Lauren credits Rider with helping perfect her time management skills, where she was involved as an Andrew J. Rider Scholar, active member of the Chemistry Honor Society, student tutor, and captain of the women's soccer team.
Why Lauren chose Rider
"The combination of being recruited to play soccer and the size of the Chemistry department attracted me to Rider,” says Lauren. “I liked being able to know the professors personally. The faculty/student ratio was amazing — resulting in lots of one-on-one support."
I liked being able to personally know the professors. The professor to student ratio was amazing — it was literally 1 to 1.
R&D Manager, PepsiCo
Rider's impact on Lauren's success
Lauren first acquired her “taste” for a career in food sciences in her first year at Rider, during a presentation by the National Starch Food Company. “It convinced me to go into the industry, as well as research and development. I want to make seasoning and flavors to make food servings healthier, but still maintain the taste.”
She also gained valuable research experience working in the Chemistry labs at Rider. “It’s uncommon for undergraduates to do independent research at larger universities. My professors stressed the importance of gaining research experience,” said Lauren, who worked with Dr. Danielle Jacobs on synthesizing molecules that were active against tumor cells. “I learned so much in the labs, and it definitely proved useful in my master’s degree work. That experience was also invaluable when I entered the work force.”
Lauren ultimately had the opportunity to confirm her interest in the field as an intern in the analytical chemistry and microbiology labs of ConAgra Foods, where she blended, smelled and tasted a wide range of potential products.
Continued success
Lauren graduated with a master’s degree from Cornell University’s Department of Food Science in 2013. At Cornell, she was a member of IFTSA & Mars Product Development Team, Disney IFTSA Product Development Team, Food Science Club, Phi Tau Sigma and the Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station. Since then, she has advanced in her career to a role as R&D Manager at PepsiCo.