2013
Presentation Winners
Andres Lopez, Sociology (Dr. Sharon Bird)
Presentation: Fixing “The Man Problem”: Creating New Masculine Disciples through Christian en’s Ministries
Elease McLaurin, Industrial Engineering (Dr. Richard Stone)
Presentation: Designing Better Tele-Robot
Christine Hutchison, Nutritional Science (Dr. James Hollis)
Presentation: Effect of soluble fiber dextrin on postprandial appetite and subsequent food intake in healthy adults
David Manu, Food Science and Technology (Dr. Aubrey Mendonca)
Presentation: Antibacterial Effectiveness of Phenyllactic Acid against Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogens at pH 6.0 and 7.2
Rafael Martinez-Feria, Sustainable Agriculture (Dr. Mary Wiedenhoeft)
Presentation: Suitability of Winter Canola (Brassica napus) for Enhancing Summer Annual Crop Rotations in Iowa
Luncheon Speaker
Dr. Toshiba L. Traynham-Jackson received her Baccalaureate Science degree in Biology Pre-Medicine (magna cum laude) from Virginia State University in 2001.Toshiba’s future academic path was paved after she was recruited by Iowa State University (ISU) to pursue graduate studies in Food Science. Toshiba entered the university with the goal of earning a Master’s degree that was completed in 2003. After learning more about the vast opportunities in Food Science & Technology, she decided to continue for a Doctorate, which was completed in 2006. Dr. Traynham-Jackson was among the inaugural class of students to receive fellowships from the Iowa Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) to pursue doctoral studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Through her successful participation in this program, Toshiba developed academic, professional and interpersonal skills that have shaped her academic and career achievements to date.
While at ISU, Toshiba was very active in the ISU community. She was an active member of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Related Sciences (MANRRS). She served as the Region V Graduate Vice President as an ISU student and provided leadership during the planning of the organization’s regional workshops and national conferences held at various universities, including ISU. She routinely and enthusiastically participated in recruitment visits sponsored by the Food Science Department and The Graduate College for prospective students. Toshiba also served in the capacities of Secretary, Vice President, and President, as a member of the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA).
Dr. Traynham-Jackson has established a solid career in the Food Industry. After finishing a summer internship in 2005 with The Kraft Foods Group, Inc (formerly Modelez), Toshiba was offered full time employment upon graduation. In 2007, she joined the company as a Scientist in Research & Development for the Oscar Mayer Division in Madison, Wisconsin and later received a promotion to Senior Scientist in 2009. During that time period, Toshiba was responsible for the quality testing and commercialization of frozen, meatless products for the BOCA® Brand and refrigerated cold cuts for the Lunchables™ and Deli Fresh™ Brands. In 2012, Dr. Traynham-Jackson accepted a position as a Quality Systems Supervisor in Newberry, SC at the company’s poultry slaughter and ready-to-eat facility. This role in manufacturing affords Toshiba the opportunity to be hands-on with the end products of her work as a Research Scientist. In this supervisory position, she manages a 9-person staff that is responsible for performing routine assessments of manufacturing and sanitation operations for compliance with regulatory, quality, and sanitary procedures. With this move, she is also closer to her family in the Carolinas and hometown of South Hill, Virginia.
Dr. Traynham-Jackson enjoys speaking to young people on career exploration and the field of Food Science and has done so for organizations such as MANRRS, 100 Black Men of Madison, The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and University of Wisconsin-Madison, She has been a mentor to many aspiring college students; some have gone on to earn Doctoral degrees. When Toshiba isn’t checking the Quality of cold cuts made at the plant, she oversees the quality of fruits and vegetables grown and sold by Jackson Farms II, the farm and roadside market that she and her husband, Robert Jackson II own.