UMass Amherst Food Science Student Adam Forbes Wins Undergraduate Research Competition at IFT FIRST

CHICAGO – August 9, 2023 – University of Massachusetts Amherst food science student Adam Forbes won the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) Undergraduate Research Competition last month at IFT FIRST for his research on “Assessing and Predicting the Color Stability of Anthocyanins in the Presence of Ferrous Sulfate.” IFT FIRST is the annual event for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system.

Forbes, from Arlington, Massachusetts, works in the Raman, IR, and XRF Core Facility at the UMass Institute of Applied Life Sciences (IALS), which was founded in 2019 by Dr. Lili He, a professor of food science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Facility provides analytical services to both the University and external clients. Forbes plans to finish his undergraduate studies and then complete his MS in Food Science where he will continue to study under Dr. He. Forbes then plans to focus on the development of resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.

“Winning the IFTSA Undergraduate Research Competition is incredibly exciting and gratifying. I’m extremely proud to represent both Dr. He’s lab and the Department of Food Science at UMass Amherst, and would like to thank Dr. He and Dr. Haochen Dai for their guidance throughout this project,” said Forbes.

The IFTSA Achievement Award and Competition winners were recognized during the IFTSA Closing Ceremony, which was held on July 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago. IFTSA is a student-governed community of IFT members and the mission-driven organization executes programming and competitions throughout the year, supports student members and chapters, and aims to develop the leaders in the future of the science of food.

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 approximately 12,000 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 advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contact

Dennis Van Milligen
Senior Manager, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]