October 13, 2003--John P. Zikakis, 70, professor emeritus of animal science and agricultural biochemistry at UD, died Oct. 5 after a battle with cancer.

He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UD in 1965, 1967 and 1970, respectively, and he joined the UD faculty in 1970, serving as assistant professor from 1970-75, associate professor from 1975-81 and professor from 1981-89, when he retired.

Dr. Zikakis was the author of “Chitin, Chitosan and Related Enzymes” and “Advances in Chitin and Chitosan” and published more than 125 articles in professional journals.

In 1991, Dr. Zikakis was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the American Chemical Society, Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Dr. Zikakis lived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with his wife of 45 years, Kiki.