INFORM April 2025

8 • inform April 2025, Vol. 36 (4)

potential bioactive properties of the extracts through probiotic growth studies. It is exciting to leverage the diverse expertise in our department on this project. INFORM: If you had a grant that allowed you to do any research, what would it be? Gulseren: If I had the opportunity to pursue research with the support of a grant, I would focus on two main areas. First, I am curious about fungi powder in food production, especially through precision fermentation using synthetic biology tools. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly advance sustainability in food processing. Secondly, we need to think about how to provide food for future space missions and long-term habitation on other plan ets. The future of food could involve cultivating unique sources like fungi, algae, and microbial systems that are well-suited for space environments. As a food engineer, my ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of healthy, accessible, and sustainable food systems on Earth and innovative solutions for feeding future generations in space. Yang: I would love to be able to see the application of my research in actual food products, and to eventually produce food-grade samples for human sensory trials. While I do find AOCS EVENTS WATCH? April 27-30, 2025. AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon. Visit annualmeeting.aocs.org for more information. April 28-30, 2025. AOCS Fabric & Home Care Forum, Hyatt Regency, Portland, Oregon. Visit fabrichomecare.aocs.org for more information. MEMBER EXCLUSIVE EVENTS Masterclass August 27, 2025, 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-05) Lipid oxidation studies with Charlotte Jacobsen, more April 2, 2025, 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-05) Lipidomics Predictive Modeling using the R Statistical Language Caret Package Brian Piccolo, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, USA June 25, 2025, 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-05) Bringing antioxidants back to life to extend the shelf-life of lipid containing food products Ipek Bayram, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey Check for updates in upcoming issues of INFORM , at aocs.org, or contact us at general@aocs.org. information to come. INFORM seminar

it fascinating and important to understand how extraction methods impact protein structure and functionality in model systems, I am curious how the functional properties we mea sure in the lab translate to the behavior of food ingredients in a complex food matrix. INFORM: What mentor or advisor has made a major impact on your career so far? Gulseren: I am fortunate to have had many mentors and advisors who have played a significant role in my pro fessional journey. These mentors have shown me the importance of being patient, open-minded, and willing to challenge the status quo while still respecting individ ual perspectives. They fostered a sense of independence, allowing me to make my own decisions and providing valu able insights when needed. This balance of support and freedom had a lasting impact on my growth and continues to influence how I approach my own career. Yang: The person who has impacted my career the most is my major advisor, Dr. Juliana Bell. She has helped shape me as a researcher (and a person) and I am grateful to be a part of her lab! I admire her creativity, her attitude towards research, and how much she personally cares for all her students. She encourages me to stretch myself, to keep learning new things, and to be resilient and persevere through unexpected obsta cles or challenges. INFORM: Do you have any advice for other students who would like to get more involved in AOCS or Division activities? Gulseren: Absolutely! My first piece of advice would be to join the Student Common Interest Group and the Divisions that interest them most. AOCS is a fantastic way to broaden your network and connect with people who share simi lar interests. Through these connections, you will not only stay up to date with the latest research and innovations but learn about cutting-edge technologies. Participate in competitions and group activities. These experiences can help you build confidence and improve your teamwork skills, while working alongside students from diverse academic backgrounds and different universities. Collaborating with others will also give you new perspectives and can be a valuable learning experience. These activities help you develop practical skills that will be useful in your future career. Yang: I would recommend reaching out to Division leadership to see if you could co-chair a session or be more involved with the Annual Meeting in some way. That has been a highlight of my experience with AOCS and has been a great way to connect with other students, professors, and industry professionals.

To join the Processing Division, contact Steph Adams, steph.adams@aocs.org.