Research Showcase

Showcasing Transformative Research in New Ways

Research is the foundation of innovation. It provides us the critical insight into what is possible and inspires our creative thinking to help us imagine and design better food. Whether you’re attending the event in-person or online, you won’t want to miss the findings you’ll only get at IFT FIRST.

Poster Showcase

There will be three dedicated Poster Showcases during IFT FIRST where participants will be asked to present their research. Worried about getting the chance to see them? Don’t be! The poster area has been expanded and we are excited to announce all posters will be up throughout the entire event on the expo floor. This means that even if you’re not able to make one of the three opportunities to speak with that presenter, you’ll still get the opportunity to browse all posters in-person.

Review Poster Showcase Times

All posters will also have a 1-minute on-demand recording of their presentation that can be accessed online, along with a PDF of their poster. These materials will be available prior to IFT FIRST and six months following the event.

Browse all Posters by Division

Research Showcase Stage

Launching this year at IFT FIRST, the Research Showcase Stage will highlight Division Graduate Student Research Oral Competition Finalists who are able to travel to Chicago and high-quality abstracts submitted to the Technical Research Paper program! Presenters will provide an overview of their research and be available to answer questions from the audience. This stage will be located in the Poster Showcase area and presentations will be taking place continuously throughout the event.

Highlighting Research Competitions

The future of the science of food will shine bright through elevated research competitions at IFT FIRST. The Division Graduate Student Research Competitions will take place virtually in the weeks leading up to IFT FIRST. Finalists’ research will be highlighted both in-person and online during the event. Other competitions, such as the IFT Student Association (IFTSA) Undergraduate Research Competition and IFTSA Graduate Student Video Competition  will also highlight up-and-coming researchers.

Scientific Discovery

IFT FIRST is where industry meets academia and transformative discoveries are found. This track features presentations by pre-tenured faculty and grant project awardees whose research will transform the future of food. Click here to view all Scientific Discovery sessions.

Pre-Tenured Faculty and Recent PhD Graduates

• Developing Low-Cost Sensor Systems for Food Analysis
• Extraction of Phospholipids from Dairy By-Products Using Switchable Solvents and Utilization Phospholipids in Ice-Cream Manufacturing
• Super-Resolution Microscopy and Advanced Image Processing of Food Microstructures
• Development of an Oxygen Sensor to Evaluate the Performance of Metal Oxide Coated Flexible Films for Thermally Sterilized Shelf Stable Food Packaging
• Cold Plasma for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Safety

Grant Project Awardees

• Rapidhort: Rapid Demonstration Model of a Sustainable Food Systems Approach in Horticulture
• Improving the Microbial Safety and Quality of Locally Grown Produce in West Virginia by Adopting a Three-Step Wash Process with Antimicrobials Through Research and Extension

IFT FIRST thanks our Research Poster Showcase sponsor Hilmar Ingredients, suppliers of whey protein and lactose made from sweet whey. Hilmar's U.S.-based operations produces large runs of whey protein concentrate, hydrolysate and isolate, as well as edible, refined and ultra refined lactose.