Students studying companion animal nutrition and related fields will have the opportunity to listen to pet food and animal health industry leaders during "Pathways in pet nutrition: exploring your future in a growing industry," a 60-minute keynote education session scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 11:15 a.m. during Petfood Forum 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The session is designed to introduce students to the range of careers available across the pet nutrition industry, with particular focus on the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor — a regional ecosystem that houses the largest concentration of animal health and nutrition companies in the world. Panelists will discuss real-world challenges their organizations are working to solve, how scientific training translates to roles in research, product development, engineering, regulatory affairs and data science, and what hiring managers look for in internship and fellowship candidates.
Panelists include:
Emily McVey, vice president of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, will moderate the panel. McVey brings 15 years of workforce development and association management experience, with a focus on connecting emerging professionals with industry opportunities.
Dr. Sam Al-Murrani, managing director and owner of Bimini Pet Health, a U.S.-based contract manufacturer and private-label provider of pet health supplements and treats. Al-Murrani is recognized as an industry and technical expert with numerous editorials and articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Tom Rychlewski, vice president of food and beverage regional operations at CRB, where he leads design, automation and construction operations across the company's food and beverage organization. Rychlewski previously served as market team leader and helped grow CRB's food and beverage team from inception.
Nate Thomas, founder and partner of BSM Partners, a full-service pet care research, consulting and product innovation firm he co-founded in 2011. Thomas has more than 26 years of technical experience in the pet food industry and has been included in every edition of Pet Age's Power 50 list.
Melissa Vanchina, M.S., director of product design at Hill's Pet Nutrition, where she leads global programs focused on taste performance and clinical efficacy. With more than 16 years at Hill's, Vanchina spearheaded development of the patented E.A.T. (Enhanced Appetite Trigger) technology used in Prescription Diet k/d.
The panel will also feature an interactive Q&A, giving students the opportunity to ask industry leaders directly about networking strategies, internship and fellowship applications, and how to translate academic research experience into industry roles. The session will close with practical guidance on approaching employers and positioning themselves for early career opportunities.
The two-day Student Program runs April 28–29 at Petfood Forum 2026 in Kansas City. Research presentations will be hosted in the Future of Pet Food Pavilion in Aisle 2900, covering disciplines including novel proteins, ingredient technologies, formulation, sustainability and more.
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. Students are encouraged to connect with panelists and other industry representatives throughout the event.
Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials show dates are April 27-29, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. To register or stay informed on the latest event developments, go to PetfoodForumEvents.com.
