Illinois researchers look forward to working with the government of South Korea on food chemistry, food flavor, and fermentation projects thanks to a new agreement signed with the Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI).

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) hosted a delegation from KFRI on January 22-23. Despite the freezing rain that affected many campus activities, the Office of International Programs facilitated a robust program for the six visitors that included meetings, tours, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ACES Dean Germán Bollero.

The MOU will allow KFRI and Illinois researchers led by Professor of Food Chemistry Keith Cadwallader and Professor Yong-Su Jin, both in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN), to apply for funding from the government of South Korea for research projects.

The leader of the KFRI delegation, President Hyung-Hee Baek, was a former graduate student of Cadwallader.

“The Korea Food Research Institute has a long history of strong research and innovation within South Korea. We look forward to working with them on joint research projects and sharing our complimentary expertise within the field of food science,” Bollero said.

KFRI, a government funded national research institute in South Korea under the National Research Council of Science and Technology, provides technical support to the food sector through research and development and results dissemination. Founded in 1987, KFRI boasts a variety of accomplishments and activities over the years, including playing a role in national food hygiene inspection, creating the World Institute of Kimchi, and the identification of obesity-specific genes and metabolomes. Learn more on their website: https://www.kfri.re.kr/?r=en