2021 Food Science & Technology Newsletter

FOOD SCIENCE N�� Summer2021 | Volume49 | Alumni profile

Fifty years ago, Linda Glanton improved year after year. Early joined the girls basketball team and she became ac- arrived at UGA and majored in tive as a leader in several school clubs. By her senior year, Early was among the top food science five students in her graduating class.

Linda Glanton Early (BSA ’74) never in- Aparttimejobandatwistoffateled tended to make University of Georgia Early to the University of Georgia Col- history as the first Black female graduate lege of Agriculture in 1970. of the College of Agricultural and Envi- ronmental Sciences. In fact, she never While at the college, Early performed imagined attending UGA at all. clerical work as a work-study student in the dean’s office forRobert Wheeler, the Growing up in tiny Turin, Georgia — then college’s director of instruction, who be- a town of about 200 people in rural came an important mentor to her. Coweta County — Early attended segre- Linda Glanton Early at her home in gated public schools until 1966, her Byron, Georgia Unlike her early high school experiences, freshman year of high school. segregated systems. Coweta County’s Early said her experiences at the college students could choose what school they were positive and welcoming, and she im- Until that fall, Black high school students wanted to attend. mersed herself in her studies. from all over Coweta County were bussed to Central High School in New- “I ended up in the first group to integrate After graduation, Early joined UGA Co- nan, 11 miles northwest of Early’s home East Coweta High School. There were operative Extension as an agent in Bibb in Turin. eight Black freshmen and one senior who County, supervising the newly estab- chose to go there and, to this day, I can- lished, federally funded food and nutri- But that year, Coweta County Schools not explain why I made that choice,”Early tion program for underserved families in rolled out its Freedom of Choice plan, said. the Macon area. one of a number of plans established Excerpted from the Fall 2020 issue of throughout the country aimed at the in- That first year of high school, according Southscapes magazine. Read the en- tire article, “A Study inPersistence ,” tegration of schools in states that still had to Early, was “horrible.”After that, things by Maria M. Lamerias at https:// southscapes.caes.uga.edu

FST FACULTY ALUMNI NEWS RECENT GRADS Faculty expertise applied to Read the latest updates Summer 2020-Spring 2021 COVID response Page 3 Page 10 Page 14 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

Food Science & Technology News. Volume 49 Summer 2021

INTERIM DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

With spring upon us at the Athens campus, we 2021, after 25 years of service at UGA. She was are thankful for our strong and resilient instrumental in the success of our graduate community. While the Covid-19 pandemic has student project accomplishments focused on taught us to remain humble, it has also presented food safety on the Athens campus. Gwen will be numerous possibilities and opportunities to dearly missed, and we wish her a joyful next show resilience, phase into her retirement. dynamism in our thoughts and abilities OurgraduateprogramalongwiththeonlineMFT to pivot and adjust program is going strong despite the Covid-19 rapidly. It has been restrictions that did not allow our international inspiring to see our students to join their programs in a timely faculty and staff pivot fashion. We celebrated several graduate and to an online and undergraduate awards and have had a number of hybrid class and work successful graduate student defenses this past environment without Fall and Spring. We are proud of our student compromising our award winners and their accomplishments. world class programs in Food Science and While the pandemic hampered several Manpreet Singh Technology. Watching departmental in-person activities, the ability to students adjust to the changes has been inspiring pivot and our resiliency ensured that we and provides confidence that our future is continued to be productive. Over the past year, strong! our Extension faculty have been able to provide several online training courses to our As we move forward, the department of Food stakeholders, faculty have published 121 peer- Science and Technology is going through several reviewed journal articles, and a few have changes. First and foremost, a big thank you to received national and international awards for Dr. Rakesh Singh for his leadership to the their contributions to the field of Food Science department for the past 19 years. On September and Technology. 1, 2020,Dr. Rakesh Singh decided to step down from his position of department head and Although we have now mastered the zoom room returned to faculty in the department to skills,weareexcitedaboutthefutureandlooking continue his research activities.Dr. Kirk Kealey, forward to gradually resuming normal face to Director of the Food Processing Innovation and face activities. As we transition back to our Commercialization center (FoodPIC) retired on normal activities, I would encourage you all to March 31st, 2021 after 6 years of dedicated stay connected with UGA-FST. We are very service at UGA.Dr. Kealey was the first director appreciative of all the support that we receive of FoodPIC and initiated our efforts to assist fromyouallandeveryoneforthecommitmentto companies in developing new products UGA-FST. efficiently and economically with a high success rate. Dr. Kealey has moved to North Carolina to be with his family.Gwen Hirsch, our Food Safety Manpreet Singh Lab manager in Athens retired on March 31, Interim Department Head

