Phi Tau Sigma

Phi Tau Sigma Logo

Phi Tau Sigma (ΦΤΣ) is the Honor Society for food science and technology.

The organization was founded in 1953 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst by Dr. Gideon E. (Guy) Livingston, a food technology professor. It was incorporated under the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on 8 December 1953, as "Phi Tau Sigma Honorary Society, Inc."

Wikipedia page

Mission and Purpose

 The mission of Phi Tau Sigma is to raise the stature and recognize scholarly achievements of the Food Science and Technology profession. This mission is achieved by encouraging outstanding achievement by Food Science students and professionals, and by enhancing Food Science professionals through the Phi Tau Sigma member network.

 In 2018, the Nebraska Section of IFT and Phi Tau Sigma agreed to foster excellence in food science and technology through collaboration of two events. The first is to annually co-host a speaker event where Phi Tau Sigma will select a well-known speaker and the second is to co-host “Student Banquet” where Nebraska Section scholarships are presented and Phi Tau Sigma will hold its induction ceremony. 

How to Become a Member: Eligibility Guidelines

Membership Criteria (used by the Membership and Qualifications Committee):
Eligibility for Membership of students
  1. Undergraduate students being nominated for student Membership should be pursuing a degree program in Food Science or an equivalent.  The statement of qualifications for students pursuing programs of study other than those meeting the IFT Education Standards should provide evidence of the program's content in Food Chemistry and Analysis, Food Safety and Microbiology, and Food Processing and Engineering.
  2. Graduate students being nominated for student Membership should be pursuing a graduate degree in Food Science or an equivalent.  A nomination should not be submitted until the student has completed at least two semesters of the graduate program.  The statement of qualifications for students pursuing graduate degrees other than Food Science should clearly illustrate the relationship of the student's background and/or program of study to Food Science and Technology.
  3. Undergraduate and graduate students being nominated for Associate Membership should have a Grade Point Average (GPA) equal to or greater than 3.5, or equivalent.  The statement of qualifications for any student with a GPA less than a 3.5 should provide other evidence of academic achievements to justify the nomination.
  4. The statement of qualifications for undergraduate and graduate students should focus on recognitions, honors and other academic achievements of the student being nominated.
Eligibility for Membership of professionals:
  1. Food Science and Technology professionals being nominated for professional Membership
  2. must have a minimum of 5 years of experience beyond the B.S. degree (4 years beyond the M.S. degree or 2 years beyond a Ph.D. degree) in a position directly related to Food Science and Technology in industry, government, a non-profit or an academic institution.
  3. The statement of qualifications for Food Science and Technology professionals being nominated should clearly illustrate how contributions of the nominee in his/her professional positions have distinguished the nominee from other professionals with similar professional experiences.
  4. The statement of qualifications for Food Science and Technology professionals should demonstrate the relationship of recognitions, honors and other achievements to the professional strengths of the nominee.
Please read prior to completing and submitting nominations for membership:
  1. This is a nomination process and not an application. The ΦTΣ Honor Society Nomination for Membership form should be completed and reviewed by the members signing as nominator prior to submission.
  2. The nominators (signatories) must be members in good standing (have paid their dues) in Phi Tau Sigma.
  3. At least one of the nominators must be a Professional Member.
  4. Do not attach materials not requested by the form. (For example, do not attach a curriculum vitae or letters of support.)
  5. All of the nominations from a single institution should be submitted together in a single file (pdf or Word format). Email the nomination file to the Executive Secretary.
  6. The Membership and Qualifications Committee reviews all nomination and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee. The nomination evaluation process usually takes a month or so. Incomplete nomination material will delay the evaluation process and/or result in rejection.
  7. The nomination fee must be paid prior to review of the nomination material by
  8. Membership and Qualifications Committee. Please follow the instructions listed on the ΦTΣ
  9. Honor Society Nomination for Membership Form.
  10. Membership of anyone can be revoked for non-payment of dues, except Lifetime Members and Emeritus Members.
  11. The documents listed above can be found on the Phi Tau Sigma website, subsection Documents. They can also be accessed by the direct link below:

Contact email addresses:

Executive Secretary, Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D., klkotula@msn.com

Elizabeth M. Grasso-Kelley, Ph.D., elizabeth.grasso-kelley@fda.hhs.go

Application forms can be downloaded via the Phi Tau Sigma Nomination (PDF) (Word)

Phi Tau Sigma Awards for Students

Associate Members are eligible for scholarships, awards, honor cords, networking, leadership opportunities and monthly newsletter. Visit the

Phi Tau Sigma website for information on Scholarships and Awards, and Monthly Newsletter.

Phi Tau Sigma Events/Meetings at University at Nebraska-Lincoln

Annual Meeting: Fall 2021 (TBD)

Student Banquet: Spring 2022 (TBD)

Contact us:

For questions/comments/additional information please contact Emerson David Nolasco Guzman (enolasco2@huskers.unl.edu).

2021-2022 Executive Board Members

Organization Advisors

Dr. Curtis Weller
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
233 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
402 472 9337
cweller1@unl.edu

Dr. Changmou Xu
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
242 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
402 472 4635 
cxu13@unl.edu

Dr. Kaustav Majumder
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
263 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
402 472 3510
kaustav.majumder@unl.edu

Dr. Mei Lu
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
249 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6207
402 472 2767
mlu4@unl.edu

President

Emerson David Nolasco Guzman, PhD Student
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
212 Food Innovation Center
enolasco2@huskers.unl.edu

President Elect

Rui Huang, PhD Student
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
213 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
rhuang6@huskers.unl.edu

Secretary

Yutong Liu, MS Student
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
108 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
yutong.liu@huskers.unl.edu 

Treasurer

Ashley Newton, MS Student
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
212 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
anewton5@huskers.unl.edu

Liaison with IFT Aksarben

Dr. Melanie Downs
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
262 Food Innovation Center
Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
402 472 5423
mdowns2@unl.edu