The Student Program research covers various disciplines, including novel proteins, ingredient technologies, formulation, sustainability and more.
Paul Ward Photography
Students studying companion animal nutrition and related fields will take center stage at Petfood Forum 2026, presenting original research to pet food manufacturers and industry professionals during the two-day Student Program, April 28-29, in Kansas City.
Research presentations will be hosted in the Future of Pet Food Pavilion in Aisle 2900 on the show floor. The Student Program research covers various disciplines, including novel proteins, ingredient technologies, formulation, sustainability and more.
Lindsay Beaton, editor of Petfood Industry magazine, will host the Student Program at Petfood Forum 2026.Paul Ward PhotographyDay 1: Tuesday, April 28
The first day of presentations runs from 9:45 to 10:50 a.m., with Lindsay Beaton, editor of Petfood Industry magazine and Student Program coordinator, opening and closing the session. Presentations include:
Larissa Alves-Koulicoff, Kansas State University: "The effect of feeding cricket powder on extruded diets for dogs on postprandial glucose, insulin and amino acid responses"
Yushu Cheng, University of Guelph: "Beta-glucans in pet food: What are they and what do they do?"
Dalton Holt, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: "Impacts of fiber ingredients on product structure in extruded rice-based blends"
Brooklynn Liversidge, University of Guelph: "Ingredient formulation and omega-3 fatty acid content in over-the-counter and veterinary therapeutic joint health diets for dogs and cats in Ontario"
A student education session, "Pathways in pet nutrition: exploring your future in a growing industry," follows from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Research presentations will be hosted in the Future of Pet Food Pavilion in Aisle 3000 on the show floor. Paul Ward PhotographyDay 2: Wednesday, April 29
Day 2 opens at 9:30 a.m. with student presentations, followed by a poster session. Student presentations include:
Manuela Marques Fischer, University of Guelph: "Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-1079 supplementation on the fecal microbiota of cats exposed to an acute stress challenge"
Youhan Chen, Kansas State University: "Formulate for the urinary tract health of cats"
Jordyn Welsh, University of Guelph: "Evaluating the biochemical parameters, body composition and cardiac function of healthy dogs fed faba bean protein concentrate, starch and flour"
Rachel van Ruiten, Iowa State University: "Fresh pet food: perceptions vs. research"
Poster presentations begin at 10:40 a.m. and include:
Kanyon Alexander, Kansas State University: "Sustainability signals in pet food: Consumer interpretation of animal welfare and environmental claims"
Dalton Holt, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: "Ingredient impacts on specific mechanical energy during extrusion processing: A comparison between two methods of specific mechanical energy estimation"
Larissa Alves-Koulicoff, Kansas State University: "The effects of a commercial product containing terpenoids (ArgaT) fed to healthy adult dogs on overall and gut health"
Vishnu Pasupuleti, South Dakota State University: "Enrichment of corn wet cake into high-value lovastatin enriched bioproducts"
Nayara Mota Miranda Soares, Kansas State University: "Effects of red sorghum bran inclusion in extruded diets on apparent total tract digestibility of macronutrients and gross energy, fecal quality, hematology, and serum biochemistry profile of healthy adult dogs"
Christabel Tachie, University of Arkansas: "Insect-based bioconversion of milling by-products into high-value food ingredients"
Delaney New, Kansas State University: "Understanding veterinary perceptions of sustainability in pet food"
Jared Rivera, Kansas State University: "Use of sodium bisulfate as an alternative to potassium sorbate for inhibiting Aspergillus flavus and native mold growth in a semi-moist pet food matrix"
The day concludes with the award presentation at 12:15 p.m.
Networking opportunities for students
A meet-and-greet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, will provide additional networking opportunities between students and industry professionals.
"The Student Program's research presentations at Petfood Forum provide students with the opportunity to present their data to the industry in a low-stress environment," said Beaton. "I sort of pride myself on creating an atmosphere for presenting students that allows them to get their research out there to all the right people in an openly receptive setting of their peers as well as industry experts. It's led to everything from requests for additional research to industry relationships that led to job opportunities, so the formula must be working!"
All student attendees have full access to Petfood Forum's educational sessions and show floor.
"Even if students are at the show as non-presenting attendees, they still have access to the entirety of Petfood Forum," said Beaton. "Whether they're looking to learn more about the industry through our educational sessions or want to network on the show floor, there's something for everyone. I've specifically curated the Student Program to maximize opportunities for direct connection with the industry."
Lindsay Beaton, editor of Petfood Industry magazine, will host the Student Program at Petfood Forum 2026.Paul Ward Photography
Lindsay Beaton, editor of Petfood Industry magazine, will host the Student Program at Petfood Forum 2026.Paul Ward Photography
Research presentations will be hosted in the Future of Pet Food Pavilion in Aisle 3000 on the show floor. Paul Ward Photography
