U.S – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has announced Vickie Kloeris as its 82nd president succeeding Noel Anderson, IFT’s 2020-2021 president.

IFT is a nonprofit scientific institute committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system.

Kloeris retired from NASA where she worked in space food systems for a total of 34 years. Her last position was as the manager of the International Space Station Food System. In her role, she served as technical manager for the NASA contract that produces food for the International Space Station (ISS) crews.

She attributed her membership to IFT to her major professors at Texas A&M who encouraged her to join in 1978, and considers it as some of the best career advice she has ever received.

“Now, after decades of membership, it is an honor and a privilege to serve as president of the organization through which I discovered my NASA career and where I was provided with technical and educational support every step of the way. I am humbled and thrilled by the opportunity to give back. I want to focus on how we can better serve our members in the evolving science of food and in what we hope will soon be the post-COVID world. I look forward to seeing everyone in person at IFT’s annual event in Chicago next year.”

Vickie Kloeris, President, IFT

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Christie Tarantino-Dean, the IFT CEO, commented that Vickie has been an active member of the institute since 1978 and has served in numerous IFT volunteer roles at the section, division and national level.

“Given her vast organizational involvement with IFT, including time on the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Advisory Panel, the Teaching and Learning Work Group and numerous award juries, we know that she will make a meaningful impact as she chairs IFT’s board of directors as president this coming year.”

Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO, IFT

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Kloeris has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has received several awards including NASA’s highest award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 2019. During her career, Kloeris was twice awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and has received the Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation Award.

In 2017, she was given an Outstanding Alumni Award by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at her alma mater, Texas A&M University. As stated by Quality Assurance Magazine, Kloeris is a certified food scientist and holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and a master’s degree in food science from Texas A&M University.

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