INFORM April 2025

6 • inform April 2025, Vol. 36 (4)

Processing Division Spotlight

The Processing Division advances knowledge and manage rial skills by providing a forum for technical information and networking opportunities, to promote and facilitate commu nication and cooperation between members, and to mentor, support, and recognize young professionals. For this month’s spotlight, INFORM interviews two stu dents who have been significantly engaged with the Processing Division’s activities, Gozde Gulseren and Jasmin Yang. Both students are also recipients of a Division Student Excellence Award in 2025. INFORM: What opportunities have you engaged in at AOCS? How have you benefited from your involvement? Gulseren: I have been involved with AOCS since 2022, and my journey has been both rewarding and enriching. I joined the Student Common Interest Group as part of the Leadership and Education Team, where I had the opportunity to orga nize a webinar on mycelium-based foods. I moderated two Career Paths Panel Discussions, connecting with a diverse group of professionals and students. I was honored to co-chair the AOCS Student Common Interest Group, while also serv ing the role of student liaison for the Processing Division. At the 2025 AOCS Annual Meeting, I will serve as a judge for the Processing Division poster session and moderate a techni cal session. In 2025, I was also thrilled to receive the Student Excellence Award from the Biotechnology Division. Throughout my PhD journey, being involved with AOCS has been one of the most beneficial decisions I made for my personal and professional growth. I have had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with like-minded peers, work collaboratively on various initiatives, and gain new perspec tives from people with diverse ideas and backgrounds. AOCS has given me the chance to connect with experts in the food industry, further enhancing my knowledge and expanding my professional network. AOCS has always been a welcoming and supportive environment for me, regardless of where I am on my academic or career path. Yang: I have been involved in AOCS since my second year as a PhD student. I have attended three AOCS Annual Meetings so far (in Atlanta, Denver, and Montréal), and I am looking for ward to this year’s meeting in Portland! I am grateful to be STUDENTS GAIN EXPERIENCE AND RECOGNITION THROUGH DIVISIONS

Gozde Gulseren

the recipient of the 2023 Protein and Co-Products Student Travel Grant, as well as the 2025 Processing Student Division Student Excellence Award, which has allowed me to attend the meetings. I have really appreciated the diverse opportunities that AOCS has given me to develop my presentation skills and broaden my professional network. I have presented my research in the ePoster Pitch competition (2022), and in the student poster competitions (2023, 2024). At last year’s Annual Meeting, I also served as co-chair for the session “ The Role of Processing on the Nutritional, Functional, and Biological Properties of Macro and Micronutrients, ” and I was a judge for the Processing Division student poster competition. I enjoyed gaining leadership experience through inviting speakers and organizing a session, and I also loved talking to fellow students about their research projects.