Food Protection Trends - November/December 2017 - 471

Our Experiences (continued)

Being able to attend IAFP 2017 as a Student Travel Scholarship recipient was an
honor. I am very thankful to the IAFP Foundation and to the Selection Committee for
awarding me this Travel Scholarship.
Attending this meeting significantly contributed to broadening my knowledge and
understanding in various aspects of food safety. This conference offered a platform for
me to learn and discuss new technologies and gain knowledge in the field of molecular
food safety. The skills and knowledge acquired from this meeting will greatly affect and
shape my future in research.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the IAFP Staff and my mentor, Scott Burnett,
who all offered their warm welcomes and provided guidance throughout the meeting.
My experience in Tampa would not have been so amazing if not for these efforts.

Itumeleng Matle

University of South Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng,
South Africa

IAFP 2017 was truly an invigorating, inspiring, and exciting experience! Tampa was
a great location for this conference, with sunny weather, a convention center perfectly
situated on the banks of the Hillsborough River, and delicious food I discovered in
historic Ybor City within Tampa.
The Welcome Reception on Saturday evening was the perfect way to kick off the
meeting, connecting with colleagues and making new friends while enjoying beverages
and snacks. On Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the Water Safety and Quality
PDG meeting, and the Student Luncheon and 3-Minute Thesis Competition, followed by
the Student PDG meeting. Connecting with fellow graduate students working on various
aspects of food safety and hearing about their research during the competition was
inspiring and energizing.
During the Opening Session on Sunday evening, the Ivan Parkin Lecture was
delivered by Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban, who gave the perfect mix of humor and insightful
advice in his presentation. And standing on the stage in front of all the Opening Session
attendees while receiving my Student Travel Scholarship plaque was a proud moment
that I will never forget!
Rianna Murray
With so many interesting scientific sessions held Monday through Wednesday, it
was a bit overwhelming but also very exciting running between rooms to the sessions I
University of Maryland
wanted to attend! I was impressed with the wide array of session topics, from new food
College Park, Maryland
safety and manufacturing technologies to updates on federal regulations to cutting-edge
research poised to improve the field and everything in between. There is something for everyone at the Annual Meeting.
I was proud to see many members of my research team presenting our work at the conference, across symposia,
technical sessions, and posters. I also attended the IAFP Business Meeting on Tuesday, which provided insight on how
things function "behind the scenes" of the Annual Meeting. Volunteering at the IAFP Foundation booth on Monday was
one of the highlights of the conference, as I was able to work with the amazing Foundation staff and other volunteers
at the booth and interact with donors who shared their inspiring reasons for donating. I was privileged to meet Mr. Fred
Weber himself, who generously contributed $20,000 in matching funds to the Foundation.
One thing that particularly stood out for me at the meeting was that everyone I met was extremely friendly, helpful,
and welcoming. From the Staff at the Registration Desk to my fellow attendees to the speakers I interacted with and the
exhibitors at their booths in the Exhibit Hall, I felt like part of a large, extended family during the four-day experience. As
a travel scholarship recipient, I was also assigned a mentor for the conference, Dr. Paula Fedorka-Cray. Dr. Cray was
instrumental in helping me navigate the conference as a first-time attendee and took the time to chat with me each day
and provide tips for having the best experience.
I returned home after the meeting with a renewed sense of passion for my research after interacting with so many
professionals in my field and sharing my work with them. IAFP 2017 was more than just sharing knowledge; it was an
opportunity to network, learn about career opportunities, and make lifelong friends.
Thank you to IAFP and the IAFP Foundation for awarding me this travel scholarship to attend the 2017 Annual
Meeting; it was a wonderful and invaluable experience. It is truly commendable that IAFP makes supporting students
such an important priority. I'm already looking forward to IAFP 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah!

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - November/December 2017