A tribute to Paul Flakoll (1957-2005)
Paul Flakoll, Director of the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition (CDFIN) and professor of food science and human nutrition and of animal science, lost a long battle against cancer and passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2005. Paul was an inspiration to us all, and he never let his struggle dim the twinkle in his eye or his determination to advance his work at the Plant Science Institute.
As CDFIN director, Paul championed human health and nutrition. His passion was to apply his nutrition research for the betterment of aging Iowans, particularly in their fight against obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Paul header the Nutrition Research Initiative in the Plant Sciences Institute. Under his leadership, the Nutrition Initiative was working to develop anti-diabetic foods focusing on healthy carbohydrates and plant-derived nutrients.
Paul's most recent success was in spearheading a proposal to the Biosciences Alliance of Iowa, which recently awarded $700,000 to Iowa State to establish the Human Nutrition Wellness Research Center. The center will evaluate the safety and efficacy of new foods, food ingredients or dietary supplements developed by Iowa-based companies. Funding will be used to purchase equipment and complete minor renovations to a building in the ISU Research Park.
At the time, Paul said that "The funding and creation of this center will give ISU researchers and Iowa-based companies focused on food and nutraceutical production an expanded capability to conduct human nutritional research studies and test new foods and supplements."
The Human Nutrition Wellness Research Center should be a lasting tribute to his memory.
Stephen Howell
Director
