John P. Norback

John P. Norback

Professor, Food Science
123 Babcock Hall
jnorback@wisc.edu
(608) 263-4949
FAX (608) 262-6872

Research Interests

Applying mathematical and computer methods to the problems of implementing and using food technology. This includes the use of formal methods such as linear programming, simulation and systems procedures so that food technologies may be efficiently and economically applied. Graduate students studying with Professor Norback typically build models of decision making situations which depend on food technology and investigate the usefulness of these models. Projects have included: the investigation of methods to improve the effectiveness of sensory analysis in formulating food products for a target market; optimizing yield from food processes, especially in cheese manufacture; optimal production planning for food processing; and building and optimizing vehicle schedules for foodservice delivery. Current and emerging areas of investigation include automatic control systems for computer and processing machine networks and the application of artificial intelligence to the problem of preserving and using technological expertise.

Education

  • B.A. Mathematics and Physics, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 1966
  • M.A. Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, Madison 1968
  • Ph.D. Business/Quantitative Analysis, University of Wisconsin, Madison 1978

Selected Publications

Setiabuhdi, M., M. Theis and J.P. Norback. 1997. Integrating HACCP and Sanitation for Verifiable Food Safety. Journal of the American Dietetics Association 97(8):889.

Norback, J.P. 1997. Natural Language Computer Control of Crucial Steps in Cheesemaking. Australian Journal of Dairy Technology 49(2):119.

Norback, Ley and Associates, LLC. 2000. doHACCP4-The International Version. MS Windows® software to assist food industry planners with the development and maintenance of food safety systems. This software includes support for the development and maintenance of SOPs (doSOP) as well as features to create and use forms for food safety (recordHACCP). (This software is in use around the world.)