Hi, I’m Paige Chew! I am a senior in Food Science with a minor in Chemistry and I am interested in R&D and Food Product Development! I serve as AFT’s VP for Industry; I help organize professional development events and workshops, as well as company visits for students to engage with. Over the past two summers I’ve interned at Brookside Flavors & Ingredients and Imbibe, gaining experience in flavor applications, compounding, and beverage product development. I am currently an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Cadwallader’s flavor chemistry lab and have worked at the FSHN Pilot Processing Plant, where I help in processing products for clients and dining hall items. In addition to these experiences, I am an ACES Johnathan Baldwin Turner Scholar, as well as a UIUC Chancellor’s Scholar. I love to crochet, sew, bake, cook, and dance with my campus dance team, Dance2XS UIUC, in my free time!

Hi y’all! My name is Tyler Pham, and I’m a Junior in Food Science as well as your fearless VP for College Bowl. I started here at UIUC as a major in Biochemistry with a minor in Food Science, but fell in love with the program Food Science offered and the community I found through AFT. I love learning about everything Food Science related from product development to fermentation to flavor chemistry to food marketing. I currently work at the FSHN Pilot Processing Plant where I get hands-on experience in food processing and packaging to support clients in research and industry, and later this year, will be joining PepsiCo as a Product and Development Intern working with beverages in New York. Through college bowl, I get to use my love for learning in a more competitive environment alongside building relationships with both my teammates and with fellow food science students across the country. Beyond AFT, I love cooking and baking for my friends, video games, going to concerts, and collecting vinyls. 

Hello, my name is Kathleen Polli! I’m a junior majoring in Food Science at UIUC. I’m excited for my first semester as a fundraising admin. I plan on going into product development after graduation. One of the main reasons I transferred into food science is because I find the process from formulating to testing final products very fulfilling and exciting. A few hobbies I have are crocheting and running. I’m planning on running a half marathon this spring! I’m excited to help with fun and creative projects to help raise money for AFT.

Hello! My name is Ananya Mani and I am a Junior majoring in Food Science. I am extremely excited to work as a fundraising admin with Anya and Jana. I am currently interested in sensory science and product development. Over the summer, I worked at the FSHN Pilot Processing Plant as an intern, where I learnt a lot about different food processing methods. I am also a part of Dr. Torrico’s lab where we are focusing on the sensory characteristics and satiety of plant-based meat alternatives. Outside of school, I also enjoy dancing, competitive sports, and a good murder mystery. I am also on the Illini Rowing team! As a fundraising admin, I hope to further our sense of community and organise enjoyable and meaningful fundraisers.

Hi! My name is Jana Jabi, a junior in Food Science with an interest in R&D in flavor chemistry and food textures. I’m especially fascinated by how small ingredient changes can significantly impact the sensory experience of food, and I hope to one day contribute to developing innovative, accessible products that are both delicious and nutritious. Outside of school, I enjoy crocheting and baking—especially experimenting with recipes by sneaking in veggies or substituting ingredients to observe how they affect texture and taste. I also love journaling, trying new things, getting involved in my community, and spending quality time with my loved ones. As a fundraising admin, I hope to bring creativity, organization, and enthusiasm to help support our goals and make our events both meaningful and memorable.

Hi! My name’s Noah Aldrin, a junior in food science with an interest in production engineering. I’m one of the two Industry Admins, helping organize industry related events along our V.P Paige and other admin Nyan. I’m currently a research assistant under Dr. Asensio, helping develop pumpkin seed oil and analyze its quality. My hobbies include automotive work, woodworking, hiking, climbing, and playing video games.

Hi, my name is Bree Gillespie, and I am a junior majoring in Food Science. I am excited to be joining the AFT Board as an Industry Admin and helping members explore career opportunities in food science. This past summer I worked as a Technical Service Bakery Intern at Tate & Lyle. However, while at school, I work in the chemistry teaching labs, helping create chemicals and ensuring labs run smoothly. This upcoming summer, I’m excited to be joining Conagra! In my free time, I enjoy baking and reading. I hope I can help bring fun and explorative events this semester to AFT!

Hello! I’m Ben Tilford, currently a Junior in Food Science. I found Food Science through my deep and occasionally debilitating love of cooking, baking, and eating, and haven’t looked back since. My focus in the field lies in culinary science, fermentation, and R&D. My career has seen me be an independent contract baker, head baker, and ice cream R&D intern. Outside the field you’ll find me immersed in food and model photography, creating tasting menus, listening to music, going thrifting, exploring restaurants, and copious amounts of coffee brewing. I’m ecstatic to be joining AFT as an Events Admin this year, and plan to bring my experience with food and love of the field to the table and help deliver some incredible events!

Hello! My name is Natalie Kinter, a Sophomore majoring in Food Science. This is my second semester on the AFT board, and I am excited to return as an Event Planner! I hope to organize some more fun events this semester that our members can use to connect. Since AFT was so welcoming to me as a Freshman, I hope to continue making these AFT events a welcoming place where people interested in all things food can have fun together. Career-wise I am currently interested in food chemistry, flavors, sensory science, product development, and food microbiology. Outside of academics, I enjoy dancing, archery, sewing, baking, and cooking.

 Hello everyone! My name is Carissa, a junior in Food Science, and I am so excited to join the AFT Board this semester as an Events Admin! Currently, my interests lie in flavor chemistry and sensory science. Last summer, I stayed on campus working at the IBRL as a business office intern, and at the Meat Science Lab as an undergraduate intern validating NIR spectrophotometry for pork fat and running taste panels to neutralize boar taint. Next summer, I plan to join Sensient Technologies as a Sweet and Beverage R&D Intern, working on ice cream and hard seltzers. Outside of food science, I enjoy dancing, frolicking, eating, and fiber arts. I can’t wait to meet everyone and get more involved in AFT!