Lauren Thomas

Lauren Thomas

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MS student in Food Science
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

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Degree Program

MS in Food Science

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jeffrey Swada

Background and Research Interests

Lauren graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2023 in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. Her research aims to compare high-temperature retort processing protocols necessary to produce a shelf-stable, high-quality dried bean product between metal can, plastic pouch, and glass jar packaging vessels. Better understanding of product variation between packaging choice will allow for further advancement of ready-to-eat bean products of different market class varieties and flavors combinations, ultimately extending consumer accessibility and desire to purchase a highly nutritious food.