June 11, 2002
Chang Yong 'Cy' Lee has been
named chairman of Cornell University's Food Science and
Technology department at the New York State Agricultural
Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, effective July 1, 2002. Lee
succeeds outgoing chairman Richard Durst. The term is for three
years. Lee, a food chemist, is a world-recognized expert on the
biochemical properties of fruits and vegetables as relates to
their sensory, nutritional, and nutraceutical qualities. He is
particularly interested in quantifying minute plant components
called phytochemicals that benefit human health, such as
antioxidants and
anticancer agents. He is also involved in researching minimal
food processing technologies that maintain the fresh-like
properties of fruits and vegetables.
"Dr. Lee brings to the chairmanship a wealth of knowledge about
the department, and a commitment to
improving day-to-day operations and laying a solid foundation
for future development," said Station Director, James E. Hunter.
"He has extensive knowledge of the chemistry and processing of
fruit and vegetable crops, and the food industry. In addition,
he teaches food chemistry on the Ithaca campus, and has a good
relationship with the food science department there. Combining
this strong background in food science with Dr. Lee's forthright
communication style and his willingness to address difficult
issues gives me great optimism that the department is in good
hands."
Lee received his undergraduate
degree in chemistry from Chung Ang University in Seoul, South
Korea, and his Ph.D. from Utah State. He has been a member of
Cornell's Food Science and Technology faculty since 1969, and
was appointed to a full professorship in 1982.
Lee has one patent, two patents pending, and has written over
250 scientific research papers, chapters, books, and abstracts.
He has hosted over two dozen visiting scientists from all over
the world, and had about two dozen graduate students conduct
research in his lab for their master's or doctoral degrees. Lee
has worked with food scientists in Brazil, China, France, Korea,
Japan and Mexico. He volunteers as a Faculty Fellow at Cornell's
undergraduate dormitories and lives in Ithaca.
Lee has received many honors during his outstanding career. He
is an elected fellow of the American
Chemical Society's Agricultural and Food and Chemistry Division,
the Institute of Food Technologists, and the Korean Academy of
Science and Technology. He has received the USDA Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service's
Administrator's Certificate of Appreciation (2001), the USDA
Secretary's Honor Award for Excellence (2001), and a Merit Award
from the Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (1999).
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