Featured Speakers:
The Wonderful World of Fermentation: Today’s Innovations, Tomorrow’s Transformations
Cindy Stewart, PhD, CFS
Founder & Principal - Innovative Food Science Consulting LLC
Dr. Cindy Stewart is an internationally recognized food scientist, innovation executive, and strategic advisor with more than 30 years of global leadership in the food industry. An Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Fellow, Certified Food Scientist, and former IFT President, she has led innovation, R&D, and business growth initiatives across four continents.
As Founder & Principal of Innovative Food Science Consulting LLC, Cindy advises foodtech and biotech startups, venture capital firms, and food and ingredient companies on innovation strategy,
technical due diligence, and fractional leadership. Previously, she held executive innovation roles at Corbion and DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences/IFF.
Cindy has authored more than 175 publications, serves as an editor for Translational Food Sciences, and sits on multiple academic, industry, and nonprofit advisory boards. She holds BS and MS degrees from the University of Delaware and a PhD in Food Science from Rutgers University.
FDA Regulatory Updates: GRAS, Labeling, and Dietary Guidelines
Brendan A. Niemira, PhD
Chief Science and Technology Officer - Institute of Food Technologists
Dr. Brendan A. Niemira is the Chief Science and Technology Officer of IFT, the Institute of Food Technologists based in Chicago, IL. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago (AB) and Michigan State University (PhD) and holds certifications in government affairs from American University and Georgetown. As CSTO, Dr. Niemira provides strategic direction and vision for all of IFT’s scientific and technical initiatives, including journals, science policy and advocacy. Following a 25+ year research career with USDA-ARS, Dr. Niemira is recognized as a leading subject matter
expert in cold plasma, irradiation, and other nonthermal food processing technologies. He is the co-editor and author of a well-regarded reference text, holds two patents, and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, and critical reviews related to food microbiology and food safety. Dr. Niemira is a Fellow of IFT and has served on IFT’s Board of Directors. He is the recipient of the 2016 Department of Defense Award for Excellence and the 2020 Federal Laboratory Consortium Technology Transfer Innovation Award.
Natural Colors - The Functional Challenges, Solutions and Innovations
Sydney Rustemeyer
Technical Director - IFC Solutions
Sydney Rustemeyer is the Technical Director at IFC Solutions, a prominent ingredient company specializing in food colors, specialty lecithin, and release agents. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and dietetics from Missouri State University, and a Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, where her research focused on applying food science learning on anthocyanin colors to various product systems including cosmetics. Sydney has spent her career at the center of the food and beverage industry’s transition to natural colors and has supported
hundreds of customers in overcoming technical challenges from regulatory review, to lab bench, to manufacturing line, to store shelf. At IFC, her work focuses on applying deep color knowledge and research to achieve desired shades and performance of natural colors to meet consumer expectations.