Byrnes Receives 2014 Graduate Student Leadership Award

Nadia has been actively involved in leadership activities during her undergraduate training at the University of Rochester, during her master's degree at Ohio State, and at Penn State. As an undergraduate, she served as an executive board member for the University of Rochester Equestrian Team for two years. During the second year, she was the elected Team Captain of the Show Team. At Ohio State, she became involved with the Food Science Club, acting as the Intramural Coordinator and the Industry Liaison. She was also the Vice Chair of the Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum, a member of the Executive Board of the Bennett Graduate Research Society, and a delegate in the Council of Graduate Students. In addition, she has worked with the leaders of the Institute of Food Technologist's Sensory and Consumer Science Division at the 2013 IFT Annual Meeting and is involved in the Global Sensory Student Involvement Initiative through the Society of Sensory Professionals.

Nadia has published in several peer-reviewed publications and presented her research at numerous scientific meetings, including the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, the Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, and the Institute of Food Technologists. Nadia has been awarded numerous travel awards from national meetings. Notably, she was awarded for her Outstanding Presentation of Innovation at the 3rd annual Society for the Sensory Professionals Meeting. She was also the recipient of the prestigious Ira A. Minter Memorial Scholarship, the William B. Rosskam Memorial Scholarship in Food Science, and the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at Ohio State.

Nadia has participated as a volunteer in therapeutic horseback riding programs as well as assisted with the Future Farmers of America program at Penn State.

Nadia is described as talented, passionate, driven, and dedicated to having a career in science.