College Bowl Finalists Announced for 40th Annual Food Science Trivia Tournament at IFT FIRST

CHICAGO – May 15, 2025 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is proud to share the College Bowl team trivia regional winners who will compete to be champion at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo. The IFTSA College Bowl Competition features teams of four competing in an intense but fun trivia-based tournament that will test the knowledge of students in a variety of topics, including food chemistry and analysis, food laws and regulations, nutrition, and sensory science.

Last year, University of Wisconsin-Madison defeated returning finalist California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Recent champions Cornell University (2021) and University of Georgia (2018) are also returning, while Virginia Tech and University of Nebraska–Lincoln will be competing for their first win.

This year’s finalists are:

• Brigham Young University: Pacific Northwest Champion (Captain: Amy Pitts)
• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: Pacific Southwest Champion (Captain: Camille Curry)
• Cornell University: North Atlantic Champion (Captain: Maria Shaposhnikov)
• University of Arkansas: South Central Champion (Captain: Andrew Maust)
• University of Georgia: Southeast Champion (Captain: Sanket Vanare)
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: Midwest Champion (Captain: Aisha Tanjung)
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: North Central Champion (Captain: Elijah Wald)
• Virginia Tech University: Central Atlantic Champion (Captain: Diego Fredes-Garcia)

This year’s competition is sponsored by Nestlé Purina.

“For 40 years, the College Bowl has provided a way for students to prepare for their future careers by building teamwork skills, encouraging discipline, and equipping these future leaders with a broad range of knowledge that will help them succeed in any career path they pursue,” said Christina Ginardi, Director of Academic Engagement at IFT. “This year’s College Bowl finalists, a combination of previous champions and schools vying to take home their first win, will produce a fierce competition that is sure to be a highlight of this year’s IFT FIRST.”

Each finalist team receives partial reimbursement for team travel and registration to IFT FIRST, the popular food science, technology and innovation event that brings together students from around the world every year. This year, IFT FIRST is being held July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

First place receives $1,000 and second place receives $750. The finals will be held live during the IFTSA Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, July 15. Winners of other IFTSA competitions including the 35th Annual IFTSA and Mars Wrigley Product Development Competition, the Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Product Development Competition, and the Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition will also be announced at the ceremony.

Register for IFT FIRST. Student members receive special pricing to IFT FIRST. To learn more about becoming a student member and taking advantage of networking, education, and advocacy opportunities year-round, email membershipinfo@ift.org.

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,300 IFT members spanning 65 Chapters in 60 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contacts

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, External Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
dvanmilligen@ift.org

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Organizational Communications
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
fcomstock@ift.org