Once again, we want to celebrate the many scientific achievements of women who have advanced the science of our industries. In the past, we’ve featured many women in texture analysis, including Dr. Alina Surmacka Szczesniak (pictured above), who developed the original TPA parameters in the early 1960s. This year, we’re expanding our shout out to include women who have helped spread the word about how texture analysis and mechanical testing can help way beyond just academic publications.

Among the women that deserve recognition are Dr. Casey Owens of the University of Arkansas; Dr. Barbara Hughey of MIT’s Mechanical Engineering Department; Dr. Anuradha Prakash, Professor at Chapman University; Prof. Gabriella Baki of the University of Toledo; and Claudia Carter, Executive Director of the California Wheat Commission.

Professor Casey Owens has been a constant force in the world of poultry science and has motivated and trained hundreds of students that keep our food supplies safe. Dr. Barbara Hughey, year after year, injects energy into students with her &quotGo Forth and Measure&quot project. Dr. Hughey’s energy has started to flood the world with creative people who have learned that they can measure almost anything; Dr. Anuradha Prakash built Chapman University’s food science program into a substantive force and has been a great resource for food companies in Southern California; Prof. Gabriella Baki has uniquely focused on building undergraduate depth in cosmetic sciences and her students are making an impact in academia and industry. Finally, Claudia Carter is as close to a Johnny Appleseed as the food industry has. Her research and applications work has expanded the entire market for California wheat. She even started a Wheat2School program to educate children about agriculture and nutrition.

And what about future scientists? We’ve enjoyed working with students all over the country, such as these young women, or the first place winner of our video competition.

Do you know a particular scientist or future scientist who is making a splash in the texture world? Let us know - we’d love to feature them in a future blog post!

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