Margaret LawsonRecipient of an IFT scholarship in 1978-79

Scholarship RecipientMargaret Lawson began her food science career working at a tomato lab on the University of California-Davis campus and later worked as a summer assistant in the Agricultural Research Lab for Hunt Wesson Foods. Her first industry job was working as a Product Development Specialist for Ralston Purina. “I especially liked the idea of belonging to a professional membership association throughout my career that allowed me to network with the best food scientists in the world. It also provided me with an avenue to stay current with the profession and industrial changes.”

Lawson pursued food science after seeing the major offered in her college catalog and has spent her career working in ingredient technology. What advice does she have for those starting their careers in food science and technology? “Stay active in IFT, building a valuable network of associates. Be sure to embrace positions or opportunities that challenge you. There is a huge world out there, go for it and enjoy it!”