Webinar description

There is a growing interest in novel plant-based proteins to replace ingredients such as milk and soy that have traditionally dominated the market. This interest is fueled by the desire for sustainable protein sources, lower-cost ingredients, valorization of by-products, overcoming functionality limitations of specific proteins, and utilizing all possible resources to expand the overall ingredients supply. The demonstration of equivalent or superior/new functionality of novel plant proteins compared to existing alternatives is of interest to both the food industry and consumers. Join Dr. Pam Ismail, Director of the Plant Protein Innovation Center, as she discusses her research to enhance the viability of plant proteins through various functionalization approaches.

Meet the speaker

Pam Ismail, Ph.D., is a Professor at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota. She is the Founder and Director of the Plant Protein Innovation Center. Dr. Ismail has over 25 years of experience in food chemistry research focused on analytical chemistry, protein chemistry, and chemistry and fate of bioactive food constituents. Her research focuses on the structural characterization and enhancement of functionality, safety, bioavailability, and bioactivity of food proteins following novel processing and analytical approaches. She is the recipient of a “Distinguished Teaching Award” and an “Outstanding Professor Award.”

Upcoming events

View all events
Industry academia illustrative graphic
Virtual Event

Alt Protein Pipelines: Building a customized course around open-access resources

Discover practical ways to incorporate GFI’s resources into both new and existing educational programs.

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU

Society of Environmental Journalists Annual Conference 2025

Join GFI at this Southwest-based conference that explores the increasingly important role of environmental journalists! We will be exhibiting at the event to educate attendees about the power and potential…

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Proteins

Join the Johns Hopkins Alt Protein Project on April 23rd for an insightful conversation on the role of machine learning and artificial intelligence in advancing alternative protein technology.

Gfi knowledge partner icon
James H. Clark Center Auditorium

Re-Thinking Food: From Plate to Planet

Join GFI’s Bianca Datta in attending Re-Thinking Food: From Plate to Planet! This experience will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the latest science and innovations…

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Virtual Event

Agriculture 2.0: How technological innovation can help us sustainably feed 10 billion people and save our planet

Event description Agriculture 2.0 will examine the transformative power of intersecting advancements in AI, genetics, and biotechnology to reimagine how we grow food. These tools offer enormous potential to increase…

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Oregon Convention Center

2025 AOCS Meeting (American Oil Chemists’ Society)

Join GFI experts at the AOCS Meeting to explore research on land use efficiency and the environmental impact of plant-based meats.

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Boundary Stone Partners Office

DC Climate Week: Food+Climate – Reducing Food System Emissions in the Current Climate

​Food is one of the most overlooked yet powerful climate solutions. What we eat—and how we dispose of it—drives nearly one-third of global emissions, shapes biodiversity, and impacts air and…

Plates of various prepared alternative protein dishes
Virtual Event

Protein diversification: A strategic lever for sustainable impact

What does meaningful protein diversification look like in practice? Join GFI for a webinar covering insights from the World Benchmarking Alliance on their latest benchmarking results, Nestlé on their corporate…