April 08, 2024

Institute of Food Technologists Student Association Elects Oregon State University’s Jenna Fryer Vice President of Events and Experiences

Jenna Fryer from Oregon State University will serve as Vice President of Events and Experiences on the IFTSA Board of Directors for one year starting on September 1, 2024.

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CHICAGO – April 8, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), has elected Jenna Fryer from Oregon State University to its Board of Directors where she will serve as the Vice President of Events and Experiences. Fryer’s term will start on September 1, 2024, and last for one year.

IFTSA is a mission-driven organization that supports student members and chapters and aims to develop the leaders in the future of the science of food.

A native of North Syracuse, New York, Fryer completed her undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In 2019, Fryer was a member of The Ohio State University’s College Bowl team that advanced to the finals at IFT FIRST in New Orleans. She was named a 2020 Distinguished Senior at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino’s Enology lab and is a host of Inspiration Dissemination, a podcast highlighting the work of graduate students from various disciplines at Oregon State University. She plans to pursue a career as a sensory scientist in the food industry while promoting curiosity and trust in food science.

“I love food science for its vibrant community of professionals and students who are passionate about food and nourishing the world! Through collaboration we will be able to continue to ensure safe, nutritious, and tasty food, which is precisely the environment IFT is able to foster,” said Fryer.

As an IFTSA Board Member, Fryer will have the opportunity to attend IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, which is being held July 14-17, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago. IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) includes the largest global food science and innovation expo with more than 1,000 exhibitors offering the latest in ingredients, food and food tech trends, food tastings, and exposure to global innovations in food.

Another highlight of the popular annual food-science event is the IFTSA Student Competitions and Awards. These include:

IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition
Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Product Development Competition
Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition
Undergraduate Research and Graduate Research Video Competitions
College Bowl Competition
Excellence in Undergraduate and Graduate Leadership Awards
Chapter of the Year Award

Last year, Fryer won the Graduate Research Video Competition for her research on “Sipping Smoke – What is the sensory impact of wildfires on wine?”. The Graduate Research Video competition featured graduate students showcasing their original research in a fun, creative, three-minute video. Recently, Fryer also sat down with fellow IFT member and sensory scientist Karen Graves from Bell Flavors and Fragrances to discuss the future of sensory science in an IFT Brain Food Blog exclusive.

To learn more or to register for IFT FIRST and receive an early bird discount, go to IFT FIRST Registration.

Student members receive a discount to IFT FIRST. To learn more about becoming a student member and taking advantage of networking, education, and advocacy opportunities year-round, email membershipinfo@ift.org.

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,000 IFT members spanning 60 Chapters in 59 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging. For more information, visit ift.org/community/students.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.