Oregon State Food Science & Technology

06/25/2026

06/23/2026

If you drink alcohol you won't want to miss this podcast episode from Science Friday "Why can I handle tequila but not rum?"

Hear from Oregon State University Professor, brewer, and chemist - Tom Shellhammer, Ph.D. and neuroscientist Jacqui Barker while they get to the root cause of why some spirits may affect some people differently.

https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/effects-of-alcohol-hangover-liquor-wine/

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Emily Hull and Evan Boies for graduating from the OSU Leadership Academy!
Emily and Evan are both undergraduate students in the Department of Food Science and Technology. The OSU Leadership Academy is a year-long leadership development program designed for undergraduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Forestry. Through weekly seminars, one-on-one mentorship, service projects, and real-world engagement, students build the confidence, skills, and experience needed to lead in professional and academic environments.

06/02/2026

Graduate Students in the department put on FST Field Day this past weekend! It was a time for grad students to kick back and get out of the lab to enjoy some sun and fun.

They played some traditional field day games and had some delicious grilled burgers and snacks after.

We have a great group of graduate students, and we love to see them foster a fun and engaging community with their peers.

They look forward to continuing on this new annual tradition!

06/02/2026

The Department of Food Science and Technology is hiring a new Department Head! Apply by June 30th for full consideration. Apply here: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/179061

05/28/2026

The Department won a Dammy! Due to the success of the Beverage Centers campaign for its first year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this years fund.

Additionally professor in the department, Tom Shellhammer, was awarded with the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award and recognized at tonight’s event. Congratulations Dr. Shellhammer!

05/15/2026

A team from OSU Food Science and Technology had a great time at the Oregon Dairy Industries (ODI) Conference connecting with colleagues across the dairy industry. Thank you to all who put on this fantastic event and attended.

05/12/2026

Ten students from the Sabin-Schellenberg Profession Technical Center Culinary Arts club in Portland recently got a taste of the future of food manufacturing, thanks to a special collaboration with the OSU Food Innovation Center (FIC). The FIC hosted an interactive workshop aimed at introducing young chefs to the science and creativity behind dairy-based products. During the workshop, students participated in hands-on activities including making and evaluating ice cream, sensory demonstrations, and pizza-making exercises that incorporated discussions around the chemistry of cheese. The session emphasized how
scientific principles intersect with culinary creativity, giving students practical insights into product development and food innovation. The workshop was funded by a sub-award from the USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative project, Pacific Coast Coalition, led by Fresno State University. This effort that includes California, Oregon and Washington, is intended to enable innovation in the dairy industry including fueling a robust talent
pipeline. Students left the workshop with not only new skills and techniques but also a deeper appreciation for the role of science in the foods they enjoy every day. The collaboration highlights the potential of partnerships between OSU and K-12 educational programs in cultivating future talent in the food industry.

05/05/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by the food science and technology table during Ag and Natural Resources Day.
This year we gave away FST beaver keychains and Beaver Classic store gift tokens to the people who could guess how many maraschino cherries were in the jar!

05/05/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the Grand Re-Opening of the Wiegand Hall Pilot Plant and Brand New Beverage Center! It was wonderful to see so many industry partners, OSU community members, and FST Alumni come together for a great event.

A special thank you to the faculty members and students who made this event happen.