2 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

FACULTY COVID EFFORTS

Since the COVID-19 crisis emerged in useful information on preventing industry connections and backgrounds the US,, researchers in our department transmission of COVID-19. as food safety specialists to lead the have been collaborating with colleagues grant’s industry outreach efforts. on campus and beyond to share Dr. Manpreet Singh, interim department knowledge and expertise to aid in head, andDr. Harsha Thippareddi,John Dunn andDiez also worked with controlling its spread. Bekkers Professor in Poultry Science, Extension Service and fresh produce are partnering with a team from Kansas industry personnel in Georgia to quickly Dr. Malak Esseili hasfocusedonstudying produce a COVID-19 safety video in human viral pathogens such as Spanish to be used in farm employee noroviruses, and now her work includes trainings. The team was aided by the viral pathogen SARS-CoV-2, the virus Claudia Buzo, a ServSafe consultant that causes COVID-19. A previously who trains Hispanic restaurant decommissioned BSL3 had to be workers. upgraded from its current BSL2 use to receive BSL3 certification. Esseili’s first project involved evaluating efficacy of sanitizers approved for emergency use by the Environmental Protection Agency.

On another front, a team consisting ofDrs. Govind Dev Kumar, Laurel Malak Esseili Dunn, Abhinav Mishra and Francisco Diez collaborated to examine relevant State University to study how to studies to identify and share practicable effectively control the spread of SARS- information for use in the food industry. CoV-2 inthe nation’s meat and While not performing any direct poultry processing facilities. research,Kumar andDunn said the Thippareddi andSingh , who are co- synthesisofinformationfromavarietyof directing the project withDr. A. Sally studies — some from this year and others Davis, an assistant professor of done over the past 20 years — can serve experimental pathology in the Kansas as a sort of “CliffsNotes” for industry State College of Veterinary Medicine, members seeking the most relevant and provide extensive poultry experience,

Dr. Chad Paton ,Associate Professor, supplies, providing technical assis- spent the second half of 2020 on mili- tance,and food support for vulnera- tary deployment with the US em- ble populations. bassies in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan on COVID-19 relief “Upon arrival in the region, projects. He was part of a team work- I worked remotely from ing with governmental and non- Kuwait while awaiting governmental partners identifying Uzbekistan border to re- needs and coordinating responses. Projects included providing personal open” protective equipment and sanitizing Chad Paton

3 UGA D�� F�� S�� & �� Center for food safety he Center for Food Safety (CFS), half event, but this year’s conference at the end of 2020. New additions located on the Griffin campus, is took place over three afternoons, includeJada Thrash who replaced T affiliated with the Department included six sessions and 30 speakers Bannister as administrative manager of Food Science and Technology through who covered topics such as the andJennifer Reynolds who filled the its multidisciplinary innovative research foodborne disease trends and outbreaks, new role of communication to improve the safety of food by the effect of the coronavirus pandemic professional. prevention, detection, and control of on the food industry, food traceability, contamination and transmission of food safetybest practices, and recurring Amy Mann, Wayne Harvester, Dr. foodborne pathogens. outbreaks. Ynes Ortega andAlice Neal were awarded Meritorious Service Awards Through its research, strong in early 2021 for their years of service collaborative ties have been developed to the university.Mann , a research withtheCentersforDiseaseControland technician, has been at UGA Griffin for Prevention, the USDA Russell Research 15 years.Harvester andOrtega ,anIT Center, and research groups on the professional specialist and associate Athens campus of University of Georgia. professor respectively, have been at The Center also works closely with the UGA Griffin for 20 years; andNeal , food industry which contributes to its who worked as an administrative research programs through annual assistant, retired from UGA Griffin last contributions either as Board of Advisor year after 25 years of service. or patron members. Two CFS students received Founded in 1993, CFS holds three scholarships in early 2021.Minji Hur,a annual, invitation-only events -- two Safe doctoral student studying under CFS Foods Forums and an Annual Meeting -- Kaylan Hayman (L) and Dr. Manpreet Singh DirectorFrancisco Diez-Gonzalez was to discuss advances in the arena of food The end of 2020 saw the retirement of awarded the University of Georgia safety. several long-time members of CFS. College of Agricultural and Administrative managerBrenda Environmental Science (CAES) Student Held in Atlanta, Georgia, 2021 was the Bannister and administrative assistant Scholarship. Kaylan Hayman, a master’s firstyearintheAnnualMeeting’s28year Alice Neal both retired from their work student studying underDr. Govindaraj history that it was held virtually. In a in CFS’s main office.Dr. Tong Zhao,an Dev Kumar, was awarded the Dr. typical year, the meeting is a day-and-a- associate research scientist, also retired Manjeet S. Chinnan Graduate Student Support Scholarship.

