Phi Tau Sigma : The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology

PTS Phi Tau Sigma Logo

From 1953, Phi Tau Sigma is recognizing and honoring the professional achievements of students and professionals in food science and technology and enhancing and elevating the profession of food science and technology. Be a part of a bigger networking community of professionals and students and be rewarded with honor from the Phi Tau Sigma-University of Minnesota Chapter. The mission of Phi Tau Sigma is to raise the stature and recognize scholarly achievements of the Food Science and Technology profession. This mission is achieved by encouraging outstanding achievement by Food Science students and professionals, and by enhancing Food Science professionals through the Phi Tau Sigma member network. 

We have some exciting scholarships, events, competitions for students this year! Become a Phi Tau Sigma member today! To learn more about Phi Tau Sigma view their brochure or contact Leslie Loehr ([email protected])

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Executive Board ('23-'24)

Chapter Advisors:

Dr. Mary K. Schmidl ([email protected])
Dr. Ted Labuza

Executive Board:

President: Yash Jagdale
Vice President: Allison Boerboom
Secretary: Coleman Selfridge
Treasurer: Jawadul Misir

Mission & Purpose

The mission of Phi Tau Sigma is to raise the stature and recognize scholarly achievements of the Food Science and Technology profession. This mission is achieved by encouraging outstanding achievement by Food Science students and professionals, and by enhancing Food Science professionals through the Phi Tau Sigma member network.

In 2014, the Minnesota Section of IFT and Phi Tau Sigma agreed to foster excellence in food science and technology through collaboration of two events. The first is to annually co-host a speaker event (preferably early Fall) where Phi Tau Sigma will select a well-known speaker and the second is to co-host “Student Recognition Night” where Minnesota Section scholarships are presented and Phi Tau Sigma will hold its induction ceremony.

The group also organized Building a Science Bridge to Africa and Beyond project. The program aims at improving the access of students and researchers in higher education on the African continent to peer-reviewed research articles and books. View the informational pamphlet (.pdf) to learn more and how you can participate.

Visit phitausigma.org for more information about membership

How to Become a Member

Eligibility Guidelines

Membership Criteria (used by the Membership and Qualifications Committee):

For current students:

  1. Student nominees for Membership should be pursuing a degree program in Food Science or an equivalent, and should have a current Grade Point Average (GPA) equal to or greater than 3.5 out of 4.0, or equivalent.
  2. Student nominees for Membership should indicate the number of credits completed toward the degree and the total credit requirement for the program.
  3. Student nominees should be pursuing a Food Science degree and should have completed course work in all three of the core areas of study: Food Chemistry and Analysis, Food Safety and Microbiology, and Food Processing and Engineering. Information on course work and competencies in the core areas of study within Food Science must be completed.
  4. Graduate students nominations should not be submitted until the student has completed at least two semesters of the graduate program.
  5. The statement of qualification should be written in third person.
  6. The statement of qualifications for students should focus on recognitions, honors and other academic achievements.
  7. The statement of qualifications for any student with a GPA less than a 3.5 should provide other evidence of academic achievements to justify the nomination.
  8. The statement of qualifications for students pursuing programs of study other than those meeting the IFT Education Standards should provide evidence of the program's content in Food Chemistry and Analysis, Food Safety and Microbiology, and Food Processing and Engineering.

For professionals:

  1. Food Science and Technology professionals nominated for Membership must have a minimum of 5 years of experience beyond the B.S. degree (4 years beyond the M.S. degree or 2 years beyond a Ph.D. degree) in a position directly related to Food Science and Technology in industry, government, non-profit, trade association, private practice, or academic institution.
  2. The statement of qualifications for Food Science and Technology professionals should clearly illustrate how contributions of the nominee in his/her professional positions have distinguished the nominee from other professionals with similar professional experiences.
  3. The statement of qualifications for Food Science and Technology professionals should demonstrate the relationship of recognitions, honors and other achievements to the professional strengths of the nominee.

Member Nomination Form (.pdf)

Contact email addresses:
Executive Secretary, Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D., [email protected]
Membership & Qualifications Committee Chair, Elizabeth M. Grasso-Kelley, Ph.D. ([email protected])

Application forms can be downloaded via the Phi Tau Sigma Website

Awards for Students

Associate Members are eligible for scholarships, awards, honor cords, networking, leadership opportunities and monthly newsletter. Visit the Minnesota IFT website for information on student awards.

Informational pamphlet (.pdf)

Past Presidents

Leslie Loehr - 2021
Sonali Raghunath - 2020
Yara Benavides - 2019
Vaidhyanathan Anatharamkrishnan - 2017 & 2018
Jenny Hayek - 2016
Chelsey Hinnenkamp - 2015
Ted Labuza - 2014
Mary Schmidl - 2013

Committees

Committee for "Building a Science Bridge to Africa and Beyond"

Sonali Raghunath, Chair
Gretchen Gustafson, Chair
Leslie Loehr, Co- Chair
Priyanshi Chaturvedi, Social Media Chair
Dr. George Annor 
Dr. Mary Schmidl
Dr. Ted Labuza


Committee for "Speedy Science™ Competition"

Sara Kleba, Chair
Leslie Loehr, Co- Chair
Brigitta Yaputri, Treasurer
Priyanshi Chaturvedi, Social Media Chair