Institute of Food Technologists Student Association Elects Texas A&M University’s Toyosi Timilehin George to Board of Directors

CHICAGO – April 2, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), has elected Toyosi Timilehin George from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, to its Board of Directors. Timilehin George’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 leaders in the future of the science of food.

A native of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, Timilehin George is a doctoral student and graduate research assistant in the Food Science and Technology Department at Texas A&M where he is studying the stability of anthocyanins and their potential application as natural pigments in the food industry under the guidance of Joseph Awika, PhD, a 2021 winner of IFT’s International Food Security Award in Honor of W.K. Kellogg and Bor S. Luh.

Timilehin George earned a Bachelor of Technology First class Hons. degree in food science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria, in 2015, and his Master of Science degree in food science and technology from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Western Cape, South Africa, in 2021. He received the South African National Foundation Thutuka Scholarship in 2019. In 2023, he joined the Cereal Quality Lab at Texas A&M.

“I am excited to interact and share ideas with like-minded individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, and further broaden my horizon on discussion centered around the science of food. In the last year, IFT has helped me hone my leadership and interpersonal relationship skills” said Timilehin George. “Pursuing a career in food science has opened me up to the intricacies of the science behind what we consume. I am also excited for the opportunity to be mentored by one of the brightest minds in the field. My training in the last 30 months at Texas A&M has further opened me up to areas of untapped potential in food science. The understanding of how the various practices in the food value chain affect the end-use quality and attributes of food is an experience everyone should look forward to.”

As an IFTSA Board Member, Timilehin George 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, which 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

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 [email protected].

IFT is helping address some of the biggest food crises, which has inspired Timilehin on his journey.

“In the face of a looming climate crisis, IFT as an organization has helped bring leading voices in the field together to deepen the conversations around sustainable food production practices that would help build a resilient food system that factors in consumer demand and healthiness,” Timilehin George concluded.

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.

Media Contact

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