(L-R) Dr. Manpreet Singh, CAES Dean Nick Place,Dr. Francisco Diez and Dr. David Buntin

4 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

Food PIC

CONTINUEDCOLLABORATIONS

WOODROOF LECTURERESUMES IN VIRTUAL FORMAT

The annual J. G. Woodroof Lecture returned in L-R: Alison Payton, Gana Otgonbayar,Kirk Kealey and Lauren Hatcher,at Kealey’s retirement celebration 2021 after cancellation he concept of establishing a 18,900 potential clients. FoodPIC has ofthe2020 Food Product Innovation & worked with individuals or companies lecturedueto T Commercialization Center from 15 different countries and 31 COVID-19 (FoodPIC) on the Griffin campus was different states. Projects included restrictions. first discussed in the early 2000s. It developing nutrition facts panels, took hard work and persistence by the conducting shelf life studies or This year’s lecture was presented byDr . Griffin faculty to establish the new developing new products and processes. R. Paul Singh, Distinguished Professor Center, to raise funding for the facility The team has worked with numerous Emeritus of Food Engineering at the and to hire a full time director. The first Flavor of Georgia winners and provided University of California at Davis. Dr. director,Dr. Kirk Kealey, started in experiential learning opportunities for Singh’s lecture, “Grand Challenges in April 2015 and the new building high school STEMstudents, CAES Young Food Engineering Research and openedforbusinessinJan.2017.Inthe Scholars and UGAstudents.Productshave Education,” was presented via Zoom and past 6 years, over 1100 food and bever- included gourmet pet food bites, cricket was open to the public. age entrepreneurs have connected powder, cannonball jellyfish powder and with FoodPIC to request technical sup- traditional fermented foods such as The annual lecture honorsJasper Guy port for their products. natto and kombucha. Recently, FoodPIC Woodroof , an internationally has developed a cookie supplemented recognized leader in food science and Every year since 2015 FoodPIC has with “conditionally essential” amino founds of the food science program at continued to extend its outreach within acids for children suffering from sickle UGA and is sponsored by the Georgia and beyond. Despite the cell disease, in collaboration with the department, the UGA Food Science Club challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic Morehouse School of Medicine. Feeding and the Phi Tau Sigma UGA chapter. and losing 2 positions to budget cuts, trials are scheduled to commence later 2020 was another record-breaking this summer.Kealey retiredattheendof year of solid results. In the past 6 years March, 2021, but the FoodPIC team will the FoodPIC team has developed over carry on this critical work while awaiting 435 project proposals, completed 305 new leadership to be assigned. projects and interacted with over

5 UGA D�� F�� S�� & �� FACULTY NEWS Dr. Rakesh Singh stepped down as de- position at the Norwegian University of partment head effective August 31, Life Sciences as Associate Professor. 2020, in order to focus on research efforts. Dr. Fanbin Kongwas promoted from Associate Professor to Professor. Dr. Manpreet Singh accepted the as- signment of interim head of the depart- Dr. Rakesh Singhwas elected as Fellow ment, effective September 1.Singh isa of the International Academy of Food professor in the UGA Department of Science and Technology (IAFoST). Poultry Science and an adjunct professor in Food Science. Dr. Kirk Kealeyretired from his position as Director of FoodPIC March 31. In October, Dr. Abhinav Mishra andhis wife,Heena , welcomed baby boy,Mad- Dr. Manjeet Chinnan ,Professor hav, to their family.(See photo at left) Emeritus, was elected as Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science Dr. Catrin Tyl resigned as Assistant and Technology (IAFoST). Professor in May 2021. She accepted a L-R: Heena, Madhav and Abhinav Mishra

George Cavender resigned as assistant professor in May 2020. He accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Lincoln University of Missouri.

STAFF NEWS RESEARCH NEWS Sea Grant Graduate Research Award Recipient

Gwen Hirsch (above) retired from the at the Athens Area Humane Society department on March 31, 2021, after and at Books for Keeps. 26Gwen years at of her service retirement to UGA. receptionW hileat UGA, Gwen worked in 6 different Derell Hardman (BSA ‘ 09) resigned departments. “Food Science was by far from Food Science Extension group in Peter Chiaraelli (above) received a my favorite because of the people I October 2020 as Program Graduate Research Traineeship from worked with. Thanks to Food Science Coordinator. He has accepted a GA Sea Grant. The award helped for 8 great years!” She is looking position with USDA in Athens. Peter to investigate novel food forward to staying in touch with her applications for cannonball jellyfish in friends in the department andworking Carl Ruiz retired in June 2020 after 35 Kevin Mis Solval’s lab.. on her small farm. In addition, Gwen years of service to UGA. has expanded her volunteer activities

