Louisiana State University Student Ivannova Lituma Wins Prominent Food Research Competition

CHICAGO – August 13, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is pleased to announce that Ivannova Lituma, a PhD student at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, has won the IFTSA Graduate Research Competition for her research on the “Effect of UV-C Light Treatment Against Listeria Monocytogenes on Hydroponically Grown Lettuce and its Effect on Quality.” She was honored recently at IFT FIRST: Annual Event & Expo, IFT’s popular food science, technology, and innovation showcase aimed at addressing the biggest issues impacting the global food system that attracted more than 16,000 attendees and over 1,100 exhibitors.

Sponsored by Campden BRI, a leader in global food and drink science and research, the Graduate Research Video Competition features graduate students showcasing their original research in a fun, creative, three-minute video. As winner, Lituma will join last year’s winner, Oregon State’s Jenna Fryer, for a 10-day industry visit to Campden BRI in the United Kingdom where she will have the opportunity to experience each of the major divisions of Campden BRI (science, technology, brewing, and knowledge management) and gain insight into the UK/EU perspective.

Two other finalists were also recognized: University of Alberta’s Laura Lopez Aldana for her research on enhancing 3D-printed foods to improve swallowing for individuals with dysphagia and Kansas State University’s Shivaprasad Doddabematti Prakash for his research on advancements in wheat tempering for pathogen control.

Lituma received her undergraduate degree in Food Science and Technology from the Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School in Honduras before earning her graduate degree in Food Science from Louisiana State University. She is currently pursuing her PhD at LSU where she is a part of the LSU AgCenter Food Safety and Microbiology Laboratory. Earlier this year, she was honored at the University’s Graduate Research Conference Awards, winning second place in the Agricultural Poster Presentation Competition.

In addition to being a member of IFTSA, Lituma is also a member of several IFT divisions, including Education, Extension, and Outreach; Food Microbiology; Fruit & Vegetable Products; and Sustainable Food Systems. She is also a member of IFT’s Louisiana Gulf Coast Section. She is originally from Machachi, Pichincha, Ecuador.

Learn more about IFTSA.

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 62 Chapters in 60 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 90 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 Contacts

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

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Marketing
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
[email protected]