UMass Food Science

Have questions about the graduate program? Stop by the graduate program office hours to talk to Moriah—everyone is welcome! 🗓 Every Thursday ⏰ 11:00 AM–12:00 PM 📍 Chenoweth Laboratory 240 Feel free to drop in with your questions or just stop by to say hello! #UMassFoodScience

🥫 Better Process Control School: Acidified Foods Only 📅 November 2–3, 2026 📍 Worcester Food Hub, Worcester, MA | 2-Day In-Person Training 💵 $650 Get the training you need for acidified food processing! This course covers key principles of microbiology, sanitation, thermal processing, and container closure evaluation for processors of shelf-stable acidified foods regulated under 21 CFR Part 114. ✅ FDA-approved training manual ✅ Lunch and coffee breaks ✅ Digital certificate with a passing exam score of ≥80% ✅ Taught by UMass Amherst faculty 😮 😮 💲 Small-Scale Processor Discount: Register by September 30 and receive $250 off using promo code Acidifed_BPCS26. 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/eeftTdYD Space is limited, so register early! #FoodSafety #BPCS #AcidifiedFoods #FoodProcessing #UMassFoodScience #UMassExtension

A big thank-you to everyone who joined us for last week’s Social Friday! 🎉 It was wonderful to see everyone come together, connect, and enjoy the afternoon. We’re thrilled to celebrate a successful first social event of the semester—and we look forward to many more! #UMassFoodScience #UMassFoodScienceClub

Leadership Opportunity in Food Science at UMass Amherst The UMass Food Science Department at UMass Amherst is seeking an outstanding academic leader to serve as Department Head and Associate/Full Professor. Qualified candidates must: ✅ Hold a Ph.D. in Food Science or a related field ✅ Be a tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor ✅ Have a strong record of research, teaching, extramural funding, and academic leadership ✅ Demonstrate a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive academic environment This tenure-track faculty position includes a five-year commitment as Department Head and offers the opportunity to lead a respected and innovative food science department with a strong reputation for research and education. 📍 Amherst, MA 📅 Review of applications begins October 1, 2026 Please consult the full job advertisement for a complete list of qualifications, responsibilities, and application requirements. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/enHqTeZF #FoodScience #FacultyJobs #HigherEdJobs #AcademicLeadership #UMassAmherst #STEMCareers #ResearchLeadership

This week, we’re featuring Febbyandi Pandiangan, a PhD candidate in Dr. He’s research group. Febby investigates microplastic contamination in water and food systems. Although microplastics are widely detected in food and drinking water, their classification and assessment as food hazards remain challenging due to analytical limitations and limited research. To help bridge this knowledge gap, Febby studies how microplastics interact with major co-contaminants in water, particularly heavy metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). His research also examines microplastic contamination during the processing of tempeh, a fermented plant-based food. Because tempeh may undergo fermentation and thermal pasteurization directly in plastic packaging, Febby is assessing the potential migration of microplastics into the food matrix during processing. By improving our understanding of microplastic contamination and its interactions with other environmental pollutants, his research aims to support more accurate risk assessments and safer food and water systems. Stay tuned for more updates from Febby’s research journey. Comment your curious questions below, and Febby will be happy to answer them! #UMassFoodScience

Please join us for the first Feldberg Seminar of the year as we welcome Mike Wagner, CEO of Martin Bauer North America! In his seminar, “What I Wish I Knew: Career Lessons from Food Scientist to CEO,” Mike will share insights and lessons from his journey from food scientist to business leader. Everyone is encouraged to attend—don’t miss this opportunity to learn from his experience and ask questions! 📅 October 1 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. 📍 Skinner Hall, Room 112 🍪 Refreshments will be provided! Let’s give Dr. Michael Wagner a warm welcome! #UMassFoodScience

💰 UMASS AMHERST LAUNCHES $120M FUTURE OF FOOD INITIATIVE BACKED BY STATE FUNDING The state of Massachusetts has partially funded a new climate project to accelerate the future of the food economy. The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) has launched the $120M Future of Food Initiative, through which it will establish new R&D facilities and speed up interdisciplinary solutions to global food system challenges. It will be funded through four $30M tranches from PBM Capital Group CEO Paul Manning and his wife, Diane; the state of Massachusetts; the university itself; and the remainder to be raised by the UMass Amherst Foundation. “By bringing together researchers and partners across disciplines, this initiative will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our food system, create new opportunities here in Massachusetts and help build a safer, healthier and more sustainable future,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “This historic donation […] will enable UMass Amherst to continue to lead the nation to find solutions to address the enormous challenges ahead such as the impacts of climate change on agriculture, feeding a growing world population, and better addressing connections between nutrition and public health,” Marty Meehan, president of UMass Amherst, said. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g8kNeCp6 #GreenQueen #futurefood #foodtech #foodinnovation #agrifood #foodsystems #sustainability

Ready to take the next step in your career? 🌟 From internship and job searches to resumes, cover letters, interview prep, networking, and more, Anna Whiston and the Career & Professional Development Center are here to support you! 📩 Keep an eye out for Anna’s weekly emails featuring internship and job postings, along with other career opportunities. 📅 Schedule an appointment through Handshake with a professional career advisor, available year-round, or stop by for Peer Advisor drop-in hours from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday during the fall and spring semesters. 📍 Morrill II, Suite 321 #UMassFoodScience #Handshake

Join us for an upcoming Phi Tau Sigma webinar featuring Dr. Lili He, Professor from UMass food science department! “From Lab Discovery to Real-World Impact: The BactiSee Story” will explore the development of a rapid bacterial detection technology and the journey of bringing food technology innovations beyond the laboratory. 📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 p.m. ET 📍 Online via Zoom Everyone is welcome—Phi Tau Sigma membership is not required. Please register in advance to receive the webinar access information: https://lnkd.in/d2kWrNPD #UMassFoodScience #PhiTauSigma

Calling all prospective food science students: Join us for our first virtual event. We will be introducing the UMass Food Science program. Register at https://lnkd.in/eCjWTRhs University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst #UMassFoodScience #UMass #UMassCNS #UMassAdmissions #UMassInternationalAdmissions