Ohio State Department of Food Science and Technology

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!

We loved celebrating our graduates at our Spring Semester Graduation Party earlier this month! From honoring their hard work to reflecting on all we accomplished together this semester, and it was a fantastic way to close out the year.
A special congratulations to those recognized with the Phi Tau Sigma distinction — including both our graduates receiving honor cords and those newly inducted this semester. An incredible achievement!

Congratulations to the Department of Food Science and Technology students who were named to the 2026 Spring Semester Dean’s List. To qualify for this recognition, these students completed a minimum of 12 graded credit hours with a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the semester.

Congratulations to Abby Nukuto who has been awarded the 2026 Virginia Dare scholarship. This scholarship goes to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated a strong interest in a future career in food science and has shown exceptional scholarship and leadership as a student. Abby is a Spring 2026 graduate of the department.

Each year, we’re proud to recognize a graduate teaching assistant who goes above and beyond in supporting our outstanding undergraduate teaching programs.
Congratulations to Alyssa Sutanto, recipient of the 2025–26 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award! Alyssa’s dedication, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success truly set her apart.
Alyssa graduated this spring with her MS in Food Science and was advised by Dr. Christopher Simons.

Heading to Chicago this July? Join us!
We’re excited to host the Ohio State Food Science Alumni & Friends Social — a great opportunity to reconnect, network, and meet fellow Buckeyes in the field.
Whether you’re attending IFT or just in the Chicago area, all are welcome. Alumni, students, and friends of the program are encouraged to stop by for a relaxed evening by the river.
No cost to attend — but please register in advance:
🔗 https://bit.ly/3P8APOy
We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Dr. Srilatha Kolluri on being named a recipient of the 2026 NACTA Educator Award.
Presented by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), this honor recognizes educators whose work represents the very best in agricultural higher education and teaching excellence.
Dr. Kolluri is an outstanding educator who inspires students in courses such as Role of Food Science in Human Health and Chocolate Science, helping shape the next generation of food science professionals.
Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition and her dedication to student success!

The Department of Food Science and Technology is proud to celebrate Dr. Valente Alvarez on being named a 2026 IFT Fellow - the highest honor bestowed by the Institute of Food Technologists.
This prestigious recognition honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional career excellence and made significant contributions to the science of food through leadership, research, and service.
Dr. Alvarez, a professor and director with decades of experience in food science, has made a lasting impact through his work in food safety, product development, industry training, and global collaborations.
Please join us in celebrating this incredible achievement.

What a day!!! Spring 2026 grads: you did it. On to what’s next, go make it amazing.