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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Driving down costs for fermentation ingredients: Recommendations from techno-economic data
Join us for a webinar unpacking the cost competitiveness of fermentation-derived ingredients and how to reduce production costs based on insights from a new report!
Plant-Based Revolution! Climate Action Party
Join GFI’s Shayna Fertig, Senior Advisor to the President, and trailblazers from across the alternative protein ecosystem for a lively discussion on what comes next and how smarter food choices…
Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving session one
Calling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on July 8th at 11:30 am ET.
Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving session two
Calling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on July 8th at 10:30 pm ET.
The Science of Alt Protein: Cell cultures with seafood relevant marine species
Join us to explore research in cell culture techniques for two marine species relevant to the development of cultivated seafood.
Building Your Alt Protein Career
Discover academic and industry career paths in the alternative protein sector, and get inspired by real-world experiences and actionable advice from our guest speaker.
Building Your Alt Protein Career
Discover academic and industry career paths in the alternative protein sector, and get inspired by real-world experiences and actionable advice from our guest speaker.
Foods of the Future: Science and Engineering Approaches (Gordon Research Conference)
The focus of this conference is to bring the multi-disciplinary future food community under one roof with a singular focus: collaboratively advancing the science and engineering of safe and scalable…
