CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) announced Christopher Daubert, PhD as the nonprofit’s 85th president, effective Sept. 1, 2024.
As of Sept. 1, 2023, Daubert will serve as president-elect. He will work closely with incoming president, Sean Leighton, global VP of food safety, quality and regulatory at Cargill. Each president serves a one-year term in the role.
Daubert is currently the vice chancellor and dean of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). Before joining the university in 2017, he worked for North Carolina State University for over two decades, where he was head of the Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences department and director of the Food Rheology Laboratory.
“I am excited to lead an organization dedicated to advancing science and promoting people who are addressing global challenges associated with food access,” Daubert said. “Throughout my career, IFT has been a steady and positive influence; a community that provides and shares resources to best serve our industry.”
Daubert is also an IFT fellow and has served as chair of the Food Engineering division. Additionally, he was member-at-large of IFT’s Dogwood section in North Carolina.
“Chris has been an impactful member of IFT for many years, actively participating and leading through the numerous volunteer groups and opportunities IFT has to offer its members,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “He has been instrumental in helping elevate the science of food, and we are thrilled that he will become our 85th board president when he takes over on Sept. 1, 2024.”
