2025 AOCS Meeting (American Oil Chemists’ Society)
Event description
The annual AOCS Meeting brings together experts from diverse disciplines to explore the latest science and technology shaping the fats, oils, proteins, surfactants, and related industries. With 80+ sessions across 10 interest areas, plus special presentations on trending industry topics, networking events, and receptions, the conference offers a rich platform for learning and collaboration.
We’re excited to share that two members of GFI’s Science & Technology team will be presenting new research at the meeting. Lead scientist Priera Panescu Scott, Ph.D., will present a GFI analysis describing the land use efficiency and restoration opportunities of diversifying American protein sources with alternative proteins—key to advancing U.S. climate and biodiversity goals. Senior lead scientist Nikhita Mansukhani Kogar, Ph.D., will share insights from a recent life cycle assessment examining the environmental impact of plant-based meats made with different ingredients and methods.
Join Priera and Nikhita for these insightful presentations and connect with leaders driving innovation in sustainable protein!
Event location
Meet the speakers
Nikhita Mansukhani Kogar, Ph.D
Nikhita is focused on the technical landscape of plant-based proteins and how to expand their impact and adoption. Prior to joining GFI, Nikhita worked in food and biotech product development, most recently as an Innovation Scientist at Beyond Meat. While at Beyond, she led flagship product development projects from the fundamental research stage through formulation and scale-up. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Northwestern University.
Priera Panescu Scott, Ph.D.
Priera’s role at GFI focuses on accelerating the plant-based meat industry through analyzing their plant-based protein landscape, identifying emerging technological solutions and bottlenecks, and communicating with other scientists about advancing alternative protein research. Priera has bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and math from the University of California, Santa Cruz as well as a master’s and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining GFI, Priera spent almost a decade focusing on polymer, formulation, and materials chemistry research. Particularly, she honed these skills for food security applications by creating novel sustainable agriculture materials and compounds.
Upcoming events
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The Science of Alt Protein: Hybrid alternative protein for next-generation meat alternatives
Learn how the process-driven co-structuring of plant, cellular, and algal proteins can overcome key techno-functional and sensory limitations of current plant-based meat alternatives.
Developing continuous cell lines for cultivated seafood
Dive into GFI’s new guide for practical solutions to overcoming shared challenges in fish and crustacean cell line development.
Business of Alt Protein: The Science of Charisma for Founders, Leaders, and Professionals
Join charisma expert Olivia Fox Cabane, who will share research-backed techniques for building trust, communicating with confidence, and increasing your influence in high-stakes interactions.
The Future of Meat: Technology, Sustainability, and the Meats of Tomorrow
Bruce Friedrich heads to The Commonwealth Club for a conversation about Meat—and why rethinking how we produce meat could shape the future of food.
Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving
Calling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on September 29th at 11:30 am ET.
Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving
Calling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on September 29th at 10:30 pm ET.
