Embracing the Future: Leadership and Innovation in Food and Nutritional Science
Research is never done. It is always advancing. This progress applies to science itself but also to the leaders driving it behind the scenes.
IAFNS knows that the future begins now. That’s why we not only invest in scientists, researchers and leaders in government and academia today, but in the next generation who will drive future change across the food and beverage ecosystem tomorrow.
We invest in this vital cadre in two primary ways: through our Summer Research Opportunity Fellowship program (SROF) and our annual Science Innovation Showcase in December. (We will launch our Science Innovation Showcase end of this summer.) Both these initiatives go a long way toward ensuring we are never at a standstill but rather in a constant state of growth, evolution and contribution.
Our SROF program is designed to be accessible, efficient and rewarding. It’s a paid opportunity that is fully remote, part-time and takes place in summer. This format allows talented graduate students to have a first-class, mentored experience while ensuring that their progress toward a graduate degree is not interrupted. Further, the remote status means those who have other obligations and are not able to relocate to Washington D.C. for a few months in the summer are equally able to participate.
Not only do we also learn from our SROF Fellows, some of them have gone on to secure attractive full-time roles with our member companies and with top-tier academic organizations. These are proof points that validate the caliber of our fellowship program and the talent it attracts. We see this as a full circle, ongoing investment in the future of food and nutritional sciences going forward.
Our end-of-year Science Innovation Showcase also reflects this priority while doubling down on our commitment to mobilize knowledge and embrace the future. Anyone can participate and submit an abstract to share how their data, technology and science are being applied across the food and beverage ecosystem — regardless of current or prior affiliation with IAFNS. The meeting brings graduate students, start-up leaders and Chief Science and Innovation Officers together to “look around the corner” and discuss innovation in food, nutrition and food safety.
Purposefully designed as a virtual event, this science-focused meeting, like everything IAFNS does, combines the perspectives of experts from across the academic, industry and government sectors. It includes executives from major corporations and emerging brands. The symposium also encompasses regulatory perspectives as well as those of innovators, academic and nonprofit leaders.
Deeply engrained in all we do at IAFNS is an emphasis on scientific integrity centered on transparency. Embracing the future means our work — from student programs to publishing peer-reviewed papers to the Science Innovation Showcase — is never done in a silo. Our multi-sector structure is designed to prevent any single interest from dominating and convenes scientific experts and leaders to catalyze science for confident decision-making by all sectors. Further, we are committed to publishing our research results regardless of outcome, sharing our methods and data, and fully disclosing our funding with the scientific community and the broader public.
Through these efforts — whether a large-scale investment in emerging areas or day-to-day considerations around our internal operations — we look for ways to position IAFNS’ science to have maximum impact. We are proud to catalyze knowledge and expert dialogue. Our important work enables solutions that lead to positive change across the entire food and beverage ecosystem. We are committed to continue supporting cutting-edge innovators, graduate fellows and established researchers today, tomorrow and in the future.
Join us as we deliver on promise of today and the opportunities of tomorrow – advancing science for public impact!