INFORM April 2026

8 INFORM APRIL 2026 , VOL. 37, NO. 4

INFORM: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR RESEARCH AND THE FOOD PROCESSING FIELD AS A WHOLE HEADING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? Wang: In the next five years, I envision myself moving further toward scalable and sustainable processing innovation in the industry. I think the food industry is moving toward a similar direction of promoting circular processing, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. AI is reshaping our life and I am excited about the opportunity to apply these tools to improve efficiency in food processing. INFORM: HOW HAS THE AOCS COMMUNITY SUPPORTED YOUR GROWTH AS A RESEARCHER? Wang: The AOCS community has been incredibly supportive of my growth as a researcher. AOCS, as the leading international conference in the field of oils, fats, and lipids, offers me a platform to present cutting-edge research, discuss emerging technologies, and explore future career opportunities. Attending this conference

steps into a single, efficient platform that reduces solvent use, improves yield, and lowers environmental impact. I believe this work has meaningful potential because it demonstrates how sustainable technologies can be scaled toward industrial applications, turning waste streams into valuable bioactive compounds. It is exciting to see how process intensification can reshape the way we think about resource efficiency in food processing. INFORM: WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU OVERCOME IN YOUR RESEARCH? Wang: One of the challenges I have faced in my research is finding the right balance between extraction and reaction in the process. Optimizing both steps simultaneously requires carefully adjusting conditions. I have learned the trade-off between different conditions and refining the process to achieve the best overall performance.

will enhance my knowledge, inspire future research, and help me stay up to date on the latest scientific advancements. It will also provide invaluable opportunities to network with peers, mentors, and industry leaders fostering collaborations, internships, and career growth for a lifetime. INFORM: WHAT DOES RECEIVING THIS AWARD MEAN TO YOU? Wang: Receiving the PRO Student Excellence Award is both an honor and a source of motivation for me. Personally, it is encouraging to see my work in sustainable food processing be meaningful and recognized in the field. Professionally, it provides visibility within the AOCS community, strengthens my network, and opens doors to potential collaborations and career opportunities. INFORM: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER STUDENTS? Wang: My advice is to actively participate in and contribute to extracurricular and professional activities to build leadership and involvement. Volunteer for divisions, present your research at conferences, and participate in research competitions.