Congratulations to Sarah Engstrom, M.S. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Kevin Herrick, Ph.D. student at South Dakota State University. They were awarded the Land O’Lakes Foundation John Brandt Memorial Foundation scholarship.
The John Brandt Memorial Foundation scholarship program supports graduate students pursuing work in dairy animal, food science or agribusiness at one of four eligible institutions: Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This year’s winners are both studying dairy science, each with different approaches. Engstrom is currently working on modeling the survival and growth of certain strains of bacteria in order to develop a predictive methodology for cheese handling and storage. Herrick, on the other hand, is studying the effect of enhancing the butyrate content of feed for lactating cows in an effort to drive lactation and milk production. Both projects promise to have a significant impact on the dairy foods industry at different points of production.
Engstrom and Herrick will each receive $25,000 to help them continue their important dairy research.
Engstrom plans to complete her Ph.D. in Food Science in 2013, and she said she hopes to make a positive improvement to the dairy industry. “Cheeses stored at non-refrigerated temperatures would cost less to transfer and store—this benefits processors, distributors and consumers,” Engstrom said. “My research also has the potential to open doors in cheese innovations, such as optimizing adjunct bacteria growth for flavor enhancement.”
Herrick hopes to build on his already-established career in the dairy industry once he finishes his Ph.D. research in improving milk production. “This project is very rewarding for me,” Herrick said. “Economic conditions are very challenging for dairy producers. Any opportunity to provide a product or service that would help improve profitability would be satisfying.”
The scholarships are awarded in memory of John Brandt, an industry organizer who formed and remained president of Land O’Lakes until his death in 1953. The Land O’Lakes Foundation awards one or two scholarships each year to students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and aptitude toward their field of study.
Source: Land O’Lakes, Inc.