Career
Dr. Urbain also helped kick start the food irradiation program at the United Nations, namely the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Urbain became Director of the first FAO/IAEA International Training Course on Food Irradiation and Techniques which led to the creation of an International Training Manual on Food Irradiation Technology and Techniques in 1968 as well as an international certification program labelled the "Food Irradiation Process Control School".
The success of food irradiation today is a result of Walter Urbain's dedication and determination on this subject. Dr. Urbain's many honors include, the Outstanding Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army in 1962 as well as the Industrial Achievement Award from The Institute of Food Technologists in 1963 and the "International Food Engineering Award" in 1976.
Outside of his duties, Dr. Urbain played a significant role in several scientific organizations including the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the Institute of Food Technologists where he was a Chartered Member. Numerous patents are registered in his name; he published 36 scientific papers, wrote hundreds of articles and published two books on food irradiation.