6 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

FROM THE UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR

Greetings students, alumni and friends! body language of students. I was afraid Therefore, I would like to invite you to that face masks were going to be an im- take any opportunity to encourage any I felt compelled to reach out to you all pediment. However, masks forced us to high school student, or any parent of a hoping that you, your families and friends see each other in the eyes more fre- high school student to think about Food are well. I joined the department almost quently than before. I cannot describe Science. Please give them my contact in- eight years ago.Time flies! It is with im- with words what these beautiful win- formation. I will be delighted to talk to mense gratitude dows of the soul revealed. I saw the them. I am an optimist/idealist; you have that I would like sparky joy of freshmen, the fatigue, the tobethatwaywhenyouareinacademia! to briefly reflect sadness of having had to isolate, the calm I am very hopeful that our numbers will on my teaching after the storm. Students are often sur- begin to increase soon as people realize journey and the prised when I tell them that I am always thatthefoodindustryisnotwhattheme- undergraduate scared to teach. It is true that I am often dia depicts and so many have come to be- program. I am im- afraid by pure vanity. Our social con- lieve. I count on you all to spread the mensely grateful struct places so much emphasis on the word on the greatness and the beauty of to the students views of others that we often forget “the our profession and our mission! José Reyes who make me smile important that is invisible to the eyes” (A. physically and spiritually every day that I deSt.Exupéry).Butmygreatestfearisto Best Wishes, walk into the classroom. I am grateful for teach poorly and to discourage students. the privilege of seeing in the classroom These past few years I have also become José I. Reyes De Corcuera an incredibly high density of intelligence very worried about the large decline in Associate Professor & Undergraduate and good will. I frequently experience the our Food Science undergraduate enroll- Coordinator refreshing kindness of students and ment. This is happening across the na- alumni. This year was particularly in- tion, but that is no consolation. Some of tense. It was difficult to adjust to remote our courses are below the 10-student teaching on the second half of the spring threshold. This is not sustainable. We of 2020. Despite the challenges, our stu- have done many things. Among others, as PRODUCT dents remained engaged, patient, and in- you know,Karen Simmons has lead our DEVELOPMENT crediblycommittedtolearning.Asacom- social media advertising campaign. Some munity, I think that we grew in empathy. of you have contributed brief videos. SUCCESS As you may have heard, I am now teach- Thank you! Please send us more. We do ingacorecurriculumcourse,“TheImpact not have enough data yet, but I think it is The studentteam of Food on World History and Culture,” working! A couple of years ago, IFT ran a ofShruti Sharma which we had to limit to 26 students in survey to identify the factors that influ- andHimanshu the fall to comply with distancing proto- enced individuals to study Food Science. Prabhakarwon cols for face-to-face instruction in our The three main influencers were a family the first prize large lecture room. As most instructors, I member or friend (32%), the media awardintheSE adjust my teaching pace based on the (22%), and faculty members (22%). IFT Product Development Competition with their beverage creation, Chia Tumeric Coffee Splash., The drink is a preservative- free, green coffee We want to hear from you. Please send (brewed) based cold beverage with news you would like to share and contact the goodness of chia seeds and info updates to us at [email protected] turmeric.

7 UGA D�� F�� S�� & �� Food Science club hepastclubyearwas uniqueas them some handy suggestions. For stu- events each group all had organized at the UGA Food Science Club dents interested in joining the govern- their schools and inspired each other to T held all its events virtually to ment, aninteractivesessionwithascien- do more. The chapter buddy was also in- ensure everyone’s safety without losing tist from USDA was planned. For stu- vited to the monthly meetings which was participation. The club held meetings dents inclined towards building leader- enjoyableforall. each month, offering an all-embracing ship skills, the club conducted a presen- environment to the students through- tation on IFTSA leadership and engage- To increase participation in student out. Irrespective of their club member- ment led by a student leader himself, the competitions, the club provided ship status, all students were welcomed IFTSA President-elect. Consequently, information and support for UGA, IFTSA to these meetings. Meetings covered a students from other majors joined the and SE IFT competitions. Food science diversityoffocusareastoequallyaccom- club and got involved. The club also studentsjumpedinandgotinvolvedwith modate students with different inter- hosted a session on IFT CFS covering various competitions. Read more about ests. viewpoints from academia as well as the student competition award winners on industry. page ??. To connect students with food science experts, leaders from organizations like Getting connected with peers was both A successful club year was had despite CocaCola,WTIInc,USDAandSoutheast entertaining and educational for the the many challenges faced. Congrats to IFT board interacted with our students club. The club had the chance to interact club leadership and all club members! via webinars to acquaint them with the with an “IFT chapter buddy,” South workcultureindifferentsectorsandgive Dakota State University, discuss the

PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT

Food Science Club Officers

2020-21 2021-22 President Shruti Sharma Tea White Vice President Jade Long, Himanshu Aria Morill Prabhakar Secretary Sabrina Buck Loren Klein Treasurer Rachel Doxey Olivia Fuller Griffin VP Kaelyn Hayman Rawane Raad The club held workshops to aid students.During the fall semester, a workshop on flavors led by Kalsec® was a great way to learn about the production and applications of flavor concentrates. The spring workshop focused on the fundamentals of video making/editing to assist students in acquir- ing the skills of making a video for student competitions. A resume build- ingsession under the guidance of a UGA career center counselor.

