Alireza Abbaspourrad (Yongkeun Joh Associate Professor of Food Chemistry and Ingredient Technology, Food Science at Cornell University)

Alireza Abbaspourrad

Yongkeun Joh Associate Professor of Food Chemistry and Ingredient Technology, Food Science at Cornell University

​​​​​​The mission of the Abbaspourrad Group is to advance knowledge and educate members at the interface of chemistry, engineering, and biology that will best serve the most pressing global challenges. The lab is committed to generating, disseminating, and preserving knowledge and to working with others to employ bio-derived soft materials addressing challenges associated with the food-environment-health nexus. We are dedicated to stimulating curiosity and providing our members with an education that combines rigorous academic study and the excitement of discovery toward sustainability. We seek to develop in each member the ability and passion for working wisely, creatively, and effectively, contributing to practical solutions tackling global challenges.

Jayendra Amamcharla (Director, Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center of University of Minnesota)

Jayendra Amamcharla

Director, Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center of University of Minnesota

Dr. Jayendra (Jay) Amamcharla obtained his B.S. (Dairying) in 1998 from Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, India and M.S. (Dairy Engineering) in 2001 from National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), India. Dr. Amamcharla received his Ph.D. (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) in 2008 from North Dakota State University. Subsequently, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (2008-2012) at the Dairy Science Department, South Dakota State University. In July 2012, Dr. Amamcharla joined the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University as an Assistant Professor with teaching and research responsibilities. His teaching responsibilities include Physical Methods of Food Analysis (FDSCI 728) and Research and Development of Food Products (FDSCI 740). His research focuses on the development and validation of rapid and nondestructive sensing technologies for quality and safety of dairy and food products. Dr. Amamcharla recently joined the Univesity of Minnesota and currently serves as the director for the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center.

Kimberlee Burrington (VP of Technical Development at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI))

Kimberlee Burrington

VP of Technical Development at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI)
https://www.adpi.org

KJ Burrington is the Vice President of Technical Development at ADPI, having joined the staff as a director in January 2021. Prior to her joining the ADPI staff, KJ served as the Ingredient Applications Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (CDR). She has over 30 years of experience in product development including her past positions at Ridgeview Industries, the Keebler Company, and as a consultant to the baking industry.

In her previous position at CDR, she provided technical support for U.S. dairy processors and end users on dairy ingredient functionality and applications. She also provided technical expertise for food companies internationally through visits and seminars in conjunction with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to countries such as Mexico, Latin America, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. KJ has also been an instructor/presenter in various ADPI events and activities.

KJ holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also an IFT Certified Food Scientist. She has also served on the ADPI Center of Excellence since its inception in 2012.

Stephanie Clark (Academic Engagement at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI))

Stephanie Clark

Academic Engagement at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI)
Rohit Kapoor (VP, Product Research at Dairy Management Inc)

Rohit Kapoor

VP, Product Research at Dairy Management Inc

As Vice President of Product Research at Dairy Management Inc., Rohit leads National Dairy Council research programs in important areas such as milk powders, whey and milk protein ingredients and dairy co-products at major Universities to drive dairy innovation and sales on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.

Rohit has 15 years of dairy foods R&D experience in industry and academia combined. During his tenure, Rohit worked at various leading dairy and food companies such as Nestlé USA, Bongards MN, and Kerry Americas where he provided R&D leadership towards cheese and dairy ingredient-focused innovation.

Rohit received his B.S. in Dairy Technology from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science with an emphasis on dairy science and technology from University of Minnesota.

Grace Lewis (Assistant Professor of Food Science at University of Wisconsin - River Falls)

Grace Lewis

Assistant Professor of Food Science at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Grace earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science from the Pennsylvania State University. Her dissertation research focused on the use of high-pressure jet technology to modify dairy protein functionality for use in clean-label food products. In her new role as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and University of Wisconsin – Madison Dairy Innovation Hub Affiliate, she continues to work on enhancing dairy protein and milkfat functionality through novel processing interventions including high pressure, processing aids, and others. She also has research projects on dairy byproduct utilization. Her research objectives target improved human health, with applications for both the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Andy Powers (VP - Technical Services at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI))

Andy Powers

VP - Technical Services at American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI)

Andy brings over 30 years of commercial, scientific, and technical (QA/Regulatory/Food Safety) experience to ADPI where he is Vice President of Technical Services and serves on ADPI's Center of Excellence. Prior to ADPI, Andy most recently worked for Newton Enterprises as VP & Senior Consultant. He has also held positions at Hoogwegt U.S./Lone Star Dairy, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Akorn Pharmaceuticals, and Biosys Biotech, Inc. It should be noted that during his tenure at Hoogwegt US/Lone Star Dairies, Andy served on ADPI’s Technical and Standards Committees.

Andy is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology, and a Master of Business Administration. He is a current member of the American Chemical Society, and the American Society for Quality. In addition, he is a Certified Lead Auditor & Practitioner – Safe Quality Food(SQF) Institute; Certified Lead Auditor – HACCP & ISO 9000; and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.

Andy and his family reside in Queen Creek, Arizona.

SR

Shakeel Rehman

Chief Science Officer at fairlife, LLC
Haotian Zheng (assistant professor at NC State University)

Haotian Zheng

assistant professor at NC State University

Dr. Haotian Zheng is a tenure-track assistant professor in Food Chemistry at North Carolina State University (NC State). He directs the Food Rheology Laboratory and affiliates to Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center at the university. Dr. Zheng’s research interests include developing novel dairy ingredients, improving food ingredient functionality, food structure design for improved stability, textural attributes, and health benefits of processed foods, and solving real life problems in the food industry. He also teaches Food Chemistry and Food Ingredient Functionality related courses at NC State. Prior to NC State, Dr. Zheng gained professional research experiences from both industry and academia including Fonterra Research Center (New Zealand), Lincoln University (New Zealand), Riddet Institute (New Zealand), and Cal Poly. Currently, Zheng lab hosts 3 PhD students, 2 MS students, and 2 research associates. Sponsors of Dr. Zheng’s research program include but not limited to USDA-NIFA, USDA-ARS, National Dairy Council, California Dairy Research Foundation, Dairy West, North Carolina dairy producers association, Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center, Novozymes.