This year has seen the IFST Spring Conference return to taking place in-person after three years online due to the pandemic. We were delighted to bring back our partnership with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for the early-career bursary, a competition which awards early-career food scientists and technologists with a free ticket to Spring Conference, as well as a year’s free IFST membership.
IFST Spring Conference 2023 took place on 27 April 2023 at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The title of this year’s conference was “Taming the Perfect Storm: The Power of Food Science and Technology,” which explored the interactions between three key themes: Food Security, Health and Nutrition, and The Environment.
Applicants for the bursary were asked to outline their achievements and contributions in food safety to date. The selection panel were impressed by the quality of applications, and IFST and GFSI thank all who took the time to apply to the bursary.
This year, the five winners were:
1. Varad Yadav
2. Jessica Humphries
3. Alicia Wong
4. Dukakis Musaga Fombad
5. Olajumoke Louis Omifare
We caught up with two of the bursary winners; Varad Yadav and Olujamoke Louis Omifare for a quick interview.
Varad Yadav
Tell us about yourself – who are you, what's your background, what interested you about the bursary?
I'm Varad, an MSc. Food Science and Technology student at Cardiff Metropolitan University and a passionate food safety enthusiast with a background in food science. I was immediately drawn to the bursary opportunity as it aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. The chance to attend the IFST Spring Conference and learn from industry experts was truly appealing.
How was your experience of IFST Spring Conference 2023?
Attending the IFST Spring Conference 2023 was an incredible experience. The diverse range of sessions provided valuable insights into emerging trends, innovative technologies, and cutting-edge research in the field of food safety. The networking opportunities allowed me to connect with professionals and fellow enthusiasts, fostering new perspectives and collaborations.
What does food safety mean to you?
Food safety, to me, is the foundation of a sustainable and thriving food industry. It encompasses ensuring the production, handling, and distribution of safe and high-quality food products. It involves safeguarding consumer health, maintaining integrity throughout the supply chain, and implementing robust systems to prevent hazards and minimize risks.
What are your career ambitions and goals?
My career ambitions revolve around contributing to the advancement of food safety practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. I aspire to work in roles that involve research, policy development, and industry collaboration to drive innovation, enhance regulatory frameworks, and promote global food safety standards.
Olajumoke Louis Omifare
Tell us about yourself – who are you, what's your background, what interested you about the bursary?
My name is Olajumoke Louis Omifare. I am rounding off my master's program in Food Security at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. With over a decade's experience in the food industry, from catering to product management, and my current role as an Assistant Quality Controller, I have developed a strong passion for contributing to the food sector. On the path to actualizing my dreams, the bursary gesture spurred my interest because I love participating in programs promoting my skills and enhancing my career development.
How was your experience of IFST Spring Conference 2023?
My experience at the IFST Spring Conference 2023 was exceptional. The conference provided a platform for me to extend my network and listen to experts who passionately shared their work and enthusiasm for a sustainable food system.
What does food safety mean to you?
Food safety means ensuring sustainable food that does not negatively impact human health.
What are your career ambitions and goals?
Currently, I am focused on becoming an expert in quality control. However, my long-term career goal is to become a policymaker, specifically addressing food security issues.