Welcome to Food Science & Technology

Established in 2020, the Department of Food Science and Technology aspires to develop a world-class training, research, and outreach program that leads the nation in shaping the future direction of the food science profession, while innovatively meeting the current and emerging needs of stakeholders. The department is invested on unique high impact education and research programs that apply contemporary and novel technologies in food processing, food safety and quality, and sustainability.

Degrees

The undergraduate curriculum approved by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) offers two tracks, a Food Science Option and an Industry Option.  

Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs

Opportunities

Explore various exciting opportunities available for our current and prospective students including student clubs, scholarships and career choices :

Current Student Resources
Future Student Resources

Research

Our research strengths include specialized expertise in food science technologies, encompassing food chemistry, engineering, microbiology, and processing, with an unique access to a wide array of laboratories and pilot facilities.

Faculty Research
Food Diversity Innovation Program

Exciting News For Food Science Graduates!

Insights from industry experts and surveys such as the Institute of Food Technology’s 2019 Employment and Salary Report indicate not only high demand for careers in food science, but also high level of job satisfaction within the industry.

IFT’s 2019 Employment & Salary Report
Positive Trends in Food Science

Aggies from Food Science & Technology department have a competitive edge for positions in food industry, regulatory agencies and graduate school opportunities, with an almost 100% job or professional placement within a year of graduation.

Testimonial from an employer:

“I recently hired a food science graduate from Texas A&M and I am extremely impressed with her technical knowledge, work ethic, and unique ability to adapt to the ever shifting challenges of the food and flavor industry. I was so impressed with the quality of food science program that I returned a year later and recruited a second hire, this time a graduate student, and I look forward to growing my business with the help of their knowledge and enthusiasm.”- –Greg Berndt, ClearMask, Moxee, WA.

Upcoming Events

 Date Event
October 5Alamo section IFT undergraduate scholarship application deadline
IFANCA-Food Diversity Symposium Poster Competition deadline
November 17FSTC’s Food Diversity Symposium
INFORMATION I REGISTER I Student POSTER COMPETITION

Department News

  • FSTC’s First Annual Alumni Dinner
    The Department of Food Science and Technology at Texas A&M University hosted its first Annual Alumni Dinner on July 12, 2022, at the Union League Club of Chicago during the IFT first event. The event was co-sponsored by IFANCA. The dinner was well attended with over 40 guests and included speeches by IFT president, Vickie Kloeris,  IFANCA president, Dr. Muhammad Chaudry, FSTC department head, Dr. Joseph Awika, FSTC associate department head, Dr. Mian Riaz. The event provided a great opportunity for Texas A&M Food Science graduates to catch up with colleagues, classmates and professors… Read More →
  • Building Consumer Confidence: The Intersection of Religion, Labeling & Food Security
    Roundtable Discussion (50min) Hosted by Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) on the topics of Halal, Consumer Education, and Ethical Supply Chains. Speakers include Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President and CEO, IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America); Dr. Mian Nadeem Riaz, Professor of Food Diversity, Nutrition and Food Science Department, Texas… Read More →
  • IAEA’s Conference on Radiation Security and Safety in Vienna
    FSTC’s Dr. Suresh Pillai meets with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Director General, Rossi during the International Atomic Energy Agency Conference on Radiation Security and Safety in Vienna. The International Conference on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources: Accomplishments and Future Endeavours, from 20 to 24 June 2022 in Vienna, has brought together more… Read More →
  • STARS Summer Enrichment Camp 2022
    Food Science Department Showcase for High School Students During the 3- day camp, FSTC’s Dr. Joseph Awika and Dr. Mian Riaz engaged high school students, inspiring them to join the Food Science Department. The showcase included a special presentation by former FSTC student, Diana Garcia, with Pecan Deluxe Candy Company. STARS (Summer Training in Agriculture… Read More →
  • Congratulations to Karla and Ganga for induction into international honor societies!
    Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Ph.D. – Karla Salazar Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Master’s – Ganga Sah Members of the Texas A&M University Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the International Honor Society of Agriculture selected two FSTC students, Karla Salazar and Ganga Sah for membership. Karla Solis Salazar received the outstanding PhD award and Ganga Sah… Read More →
  • FSTC students recognized at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ 66th annual convocation
    Congratulations to Paloma Hernandez, FSTC’s 2022 “Senior Merit Award” winner and to Allison Brenner for receiving the “Outstanding Junior Award“! The Senior Merit Award is the highest award given to undergraduates by the College. Selection criteria include scholarship, community involvement, professional and civic activities, internships and employment, awards, honors and accomplishments in undergraduate research.  Outstanding student awards are… Read More →
  • Texas A&M center world leader in electron beam technology
    Agrilife Today Feature story “We have two decades of experience in performing electron beam, or eBeam, research and finding novel applications that encourage commercial adoption of this technology,” said Suresh Pillai, Ph.D., center director in the Department of Food Science and Technology in Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The eBeam center, located on the… Read More →
  • The NAFFS scholarship recipients
    The National Association of Flavors and Food-Ingredient Systems (NAFFS) is a broad-based trade association of manufacturers, processors and suppliers of fruits, flavors, syrups, stabilizers, emulsifiers, colors, sweeteners, cocoa and related food ingredients. NAFFS Annual Scholarship Award program was established to recognize outstanding food science students on the East and West Coasts. The program has now been… Read More →
  • 2021 TFPA Scholarship Recipients
    The Texas Food Processors Association (TFPA) is a non-profit trade association representing companies engaged in the production of food products. It includes those companies which provide the processors with necessary raw materials, packaging, equipment, plant layout and design services, laboratory testing, and an array of business services. The Texas Food Processors Scholarship Foundation is a… Read More →
  • Awika new head of Texas A&M’s Department of Food Science and Technology
    Will lead department in further developing training, research, outreach   Joseph Awika, Ph.D., is the new head of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Texas A&M University. He started Nov. 1. Awika, a professor at Texas A&M since 2008, previously led the Cereal Quality Lab within the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences in the university’s College of Agriculture and… Read More →

“The Department of Food Science and Technology’s grand mission is to create new knowledge that leads to high quality, healthy, diverse, safe, and sustainable food systems to address current and future national and global needs.”