Food Manufacturing and Safety Mentoring Program to Develop Future Food Industry Leaders

The overall goal of this program is to train and develop six M.S. Food Science Graduate Fellows who are well- prepared to be future leaders in the food industry. In order to accomplish this goal, Fellows will be involved in state-of-the art research projects, leadership and professional training, and experiential learning opportunities with food industry clients. The specific objectives of the proposed program are to:1. Provide research opportunities for fellows to learn technical and analytical skills related to food science, food safety, and food processing2. Immerse students in real food industry safety needs via an audit internship program3. Develop leadership and professional skills through quarterly team training sessions and participation in workshops, seminars, and scientific meetings, and4. Develop enhanced communication skills through presentations at food industry workshops and research symposia.