8 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

Mentorship program Community service Industry panel

The club leadership organized a mentor Community service continues to be a Remote club meetings were the program for food science students and part of club activities. Some activities norm this year. One meeting, “The paired eachinterested student with a such as volunteering at UGArden and Grand Industry Panel,” featured mentor from the food industry, participating in food drives. In addition, industry representatives who academia or a government agency. This students designed and presented an shared their insights into such gave them the invaluable opportunity to outreach exercise on food science to lo- topics as the variety of food network closely and receive personal- cal high school students. science careers available and the ized career advice, year-round. expectations of employers.

UGAFOODSCIENCETEAMWINSSOUTHEASTAREACOLLEGEBOWL

TheUGA FoodScience CollegeBowl team not only served as Team members pictured above are (L-R front row)Luke hosts for the virtual version of the 2021 Southeast area Vazzano, Rebecca Campbell, Vivian Yang, Lida Rahimi Araghi, Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) Emine Ozen, Rawane Raad, Shruti Sharma, and (L-R back row) College Bowl competition, the UGA home team brought home Andrew Widmer, Stephen Sevcech, Michael Diehland the regionaltrophy. In addition to UGA, teams from Alabama Himanshu Prabhakar. Not pictured is,Dr. Ron Pegg,theteam A&M, University of Florida, Clemson and Mississippi State all coach and faculty advisor. competed for the title. The UGA team will compete for the national title during the IFT annual meeting in July.

9 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

ALUMNI NEWS

Emin Yilmaz (PhD ’00)(left) iscurrentlya Mark Jarrard Jr. (MS ’06) is currently a professor at the Food Engineering Sr. Scientist in Pet R&D with The J.M. department of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Smucker Company in Orrville, OH. University. His daughter, born in Philadelphia is now a scientist. His son, Paul Milly (BSA ’00, MS ’03, PhD ’07) born in Athens, GA, while Emin was a is now Vice President Operations at grad student is now studying in Revolver Brewing in Granbury, TX. university. Emin is involved in both research and teaching. (see photo at left) Mayeli Peralta-Contreras (MS ’07) is Emin Yimaz now a Program Coordinator with Lee Wiley (MS ‘80, PhD ‘85) has retired Firibu Kwesi Universidad Panamericana in Mexico. after 35 years of making great tasting Saalia (PhD ‘01) BBQ with Rich Products. to a life of (left) was awarded Becky (Brannon) Beasley (BSA ‘08) is leisure. Lee and his wife,Elfreida , are one ofthe first currently the Director of Business planning on enjoying life and taking care ten O.R. Tambo Analytics at S&D Coffee & Tea in of 5 grandchildren. African Concord, NC. ResearchChairs Stuart Cantor (MS ‘90) received an in 2020. This Derell Hardman (BSA‘09)isemployedas International Forum on Advancements award, which a Microbiology Lab Technician with in Healthcare (IFAH) Top 100 Healthcare provides $1M over five years, is awarded USDA in Athens, GA. Leaders Award in 2020. by The South Africa National Research Foundation in collaboration with several Sam Reiter (BSA‘09)isnowemployedas Dongmin “Don” Mu (PhD ’96) worked in other foundations and councils. Firibuis Technology Consulting Manager at research and development management Head of the Department of Food Protiviti in Decatur, GA. functions with Campbell Soup Company, Enginerring at the Univeristy of Ghanan- Coca-Cola as well as the flavor industry Legon. for more than ten years after his graduation. Since 2008 he has been with Christie (Phillips) Gray (MS ’02) was the Center For Food Safety and Applied promoted to Vice President of Content Nutrition, Center For Tobacco Products at Decernis in September 2020. and the Office of the Commissioner at Christie’s responsible for ensuring that the FDA in Washington DC area. He regulatory content is complete for received multiple awards from the clients to access using Decernis agency including a prestigious Food and compliance tools. She works with the Drug Administration Commissioner’s Regulatory and Quality teams to ensure Administrative Management Award for regulatory content is complete across his outstanding service in 2019. 225 countries for food, consumer and Roxana Sanchez-Ingunza (PhD ’09) chemical productcompliance. In May (above)worked for the USDA and the Rongrong Li (PhD ’98) was promoted to 2021, Christie celebrated six years at Industry for a total of 10 years after Principal Food Scientist at Lakeview Decernis. graduation from the Food Science PhD Farms in West Chester, OH. program, Roxana recently started RSI Wendy (Wade) White (MS ’02) is Poultry Veterinary Consulting LLC. The Craig Lawson (BSA‘99)waspromotedto currently Food Safety Project Manager company serves the poultry industry Senior Director of R&D at Newly Weds at GA Institute of Technology in Atlanta. providing consulting services based on Foods in Chattanooga, TN. Salmonella expertise, molecular laboratory services, genomics and

