AFBI Scientist Honoured

Professor Margaret Patterson of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has been awarded an OBE in the Birthday Honours list for services to the agri-food industry.

Professor Patterson has worked as a food microbiologist in AFBI for over 30 years where she has gained an international reputation as an expert in novel processing technologies for enhancing food safety and quality. She is an author of more than 60 scientific papers and has made numerous scientific presentations in many countries.

Professor Patterson is an Honorary Professor in Queen's University Belfast, and earlier this year was named by The Science Council as one of the UK's top 100 practising scientists. She is currently President of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, the first person from Northern Ireland to hold that position. She is a former President of the Society of Applied Microbiology (2005-2008), member of the European Food Safety Authority’s Biohazard Working Group on Food Irradiation (2009-10) and Scientific Adviser to Safefood (1999-2008), the all-island food safety promotion body.

Professor Patterson was seconded to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna as a Food Safety Expert in 1995 and has served as a designated Expert Consultant in food microbiology for the IAEA, the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agricultural Organisation. In these roles she completed 13 missions overseas, particularly in the Middle East, providing food safety training and expert advice. More recently, Professor Patterson has helped develop collaborative research links between AFBI and Chinese research institutes.

On hearing of the award, Professor Patterson said, “I was totally surprised but absolutely delighted to be given this award.  I would like to acknowledge all the support and encouragement I have received from colleagues at AFBI over the years which have allowed me to accept a wide range of different work opportunities.”

Professor Patterson is the third AFBI scientist to be awarded an OBE this year.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. 

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office.

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