29 May 2012
The Food Group held two Young Scientist Competitions recently, at Leatherhead Food Research on 19 April and in Huddersfield on 25 April 2012.
Leatherhead event
On the evening of 19 April, around 30 people gathered at Leatherhead Food Research to hear the presentations of six post-graduate students shortlisted for the Young Scientist South East 2012 competition. The event was sponsored jointly by SCI's Food Group, IFST South East Branch, IFT British Section, and Marks and Spencer plc, with the venue being kindly provided by Leatherhead Food Research.
A panel of judges assessed the presentations for originality and innovation, presentation style, the results and conclusions, and how well the student had demonstrated the applicability of their work. The students were also judged on their ability to keep to time. In addition, the audience were asked to give their nomination for the best presentation overall.
As we have found in previous competitions in the North, all the presentations were excellent; the students covered a wide range of projects in areas of food nutrition, food chemistry, sensory and climate change.
The winning student was Jacopo Mistrello of London Metropolitan University for his presentation on 'Investigation of functional components of powdered date pits'. Second prize, as well as winning the audience vote for best presentation; went to Ditte Annie Hobbs of the University of Reading; for her presentation on 'Beetroot-enriched bread: cardio-protective effects and consumer acceptance'.
Huddersfield event
A panel of judges (including Andy Kerridge, Chair of Food Group), assessed the presentations for originality and innovation, presentation style, the results and conclusions, and how well the student had demonstrated the applicability of their work. The students were also judged on their ability to keep to time.
All the presentations were excellent, and the students covered a wide range of projects. The winning post-graduate student was Javier Garcia Lomillo (Leeds University) whose subject was 'Should anti-oxidants activity assays be included in the quality control of the decaffeination process?'. The prizes for best undergraduate presentation and also the audience selection for best presentation overall was awarded to Kathryn Armstrong (University of Huddersfield) for 'Isolation and classification of water-soluble proteins in instant coffee'.
- The students at both events were given cash prizes, and the winners were given free membership of both the IFST and SCI for a year and invited to join the Young Ambassador programme run by the SCI Food Group.
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