Undergraduate Research

Chair: XI Chen, Rutgers University (iftsa.urc@gmail.com)

Overview

If you have been participating in an independent research project, then the Undergraduate Research Competition is for you. The competition is open to any IFTSA undergraduate member who has participated in original research, and who has not graduated by July 1 of the year prior to the competition.

Entrants are asked to submit a letter of intent to enter, an abstract describing the research (500 words or less), and a verification letter from the Food Science Department Head. Six finalists will be chosen to present their research both orally and via poster at the IFT Annual Meeting in the summer. Each finalist will be given a $500 travel award. In addition, the top three finalists will be awarded prizes of $1000, $750, and $250 and will be sent to them after the Annual Meeting.

Competition Rules (pdf)

Important Dates:

Note: all submissions are due by 11:59pm Central Time electronically

  • March 1: Abstracts due to iftsa.urc@gmail.com  
  • May 15: Finalists will be notified.
  • July 13 - 16: IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo: Oral & poster presentation.

Finalists:

Taylor Bramble of Louisiana State University
Erin Castelli of Texas Tech University
Jake R. Fischer of Washington State University
Soon Kiat Lau of University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Esaú Salgado of Texas Tech University
Wisiani Wijaya of University of Massachusetts Amherst

Eligibility:

Any student member of IFT, as of March 1 of the year of the competition, who is an undergraduate student or who has not graduated prior to July 1 of the year preceding the Annual Meeting is eligible to compete. Work must have been done individually by an undergraduate. A signed letter from the Department Head or a professor verifying the originality of the student's work will be required. The letter must be received by the Undergraduate Research Competition Chair no later than March 1. Letters can be emailed and MUST be sent by the Department Head or the professor.

IFTSA Competition Penalty Policy

Past Winners:

 2012
  1. Margaret Debrauske
  2. Brittany Miller
  3. Graysen Ortega
 University of Wisconsin
Cornell University
Texas Tech University
2011 1. Abilgal Snyder
2. Dominique Sinopoli
3. Karen Chang		 Ohio State University
Cornell University
Rutgers University
2010
1. Rarinthorn Thammakulkrajang
2. (Tie) Ashley Hart
2. (Tie) Ambrose Chan
 Cornell University
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Georgia
2009 1. Kurt Ellis
2. Melvany Kasih
3. Kari Michelle Jones		 Ohio State University
Cornell University
University of Tennessee
2008 Joseph Kreger University of Illinois
2007 Jon Hutchinson University of California-Davis
2006 Elaine Fan Cornell University
2005 Mila Wihodo Purdue University
2004 Chris Duncan University of Florida
2003 Devon Cameron University of Arkansas
2002 Sarah Woodling Penn State University
2001 Matt Glaser Oregon State University
2000 Rebecca Montville Rutgers University
1999 Shonokeep Modak Mississippi State University
1998 Christina Edwards van Muijen Oregon State University
1997 Wendy Bennett Rutgers University
1996 Kirby Hayes Purdue University
1995 Kathryn Diebler Clemson University
1994 Shawn Davis Cornell University
1993 Douglas Christensen University of Nebraska
1992 Rebecca Guzy University of Missouri
1991 Gwen Allison University of Alberta
1990 Robin Hewitt University of Tennessee
1989 Sonia M. Hartunian Iowa State University
1988 Mary M. Guyer University of Arkansas
1987 Jane Prince University of Tennessee
1986 Lisa Bruggman Texas A&M University
1985 David R. Baldwin Pennsylvania State University
1984 Catherine M. Gryniewicz University of Wisconsin-River Falls
1983 Jody Enrich Cornell University
1982 Jeffrey A. Stamp University of Minnesota
1981 Sarah K. Geisert University of Missouri
1980 Julie L. Komar University of Illinois
1979 B. Brooks University of Arizona
1978 Nina Birnbaum Cornell University
1977 Gail B. McBride University of British Columbia
1976 Rebecca M. Hamilton University of Florida
1975 Eunice C.Y. Li University of British Columbia
1974 Steve Sorenson University of California-Davis