Congratulations to the 2021 Student Competition Winners

Students from around the globe participated in 2021 IFT Student Association (IFTSA) events ranging from product development competitions to individual research contests. Here’s a look at some of the teams and students who earned top honors, which were announced at IFT’s FIRST virtual event. (For product development competitions, the team’s winning product name is included in the listing.)

Chapter of the Year 

The Chapter of the Year Award honors one university student organization for exceptional participation, strong leadership, community outreach, and providing opportunities that utilize the talents of all the group’s members. This competition also honors an outstanding chapter in each of the following areas: Connect, Develop, and Support.

• 2021 IFTSA Chapter of the Year: North Carolina State University

• Connect Award: Escuela Superior
Politécnica del Litoral 

• Support Award: The Ohio State University 

• Develop Award: Purdue University

College Bowl Competition 

Since 1985, the IFTSA College Bowl Competition has tested the knowledge of student teams from across the United States in the areas of food science and technology, history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT/food-related trivia. The College Bowl is designed to facilitate interaction among students from different universities, stimulate the students’ desire to accumulate and retain knowledge, and provide a forum for students to engage in friendly competition.

Teams representing IFT student chapters in eight geographical areas took part in regional competitions prior to the annual event. The winning teams from the eight areas competed virtually in a final competition at FIRST. 

• First Place: Cornell University

• Second Place: University of Maryland

Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Competition 

The IFTSA Developing Solutions for Developing Countries competition promotes the application of food science and technology and the development of new products and processes that aim to improve the quality of life for people in developing countries. 

• First Place: Hodari, University of Costa Rica

• Second Place: Ngebut, Bogor University

• Third Place: Miflo, AgroParisTech

Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition 

The IFTSA Smart Snacks for Kids Competition challenges students to develop a fun and nutritious food or beverage product for kids and/or teens. Products must abide by the USDA “Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools” recommendations.

• First Place: Stickodips, University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Second Place: Nodding Bear, McGill University

• Third Place: Little Sprouts, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

The 31st Annual IFTSA & MARS Product Development Competition 

The 31st Annual IFTSA & MARS Product Development Competition is a chance for students to take the skills and knowledge learned in school and apply them to a real-world situation. Each participating school’s team develops a new food idea and carries the concept through marketing and production, much like a commercial product development team.

• First Place: Tofumisu, Cornell University

• Second Place: SpecialTea Sauce, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

• Third Place: NADAS, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Excellence in Leadership Awards 

The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes two student members, one undergraduate and one graduate student, who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their execution of student activities that further the mission of IFT. 

• Undergraduate Award: Philip Eberly, The Ohio State University 

• Graduate Award: Jennifer Vuia-Riser, University of Tennessee

IFTSA Graduate Research Video Competition 

This competition, developed by Campden BRI and IFTSA, invited graduate students to submit their research in a concise, creative three-minute video. The winner will have the opportunity to visit Campden BRI in the United Kingdom to experience each of the major divisions within Campden BRI (science, technology, brewing, and knowledge management), focusing on the areas most relevant to their studies.

• Winner: Grace Dewi, University of Minnesota

• Runner-Up: Sumedha Garg, Montana State University

Undergraduate Research Competition

The Undergraduate Research Competition, sponsored by Phi Tau Sigma, is designed to encourage and stimulate interest in undergraduate research in food science and technology, provide an opportunity for food science undergraduates to organize and present their original work, and provide a venue for networking within IFTSA for undergraduate students as well as members of industry and academia. 

• First Place: Diana Karajeh, The Ohio State University

• Second Place: Alton Chambers, Alabama A&M

• Third Place: Katherine Lobeda, Virginia Tech