Food Science's Beekman Wins International Sensory Professionals Evergreen Award

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Tad Beekman is working on his Ph.D. in food science.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tad Beekman, a doctoral student in U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, won the Evergreen Award for Outstanding Presentation that Develops or Expands a Method at the National Conference for Sensory Professionals.

Beekman, who is working on his Ph.D. in food science, was one of three presenters, oral or poster, to win a Society of Sensory Professionals Evergreen Award. He presented a virtual eposter on his research, "Analytic Versus Holistic Cognitive Styles Influence Consumer Food Perception and Behavior."

"I was ecstatic to receive this award from professionals within my area of research that recognize the value of me expanding on the methodological research in sensory science," said Beekman. "It was great to get feedback from others in the industry on future applications of this research that really made me excited to continue researching this topic."

Beekman, who is also vice president of the Food Science Club, works with associate professor Han-Seok Seo in the Department of Food Science. Seo is a member of the faculty, and a researcher and scientist with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the U of A System Division of Agriculture, as well as director of the Sensory Science Center in the Department of Food Science.

This year's SSP virtual conference had an attendance of more than 400 from 10 different countries.

The award (sponsored by P&K Research) honors Beverley Kroll, who is chairman of the board of Peryam & Kroll Research, a company she co-founded 50 years ago with David R. Peryam, another pioneer in the field of sensory research. Kroll is a recognized expert in the application of consumer research methods to product development and has contributed to the new product successes of many of the world's leading consumer packaged goods companies. Among her writings are some of the earliest papers and published reports on sensory testing and the use of the 9-point hedonic scale (developed by Peryam). She also is recognized for her development of a hedonic scale for children. Her business leadership has enabled the application of research methods to industry and thereby laid the groundwork for today's science and practice of sensory consumer testing.

The Society of Sensory Professionals advances the field of sensory evaluation, including consumer research, and the role/work of sensory professionals for the purpose of sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, mentoring and educating its members.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.