ATCHISON, KAS. — Ody Maningat, Ph.D., vice-president of applications technology and technical services at MGP Ingredients, Inc., received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University last month during a recognition celebration at the International Grains Program Conference Center in Manhattan, Kas.

“We are very proud of the distinguished recognition Ody has received from his alma mater for the outstanding work he has performed in the areas of grain and food science,” said Don Coffey, Ph.D., executive vice-president of sales, marketing and innovation at MGPI. “Ody is highly deserving of this award as proven by his scientific contributions to the grain-based segment of the food industry during his many years of service at MGPI.”

The award recognizes grain science alumni who have made a significant positive impact on the field of grain science and represents the values and mission of the department on behalf of the K.S.U. alumni, faculty, staff and students.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from Kansas State University,” said Dr. Maningat, who received his Ph.D. from K.S.U. in 1986. “I hope that I can live up to what this award represents. I pledge to continue to support the long-standing cooperation between the Department of Grain Science and Industry and MGPI in many areas of mutual interest.”

In addition to his full-time responsibilities at MGPI, Dr. Maningat is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Grain Science and Industry at K.S.U. His research and business interests include grain science; starch structure, function and modification; protein modification and functionality; ingredient interactions and functionality; value-addition and physiological benefits of grain-derived ingredients; and research alliances with scientists and product developers in the food industry, government and academia.

Dr. Maningat has 25 patents and has co-authored 22 research papers and book chapters in grain and food science publications.