Jen-Yi Huang appointed to endowed professorship in food engineering

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jen-Yi Huang has been appointed to a five-year term as the Dale A. Seiberling Professor in Food Engineering in the Departments of Food Science and Technology and Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), effective Jan. 6, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2031. This appointment is subject to approval by the Ohio State Board of Trustees.

Huang brings extensive expertise in sustainable food systems and interdisciplinary food engineering to the role, with a research program focused on enhancing efficiency, safety and environmental stewardship in food processing technologies.

“Dr. Huang’s pioneering work in sustainable food engineering, paired with his innovative approach to interdisciplinary research, will be an invaluable asset to our college and to Ohio’s food industry,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to advancing food safety, sustainability and engineering innovation.”

Prior to joining Ohio State, Huang served as an associate professor at Purdue University, with appointments in the Departments of Food Science; Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Environmental and Ecological Engineering. He earned a PhD in chemical engineering and biotechnology from the University of Cambridge, an MS in food science and technology and a BS in bio-industrial mechatronics engineering from National Taiwan University.

Huang’s research addresses critical challenges in modern food processing, with areas of expertise that include sustainable food systems, life cycle assessment of food, fouling and cleaning in food processing, micro/nanobubble technology, cold plasma processing, electrodialysis, and membrane filtration. His work is aimed at meeting the global demand for efficient energy and water use in food production while maintaining food safety and environmental quality.

The Dale A. Seiberling Professorship in Food Engineering was established on May 4, 2001 (revised Sept. 17, 2010), through gifts from Dale A. Seiberling (BS dairy technology 1950, MS dairy technology 1951) and Jean F. Seiberling (BS education 1949). The professorship supports a specialization in food engineering, with preference given to dairy engineering, in recognition of Seiberling’s lasting contributions to the dairy and food industries.

The professorship will support Huang’s research and teaching efforts in food engineering, with an emphasis on areas such as sustainability, food safety and advanced processing technologies.