College of Agriculture (California State Polytechnic University Pomona)

Title: Director, Natural Color Resource Center

Department: Food, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

Room: 2-106

Phone: (909) 869-2051

Home Page:

Education:

BS, Biological Sciences, New York University, NY, NY (1948-52)
MS, Microbiology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (1952-55) 1st Lieutenant, US Army Medical Corp, Immunology Research Laboratory, 6th Army Medical Center, Sausilito, CA (1955-57)
Ph.D., Food Science and Technology
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (1957-60)

Biography and Industrial Experience:

Dr. Gabriel J. Lauro is Director of the Natural Color Resource Center, Department of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Science, College of Agriculture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Recognition of the need for a Center, as a centralized source of technical information, originated several years earlier during Dr. Lauro's presidency of a National Supplier of Natural Colors. The company pioneered the utilization of natural colors and set the industry standards still in use today. Prior, Dr. Lauro had extensive industrial experience in new product development. During 1972 to 1982, he reported to the Vice President of R&D at Hunt Wesson Foods, Fullerton where he was responsible for the planning, budgeting and directing the technical activities associated with new products, line extensions, cost reductions, and product improvements. During 1969 to 1972, he held a management position reporting to the President of Roman Products, South Hackensack, N.J. and was responsible for the establishment of a Technical Center and its research activities. During 1963 to 1969 he reported to the President and Executive Committee of Thomas J. Lipton Co. in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., as Manager of the New Products Coordination Department responsible for charting, directing and effecting timely interdepartmental communications relative to a corporate new products program.

Teaching Area/ Expertise:

Dr. Lauro has lectured, by invitation from various Food Science Departments in US, on selected areas of Natural Colors. Selected as "Scientific Lecturer" for IFT and made presentations to a number of IFT Section Chapters throughout the US and abroad. Expertise is in all areas of natural colors.

Research Areas/Expertise:

Dr. Lauro's research interest is in the application of Natural Colors. Research is often product specific, although at times, results have benefited entire industry segments. He has developed colorants for the Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic manufacturers to encourage them to use natural alternatives.

Awards/Recognition:

Presented "Man of the Year Award" in 1970 by the New York Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) for his efforts in establishing a Technical Center at Roman Products. In 1976, he received the Southern California Section of IFT's "Certificate of Achievement Award" for his contribution to the enhancement of Food Science. In 1985 Dr. Lauro was elected "Fellow" of IFT for his contribution and pioneering efforts in the area of natural colors. In 1991, the Southern California Section of IFT presented Dr. Lauro with "The Distinguished Achievement Award" for his contributions in natural colors - colorants which 10 years earlier were considered commodities of limited or very specific use. His leadership rekindled interest in utilization of natural colors and revitalized the natural color industry.

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