Raccach heads to Macedonia as Fulbright specialist

MESA, Ariz. — Moshe Raccach found that his knowledge of the French language came in handy when meeting Boris Angelkov back in 2004. This commonality helped them develop a friendship that a few years later helped lead to a Fulbright assignment for Raccach in Bitola, Macedonia, Oct. 14-27.

Angelkov, a professor of biotechnical sciences at the University St. Kliment Ohridski in Macedonia, was interested in food and agricultural biotechnology and food safety, including predictive microbiology, all areas that Raccach, a professor in the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness, has expertise.

After much work and collaboration, a grant from the Fulbright Foundation Senior Specialist Program will allow Raccach to travel to the University St. Kliment Ohridski to collaborate with professors like Angelkov and industry scientists on curriculum, faculty development and other creative endeavors.

“It is my first Fulbright assignment and I feel very grateful that I was selected and recommended by a specialist peer review committee and approved by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board,” said Raccach.

As a Fulbright Senior Specialist, Raccach will present lectures at graduate and undergraduate levels; participate in and/or lead seminars or workshops; and take part in specialized academic programs and conferences. All will focus on his area of expertise.

An exchange of technological perspectives in food microbiology/ safety and the latest cutting-edge information in content and delivery systems in teaching microbiological aspects of food science will be beneficial in the development of creative programs of mutual interest, according to Raccach.

“The experience will allow me to share what I know, as well as work with others to compare American and European perspectives of content and area of emphasis in teaching and research in food microbiology, safety and security,” said Raccach.

This experience will help Raccah better understand their system, approach, attitudes and philosophy of education and creative activities, in general, and specifically toward biotechnology and food safety.

“My work in the United States and abroad (Latin America) has impacted my perspective and shaped my research and teaching,” said Raccach. “I am capable of enriching the lives of my students, my fellow faculty and others with firsthand experience and examples.”

According to Dean Paul Patterson, the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness is getting an increasing number of requests from firms and academic colleagues both in the U.S. and abroad to assist with matters related to food safety protocols and policies.

“Dr. Raccach's experience and new perspectives will be a valuable addition to our multidisciplinary team of economists, management specialists, and food scientists focusing on this very important problem,” said Patterson.