10 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

ALUMNINEWS(CONT’D)

bioinformatics. The purpose is to aid the Nathaniel Wright (MS ’13) is currently Christina Castlejohn (PhD ’14) is now industry in achieving food safety goals in the R&D Manager at Georgia Spice Principal Scientist with Newly Weds Salmonella control. Roxana expresses Company in Kennesaw, GA. Foods in Erlanger, KY. her gratitude to her teachers and mentors for their support, to which she Ellison Cunningham (BSA ‘15)(left) attributes much of her success. (see completed a Master’s in Food Safety at photo previous page) Michigan State University in 2020 and plans to get married this May. She is a Seth Boulet (BSA ’10) was promoted to Corporate R&D Food Scientist for therankofCaptainintheUSAirForcein McKee Foods in Chattanooga, TN. June 2020. Seth is a pilot stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK. Maddison Wenzel (BSA ’15) is currently employedasManagerofCommercialization Krystin (Marrs) Connor (BSA ‘10) with Inspire Brands in Atlanta, GA. recently accepted a position as Sr. Associate with Lysol at Reckitt in Meredith Meyer (BSA ’15) is currently Bloomfield, NJ. employed as Maintenance Manager at Ellison Cunningham C&W Services in the Los Angeles area. Kylah (Smith) Irving (MS ’10) started a new position as Product Development Kathryn Kitchen (BSA ‘07, PhD ‘13) is Carlos Andrés Álvarez (MS ’15) is Manager , R&D Base Business at Clif Bar currently employed as Associate currentlyemployedasChiefR&DOfficer & Company in San Francisco, CA. PlatformManagerinTTLBeverageswith at Alianza Team USA in Colombia. PepsiCo in Chicago, IL. Joseph “Jody” Bayne (BSA ’11) was MaryBeth Hornbeck (MS’15)celebrates promoted to Director of Supply Chain Carla (Reed) Holmes (BSA ‘14) is now six years of working as the Family and Quality at Ferrara Candy Company in Poultry Commercialization Manager Consumer Sciences Agent for UGA Chicago, IL. with Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen in Extension in Rockdale County in 2021. Miami, FL. She was recently promoted to Public William “Beau” Batchelor (MFT ‘11) is Service Associate and was named the now a Sr. Food Designer with the Kellogg Kizmik (McPherson) Odoms (BSA‘14)is recipient of the 2021 Thomas F. Rodgers Company in Huntsville, AL. currently employed as Divisional Quality Outreach Agent Award from the College Manager at Georgia-Pacific LLC in of Family and Consumer Sciences. She’s George Cavender (PhD ‘11) is now an As- Atlanta, GA. gained a reputation for engaging sistant Professor at Clemson Univer- education for all ages in the realm of sity in Clemson, SC. Charnae Ross (BSA ’14) completed her nutrition and food safety. In 2020, she PharmD degree at Florida A&M in 2018 bought her first home with her husband Jamie (Carbonetto) Vandergriff (BSA and her MS in Health Administration at in Loganville, GA. ‘13) is currently employed as Quality VA Commonwealth University in 2020. Manager with Kerry in Savannah, GA. She is now employed as Pharmacy Emily Wagener (MS ’15) is now Sales Operations Manager with Memorial Development Manager with Dairifair Christine Gianella Addington (MS‘13)is Hermann Health System in Houston, TX. Foods LLC in Jacksonville, FL. now Senior Technical Account Manager with Cargill in Denver, CO. Lindsey (Lefief) Schroeder (BSA ’14) is Sara (Muntean) Thrasher (BSA’16)is currently employed as Food Safety now an Expert Software Engineer with Manager at Pepsi Beverage Company in Warner Media in Atlanta, GA. Orlando, FL.

11 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

ALUMNINEWS(CONT’D)

Quynh Duong (MS ’16) (below) returned Emily Walker (BSA ’17) is currently Sarah Warren (MS ’19) is currently to Vietnam after graduation and worked employed as Plan Reviewer and employed as Quality Control Specialist for the Vietnam Academy of Science and Outreach Liaison in the Food Safety at Gourmet Foods International in Technology for a couple of years before Department of the South Carolina Decatur, GA. joining the Department of Science and Department of Agriculture in West Technology at the Vietnam Ministry of Columbia, SC. Anjail Thomas (MFT‘20)acceptedanew Industry and Trade (MOIT). Currently position as Quality Area Manager with Quynh’s work at MOIT entails food Alex Maxwell (MS ‘17) is currently a HelloFresh in Newnan, GA. safety, food policy, support for the food Sensory and Consumer Science Manager industry and bioindustry, as well as at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, MO. Rachel Reel-Russell (MFT ’20) is now general support for the industrial Product Development Manager at 7- application of upcoming technologies. Eleven in Pittsburgh, PA. She is also a member of the Vietnam network of Leaders in Innovation Fellows, made up by those who have participated in the fellowship program of the same name by the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering.

