Sponsored by Phi Tau Sigma
Undergraduate Research Competition
Designed to showcase outstanding research at the undergraduate level, this competition seeks students engaged in independent research who are interested in presenting at IFT FIRST.
Preliminary applications close April 15, 2026.
Six finalists will be awarded a $600 travel and registration stipend to attend IFT FIRST. Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony.
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place: $500
- Any student member of IFT who is an undergraduate student.
- Work must have been done individually as an undergraduate.
- For complete details, consult the guidelines document for this competition.
- 1st Place: Nora Alhulaimi, University of Alberta
Optimization of Phytochemical Extraction from Oat Straw: Effects of pH and Ethanol Concentration on Total Phenolics Yield and Carbohydrate Selectivity
- 2nd Place: Oscar Bomgaars, University of Missouri
Effects of Protein Concentration, Oil Content, and pH on the Emulsifying Properties of Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate
- 3rd Place: Mary Claire Mea, Virginia Tech University
Understanding the Role of Appearance Properties in Consumer Acceptance of Succulent Green-Shell Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for U.S. Production
Contact Information
If you have questions about the submission process, contact the Competition Chair, Shivaprasad Doddabematti Prakash (Kansas State University)
Competition Sponsor
Phi Tau Sigma honors and elevates the achievements of students and professionals in food science & technology.