We would like to take a moment to welcome the newest member of the lab, Protein Prince in Charge (yes, his name's abbreviation is "PPIC")! He is a beacon of light among the mid-semester blues. A brief survey has found that his mere presence has boosted lab morale by 200%. However, lab productivity might be declining due to tank responsibilities and parental duties. 😅 

A special thanks goes out to Kavan, Shree, and Taylor who made this great accomplishment happen and to our lovely lab mom, Pam, who approved Protein Prince's adoption into our lab home. 😊 

Our lab is very proud of Holly for gracefully passing her M.S. thesis defense on the relative ratio of pea globulins! Holly has been a lab member since her undergraduate years. She was also a PPIC researcher before officially being a graduate student. Holly has been instrumental in general lab functions and held various roles in taking care of scientific instruments. Truly a team player and a force to be reckoned with! The lab will never feel as warm and inviting without her presence. Who will ever succeed her good taste in seltzers for lab potlucks? We will miss her dearly but look forward to the exciting opportunities Cargill has in store for her!

One of our PhD researchers, Brittany Kralik, spent the summer of 2023 as a Process Engineering intern at the German Institute of Food Technology (DIL) in Quakenbrück, Germany. Interning at DIL, which is a hub for food innovation, allowed Brittany to gain hands on experience with using high-moisture extrusion (HME) to produce meat analogues. Brittany gained experience working with different raw materials and processing parameters to produce desired products for various European consumers. While at DIL, Brittany was also able to assist on a Buhler and Givaudan innovation project, assist many small European start-ups in producing their dream products, and she was even able to order and eat one of her clients' finished products at a restaurant in Poland! Now equipped with in-depth experience with HME, Brittany is ready to apply those skills to own dissertation in which she will blend several plant proteins together to product a HME meat alternative. Brittany gained priceless knowledge both in- and outside of DIL during her summer abroad last summer and is excited to see where this experience takes her in the future (hopefully back to Europe!).