Cameron C. rich
Department of Food Science and Technology
Food Science and Technology
Dublin, OH
2023 Distinguished Senior Award Recognition Reception Program (.pdf)
2023 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient Reception Poster (.pdf)
Since he was diagnosed with celiac disease ten years ago, Cameron Rich has had to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Growing up with the condition, he developed a desire to help innovate new and flavorful gluten-free snack and meal options for people like him. In the Department of Food Science and Technology, he found a tight-knit and welcoming community of likeminded scholars and faculty.
His extensive involvement within the Department of Food Science and Technology offered Cam some of his most enjoyable and rewarding experiences. As a Peer Mentor, Cam was able to give back to the community that had made him feel so welcome, helping to design fun and engaging events for the department’s freshmen such as bowling outings, trivia games, and campus tours. As Co-social Chair of Food Science Club, Cam planned engaging social and service events outside of the classroom for Food Science majors. As the club’s Industry Liaison, he was responsible for bringing in representatives from the food
industry to speak to members about professional opportunities, helping his peers cultivate meaningful industry connections.
A part time job at the T. Marzetti Company’s sensory science kitchen paved the way for Cam to complete a summer internship with the local food producer last summer. As a Research and Development Intern in the company’s sauce lab, Cam had the chance to
exercise some creativity, developing his own garlic aioli and assisting with improving the formula for one of the company’s classic dressings through the addition of mouthfeel enhancers. He credits the internship with solidifying his desire to pursue a graduate
degree and considers it his most valuable undergraduate learning experience.
An active undergraduate researcher, Cam presented his studies at two undergraduate research forums. His first project utilized spectroscopy and chemometrics to differentiate virgin and refined coconut oils, while his second focused on applying spectroscopy to detect trace amounts of gluten in commercial gluten-free flours. Cam hopes to continue his work on gluten-free products next fall as a graduate student.
Cam named Kelly Elisar as his mentor and shares the following: “During my time as the Food Science Club’s Industry Liaison, Kelly has been a tremendous help in providing company contact information and assisting me in scheduling company visits. Her
help and guidance have allowed me to foster meaningful connections with industry representatives and provide networking, internship, and job opportunities to my peers in the Food Science department. In addition to assisting me with the Industry Liaison role, Kelly listened to my wants and needs and was crucial in helping me find my amazing internship opportunity. She has always been a kind and helpful resource for me to turn to when I seek career advice and has undoubtably positively influenced my Ohio State food science experience and helped point my career in the right direction.”
Following graduation, Cam plans to pursue a master’s degree. He hopes to eventually work in the food industry as a product developer.
Service, involvement, and accolades: Food Science Club, industry liaison, co-social chair | Food Science Peer Mentor | OSU Men’s Club Volleyball, co-fundraising chair | FoodS.U.R.E Program