Griffiths Atungulu, director of the Arkansas Rice Processing Program, was recently honored for his contributions to science with the 2024 Andersons Cereal and Oilseeds Award of Excellence.

The award was presented by NC-213: The U.S. Quality Grains Research Consortium on Feb. 28 in Kansas City, Missouri. NC-213 is a project team of engineers, scientists and economists from land-grant universities and government research centers. The group was founded in 1978 and has become "the premiere committee for providing scientific knowledge for issues related to quality and marketing of grains and oilseeds," the NC-213 website states. The Andersons Agriculture Research Fund supports NC-213.

The Andersons Cereals and Oilseeds Award of Excellence, created in 1999, recognizes individuals or teams that have made "superior contributions to science or education related to cereals and oilseeds."

Atungulu is an associate professor and agricultural engineer for grain processing and post-harvest system engineering in the Food Science Department for the U of A System Division of Agriculture. He conducts research through the Division of Agriculture's research arm, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and teaches courses through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

"This recognition is not solely a reflection of my efforts but a tribute to the collective contributions of my students, staff, supervisors, mentors, colleagues, friends and family," Atungulu said. "I am truly humbled by this acknowledgment."

Jeyam Subbiah, professor and head of the Food Science Department for the Division of Agriculture, congratulated Atungulu on the prestigious award and his "outstanding research contributions in the area of rice processing" industry.

"Dr. Atungulu's work is relevant and of great value to Arkansas and the global rice industry, as rice is a major crop in our state and around the world," Subbiah said. "He deserves this recognition, and I am proud of his achievements."

Rusty Bautista, Ph D., grain quality senior scientist and seed technology lead for RiceTec Inc., called Atungulu a "strong, world-class researcher" whose work can be linked to making advances in many areas of rice processing.

"Dr. Atungulu's research continues to make significant improvements within the rice industry and beyond — all contributing to a safe and sustainable supply of rice globally," Bautista wrote in his recommendation letter for the award. "There have been significant advances in the world of research that would not have been possible without leading research from Dr. Atungulu and his team over the years."

Bautista pointed to Atungulu's work in improving methods of making instant and parboiled rice from contemporary cultivars, "developing innovative radiant drying, insect disinfestation and microbial decontamination technologies" and "pioneering rice cooling for improved rice quality and mitigation of yellowing."

In his nomination letter, George Annor, associate professor of cereal chemistry and technology for the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, also highlighted Atungulu's extensive research, mentorship and work with the rice industry. Annor, who is also chair for the General Mills Land-Grant Professorship in Cereal Chemistry and Technology and a McKnight Presidential Fellow, described how Atungulu's research has made an impact on many aspects of rice processing and post-harvest engineering.

Kaliramesh Siliveru, associate professor in the Kansas State University Department of Grain Science and Industry, also offered words of support for Atungulu's nomination.

"His research has improved our knowledge and understanding of microbial contamination and methods to improve food safety, particularly in handling rice," Siliveru wrote. "This is a key issue for the millers and consumers. His process engineering technologies are already being implemented by different rice processing industries."

Siliveru noted that milling and processing techniques and heat-transfer models that researchers use today were developed by Atungulu to improve the end-use quality of rice. 

"I see him as a leader in the areas of grain processing, safety and post-harvest engineering," Siliveru added.

Food scientist and grain processing engineer Mahfuzur Rahman, an assistant professor with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, stated in his recommendation letter that Atungulu has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of more than 20 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to establish themselves as leaders in academia and industry fields.

"His commitment to academic excellence and practical application in the agricultural sector is truly commendable," Rahman wrote. "Furthermore, his leadership of the Arkansas Rice Processing Program underscores his ability to collaborate effectively and drive initiatives forward."

Atungulu said he looks forward to sharing more information on his team's ongoing efforts and expressed deep gratitude for the support and opportunities provided by the U of A System Division of Agriculture "to make meaningful impacts."

Subbiah noted that Atungulu leads a team that published 12 peer-reviewed papers and presented 24 times at international meetings in 2023 alone.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. 

About the Division of Agriculture: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation's historic land grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.