Ohio State Department of Food Science and Technology

Congratulations to Rinky Ghosh on receiving an Outstanding Graduate Research Award. This award recognizes and celebrates graduate student success in publishing high quality research in a timely manner. Rinky is a PhD student and is advised by Dr. Yael Vodovotz.

Quick reminder to join us in Chicago!
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Ohio State Food Science Alumni & Friends Social next month.
It’s a great chance to reconnect, network, and spend a relaxed evening with fellow Buckeyes - whether you're attending IFT or just in the Chicago area.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4dwvU1Z

We are pleased to share that Dr. Ahmed Yousef has been reappointed as the Virginia Hutchinson Bazler and Frank E. Bazler Chair in Food Science for a new five-year term, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. This reappointment reflects Ahmed’s exemplary accomplishments and the significant impact of his work in food science and technology, particularly in food safety. His continued leadership and contributions uphold the high standards of excellence associated with endowed chairs in the Ohio State - College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Veeramani Karuppuchamy is the 2025-26 recipient of the Pamela Parker Gartin and Tom Parker Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to one graduate student per academic year as part of the Pat and Bobby Moser Scholars Program. The award is given to a student with a high caliber of leadership experience in addition to significant research experience and activity.

Congratulations to Eric Armstrong on his successful master’s defense. Eric was advised by Dr. Luis Rodriguez-Saona.

We have some egg-citing news to share!
The FST Product Development Team of (L to R) Isabel Gugger, Kaden Havener, and Ruiya Bao has earned a Top 3 finish in the American Egg Board’s Eggcelerator Product Development Competition. This year’s competition challenged students to think big by applying their knowledge and creativity to develop innovative egg-based beverage products.
Final rankings will be announced in July at the IFT FIRST Annual Meeting in Chicago. Best of luck to the team!

Congratulations to Berenice Montano on her successful master’s defense. Berenice was advised by Dr. Christopher Simons.

The Food Industries Center recently welcomed regulatory professionals to our FD152 Food Processing and Technology course—an essential training designed to support standardized FDA inspection practices and strengthen the expertise of manufactured food inspectors.
Over five days, participants explored key principles of food processing and technology, complemented by hands-on pilot plant sessions. These interactive experiences showcased the equipment and processes used in real-world food production environments, bridging theory with practical application.
We’re proud to support ongoing education and collaboration that helps ensure a safe, consistent, and high-quality food supply.

Yesterday marked the 6th year of the Phi Tau Sigma Buckeye Chapter’s annual “Phive”-K fun run/walk. Faculty, staff, and students came together to participate in the event, which wound through many beautiful outdoor spaces across The Ohio State University campus. Awards were presented to the top finishers in each category: Matt Papic – staff, Daniel Do - student, and Dr. Nicole Arnold - faculty.

Last week, OSU Enology Extension, under the leadership of Dr. Lisa Dunlap, proudly hosted the 2026 Ohio Wine Competition at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wooster.
With 523 wines entered and an impressive 360 medals awarded, this year’s competition showcased the incredible talent and quality of Ohio winemaking.
We’re especially proud to highlight the involvement of our Assistant Professor, Dr. Cristobal Onetto, who has been with our department for just over three months. Dr. Onetto brings a global perspective to the program, including prior experience with the Australian Wine Research Institute, and has already been actively engaging with Ohio’s grape and wine community through outreach and educational initiatives.
His participation in events like this competition reflects his commitment to supporting and advancing the state’s wine industry.
A huge thank you to our dedicated judges, staff, and volunteers who ensured a seamless and successful competition—and congratulations to all of this year’s award winners!