Matthew Stinebaker portrait.

The Department of Food Science and Technology is proud to highlight Matthew Stinebaker, an undergraduate student whose dedication to academics, research, and service recently earned him the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Dean’s Excellence Award.

For Matthew, receiving this award is both an honor and a motivation to keep striving toward his goals.
“Coming out of high school I was dead set on making the most of my education and taking any opportunities that were offered to me,” he shared. “This award has shown me that my goals are obtainable as long as I continue to work hard.”

Matthew’s choice to study food science stems from a desire to make a meaningful global impact. “Every person on the planet relies on food scientists to bring healthy and sustainable food to their table,” he explained. “Not only can I help sustain our ever-growing population, but I can also be at the forefront of modern agricultural technology.”

That commitment to making a difference has guided Matthew’s experiences at Texas A&M. Early in his college career, Dr. Pillai welcomed him into the National Center for Electron Beam Research, where he discovered his passion for research and academia. More recently, Matthew has been turning a lifelong dream into reality by working as a production technician at the Space Food Research Facility. “It has honestly been surreal being able to provide our astronauts with the fuel they need to explore this great frontier,” he said.

Matthew also credits the community within the Department of Food Science and Technology as a key part of his success. “The nicheness of the major lends itself well to closer faculty and student connections,” he said. “Unlike most smaller departments, Food Science does not lack opportunity. The alumni network is vast, and professors are often involved in research, giving students easy access to internships and undergraduate research.”

Faculty mentors have been especially influential in shaping Matthew’s journey. He points to Dr. Buckley, Dr. Pillai, and Dr. Praveen for their guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. “There is absolutely no chance that I would be where I am today if it weren’t for the amazing faculty in the FSTC department,” Matthew said.

Looking ahead, Matthew plans to continue his education at Texas A&M by pursuing a PhD and building a career in research and development. Outside of academics, he enjoys basketball, playing video games, and discovering the best food spots in College Station with friends.

We are proud to celebrate Matthew's accomplishments and look forward to seeing how his passion for food science, research, and discovery will continue to grow.