Vickie Kloeris, MS, CFS Named Institute of Food Technologists’ 82nd President

CHICAGO – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced Vickie Kloeris, MS, CFS as its 82nd president. IFT is a nonprofit scientific institute committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system. Kloeris follows Noel Anderson, PhD, IFT’s 2020 – 2021 president.

“Vickie has been an active member of IFT since 1978 and has served in numerous IFT volunteer roles at the section, division and national level,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Given her vast organizational involvement with IFT, including time on the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Advisory Panel, the Teaching and Learning Work Group and numerous award juries, we know that she will make a meaningful impact as she chairs IFT’s Board of Directors as president this coming year.”

Kloeris retired from NASA where she worked in space food systems for a total of 34 years. Her last position was as the manager of the International Space Station Food System. In her role, she served as technical manager for the NASA contract that produces food for the International Space Station (ISS) crews.

"In 1978, my major professors at Texas A&M suggested I join IFT, and it stands as some of the best career advice I have ever received. Now, after decades of membership, it is an honor and a privilege to serve as president of the organization through which I discovered my NASA career and where I was provided with technical and educational support every step of the way,” said Vickie Kloeris, MS, CFS. “I am humbled and thrilled by the opportunity to give back. I want to focus on how we can better serve our members in the evolving science of food and in what we hope will soon be the post-COVID world. I look forward to seeing everyone in person at IFT’s annual event in Chicago next year.” 

Kloeris has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has received several awards including NASA’s highest award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 2019. During her career, Kloeris was twice awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and has received the Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation Award. In 2017, she was given an Outstanding Alumni Award by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at her alma mater, Texas A&M University. Kloeris is a certified food scientist and holds a BS in Microbiology and an MS in Food Science from Texas A&M University.