Hilary Stevenson facts for kids

Hilary Stevenson (born 1947, died 1994) was a smart scientist from Northern Ireland. She was a professor who studied food. Her most important work was on food irradiation in the 1980s and 1990s. This is a way to make food safer and last longer using special energy.

Early Life

Mary Hill Morrison was born in Coleraine, County Londonderry. Her birthday was January 12, 1947. She was the only daughter of James and Elizabeth Morrison. Hilary grew up in a place called Drumaduan. She went to Coleraine High School.

Education and Learning

Stevenson went to Queen's University Belfast. She studied Chemistry and Agriculture there. She earned top honors in both subjects by 1970.

In 1971, she got her Master's degree (M.Sc.). This was in Food Science and Microbiology. She studied at the University of Strathclyde. Later, in 1981, she earned her PhD. This is the highest university degree. Her PhD research was about how poultry (like chickens) use minerals from their food.

Her Career

After university, Stevenson started working for the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland (DANI). She became an agricultural inspector. She also taught classes at Loughry College. This college teaches about agriculture and food technology.

By 1974, she became a senior scientific officer. She moved to the Agricultural Chemistry Research Division. At the same time, she became a university lecturer. She taught in the Department of Agriculture and Food Science at Queen's University Belfast.

Important Research

Early in her career, Hilary Stevenson studied vitamins in peas. She looked at them before and after they were processed. Later, she studied how sheep absorbed minerals.

In the 1980s, she focused on poultry nutrition. This means studying what chickens and geese eat. She published her findings in science journals.

Her most important work was on food irradiation. This is a process that uses energy to kill germs in food. It helps food stay fresh and safe for longer. She became a leading expert in this field. She wrote over 40 papers about it. She also worked with scientists from other countries. She helped organize meetings for the United Nations on this topic.

In 1993, her work was recognized. She received the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This is a special award from the British Queen.

Stevenson was also active in several science groups. These included the Institute of Food Science and Technology. She was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Personal Life

Hilary Stevenson married Noel Stevenson in 1976. They lived in Lisburn, County Antrim. She passed away on October 5, 1994. She was 47 years old and had been ill for some time.