The AOCS Fellow Award recognizes achievements in science and/or extraordinary service to the Society.
What does the recipient receive?
- Plaque
- Custom Fellow medal
- Fellow membership
- Recognition during the Welcome Ceremony at the AOCS Annual Meeting
Who is eligible?
- Current AOCS members that have:
- at least 15 years of continuous AOCS Membership
- made exceptional achievements in science and/or exceptionally important service to the Society or the profession, including any of the areas of research, industrial achievement, leadership, education, administration, communication, or regulatory affairs
How do I nominate someone?
Login to the Awards Portal to submit the following nomination materials and answer two questions about the nominee.
- Letter of nomination describing the candidate’s contributions and service to the Society
- At least three letters of support from individuals familiar with the candidate’s accomplishment or service to the Society
- Curriculum Vitae which includes a full list of publications and patents
Most Recent Recipient
Dr. Saeed Ghazani is a Research Associate in the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph and the Founder and CEO of Tiden Lipid Biotech Solutions Inc. He received his PhD in Food Science from the University of Guelph, where his doctoral research provided new molecular insight into cocoa butter polymorphism and triclinic crystal formation.
Dr. Ghazani has more than two decades of combined academic and industrial experience in fats, oils, and lipid-based food systems. Prior to joining Professor Alejandro Marangoni’s team at the University of Guelph in 2010, he worked extensively in various edible oil refineries, gaining hands-on experience in oil processing, fat modification, and quality control. Over the past twelve years, he has collaborated closely with Professor Alejandro Marangoni to advance the fundamental understanding of lipid crystallization, polymorphism, and structure–function relationships in complex triglyceride systems.
His research has led to important discoveries in crystal polymorphism of the POS molecule in cocoa butter crystal, the role of minor lipids in polymorphic control in cocoa butter, and the molecular mechanisms governing fat crystallization and stability. He has also contributed to the development of novel cocoa butter equivalents, oleogel-based fat replacers, and structured lipid systems designed to reduce trans and saturated fat content while preserving functional performance. Dr. Ghazani has authored or co-authored more than 60 scientific publications, patents, and book chapters. In parallel with his academic work, Dr. Ghazani founded Tiden Lipid Biotech Solutions to translate lipid science into sustainable, climate-resilient technologies. His company develops fermentation-derived and microbial lipids as alternatives to cocoa butter, enabling circular bio-refinery approaches for food and industrial applications.
Dr. Ghazani has been an active member of AOCS for nearly three decades, serving as a session chair, organizer, and invited lecturer, and contributing extensively as an author and reviewer.