IN MEMORY

Jerry W. East, 82, of Seneca, SC, Maria Moore (MS ‘17) (above) andRyan passed away December 2, 2020. Jerry Brasher were married in May in earnedaBSAandMSinfoodsciencein Mandeville, LA. thelate60’s. Afteractiveserviceinthe Navy and additional years in the Naval Juzong Tan (PhD ‘17) is an Assistant Reserve,JerryspentacareerwithUGA Professor at Florida A&M University in Extension. He is survived by his wife, Tallahassee, FL. Emily; his daughter,Lynn Hoover (Kirk); his grandchildren,Scott and Po-An Chi (MS ’18) joined McKinsey & Lori;andhisbrotherLarry Wayne East. Quyhn Duong Company in Atlanta as a Knowledge Analyst in 2020. Halim Aboul-Saad passed away June Kristyn (Nock) Burke (BSA’14,MS‘16)is 27, 2020, in San Antonio, TX. Halim now Senior Specialist of Global Quality Carlyn Oswald (MS ‘18) is now Food earned a PhD in food science in 1970. Systems Projects with CP Kelco in Scientist with Griffith Foods in He worked as a technical director for Atlanta, GA. Springdale, AR. M&M/Mars and for Quaker Oats in Mexico. He is survived by his wife of Tristin Thompson (MS ’16) is now Caroline Brown (BSA ‘19) is currently nearly 60 years,Wissam ; his Quality Coordinator at Stanley Brothers Regulatory Affairs Specialist with Astral daughters,Dina andShereen ; his in Denver, CO. Brands in Atlanta. grandchildren,Hannah , Mihai, Gabriel, andDaniel ; sister,Rosa ; brothers, Jason Kolofske (BSA ’17) is now the Ice Brandon Williamson (BSA’19)isnowan Shaker andKamal ; and numerous Cream Production Manager with The Associate Food Scientist with Diamond nieces and nephews. Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor in Chicago, Crystal Brands in Atlanta, GA. IL.

12 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

Student awards and news

D�� A�� Tedford-Tellico Inc. Scholarship - Damla Dag was selected as the 2021 Allison Gilbert honoree of the Dr. Gideon ‘Guy’ American Association of Candy Livingston Scholarship ofΦΤΣ ,PhiTau Technologists Scholarship -Himanshu Virginia Dare Scholarship - Sigma. Prabhakar Rachel Doxey Sabrina Buck won the Undergraduate Dorris A. Lillard Scholarship - John J. Powers Graduate Scholarship - Student Research Competition of the Rachel Doxey Peter Chiarelliand Yiwen Li annual conference of the GA Nutrition Council. Manjeet S. Chinnan Graduate Student Andrew Support -Damla Widmer (right) Dag, Kaylan was awarded a Hayman, Seulgi GraduateSchool Lee, Weifan Wu, Master’s Fellow Shruti Sharma, award for 2021- Peien Wang and 2022. Boran Yang Damla Dag Minji Hur was awarded a 2021 College Romeo Toledo Graduate Support of Agricultural and Environmental Award-Damla Dag, Jennifer Dorick, Science Student Scholarship from the Horowitz Family Scholarship - Himanshu Prabhakar, Shruti Sharma UGA Griffin campus. Tea White(above) andXinran Xu Damla Dag received a 2020-21 JoeW.AndrewsScholarship-SabrinaBuck Outstanding Food Science Senior - Graduate Education Advancement Sabrina Buck Board Fellowship from the UGA John C. Ayres Scholarship -Olivia Fuller Graduate School. and Kelly Brown Outstanding Food Science Junior - Olivia Fuller Peter Chiarelli was selected as the Morrison and Genevieve Loewenstein UGA recipient of the 2021 IFT South Scholarship -Shruti Sharma Other Awards and News Eastern Section Graduate Student Leadership Award.

Andrew Widmer was selected as the UGA recipient of the 2021 IFT South Eastern Section Undergraduate Student Leadership Award.

Lordwige Atis was awarded the 3-A Sanitary Standards Inc 2021 Student Participation Award.

Anna Townsend wasarecipientofa 2021 IAFP Student Travel Scholarship. This scholarship will support her regis-

Sabrina Buck accepts award from Dr. Manpreet Singh at departmental award ceremony 13 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

STUDENTNEWSANDAWARDS(CONT’D) tration, accommodations, and flight to Shruti Sharma andHimanshu but COVID-19 prevented travel. So, the conference in Phoenix, AZ. Prabhakar were married lastsummer at they planned a wedding here in GA. the home of Himanshu’s sister and Jasmine brother-in-law in Cumming, GA. They YiwenLireceived a Graduate Student Kataria (left) were to gobackhomeandgetmarriedin Degree Accelerator Award from the received the India in the presence of their families, UGA Graduate School. third place award for the 2020 IAFP J. Mac Goepfert Developing Sci- entists Award technical competition.

Seulgi Lee received the third place awardforthe2020IAFP J.Mac Goepfert Developing Scientists Award poster competition.

