Dear Andy, 

IFT FIRST is where science meets application. Where innovation finds its market. Where the global food system comes together to solve what’s next. Your update is here with the latest information about IFT FIRST:

✓ IFT FIRST: Free Webinar with IFT FIRST Speakers around Hot Topics in Food Science 

✓ Getting to IFT FIRST: Make it Easier for Leadership to Send you to Chicago! 

✓ NEW: Innovation Partners Programming: Collaboration that Speeds Breakthroughs

✓ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) Highlights 

Keep reading...

Talking Science with IFT's Chief Science & Technology Officer

Hot Concepts in Food Science

Get a first look at the science shaping the future of food in the final installation of the four-part webinar series spotlighting some of the most anticipated scientific sessions at the upcoming IFT FIRST. Hosted by IFT’s Chief Science & Technology Officer, Brendan Niemira, PhD, these dynamic conversations dive into the topics driving real-world impact across the food system.

This webinar connects cutting-edge research with practical takeaways and provides the global food community with exclusive access to some of the world’s leading food scientists and researchers who will be sharing their expertise at IFT FIRST.  

What Matters Most:
✓ Insight into hot concepts in food science that are moving research to application faster than ever 

June 30, 12 p.m. CT | Hot Concepts in Food Science

Chico Qike Li, PhD Student at Cornell University

Dilek Uzunalioglu, Founder at Agora Food Solutions, LLC

Register for the Free IFT FIRST Webinar

Don't Miss It - Recordings not available following live event.

Show How IFT FIRST Advances Your Objectives

Build a strong case to attend in Chicago alongside 15,500+ colleagues this July. Our professional development letter template does the heavy lifting, helping you demonstrate to leadership the strategic value and ROI of attending IFT FIRST this year. Faster discovery, more relevant connections, and greater ROI from your time onsite.

Highlight What Matters Most:
✓ Technology solutions that solve real business challenges

✓ Knowledge transfer that strengthens your team's capabilities

✓ Competitive intelligence and market insights

✓ Critical scientific sessions aligned with your organization's priorities
✓ Strategic connections with industry leaders and innovators

Download Your Justification Letter

 and fill in alignment opportunities with sessions from our Scientific Programming.   

Your colleagues are coming back, and they're not alone —

make sure you're here too!

Innovation Partnership Programming:

Collaboration That Speeds Breakthroughs

This week centers on the collaborations that turn promising science into scalable impact. Programming highlights ingredient innovation powered by fermentation, improved plant-protein performance, and value chain thinking that connects cultivation, processing, and consumer outcomes. The takeaway: breakthroughs happen faster when industry and academia align around shared problems and shared pathways to solutions.  

Effortless food & beverage refractometry, in the lab and on-the-go. One device, countless scales. 

With built-in scales tailored to food, beverage, beer, and wine, Reichert® Refractix® Refractometer, delivers accurate, laboratory performance in a robust, portable platform! Save up to $850, today!

Learn more

SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL FORUM

Rousselot Presents: Whey & Collagen –

“The Protein Power Couple” 

Whey and collagen — the ultimate protein power couple. Blend whey with collagen peptides for muscle repair, recovery, and metabolic support while helping offset rising whey costs.

Learn more

Structurally Tuning Phycocyanin: From Blue Chromoprotein to Natural Emulsifier – Monday, July 13 – 2:55 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Qike Li, PhD Candidate in Food Science & Technology at Cornell University 

Alireza Abbaspourrad, Associate Professor of Food Chemistry and Ingredient Technology at Cornell University 

Moving Towards Clean Label Plant Protein Ingredients – Monday, July 13 – 3:45 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.

Samira Feyzi, Assistant Professor at University of Arkansas

Natural Fermentation‑Derived Emulsifiers for Cleaner Labels and Lower Environmental Impact – Tuesday, July 14 – 2:55 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Harshal Kshirsagar, Adviser at Ruby Bio Inc

The Next Protein Revolution: Protein Quality, PDCAAS, and DIAAS-Driven Design – Tuesday, July 14 – 3:45 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. 

Hasmukh Patel, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at Nutracom LLC 

Enzymatic Innovation in Flavor-Preserving Low and Non-Alcoholic Beer – Tuesday, July 14 – 4:15 p.m. to 4:35 p.m.

Hiroyuki Yachi, Senior Scientist at Amano Enzyme USA Co., Ltd. 

WORKSHOPS (Ticketed Events)

Food Science for the Non-Food Scientist – Saturday & Sunday, July 11 & 12 – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Featured Instructors Include:

Kantha Shelke, Principal at Corvus Blue LLC / Sr. Lecturer at John Hopkins University 

Michelle Schwenk, President and Food Scientist at Bellis Food Solutions 

Bob Baron, President at Sensory Spectrum 

Nitin Joshi, Sr. Principal at PepsiCo 

Michelle Frame, President and Founder at Victus Ars, Inc & the Institute of Confectionary Excellence 

Angela Anandappa, CEO and President at Alliance for Advanced Sanitation 

Fat and Fiber, Salt and Sugar: Formulating for a Healthier Future – Saturday & Sunday, July 11 & 12 – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Featured Instructors Include:

Wendelyn Jones, Executive Director at Institute for the Advancement of Food & Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) 

Farida Mohamedshah, Senior Food, Nutrition, Policy & Regulatory Professional 

Martha Belury, Professor and Chair, Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University 

Youngsoo Lee, Associate Professor at Washington State University  

Soo-Yeun Lee, Director of School of Food Science at Washington State University 

start building your IFT FIRST Network!

ICYMI HIGHLIGHTS

✓ New Programming Announcements

             ✓ Thirty Individual Sessions

             ✓ Ten Scientific & Technical Forums Panels Have Been Announced

             ✓ View All Scientific Programming Here

             ✓ All Keynote Speakers and Keynote Panelists: View them all here.

Receive event updates on programming and networking opportunities by 

signing up for our “FIRST-to-Know” email alerts.  

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Chicago!  

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo stands for

Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology

The Leading Food Science and Innovation Expo

IFT FIRST is the only event where the entire food ecosystem converges in one place – from farm to fork, research lab to retail shelf. This complete value chain integration creates unique opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and holistic problem-solving that no other event can deliver.