Food Science and Human Nutrition Newsletter | Spring 2023 Recap

The Food Science and Human Nutrition newsletter publishes twice per year, in January and June.

From Department Head Chris Gentile
Chris Gentile profile image

Greetings from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition!

The halls of Gifford have quieted down for the summer after a productive and successful spring semester. We are incredibly proud of all of our undergraduate and graduate students who earned their degrees. Several are recognized below for winning awards at the department and college levels.

Congratulations to two of our faculty members who are newly promoted: Drs. Tiffany Weir and Michelle Foster! Read below about Professor Weir’s investigation of alternative proteins. And, you won’t want to miss Professor Foster in an upcoming episode of the college’s Health and Human Science Matters podcast, set to drop June 16. She will discuss her career path through academia, research, and leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

In this edition of our newsletter, Food, we celebrate our student’s academic progress, faculty research and publications, alumni awards, and industry partnerships. Scroll and read below to connect with the topics you care most about. Alumni and friends, keep us posted about your latest activities and accomplishments! Swing by the Gifford Building to see the ivy in full summer splendor and say hello.

Warm regards,

Chris Gentile, Professor and Department Head

Honoring Achievement
Mary Harris portrait

College of Health and Human Sciences Legacies Project honors Mary Harris, professor emerita in nutrition 

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is thrilled to celebrate Dr. Mary Harris’s 35-year career at Colorado State University, research on omega-3 fatty acids, advocacy for women’s health, and mentorship.

Make a gift to the Mary Harris and Stephanie Smith Mentorship fund

FSHN awardees posing with their awards

Food science and human nutrition students, faculty, and alumni earn College of Health and Human Sciences awards 

The awards recognize faculty and staff members who exhibit exemplary performance, along with outstanding graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, and Friends of the College.

Alumni
Brian Stein receiving an award from Dean Lise Youngblade

Food science foundation fuels product development and sales success 

Brian Stein (’00) is making a difference as a mentor for future professionals and as an active volunteer in his local community.

Dustin Lee in a lab

Nourishing nutrition research and clinical interests in the U.S. Army 

Dustin Lee (M.S., ’16; Ph.D., ’19) chose a path that aligns his interests in clinical care, nutrition research, and teaching, all while serving in the U.S. Army.

Dan Malyszko holding a beer

CSU alumni toast interdisciplinary partnership between engineering and fermentation science 

In the realm of industrial controls and automation, Steve (’75, ’77) and Dan (’02) Malyszko have brewed the right recipe for multi-generational engineering success in the fermentation technology realm.

Diana Grubb headshot

Diana Grubb (’20) applies her passion for dietetics to clinical inpatient care in Northern Colorado 

After teaching English overseas lost its spark, Diana Grubb pivoted to dietetics and made her way to Fort Collins for her master’s degree in food science and nutrition.

Students
Hospitality management seniors pose for a photo at the Spring Gala

Graduating hospitality management seniors build connections at their ‘Spring Gala’ industry appreciation event 

Graduating seniors majoring in hospitality management hosted the “Spring Gala” event, commemorating the end of their undergraduate journey at Colorado State University with great food, entertainment, and conversation among alumni, industry partners, family members, and faculty.

Bri Risk holding a product in a grocery store

Ph.D. candidate Bri Risk a dietitian, chef, and business owner, lives nutrition, food science, and athletics 

Risk, a CSU Ph.D. candidate, co-founded Birota Foods to create tasty, functional food products for athletes and the general public.

Elliot Graham portrait

College of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s Fellow Elliot Graham’s research on human obesity and gut health 

Graham is studying how excess weight gain changes the types and abundance of bacteria in the human gut.

Lexi Walker posing in a chair

Outstanding Graduate Lexi Walker earned her degree in three years and aims for dental school 

Walker excelled at Colorado State University in spite of a litany of adversity and continues to give back to the community.

Sydney Coons and other students working in a garden

Outstanding graduate looks forward to an integrated graduate program in dietetics 

Sydney Coons transferred to CSU and changed her major during her sophomore year, but quickly integrated by being active in the community.

Liza Lunina holding a scrabble stand that says 'Go Rams' and holding up the ram hand sign

FSHN Outstanding Senior found an intersection for her passions for food and health in dietetics 

CSU swimmer Liza Lunina found her passion for food science after returning to campus after COVID and starting new.

Corrin Coons sitting behind a KRNC table

Outstanding graduate uses her private practice dietitian shadowing to forge a path in dietetics 

Transfer student Corrin Coons utilized her time as a private practice dietitian intern to share her knowledge with the public, but she isn’t done yet.

Faculty Findings
Chocolate-covered cricket chitin on a baking sheet

Chocolate-covered cricket chitin a good stomach bug at heart of CSU study on people with IBS 

Researcher Tiffany Weir is working to remove the stigma against eating “bugs” by exploring the gut health benefits of insect consumption.

The view of a glass of beer from above

Bottles vs. cans: CSU beer study shows amber ales age best in bottles; IPAs fine either way 

A Colorado State University study has shown that the chemical stability of how beer ages is likely dependent on beer style and packaging choice.

Research
Michelle Foster seated behind a microphone while recording a podcast

Michelle Foster discusses her research in FSHN and role as assistant dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice 

Foster joined the Health and Human Science Matters podcast to discuss her higher education journey, her research studying obesity and energy, and her most recent venture advocating for inclusion as assistant dean.

A student standing in front of her research poster

Celebrating food science and human nutrition research at College of Health and Human Sciences Research Day 

Faculty, staff, and students from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition presented a variety of research in several categories on the College of Health and Human Sciences Research Day.

News you can Use
An avocado with the earth as its seed

Avocados: Not as Earth-friendly and ‘avo-cuddly’ as you would think 

Associate Professor Jeff Miller shares his perspective on ‘water hog’ avocados – and how to buy responsibly.

A parfait with berries, mint, and a wooden spoon in a glass container

Blog: Using science to make behavior changes

Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center dietetic intern Cecelia Schmitt shares evidence-based tips to achieve your goals.

Your Connections
A graphic showing the FSHN LinkedIn page

Your CSU network on LinkedIn

Find your classmates and mentors, track the latest research, find employees or your next job, and more on LinkedIn with the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition!

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA