Beth Briczinzki Receives 2006 Student Leadership Award

Beth Briczinski received her B.S. and M.S. in Food Science and is currently completing a Ph.D. studying the characterization of Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactics from commercial starter culture manufacturers, a study of glucose transport. In addition to earning excellent grades, she was involved in many activities and received numerous awards during her college career.

Beth has served as a teaching assistant since 1999, lectured in various courses, and developed and assisted with laboratory exercises in freshman through senior-level courses. In 2004 she served as the instructor of Food Science 105: Food Science Fact and Fads, responsible for the course lectures, assignments, and exams for 175 students. She also interned with Verdelli Farms, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she conducted microbial testing and shelf-life studies on finished products.

Briczinski participated in many collegiate activities. She was a member of the Food Science Club, serving as president in 2005/2006, and a member of the Food Science College Bowl Team and coach from 2000 to 2005. Beth served as the graduate representative to the Food Science Graduate Program Committee from 2002 to 2004 and on the College of Agricultural Sciences Instruction and Curricular Affairs Committee. She is an active member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and has served as Student Representative for the IFT Dairy Products Division. She is also member of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).

In 2004, Beth received the V. Duane Rath Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and was awarded the Robert and Jeanne L. McCarthy Teaching Award. In 2005 she was awarded the Danisco Outstanding Service Award for participation in the Penn State-Danisco Cultured Dairy Products Short Course.

Beth is currently completing her the Ph.D. and plans to graduate in 2007.