Dept of Food Science & Nutrition, UMN

06/01/2026

See how we're using new methods and technologies to create a more personalized gut health approach for the future

University of Minnesota researchers are developing a personalized approach to track how individual food choices impact the gut microbiome.

05/21/2026

The FScN community had quite a showing at the 2026 MN Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) Annual Conference! Here are a few of the ways our students, alumni and faculty made a splash:

Award Winners:
Brook Meyer (‘26 BS Nutrition) - Outstanding Student Award [DPD Program]
Anita Lam (‘26 BS Nutrition) - MAND Foundation Scholarship
Kendal Burstad (‘23 PhD Nutrition) - Young Dietitian of the Year

Sessions:
Aimee Tritt - Session Speaker
Alissa Perteet-Jackson and Chris Tollberg - Research Posters

Year after year, our students, staff, faculty and alumni demonstrate how indispensably integrated FScN is within the nutrition and health systems of Minnesota, as evidenced by their consistent recognition at these types of events. Thank you to all those who amplify the important work of dietitians through your advocacy and exemplary professionalism!

05/19/2026

We have some quite accomplished students this year and so it’s time to celebrate a few of their notable successes from this spring! Up first this week is our 2026 FScN Student Award recipients:

Jonah Udall - 2026 Renee Rosen Excellence in Teaching Award

McKeon Student Award:
-Food Science: Marie King
-Nutrition: Brook Meyer

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award:
-Brook Meyer
-Megan Roehrig
-Alejandra Spillers

Outstanding Graduate Student Award:
-Vici Thahir
-Noor e Huma
-Elie Fayad
-Jawadul Misir

Congratulations to all these honorees and thank you for your dedication to our department and academic community!
Stay tuned as we continue to announce more of our students’ recognitions throughout the week!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to all our students who graduated this past week! This year’s commencement ceremonies and preceding FScN reception were top notch, with excellent student speakers sharing insightful, encouraging words. Notably, Susan Strom not only spoke at our reception, she was also the student speaker at the CFANS Graduate Commencement Ceremony!

We are of all our incredible students and graduates. They have particularly demonstrated their superlative qualities this year, receiving numerous awards and recognitions. In honor of that, next week will be Spring Student Success Week, in which we will be posting all about our outstanding students and their accomplishments. Stay tuned for that and once again, congratulations to our new graduates!

05/07/2026

As part of Minnesota Section IFT's May 13th 'Bring on the Summer Bash' event, two “A SUB W” license plates, donated by the family of Ted Labuza, will be auctioned off to support student scholarships.

Don't miss your chance to own a unique piece of food science memorabilia and support young food scientists at the same time!

See comments below for bidding and registration details

04/17/2026

Help us create the next UMN ice cream flavor for the 175th Anniversary!

04/14/2026

Have you ever been curious about the human gut microbiome and its impact on health? Then you’ll love this 3-part crash course series, moderated by our own Levi Teigen! This series will be an approachable panel discussion featuring UMN experts covering different aspects of microbiome health. The sessions will take place virtually, 5-6:30 PM over the next three Wednesdays. Register at the link below

04/10/2026

Thanks to all who came out to the FScN Networking Event last week! It was an excellent evening of professionals sharing their career insights with our students as well as event participants connecting with each other from across numerous sectors of food and nutrition.

Special thanks to the Student Organization of Nutrition and Dietetics and the FScN Student Advisory Council for putting this great event together!

04/10/2026

Submit your ice cream flavor idea!

04/10/2026

Joanne Slavin talks fiber with CFANS

“Fibermaxxing” is trending and everyone from influencers to food company CEOs see fiber as the next big nutrition trend.

But — it’s more than a trend.

"Fiber is really good medicine. It's the one thing we want people to eat more of,” says Joanne Slavin, faculty member in the Dept of Food Science & Nutrition,. "We've known this forever, and it has to get rediscovered all the time."

Getting enough fiber in your diet has been linked to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes. It can protect against inflammatory bowel syndrome, obesity and colorectal cancer. It helps the body flush toxins, lower cholesterol and promote weight loss because it helps people feel fuller while consuming fewer calories.

Fuel up on fiber: https://cfans.umn.edu/news/fiber