2024 F2OCUS Projects
Explore the potential F2OCUS research projects for 2024 below. Each project will involve at least one faculty mentor, and in some cases, two or more depending on the topic.
Visit our Faculty Mentors page to learn more about the mentors.
| Topic | Potential Research Projects for F2OCUS Fellows | Mentor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Food Chemistry | Develop value-added products from rice by-products. | Wang |
| Identify starch structural characteristics affecting rice quality. | Wang | |
| Food Safety | Evaluate thermal interventions to inactivate foodborne pathogens in low moisture foods. | Acuff |
| Conduct a shelf-life study. | Acuff | |
| Evaluate methods to control foodborne viruses on surfaces. | Gibson | |
| Develop food safety outreach materials for microgreens growing operations. | Gibson | |
| Food Engineering & Processing | Characterize the impact of postharvest processing and storage on specialty crops. | Threlfall |
| Develop novel techniques for control of harmful grain molds and mycotoxins. | Atungulu | |
| Develop food inks made from sustainable protein sources for 3D printing of novel food products. | Baum, Gibson, Ubeyitogullari | |
| Improve starch functionality and quality in cereals. | Wang | |
| Fabricate nanoscale food-grade materials for the delivery of bioactive compounds | Ubeyitogullari | |
| Evaluate production and processing factors affecting meat quality factors such as color and sensory attributes. | Owens | |
| Food for Health | Determine the effect of freeze-dried blueberries on body composition. | Baum, Lee |
| Identify alternative protein sources for treatment and prevention of chronic disease. | Baum | |
| Determine the role of dietary phytochemicals in health and disease. | Lee | |
| Develop new technologies to improve bioavailability of bioactive compounds and protect them during storage. | Lee, Ubeyitogullari | |
| Create functional foods using additive manufacturing. | Ubeyitogullari | |
| Understand the role of sensory cues in food perception and acceptance. | Seo | |
| Nutrition-sensitive agriculture programming and food value chain analysis. | Baum |