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Dr. Mian Riaz (third from left) accepts his award during a ceremony hosted by the University of Maine Alumni Association.

Dr. Mian Riaz, director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Process Engineering R&D Center and head of the extrusion technology program at Texas A&M University, has been awarded the 2016 Bernard Lown ’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award from the University of Maine Alumni Association. Riaz earned his Ph.D. in food science from the university in 1992, and was the university’s first doctoral student in the program.

The award, named in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Bernard Lown, is given in recognition of University of Maine graduates who have distinguished themselves in their service to humanity. 

As one of the world’s leading authorities on extrusion technology and a leader in food protein and research, Riaz has spent his career to improve the public’s understanding of nutrition and food customs in both the United States and around the world.  He shares his expertise with underdeveloped countries by providing access to extrusion technology, which is used to create low cost foods such as cereals and snack food.

Riaz has worked for The Texas A&M University System for 24 years, and has published five books, 22 chapters and more than 100 papers on extrusion and other related topics. He is a frequent speaker at international and national conferences and meetings, and to date has delivered more than 300 presentations in 55 countries. 

Riaz holds an M.S. in food technology (1987) and a B.S. in food technology and agriculture (1985) from the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Photo: Riaz (third from left) accepts his award during a ceremony hosted by the University of Maine Alumni Association.