Building Your Alt Protein Career
Event description
Are you interested in working in the alternative protein sector? Join GFI’s academic community coordinator, Asia Sheehab, to learn more about pursuing an academic or industry career in this rapidly growing field. After an insightful overview of opportunities, you’ll hear from Minami Ogawa, who will share her unique journey into entrepreneurship and her innovative research on edible microcarriers for cultivated meat production.
Meet the speaker
Minami Ogawa
PHD CANDIDATE, UC DAVIS
CO-FOUNDER OF OPTIMIZED FOODS
IIFH SUPPLY CHAIN CAPITAL FELLOW
Minami is an enthusiastic food scientist dedicated to fostering innovation and shaping sustainable, healthy, and environmentally beneficial future food systems. With a foundation in wine microbiology, her earlier focus on studying immobilization supports paved the way to transition into the realm of cellular agriculture. This unique journey propelled her towards pioneering and filing intellectual property for the development of edible mycelium microcarriers, aimed at facilitating the proliferation of animal cells crucial in cultivated meat production. She now researches the edible microcarriers for her Ph.D. thesis, guided by Dr. David Block, and as part of the Cultivated Meat Consortium to revolutionize food technology for a more sustainable and healthier future.
Additionally, Minami plays a pivotal role as the Co-founder and Director of Cultivated Foods at a university spinoff company called Optimized Foods, which harnesses the power of mycelium to create high margin, delicious food alternatives. Her journey, representing women in STEM and entrepreneurship, perfectly aligns with being a fellow at Supply Change Capital, and resonates deeply in her quest to revolutionize food systems through innovative solutions that prioritize both human health and the environment.
Upcoming events
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Cell growth modeling review for cultivated meat production: Recommendations to improve techno-economic models
Join report authors to learn what current data reveal, where critical gaps remain, and the research priorities shaping more accurate and scalable techno-economic models for cultivated meat production.
California Circular Bioeconomy Summit (BioCirCA)
Join GFI’s Jeremy Eltz at BioCirCA for forward-looking conversations on transforming waste into opportunity—and unlocking the power of bio-based innovation.
COP30: United Nations Climate Change Conference
COP30 Belém brings the world together at a critical moment for global transformative climate action. Join GFI and other alternative protein experts at this historic event!
Supporting growers and rural communities: resilience through protein diversification
Event description This fall, GFI and Pulse Canada are partnering to launch The Pulse Chain: From Growers to Global Protein Markets, an interactive webinar series that brings growers and food…
Growing the Future: How New Farming Frontiers Are Transforming Protein
Join GFI’s Adam Leman for a look at how next-gen protein technologies—from precision fermentation to cultivated meat—are reshaping the future of sustainable food.
The Science of Alt Protein: Application-driven design of plant protein gels
Discover how application-driven design of plant protein gels can unlock new possibilities in texture, mouthfeel, and nutrition.
New Proteins webinar
Join GFI’s Abby Sewell for a look at how hybrid and diversified protein strategies are shaping the future of food.
Future of Food: Engaging Agriculture and Education in the Protein Transition
GFI’s Jeremy Eltz and Janie Butler are heading to Tuskegee to lead a dynamic workshop at the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference.
