WA food scientist receives Keith Farrer Award for 2024

Murdoch University Associate Professor Vicky Solah has been awarded the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Keith Farrer Award for 2024.

This award acknowledges an individual whose work has resulted in significant positive change for the food industry, the food science and technology profession, food research and innovation, and/or food science education, or who has promoted the health and enjoyment of the wider community regarding food.

Solah’s award citation stated that over her 36-year career she has trained a whole generation of food scientists: “Associate Professor Solah has shown dedication, commitment to excellence and innovation in industry-linked education, mentoring and research. Her research has contributed to the development of grain-based food knowledge including how dietary fibre influences postprandial glycaemia and satiety. She has strong research links to industry and leads by example — there are few food scientists in Western Australia who have not been positively impacted by Vicky’s mentoring.”

In 2020, Solah led the development of Murdoch University’s Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition and Master of Food Science programs. She was a driving force as Murdoch joined the Food Innovation Precinct WA initiative to build an enabling environment supporting industry, and using education and research as a focal point for food innovation in Western Australia.

Solah was made an AIFST fellow in 2008 and lifetime fellow in 2018, due to her strong research links to industry and its needs, and for mentoring young scientists.

Image caption: Associate Professor Vicky Solah accepting the Keith Farrer Award for 2024 from Dr Michael Depalo, AIFST Chair of the Board & President. Image credit: Murdoch University