Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research Competition Results

The 2023 Student Research Competition took place on Sunday, June 25th, at RMC. The research presented by these students was concise, educational, and, most of all, an excellent tribute to the type of research that is occurring at the university level. The undergraduate competition was sponsored by JBS Foods/Pilgrim’s/Swift Prepared Foods. The master student competition was sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. and Hormel Foods Corporation sponsored the Ph.D. competition. 

Dr. Bobby VanStavern Award for Beef Quality Research

Dr. Bob VanStavern spent his career as a meat scientist at The Ohio State University. He was directly involved in establishing the quality parameters for the Certified Angus Beef® brand in 1978, leading the beef community’s efforts to be consumer driven. Upon his passing in February 2020, this mentorship fund was founded to honor his legacy to the Certified Angus Beef® brand and the meat science community. The funds from this mentorship support recognition of a student presenting research at RMC in beef quality and/or consumer perceptions and demand for high-quality beef. The winner of the third annual Bobby VanStavern Award for Beef Quality Research goes to Andres Mendizabal, Texas Tech University. 

Undergraduate Quiz Bowl Results

This year we set the record for the amount of teams competing in the Undergraduate Meat Science Quiz competition! Joanna Hardcastle, 2023 Quiz Bowl Committee Chair, and the 2023 quiz bowl committee hosted 34 teams from 20 academic programs. After multiple rounds and several wins the team from Texas Tech University was named the 2023 RMC Undergraduate Meat Science Quiz Bowl Champions.  Thank you to JBS Foods, Pilgrim’s and Swift Prepared Foods for being the sponsor of this year’s quiz bowl competition. 

Champion Team was Texas Tech University coached by Shae Lynn Sarchet, Devin Gonzales, and Paige Tegeler and team members Macy Lawrence, Shelton Ludeke, Meagan McMurray, and Anna Wyle. 

Reserve Champion Team was Kansas State University coached by Erin Beyer and team members consisted of Chesney Effling, Ellie Kidwell, Stephanie Witberler, and Delaney Shaw.

Processed Meat Judging Top 10

Thank you JBS Foods/Pilgrim’s and Swift Prepared Foods for sponsoring the Processed Meats Contest as well as Hormel Foods Corporation, UltraSource, as well as several local processors for donating the products. Additionally, this contest would also not be possible without the help of the committee. The contest committee members were Derek Schroeder, Spencer Carter, Nelson Gaydos, Allie Hobson, Bryce Gerlach, Aaron Tapian, and Collin Corbin as well as many other volunteers. Congratulations to all of the students that participated, especially to the top ten in the undergraduate and graduate divisions.  

Iron Chef Results

Iron Chef was an amazing experience combining meat science and culinary arts, sponsored by Cargill. The students prepared a savory and sweet hot dish within 1 hour and were mentored by Barbara Tapian, Jennifer Everson, Markus Miller, Jennifer Johnson, Chandler Steele, and Miguel Del Toro. The top two teams in the savory division were Group #15: Loaded Barbecue Tator Tot Casserole and Group #11: Fiesta Carnitas.  

The top two teams in the sweet hotdish division were Group #4: Paul Bunyan Pineapple Chicken Surprise and Group #2: Sweet Sausage Apple Crisp.

Congratulations to all competitors!