This year, IBIE will again host students participating in the IBIE Student Immersion Program Sept. 13-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Each of the students, alongside their faculty advisor, have the opportunity to walk the show floor to meet industry leadership and network with exhibitors, attend IBIE education sessions and experience an off-site bakery tour.
Students include:
Ben Tirtawiguna
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Food Science
Industry Involvement: I have completed an R&D internship and will begin an ingredient application internship working part-time as a sensory technician at the Center for Dairy Research in Madison, Wis. I also won first place in Kerry’s case competition for developing a new food product.
Why IBIE: I aim to learn from industry leaders and mentors to deepen my understanding of baking innovation and ingredient functionality, with the goal of developing healthier, sustainable food products that meet evolving consumer needs.
Lucas Brown
Iowa State University
Culinary Food Science
Industry Involvement: I'm a food science student with a culinary background and currently working in dairy product development. I am ServeSafe certified, and I’ve competed in ingredient-focused cooking contests. I am passionate about applying science to elevate flavor.
Why IBIE: I intend to become a private chef that blends my culinary skills with my food science background to craft innovative, personalized dining. This program will grow my baking expertise and connect me with professionals who value creativity and science.
Garion Brown
Iowa State University
Food Science
Industry Involvement: During the summers, I completed an internship with Barilla where I was a quality assurance Intern. The following summer I was an operations intern with Ardent Mills.
Why IBIE: I think attending the IBIE Student Immersion Program will be a very valuable educational learning experience as well as a great networking opportunity. I am interested in learning more about new production equipment and innovative packaging materials.
IBIE also has a student volunteer program that provides free registration to students in exchange for five volunteer hours assisting with IBIEducate sessions and demos. This includes access to the expo hall and all educational sessions.
Volunteers will perform a variety of tasks including helping with the show-floor competitions, celebrity-led demonstrations and educational seminars.
Applications for the student volunteer program are due by Sept. 1. Those interested can apply at bakingexpo.com/students/.