(L-R) Himanshu Prabhakar and Shruti Sharma on their wedding day with Himanshu’s sister and brother-in-law

FOOD SCIENCE GRADUATES

SUMMER 2020 PhD Minji Hur started working on her PhD withDr. Diez-Gonzalez. BSA Shaoting Liaccepted a post doctoral Vivian Yang started her MS degree with associate position with Dr. Deng. Jade Long accepted a position as Senior Dr. Kerr. Coordinator of Menu and Packaging Fall 2020 with Chik-fil-A in Atlanta. MS BSA MFT Sam Cimowsky (BSA ‘18) accepted a position with Fresh Express in Atlanta. Collin Burt accepted a position as Scott Koster is a Protein Scientist at Associate Account Manager with ADM in Decatur, IL. Nan JiangispursuingaPhDin EcoLab in Madison, AL. biophysics at UW-Madison. Tom Preniczky is servingasamemberof Audrey Seim graduated fall of 2020. the Culinary Advisory board of York Deepak Kafle graduated summer of Rhea White graduated fall of 2020. Technical Institute, LCC in York, PA. 2020. MS Anjail Thomas is a Regulatory QA Enqi Zhang graduated summer of 2020. Supervisor at Koch Foods, Inc. In Deandra Campbell graduated fall of Atlanta. 2020.

14 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

GRADUATES (CONT’D)

Kathryn Lacy is employed as an Ariel Chester graduated spring of 2021. MS Environmental Health Specialist with Maricopa County, AZ. Jera Edmondson graduated spring of Peter Chiarelli will continue withDr. 2021. Mis Solvalon his PhD. PhD James Fountain graduated spring of Yaxi Dai willstartonherPhD withDr. Yuju Lingraduated fall of 2020. 2021. Chen.

Juyoung Kim accepted a position as a Anne Friedman graduated spring of 2021. Zijin Qin graduated spring of 2021 and Sensory Scientist with Campbell Snacks will continue withDr. Kong on her PhD. division of Campbell Soup Company in Raul Garza graduated spring of 2021. Norwalk, CT. Boran Yang will continue withDr. Mis Sahana Lakshminarayanan graduated Solval on his PhD. Natalie Oswell (BSA ‘16) is currently spring of 2021. employed as a Senior Scientist with MFT Kalsec Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI. Ansley Lockett graduated spring of 2021. Rebecca Brickman graduated spring of Jing Xie graduated fall of 2020. 2021. Brianna Rafferty graduated spring of Siyu Zhang is currently working as Lab 2021. Mary Kawleski graduated spring of Technician inDr. Akoh’s lab. 2021. Kirby Rodriguez willstartonherMS Spring 2021 degree withDr. Kerr. Cory Ortego is Director of Quality with Milo’s Tea Company, Inc. in Bessemer, BSA Luke Vazzano graduated spring of 2021. AL.

Nicole Banos graduated spring of 2021. Francisco Villanueva graduated spring Nicholas Shuman is a Scientist IV with of 2021. The Coca-Cola Company in Apopka, FL. Sabrina Buck will start her MS degree with Dr.Dunn. James Andrew Widmer willstartonhis PhD MS degree withDr. Dunn. Estefania Novoa Rama graduated spring of 2021.

Peien Wang graduated spring of 2021.

@UGAFOODSCI

@UGAFOODSCIENCE

UGA FOOD SCIENCE

15 UGA D�� F�� S�� & ��

UGACHAPTEROFPHITAUSIGMA Push to increase awareness and membership benefits undertaken by student leaders

The UGA Chapter of Phi Tau Sigma, the honor society of food of the society, including social and educational events. Many science and technology, was awarded with Chapter of Merit members were recognized for a various achievements and status for the2019-20administrative year. Fanbin Kong isthe awards. Among them, based on his professional contribution faculty advisor for the UGA chapter,Yiwen Li was the chapter and his vision forΦΤΣ , Fanbin Kong was elected to the orga- president for the 2019-2020 year,and Damla Dag is current nization’s Board of Directors . president. Above, several members ofΦΤΣ gathered on a beautiful The UGA Chapter is committed to fulfillingthe mission of Phi spring day. Pictured are (L-R front row)Ming-hsun Shen, Tau Sigma, to raise the stature and recognize scholarly Anand Mohan, Lida Rahimi Araghi, Fanbin Kong and (L-R achievements of the food science andtechnology profession. back row)Casimir Akoh, Emine Ozen, Damla Dag, Estefania Efforts were made in the past year to strengthen the publicity Novoa-Rama and Rakesh Singh.

Dept of Food Science and Technology CONTACT US Center for Food Safety 100 Cedar Street https://cfs.caes.uga.edu/ Athens, GA 30602 Extension Food Science https://foodscience.caes.uga.edu/ https://extension.uga.edu/programs- Food Product Commercialization and [email protected] services/food-science.html Innovation Center https://foodpic.uga.edu/