Lauren Thomas
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.