Food Structure and Functionality Symposium

Dr Isaac Heertje Distinguished Scientist Award

Dr. Isaac Heertje was a world-leading food structure expert employed for many years at Unilever in the Netherlands. To this day, his research achievements constitute some of the highest quality research performed in this field.

During its inaugural meeting in the Netherlands in 2014, the Food Structure and Functionality Forum established Dr Isaac Heertje Distinguished Scientist Award to recognise a high-level scientist from industry, government or academia that has made a significant contribution to the field of food structure and functionality. We are continuing this burgeoning tradition for 2024.

Candidates are to be nominated by a colleague familiar with their work. Amongst the contributions to research achievements to be considered by the selection committee are:

Research activity – cumulative contributions, seminal articles or monographs, etc.;
Significant breakthrough(s) in an individual's research field;
Previous recognitions by professional societies and other distinguished awards of international character, and;
Contributions to the training and research careers of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research scientists and technical staff.

Award recipients shall present a seminar at the Food Structure and Functionality Symposium taking place in Bruges, Belgium, from 6-9 October 2024, in which they will outline the research achievements.

The nomination package will include:

Comprehensive summary (5 page maximum) of the research achievements of the nominee, including a brief CV.
Supporting statement (2 page maximum) of why the nominator(s) feel that this scholar's work has proved outstanding and important to the advancement of food structure and functionality.
Citation (100 word maximum) – Highlight why the nominee deserves this award and any notable achievements.
Supporting materials, including, if appropriate, external appraisals of the nominee's work and one or two significant publications (materials are limited to 5 documents).

The award recipient shall be chosen by the Food Structure and Functionality Awards Committee.

The nomination package must be submitted to [email protected]opens in new tab/window (please do not email credit card information under any circumstances) with the subject heading “Dr Isaac Heertje Distinguished Scientist Award”.

An official representative from the Food Structure and Functionality Symposium organizing committee will contact the selected nominee no later than 14 June 2024.The chosen Award recipient(s) will receive a trophy, monetary award and complementary registration to participate in the Food Structure and Functionality Symposium 2024.

Dr. Isaac Heertje, renowned Food (Structure – Functionality) scientist, passed away at the age of 88.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Isaac Heertje, an esteemed Food (Structure and Functionality) Scientist, on April 1, 2024, at the age of 88, in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Dr. Heertje was one of the pioneers and world-leading experts in the field of Food Structure and Functionality, known and appreciated for his many high quality contributions to the field.

Born on September 9, 1935, in Arnhem, The Netherlands, Dr. Heertje earned his Ph.D. in 1963 on “Fast Neutron Activation Detectors” from the University of Amsterdam. Three years later he joined the Unilever research laboratory in Vlaardingen, in The Netherlands. On 23 October, 1991 he was promoted to Senior Scientist by the then head of Unilever Research, Dr. Ashok Ganguly.

From 1982 to 1994 he was European editor of the scientific journal "Food Microstructure", the title of which was changed to "Food Structure" at his suggestion.

He retired in October 1996.

During the inaugural meeting of the Food Structure and Functionality Symposia in the Netherlands in 2014, at which Dr. Heertje and his wife were present, the Food Structure and Functionality Forum established the “Dr. Isaac Heertje Distinguished Scientist Award ”.

Dr. Isaac Heertje will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire scientific community. His remarkable work and passion for Food Structure and Functionality have left an indelible mark on the world.