, Johnson is known around the globe for his cheese expertise and grading knowledge. He recently celebrated 30 years with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Center for Dairy Research.
2010 World Championship Cheese Contest
CDR staff: John Jaeggi, Marianne Smukowski and Mark Johnson participate as judges in the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest March 16 - 18, 2010, Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
Mark Johnson, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, Receives NCI Laureate Award (Phoenix - January 18, 2010) The National Cheese Institute today bestowed its highest honor, the NCI Laureate Award, on Mark Johnson, Ph.D. and senior scientist, the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The award was presented to Johnson during a luncheon ceremony at the International Dairy Foods Association's Dairy Forum 2010 by NCI Chairman Dave Fuhrmann, who is president and CEO of Foremost Farms, USA, Cooperative. more>
Current Pipeline
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The cheese stands alone; perhaps that is the most useful caveat for a cheesemaker who wants to develop a flavored cheese! Remember that the cheese comes first; the flavor you add should complement your cheese, not overpower it. download
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