The Biotechnology Division Achievement Award recognizes a scientist, technologist or leader who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the Division’s area of interest.
What does the recipient receive?
- Plaque
- US $1,000 honorarium
- Complimentary Biotechnology Division meal ticket
- Opportunity to present an award lecture at the AOCS Annual Meeting
Who is eligible?
- Scientist, technologist, or leader who has made significant and meritorious achievements to areas of interest to the Biotechnology Division
- Division and/or AOCS membership is not required, but preference is given to members
How do I nominate someone?
Login to the Awards Portal to submit the following nomination materials and answer two questions about the nominee by August 19.
- Letter of nomination describing the candidate’s research and service in the fields of fats, oils and related materials
- At least three letters of support from individuals familiar with the candidate’s accomplishments
- Curriculum Vitae which includes a full list of publications and patents

Most Recent Recipient
F. Xavier Malcata is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Porto and a Senior Researcher at LEPABE/ALiCE. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is recognized among the top 0.5% of the most influential researchers worldwide, with over 470 publications, more than 22,400 citations, and an h-index of 78. He has also authored or edited 27 books and supervised 32 Ph.D. dissertations. His research pioneered the immobilization of lipases for modifying oils and fats and advanced photobioreactor design for producing PUFAs and high-value metabolites from microalgae.
Throughout his career, Malcata has blended experimental research with mathematical modeling and has led 37 R&D projects. His numerous honors include the AOCS Stephen S. Chang Award, ADSA Danisco International Dairy Science Award, IFT Carl R. Fellers Award, and multiple teaching and leadership awards from leading food and dairy science organizations.