Source(s):
Mike Martin mvm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1971
Charles Sims cas@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991
Douglas Archer fos@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991

GAINESVILLE, Fla—Charles Sims, professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, has been named interim chair of the department, effective Dec. 1.

He replaces Douglas Archer, who has been chair since 1994. Archer will now have a teaching, research and extension appointment in the department, part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

In annoucing the administrative changes, Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources, thanked Archer for his service and said Sims would serve as interim chair until a permanent chair is selected.

“Doug Archer, who joined the UF faculty after a distinguished career with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has provided excellent leadership for the department during a period of rapid growth and change,” Martin said. “We’re pleased that he will continue to provide expertise in the areas of food safety and regulation.”

Sims, who joined the UF faculty in 1986, teaches and conducts research. His areas of expertise include fresh and processed fruit, vegetable quality and composition, wine and grape processing and composition, and sensory evaluation.

He received his bachelor’s degree in horticultural food science from the University of Arkansas in 1980. He earned his master’s degree in food science from the same institution in 1982 and completed his doctoral degree at Arkansas in 1986.

Sims was promoted to associate professor at UF in 1991 and professor in 1997. He also has served as interim dean of UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He has taught introductory food science for 21 semesters, quality control in food systems for eight semesters, psychological aspects of foods for four semesters and food chemistry for two semesters.

-30-

0